Happy New Year 2009

2009 is at our doorsteps!!!! Yikes! Am I ready for a new year? I'm kind of attached to 2008, though I do not know why. It seems that so much has happened in this past year. Malaysia went through lots of elections, lots of accusations were thrown around, silly antics of local politicians were shown on national TV, crime rates were still alarming. Political situations around the world were not much better. Thailand is still chaotic, Myanmar had strikes by monks. However, Obama was elected! Hey hey!! And then, there was the Beijing Olympics!! What a proud moment it was for Chinese people all over! Yes yes, there were glitches but then again, it proves that "yellow-skinned, black haired" people can pull it off! Hah!


Anyway, I recently had a haircut. My friend, who accompanied me, said it was cool. I think it was rubbish. Why would anyone want their hair cut super short and leaving a few strands of long hair hanging down?? I'm a nurse for goodness sake! I need to project a professional image and I can hardly even tie it up properly without the aid of a dozen pins or so! So much for starting the year with a bang..... Look on the bright side, this disastrous hair cut gave me another reason to chop off my hair in a few months time^_^ Hahaha!! I should thank the hairdresser then^_^ Kakaka!

Well, then tonight is the last night of 2008. I'll be working, but I don't mind. Maybe something special will happen. But all in all this was a lovely year. I found Toma, I rekindled my interest in Japanese entertainment, I started my degree with two of my lovely friends accompanying me, and lots more actually ^_^ I wonder what the year ahead will hold for me. It's not scary. No. Not when I have my family and friends surrounding me. I'm sure I'll be fine regardless what it throws me (what can be worse than a disastrous haircut right??). ^ ^

So, heads up to all my lovelies. A toast for the new year, new beginings, new life, new assignments (sigh..), new love, new friends, new adventures, and new haircuts!! Shall we hold a private new year party this time next year?? Hmm... We have a whole year to plan then!

Love, hugs, wet sloppery kisses, and lots of champagne to all my beautiful friends!!
Cheers,
Joycey!

Merry Christmas!

We wish you a merry X'mas, we wish you a merry x'mas, we wish you a merry x'mas..... Haha!! Boy was I gone from here for a long long time. It's X'mas!! You know, THAT time of the year, where presents abound and romance is in the air (sniff sniff..) Who wouldn't want to kiss under the mistletoe? I wouldn't mind some holly either.. but for what purpose, I have no idea..

Anyway, I was working this X'mas morning. But it wasn't so bad! We had cakes from the doctors and the ward ws really peaceful. Even my Madam wasn't screeching like she used to. Silent and peaceful, just like how a hospital should feel. Not busy, noisy, crampy, and crazy... But I really wished that the hospital band would do some carolling.. Nice wouldn't it?

Well, after X'mas, New Year's coming up! A short roll back of the year that was. It was a smooth year actually. I didn't have any bumps. Or maybe I did, but I overcame them and they were too minor for me to recall. Otherwise, it was lovely. ^_^ Work wise, I think I improved slightly. Financially, I did manage to save money. Socially, I met up with most of my old classmates than I did last year. However, I didn't really make many new friends. Romantically, it's stuck at ZERO, so far. However, something suspicious is cooking...i think.....

Any New Year resolutions for me? Not really, as I am not in the habit of making new year resolutions. Though I won't mind if I save more money.. and stop a bad habit or two...and surf less internet.

New Year wishes? Lots! I wish for romance, more money, less workload, better (as in understanding) doctors, new friends, better spiritual growth, good weather (rain!!), and more concerts that I can attend! More actually, but I shall not succumb to greed.

With that, I wish everyone the best of Christmasses and lots of mistletoe for everyone! May each one find their own mistletoe moment and savour it! Enjoy people!!!
Cheers!!!

I'm home!

Finally, I'm home! Wow! Unpacking my things was so fast! Anyway, I'm super grateful that I'm living in Penang and not in KL. Sigh... I wouldn't have survived the traffic jams there and to take the monorail and trains to get to places everyday and not being able to enjoy driving will make me depressed... but I guess I will adapt to the lifestyle too if I'm being deported there. What did I do in KL? Other than conventions, lectures, talks.... I went shopping and came back..empty handed. Not really, I did buy books! Of course I had to visit Kinokuniya and wonder why aren't they opening up a branch in Penang. Then we went to every shopping centre available in KL, and still ended up empty handed..... I was supposed to do my CNY shopping! And I got more books instead...

Secondly, I had the most painful body massage ever!! My back still aches now!!! That was like 3 days ago! I thought my lumbar disc almost popped out when she elbowed me. And oh yes, I almost got molested had not my supervisor spotted the idiot and elbowed him in his chest, HARD! Served him right!! Thank God we were all safe. He ran away fast after he got elbowed.... Other than that, the pillows in Concorde Hotel were horrible! They were not fluffy, instead they sank! My neck still is stiff now. Stiff neck plus painful back = lazy me... That's a really good excuse.

But my trips to places like the Pavilion and Starhill Gallery made me think. In times of economic hardships like now, are they really able to survive, or is it true as what the experts say, that Asia will replace USA as the market with the biggest buying power?? Are we Asians really that not affected by the economic downturn? I think that buying a watch for RM200,000 in times like these, is pretty silly. But looking at the news, fashion giants like Dior and LV aren't the least worried by the horrible economy. Instead they now target Asia as most sales are coming from us Asians! It is indeed true that the west was hit the hardest by the economic crisis (unless Obamy does something), and everyone is tightening their belts, but it looks like Asian countries are still spending.

Perhaps it's not fair to say that all Asians are big spenders. I'm sure there are people who will now think twice before purchasing luxury items. Although it's pretty silly, but I think middle-income families will thrive better than anyone. I'm not sure why but, I think these families have grown up knowing how to spend in moderation and how to make the best of everything.

Anyhow, I shall not go further. I ain't a professor in this area. I am truly grateful that I have a job and is still drawing a pay home every month. In previous times, some people will say, "what?!! your salary is only xxxx??!!!". But come to think of it, I am grateful and satisfied. I give 3/4 of it to my family and still have a nice sum to spend (of course I'm not into LV and everything luxurious) on food and some lovely little shopping. So to those who loves to change your mobile every month and is still living on your parents' money... HAH!!!

Cheers!!

Packing Up

I love packing my things but I hate unpacking them. Why on earth is that??? Maybe it's the excitement from knowing that some lovely adventure is around the corner? Whichever it is, I'm off to pack now and I'm having the time of my life^_^ And did I mention that I love my lime green luggage?? Hahaha!!
Cheers!!! XOXOXO

Cocktail Party

Yippee!!! Our very own cocktail dinner! Almost there anyway ^_^ And Amanda darling was drinking! Gasp!!! Not one, but goodness knows how many! The last count was 3 rounds, but then again, the alcohol content was very low. But seeing that it's Amanda.. that's saying a lot ^_^

Anyway, the food was lovely, and the night was great. There were Cheesy Egg pick-me-ups, Cheng Yee's Lychee Martini, Ladies' Night Lasagne, Spicy Poulet Frit, Mixed Saucisse de Francfort, and cakes! After tasting Cheng Yee's cooking, I really think she ought to open up her own restaurant along with Nicky. I for one will head there. And we even made posts for everyone!

Hui Lyn can be cleaning lady along with Amanda and Aloysius as Chief Cleaner. Nicky will be cashier plus carving guru, Nisha and I can be waitresses cum quality control, Cheng Yee is Head Chef, and etc etc.... Funny ideas we get when we gather around.. Perhaps it's the alcohol talking :) But I doubt so.. Well, after dinner, we had a movie and we watched Kill Bill 2! I totally forgot that I've watched it before, but anyhow, as usual, I could not stay long. So I made my grand exit at 10.15pm sharp! And I did not taste the cake!!! T__T

Oh well, I'm hereby apologizing to a certain car and to Nisha. I'm now therefore guilt-free towards the car. But am still guilty as charged for Nisha's car. I had my head out the window, you see.... Sorry sorry darling!!! Now you can claim damages from me. It's in black and white now!

p/s: 1) the names of the food were all made up by me and is now copyrighted :p
2) I played a role in the scrumptious Cheesy Egg pick-me-ups!

Manicures+Pedicures Make A Girl Sexy

I finally went for a mani+pedi today after years of neglect towards my poor toenails. My fingernails are in better condition, but my toenails are in a dreadful state. They look like they have been rolled over by a steamroller and fed to the dogs... Ok, now you know how they look like (or looked like) to be exact.

Now they are covered with a fresh coat of hot, sexy, christmassy RED. ^_^ I feel like wearing short miniskirts with sandals to show them off! Of course this is all the work of the wonderful manicurist who skillfully made them the way they are now (sob...sob... they wouldn't have been like that if not for you Ms. Nikko and Ms. Voilet.. I owe you guys one!). And my fingernails are a whiff of fresh air, looking spiffy after a french manicure (did the french really invent this??).

Anyway, I think us women owe it to ourselves some pampering and TLC. I don't mind getting my feet and tired legs massaged once in a while. A facial and a body massage would be lovely too if not for the prices... But then again, I had some facials once and I definitely DID NOT enjoy it!! She was happily squeezing out my tonnes of blackheads and pimples and YEOW!!! The more she squeezed, the more they grew!!! What a waste of money! And to think that I endured it for 20 sessions!!!! I haven't tried a massage, but I'll get it someday ^^

Yes, I know it's silly to splurge on non-essential things like these (seeing that the economy is so bad right now..), but I worked hard and laboured long hours! Ok... I did not labour...... But then, still I worked my ass off! So I think my one act of indulgence is acceptable. Don't start me on the "a small nation will get fed from the combined price of your splurges" thingy. Bah...

Cheers and happy X'mas shopping!!!

Chillis and Donuts!!

Today was a small scale reunion for those who are on their break from uni^^ We met at Gurney, and went for lunch in Chillis. It was fun seeing everyone again especially Nish who is going away in another month. It's sad knowing that those near to you are going away, but it can't be helped. And besides, the world is quite a small place. we'll still be under the same sky! ^_^ Anyway, it's not like we're not going to meet up ever again.. Although it's too early to wish her all the best, but I think I'll do it anyways. Coz I know she's going to read this :p Hahaha!! So to nisha dhaniya president-for-college-life-who-thought-cicak-shit-was-chocolate-and-therefore-became-smart-by-eating-it, I hope you have a blast in Australia! Maybe you can meet up with Cheri and do outrageous stuff ^^

Back to today, I met up with Cheng Yee, Amanda, Mei Kuan, Nisha, Li Lean, and Seng Chien. Although I roughly know what they're doing, I don't seem to be able to remember the facts exactly. Like was Cheng Yee in Baskin or Haagen? Is Seng Chien doing accounts or econs? Like when exactly is Amanda graduating.... so today (although we felt like idiots), we had a "re-orientation" to our lives.... hehehe... Yes, it's comforting to know that we are still silly and no one has changed much, personality-wise.I now hope I'll remember that CY is in Haagen, MK is doing engineering, Mandy is graduating in 2010 (her convo anyway), SC is doing econs majoring in finance (same as Hui Lyn), Li Lean is hoping to get a job in KL, and Nish is on her way Down Under (and is afraid of red necks..who wouldn't?).

I find it lovely that we have all grown up nicely and are wonderful adults now ^_^ Our lives are in full swing and it looks like the pendulum is going to have to swing many rounds more. Someone asked where we would be in 5 years more. I know I'll still be here, but I can't say that for the rest. I hope to do some travel nursing for some years before coming back to Malaysia. But wouldn't it be interesting to know where we are in the future? Maybe I'll be selling hotcakes in Greek or perhaps I shall get myself a big, fat, greek wedding?? Or maybe I would have migrated to NZ with evelyn. Or even moved to Japan! Or Taiwan. Or Korea! Haha!
Don't we eat a lot?? ^_^ Truth is, the portion in Chillis is huge! I'll inform dear szer ling that we can head here the next time we're famished after work... Oh!! The chicken is delicious! So are the fajitas! I totally licked the bone clean!
And dear Amanda was so so sweet!! She bought us all a Big Apple donut each!! She said that she has never celebrated all our birthdays together... And she said she can't afford something better because she's not working... And that makes me kinda sad... I'm working, and yet I've never treat anyone to even tea.... Yosh! Mental note to me: give everyone something nice for Xmas! So wait up people!
Cheers for now! Minna-sama, ganbatte-ne??! ^_^ ^_^

CPT Part 2

Now how many of you remember this picture below?? Or the teachers in it?? En. Razak, En. Hamzah, Ms. Ng, Pn. Kamalachee, Pn. Tan Say See, Mrs. McIntyre (which I still clearly remember everyone calling her Mrs 'Makan Tyre'), . Yup! All our teachers from SRK CPT!! How many remember Ms. Cindy - the english plus science teacher - who will tell us to "Stop Fidgeting!!"??? Remember Mr Teh Ho Lee who would fling out our exercise books if we don't complete our homework?? (p/s: anyone remembers the red and orange underwear he wore days before our UPSR exams???!!)
Remember when we needed to do "ketuk ketampi" up and down the corridor because we were naughty?? I once got a slap from Mrs Wan (front row, seated, third from left, in red blouse and black skirt) because I turned and told someone to stop talking.. I still have a grudge on her... not!!

And here's dear old Pn. Soong. Biology teacher who's also Guru Disiplin. I still think she speaks too soft. But she's no longer in CPT now. I forgot where she's moved to, but she's happy in her new school, and I'm happy for her too! Met her the other day in the market, so we kinda chatted....

Pn. Ooi Poh Choo! I used to think that she and Pn. Jessie (sweet ol' history teacher) looked the same. And I think they're good friends too. I was quite scared of her as she is strict in classes. If you can't answer questions, you have to stand on the chair if I'm not mistaken. But all in all, she's really cool and definitely fashion forward! Haha!!

Pn. Faridah taught us english all the way through. Which meant our great english is 80% thanks to her! She had curly hair all the way through our schooling days, till a day when she got her tresses straightened too! But unlike another teacher, I thought she looked fabulous! She's quite the joker, and I don't think anyone's afraid of her.... I see her once in a while around Penang.

I couldn't resist putting his picture in here although he didn't teach us. He was the only male teacher after Mr. Ng left. But he was much more fun if compared to Mr. Ng. He was pretty handy around the school, being the only male teacher (up till a point..), and so you will find him doing weird tasks at times :) Busy bee indeed!

And who do we have here other than Pn. Patimah Othman?! Mighty in might, small in stature. I still think she's weird... Nothing much to comment about her though.. NEXT!!

Pn. Ooi Chun Yoke! Woo-hoo! She's one interesting teacher! She teaches BM although she talks with Bahasa Pasar instead of the Bahasa Baku^_^ She also teaches Moral, and it turned out to be my worst subject, cause I can't remember the 16 nilai moral! I still think that using the 16 values to sum up morality is weird and kinda stupid actually.. But the syllabus made it so, so.... I guess it's not the teachers' faults... Isn't she cute here?? Hehehe... ^^

Make way for Ms. Yeow Poh Cheng! Our Penolong Kanan HEM (Hal-Ehwal Murid) and a fierce teacher indeed. She punished a few of us for "appearing" on radio when we "disappeared" from school... In our defence, we were young, naive, spirited, and cheeky :p

But, now here is a teacher I don't think I'll ever forget... Who has ever forgotten her???
Tada!!! Ms. Pauline Chin Yoon Lin! My chemistry teacher with buck teeth! Ok ok! I'm sorry! I just dislike her, I don't know why. Maybe because she's ridiculous?? Or maybe because she's just plain irritating?? Whichever way it was, I still think she's weird. But thinking back now, I guess she's okaaaayyyyyy..... Guess...

I remember her with curly hair one day and perfectly straight hair the next. We were in Form 5 then and boy did we laugh at her. I remember that it was around 7 when Mei Kuan ran into the classroom shouting that Pauline has straightened her hair and we all rushed out to see it!! I think we were quite the mean bunch.... Of course I forgot to mention that when she fell down (spectacularly, of course ^^), the whole Form 5 laughed their heads off! And if my memory serves me correctly, she fell down not once, but twice... Oops...

And p/s: she happens to be Febrianna's brother's friend's cousin.... And she was close to Febrie's brother.....

And here's the Karisma 2003 Editorial Board! If you look carefully, you'll notice that Soo Chern's hand is half raised.. The photographer had done somthing and I think Ms. Yap wanted to say "apala you!" and hence the half raised hand.. Haha!! Didn't I mention that CPT is a lovely school???

Oh well, I really miss school and everyone in it. I think I'll go read the school mag again tonight ^^

Cheers people!! XOXOXO

p/s: does anyone still remember how to sing the school anthem?? both the english and malay version??

*credit to rachel again from whom I grabbed these wonderful memories-evoking pics!*

CPT through the ages

Was browsing through Facebook and I decided to have a look at the CPT page set up by rachel. This was when I stumbled across these wonderful pictures. So credit to Rachel Lim who I think painstakingly researched for these pics.


This is a school assembly from decades ago. The structure of the school has pretty much stayed the same. The pillars and the doors are still here!

A picture of the school taken aeons ago. This school really has stood the test of time eh? It is still standing after the 2 world wars! Thank God the school did not get bombed down by some stroke of misfortune....

Hehe^^ Look as these cute tots posing for school pics! Imagine living in that era. I wonder if any of them are still around??

This is a picture from block A where the form 1 and form 2 classes (my time anyway) were... The church beside our school looked so different from now!! Well, I supposed they have undergone many facelifts.. But I kinda like it in this pic....

Here's a newer pic of block A. Gee.. I wonder what happened to those coconut trees seen in the older pic?? And we have a new nice fence now ^^

Ooh!!! Look! The school being reconstructed! Are they having a priest blessing it?? No wonder it stood the test of time! God is working in this school^_^ That plaque is still there isn't it?? At the front office...

The lovely field. And I notice tall "lalang" growing near the school! Hehe :p Looks like it's PJ(PE) time!

And here's the field now. Looks botak to me... Must be due to years of stampede.. I remember having to patrol block B and looking down on the field during "rounds" in recess time. I thought the school looked beautiful during those silent "me" moments.

And these is the lovely canteen where I fill up my stomach. Hey, we prefects always get to come out early and we most of the time get the choicest food! Hehehe.. I remember during primary school days, many of our classmates will ask us to buy for them food in advanced because we get to go out early... Lovely days!!

Wow!! The toilet looks nicer now! Pots of plants actually decorate it! I think it smells nice, judging from the picture above... Hehehe... I can remember the stench...

These pictures bring me back to schooling days.. Though I somewhat dislike going to school back then, and I really wanted to go to work instead, I really have no idea I would miss it so much now. Friends were always near, 1-stop was even nearer :p and those times were great! I remember sleeping in the school library for prefect's camp... We had to clean it up though.. Tonnes of fun actually! Now they are all cherished memories. If only we can go back and visit memories.
Credit once again to Rachel, from whom I stole these pictures.

horrible manager? not working smart? terrible leadership?

I like to do everything. I mean in work. When in work, it's like I can't ask people to do things and I end up doing everything. Maybe it's because I can't trust them to do it, or I'm just a perfectionist in work. I really don't know, but it's killing me and I end up having to do everything and getting frustrated! Those who I can trust, I usually will ask them do share with the work, but the newer ones, I'll try not to ask them! And unfortunately, I can't work with only the seniors....
I wish I could just hand over an admission to them and have them do it properly. Sigh... Is it so hard to write an OT slip once you see that the patient is going for surgery? Is it so hard to just note the order??? Perhaps I just suck at ordering people around. You know those people who can just order people around and have everyone do everything? I sometimes admire people like that. So yes, maybe I'm a horrible charge nurse/terrible manager who's not working smart and has zero leadership skills. Sigh...
Oh well. No point sulking and dwelling over my non-existent skills. I think I should just learn how to delegate better and keep working more to improve! In the meantime, I could just do all the work and.. Oh!! I forgot! I snapped at Dr Murli today!! Poor guy.... I didn't mean to! He called at the wrong time and I was already irritated with the previous person from the last call, so I was uber grumpy.. And it was his fault too! He did not identify himself.
I answered "Surgical 2, Joyce speaking.." and he jokingly asked me "what are you rejoicing about??". Obviously I was miffed! So I snapped at him and when he said that he was Dr Murli... Oops...................... Sorry......

Healthcare Mills and Boons (don't take it literally..)

The hospital census is full!!! Gosh..everyday the ward will be full and then in the mornings, we will discharge like 10 patients only to admit another 10 new ones. Sigh... Oh well, it's good news actually for the hospital. Business is good and I should be grateful^_^ In healthcare, it really doesn't matter whether the economy is taking a turn for worse or for good. People still come down with diseases and healthcare will still have business! Come to think of it, I think the economic downturn caused more illnesses. People get depressed, more people commit suicide. It all relates to healthcare, doesn't it? More people get heart attacks, more heart patients.

Ok ok! It's terrible to say that, but I think that's kinda true anyway.. Away from depressing topics. I'm trying my hand in writing fanfictions now! It's a story starring the celebrities that you admire or like. It's really fangirl stuff, but I haven't written stories in a while now, so it's kinda fun too! I remember writing silly romance stories ala Mills and Boons, although my stuff isn't as great as theirs. But classmates will read it and laugh! Pretty hilarious times those were:) But none of that stuff now. Just short, nonsensical stuff ^^

And I have a drama to recommend. Last Friends (ラスト・フレンズ ) is a nice human drama who touches on the issues beleaguering the current generation. It touches on domestic violence, sexuality, and a few more issues that some may identify with. Each character carries one issue and we get to see how they tackle it. Check it out if anyone's interested :)

Oh well, till then, cheers!

Conscious Mistake

Damn it damn it damn it! I made a conscious mistake today and now it's eating me alive!!! I feel so terrible and guilty and so ashamed of myself! No I didn't kill someone or made any mortal mistakes, but it was enough for me to hang my head in shame and wish that I could turn back time. Oh God.... My brains don't seem to function well when I'm crazy and that's when I do stupid things. Now I'm guilt stricken and guilty!! I wish I could just die off. Sigh...
How can a simple mistake like this eat me so much??

Decorating the White House

I read with great interest the other day that Obamy get to decorate the White House. It was really fascinating to know that the White House can be decorated in any way the then president likes it! I have always thought that the White House was decorated by the government.. Something like Putrajaya.. Then I imagined that I got to decorate the White House. Oh my! What fun it was! Although Obamy wasn't allowed to make many drastic changes, but I did (well, in my dreams at least.. ^_^).
Hmmm.. how does it feel to live in a place like the White House? I mean, it's not haunted, is it? Ok, slash that. But it feels so surreal! Your house is a place where important matters are discussed and life changing (heck, world changing even) decisions are made! Like..how cool is that?! Imagine Al Gore in your dining room talking about the weather/climate.. Ooh. But with the White House being your house/home, would anyone really have privacy? There are definitely going to tons of bodyguards surrounding and hounding your every move. But then again, I guess you kinda get used to it.
And after you leave, how crazy would life get? Bush's going home to Texas soon, and I think it's going to be peaceful, for some time. After all the craziness, won't you love the peace and quietness that home can offer?
Ok, why am I speculating on this??? I'm outta me mind!! Anyway, I can't wait for my degree to be over so that I can take up my neurosurgical nursing (if possible) and then finally learn the chinese zither and learn japanese or korean! Happy dreaming to all my beloved out there!

Looks like he did it after all. I meant Obama. The 44th president of the USA. Which will mean the end of the Bush era. I don't know which brings more joy. Watching the 1st african-american man making it, or seeing the end of Bush. However, I do know that this new president will get his pronunciation correctly.

That aside, this really proves that America is really a country where dreams come true. Anything is possible if you decide to make it come true. And I guess the US of A is a really free country. You don't see people getting thrown behind bars for criticizing the president, you don't see people getting jailed for writing articles in the newspaper, and of course, no one gets jailed for holding hands or PDAs (public display of affection).

Oh well, that's in the past. I recently found that foreign politics attract me more than the going ons in my little boleh-land. I actually found myself rooting for Obama (heck, who hasn't) and you-tubing Tina Fey. Heck, I even imagined for a while that Paris (yes, Hilton) will become the next president (weren't her vid clips nice?). So, does that mean that I don't love Boleh-land anymore??

Au contraire. I love it to bits, but the attitude of the politicians are getting to me. Watching the dewan hold a meeting is painfully embarrasing. Name-calling? I haven't done that since goodness knows when! And what else? Walking out in droves just because you can't get your point across and whining about it on national TV?? Hmmm, very matured. Indeed. And these are the selected people who are supposed to lead us?? Yes, you heard me scoffing.

Well, enough of that. I ain't wanna spend my lifetime in jail. Anyway, congrats to obamy (i think it's cute, name calling..) and let's see what change is on the way. Whatever it is, he can count on the world to have our eyes on him. Looks like he got the "rakyat" this time.

Robert Downey Jr. & Jay Chou + Tom Cruise

Tropic Thunder. Ok movie, sometimes silly gags. Stop. Robert Downey Jr. Wow!! Haha! RDJ was hot and so good! I can't stop gushing over RDJ after the Ironman movie. Before I caught him in Ironman, all I knew of RDJ was a celebrity who was plagued with all sorts of social problems (not exactly news anyway..). When I caught his performance in Ironman, he blew me away! Ok ok... I'm no Oscar-worthy critic or some smart aleck. But hey, I enjoyed his acting and the show! (I confess, the gadgets got me more... but then again..)


And so, when Tropic Thunder came out, I knew I had to catch it. Yes, it is a Ben Stiller movie, but it has RDJ and Jack Black in it! Jack wasn't that outstanding, his character was just too hooked on heroine. I wished he had a juicier character though. And boy could RDJ make me laugh! He pulled every joke with a straight face! Sigh...


But I have to admit. The best wasn't him. It was TOM CRUISE!!!! I couldn't recognize him at first, but then I remembered the newspaper review said that Cruise was this fat, balding, hairy guy and when he appeared, DANG!!! Personally, I think this is his best act EVER! Beats Top Gun, Vanilla Sky, and all the MI movies any time! Personally, this is Oscar-worthy. (ROFL...) Anyway, I think he'll get a nickelodeon award for best baddie or something.


And Jay Chou has scored again! Dang, his songs are good! The lyrics? So lovely. The music, gorgeous. The poster. HOT!! Unfortunately, I couldn't lay my hands on this album with that cover. They only have the fantasy-yellowy-brownish-warrior one, and that is so not special! Oh well.. Jay rules for now.
Cheers!!

Learning Japanese

Learning Japanese online. Is that even possible?? I found a site which teaches Japanese through its online lessons. So far it seems to be quite interesting and there are audio lessons as well. You read and then you get to hear the correct pronunciation for each word. There are also explanations on the grammar and structure of the sentence at the end of the page.

Well, hope I'll learn some simple Japanese through this website. It's better than me learning it through the J-dramas that I watch where I pick up only snippets of phrases there. I can form a simple sentence at least! Haha! Watashi wa Joyce desu. Watashi wa Malaysia-jin desu.

I'll continue to gambate and hopefully understand some simple sentences at the end! I still think the easiest way to learn Japanese is to get a Japanese boyfriend! Wakaka..
Cheers!!

Rainy days

I love rainy days!! Absolutely adore them! And I have no idea why. People always say that sunny days are the best, where the sun is merry and the birds are singing. I beg to differ. I prefer rainy days. I would love to go out on rainy days in fact! The weather is cool, and the air is crisp and fresh (even if you're stuck behind an old bus...). I love the pitter-patter of raindrops, the thunder whenever it makes an appearance, beautiful lightning streaks (though it is quite scary at times), the sight of people huddled under umbrellas, and of course the colour green.

Green? I think the leaves and grasses seem much greener after a shower. Colours seem more alive and everything is just fresher.... Maybe I need my eyes checked, but haven't you noticed it? And yes, it has been raining today, and dear ol' Joyce is happy:) It's cool and pleasant now and I would love to go out and enjoy the night, but looks like everyone is busy..

Anyway, I spent my day watching serial dramas and had a nap. Come to think of it, I have not enjoyed a nap in ages! No assignments to do, not working for 2 days, ahhhhhh... That's life. Haha, I sound so old... Anyhow, it was a nice day, thanks to the rain and the internet. Caught up with my blog and journal, finally checked my e-mail, posted some stuff up, fed my pet, read the news, getting bored with politics, watching obama, thinking of greg house (I haven't seen him in ages!), and looking forward to work afternoon shift again!

Well, looks like everything's in place. I'm contented, work's fun again. Oh oh oh! I forgot! I had a bowl of laksa sarawak yesterday, and it was delicious! Meg got the paste for the soup and she whipped up this huge pot of laksa soup! It is not the same as the penang laksa. Not so "ingredient-ny", but sumptious all the same. Should have taken a picture of it. Mmmm..

Well, a penny for all your thoughts, and hope everyone is enjoying themselves wherever you guys are! Cheers!!

People who make you want to scream

Well, I worked with someone like that today. I know I'm not supposed to bitch about people here, but the temptation is so great! I really wanted to scream into her face and stomp all over her! She's a senior nurse (many years my senior) and has just returned from saudi. And boy has she returned! I was in charge today, and I know Sunday mornings are just horrible if you're working in my ward. The doctors all come at the same time, and there are only 6 nurses on duty. 2 are giving out meds, the othe 3 are busy with morning care. If you're in charge, you're supposed to do the doctor's rounds. So there the doctors were, and after they left, all the charts were left on the counter waiting for me to note down the orders. There are people to be discharged, clinics to call, finances to check, blood to be transfused, a patient who had to be in distress (of all times), doctors who who just can't make the decision on their own (oh for heaven's sake, it's just a drip!!), medications with wrong route written (OH! EVERYONE KNOWS THAT VOLTAREN CANNOT BE GIVEN IV!!) and all the hassle that will just make you want to throw the charts around.
Anyway, my story is, there she was team member of room 2. I did not make her team leader coz team leaders have to serve medications and: 1) she doesn't have a password yet, and 2) she is not familiar yet with the pyxis medstation. So I thought she would be better suited working in room 2 with 8 patients under her care (for those in the dark, our ward is made up of 2 open wards and 7 semi-private rooms. The open wards have 7 and 8 patients each. So in total we have 29 patients maximum, the biggest ward in the hospital).
Well, to my indignance, at around 11 am, she started telling me, "Joyce, as a charge nurse, you must make sure that all your nurses take turns to have their lunch". And not once, mind you!! She kept going at that for goodness knows how long!! Hello!! All my staff are very much capable of taking care of themselves, thank you! And hello, we are adults, do I need to tell who to eat first and who to go next?? Our time is flexible. We take our breaks when we can and if we can. If my work is not done, I'll eat later and when I can. Hey do you expect me to put down all my work and go stuff myself when my work is still not done??? Patients come first! Duh!!! Have you not learned that??? What? "Oh, look! It's my turn to eat. I'll just drop everything and go eat". What next? "Oh, look, the patient's condition is turning bad, but it's lunch time! Oh, I'll go eat first and worry later??"
I know she doesn't mean that, but with so many things to do, she keeps nagging me to eat eat eat eat eat eat eat!!! I felt like telling her to eat herself and do her job!! Her reports are not written, her 11am feeding was missed, her sponging is not finished, and she has the nerve to sit at the station and nag me???!!! WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Okay, okay. She's a good nurse and I probably am horrible to talk about her like this, but it's just so... YAAAAAAARRRGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!! What the @@$%&%##$$ are you doing??!
Whatever. It's time for me to shut up and to wish everyone cheers.

bored!

Well technically, I'm not really bored. There are many things to do. I will be starting work tomorrow, there will be my final assignment to pass up tomorrow. But I am just not used to be assignment free from tomorrow onwards. So there I was thinking, planning. Hmmm... what shall I do for these 4 assignment-cum-studies-free months?? Backpacking? Too late to save money. Evelyn's going to Cambodia this Nov, can't tag along now.. Movies? Well, there isn't anything spectacular showing right now..Bond's due next month.. Shopping?? That involves money right?? But oh! Christmas is around the corner! Hmm... Maybe I should start my Christmas shopping soon!!( yeah rite, as if I will achieve my X'mas shopping in time..snort snort..)

So I'll be working, and oh yea! I have a trip and conference to look forward to! And I'm also looking forward to buy that gorgeous lip gloss, get a haircut, go shopping in KL, get sexy shoes and lovely clothes, buy Jay's CD (the cover's super hot!!!), get more Bublè, watch Sweet Rain, buy the Studio Ghibli collection, get some books to fill my mind, watch endless list of japanese and korean movies on Mysoju (I salute them!!), get that MP3 as a X'mas present, catch up with Nisha before she goes Down Under, meet up with Lynn, update this blog, AND dream of Toma day after day! (How can I not do that!!)

Well, if I look at it this way, it seems like I have lots to look forward to!! Well, now that I feel super-excited, I guess I'll start on something. Complete watching Hana Yori Dango (I & II) on Mysoju, catch the super-finale on the big screen, and dream of Toma tonight! Yop! That is what I shall just do. Ja-ne minna sama!

Cheers!!

(isn't he adorable??)

Affairs and shortage of nurses

Micheal Buble makes me want to start an affair. The song Me and Mrs. Jones? I've been listening to it and I personally think it's so saucy! How they have this thing going on and they meet in secrecy at the same time, same place.. Mmmm-mm!! Deliciously writen lyrics with an equally sexy score!

Anyway, everyone probably knows that I've just completed my assignments. I did a particularly interesting topic on professional issues: shortage of nurses. I found it quite scary that at least one million new and replacement nurses will be needed by 2016, according to AACN. It's the same thing in Malaysia. We need at least 130 000 nurses (new nurses, that is) by year 2020. And we're nowhere near the target. Not even close. Nursing colleges in Malaysia can only churn out 3 000 new nurses each year. And did you know that there are only 19 nursing colleges under the Ministry of Health, 16 colleges in the private sector and 5 universities who offer the nursing course?

Anyway, the problem in M'sia is most likely due to the fact that majority of our nurses head to the Middle East, partiularly Saudi Arabia. The pay there is from RM 10 000 to RM 13 000, depending on your qualifications and years of experience. Most people who come back from Saudi commented that it was difficult to adapt back to the low income in M'sia. Imagine getting 10K per month for 2 years and coming back here to survive on a fifth of that salary! (If I work for 3 years in Saudi, I can buy the Mini-Cooper that I've been dreaming of!!).

Back to the point, another reason that there is a lack of nurses is also beacuse due to the lack of faculty (ironic?? no nurses, no nursing tutors even!). There are only 16 teaching staffs in my college... They can't accept that many students in, even if they want to! Who's gonna teach them??! So what solutions can we come up with?

Well, there's nothing we can do much about the salary we're getting. It's impossible that we can compete with what they're paying in Saudi, so we're going to have to face the fact that we are still going to lose our nurses to the Middle East. I can only think of changing the mindsets of people. Remind them that the country's healthcare services need them more than other countries. Remind them that they first came in to nursing not for the money (for it is well known that nurses are paid nuts) but to help and to serve.

Perhaps when many have changed their focus, it's time to buck up the management. Those who have been working their asses off should be recognized and promoted. We didn't work so hard to stay where we were 30 years ago. We worked hard so that we could progress.

So any non nurses out there wanting to comment on this? I always welcome opinions from the non nursing people. It is nice to know and understand what you guys think about us nurses and our profession for once. So read up! Drop a line or so and miss you all my friends!

Cheers! XOXOXO!!

Shoes shoes shoes!

Some people love bags, some love clothes, others love accessories. I love SHOES! Haha! I think shoes are the sexiest items around. Nothing brightens my day up more than a pair of sexy 4-inch heels! And oh! They come in all colours! Metallic red, blue, green, lovely white, hot black, every colour imaginable!

Be it from Vincci, Nose, Adidas, Nike, Hush Puppies, Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik (OMG!!), or Giuseppe Zanotti (a personal favourite, though I can't afford them), they are all glorious and wonderful! It comes in many shapes and heights. And there are so many to choose from! Killer 6-inchers, flats, wedges, sneakers, trainers, flip-flops, boots etc etc etc!

Now, how can anyone not love shoes?? Some think it's crazy to splurge on shoes, but I think it's worth it! A good pair of shoes will bring you everywhere, says Joyce. Hehe:) Well, it's kinda true. Imagine wearing Japanese slippers to Oscars... Oh well, Brad Pitt might do it, and whaddya know?! Japanese slippers are the hottest items the next day! Now, that will be interesting...

Anyway, if I keep on crapping like this, I'll get a shoe-orgasm or something like that (quite unlikely, but...) Oh, don't assume that I'm a fashionista or shoe expert. I'm just a shoe-lover who drools at every sexy pair that my eyes can spot :p

Oh well, I've finally finished my assignments and handed them up. Only 2 more clinical logs due this Friday, and then, GOODBYE SEMESTER 1! Then it's 2 months of pure bliss for me before my harrid student-cum-working days start again.... Anyway, I've got Michael Buble crooning everyday for me now, and a dinner to look forward to! Shoe shopping I hear?? Haha!

Cheers!!!

The things that make me smile

I smile easily Hehe. I get satisfied easily, I laugh and smile easily, I even fall in love easily! In retrospect, I get hurt easily, I get irritated easily, and I'm damn moody But that's not my point here today. Have you ever met a person in the cinema who laughs at almost everything?? well, that's me It's interesting to me that the simple things in life can make me happy and grateful So I've drawn up a list of things that makes me smile. Silly things indeed!

1. food (lovely food)
2. lovely weather
3. michael buble
4. ikuta toma
5. driving (alone, usually)
6. rain (not him, the superstar, but rain, as in raindrops..)
7. shopping
8. johnny depp
9. the cute elderly patients i meet in work
10. comedies
11. jack sparrow
12. friends
13. great music (michael buble anyone??)
14. smell of rain after rain's stopped..
15. new CDs
16. sexy heels, shoes, flip flops, anything concerning shoes!!
17. dangling earrings
18. anime (bishonen especially)
19. ikuta toma
20. the flute
21. the colour green
22. and the list is exhaustive............
23. oooh... i forgot.... hot men... silly men too
24. latin dances! smokin!!!!!!
25. oooh.. anything related to chinese culture (asian culture too!)
26. festive seasons!! (hari raya, deepavali, xmas, CNY, hungry ghost festivals...)
27. those petronas' advertisements!
Cheers!!

People make my head spin

People make my head spin. Period. Have you ever felt that people are the wierdest things on earth? They say something just to mean another thing. Why must someone say "I'll let you make the decision. I cin-cai* wan", and when you've made the decision, they tell you the dislike it? What's the point of saying "cin-cai"? Of course, 'm not perfect too. I proably did it too. I think I'm too much of a doormat sometimes. I try to please everyone too much. I say yes 90% of the times when asked to do something, regardless whether I'm killing myself with the tonne of work under me or not. I really want to change and say NO!
Why am I afraid to say no? Perhaps because I think that saying no will make people like me less. I think I've got inferiority complex or something like that. Or perhaps it's because my period is playing games with my mood again. Sigh.... Feeling depressed now.
I shall not think about that for a while. I've got assignments as usual, and birtdays coming up! I think I'll get SL the nice radio. Oh well, I owe her one She's really a nice friend and that'll be a good enough reason to get her a nice present. And I need to tell myself that God loves me whether I'm perfect or not. I'm sure he knows I'm darn right not perfect. Sigh, when can I go to Iya Japan? Saw it in the newspaper today, and it was GORGEOUS!! I should go volunteer myself there for a short stint one day. Maybe meet Mr. Right there Get hitched after a whirlwind romance and settle down and have kids! And work part time as a nurse to support my family Haha!! I'm thinking too much! At least my mood's up now. Yop! Shall get my hands and brain cells working again. I kinda like my assignment. Hope I get good grades!

Cheers!!