Mum's the best!

I'm always very amazed when my mum manages to complete a task that I find great difficulty in completing. Take sewing for instance. I tried to sew up the opening of my dress with much difficulty. When I told mum about it, she said casually, "Give it to me lar." She took the dress and stitched up the dress so effortlessly. What's more the stitches are hardly visible to the naked eye. Wow! I'm impressed.

I often wonder where mums learn those skills. Learning to take care of the family and work all at the same time. I'm really amazed! I wonder when I have kids, whether I will have the skill to execute my role well. Hmm...

Anyhow, I'm grateful for having such a wonderful mum minus her constant nagging. She sews, wraps my books in plastic wrappers, cooks (not a fantastic cook though!), my walking atm, gift wraps my presents etc. I know Mother's day is like 4 months away but no harm thanking her! Thanks mum!

My first pay check

Hmm, in another week and a half time, I will be receiving my first pay check. *rubs hands in glee!* I can't wait! There are so many things I want to do with my hard-earned money. Let me see now:

1) Set aside $700 to repay my monthly study loan
2) Set aside $400 for my savings
3) Give my family a treat
4) Give soph, ainul a treat
5) Return my xiaomei $150
6) Make a new pair of glasses
7) Start driving lessons
8) Sign for tap dancing classes

That should be about all for now. Oooh, I can't wait! Pay day hurry come!

Just me!

I copied this off from one of my friend's blog!

I give you money and send you into the grocery store to pick up 6 items. You can only pick one thing from the following departments.. what is it?
1. Produce: Fuji apples
2. Bakery: Country loaf
3. Meat: Chicken drumstick
4. Frozen: Ben's & Jerru's Ice-cream
5. Dry goods: Pasta
6. Dairy: Chocolate milk

Let's say we're heading out for a weekend getaway. You're only allowed to bring 3 articles of clothing with you.
1. T-shirt
2. Sweater
3. Undies

If I was to listen in on one of your conversations throughout the day, what 5 phrases or words would I be most likely to hear?
1. "Really?!"
2. "Alrighty!"
3. "I'm Joanna, a dietitian."
4. "See ya!"
5. "Tell me what do you eat in a typical week?"

What 3 things do you find yourself doing every single day, and if you didn't get to do, you probably wouldn't be in the best mood?
1. Had a shower
2. Visiting the washroom
3. Looking pretty

Sweet, you just scored a whole afternoon to yourself. We're talking a 3 hour block with nobody around. What 5 activities might we find you doing?
1. Jogging
2. Checking out the TV guide
3. Watching HK drama
4. Chatting on the phone
5. On MSN

We're going to the zoo. But, it looks like it could start storming, so it'll have to be a quick visit. What 3 exhibits do we have to get to?
1. The elephants
2. Children's zoo
3. Sealion

You just scored tickets to the taping of any show that comes on t.v. of your choice. You can pick between 4, so what are you deciding between?
1. House MD
2. Heroes
3.
4.

You're hungry for ice cream. I'll give you a triple dipper ice cream cone. What 3 flavours can I pile on for ya?
1. Triple chocolate
2. Peanut butter
3. Macadamia

Competency test

Nothing exciting has happened except for the fact that I have been a clinical dietitian for a week and trying to get into the cycle of work. I crash into bed each night, feeling exhausted yet accomplished at the end of the day. Other than the fact that I take about an hour to get to and from work (Dad, I'd love it if you could pick/send me to work more often!), everything else is good. Colleagues are nice and friendly, good working environment, haven't had any nasty comments from pts yet (and I don't want to get any either!). Oh yes!! I passed my first competency test yesterday! Apparently, the hospital has heaps of competency tests that one has to go through. Assessment is similar to that of Flinders cream form (for the benefit of the rest, its a dietary counselling form that covers collection of data to assessing, to education of pts and documentation), except that its a page long and I don't feel as stressed like I was as a student dietitian.

So, now and then, a random thought pops into my mind - clinical or public health? Hmm...

TGIF!

TGIF! I'm glad that tomorrow is friday, which means its the end of the working week for me. Although I need to work on alternate saturdays! *Sobs* (but not this week!) I also have a great bunch of colleagues and it feels good to be back at the department although I am finding some getting used to (transiting from being a student - dietitian / colleague). It is different.

Anyway, work is starting to pick up speed and I have to learn to see patients on my own (currently, a dietitian sits in with me and listen to my education or we discuss the case together). Anyway, I am praying that this is all part of the Lord's plan and that I will be confident, know my stuff and be open-minded. Trying to be as absorbent as a sponge! Till the next post!

NC2

Individually identified by seniors for their strengths,

Assigned into roles that will help them to explore their potential.
Once comfortable with what is expected,
They trained irregardless of rain or shine,
After school and during holidays.
To clinch the victor's cup.
All this would not have been achievable if any one of them was replaced.

NC2 was a name given to them by their trainers for easy announcements.
E.g. "NC2, please remain behind for training."
Of course, they often wished the announcements read, "NC2, training is canceled today."
Which, has never happened before.
Nonetheless, they traveled to and fro St. John HQ to get used to the training ground,
To give them an edge on competition day.
Nerves and all aside, they sang their way to victory for both zone and national competitions.
They even clinched the best CPR award.

Its a pity there was not prize for the best singing team.

After the O levels results were released,

Each of them went to pursue their own dreams,

Rarely meeting together as a team.

As fate would have it,

NC2 met together as a team in 2008, 7 years after they left secondary school.

L-R: No.3, No.1, No.5

L-R: No.4 & No.2

When we were 15, going for competition

Now

Still remember HORSE (Harmony Often Represents itSelf Reproduces Senses Eventually, thanks to soph for correcting me!), NC2? I miss those good ol' days and I don't know how my saturdays and school holidays will be without those trainings.

Ps: I still have the jigsaw pieces to the owl. Perhaps, we should bring it along and piece together on our next outing?

Pre-work jitters

I've officially signed on the dotted line.
Went for a pre-employment medical check-up.
Awaiting its results so that I can start work soon.
Revising my clinicals to prepare myself for work.
Have sufficient work clothes to last me for at least 3 weeks without needing to re-wear them.
Sufficient funds to last me until my first pay day (or so I think, excluding purchasing birthday prezzies).

Why then do I suffer from some form of panic/jittery attack? Its only starting work as Mum will put it. But, I can't help but feel some form of panic. There are heaps of "what ifs" clouding my mind. Blame it on my lack of confidence - somewhat dented during clinical placement. However, looking back, doing clinical placement in Singapore helped me to be more prepared for the local work setting. Now, I conduct my own hawker trails as I visit foodcourts, hawker centres and other eating outlets, thinking of how to make this food dish healthier or who's suitable to eat.

Convincing myself that I'm all ready for the work force? I reckon, no one will ever be ready for the workforce! You just start working, adapting and learning the skills of the trade. One thing for sure, it will be a steep learning curve for me, at least for the first 6 months.

Twenty-O-eight

Twenty-O-eight.
A new year.
A new beginning.
A new phase of life (for me, at least).

For starters, I can say, "Joanna, Dietitian" rather than "Joanna, Trainee / student dietitian". There's so much that I want to say but I don't know where to start. So much has happened the last couple of days that I cannot believe it! What will you do if you just signed a contract for a locum in the morning and that very same afternoon, you receive a call offering you a full-time position from another company? Its a rather long story and I choose not to elaborate further. Thanks to all for their advice and listening ears. I just created a ripple so big that I don't know how long the effect is going to last. Well, as Liyan mentioned, soon they will forget about it. What a way to start the new year. Ps: I just had a mini arguement with mum and I feel sorry about it.

I only pray and ask that in this new year, the Lord will continue to watch over me and that whatever I do, is part of the plan that He has for me. In this new year, I resolve to:
1) grow in His faith
2) spend quality time with my family and friends
3) keep fit by scheduling jogging/gym/tap-dancing (Yes, I finally decided to continue/restart tap-dancing) into my timetable
4) improve my nutrition knowledge
5) be patient

To those studying, work hard at your goals and embrace student life as much as you can. To those starting to work, all the best and enjoy earning money. To those already working, happy work relationships and bigger bonuses! To those singles, may you find your Mr. Right! And, stay happy and healthy!