Must I Eat Other Dogs?

So I have been offered to take my advanced diploma in oncology this year by God's grace :) Why did I accept it? Because that is sort of the only way to achieve my degree(with free education) and then ultimately reach my dream.

So what's my dream again? To run a nursing home for all the ah gongs and ah mas. Just that. I don't yearn for fame or money or power.

Was called into my manager's room and she started telling me that I should get involved in projects in the hospital despite being away for studies. She said that I needed to build up my resume for my degree application in the future. Of course I know it's never easy to get what I want. She is really helping me. I will work hard. I do not mind having meetings and all, and I always love mixing with people from different departments.

Then, she started comparing myself with the other prominent people. I then realise it's as if I have to fight to be known, and to prove that I'm smart (which I am totally not). Kinda reminds me of the 9pm show... Where I have to step up my game to be ahead of my colleagues.

Can I just be myself? :/ Getting involved in stuff because I want to. Contributing ideas because I want things to improve. Represent my organisation because I am proud to be part of it.

Ok, that's enough senseless ranting for now...

TGF2000

So this 100km cycling event is to increase the awareness for a smoke-free Singapore, aiming to have zero smokers those born after the year 2000. I am quite happy that I was part of it!!! Hehe, honestly speaking, I only started training last week :P

Woke up at 1.30am and made my way to KKH. Some of us met at 3am and then cycled to the starting point- CHIJ Toa Payoh...

We gathered and then set off at 4.30am. I rode my faithful mountain bike...

The race started off really bad because I was already struggling along Lornie Road. I kept thinking that I was lousy and not physically fit at all and really had the idea of just dropping out. There was even at one point I cried out at every pedal I made... I ended up last as we passed by Orchard Road. We? Because Dr Ang stayed behind me :) He really looked after me.

At the first pit stop @ East Coast, someone suggested that I should change to a road bike. Then, the whole ride changed. I managed to catch up and it was really easy to cycle and I could pick up the speed. I wasn't lagging behind already!

So after that, it was a breeze to me! Just felt quite tired because of the long hours of cycling. My thighs became tight and sore... But anyhow, we had some shots taken! :)

Jintana and Ms Chia!! The ladies of KKH! :D

One of the more beautiful spots at Seletar!

Had already covered 67km!!!

This is Dr William... Really kudos to him for riding a hand bike. Trust me, it was really hard for him going uphill! But he had a lot of persistence and could even joke along the way! And he's the one who gave us all the attention! Everyone in the public would definitely stare at him and his hand bike! :D

Team KKH!!

We were too ahead of schedule that we even had time for prata. Oops :P

Completed our ride!! Woooo!

Thankful for my god ma and her "daughter-in-law" who came all the way down to show support!! Wooooo! My legs looks super toned here! :D

This was definitely an experience of a lifetime! Happy to know more colleagues through this event! Hmmm, maybe I should really invest in a road bike! :D Who knows, I might be a fit and healthy Maria from now on! :D

:')

After a month, this special patient was finally discharged! Being a drama mama, I cried buckets in my heart because I was so happy for her! Hehe.

Before she left, she thanked me for looking after her the past few weeks. Not thinking that I'm damn good and damn special, she said that I was one of her favourite nurse. Of course my standard reply would be, "No lah... Just doing my job. Hehehe."

This is why I LOVE my job.

Musings of a Staff Nurse/Complain Queen

Thoughts in my mind these few days at work:

"Excuse me, you of little knowledge. Please don't accuse me for not checking the controlled drugs(CD) when it is 5 minutes to work. I am always one of the earlier staff who will come into the ward and check the other stuff and equipments. I can proudly say that I ALWAYS check and document things properly without missing out on anything. You don't. You only come to work on time with your sulky face. If different people are assigned to check the CD assigned by sister, I believe it should be the responsibility of that person to do so. That person should come earlier than usual to check the CD. I just want to inculcate some sense of responsibility to the others. When the new roster is out, I always flip to check when is my turn to check the CD. Of course, I am more willing to help that assigned person called up the ward to say that she will be late and needs someone else to check the CD on her behalf. So if you think I'm lazy and have the heck-care attitude, please go flip through the paper/checklist. My name is there most of the time."

"Sometimes I wish you could keep your mouth shut. You are blunt, insensitive, proud and annoying. Things that you say offend me, even though I take it as a joke and don't show it. It seems that you can do certain things to others. But if others do it unto you, you get pissed of and throw your princess tantrums. You like to magnify people's mistake and that makes you feel "good" about yourself. But when you make any mistake and it gets pointed out, you argue and try very hard to twist the story. If I had the guts, I would love to despise you. But God is love and I'm a scardy cat. Just waiting for the day you submit the letter."

"Through another colleague's opinion, I have been slightly biased. I wish that you could stop putting on this act and just be genuine. No one really bothers how smart you are. I could appreciate if you could stop whining and also snatching MY patients from me, cos they are supposed to like me, not you.(that's a stupid thing to be jealous about, HAHAHAHHA!) You can go suck up to the seniors and the managers, but not to my patients. Would appreciate that. Thanks!"

"I feel that we're drifting apart :( Are you treating me like that because my behaviour sucks and you are turned off or you are promoted and you just got to maintain that "coolness"? It was never my intention to gain anything from being close to you. I just want a good and genuine relationship with you. I am always grateful for all the opportunities you have given me to shine. Yes, I'm happy but most importantly, I want you to see the real me. The careless, imperfect, scatterbrained Maria. I hope things would out better..."

Disclaimer: The entry is written on impulse. If you feel guilty and realise that I am talking about you and you would want to accuse me, I will deny everything. Anyway, I assume that this blog is not known to any of my colleagues.

Thank you for your attention.

Quick!

Okay, just a quick update!! Gonna take my nap before night shift!!!

Firstly!!! Little Charlotte!! :D Yay! So happy that strangers can carry her already! Not crying anymore! I look so tired in the photo btw T__T

Had a farewell dinner for Kim Wei on Friday. She's leaving for Adelaide next week to take her degree! So jealous! But all's good :) My life is in God's hands!

OCAM Teal Party 2013

Last year's event was in Zouk. For this year, the main organiser was KKH but I didn't do much. I simply just had free dinner in BB's Civil Service Club. Hehehe.

I was SO excited because it's so near my place! I had the privilege to go home and bathe after work and then head down on my own :P It's a really nice place actually. The 2nd time I'm going there even though I stay so near.

With Dr Lim! A really nice doctor who knows me personally! :D

KK staff table, all the way behind. Hehehe.

My god ma!!!

Cheryl performed!! It was awesome! Hehe! Hopefully we can be in the same musical together :/

The theme colour was teal. That explains our outfits.

More and more events coming up!!! I'm a lousy blogger :/