podiatry, 50% in the making

its suprising to know that i had made it half way into my podiatry course. as i was blogging in a friend's share space page, i might as well, update here as well about what i have learn in 2 years of my podiatry education apart from all the cold hard facts and figures and structures and all about the feet.

like most of us out there, we rely on our feet to move around and sometimes we take our feet for granted until it hurts. I'm pretty sure people out there at a certain point of their life will encounter when their foot or feet hurts so much that they cant use them right? many people don't realise their feet actually tells a story of their life, like their work, health and well-being.

I'm in an allied health field as well. and although sometimes i always think that allied health people earn their money from the pain of others, but its an exciting and fulfilling field. there are always something new to be explore every day and every client (or patient) you see has a different story behind. in my field of podiatry, we basically not only treat the foot condition, but also figuring out whats the best way and advice for our client depending on their economy status as well as their welfare. for example, we wont recommend a 300AUD pair of shoes to someone that earns 1000AUD per month.

personally i love what im doing now. i know i always wanted to do something that could help people out there and podiatry is sure one of them. it isn't as grand as becoming a doctor or as noble as becoming a nurse, or earn as much as becoming a physiotherapist, but, in this job, the return of your clients becoming free from pain and be able to help people to get back on their feet (literally) is always a good thing to see. the bad side, you will be serving the feet of other people for the next 30 years or so (unless you change jobs of course).

sometimes it kinda goes to the extreme when u notice yourself noticing way people walk and each and lumps and bumps on your own feet with all crazy conditions running through your mind. but at the end of the day, you can always tell yourself you have a more healthy feet than many people out there =)

salt or sugar?

there is a huge difference between salt and sugar..

as after working for such a long time in the kitchen.. you should have known better..

but, what you have done.. was a disaster..

biggest mistake ever and one of the biggest no-no in the kitchen..

sigh~~~~~~~

how could you... how could you have done it??

=(

airport.

im always amaze what airports can offer. a humble little hut with a flat land behind to a sophisticated long run way with colorful lights all around and advance architecture design buildings all serve a same purpose. many many years ago, when i was a little guy with the height of 3 feet(yes.. many many years ago) airport is where i watch planes land and take off. my brother and i will keep watch at the observation area where we would look out for planes to land (which usually dad is on board) and watch it land safely down. i too had a chance to fly every year back to my hometown.

short description on airports that time, the airport at that time is basically a roof held up by 4 walls. its open aired, no air conditioning, and ticket counters are much more taller than i was and i never had a chance to see whats happening behind the counter (i was short that time). trolleys were huge, with sharp corners and i can sit on it with someone else pushing behind. securities are lacking and simple. weight limits are practically non existing and no one rush to stand at the gate to get good seats in the plane. Oh, and we have to walk up stairs to the plane and have to carry umbrella on our own when its raining. there are no such thing as budget airlines and zero dollars air fare. there is only one gate to go to.

today, airports are a building almost like a country by itself. its more than a simple building. airports now are mostly providing free internet access, fully air conditioned, trolleys are much more lighter and cleaner, high level securities with armed police and dogs patrolling all over enforcing their own set of airport rules. limitations to what we can bring up the plane and whats not. more diverse types of people, and god knows, how many criminals, smugglers are under that roof. budget airlines are appearing out of no where and more and more people can fly. technology allows us to walk straight to the door of the plane. and people spend more time on their phones, ipods, music players or laptop compare to talking their family members.

but something is still the same between the old and the new airport. airport is a place where people will leave and return. whether is a business trip or just for their holidays, people will come and go. some might be their 1st time traveling alone, to a place unknown to them, while others will be excited about their long planned trip. no matter then time or the advancement of technology, human emotions in airports are still the same. at the departure hall, parents will repeat their advice to their kids to be careful and call home over and over again, while friends will give each other their final good byes with hugs and jokes. deep inside, feelings of sadness will not be excluded. in the arrival hall, the excitement in awaiting and the voices of taxi drivers, and mobile phone calls telling the whole world they have return brings a tiny atmosphere of celebration.

traveling alone this time back from adelaide and to adelaide, eating the most expensive 'jawa mee' dinner and teh tarik (RM 21!!) loitering around the airport terminal finding anything interesting, and talking to one of the few hundred thousand people in the terminal, finding a spot that is safe to sit without being worried of being mug, or being approached by dodgy people, or involve in so crap stuff (wasn't easy to look for the spot!!!) and making sure i was at my gate before the plane takes off isn't one of the best things that happen in the airport. i guess i understand why some people are sadden by the fact that they have to travel alone in long distance. some company during those times actually make 7 hours at the airport better.

what i hate the most today at the airports is that there are actually people 'living things' that are 'smart' enough to take advantage of other people to preform their evil acts. i miss the times where i could travel safely and worry free, only thinking about the people that i would miss when i board the plane, what i will do for the days to come, and planing how to spend the few hours enclosed in the cabin of the plane. today, we have to think about, pickpockets, opportunity-criminals, bad law enforcer officers, lost luggage, terrorist blowing up planes or any stupid idiot that tries to prevent us from reaching our destination. you never know what will the guy sitting next to you will do, and even if he tells you that he's a business man, how true is that u never know. i guess im a paranoid now. but thank god, im all alive and nothing exciting happen throughout the flight.

airports shouldn't be this way. for me, an airport should be welcoming, and peaceful, for the people that are leaving their country to bring a good impression and for those to arrive to feel welcome. nevertheless, many of this are uncontrolled and unpreventable. i guess i should be thankful that nothing happens to me this time and the many times to come.

looking forward to the next trip back home, traveling home alone or with someone doesn't really matter to me anymore. from now i guess i could start planing so i could have time to get home sooner =) i would be looking forward to what could an airport bring in the future.

life~ the other side of the fence.

its the end of 2009! and things isn't as good as i thought. my plans wasn't going as i planned. and life isn't treating me well. recent weeks are full of disappointments, feeling of being used, or taken advantage of. which is kind of bad when there is a bit of everything and you have no where to go to or push those responsibilities away. personally i hate to disappoint myself, i then will hate myself more for disappointing others, my friends and family. i said i be back home and because things that could be avoided, i have disappoint them. i don't care what others say, but it is me that i'm disappointed with. no one is to blame other than myself.

i never expect that the wave of 'destruction' will spread so wide. i thought i could control it, but no, it went way out of hand. and now, all i can do is just to stand at the middle point, and look towards the end of the seemingly never ending effects of the destruction of the path. thinking about it, and hoping that tomorrow will be a better day seems only seems to make things worst than the day before. people tell me its okay, and all, but no, its not.. its never okay.

many find my current plans very wasteful and 'out-of-your-mind'. yet, i personally feel that is the best way with whatever i have. yea, maybe my priorities in life is not right. so what, no one knows what are my priorities are anyway. i'm sorry if you are not on the top list. or maybe not even on the top 20, or not even on the list it self.

disappointment is one thing. being taken advantage, being used and being taken for granted is something else. i use to not mind to help people to do their stuff. what i mind is people thinks i'm all theirs, as if i don't have my own life, or my own plans. i know i am a flexible person and i am an adaptive person. but wait, you ask me to help you and u expect it to be done even i have my own plans? come on man.. i have my own plans, i have my own life, you don't own me okay! not even my parents own me!(sorry mum n dad, but i think u know what i mean) i hate it when i screwed up my plans. i'm already bad in planing, and thanks to some things that can be avoided, i am either late or have to scrap the whole plan off and put it on the next day. once, twice? maybe, always? maybe not. i don't like it when people think i'm all ways ready for them and no one else. that is just selfish. i love to be there for you, for joy and for sorrow, and all, but i can't always be there, i cannot promise i will always be there 24/7 for the rest of my life. no one can promise that. if one promise that, he/she's either god or lying (face it. its a fact!). if some unforeseen circumstances occurs and i change my plans then i accept it. but if its avoidable or could be done some other way which save time and energy, and was not taken? then its harder for me to understand and accept. yes im a pretty practical person.

maybe i am just to quiet, or maybe i am those that just allow people to trample all over me, allowing people to take control of my life regardless what i say. i don't blame the world for my misfortunes in life, i take that as bad karma. i try to do good as much as i can and as often as i can. maybe that just to give me a peace of mind. blaming others for your own actions are just irresponsible and pointless. the problem will still exist even if u happily throw the responsibilities to others. though i have a high level of patience, and i seldom do things expecting something in return, but i am a human after all. i have my own limits. please do not take advantage of me.

before anyone tries to get defensive and squeezing their brains thinking what they have done, the above is just a reminder to myself not to be like those mentioned because personally, it does make a better world with less of those, and im planing to improve the world im living in.

100 things~

been a while since i last update this site.. to start of, i found this list of '101 ways to make you smile' see how many u been have done through out your life =) i bold ones i did or remembered i did for the past 20 years of my life up to today =)

01. Call an old friend, just to say hi.
02. Hold a door open for a stranger.
03. Invite someone to lunch.
04. Compliment someone on his or her appearance.
05. Ask a coworker for their opinion on a project.
06. Bring cookies to work.
07. Let someone cut in during rush hour traffic.
08. Leave a waitress or waiter a big tip.
09. Tell a cashier to have a nice day.
10. Call your parents.
11. Let someone know you miss them.
12. Treat someone to a movie.
13. Let a person know you really appreciate them.
14. Visit a retirement center.
15. Take a child to the zoo.
16. Fill up your spouse's car with gas.
17. Surprise someone with a small gift.
18. Leave a thank-you note for the cleaning staff at work.
19. Write a letter to a distant relative.
20. Tell someone you thought about them the other day.
21. Put a dime in a stranger's parking meter before the time expires.
22. Bake a cake for a neighbor.
23. Send someone flowers to where they work.
24. Invite a friend to tea.
25. Recommend a good book to someone.
26. Donate clothing to a charity.
27. Offer an elderly person a ride to where they need to go.
28. Bag your own groceries at the checkout counter.
29. Give blood. (still giving and proud of it! )
30. Offer free baby-sitting to a friend who'sreally busy or just needs a break.
31. Help your neighbor rake leaves or shovel snow.
32. Offer your seat to someone when there aren't any left.
33. Help someone with a heavy load.
34. Ask to see a store's manager and comment on the great service.
35. Give your place in line at the grocery storeto someone who has only a few items.
36. Hug someone in your family for no reason.
37. Wave to a child in the car next to you.
38. Send a thank-you note to your doctor.
39. Repeat something nice you heard about someone else.
40. Leave a joke on someone's answering machine.
41. Be a mentor or coach to someone.
42. Forgive a loan.
43. Fill up the copier machine with paper after you're done using it.
44. Tell someone you believe in them.
45. Share your umbrella on a rainy day.
46. Welcome new neighbors with flowers or a plant.
47. Offer to watch a friend's home while they're away.
48. Ask someone if they need you to pick upanything while you're out shopping.
49. Ask a child to play a board game, and let them win.
50. Ask an elderly person to tell you about the good old days.
51. During bad weather, plan an indoor picnic with the family.
52. Buy someone a goldfish and bowl.
53. Compliment someone on their cooking and politely ask for a second helping.
54. Dance with someone who hasn't been asked.
55. Tell someone you mentioned them in your prayers.
56. Give children's clothes to another familywhen your kids outgrow them.
57. Deliver extra vegetables from your gardento the whole neighborhood.
58. Call your spouse just to say, I love you.
59. Call someone's attention to a rainbow or beautiful sunset.
60. Invite someone to go bowling.
61. Figure out someone's half-birthday by adding 182 days,and surprise them with a cake.
62. Ask someone about their children.
63. Tell someone which quality you like most about them.
64. Brush the snow off of the car next to yours.
65. Return your shopping cart to the front of the store.
66. Encourage someone's dream, no matter how big or small it is.
67. Pay for a stranger's cup of coffee without them knowing it.
68. Leave a love letter where your partner will find it.
69. Ask an older person for their advice.
70. Offer to take care of someone's pet while they're away.
71. Tell a child you're proud of them.
72. Visit a sick person, or send them a care package.
73. Join a Big Brother or Sister program.
74. Leave a piece of candy on a coworker's desk.
75. Bring your child to work with you for the afternoon.
76. Give someone a recording of their favorite music.
77. Email a friend some information abouta topic they are especially interested in.
78. Give someone a homemade gift.
79. Write a poem for someone.
80. Bake some cookies for your local fire or police department
81. Organize a neighborhood cleanup and have a barbecue afterwards.
82. Help a child build a birdhouse or similar project.
83. Check in on an old person, just to see if they're okay.
84. Ask for the recipe after you eat over at someone's house.
85. Personally welcome a new employee at workand offer to take them out for lunch.
86. While in a car, ask everyone to buckle upbecause they are important to you.
87. Let someone else eat the last slice of cake or pizza.
88. Stop and buy a drink from a kid's lemonade stand.
89. Forgive someone when they apologize.
90. Wave to someone looking for a parking space whenyou're about to leave a shopping center.
91. Send a copy of an old photograph to a childhood friend.
92. Leave a pint of your spouse's favorite flavor of ice cream in the freezer with a bow on it.
93. Do a household chore that is usually doneby someone else in the family.
94. Be especially happy for someone whenthey tell you their good news.
95. Compliment a coworker on their role in a successful project.
96. Give your spouse a spontaneous back rub at the end of the day.
97. Serve someone in your family breakfast in bed.
98. Ask someone if they've lost weight.
99. Make a donation to a charity in someone's honor.
100. Take a child to a ballgame.

yikes.. thats not many >.< will aim to do more =)

life: the unpredictables

for the past year, i can't recall the previous time that i have deep thoughts of my past. the good ol' memories in the past, that brought good times and bad. i in fact have totally forgotten about the things i have done in the previous 2 years. is life too busy for me?? or did i take up too many commitments that i have to give up my past? many says that past is a very important part of the future. yet me forgetting the past, not able to remember the present clearly, i guess my future is doom??

throughout this year, there has been many life changing events, many of them is on a personal level. yet, this changes had largely impact on how i run my life now. more study and work commitments means a huge cut down on social outings. unpredicted events leads to reduce funding to relax and leisure activities. and whats more, balancing between everything takes effect to mental and physical health. these changes happened so fast that even me myself have to move and catch up with them. given the current situation as well as the snap decisions i made, hopefully they are all right, or at lease minimal damage is done for the future.

on a personal level, i am tired, not the kind of tired that a 12 hour sleep will cure. im wide awake, brain fully functional and all. but tired as there is this pile of stuff (a.k.a. life) that keeps getting higher and higher, with no end in sight, waiting for me to go through and put away. some say we suffer because we are attached to something, but can we not attached to life?? i sometimes does envy those that has better life than me, less to worry less to do.. but then, i came across something that made me take my words back.

"Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about." regina brett

i some how forgotten what people do during holidays. what they do to relax and forget everything. somehow i think my 'enjoyment' now is different from the rest of the world. not that im unhappy or some sort, in fact i don't think i even have the time to complain about things that gone bad throughout the day. its either i be patient and wait for the day to end and i will start over tomorrow, or i will just deal with it, and move on to the next thing on the 'to-do-list'. after all complaining doesn't do me any good. i keep telling myself i need a break, i need to go for a holidays and all, but things tend to change and plans dump into the bin. is my planing skills that bad?? i guess i have to find methods to cut the ropes and chains that tie me down.

there are so many questions left unanswered now. but given the current condition now, its either its not important, not urgent or i just don't have the time to go find the answers, maybe this questions will one day haunt me and take me down, but fingers cross, the answers will soon appear. i guess i really need a 'lonely planet' guide book to life. anyone saw the signboard that points to the direction of my life?? anyone saw it?? anyone???

i guess i will stop complaining now, after all im not a fan of complaining, in fact i don't get the point on complaining. oh well, one last quote from regina brett, If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back

friend: so what u want to do tomorrow??
me: wake up

friend: spend the whole day day-dreaming...
me: so now u can spend the whole night night-dreaming


gosh.. my sense of humor is non exsistant anymore.... im a bitter and sour orange >.<