Journey to the East

In Dubai International airport now. Another 10 hours of wait =.=

So far everything has been great, apart from the fact that I didn’t manage to get some sleep during my first flight, instead I watched 3 movies – Salt, 127 Hours and Love in Disguise (Mandarin).

And also my head was hit by a baggage from an old man sitting in front of me. I didn’t know how that happened, as I wasn’t facing him, just got hit, heard sorrys. I didn’t say “it’s ok” this time, because it wasn’t ok at all! I know that isn’t intentional, I know he apologized, but I didn’t smile and show my friendly face at all =/. It really hurts =S. Hopefully it’s not going to show any symptoms that are going to cost my holidays =S.

Very thankful though, for all the guys that had offered a hand to carry my big luggage. As I put my laptop backpack in it (until before I checked the luggage in), so I guess it was at least 25-6kgs. Whenever I see stairs my face turns green, and whenever guys see me by the stairs they offered help! But I can see that their faces turn green when they’re carrying it. Ha ha ha. I’m sure next time they would forget the heroic act xD.

OK let’s talk about the movies. I have heard about Salt being a great movie, I’d say it’s quite good, but just.. hmm, ok, it made me feel like those Jackie Chan’s action movies, which I’m already quite bored watching them, but then Jackie Chan’s are still way better, because they always make you laugh, and I do think the “actions” are more presentable, compared to Salt. But still, it’s good.

127 hours. I heard extreme views about it. Some said it was good, I read from paper saying it’s a must watch. Whereas there are also friends who class it as one of the worst movies they’ve ever watched. I’d say it’s just OK. Although I expected something better, especially having known that its director was the one of Slumdog Millionaire. At some points it was a bit boring. And, I don’t normally enjoy movies with known storyline and/or endings. The 127 Hours, apparently based on true story, and the whole storyline (i.e. he cut his hand off etc) could be read anywhere on news or reviews when it first came out. Still, recommended.

Love in Disguise. what can I say? I know it isn’t good. I watched simply because I want to show sign of support to LeeHom, although, hahaha, I’m not watching in cinema anyway. It’s OK. The funny thing is, it’s trying to be funny, the normal-serious-me wouldn’t laugh at all, yet it managed to get me laugh quite a few times (which could be a bit embarrassing, but I don’t care =p). And also it was landing, so I handed back my earphone, I missed the last part song, which I guess is very important and central to the movie. (well, the whole movie is about music, isn’t it!)

My plan for next journey is sleep. I wouldn't even mind skipping the meals, and get only drinks. But I wonder if I would be able to sleep. Otherwise I'm going to watch Eat Pray Love. Haha, planned! I saw Conviction in the list as well, but I have it in my laptop, so would rather not watch on that little screen where you see your own reflection when you watch =.=

No plan for now! I honestly don't know what time it is in Dubai now. I only know I've got so long to wait. And I don't feel tired and secure to sleep, just like that. Before sitting down I've already walked from middle to west end of the whole airport, then walked to east end (where I'm sitting now). The airport is such a "class" that I couldn't even find a place to get a bottle of water, till I'm wondering whether I should get a Smirnoff or some branded perfume and drink them like water!

There was a frozen yoghurt shop (pinkberry?) that I feel like visiting. And also I could get a meal in Emirates Lounge (for passengers who transit for more than 4 hours), but I'm quite sure I'm not very interested in their food, ALTHOUGH their airlines (i.e. Emirates) served great meals. I had lamb curry just now, just feel like eating rice. Other than that I'd just wonder around, and try to spend some of my USD if I can find them in my bag =X. (they use AED/DHS, I only have GBP, RM and USD with me). And also they have got awful lots of places where you can use for charging your mobiles/notebooks + wireless - which should keep me entertained. (their plug same with UK's)

OK. Off to find water!

P.S. sad! why am I a fast typist? This long wordy post could have taken more time!

That's why I always say communication is important

Read this:

Study: A Complete Stranger Understands You About as Well as Your Spouse Does

I don't believe this is true, despite the fact that the study found no significant difference comparing the two. But still, I find that astonishing, since it could be true to a certain degree, for most people.

...

The more I think about real life situations and examples, the more I'm convinced that these researchers are right.

So, speak out. =)

Discrimination?

I didn't realize myself take that by heart, that I woke up early in the morning, recalling what they said, just like that. I thought I've been in this country long enough to be immune from discrimination - remember there was once when I was chatting with the ward doctor (a british who was born and brought up in the uk, and of India origin), I told him I don't care about (racial/colour) discrimination anymore, I'd just take it, because we're all human and it's normal to discriminate (in other word, it's just "categorizing"), I even gave him an example that through the 3+ years part time job that I've got during Uni, White people from this country are certainly far more lazy than others (and are only good in "talking" instead of "doing"), and I said "see? I discriminate them as well".

Yesterday came in a shift realized my favourite colleague was sent out to do two community leaves during one shift, and somehow I felt they bullied her, of course I didn't put it that way, but when she came in, I just said XXX you're a star!!. Then the other two started to tease me, saying "look at you". I know they were joking, but still I told them I came in 4 shifts in a row, and going out every single shift, which they didn't really listen to. The two person who teased me, one was a nursing assistant who never really does community leave, and whenever she is put down to do it, she would pick the person that she wants to take (and there are only 2 of them), or else she would do whatever to get herself out of it. While another is a qualified who probably has done only 1-2 community leave since the ward started 6 months ago. Opps, I forgot - both are Whites.

The whole incident was behind my mind all day long. I really didn't realize I actually mind it. It seems like my brain didn't manage to resolve the conflict feelings through dreams (a theory by Griffin & Tyrrell), so I was waken up and ... decided to blog about it ha ha.

And yes, I feel better. =)

Bye Bye UK's Bpeng

Just came back from Birmingham this afternoon, went for a short trip to say good bye to UK's Bpeng. Hahaha. So what's this "UK's Bpeng"? Because I'm sure we're going to meet when I'm back to Klang, and hopefully we'd be friends for the rest of our lives. Yet she's leaving England on coming Tuesday, for good, i.e. probably not coming back anymore (unless for travelling? which wouldn't happen in near future). So the goodbye is only for the Bpeng in UK. xD

Although we hadn't lived together since June 2010. But we had been staying together since Sept 2006, in Harwick the student hall, then 2+ years in Elmfield house in Cheltenham. Without her I probably wouldn't even have come to this country =O. And she has been a very very very supportive and helpful housemate + friend + companion + coursemate =D.

Some pictures of us =D

Ski Trip in Austria. Dec 2008.

Fake smile xD. Dec 2008

Sammi's house. March 2009.

Graduation. Nov 2009.

Chiquito. June 2010.

Greece Trip. Oct 2010.

Thanks for everything and I wish all the best for you. =)

11.01.11

2011.01.11, doesn't really mean anything to me, although LiJi tweet that we would have to wait for another thousand years until we get 11.01.11 again, yet I replied her, even it is 12.01.11 or 13.01.11, you would have to wait for another thousand years as well. So why make it so different, when every day could also be a special day? Ha ha. Originally I was saying that just to trick her =p

Received the parcel sent from pama and ahjeh October last year, brighten my day =). Nothing special, just some milos, oats etc. At some point of today, I was thinking about the parcel, till this came to my mind "now that I've got nothing, but MILO!" lol. 6.6kg. Crazy!

Few days ago, noticed from facebook that two high school friends went into a relationship. The girl is one of my besties, where we knew each other since we were 10 years old and by heart I treasure our friendship. I was shocked, One is the fact that they two, the two of them that I know quite well, went into a relationship, Two is that how could I know nothing at all? How can I know her getting into a relationship through facebook?!?!!! Although I didn't really believe it, as the possibility isn't high (in fact, it's super low), yet I chose to believe, and gave my blessings. Turned out what? Yesterday it was revealed that that's just a trick, for fun, to trick Bpeng in particular. What can I say? Nowadays we really shouldn't believe anything, trust anyone huh?!?! Nonsense. I'm going to punish her when I'm back!! Yes, I mean it!! =( You people should just learn the story of the boy who cried wolf!! Next time I ain't going to believe nothing!

I just realized that my blog has turned into such a personal one, that I don't blog about research, news, interesting, impersonal stuff anymore. =O

Pure Grumbling

I'm just surprised how people can make a whole big issue when they're jealous and had been looking so hard to pick on you.

And I'd been waiting for someone who actually wasn't happy about it to come to talk to me face to face, and guess what? Nobody mentions it at all. They chose to back-stab me. I know why, because they never really get the opportunity. Now that they've got it, they will make full use of it.

But I'm still grateful. For people who know me, who would stand up for me, and would tell me face to face about it and about these people. So I learnt, learnt from the mistake, learnt their true faces and learnt how I'm going to return the favour next time, although I don't think I'm evil like them! BUT I will try! =/

P.S. actually there is only one person, yet I'm saying "they" because I know how easily people get themselves into those gossips and backstabbing.

P.S. 2 Being excellent in my own job is just my nature. Stop being jealous!

Good Bye 2010 and Happy 2011

It's 2011.01.01 and I'm now in the ward doing night shift. A bit strange not having any particular feelings welcoming a new year, probably because I'm working. But it's probably the best night shift that I've ever done because I'm doing it with someone who can keep me talking and listening all night.

I would normally blog about what I've achieved and experienced at the end of each year. But this time I'm not going to bother those bits and pieces, just some significant memories that come to my mind at the moment.

Beginning of last year Erge has got married, which is my first sibling getting married, and made my family into seven members, major event of my family in recent years. I also went back for Chinese New Year after missing it for 4 consecutive years.

Major life change would be the job that I have got at April and started working full time for the North London Forensic Service at July, which is my first ever full time job. A job I have enjoyed to the fullest and been trying to learn as much as I could. It changes my mind regarding how I can help the mentally ill, stimulate my brain, and inspire me what I want to do in the future. Get to know group of very supportive and helpful colleagues.

Surprisingly this year, opps, I mean last year we only visited Greece - normally would have been to more places. That was a great trip with Bpeng, Peiman and Felicia - hopefully not our last trip together.

Other than that, there was also my first blood donation experience (New Blood!), moving out to live on my own in London (Officially a Londoner), first theatre experience watching the Phantom of the Opera and first thought of seeing someone from an entirely different culture.

And I'm just very grateful, for whatever I've got in the past years, hoping the 2011 would be good as well, if not better. That's for now. Wishing everyone a blessed and healthy year. =)

Hmmph!

Can't bear this bad feeling after the phone call =S

I wonder if I did anything wrong, where I couldn't see the problem at all

yet she was saying it as if she is just trying to be nice

so I must be the baddie, with very bad communication skills, and worse, I can't manage my emotions. Though I could only be silent when I was angry and upset

Perhaps think it this way, too many good things happened on me, and there must be up and down in life =S

I know I can take this, it shouldn't keep me low for long

and I will pay for it, whatever it costs

but woman, I'm doing this, because I don't want to be rude

P.S. Merry Christmas!

Can't wait for boxing day next! Shopping time xD =X

P.S. My housemates are bloody good cooks and they are nice people!

I should have realized this earlier =)

Here comes December

Unbelievable, it's already December of 2010!!!

Just 3 more weeks until Christmas and 4 weeks until 2011!

and 1 more month till I work for half a year in north london forensic service.

Still considering whether to get the tickets to fly back during chinese new year!

Just because I'm sure I will be going back during May-June for gogo's wedding, and probably end of the year for good, I really see no point of going back 3 times a year if I go back during February.

But then! I don't know what I can do with my annual leaves..

In general colleagues take their annual leaves and rest at home.. But having 1-2 day off a week is more than enough for a hyper person like me..

I don't need annual leaves to relax =S

I want to go travelling, but it's cold and SNOWING everywhere, plus bpeng and the others are going back for cny.

I don't want to be here with friends and colleagues who don't celebrate cny =S

So... go back?

Talk about snowing! Remember first year when we came, how desperate we were to see snow

how excited we were to see a bit of snow!

and look at now! it's just autumn! it's just november when it started to snow!

and it snowed cats and dogs!! (opps! does this idiom exist? xD)

In the ward we have got the x'mas tree up and decorations all over the place already.. plus the snowing scenes.. just lovely!

I really enjoy watching snow, beautiful! =)))

On Monday went to watch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow with a patient

it was good =)

but I feel it was a bit dragging unlike the previous ones, it could be the cold in the cinema as the heating wasn't working

thanks to my patient who was trying to warm my hand.. haha =.=

Then I watched a second time with another patient yesterday..

Could have let somebody else go if I knew he was going to watch HP as well

Anyway, I still couldn't think of another job better than mine at the moment =p

Not sure where are the girls now.. must be all over the places with their families

Congratulations to bp, pm and fs for their graduations! though it was long time ago =.=

Hmmm.. Let's just enjoy the last bits of the year!

I don't want to see this happens

A bit of heartache. A patient was restraint to be given his depot today, and I was part of the restrain members. This patient, he had been muted for about 2 years, and when he first came to our ward, I was the first person he spoke to, and the ward manager was quite impressed that I managed to get him talked. Now that I saw that happened, I feel pain for him. He's not a difficult patient, 100% not. But this happens every week. Because he doesn't want to consent that he has got mental illness, by accepting the depot voluntarily, it simply means he has got mental illness, so he would decline, so we would need to restrain and inject him. He was strongly defending, 6-7 of us were holding him, and he still managed to move. After this, I've got no courage to look into his eyes. For no reasons, I feel guilty. =.=

This reminds me of another patient's words. At first he defended himself, he fought back. That led to more medications and seclusion, so he learnt, he learnt to be complied, because he wants to get himself out of here. Are patients actually getting better, or do they just learn to pretend better?

No fear

今天在巴士上擠沙丁魚的時候 收到六個 missed calls (話説巴士擠得根本不可能把手機拿出來 只能尷尬地讓它一直震動)

後來下了巴士 才發現六個 missed calls 都來自經理的手機 因爲我的 mentor 把我寫給他的話轉給他了

今天是我的假日 也是他的假日 可是他知道后 就打了那麽多多多多電話給我

回他電話 講了十多分鐘 還聽見他的小孩在吵鬧 xD

真的工作狂一個

事情是關於我值夜班的時候 一些不負責任的 seniors 爲了睡覺把我一個人留在 ward 裏 連休息的機會都沒有 (重點不在我休息與否 在於把一個 23 嵗的女生獨自留在 18 個有犯罪前科的male ward, 爲了不要讓同事看見而間接連累當晚的seniors 所以我選擇用中文打 =.=)

本來我想讓事情過去了 也以爲已經過去了 沒想到 mentor 放假回來看見我上個星期的 email

就馬上讓經理知道了 跟經理說完話 心情還沒怎麽能平復

我怎麽會有那麽好的經理和 mentor..?!?!

昨天才說起這個 supervisor (mentor) 真的超好 今天又要稱讚他們兩個一次了

很多時候 會有麻煩 會有一點委屈 會很累 可是每次都因爲這些很善良很 supportive 的 seniors, 而覺得沒有事情了

有時候 晚上九點值完班 同事會覺得外面很黑很冷 把我送到家門口

不是我眼淺(吧?) 是他們真的很照顧我

說到底 其實來來去去 有問題的都是一樣的人 我開不開口 這兩三個人也一直是大家不希望一起工作的人 (天 用中文敍述事情好難!)

不管怎樣 身在這個 ward 還是沒有辦法不覺得太幸運~ XD

I'm never scared, never afraid, never feel threaten, because whenever things happen, I know a whole bunch of them would be there for me, would give me a hand, would stand up for me, and this bunch of people, includes probably 70% of the patients.

NHS, are you helping them?

Took a patient out on grounds today, had a very thoughtful conversation with him, or should I say, he has told me about his thought regarding the way this place treating mentally ill patients, and whether or not this is helping them.

I have had this thought probably since the second month I work there - are we helping them? are they progressing? should they be here or in the community? You wouldn't believe it until you actually work there, that how much money NHS is spending on them, and what is actually coming in returns.

Well, I'm not a qualified nurse, neither am I a clinical psychologist (yet), I might not give the most accurate fact that reflects the truth, but the patients, they are the central of the whole system (the hospital, the treatments, the multidisciplinary team, the nhs), shouldn't their thought count and be deeply considered? I know, some of them are really not that well, what they say might not be beneficial to themselves, and they might be saying all these simply because they want to get themselves out of the hospital. But this particular patient, he just spoke out what I think, that there is no point of keeping them there, for years and years, doing nothing every day, not knowing when they will be discharged, not being involved in the outside world etc etc. If we want to give them treatment and make them better, we should do it every day, every single day, not like once a week. If we were to organize courses, make it a daily one, not like once a week. The thought of not knowing when they can leave is simply depressing - and I strongly agree with this. They all know they are wasting their time, their lives, missing many important parts of lives, losing contacts with theirs loved ones. I actually feel sad when I heard these, because I know he is right.

Unlike yesterday when another patient told me that he has wasted too much time in the hospital, he wants to get out and carry on with his life, I was still aware that this patient will still have to stay for longer, as I know his condition isn't really good, especially when he first came, he was so unsettled. But patient that I took out today, I deeply hope that he would get himself out asap and never come back.

You know, I don't mean that all the patients should be discharged in 2-3 months.. There are always cases taking few years until they really recover. The thing is, when we keep them in there, why are we keeping them in there? And are they progressing? Are we helping them? I mean if we were to keep them for 10 years, make sure they are getting better in these 10 years, but not getting depressed not knowing when the stay would come to an end. Like what the patient said, they would have to be very strong, very tough, to be able to stay there for that long without any suicidal thought. I could imagine that, it's not easy, at all.

And guess what, I will listen to him - the day and the time when I become a clinical psychologist, I would do my best to make sure myself, also including the system are helping these people (just that, by the time I wouldn't be in the UK anymore). I know how advance this country is, but it doesn't mean their methods are always right and good, and sometimes, things keep on developing, and it could simply and blindly not developing to a right direction.

Patient Kicked off

It was my first day doing response in the ward yesterday.

Firstly I think I'd explain what is "response"? Basically every single staff and visitor would carry an alarm whenever they are in the ward. And when emergency cases happen (e.g. patients trying to attack you, patients fighting, patients doing self harm etc), we would press the alarm. In every ward, there would be one staff who is doing response in every shift. They carry a radio, a bunch of keys and a pager. So when someone presses the alarm, it would first come on the pager, saying, for example XX ward, staff base (or games area, or dining room, or west corridor etc, wherever the emergency case takes place. and yes, the alarm would locate where the person who presses the alarm is).

My first ever experience doing response yesterday was in another ward down stairs, which is an acute ward. I was the first two arriving there, and saw a patient was kicking off, but was restraint by 2 female staff (which apparently was from that ward itself), so the male response team took over the restraint (we learnt this during the TAMVA course, see my previous post).

The patient was very very unstabled, apparently he was responding to external stimuli, asking "why are you doing this to me? come fight me! you coward! come fight me. you spoilt my life. i lost everyone in my life now. now! come fight me" etc etc. For 10 minutes, he was talking with another person who doesnt exist. Staff trying to calm him down, but he couldn't listen to any of us and just carried on shouting. He tried to hit his head, tried to kick (his hands were restraint, and at the end so were his legs) and refused any medications.

About 15 minutes later, he stopped. And I could see his hands really trembling, he asked, "what happened?" The staff said they would discuss it later, they want him to rest for a while first, and calm down first. He said "I'm really scared. What happened? What just happened? Did I hurt anyone? I'm really scared" Despite staff stating that he did not hurt anyone, apparently he was so worried and scared about what just happened, he had entirely no memory on what just happened, and his hands were really shaking. At this point, he took his medications, but still asking what just happened. We left his room after he took the medications.

I went back to my ward after that, about 3 hours later when I was on another response in the same ward, I saw him, and he looked really fine, calm and steady, pacing in the ward. (This second response was another patient refusing depot and got a bit aggressive).

I'm happy he wasn't sent into seclusion room. I guess one main reason was because their ward seclusion was occupied at the moment, if they wanted to send this patient to seclusion, it would have to be the seclusion in my ward.. and that would really keep my ward busy and more unsettled. But I'm happy not because of this reason, I think sending patients like this into seclusion room wouldn't help them, when you're in an total empty room, four walls, one mattress and nothing else, for 24 hours every day, that would just make their conditions worse. They would simply become more unsettled.

It's the first time I really noticed one patient actually kicked off, it was really a shock in me, especially when I saw how he trembled and scared not knowing what himself just did. and am glad how settled my ward patients are. Though it's good, that I start doing response and see what is happening in other wards.

When I went back to my ward, passed by my manager's office, he asked how it was and I told him what happened. He said "good stuff", I thought that was just his habit of saying it. But when I went back to office, they all asked me how it was. Haha, the charged nurse told me, Phil worried that I couldn't handle it, but she said I look like I could survive everything, and I'd proven her right. =)

Accommodation During Greece Trip

All About Greece 4: Where to stay?

I think I had never really stayed in an apartment while travelling with friends and this was probably my first experience. And guess what, I'd strongly recommend it if you have got enough number of people to share it (an apartment) with. As its facilities and services were far better than 2-3 stars hotels in general.

The apartment that we stayed in Rethymno, Crete was Aloe Apartments. The location is good, very close to the beach and mini markets. The facilities were superb. The only thing which isn't that good was probably their reception isn't 24 hours, so the help is not there all day long. And also the hot water seems to be limited and I showered in cold water on the first night. However, these did not really affect. On the last day when we checked out, the receptionist even offered to give us a lift to the bus station, how nice was that! And during the journey, he wished that we would write a review of the apartment in Mandarin. Hahaha. (Prices were 96 euro for 2 nights, 4 persons/apartment, breakfast not included)

Two single bed in the living room. - Aloe Apartments.

Room. - Aloe Apartments.

The kitchen and the dining area. - Aloe Apartments.

We stayed in Irini Hotel in Heraklion. To be honest, I can't really think of anything good about this hotel. It isn't that bad, just that, it wouldn't be what I will recommend (Prices were 132 euro for 2 nights, 4 persons/room, breakfast not included).

We spent three nights at Lion Apartments, Athens. We got into quite some troubles finding this apartment, asking pedestrian, police, ambulance until we finally found it. Its service and facilities were really good though. We get there before 9am, and the room service lady get the room ready and let us check in at early morning without putting any extra charges. She was really friendly and helpful, explaining every single things in the apartment, helped us with our luggages, and worked really efficiently, without hoping for tips (we planned to give her but didn't see her again after that first day). (Prices were 270 euro for 3 nights, 4 persons/apartment, breakfast not included, free wireless). I'd recommend it if you don't mind that the location was a bit far from metro stations.

View from our room.

Also, if you're travelling between islands and mainlands, I'd say taking a night ferry would save you some money and time, the only disadvantage is that you would hardly sleep comfortably on the ferry unless you get a room (but then it'd be costly). We bought "deck" tickets which cost us less than 30 euros per person (Anek Lines). Although we did not get the chance to try, I think they served good food as well.

The ferry we took.

More:

All About Greece 1: Airport Taxe/Cab in Crete

All About Greece 2: Athens or Islands?

All About Greece 3: Restaurants "Customering" and Culture

Restaurant "Customering" in Greece

All About Greece 3: Restaurant "Customering" and Culture

When we were walking in Greece, one thing we found is that there would always be someone standing in front or at the door side of the restaurant, and trying to get some customers into their restaurant, or at least look at their menus.

Remember on the first night at Rethymno, when there was a man trying to convince us to try their Greek dishes, we were just being polite and said we have eaten, at the end we picked another one. The next day we passed by it again, the same guy, recognizing us, saying that we should really visit him this day, as we sort of lied the day before, and he saw us dining in another restaurant etc etc.

What do you think about this? For me, we were just trying to reject him in a polite way (as our apartment receptionist recommended us some restaurants already), and he was being very rude to say that to us. We're the ones paying, shouldn't we get to choose what we want? =S

Just be aware of this, and if you're not going to eat anything, just try not to walk pass one whole row of restaurants.. you'd probably get tired saying no!

The other thing is about tips. On our first night in Athens, after finished dining, we asked for the bills and paid the total. One first man came by our table and "reminded" us that service charge wasn't included. When we were still discussing whether to pay tips and how much to pay, a second man came and collected the money on the table, counting, before leaving our table, he said "put the tips on the table! put the tips on the table" Imagine our expressions. =.= I was a bit pissed off and said we shouldn't be paying tips to people like this! How can he ORDERED us to pay him tips?! And guess what, at the end we left €0.10 on the table!

Just remember this restaurant.. it's close to Athens Monastiraki metro station..

More:

All about Greece 1: Airport taxi/cab in Crete

All about Greece 2: Athens or Islands?

Athens VS Greece Islands

All About Greece 2: Athens or Islands?

We went to an island called Crete in Greece, spent 4 nights over there (2 nights in Rethynmo, 2 nights in Heraklion), and then took a night ferry to Athens, spent another 3 nights in Athens.

For me, before I had been there, Athens is a place that I must go, for the history that we have learnt about it since young, for the name "雅典"! It simply sounds like a "must go" to me. While Greece at the same time, is famous with its islands and beaches.

Whether you want Athens or an island, it really depends what kind of trip you're up to. Rethymno is such a relaxing place, very blue sea and sky, nice hot weather, long beach (we even play monopoly card games on the beach xD), great Greek food with very reasonable prices.. There are also some historical places if all day beach time is too much for you.

While Athens.. to be honest, what you see is stones and pillars.. We can spend whole day at and around Acropolis and Museum of Acropolis. Are you interested to learn about their history, their Gods, the wars etc?

I'd say depending on your holiday mood and state, go to either one (but pure Athens visit sounds quite dry for me =X). But if you want to be like us, visiting both, go to Athens first and then the islands! You'd have the Greek specialist food and seafood crazily when you arrive the island, and enjoy the weather to the fullest!

Also, if you're not so into great sunshine and sun bathing, I would say September and early October is a good time to visit Greece.

More:

All About Greece 1: Airport taxi/cab in Crete

Airport Taxi/Cab in Greece (Crete)

All About Greece 1: Airport Taxi/Cab in Crete

The first ever lesson we learnt from Greece when we arrived in the airport in Crete, is the money faces of the taxi drivers surrounding the airport. They approached us and asked where we were up to (Rethymno). And then I asked him whether he could provide me with information about getting there, with the cheapest way, he said yes. He first analysed about taking bus-

*€2 to Heraklion town centre

*€12 to Rethymno

*€10-20 to your hotel

*Took you 4 hours

However, if you use a taxi, we could get there in an hour with about €80 (€100 at first), which is a huge saving for the four of us. He was right - four persons is the perfect number to take a cab.

We decided to consider and said that we would come back to him. I was thinking, he must be right to say that it costs €2 to go to Heraklion, since it's 2mins away from bus stop, I can ask for the price how easily. But that isn't the case! We asked the bus ticket to Heraklion and it costs only €0.90! and the truth is

*€0.90 to Heraklion

*€6.90 to Rethymno

*€1.25 to accommodation by cab (€5 for 4 persons). We walked towards the wrong direction (due to an google map error) and decided to take a cab from the old town to our apartment (Aloe Apartment). Or we could have saved this money.

*3+ hours (because we spent time walking towards the wrong direction)

See the difference?? (4 of us spent €36.20, compared to €80) They simply doubled up the prices and exaggerated the duration and convinced you to take taxi. They know you're carrying your heavy luggage(s) and just want to get to your hotel/apartment and check in asap. So, beware of those taxi drivers at airport, whether or not they are licensed, whether or not they look/act professional, whether or not they sound reasonable.

Greece!!

Ah Ah Ah!! I'm feeling so strange now! bloody strange! when I'm supposed to be very excited but I am not! why?!

Tomorrow night I will be off from Enfield to Greece!

But my holiday mood just ain't here yet =(

where're you?!

Athens in Greece, it's on the top of my list! How can I not feeling excited? =S

This week has been "a week" for me..

Worked on Monday, had a bad shift as I was sent to Sage ward, which wasn't very good experience as they placed me to do the obs in seclusion room, I was so depressed by the end of the shift.

Tuesday I attended the TAMVA (Team Approach in Managing Violence and Aggression, if im not mistaken) training course. Not easy, many to pick up, a lot of physical activities! Get to know some nice friendly people from other wards too. Phil came to find me and told me that my supervisor has been changed! I was bloody happy. =) Not that the old one isn't good, but I really like the new one, who works the same style like me.. =)

Wednesday again attending the course, legs started to be sore.. But I started to enjoy the course and the process, despite so many bruises on my body =S

Thursday.. The assessment day of the training. I was damn bloody brave to be the first to be assessed as a team leader, and guess what? I got full score being a team leader! =D I was a bit too nervous when doing the team member part.. but still, I passed the course! One of my colleague did not make it though... hope she will be fine next time =)

Back to ward again on Friday, with super sore legs, can't even walk on the stairs! Was nearly sent to Sage ward again, but thanks god Phil was in this day, and he was right, no point exchange me with an agent nurse who can't do anything! Took one of my favourite patients out for a walk, in the rain - wasn't romantic though.. xD.

And here I started my 13 days off! =D But it was a bit of rush.. the holiday mood isn't here, and I just don't feel like get things packed! =S Didn't do any pre-trip "homework".. But! I'm quite excited and expecting good weather over there... rather than staying in this bloody London weather =S

Hope it would be a great trip! I haven't been leaving this country for a trip for long!!!!

A quote

I treat them [mentally ill patients in the forensic unit] as a human being, like someone's son, someone's brother, someone's husband, someone's dad. But at the back of my head, I never forget, why these people are here.

(Thomas, 2010)

I quoted this from a Charged Nurse (a position between ward manager and a qualified nurse) in my ward during an am-pm shift handover yesterday. She said it so naturally, but it was very impressive. This woman, I see from her, how patient care is.. what does it mean to be caring, the way she does her job, the way she helps the patients, the way she spends time out from the office with the patients, are what releasing care suppose to be.

Simply impressed, think it is worth a post in my blog!

公私分明

我在想 從事我們這類型行業的人 是有可能公私分明的嗎?

就是像我們這種以"人"為工作中心的行業

有可能説 我回到家就絕對不會想公事 也不會把工作情緒煩惱帶回家 可能嗎?

我覺得就算不是以"人"爲中心的行業都很難了 更別説我們了

像我的 ward manager 他是個工作狂 (我都叫他 workaholic 他還說我像他 =.=)

有時候禮拜六早上七點去到 ward 裏

他明明 day off, 但是也會打電話 update 我們一些事 =.=

他滿腦子都在想我們 ward patients and staff.. 這樣會不好嗎?

我猜可能對他的家人來説會有一定的困擾

但是這種幹勁積極和所投注的時間精力

絕對是他這麽年輕就是個 band 7 經理級人物的原因之一

所以分析了一下 我又覺得沒辦法把公私分得那麽清楚 好像也沒有關係

會這麽想 是因爲禮拜一 ward 裏跟我一樣早期在的一個病人會被 discharged了

每天這麽相處 真的能沒什麽感覺送走他們嗎?

當然不會希望他又做了什麽或者出什麽狀況而回來

但是我真的不是個習慣這樣讓別人從我生命來來去去的人 =.=