Updates

It’s been a few weeks since we’ve been back at code yellow and as usual, there have been a lot of changes in the ward. Firstly, Snoopy’s on a hiatus to rejuvenate at home. I hope that she recovers soon. We miss her!

Secondly, Mokie’s happily gallivanting in Taipei. Heard she’s having a blast there. Chewie also just came back from her vacation over in Taipei and HK. So lucky right?!

I do hope we get to go too. I do miss my Calbee.

Thirdly, our ward is flooded with staff as we absorb the staff strength of a ward that has been closed for renovations. With the growing mix of personalities and an explosion of staff to jostle with Night Shifts (which basically mean more money with the added allowances the shift brings) and physical space in the cramp, tiny nursing counter.

Many staff has been made to take “voluntary” annual leave as my ward supervisors scramble to balance staff rosters. And we’ve got news that our ward may close down earlier then expected and move up to occupy the renovated ward our deployed staff originates.

WHY?!

Lastly, my fever has raged on for almost a week, with temperature plateaus occasionally. Being warded is not an option I’m looking forward too.

PS - It's national scrapbooking month! The good Lord knows Stick Insect and I are battling demons in the quest to not buy too much stuff. Hohoho.

Happy Mother's Day to all deserving Mothers
(& Mother figures)

For all the silent sacrifices made along the way,

And for the tempers kept at bay.

Marvel(lous)

After a long lapse in action movies, we watched X-Men Origins : Wolverine yesterday. Originally, Stick Insect wasn't too keen on the movie because I'm guessing she saw the movie as an all action, no substance storyline; Chock full of blood and violence.

However, this was marvellously different. (pun fully intended)

Even Stick Insect showed potential to be converted to become open to more Marvel stories. Perhaps she can add to be my collection of Marvel parapharnelia?! *chuckles*

Hugh Jackman reprises his role as Wolverine in this Marvel instalment, providing insight into a man born as James Howlett and then adopting the name Logan. Apart from the retro, Farah Fawcett blowout hairstyle, his rippling muscles activated my all-too-willing salivary glands.

I was seen to be watching the movie in a pool of saliva.

delicious..!

Wolverine's primary mutant power is accelerated healing which ups his immunity and increases his lifespan, allowing him to outlive normal human lifespans. Coupled with keen animal instincts and the adamantium infused exoskeleton, he is a formidable weapon.

I’ve always been a Marvel Fan. Its intriguing plots and characters always leave me breathless for more. There are no permanent good guys. Likewise, the villians manifest their good nature every so often.

Stories revolving around genetic deviations, resulting in superhuman powers that you think would bring one much favor or adulation. When in fact, gets you little except the burden of non conformity and persecution.

what gifts should burden you?

My favorite has to be the X-Men series. With characters such as Professor X, Rogue, Cyclops, The Beast, Storm, Ice Man, Nightcrawler, Mystique, Magneto, Jean Grey and of course, our hero, Wolverine. *This list is non exhuastive

All bearing a past just waiting to be uncovered.

Especially in Wolverine’s story, his story of betrayal extends from his childhood all the way into adulthood. The anger of watching his father's murder and then coming to terms with the truth of his linage. We see the ties between the brothers concealed in their numerous fights and battles and ache for Wolverine’s lost love; A love that he can no longer remember.

Why is the moon so lonely?

Over and over again, he finds himself at crossroads, trying to find reason as to why so much adversity surrounds him. With a past tainted in blood and an unknown future, Wolverine often is depcited as a rebel against authority, perfering a reclusive lifestyle.

However, we are able to see his humanity nestled within the dynamics of his relationships and the expression of his emotions.

You are no animal

It seems that good people often die around you.

In the movie, Wolverine clearly shows that gifts can be used in vastly opposing arenas. And no matter how different we all appear to be, we all possess the power of choice.

Sometimes, life events force us to make certain decisions. While come choices are not as lucid as others, it is then the onus of the individual to consider the consequences of our actions and live with the choices we’ve made.

Courage doesn't always roar.
Sometimes, its the little voice inside that says "i'll try again tomorrow..."

I chose to watch the movie. You should too.

Arena (known to self and others) adaptable, brave, complex, introverted, self-conscious	Blind Spot (known only to others) able, bold, caring, cheerful, clever, confident, dependable, energetic, extroverted, friendly, giving, happy, helpful, independent, ingenious, intelligent, kind, knowledgeable, logical, mature, nervous, observant, self-assertive, sensible, sentimental, silly, spontaneous, trustworthy, wise, witty
Façade (known only to self) reflective	Unknown (known to nobody) accepting, calm, dignified, idealistic, loving, modest, organised, patient, powerful, proud, quiet, relaxed, religious, responsive, searching, shy, sympathetic, tense, warm

All Percentages

able (23%) accepting (0%) adaptable (23%) bold (30%) brave (7%) calm (0%) caring (15%) cheerful (30%) clever (15%) complex (7%) confident (23%) dependable (15%) dignified (0%) energetic (23%) extroverted (7%) friendly (23%) giving (7%) happy (15%) helpful (7%) idealistic (0%) independent (46%) ingenious (23%) intelligent (15%) introverted (7%) kind (7%) knowledgeable (30%) logical (7%) loving (0%) mature (23%) modest (0%) nervous (7%) observant (15%) organised (0%) patient (0%) powerful (0%) proud (0%) quiet (0%) reflective (0%) relaxed (0%) religious (0%) responsive (0%) searching (0%) self-assertive (7%) self-conscious (7%) sensible (7%) sentimental (7%) shy (0%) silly (15%) spontaneous (38%) sympathetic (0%) tense (0%) trustworthy (23%) warm (0%) wise (15%) witty (7%)

Created by the Interactive Johari Window on 4.5.2009, using data from 13 respondents.
You can make your own Johari Window, or view cher-losophy's full data.

Stick Insect made this for me =)
Betcha her fingers must be aching from all the tedious work

I've never seen my name look better
Thank You!

Revolutionary Road

We watched Revolutionary Road a couple weeks back. In essence, it is a poignant tale of unfulfilled desires and shattered dreams.

Set in the 1950s, we watch Frank and April meet at a party. 2 ordinary persons sharing their dreams and aspirations. They banter flirtatiously and by the end of the party, their destinies are irrevocably entwined. After embracing marriage, they settle in suburban America, complete with picket fences and perfectly manicured lawns.

The Wheelers (Frank and April) are the epitome of the American Dream.

Under this immaculate facade, April bubbles with resentment as her thespian dreams crumbles before her. Blaming it on a small town that it unable to tap into her vast talent, she allows dispair to gnaw at her soul. Feeling forced to conform to the role of a housewife and mother, she feels trapped in the responsibilities expected of her.

Frank, on the other hand, is confronted by the banality of his 9 to 5 job. Forced into the shadows of his Father's mundane life, his day revolves around his desk and commuting to and from work. Stifled in a job he neither enjoys nor appreciates. In a sorry bid to escape reality, he soon finds himself in the throngs of an office romance.

April soon hatches a plan to reignite the possibilities that have longed remained dormant in their sorry lives. She uses Frank's dreams of living in Paris as leverage to entice him with promises of a life filled with spontaneity and excitement.

What she really wants is to leave her own disappointments.

You have to watch the movie to find out what happens next. All I can say is that, the film builds with momentum before exploding into a river of emotions as the central characters lash blow after blow.

Each viciously intent on hurting the other. As the onslaught of Frank and April's spats grew more and more malicious, it became quite disturbing to watch.

The movie realistically portrays the raw emotions within people. And as the bonds of love and marriage wither and fade with resentment and disillusion, we often can remain blind to the destruction our words or actions can cause.

Perhaps by the time we realize how much has come to past, more often then not, all that remains is only an avalanche of mistakes that can never be rectified.

I can only hope this never happens to anyone.