The last day of 2009

Spent the last day of the year celebrating my sister's birthday at the White Rabbit @ Harding Road, where we had a 'chi-chi' lunch with Xiao Yang, Gen and Sarah.







lazy to write... so just enjoy the photos folks. Happy New Year!

Btw, our wedding photos are up on facebook. =)

Irony

Funny it is how our circle line is built with such vast corridor space when on land our little red dot is in need of space

the DRESS

Okay, 

I've got quite a few comments from people regarding what the dress looks like. To please all, here's a front view of it. 

Enjoy.

 (though i dont really know what the fuss is about.. it's just a dress you guys... ) 

p.s. all that hair is mine.. I know... so much?!? =) yes.. 

Gaining weight or losing my tone ?

Its crappy you know, just a few months of ill-discipline and you lose your tone in your muscles. you gain back the weight you spend months even years getting rid of on for it to come back to haunt you in a matter of weeks. It creeps up on you. you dont notice it until its too late !

Better to give than to receive

Today, I had the opportunity to be a receiver and a giver. 

A receiver? 

Yes, I was blessed with an off day today. Spent it waking up at 9am, having breakfast,watching tv till 12 plus, reading from 1plus to 2, taking a nap from 2 to 330pm. Subsequently, left for my appointment at 4plus to the Lee household so that the Lee kids could model their clothes for me to see. 

Had loads of fun with them as they showed off and took photos in the pretty frock and suits. =) The doc met us there at 5ish -6 and we brought Mrs Lee and the kids out for dinner leaving Mr Lee to do some studying for his quiz tomorrow. We enjoyed ourselves tremendously, watching the kids and just chit chatting with Gen over dinner. Caleb and Sarah are really good kids and e doc even said it was good practice! Ha! I guess so... but.. even then no way, no kids for at least the first year. 

After sending them home, we paid our friend's dad a home visit to see how he was and to pass him some medical equipment that was required. Today I realize that God has placed in our hearts this burden of caring for those we know who need medical attention outside of the hospital. Especially nowadays where doctors are becoming more specialized. Often I find that families and patients have many doctors but no one doctor who is able to give them overall care of their health, putting everything together. I'm glad the doc is going into internal medicine and not surgery. He's interested and cares about all the medical issues, from the fevers, to the coughs, to the swollen legs and all that jazz. I love him for that. For caring enough to make this effort with me to go make this visit after work. 

And our life is made more meaningful. Indeed, its better to give than to receive. I feel blessed that I'm a receiver of many good things in my life. But i feel even more blessed when we are able to be a blessing to others when we can. 

Thankful for rest days

In my line of work, we are very thankful for rest days. everyday seems like the same to us...especially this week.

Worked 4 mornings in a row this week and found myself automatically 'switching off' at 10pm every night. Yesterday, after attending marriage prep after work and subsequently having dinner to celebrate Ruth's birthday (e doc's sis), I literally just fell asleep at 10pm while e doc was driving me home!

I dont know how my body does it... it just shuts down. e doc was apparently talking to me and i didnt respond to him. hahah

Nevertheless, I'm glad and thankful for rest days!

Getting through the many Ups and Downs of Life

I have not blogged for quite awhile now.. This is primarily because:

1. I'm now working full time again after studying for two years
2. I'm working shift - hence irregular hours
3. I'm constantly tired so every free moment is spent either napping on my living room couch or stoning in front of the tube box
4. There are alot of things e doc and I got to settle in preparation for the upcoming next stage of life

But you guys deserve an update, so here's an attempt:

Work
Life in the healthcare sector back home has been a mixture of emotions. It's definitely not a bed of roses for me as I adjust to the culture, the working environment and pace of the hospital. There have been many many times during the course of the past 6 months or so when I have felt upset, stressed, distressed. I have cried, vented in frustration and what nots as well.

The doc i must say has been really patient with me. However, there were times that he reprimands me and i usually out of pride resent it. In my human nature, I resented it cos it reminded me that I'm not great. I admit that many times I run to him first before I go to my Maker

But these trying times have also made me realise how much I need God's provision, support, strength, wisdom, compassion and mercy. God has been extremely patient with me while I go through periods of rebellion; not reading His Word. But He has always been there waiting for me to come back to Him.

Just like today. When I woke up, all I thought was, I dont want to go to work. I was on the verge of crying out of desperation and tiredness. It was too early to moan and groan to the doc so I could not turn to him. Instead I turned to Him. I asked Him to help me through this day. To take control of it.

And you know what? Yes, the day went well. He watched over me through and through. I want to go to Him first and foremost.. not as a second option. Im still learning..

There is so much to learn about depending on God for everything in life. That's what i want to achieve.. to be daily content with what He has given me and to be dependent on Him for every aspect of my life on a daily basis.

More Photos on Gracie-buddy

To all my dearest friends who have posted their comments in the past two blog entries:

Thank you for the kind comments you have given. =) Some of you have requested that I post them on facebook.. but not so keen cos i think i want to keep some mystery to the photos for now. but here are some other ones for you guys to comment.

We have to choose the pictures for our photoshoot and i'm really putting it off cos there are so many to plough through! dunno which ones i should put in.

Haha..1. At the Link Bridge

2. Intercontinental Hotel

3. Garb: Liverpool T-shirts
Location: East Coast Park

4. Same as above

some other shots

Photography by: One Eye Click
Location: Bedok Jetty
Clothes: Our own
Flowers: Country Florist (Siglap Center)
Man on Bike: Passerby

Sneak Peeks

Here are just 4 of the many many many photos from our photo shoot.. some better than the others (like we look fat etc..) ... but all in all we are pretty happy with them.. hahah enjoy.. let us know your comments.

Faith, Hope, and Love

Unveiling our beauty really just means unveiling our feminine hearts.

It’s scary, for sure. That is why it is our greatest expression of faith, because we are going to have to trust Jesus—really trust him. We’ll have to trust him that we have a beauty, that what he has said of us is true. And we’ll have to trust him with how it goes when we offer it, because that is out of our control. We’ll have to trust him when it hurts, and we’ll have to trust him when we are finally seen and enjoyed. That’s why unveiling our beauty is how we live by faith.

Unveiling our beauty is our greatest expression of hope. We hope it will matter, that our beauty really does make a difference. We hope there is a greater and higher Beauty, hope we are reflecting that Beauty, and hope it will triumph. Our hope is that all is well because of Jesus, and that all will be well because of him. So we unveil beauty in hope. And finally, we unveil beauty in the hope that Jesus is growing our beauty. Yes, we are not yet what we long to be. But we are under way. Restoration has begun. To offer beauty now is an expression of hope that it will be completed.

And unveiling beauty is our greatest expression of love, because it is what the world most needs from us. When we choose not to hide, when we choose to offer our hearts, we are choosing to love. Jesus offers, he invites, he is present. That is how he loves. That is how we love—sincerely, as the Scripture says, “from the heart” (1 Peter 1:22). Our focus shifts from self-protection to the hearts of others. We offer Beauty so that their hearts might come alive, be healed, know God. That is love.

(Captivating , 147)

God knows better than I do

You know, God really knows better than I do. As my new phase of life draws nearer, I find that there are new things I have to tackle..like setting up my own home, managing my finances, budgeting, buying furniture etc. 

And really, if i didnt study overseas, all this would be really new to me and i wouldnt know what to make of it. But I believe that my experience renting an apartment on my own, figuring out the electricity etc really helped. It's a different system here and all but nevertheless the experience will benefit. 

There will be more updates along the way as the doc and I start on this new journey of life. Please pray for us as we take it one step at a time. 

I am having great Inertia...

... to run.

Before I started work and even during my first two months of work, I diligently tried to run twice a week, each run lasting about 30-40mins followed by resistance training with the Gym in the Pocket (i.e. resistance band).

Now?

I'm into almost the end of the 3rd month of work and I am finding it so so hard to stick to the two times a week exercise regime that i set myself to do. I have to really excite myself to do it. I usually only do once a week now. Last week i managed to go for a run but I could only do half an hour run.

It really requires discipline. I'm on my feet throughout the shift and especially when I'm doing junior work, I'm lifting, pushing, pulling, bending and sweating. But it's different type of exercise. It's not cardio ex as I dont feel my heart pounding and my heart rate going up. So i dont think i'm burning up very much calories. I dunno. I should wear a pedometer i guess. Cos walking 10,000 steps a day burns up

Apparently, 'a pound of fat equals 3500 calories' (0.45kg = 1 pound) Losing 1-2 pounds of fat a week is also apparently a sensible goal, and so you will want to use the combination of increased activity and eating less that will total 3500 calories for 7 days.
(adapted from about.com)

Like today, the weather is not bad and pretty ideal for a run. But i feel so much inertia. I keep on hearing the words, 'you can do it tom morning', 'you're hungry.. you where got energy to run?'

Excuses excuses excuses..

Nurse vs. Doctor: The Major Difference

from http://noedb.org/library/features/nurse-vs-doctor-the-major-differences

Published on Thursday 23rd 2007 August, 2007

Those who work outside of the medical industry often confuse the roles of doctor and nurse, not aware that the two have very different functions. Although the two work side-by-side in many situations and need each other to complete certain tasks, there are major differences between a doctor and nurse. Both roles, however, are essential for the medical industry and of equal importance. Putting stereotypes aside, the differences between a doctor and nurse are evaluated below.

Doctors and nurses first differ in their job descriptions. In most cases, the doctor is tasked with examining and diagnosing patients. A nurse, on the other hand, will have a more hands-on role with physically treating a patient based on the doctor's diagnosis. Nurses often joke that they are just as knowledgeable, yet are paid less and charged with performing the "dirty work". However, both jobs can be physically and emotionally demanding. It should be pointed out that the role of a nurse is not always as a subordinate to doctors. Advanced nurses, such as nurse practitioners, will also diagnose patients and can even prescribe medication.

Another major difference between a doctor and nurse is their salary. While not always true, the average doctor earns a higher yearly income than the average nurse. According to a 2006 study by Allied Physicians Incorporated, a hospital staff nurse earns an average of $45,000 a year. A hospital staff doctor, however, earns well into the six figures in the first year of practice. While an advanced practice nurse in a supervisory position could take in at least $75,000, an experienced surgeon could earn over $1 million.

Nurses and doctors also differ in length of college study. While some nurses obtain specialized degrees in a graduate program, the minimum degree requirement for a registered nurse (RN) is a four-year bachelor's degree. A doctor, however, must obtain a PhD, which takes eight years on average. A specialist physician, however, could remain in college for over a decade. Both a doctor and nurse will typically earn a higher wage for obtaining advanced degrees. It seems that both are compensated for lengthy college stays.

While it is obvious that the career of a doctor and nurse are different, it is important to note that the two complement each other in the process of healing patients. Neither could exist without the other and neither role is more important. Those debating which field to enter, however, should consider their own bedside manner as well as the differences of salary and degree requirements.

Divorce

Since my work timings are pretty erratic, I have not been keeping myself updated with the news recently. Even finding time to read the articles by the fav. writer has been quite a challenge. 

So yesterday, I brought the Sunday Times to work so that I could do some quick catching up with the current news, one of which was this huge article on dividing matrimonial assets during a divorce. 

It was a full page article giving advice on what couples should do before a divorce to guard themselves from problems should a divorce occur. It wrote with a preventive angle, on the stand that divorce may and can happen and you should protect yourself from it. so that you will have enough money for yourself and your ex-partner does not end up having more than he/she deserves. 

My thoughts after reading the article: 

Since divorce and the length of the article didnt interest me, I brushed and skimmed through the article. But I re-read it throughly on the way home and I was quite affected and troubled by what the article was encouraging. My first 'feeling' as a reader of the article was that it was telling couples and singles alike to be protecting yourself and not trusting in the marriage. 

However, if we begin with such a thinking of our marriage or even about married life as a single, that our marriage may result in divorce and we need to think about and carry out the actions as suggested in the article, arent we just allowing thoughts of divorce into our lives? 

I dont believe in divorce. And since I'm getting married soon, I ask myself whether I would take the steps suggested in the article just to protect myself. My answer is a big fat NO. Call me naive or stupid. While I believe some of the pointers will be done by me as just a record of our expenses but definitely not as a proof of how much maintenance I need. 

As Christians, the doc and I dont believe in divorce cos God created marriage to last. Where two become one flesh at the point where your marriage vows are exchanged. God says, 'I hate divorce' (Malachi 2:16). It is also said that let not marriage be broken by anyone for it is pleasing in His eyes. 

Yes, marriage is tough, difficult to make two separate people live harmoniously together.  It's alot easier being single I feel. But with God in the center of the whole situation, where is the need to consider divorce? to consider separation? 

Movies to catch

Quite a few movies I want to catch too... 

1. Star Trek

2. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian 

Happy Mothers Day and Happy Birthday

Yesterday the Tan family and the woman folk of the Lee family went out to celebrate a belated Mothers Day cum Birthday brunch. Having been to Jones the Grocer once just to look see look see, we decided that it was the place to bring our mom and Gen for brunch. 

What is Jones the Grocer?

Located at Dempsey Road, Jones the Grocer is an Australian chain that is set out like a grocery shop with an on site cafe. It sells wines, cheeses, pasta etc and also has a breakfast and lunch menu. 

Being a weekday, it was not very crowded and the service was attentive. the ambience was lovely too and got the approval of both the mother and the father, the latter announcing that we can come back again. 

Little sarah also enjoyed herself, wandering the aisles, picking up things within her reach and also playing with her organic oats; that she generously offered to us to share. 

Food was yummy too... Sorry no photos as everyone tucked in quickly.. 

Rest rest rest

Its a great feeling... not to have to go to work tomorrow. Really.

I realise that i have a standard routine on the shift before i go for my day off. I am unusually happy, and when i leave the ward, i do a little wave to all I meet. But when i'm coming back the next day, i dont. I focus for the door and i walk purpose fully toward the exit.

But for the former, there is actually a slight bounce in my step.. hahaa... =)

Thank God off days!

getting to know myself more....

working life has forced me to look at my work attitude. and i must say there are many things i need to change and many things i'm not happy with.

I give up too easily. many a times, when i cant achieve something, my self-esteem goes all the way down and every right that I have done before is negated. I automatically think i'm extremely lousy and a hopeless case.

yeah. thats it. and it made me have a lousy day as usual. and i did a silly thing. i asked the doc whether he could come pick me up. He did of course and while waiting for him i felt extremely bad for making take that trip, yet he was really sweet about it.

Now, I'm watching greys anatomy in an attempt to clear my mind. yeap. life.

Yet, I was reminded just these past few days that God loves me not for what I can do for him but for who I am. And here i am, facing these troubles.

God really teaches man, when we ask him to give us understanding and to guide us. yea.

Orange

Green, yellow,ORANGE, red and black. I'm pretty sure you guys know what i'm talking about. For those of you who dont, its time to bring your head out of your hole of work, personal life etc and read the newspapers and watch the news. (even the newpaper will do..)

I actually cant believe it. 2 months into my job and i actually encounter an orange code where it is mandatory for us to adorn full PPE (personal protective equipment) with every contact with have with our patients.

I havent actually seen this happening but I'm going back to work tomorrow morning after being out of the ward for a week. When i was in the ward on Thursday, it was Yellow and we were given thermometers so that our temperatures could be recorded and tracked at every start of each shift. Flu vaccinations were also given. Now one day later, its Orange.

I know I have been complaining quite a bit about the current status of the situation but on the other hand, i'm quite glad i actually get to experience such a situation so early into my career. sounds sadistic i know but its true.

The precautions our government has taken has received an array of responses; from the kiasu to the bo chap. I dont blame them cos it really seems quite strange why we are in orange zone without even any actual cases being present.

But since it transmits quite quickly even without the usual symptoms, just be careful you guys. As mentioned in papers, just practice good hand hygiene. And pray. pray for wisdom for all who are involved in managing this situation.

Please pray for me and the doc as well as we continue our jobs as frontline manpower. We will be maintaining the necessary precautions but the prayers of friends and loved ones is definitely assuring and helpful.

In fact, really, with our church doing the 40 days of community, how much more we can show love to the people in our community (esp. our workplace).

More updates next time...