nursing = low-skilled job? February 22, 2013

it doesn’t matter if nurses graduated with good grades or top of their nursing cohort.

it doesn’t matter if nurses have a diploma/advanced diploma/bachelor’s/masters/PhD degree in nursing.

it doesn’t matter because when nurses put on the nursing uniform, they are automatically perceived as a “low-skilled worker” *; who only knows how to change patient’s diaper, shower/sponge the patient, serve medications, take vital signs (temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, pain score), follow doctors’ instructions and et cetera.

on top of that, nurses may face demanding patients/patients’ relatives; who talk to them in a condescending manner, at times hurling unnecessary vulgarities/curses (that’s you, Mr Y), and if the nurses are really unfortunate, they become victims of violence (yes, a colleague was kicked right at her chest by a patient).

oh, did we forget, nurses need to take on the dreaded shift: 7am-3:15pm, 1:15pm-9:30pm, as well as the graveyard shift. they work round the clock to alleviate the pain and discomfort of the patients, including those who are abusive towards them.

and in return? nurses get a less than desirable pay… and are labelled as “low-skilled” workers.

so, before the government whines about the lack of nurses (especially local ones) in the country, take a real good look at the way nurses are treated.

 

 

* as described in the Population White Paper in Singapore Parliament

National Orchid Garden March 27, 2012

18 March 2012 – My friend and I wanted to workout at the Botanic Gardens. Long story short, we ended up strolling around the place, spending our time mainly at the National Orchid Garden.

To get to Botanic Gardens, I took the MRT, stopping at the Botanic Gardens (duh!) MRT station. Once I exited from the station, I just followed the signage, which led me to the entrance of the Botanic Gardens. Do note that there are different entrances, so don’t screw up when meeting your friends there.

There are a lot of signages like this within the Garden to guide you. The place is huge so be prepared to walk… A LOT!

Entrance to the National Orchid Garden. Admission fee for adult is SGD5. For more details, click here

First thing I saw upon entry was this fountain. Surrounding the area are various species of orchid.

The more exotic species can be found inside the Mist House, special Collection, and the Cool House.

Man-made waterfall inside the Cool House. My friend spoiled it for me by stating that workers turn on the waterfall before opening up the place and switch it off at the end of the day.

Picnics, anyone?

Hello… I see you…

We left the Botanic Gardens through the main entrance facing Gleneagles Hospital, and took a bus towards Orchard Road for a well-deserved lunch.

Botanic Gardens is a photographers’s wet dream. I hope to return with Gus, my good old Canon 350d…

food (glorious, and not so glorious) March 10, 2012

All pictures are Instagram-ized. Just because they look better after lo-fi treatment.

Laksa at Blk 928, Yishun Central. You can tell it is yummy by the long queue during meal times.

Prawn noodle at Longhouse, Upper Thomson Rd.

Hokkien Mee at Blk 645, Yishun St 61.

Vietnamese beef noodle @Pho House of Holland Village.

Mudcake I think, at NYDC, Holland Village. Food is good but service left much to be desired during weekends.

Chicken macaroni at KTPH’s NTUC Foodfare.

Average Vietnamese beef noodle at a restaurant @Suntec City.

Authentic Chinese food from a restaurant in Chinatown. Too bad I didn’t get the name of the place.

Average chicken green curry at Thai Express, Suntec City

Pathetic wantan soup from foodcourt of Vivocity.

Sausage with rosti at Marche of Vivocity

Sandwich on the go from KTPH’s Subway

Fish head curry from Muthu’s Curry at Suntec City. By now, you can tell I do visit Suntec City pretty frequently.

Orgasmic chicken rice at Wee Nam Kee Chicken Rice (duh!), Suntec City

I used to be healthy… sigh.

duck rice from Yishun 81 Food Court at Blk 925, Yishun Central.

Hokkien Mee from Yishun 81 Food Court. One word. Yucks.

My CNY reunion dinner – instant noodle & instant dumplings after work.

CNY 1st day’s dinner prepared by colleague.

Ayam Penyet Ria at 5th Floor of Lucky Plaza, Orchard Rd.

Fried fish bee hoon at KTPH’s NTUC Foodfare. Not too bad. Great service.

Passable dimsum from Yishun 81 Foodcourt.

Thin-crust pizza from Modesto, Vivocity.

Homemade pasta by moi. Edible.

Vietnamese beef noodle from Pho House, Suntrc City. Quieter compared to Holland Village’s branch.

Prawn noodle (without prawns) from Blk 645, Yishun St 61.

La mien from Crystal Jade, Suntec City.

Hokkien Mee from Food Opera, Ion Orchard.

to hike or not to hike January 22, 2012

If I do not have any plans on a Sunday morning, and if I do not feel tired from the previous day’s work, I usually ask myself this question: ‘to hike or not to hike’.

Most of the time, my lazy bum would choose to laze at home. But on those rare occasions when I manage to drag myself out of bed, shower, put on proper attire, take a bus and get to MacRitchie reservoir; I have no regrets. It is most certainly a great place to sweat it out, burn some calories and enjoy the surrounding flora and fauna.

Usually I’ll take the Nature Trail, towards the Tree Top walk, and down Jelutong Tower, ending at the boardwalk. This 10km route was shown to me by a friend, Bee.

Tree Top walk. Once, I made a mistake of looking down at the trees below and my legs just stopped in its track. I looked around sheepishly, and seeing there wasn’t a single soul around, I abandoned my pride and used both hands to hold on to the handrails for my dear life. Okay, I exaggerated a tad bit.

If you are hiking with a friend, I suggest both of you stop talking at this point. Concentrate on getting enough oxygen into your lungs. Looks easy to you? Try it, show off.

Down the Tree Top walk.

Towards Jelutong Tower

Step on these to cross the stream.

trail leading us to the boardwalk

If you do not want to dirty your running/hiking shoes, avoid coming here the day after a heavy rain.

Cyn L and Cin C navigating the muddy trail

View of the reservoir. It does not look this murky usually.

The pond with crystal clear water, the day after a heavy rain.

Flora

Fauna. Can you spot it?

At the boardwalk, you may spot the ‘four-legged snake’

I ALWAYS look forward to see these monkeys

On one of the hikes, I saw this monkey scratching away at its facial injuries, which I guess was from gang fights. Hope no infection sets in…

So, will you join me for a hike the next time round?

old school delights December 18, 2011

final quarter of 2011 – after an arduous 10km hike at MacRitchie reservoir, I suggested to my fellow Sabahan friends that we walk over to Upper Thomson Road for a look see. The walk took approximate 15-20 minutes…

We came across this cafe and decided to rest our lactic acid laden legs order some drinks.

There were all kinds of old school knick knacks and candies on the display shelf.

Their food and drinks were yummy, as well as reasonably-priced.

I definitely want to hangout at the cafe again.

For more information, visit their website at http://www.oldschooldelights.com

215m, Upper Thomson Road,
Singapore 584349

Christmas is in the air… December 17, 2011

… but is it in our hearts?

wedding bells December 11, 2011

23 July 2011 – it was the wedding of my little cousin. something that I had been looking forward to for various reasons 1) my family members would be flying in from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah and Beijing, China 2) the dessert at the end of the wedding dinner 3) and of course, the celebration of my cousin’s marriage to the tallest guy ever!

a few days before their wedding, I went to their new place to witness the exchange of dowry between their parents. I was the unofficial photographer.

My family came over a day before the wedding. After getting them from the Changi international airport, I went with them to the Ascott Somerset Serviced Apartment to bunk in with them in order to spend more time together…

… especially with my little nephew.

Check out his facial expressions.

My little cuzzie! Love her wedding gown. Simple, with details.

My cousin-in-law, tallest guy I know thus far. My cuzzie looks like a midget beside him *snickers*

I love the cupcakes! Yummy too!

All in all, it was a beautiful day. the love between them shone through. and the gathering of friends and family on that day reflected the couple’s strong ties with all.

painting the town red December 3, 2011

august 2011 – spent the night walking around singapore with Soo San when she was back.

first stop was Clarke Quay.

a bar that looks like a hospital. and no, we did not get a ‘consult’.

before long, we got bored and decided to go…

GEYLANG! for those of us who do not know, geylang is a notorious place where the oldest profession in the world plies their trade.

Soo San brought me to Geylang Lorong 9, where the famous beef kway teow is. Tender juicy beef and smooth kway teow, fried in flavorful sauce.

we ended up near Singapore Indoor Stadium, sitting on the floor, with a can of beer each, chatting the night away. that, ladies and gentlemen, was my first and only beer thus far in Singapore.

“little india” in pictures… November 4, 2011

… because i’m too lazy to write.

in the air September 3, 2011

victor tan’s art installation on display at concourse steps of the esplanade from 16 july til 16 october 2011.

i am amazed by his attention to details with the wire. and boy, he must have spent months (or years?) putting this together.

i wonder where will all these installations be stored after the display?