Media Misses

It never ceases to amaze me how the Times of India will have "breaking news" about any Indian attacked in Australia in what they call a racially motivated attack (without even being on-site, mind you).

But what about when an Indian man allegedly murders his own Indian wife in a domestic dispute by slitting her throat? How come there is no news about that? And the Australian police have already hunted down the guy this morning. So it's not completely breaking news given that the woman was murdered yesterday.

And then people wonder why I question the integrity of the media.

It's all about sensationalising things. Period. The news doesn't really matter. Only what sells. I guess saying that an Indian killed his wife in Australia only puts Indians in a bad light at the moment. So why not just ignore the news?

Oh well,

That's my last rant for this year! :)

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Book Review: Salem Falls

So here it is. Another book by Jodi Picoult. Salem Falls was published in 2001. The story is about Jack St Bride who is was a teacher. The book begins with Jack being released from jail after being wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for sexually assaulting one of his students. Of course, despite being released, he now has to register himself as a sex offender. Jack decides to leave his past life and start fresh. He wanders into the town of Salem Falls in New Hampshire. Jack befriends Addie Peabody who owns a diner in the town and washes dishes at her diner. He slowly starts a relationship with Addie. However, the rest of the townsfolk remain suspicious of Jack. He is after all, a stranger. Who tends to keep to himself.

Jack thinks he is beginning to move on with his life. But then, a group of teenage girls turn his life upside down. Since Jack had been wary of teenage girls since his first encounter, he has avoided advances by one of the girls in this group. Only to result in his downfall. Again. One of the girls who was rebuffed, Gillian Duncan, claims that Jack raped her one night in the woods while her 3 friends were present. Jack unfortunately, cannot remember much from that night but maintains his innocence. It doesn't help that his own lawyer does not believe him. At first. Being a small town, Jack and Addie are subject to abuse. The girls get all the sympathy. But their stories don't always match.

Does Addie stick with Jack during his trial? Or will it bring back memories that she has tried hard to forget?

Will Jack be convicted all over again?

And what about Gillian Duncan? Will she get away with her lies?

And why does Gillian do this? What deep and dark secrets is she hiding?

The ending will shock you.

The book questions the issue of 'innocent until proven guilty' because for anyone who has been convicted of a sexual offence, it works the other way round: They are assumed guilty until proven innocent.

Picoult also looks at how some women can easily manipulate the system; a bold move in my opinion. The thing is, I've seen this for real. I've seen manipulative women/teens. And I feel for the innocent men out there that fall into their trap. I've seen teenage girls randomly refer to a male teacher who has been too strict as a 'paedo' just as an insult! If someone hears it and takes it seriously, what are the consequences for the bloke??

Finally, she looks at people and society in general. How we judge people based on their past. How we judge people based on a few things. And how there are very few of us that may be willing to give an underdog a go.

It is not as emotionally draining as some of Picoult's other books. And it is a thrilling ride.

My rating:

 

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

***This has been cross-posted at Bond with Books***

I Resolve...

This week's Top Sites Tuesday at BlogDumps is about our New Year resolutions.

Now personally, I have never ever stuck to any resolution made. I kinda gave up on making resolutions. But after a shitty 2009 with more downs than ups, I figured maybe I could at least make some for 2010 and look at them as goals rather than resolutions. So here goes:

1. To play a sport - I'm thinking of joining either a soccer team or a cricket team. If neither of these work out, I'm willing to try touch footy or even OzTag. I'll learn!

2. To expand my social circle - I love my friends. But all my friends barring one are psychologists. Sometimes I think it would be nice to have other friends too. So I intend on going on more Meetups and meeting new people

3. To work harder and set new career goals - I start a new job in February. I hope by mid-year to get an understanding of where I am going and to see if I can start a bit of private work by the end of the year, finances being okay that is.

4. To have a new hobby - This could involve being with other people (in the Meetup groups) or something on my own that's also cost-effective. Maybe buying a bicycle and riding around. Or going to the beach more often.

5. To lose weight - I have this one every year. It'll be a continuation of my weight-watching.

So that's it. I guess though, the best thing I am hoping and praying for is a better 2010 on the whole compared to what this year has been.

What about the rest of you?

Any New Year Resolutions??

Do share!




Come Join Top Sites Tuesday and be #1 on BlogDumps!
The purpose of this Meme is to encourage
Networking between bloggers to have fun while doing it!
Make sure to visit all the other participants and leave comments.
View More Top Sites Tuesday Participants on Technorati here.
See who Tweeted this Post!

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Out of my own comfort zone...

So I have borrowed the title for this blog post from Steve Waugh's autobiography but it's a bit relevant to what I did today.

I have been a bit down and out the last couple of days and today was no exception. I woke up feeling really down and depressed. The weather didn't help. It was a grey rainy day in Sydney today. Anyway, I had looked up this website called Meetup.com earlier in the year and had joined some groups I was interested in. However, the only thing I made it to was last month --- a book club meeting in my suburb and it was all right. I had last week RSVPed to attend lunch at a cafe in the city this morning. However, back then, I hadn't anticipated feeling depressed.

So anyway, I woke up in the morning and contemplated cancelling. I could say I was sick or could just say I didn't want to venture out all the way into the city in this rain. But then, I forced myself to take a shower and forced myself to get out. I was a bit anxious as well mind you, given my nervousness around new people. And these would be people I had never met before. So I dragged myself down to the city and met up with these people. 6 others turned up. And it was a fun three hours which included a yummy iced chocolate. They were really nice people --- all down-to-earth and friendly. I think they were all older than me and unlike my group of friends here, none of them were psychologists and but for one, all of them were renting. (My friends here all live with their parents except for a couple of them)

So it was a nice day and I was glad I forced myself to do this. I got to meet some very nice people who I do hope to meet again...and who knows...I could actually expand my social circle!  One of the main indicators of depression is when a person starts to withdraw from social situations. And it's easy for me to do that given my social anxiety as well! So yeah, I'm glad I pushed myself to do that. And in the evening, spoke to a friend over the phone for about a couple of hours which was also good for my mood. My mood is still not a 100% up there but I figure I'll be okay as time goes on.

Anyway, hope you are all doing well out there. And thanks everyone for the lovely words and the hugs in the previous post...

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Down

Appetite gone

Mood low

Restless sleep

Tired

Unmotivated

No energy

Feeling flat and blah

Don't feel like doing things I usually enjoy --- like blogging

Just some of the criteria for depression. Just not feeling great. Possibly after-effects of the flu. Possibly the whole Christmas season thing. I think I would like to fall asleep and wake up on 01.01.10 with a hope for a better year.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Just to wish you all a Merry Christmas or even just Happy Holidays. Hope you have a great time doing what you love --- whether it's spending time with family and friends, feasting on amazing food or just chilling out and relaxing --- have a lovely day!

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Chivalry is not dead yet

Last evening, I went to do my grocery shopping straight after work given that shops are going to be shut on Christmas day and I had been putting off my shopping for a while. So anyway, I did my shopping and had about 7 bags. I took a few along with my handbag and diary upstairs and then came back for four more. Unfortunately, my choices weren't great since these 4 bags had eggs and bread in one, 3 cartons of milk in another, and lemonade and cordial in one more. I succeeded in getting them out of the car and locking up the garage door without any problems.

Now, I live in a security block where you have a key to enter the building either through the back or front. I was struggling to find the right key on the keyring to open up the door at the back along with being careful with the bag having eggs when all of a sudden it sprung open. There was a guy (late teens or early 20s) who held open the door for me (never seen him before...probably lives in the building. Or not) I was pleasantly surprised but figured he may have needed to go out anyway and hence opened the door. But nope...he just opened the door for me and after I thanked him and he said 'no worries' he went out the front entrance of the building.

Made me think: chivalry isn't dead yet.

And brought a smile to my face at the end of a tiring day.   

In case you are wondering, I had no problem carrying the bags up one floor to my unit and since I hadn't locked the door after the first time, it wasn't difficult getting in.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

The Deep Dark Secret

Okay. Maybe not so dark. And maybe not so deep either.

I don't know if any of you remember this post which I had hastily posted a couple of weeks ago at work when I was really, really stressed. That week was one hell of a week. And of course, it resulted in my immune system giving up the fight and me falling sick all of last week.

So anyway, I'm going to let you all in on why I was so stressed. I must admit, the problem has not completely been solved yet but I'm dealing with each day as it comes.

Sometime in October this year, I had applied for another job. A full-time permanent position. I got called for the interview in November but it wasn't great so I didn't expect much. Until late that month when I got the call saying I was the preferred candidate for the position. However, there were still some checks required. I of course, didn't inform my current work places as I was waiting for actual paperwork to confirm the position. And then, I received the paperwork on the 7th of December, the last week of school. But unfortunately, the paperwork had me on the wrong payscale. I informed one staff member at the school but said I was waiting on the change in payscale prior to giving notice.

So anyway, there was a whole back and forth between me and my new line manager at this new position. And the line manager contacted human resources. And then we found out that because I had been working at the school and been paid under the teacher's award they had not counted that. 2 whole years of my work (albeit part-time) were not taken into account. I stressed about it. Wondered whether I should even go ahead with the position. But it is one I really wanted. And I didn't know how much longer I would last mentally working two part-time jobs (you end up working more than one full-time position). So I decided either way, I would take the position. However, I could still send them paperwork from the school outlining that I was hired as a psychologist.

So anyway, on Wednesday I went to speak to the principal. After all, if I needed the paperwork, I had to tell them my intentions. The principal was surprised I had applied for another job and even asked me if there was anything they could do to keep me because they thought I was good. I said if they could make the position full-time I would gladly stay. Unfortunately, that wasn't possible (as I'd known) and I told the principal how it was for personal reasons and that I was mentally exhausted working 2 jobs. I cried. The school were very helpful but could only give me paperwork by Friday.

In the mean time, I spoke to the manager at the new position and we changed the start date to February 1st. On Friday, I found out that to give 4 weeks' notice at a school, you need to do it within the school term. Which was kinda late to find out given it was the last day of school! So anyway, I spent all day trying to contact the new manager and trying to decide when to give notice. You can give notice outside of the school term but then you forfeit 4 weeks' pay. Finally got through to the manager and asked whether it would be possible to start part-time initially in Feb and then full-time four weeks later after outlining what I had found out about giving notice at schools. The manager found out from HR that it would not be possible.

So I bit the bullet.

I handed in my notice at the school. They were very nice and presented me with flowers and thanked me for my work at a staff lunch that day. And I cried and cried. They are lovely people I worked with and I feel sad that I won't be working with them any more. I'm still going in a few days to wrap things up.

And after handing in my notice, I started shitting myself. I haven't signed the papers for the new position. I haven't heard back yet whether they have accepted my role at the school in terms of wages. And now, until the 1st of Feb, I am losing out on three-fourth of my pay (I'll still be working 2 days a week) I do know I am starting on the 1st of Feb because the new manager sent out an email to the other staff informing them I am starting. But it's still scary. And it's come at a bad time. Christmas. My birthday next month. Two friends' birthdays in Jan and two in Feb. A friend's wedding in Jan. Plus not to mention all my bills and expenses. 

So yeah, it's not ideal. I have not been in this position before and it sucks. But I'll get through it.

I hope.

Another 6 weeks and things should be okay.

And of course, I need to chase up what's happening with that paperwork!

Until then, things will be tight. But I can manage staying indoors. As for my birthday, I am thinking of just doing a dinner and games night at home. Saves the expenses. Absolute worst case scenario, I have to use my credit card for bills.

Anyway, thanks for listening.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Great after Death

Before I go on with this post, I would like to say I am not out to offend anyone. I do not hate nor love the people I mention in the post. However, if you can't digest something that may not be politically correct, I suggest not reading further.

This is something I've thought about for a while: Why is it that when someone dies, we speak or think of them in a better way than we did when they were alive? Why do we put them on a pedestal after their death? 


Celebrity deaths are a good example. Michael Jackson. The media treated him like shit when he was alive the last decade or so. He dies. And hey presto, all of a sudden, he is loved again. He must be wishing he had died earlier! Heath Ledger. I don't remember hearing much about him as an actor until Brokeback Mountain. Then he died. And all of a sudden everyone is talking about what a great and magnificent actor he was and how is death is a loss to industry. Elvis Presley. He was great. But became greater after his death. Kurt Cobain became an icon for many after his death. Same with Michael Hutchence. But while they were great musicians, they weren't exactly the best role models with their drug abuse and other behaviour. Not really someone you want to idolise. I could come up with several more examples but I will cut it short to Brittany Murphy's death today. The morning news shows were talking about it and had their oh-shock-horror faces on. About someone they don't even talk about most of the time. And probably have in the past to put her down because of her weight and other issues. I bet though, Lindsay Lohan is probably thinking she'll be better off with the media after her death. What do you reckon? I'm sure they'll speak highly of her once she's dead... [For the record, I haven't felt anything about these celeb deaths and others...couldn't care less. It'll be different if it's someone I adore]

And it's not just celeb deaths. I've seen it personally as well. My grandfather died when I was 11. And I saw my grandmother wail and cry like there was no tomorrow about how she was going to live without him. Mind you, when he was alive, she treated him like shit in those last few years. And  I remember thinking as an 11 year old that she was a hypocrite. I've seen others do similar things. They talk really badly about someone when they are alive but once they are dead, these people become saints!

So why do we do this? Why do we fake it? Why not just say you don't care about X's death? Why not be honest and say Y was an arsehole during their lifetime, if they were? Why not say you're glad that Z is dead? Seriously, it's not like they are going to get offended. They are dead after all.

Anyway, let me know if you do have answers to any of the questions.

I'm going to leave you with this brilliant piece by the Chaser guys I saw last year or the year before. I thought it was just great even though they copped flak for it as being 'insensitive'. I think they were being honest...but then again, they were airing my exact views! Do watch this. [Had to give you the link because I couldn't embed the video]

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Book Review: Perfect Match

Yet another novel by Jodi Picoult. This one with a slightly different take. Yes, it's another novel that revolves around family issues but is more of a thriller.

The book is about Nina Frost, an Assistant District Attorney, and her small family: her husband Caleb and 4 year old son Nathaniel. In her line of work as ADA, Nina prosecutes several cases including that of molestors and rapists. And unfortunately, in her line of work, justice does not always prevail and she sees a fair few molestors and crims freed due to loopholes in the system. But this is work. Until it all gets too close to home.

Nathaniel is sexually abused and is traumatised. His reaction to the trauma is that he regresses and becomes mute. He refuses to talk to anyone. Not his parents. Not the psychiatrist. With therapy, Nathaniel eventually speaks and names his abuser. The abuser is then brought to court. But Nina is now faced with another dilemma. She does not want Nathaniel on the stand. He will be traumatised all over again. Unfortunately, without him taking the stand, there is not much else that might hold the abuser.

And so, Nina takes matters into her own hands. She shoots her son's abuser. In court.

Of course, she is arrested. And will be tried in court. While she has killed her son's abuser, has she in fact made matters worse?

How is Nathaniel going to cope with his mum in jail? Will he regress again?

Has she made her family's situation worse?

How does Caleb deal with the whole thing? Will he leave her?

Is Nina a fit mother?

Will Nina's defense in court stand?

It also asks you the big question: What would you do if it was your child? Would you wait for the abuser to be proven guilty? Or would you take matters into your own hands?

The ending is amazing. You don't see it coming.

All in all, a great read. It is not as emotional as some of Jodi Picoult's other books but has got it's own drama. Since I love legal thrillers (John Grisham is another favourite author of mine) this was a brilliant book.

Highly recommended!!

My rating:

Let me know what you thought of the book if you've read it.

And if you haven't, read it and let me know your thoughts.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

***This has been cross-posted at Bond with Books***

Writer's Block

With my hands poised

Over the keys

I sift through thoughts

In my mind

Trying to figure out

What I should write

A poem, a story,

A deep moving post?

A rant, A review

Or something about work?

A cause, A memory

Or just a silly tag?

An observation, An experience

Or something from the mags?

I type some words

But delete them soon

I play with ideas

All afternoon

Nothing makes sense

Nothing sounds good

Not even a review

Of my favourite book

I don't know where to start

Nor how to end

I guess I could attempt

To try and pretend

Until this mind

Is finally unlocked

And I've gotten rid

Of this writer's block

Book Review: Picture Perfect

***This post has been cross-posted at Bond with Books. Do visit Bond with Books for more books, views and reviews by other bloggers***

This is a book by Jodi Picoult who, I must confess, is one of my favourite authors. I have all her books! This particular book was released in 1995 and was her third book.

***SPOILER ALERT***

The book begins with a woman hurt and bleeding, waking up at a graveyard with no memory of who she is or how she got there. She is found by an LAPD cop, William Flying Horse who feels a connection with her and takes her to his place while he puts a missing persons ad in the paper. The only thing they know is that she is married, given the wedding ring on her finger. After waiting for days, she is finally identified thanks to the ad as being Alex Rivers’ wife: Cassie Barrett. An anthropologist. A successful anthropologist. And Alex Rivers is not just any man. He is a major Hollywood star.

Cassie is taken home by Alex to this picture perfect life. After all, he is a Hollywood star and they have everything money can buy. But then, as her memory starts to return, Cassie realises that all is not perfect as was initially presented. Cassie remembers why she was at the graveyard that night. She was running away. From an abusive husband. Alex Rivers has been physically abusive towards Cassie, and like most abusive partners, apologises and cries after kicking and punching her. Cassie loved him dearly and believed those apologies. Those tears. Those words that it would never happen again. That he needs her. And in the end, she has to decide what to do. Will she have the courage to leave him or will it end tragically?

It is a lovely and sad book. Jodi Picoult takes you into a house that on the outside, is perfect, but has several demons inside. It is a realistic portrayal of so many families out there. Of women who believe their abusive partners words and stay in the relationship. Of those women who get the courage to walk out…only to return.Of women who put on a mask for the rest of the world. Of highly educated, intelligent and successful women who are charmed by such abusive men and find it hard to leave.

You can feel Cassie’s pain and you hate Alex, despite his charms.

You wonder why Alex needs Cassie so much but still treats her like shit.

You wonder what core beliefs Cassie has about herself that makes her stay (Ok…so this might just be me, given my psych background! Sorry…)

You urge Cassie to get away….to leave him.

You hold your breath wondering if she will.

It’s an amazing read. And it will tug at your emotions.

Highly recommended!

My rating:

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Dear Santa,

This week's Top Sites Tuesday meme through BlogDumps is about what we want from Santa this year. Well, for this Christmas, here's what I'd like:

1. No flatmate. Yes, I want to have a few days without her. She has been away since Thursday but returns in a couple of days and I'm going to miss having my own space. So, I'd really love to have my own space around Christmas time!

2. A better 2010. 2009 has been one hell of a year for me. Lots of downs and a few ups. Compared to 2008 though, it's been worse. I would like a better 2010 on the personal front, the professional front, and the financial front. (Wouldn't we all?!)

3. The red laptop bag I've been eyeing at Officeworks for about 4 months now but haven't bought it because of the cost.

4. Good weather. So I can hit the beach.

5. Some more books. You can never have too many books.

6. And last but not the least, a nice Aussie bloke! (He doesn't have to be like Gilly, mind you...but that was the best pic I could get of my kind of Aussie bloke!)

So what would you like Santa to get you for Christmas this year?? Do share!








Come Join Top Sites Tuesday and be #1 on BlogDumps!
The purpose of this Meme is to encourage
Networking between bloggers to have fun while doing it!
Make sure to visit all the other participants and leave comments.
View More Top Sites Tuesday Participants on Technorati here.
See who Tweeted this Post!


Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Book Review: Look me in the eye: My life with Asperger's

***This post has been cross-posted at Bond with Books. Do visit Bond with Books for more books views and reviews by other bloggers***

This is a book by John Elder Robison. An autobiographical book about his life with Asperger’s Syndrome. The book appealed to me on two levels — it appealed to my love for reading and to my love for psychology.

First and foremost, for those that are not aware, let me explain to you what Asperger’s syndrome is. Individuals with Aspergers have significant difficulties in forming and developing appropriate social interactions, difficulties in communication skills and tend to have restrictive interests. This website has more information. Anyway, the best example I can provide about an individual with Aspergers syndrome would be Sheldon Cooper from the show ‘Big Bang Theory‘ (although, please note that not all individuals with Aspergers are geniuses!)

But I digress.

Going back to the book…it is a great insight into the life of someone with Aspergers. What makes it even more fascinating is that John Robison was not diagnosed until about the age of 40! The title of the book is because some individuals with Aspergers, like John, have difficulty maintaining eye contact when they speak to others…resulting in people telling them to “look me in the eye”.

Whilst growing up, John failed to understand why people didn’t understand him. Or why it was so difficult for him to make friends with kids his age. Or why people misunderstood him when he smiled at the fact that someone else met with an accident. Or why people and psychiatrists back then thought he was a psychopath in the making. John writes about his dysfunctional life — an alcoholic father, a mother with a mental illness, an abusive childhood, a dodgy therapist who was supposed to help the family, and a younger brother who back then to him, was a real pain.

John takes us through his journey as a child where he struggled to make friends but learnt around the age of 9 what was acceptable and what was not. (e.g. patting someone on the head was not acceptable or talking about your helicopter when they showed you their truck was not the etiquette). He takes us through his adolescent years where he dropped out of high school and got interested in electronics and cars, his misadventures with women, and his attempts to fit it. He takes us through his adult years where he formed relationships with women, worked with Pink Floyd briefly and the band KISS doing special effects for their live shows, getting a ’stable’ job in the corporate world and finally ditching that to become his own boss at an automobile company.

It is a heartwarming book and you can literally see the struggles of a little boy who has no clue what’s going on with him. You feel uplifted when years later, this little boy finds out his diagnosis. And sees the light. And everything seems to make sense to him after 40 long years of struggle and compensation.

For me personally, given that I work with some teens with Aspergers, it was all the more insightful. It was life from their point of view. It also opens up the world of Aspergers to the population out there explaining everything in lay terms.

If you like autobiographical books and enjoy reading about overcoming hardships and a dysfunctional childhood, this book is worth a read.

My rating:

 

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

A new bond...

Something new has begun.

Something new has been formed.


A NEW BOND....with BOOKS.

Titaxy started this new venture and has invited Nu, Misty and yours truly to be part of it.

We are 4 girls from 4 different countries with one very common love --- books. And so, we are going to be posting reviews and views about books, books and more books.

Do join us on our journey. And add our new page to your blogroll.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

***I am still contemplating whether I should cross-post my reviews***

Green Day Concert

On Friday, the 11th of December, I went for the Green Day concert at Acer Arena and JET as the support act with a friend.

I managed to rush from work to make the hour-long trip from my place to the Acer Arena. Our seats were pretty good --- on the upper concourse in the second row but smack bang in the middle. JET kicked off the show at about ten past 7 and were great. I do wish they had played longer though. But they did play some favourites like 'Look what you've done', 'Are you gonna be my girl' and 'Cold hard bitch'. What I found a bit unfortunate was that only half the arena was filled when JET played which is a shame because they are an amazing Aussie band and you would think people would come out to support Aussie rock!

Green Day came on about half past eight and rocked the house until 11. They were amazing! Right from the word go, they were full of energy, had the crowd involved and on their feet. They played numbers from their recent album (21st century breakdown), their older songs, American Idiot and finished with 'Wake me up when September ends' and 'Time of your life'. One of the great things they did was how they had members from the crowd up on stage participating --- mostly tweens and teens --- but that involvement sure was great. They hosed the crowd, Billie Joel ran up into a section of the crowd, and he even mooned the crowd! And being Green Day, they managed to get their political views noted as well with Billie Joel stating how Obama was not deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize.

I managed to get some pix (not so good due to the lighting, of course) and some videos (which I have no idea how to upload onto this post!!) and recorded their final songs on my mobile.

And this is what I have to share...

 

 

 

 

I would like to add though, that while Green Day were amazing, the Linkin Park concert was definitely more energetic and awesome...I didn't sit once during LP. :) But, as for the LP concert, I sang/shouted myself hoarse and ended with a croaky throat! My body hurts as well with the jumping and the clapping and the arm pumping.

All in all, a great concert.

And just another reason why I absolutely love rock! :)

So what's been the favourite/best concert that you've attended?

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

My Secret Talent

This week's BlogThis Challenge is as follows:

Time to fess up!
Can you touch your nose with your tongue?  Do you sing soprano? Are you a whizz with a budget or have a black belt in karate?  Make a mean roast or have you received some form of public recognition for something real that your readers dont' know about? Expose something about yourself that is unusual or something your readers might not know about you!

Now, most of you readers already know that I can sing in P-language. Some of you also know that I have a magic wand that can fix anyone. Some people actually think I can read their minds!  

tuB, tahw enon fo uoy wonk si taht ym eno neddih tnelat si taht I nac etirw SDRAWKCAB!!! I tsum timda s'ti reisae ot od siht no repap naht no eht retupmoc.

So there you go...that's my hidden talent. (Read the above sentences backwards) I have been developing it since I was in primary school. You can blame it on occassional boredom. But it's a skill I have perfected and can do it quickly on paper. I started by learning to write my name that way and then proceeded to full sentences and finally, entire pages. I once thought of doing it in a school book but then backed out as I was worried about getting into trouble (Miss Goody-two shoes!)

So what's you hidden talent or secret power???

Do share!

To check out other super powers, visit BlogThis!

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Stressed!!!

There is a current situation I am very stressed about...just felt like venting for the moment. Unforutnately, I'm not in a position to share right now but will be able to soon (I hope!) Posting this through the 'Blogger buddy' on my desktop because I'm at work...

Sigh. The anxiety...is too much! Hope this gets resolved and I can share it here...

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Intimidated

Have you ever been in the presence of someone who intimidates you?

They don't have to be verbally aggressive towards you. They don't have to be physically aggressive towards you. They don't even have to be your stereotype of someone who is big and has severaly tats all over their arms. They don't have a big booming voice.

It's more in the stuff that's unsaid. Or the small things they notice. And just their presence.

They scare the shit out of you...

...even without doing anything.

I had an encounter with such a person today and still feeling this level of anxiety and feeling of discomfort in my chest as a result. I am just going to have to be mindful of this feeling and accept the thoughts that come with it.

And hopefully, it will get better.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

All in a day's work

This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 5; the fifth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

0545 hours: The alarm goes off. My sleepy head rises from the depths of the pillows and the doona to hit the snooze button.

0555 hours: Beep...beep...beep...beep. It's off again. Once again, I hit the snooze button.

0605 hours: BEEP...BEEP...BEEP...BEEP. Snooze button. Hit again.

0615 hours: BEEEEP....BEEEEP....BEEEP...finally, I respond. Waking up. Getting out of bed but not really awake. I stumble to the bathroom.

0630 hours: "What do I wear? I better check the weather report...."

0645 hours: "Damn...didn't pack lunch last night. This is what I get for being lazy! Why don't I ever learn?? Where's the bread...."

0655 hours: "A ham, cheese and tomato sandwich all ready to go. Now for my COFFEE (my injector of life!) and brekky...."

0700 hours: "What's the news for today? I can't stand Karl Stefanovic! Why do I even bother watching this trash in the morning..."

0715 hours: "Shit....running late!!! Still have to brush my teeth and hair"

0720 hours: "House keys? Check. Car keys? Check. Work keys? Check"

0725 hours: "Why, why, why? Every. Single. Time. I'm running late and there's traffic. I really should try and leave by 0715"

0800 hours: "Made it. Found a parking spot. Awesome."


0805 hours: I enter my office. And the day begins. "So who am I seeing today? Oh crap. I can't believe I have client X today! So not looking forward to that. Ah well...better get down to sending out the appintment notes"

0830 hours: Appintment notes given to the secretary to hand out to the clients for the day. The bell goes off. The day has officially begun.

0845 hours: In the middle of writing my report on the assessment conducted last week. A student comes over... "Miss, can I see you sometime today?"  Ah yes...I do have a spot free. And the student can make it.

0900 hours: A chat with one of the staff. There is a student giving a lot of trouble (Surprise, surprise!) Can I fix the student? Why, of course! Now let me just get that magic wand of mine....

0915 hours till 1700 hours:
I work with kids or teenagers who suffer from Anxiety. Worried about their performance. Worried about the future. Worried about their parents having separated. Worried about being away from one parent. Worries about what their peers think of them. Worried about what that one boy or girl in their year thinks of them. Worried about a presentation they have to make. Worried about their weight. Worried about the ghosts in their house. Worried about the dark. And I give them strategies to face their fears. To expose them to their anxieties. To manage the separation difficulties.

I work with kids or teenagers who have Depression. Who think that nothing good will ever happen in their lives. Who think that school is not worth attending. Who think their family doesn't care about them. Who think that no one will miss them if they are gone. Who don't sleep very well. Or who sleep too much. Who don't eat very well. Or who eat too much. Who don't bother going out with their friends any more. Who think they have no friends. Who cry themselves tos sleep at night. Who put on a mask for the rest of us. Who cut themselves. Who withdraw. Who hurt. Deeply. And I listen. And I give them strategies. To challenge their thoughts. To not believe those negative thoughts in their minds. Because there are people that love them. And care for them.

I work with kids or teenagers who have OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder). Who have the need to wash their hands for fear of germs. Who cannot eat food prepared by anyone other than their mother. Who have to count and recount and recount before they start an important task. Who have to organise their clothes in colour. Who freak out if someone mixes up these colours. Who have to walk by stepping over the cracks on the pavements. Who have to pray if they get intrusive thoughts. And I give them strategies. And expose them to their anxiety-provoking thoughts and situations. And not let them engage in their compulsive behaviour(s).

I work with kids or teenagers who suffer from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Who have been physically abused for years. Who have been sexually abused. Who have witnessed domestic violence. Who have been neglected and cannot understand why. Who blame themselves for all of this. Who have witnessed an accident. Where someone died. Who have been molested. And have not told anyone. I work with them by challenging that guilt. Because they are not to blame. I provide them with strategies to ground themselves. I expose them to the situations that they have avoided talking or thinking about. But most importantly, I try to be that one person they can trust. That person who is genuine. And that person, who is there to listen.

I work with kids or teenagers who have anger management issues. Who think that everyone in the world is against them. Who think that nothing is fair. Who explode and swear and get into trouble. Who never rarely ever come on their own accord. And I challenge them. Are things really that unfair? Who said everything in life has to be fair? And I get them to see the consequences of their actions. And I try and give them strategies to calm themselves down.

I work with parents of kids and teenagers with ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) or ODD (Oppostional Defiant Disorder). Who think that their child or teen is the problem. Who complain that their kids never listen to them. Who yell at their kids who are defiant. Who scream at the impulsive child. And I give them parenting strategies. I talk about rewards and consequences. And most importantly, I talk about consistency.   

I work with kids and teenagers that have Asperger's Syndrome. Who cannot handle change very well. Who can have outbursts within the classroom. Who have difficulties with their peers and initiating social activities. And I teach them social skills. And I work with them to manage their outbursts. And I talk to the teachers about managing these kids. For after all, it's not their fault.

I work with teenagers who have borderline traits. Who self-harm. Who threaten suicide. Who have difficulty regulating their emotions. Who get close to people and push them away. Who have difficulty trusting. Who engage in risky behaviours. Like drinking too much. Or doing drugs. Or having multiple sexual partners. And I attempt to give them strategies to ground themselves. To manage their emotions. To cease self-harming. But more importantly, I try to be a person they can trust.   

I work with kids and teenagers who are being bullied. Who are having lewd rumours spread about them. Who are having others ignore them. Who are having other gossip about them. Who are being used. And pushed around. Who in fact, fear telling anyone they are being bullied. On MSN. Or Facebook. Or MySpace. Or Bebo. And while I try and give them strategies to be assertive, I am no match for the bullies. Who don't care about consequences. Who don't feel guilty for their actions. Who don't seem to have an ounce of empathy. And I am at a loss.

I assess kids and teenagers with learning difficulties. Who have difficulty reading. Or difficulty with maths. Or writing. I write reports and provide recommendations for their parents and teachers to assist them. But more importantly, I tell the child or teenager what is going on. That they have a reading disorder and it's not that they are dumb as their parents imply. That they have a mathematics disorder and it's not that they are not trying as their parents and teachers imply.

Amidst all this, I listen to staff that are stressed. Or parents that don't know what to do with their teenager. And I provide strategies. I try to work on reports. And update my notes. I work with a crisis if there is one. Like a child at risk. Or someone threatening suicide. I sometimes have to listen to a parent having a go at me. Because, after all, what would I know about what they were going through when I don't have kids of my own??? (despite my 6 years of training and 2 years of experience)

1700 hours: I have wrapped things up and I now get to go home.

1730: I actually finally leave for home. 

1815 hours: I am home. After being stuck in traffic. 


1900 hours: Dinner (which I have to prepare). And then down to work on those reports.

It's all in a day's work.

And each day, between 0900 hours and 1700 hours, is never, ever the same.

And while it can be stressful as hell, I wouldn't trade my profession for anything else.

I love being a psychologist. Despite the crisis. Despite the stress. Despite the accusations. Despite the unpredictablilty.

Because I think that I may be making a difference even in one kid or adolescent's life. And that keeps me going.

All in a day's work.

The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

World AIDS Day

Today, December 1st, is recognised as World AIDS Day.

Now, we are all probably aware of how AIDS is transmitted and I’m not here to teach you. (Just so you know --- it’s through bodily fluids and not by shaking hands with someone who is HIV+)

One thing I’ve noticed though is the misconception that people tend to have: HIV positive is not automatically equivalent to having AIDS! HIV positive just makes you more susceptible to getting an infection and thus getting AIDS. Yet another misconception is that AIDS is a “gay man’s” disease. Well, guess what? In fact, straight women currently make up about 50 percent of the population that are HIV positive. And can you believe that the number of people living with HIV has risen from around 8 million in 1990 to 33 million around the end of 2008? And we say we are advancing. Sadly, it’s in countries within the African continent and South Asia where majority of the people are infected. And even more sadly, ostracised.

I would like to recommend an eye-opening documentary I watched recently as part of work. It’s called A Closer Walk. The doco follows the AIDS epidemic in South Africa, Uganda, India, Nepal, Cambodia, Ukraine, Switzerland and some of the states in the US. I was most shocked at the plight of individuals in Africa as well as the plight of women in India. Yes. I did say women. Did you know in India, there is a particular place (kinda like a hospice) in Chennai where they dump women infected with HIV positive??? It appalled and disgusted me. You can see the male chauvinistic attitude seep through even with an epidemic like AIDS. Mind you, the husbands of these women also get infected but go on and marry another woman and infect her as well. And it goes on and on.

At the end of the day though, it is important to not discriminate against individuals that are HIV positive or that have AIDS. It is important to have safe sex --- wear a condom! And it is important to educate the uneducated about HIV positive and AIDS.

If you are in Australia, check this out for some of the events around AIDS awareness in your area.

Edit to add: Thanks to Reema, I realised I spelt AIDS wrong! Who would have thought that it was possible to spell an abbreviation incorrectly?! :p

ETA: Proud to say this post was chosen as Blogadda's Tangy Tuesday Picks

Until next time,

Cheers!!!