Thursday, 31 December 2009

Recap 2009

Well end of 2009. Well... end of another year. Not sure, but it seems as I get older, letting years pass by is not very exciting at all.... not sure if this is age-related at all.

Well... in 2009:
NURSING
-- started work in TTSH diabetes and endocrine
-- started APN clinic and then closed down...
-- wrote 1 paper to a nursing journal but need major revisions beyond my abilities at the moment
-- publish nothing
-- set up a professional blog
-- gave my 1st public diabetes talk
-- went to Thailand for AFES Congress 2009
-- still unsure of my own direction as APN...

PERSONAL
-- completed stitching 14 cross-stitch pieces
-- sang and played 2 english songs "I won't last a day without you" "Thank you for the music"
-- composed 3 piano music pieces: Jaded; Missing You; Duet Untitled
-- didn't learn any new piano pieces

Of course April May 2009, tough months, Nanny and Dr Jen Pei.

I guess in 2010.. I need to do and do a lot more than this

Monday, 14 December 2009

PianoPrints with Vocal 2009: Thank You for the Music

This song was first sung by Abba. First time I heard it from MaMa Mia.
Really like the rendition very much. Thus begin to search for the score high and low.
Manage to find this version which I like.

PianoPrints with Vocal 2009: I Won't Last a Day Without You

A song by Carpenters. However, I first heard this song from Jolin's album.
"When there's no getting over that rainbow.
When the smallest of dreams won't come true.
I can take all the madness the world has to give.
But I won't last a day without you."
Yeah... my fluffy and cookie.

Sunday, 13 December 2009

PianoPrints2009: Yiruma's Love Hurts

Learnt to play this song from the heart in April 2009. The hardest month I had to plod through ...

My nanny and Dr Jen Pei. Love Hurts besides knowing they are leaving the world behind.
It hurts very much when I saw tears in my dad's eyes for the very very first time in my life. Yes it hurts very very much. My prayers of God's comfort to those who have lost your loved ones, for those this Christmas might be hard to bear.

For Mark and Clare... For Auntie Diana...

PianoPrints2009: Liz's Composition -- Missing You

Missing You is my piano piece dedicated to Nanny and Dr Jen Pei.
It's a sequel after playing Love Hurts many times through my grieving process.
When the tears need to become a memory of how great these 2 people are in my life.
When the tears need to remind me of the happy moments that I had with them.
When the tears remind me that I'm missing them.
When the tears hold the truth that I will not forget them.



PianoPrints2009: Liz's Composition -- Jaded

Couldn't help but feel old at many times of the day.
It's another routine, no big deal, just another day.
But the thought of been so mundane, frustrated my nerves.
It comes swiftly, dragging each step, tugging each step, heavily.. spiralling downwards.
Yet, it resumes to peace in the same speed it comes.

My feelings at work... couldn't help but ponder, am I sick of nursing?


Saturday, 28 November 2009

Generosity in Healthcare Funding

A month apart from my last post about my own personal feeling and views. Had been a long long time since I travel on my own. Alone is very different from lonely after all. Though here physically alone, I know fluffy, cookie and family waiting for me back in SG. This also allows me great emotional support to be much more attune and curious of my new environment.

This is my 1st time in Thailand for work. For AFES (ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies) Conference 2009. Similar to SG, you will learn alot about the country by talking to the cab drivers. The driver who fetched me to Courtyard@Marriot left a deep impression.

I used to think that if we give healthcare so "freely" and "generously", patients will take advantage of the system. The driver showed me his "health card" that allows him to have all healthcare in just 30 Baht. He showed me that "card" with pride and was stroking it fondly, appreciatively. He spoke about how the previous politician believed in this scheme and fought for his countrymen. He shared earnestly that thai people "no money won't die". His health needs are met. He knows if he fall ill, getting healthcare shouldn't be a worry. He told me he drove cab for 20 years, 18 hours per day with 3 hours to sleep and he's very healthy.

Maybe.. people can be appreciative of right government policies.
Maybe right government policies can instill pride.
Maybe people can be touched, remember this kindness and thus return to the society...
Maybe... it's not about costs and returns.
Maybe....

One thing I'm sure though, I couldn't say that with the same pride for myself....

Wednesday, 28 October 2009

If She Knows

"It's okie. I still have 2 hands." That's what brought a smile to my tears. That's what I believe, there's still hope. That's what brought us to discuss about doing more HBGM when she get discharged.

She had passed on yesterday. If she knows that this hospitalization will cause her life. Will she agree for amputation earlier? I know her in a Saturday morning, AOR with high sugar, a patient whom refuse amputation. A patient whom had gotten upset with her cos she refused amputation. During the 2nd admission, she also refused amputation. I was upset with her, for not seeking appropriate treatment for her wound. Going round to GPs, and to fish pond etc. Iwas upset, very upset and so was she. I went home for a day imagining without a leg and on wheelchair. I cannot do a lot of things. I need to depend on someone to do many things for me. Going to toilet, reaching for stuff like clothes, getting out of bed, getting around...

Yet, this final admission, the pain was so intolerable, she decided to go for amputation.. with high sugar and multiple drug resistant bacteria... she died.

If she knows all this, will she had agreed to go for the amputation.

Friday, 31 July 2009

Happy 11th Nurses' Day

That was such a long time ago. From deciding to enter into NYP Nursing School, becoming full fledge registered nurse, to registered APN, and now entering into my 30s.

Fourteen years of nursing (including my student days) mean a lot to me. One thing that is sure to be thankful about, is I'm still practising as a nurse.

Fourteen years... I've met so many people in my life through nursing. Many "grandpas", "grandmas", "uncles", "aunties" and "buddies". As many as these people have entered my life, many of them have also either moved on or passed on.

Having a job which you face pain and death is definitely no fun. And it definitely takes the plain "joy" of "Everything in the world is beautiful and perfect" out of my life. Blue skies are always a bit grey, rain clouds more omnimous, flowers that just bloomed are about to wither soon. In fact to a certain extent, I feel comfortable when I'm not "Too Happy".

Exactly when things are a bit darker then usual, colours are attractive and music is a blessing. Don't know when I start feeling this complexity, my smiles have tears and my tears have smiles.... and at times, I just don't know what is that "feeling"..

Happy Nurses' Day, Liz. Happy......

Saturday, 18 April 2009

Fifteen Minutes

Fifteen minutes. The time it took to burn everything.
Fifteen minutes. The origami gold, silver taels we folded.
Twenty bags of origami gold, silver taels took three nights to complete.
Twenty bags of origami gold, silver taels folded by loved ones and closed ones.
And also most probably the last "work" as a whole family.
Be it whether each contributed a bit or a lot, the thoughts of wanting to complete these twenty bags were sufficient.
The thoughts of completing the "work" as a family were sufficient.
Those were not JUST twenty bags of origami, those were works of love and comfort to my family.
Those were not JUST twenty bags of origami, those were memories that I had with my family, cousins, aunties and uncles for my many years down the road.
And it took JUST Fifteen minutes to burn all these away.
Delicate, fragile, easily burnt, easily turned to ash. Not JUST those origami.
Guess that applies to love and family ties.
Under the harsh flames of reality, will there be anything left?
Fifteen minutes, I learnt to cherish more... and much much more.

Grandma, I thank you for my dad, my aunties, uncles and my cousins.

Monday, 30 March 2009

Normal 30s....

Only 38, dialysis since last year August ... his wife left him too ...
Heavy enough not to be able to work or even function as a normal late 30s.
What will I be doing in seven years time? Plenty I guess...
What are normal 38s doing now? Plenty I guess... but definitely not this type of heavy burden...

Dialysis 3 days a week... a procedure enough to drain a person's energy after every session.
When I look at his record, for the past 6 months, he had been doing hypocount.
Daily. Day by day... sometimes more than 1 prick...

I'm not pitying him.. I'm ashamed of myself.. what's on my shoulder definitely lighter than his..
When everything turned upside down... he hanged on...
When everything turned upside down... i ran... so much for a normal early 30s.

Sunday, 1 March 2009

Palpitations

Puzzled ... really really puzzled... thought I've tidied up my emotions and attitude about work. Thought I had reached an understanding within myself to how much I should give in work versus other things in my life... why then is there this turbulence of emotions... gosh...

Endocrine department, amazingly Father, how you brought me back? Started staright after graduation from NYP in Endocrinology and Gastroenterology ward nurse. That's where I met wonderful people. That's where I met Brenda... Well, at least I'm thankful I'm not back to SGH I guess. At least I'm thankful, it's not decided whether I should specialise in diabetes or in other endocrine problems... At least I'm thankful, this time round, Fluffy is with me...

Was madly tidying the cupboards filled with alot of papers. I had read so many ... so many articles about behavior change, about chronic diseases self management, about coping with chronic diseases. And 3/4 are on people with dabetes. I was confused if I'm doing because I like it... or because of regret? 

Type the following out a particular day... thought I lost it... better store it in blog for now.

People who haven't really grieved for a loved one before might no really feel the complexity.
It's common that a friend will tell you to be stronger. Your loved one is in heaven. 
Well it is also because they really do not know what else to say.

There will be a time, you will ask yourself if you had spent more meaningful time with your loved one during her last moment, will these memories make a difference? Make a difference to her? Or make a difference to you?

There will be a time; when you feel that you haven't given her enough. Not enough "thank-you"s. Not enough hugs. Not enough "I love you"s. Yet you have to believe she knows. Because every tear your cried and every time you miss her now, most probably she hears you loud and clear of these things you want to tell her.

There will be a time, you try to reach her. You try to send balloons to Heaven, you ask God to send her your prayers, you write, you compose.

There will be a time, you tears will roll when you hear a particular song, eat a particular dish, watch a particular movie or even being present at a particular place.

There will be a time, you hold your breath deeply inside you when the wind blows against your face or when you gaze at the stars right in the sky because you feel her right deep inside your heart.

There will be a time, you sing a song, you sing it with more gusto, you smile with a brighter smile because you are singing and smiling her share.

There will be a time, you know she's happy in heaven, and you know by God's faith that you two will meet again someday. Yet, you miss her. Missing her badly is part of a new you. Missing her badly is going to be your new self. You need to miss her. Nobody can tell you not to.

There will be a time, you will want to miss her very very badly. Because you are afraid that down the road, you will forget how she sounds like, how her laughter is like, how her tenderness feels. Missing badly is part of you still having her inside you.

Missing is a complex emotion. It's like a part of your heart is gone. And nothing seems to be able to fill that up. Except, God's love. Except God's understanding of our vulnerability and fragility. Except, God's grace,  when amazingly, strength seems to appear when you thought you had none left.

One day, you will find yourself suddenly thought of her. And you had seemed not to think of her for some time. You might cried a little, but in the end you smile. You smile with a peace you've never experienced. Maybe that's the time, you have gotten used to the new you. 
Take you time.

I'm very sure, tomorrow is a start of another part in my life journey. Father, this time I will stay close...

PianoPrints with Vocal 2009: 如燕 (Olivia Ong) Little Nonya Theme Song



Honestly, I never think of recording this song. Because of one dear friend whom hardly request me to do anything from me before. I did it.

I must say, I'm person who need score to play the piano. Thus the chords for this song were also not played by ear.
Credit goes to this website: http://www.guitar4christ.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=388803

Thanks also to my father whom helped me this morning to interpret this song. If not, this recording will be even more mechanical.

PianoPrints with Vocal 2009: 半情歌 (元若藍) Marked end of Feb 2009



End of Feburary 2009. So fast, it seemed like yesterday that I quit from my previous working place. This recording marked the end in part of my journey. And a beginning of the next.
Father thanks. Thanks to the honour You had given me. Various people from different levels of management talking to me to reconsider resigning. People calling me and asking me to consider their places for employment.

Thanks to the confidence You had in me. Father when one day, my confidence in myself start to shake, remind me that all things are given to me by You. You can lift me up high .. anytime.. as long as I choose to.. as long as in Your will. Feels like back in my teens when I decided to forsake the more "logical" path to JC and university, and become a nurse instead. This time round, again I forsake a more "logical" path and start from scratch again.

Father, stay close. In the next part of my journey, I wish to stay close to you...

Friday, 20 February 2009

PianoPrints2008: Liz's Cmpositions -- D Waltz

The third of D Minor Trilogy.
Began composing at the mid of Year 2008 and completed in Jan 2009.
My farewell waltz to a part of my Journey...

Thank you Lord, for this beautiful phase in my life.
Your Grace during this part of the journey which had pulled me through.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-p8BW-gPwQ

PianoPrints2008: Liz's Compositions -- Disbelief

Second of the D Minor Trilogy.
Disbelief was composed shortly after I'm accepted as registered APN.
News of a very respectable nursing senior falling ill question my "accomplishment" and lukewarm attitude towards this role.

The bewilderment and frustration in the entanglement.

PianoPrints2008: Liz's Compositions -- Disillusioned

First of the Trilogy D Minor original compositions.
Started composing in D Minor around Year 2006.

In the eyes of others, I was the envy of many, to be given the opportunity at a young age to pursue APN. Yet, deep down, there is constant dark awareness that the faster I bloom, the faster I will wither....

Before the flower has bloomed, one has imagined it to utmost perfection.
Only upon withering, does one accept the reality of imperfection.

PianoPrints2008: Jay Chou Secret 不能说的秘密 -- Lu Xiao Yu 路小雨

Beautiful piano duet from Jay's Movie. The Chorus of this piano piece is used as the instrumental interlude for 蒲公英的约定 Dandelion's Promise from Jay's 牛仔很忙 On the Run Album.

Introducing my Third Hand, (my husband) who has no piano background. He learnt this piece note by note memorising their key placement and timing. Ironically, I'm the person who made mistakes in this video instead of him.

Our 1st piano duet....

Original Piano Score available at Yes Asia
http://www.yesasia.com/global/secret-piano-score/1005025441-0-0-0-en/info.html


PianoPrints2008: Jay Chou Secret 不能说的秘密 -- First Kiss

This piano piece is from Jay's Movie Secret 不能说的秘密.
This is also the main Melody of 彩虹 Rainbow from Jay's 牛仔很忙 On the Run Album.

Original Piano Score available at Yes Asia
http://www.yesasia.com/global/secret-piano-score/1005025441-0-0-0-en/info.html



PianoPrints 2008: Jay Chou -- 最長的電影

First time hearing this piece is from Jay Chou's world tour concert 2007/08 DVD.
Very beautiful... 
Am very very lucky to find this piano score from http://www.sheetmusicguy.com


"冰刀画的圈 圈起了谁改变 ... 爱是不是 不开口才珍贵 ...
再给我两分钟 让我把记忆结整理 ..."

Enjoy

Friday, 6 February 2009

PianoPrints 2008: Jay Chou -- 楓 and 擱淺

Fell in love with these 2 songs terribly and very much wanted to play them on the piano.

Sadly, I’m just a girl who can play the piano, who don’t know much chords, and needless to say to play by ear.

Thanks to this lovely score from http://www.sheetmusicguy.com/ who combined these 2 songs together in 1 score.

(Maple) ) from album 十一月的萧邦 (November’s Chopin)

过往温柔 经被时间上锁,
只剩挥散不去的难过

缓缓掉落的枫叶像思念
为何挽回要赶在冬天来之前
爱你穿越时间 两行来自秋末的眼泪

擱淺 (Stranded) from album 七里香 (Common Jasmin Orange)

哭过却无法掩埋歉疚
风筝在阴天搁浅
想念还在等待救援
我拉着线复习你给的温柔”

你的一切 仍然搁浅里 …

Tuesday, 13 January 2009

APN Journey: The Road Less Traveled

The Road Less Traveled
(Inspired by Dr Elaine's description of APN development)
29 May 2008

There are times on this road less traveled,
I fear, I doubt and I want to call it quits.
Uncertainties are brooding.
And I'm afraid they prove I don't have what it takes.

So much has been envisioned,
Skies high are the expectations.
It is so easy to succumb to temptation,
Just to take the road more traveled.

Yet on this road less traveled,
The experience on this journey is priceless.
The beauty of medicine and nursng practice
Adds a booster to my perseverance.

Many a times on this road less traveled,
I limp from fatigue.
Support and warmth from colleagues and CM friends,
Carried me through hurdles and tests.

Many time on this road less traveled,
When grey clouds gather and I lose my way.
My preceptors are like rainbows and sunshine,
Gently and patiently, they help me get through the day.

So touched, am I, by their selfless teaching,
Their care, their concern, their unwavering faith.
On this journy, their words of wisdom
Inspire me each day, to be better than yesterday.

And then there're the unsung heros,
Who are silently working, helping and supporting me,
Like the wind beneath my wings.
Without them, this road can't even be traveled.

Thank you my Mentors, Precptors,
Friends and Colleagues,
For without you, I would not have stayed or even survived
On this Road Less Traveled.