Reality check = Poor

Today a friend invites me to join her for shopping. We are not shopping for clothes, bags or other bimbo things. We are shopping for car. Well I am mountain turtle lah, never really walk inside a car showroom before. The last time my brother-in-law invited me to join him when he wanted to change car but my reply was "Don't waste my time." Haha... cos I really know nothing about cars.

Obviously this friend is too desperate to get me to go with her. Seriously I think I am the worst candidate for today shopping trip.

1. I don't drive. Well, I listen to my tester and keep my driving licence in the cupboard. Hehee... So have not been driving since I pass my test which was more than 1 yr ago.
   


2. I know nuts about COE, car loan, fuel efficiency etc. Basically I only know how to sit in a car and get the driver to send me from point A to point B. Heehee... driver can range from taxi uncle to friends to our family chauffeur (my dear brother-in-law, hee...).

Anyway, the trip today is quite educational (at least for me). For the first time I learn how much a car actually cost. And of course the silly COE, insurance, road tax etc. This is a good lesson to bring me back to reality that I am really too poor to afford a car. Of course everyone will hope to have their own car. BUT looking at the cost, I seriously think it is crazy to own one. Well at least for me - after all I only travel from Eunos to Simei. And if I ever need to go further I depends of friends that drive :)

So my dear friend, when you get your car, please be prepared to send your poor friend home. And to all my car owners friends, thank you very much for sending me home all this while. Hehe... Wait till I strike 4 D than I will buy a car okie? Thanks huh!

SCRAM!!!

"More than a monster, Oscar is an absolutely certifiable grouch. Being happy makes him angry, which in turns makes him happy, which makes him angry, then happy, then angry....well, you get the idea. Seemingly rotten to the core, like a lot of grouches - much to his disappointment - Oscar actually has a heart of gold. "

*From the Sesame Street Live website

Well that is my favourite character in Sesame Street. I feel that I am like Oscar. Grouchy, live in a rubbish bin (look at my room you will know) and also feel like a rubbish bin at times (looking at the amt of rubbish being given to me at work).

But at the end of the day, I think Oscar is still a happy guy - at least in his own way. Just the same as me :)

After 16 years.....

Went for a primary school gathering yesterday. There were only 5 of us despite organiser trying very hard to get the whole world. Really appreciate his effort :)

Great to catch up with friends that you know since young. Brought back a lot of childhood memories. Of course we spend most of the time trying to figure out who is who and where were we at the last gathering.

According to the gang, I look the same - just like 16 years ago. Ok, I know I am skinny. And to think that there were people envious of me taking free milk (cos I was too skinny) then. Haha..... For information, I never actually drink those milk. Donate them to my cousin if I am not wrong :P

17 years ago.... Pri 5/3

16 years ago.... Pri 6/3


16 years later - with Jianhong as the newly found member to the group

"What is my training?"

As social workers we always joke that we will never be out of job. Reason being....

1. Nobody wants to do our shitty work. (That's provided people know what we do.)
2. There will always be social issues in this world especially with Singapore building casinos (that is my speciality these days).
3. Low pay, no benefits, no recognition as a profession.

Well these are just some reasons. This kind of job only people who are very CARING & KIND will do. Hahaa... We do nothing but talk. And most important we worked for FREE!!! I am sure my fellow social workers friends can relate to this :P

Maybe is because people do not know what we do hence they really think that our job is real easy. Easy to the fact that people wants to snatch my rice bowl. I was questioned by someone about what is my training yesterday. Stunned by the question as I was at the meeting representing my profession. Obviously not everyone thinks and treat us professionally.

Was quite affected by the incident yesterday. Not that the question was raised but more because of a professional is the one asking that question. It really reflect how ignorant my co-workers are and also the recognition we get in the hospital. Very sad that this is happening especially in a new team that I am going to work with for the next 1 year.

One of my colleagues asked if I am still sore about that incident. I am not sore cos I am confident that NOT ANYONE can do our job. I am confident that I do add value to the life of my patients. And I am very clear that this job is not about fighting for recognition and status. The satisfaction of the job cannot be measure by monetary gains. I am sure my colleagues and I are in this field due to the little passion that is still burning in us. May this passion keeps burning and lets us prove it to people that we are DIFFERENT!

The BIG 28

Few days ago the gals in office celebrated my 28 years of life. Nothing special on that day. I was still slogging at work. Circle of Trust treated me to lunch and a birthday cake. But as usual nobody volunteer to take a few cases from me. Hehee... If I never remember wrongly hor, last year also like that leh.

Anyway this year birthday wish has changed. My wish is to not to be a grumpy old woman. BUT cannot blame me for being grumpy when irritating young people (they think they very young lah) keep commenting on the number of candles on my cake. Any I have people coming to me telling me that I was only 22 when I join CGH. Hiazzz.... really want to cry ah..... sell my youth to the hospital :(

My dear colleagues surprising me with the cake
For info, someone actually throw tissue paper ball (?use or clean) over my cubicle lor. Aiyo.... so called to alert me leh. You know who you are, this is definitely not the best way to alert people.

I think the 3 mths in Hong Kong really has a great impact on me. Despite all the ridiculous comments from Circle of Trust hor, I actually enjoy their company leh. There must be something wrong with me. Hahaa... I know they want to hear this. Yes I do miss you all when I am away :)

Like what I wrote on my previous posts, the HK trip has made me learn to treasure all the people and things that I have. Ok, must give credit to my dear brother-in-law that brought me the mango birthday cake (for info, I hate mango. is actually his wife's favorite cake lor). Of course is great to have Enya singing birthday song for Yi Yi :)

Happy Birthday to myself :)

Enya singing Happy Birthday :)

Blowing the candles......
In case you are wondering if I am younger, the candles is light for Enya's entertainment only.

In loving memory.....

Was attending a wedding dinner of a friend yesterday. It brought back memories of another friend's wedding.

Few years ago we were the Jie Mei for one of my social work khakis. That was the first time we get to know the bride's mum. Auntie was a very nice lady. She was the modern mum that even support us to sabo her son-in-law. Of course she was also worried that her son-in-law may never have a chance to come through the gate as he was a bit CMI then. Despite being so busy that day, she still make sure that her daughter's crazy jie mei got food to eat, got water to drink.

This was the Auntie that I know. Earlier this week, Auntie had left us for a better place. She was a strong lady who had fought the battle well. Her kindness will always be remembered by all of us. And I am sure if I am her daughter, I would be proud of her.

To my dear friend, I know you may want to have some quiet time now. But remember that all of us will be there if you need us. Take care.....

Home sweet home = Back to reality

I have only been back home for 1 week but somehow it feels like I was never away. Well the past one one week is a busy one. I know my colleagues do not agree with me but I still feel that the pace is faster than it was in Hong Kong. Maybe becos family and friends are here so every part of your time is occupied with something.

Of course I must admit that my first few days back in office was boring. 5 years in CGH, it was the first time that I walked around the dept complaining of being bored. I was bored to such an extend that I follow Ms Lim to the ward to see HER patients. Haha.... I know my colleagues were irritated with me for walking here and there. That's why one darling actually went to my boss and say "Bee Hong is very free!". Hahaha...

My luck at work was good for 3 days. Was helping people doing translation (even Cantonese leh, so proud of myself), go home visit etc. BUT on day 4, my normal suayness is back. 8 cases in a day and mainly psychological/ behavioral case. That is what I call LS!!! Either the ward know that their normal MSW is on leave or they really hate the covering MSW which is me! Hahaa...

As I think my good luck was going to continue, on Thursday morning I still happily volunteer to man the counter for my SWAs so that they can go for their celebration. So in the end I end up feeling stress. Haha.. But of course our SWAs deserve that 1 hr break lah (must be politically correct here :P)

On the whole I enjoy being back on the battle field. Back to reality!!!