Bread and butter #281 (When in doubt, give hope.)

When In Doubt, Give Hope: 2009 Graduation Speech by Allison Anais Brunner

"... I believe that hope is intrinsic in the individuals, families, and communities we serve. But what do we do when people feel hopeless? I believe we do as my former therapist did for me when I wasn’t able: We hold the hope for them. That is what I did for my first client. When she told me she could never be employed, I held hope for her. Currently, she is in her fifth month as a full-time certified beautician.

We have chosen to work in the trenches of a field where our efforts rarely reward us with immediate gratification. There will be days, probably more than not, when we wonder whether we’re making any difference at all—when clients relapse, communities exhibit apathy, and legislators make policies that further disenfranchise the vulnerable and marginalized in our society. It is at these times when our beliefs in the human spirit and resiliency, and our faith in the people for whom we are fighting, is most crucial.

Author Anais Nin wrote, “And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” This reminds us that we are like gardeners, dropping seeds into the outstretched hands of people seeking our services. If we remember that people are the experts of their own lives, then our job is to nourish them by allowing them to blossom. It is easy to think that all we need is a fancy set of gardening tools. But no tool—no technique—is more important than knowing how to plant the seeds of hope..."

*

Many of us (Social Workers) would be able to identify with what she said.

Cheers to Social Work.

Bread and butter #280 (Family Day!!!)

The series of Children June Holidays Programme have provided me good learning... as well as a better tan, haha! I was under the sun for almost EVERY outing! Bobian... can't possibly keep the children indoors, because exposure is what they will need and benefit from! Finally, the finale, Family Day (27th June, 11am-3pm)!

Planning and meetings started in May, with my volunteers and I meeting about once in two to three weeks. My volunteers came up with the station game ideas... inputs... more ideas... more inputs... and VRROOOOMMM! The day finally came!

I was glad for myself that I prepared well on Friday night. I ran through the programme mentally and checked through everything- it was an energy-zapping process, and I reached home only at about 2am.

Of course, the Family Day wouldn't be a success without my volunteers who planned and executed the whole event... WC who came to help me sort out and pack the goodies for the families, FS who came to help me pack the door gifts for the residents, LX and EO who very willingly took up the leading roles, JY and JC who have been very encouraging, JX who has been very hardworking, and the rest who have been enthusiastic and of great help... Thanks to Benjamin, Lyn, Seok Ai, and laoban too for buying and carrying logistics with me, assisting me in taking and printing photos, engaging the clients, and going the distance specially to collect my photo frames respectively...a very big THANK YOU to all of you who contributed to the event in some way or another.

The programme passed very very quickly. Though I was busy tying up loose ends from the beginning till the end, I am very happy because I know that the families are having fun and quality time with their family members.

It's my first time planning and executing such a Family Day, and I'm glad that the clients have been forgiving towards some little little things that I may have missed out. =)

This time round, I'M HAPPY to have managed to pull in a few new volunteers too... thanks to BN's referral. To add on, about 8 residents came to collect the door gifts- I think this is not bad already, given that there is no prior rapport to begin with. Also, my first time initiating a family day planned and executed by volunteers... the idea was well-received and to quote LX, my objectives were achieved.

I'm really happy and relieved. =)

P/S: Knocked out at 8plus last night.

P/P/S: An old lady dropped by to collect a door gift... and her short chat with us touched me in a special way... Suddenly something just dawned upon me...

EL on my Strawberry Postcard.

I came home from a hard badminton workout (my butt still aches from it) and I saw this ridiculously sweet looking card on my table. Actually for a moment… I thought it was some advertising postcard meant to catch attention. Heng I pick it up to turn and examine a bit before throwing it out…. sweet things are nt supposed to be in my rm.

See la… so many strawberries. How to believe it is meant for me… And it seriously looked like some wrapper and not a postcard. haha….. It was until I turn to the back that i realise it is more than it seems. No, actually I was wondering WHY someone sent me this…. until I saw the fine prints!

Just a peak at the wonders of things nowadays. How did anyone get the idea of THIS kinda postcard?!

Anyway, it’s really cute…. Hehe….


My comment: how can sweet things not be found in ur room??! dun bluff lah.. surely got sweet things NOW! haha.. anyway, amazing hor, this thing. i was amazed myself.. i bought a packet.. there are three pieces of these cute cards. before i wrote for u, i used one as sample, and i was so worried that the words will be stuck inside forever (cos i had to paste two sticky sides together) that i took a picture of the words i wrote first. and then when i tore apart, i was like WOAHHHH… and then i wrote a second piece for u. ONLY for you okay! see i so sweet and nice. u better treat me better. hahaha.. :P :P :P

Bread and butter #279 (Amazing strengths.)

I like interacting with people. People of different walks of life... be it children, youths, adults, or older adults. The interactions make me feel perplexed, amused and inspired at different times.

I like making sense of the interactions. Each interaction has a meaning behind it, or some would say 'a function'. I love to find out what causes certain interactions, what may possibly affect the interactions, and what may bring upon a negative or positive impact to the interactions.

It's interesting that while I journey with Social Work, I get the chance (to learn) to make sense of interactions and learn to appreciate people for who they are.

Seeing the strengths of everyone- it's an amazing feeling.

Michael Jackson (1958-2009)

Bread and butter #278 (OUTREACH!)

On Tuesday (yesterday), I outreached to the residents living in the block that we've just moved into. It's interesting to meet and interact with different people. It's something different from what I usually do, and I quite enjoyed it... despite aching here and there.

Many thanks to SW who sticked with me throughout from 9am to 6pm! Thank you, thank you!!!

Journey to Zen.

Coolie Living Quarters- the area that I didn't dare to venture into. It was kind of creepy when I explored the different places by myself. But I think this has helped me to attain a higher level of zen-ness.

Go, Go, Cindy, Go, Go!

Beauties (and Beasts).

With Old Bear getting married and Swear Bear going back to Taiwan for National Service, the Beasts are officially going through hibernation very soon... so the Beauties are left with themselves. But perhaps as time passes by, Beauties will be occupied with manicure, pedicure, and their own Princes.

This is life, isn't it.

Anyway, if we ever get to go Germany in 2010... I have thought of a name for our trip!!!

BIG - Beauties In Germany.

Three cheers for Beauties!!! =P

Bread and butter #277 (The Blind.)

I felt like the blind leading the blind.

Am I really blind?

Or am I just short-sighted?

You mean I'm really only short-sighted?

Can it be cured?

Does wearing contact lenses help?

Will lasik spare me from all the blindness?

Can I simply wear my spectacles?

Will I turn blind one day?

Or am I going to be able to see someday?

Retro.

After so many donkey years, I'm still wearing that same pair of sandals. Amazing hor?

This is so lame, I gotta blog about it.

i got headache today.. so horrible
aiyoh
frm ur perm hair chemicals ah

-___-

Bread and butter #276 (Planting seeds.)

I went for a home visit last Friday. Visited one of my boys who has been under me since I started work, i.e. two years ago. I really wish I could do something for him... but I'm not sure what can help, so I'm just going to try my best and do it step by step.

25th October 2009- I had a pact with him. Stay safe.

Another boy. I wish I could do something for him too, even though I know I can't do much... unless he starts doing something for himself. I wonder what are the possibilities now... what will happen a few months later...

Sometimes, I simply wish I can do a lot for the kids.. do this, do that... but how much can I do for them? For how long can I provide the support for them? How much can I be there for them? Do they even want me to be there for them?

Ultimately, the decision lies in them... which direction they want to go, which step they want to take... What I can do is to hold their hands for a while (if they allow me to), and pray for them. The rest is really up to them.

Ms Koh is trying her best to plant the seeds. Are you?


P/S: Named this post "Planting Seeds", as a volunteer uses this in her blog. Thought it's pretty apt for my entry. =)

Wo ist mein Spargel?

Thank you...

to Ramen buddy a.ka. Nutella buddy, Swimming buddy, Mosburger buddy, as well as Coffee Club buddy... I'm in this (as what Coffee Club buddy would say) zen mood now...

I am ready to face tomorrow. :)

-zen-

Sunset.

Smart or what.

if i said i wana date him u believe
haa wont
cos you like smart guys
hahahaha
so smart
HAHAHAHA
in other words....
ABC is.....
kakaka
I NV SAY HOR
smart ple can read between the lines one
are u saying tt u're smart.. -____-
of cos
smart ple will tok to smart ple oni
kke
hahahaha
u're saying tt im smart wahaha
thanks
oni ABC dun tok to smart ple like me
diaoo
but wad if he talks to u
does tt make u a less smart person?
he just responded!
hmmmm
den shd i respond?
hahaha depends on whether u tink talking to him make u less smart
ahah
aniway i responded
cos i tink that will make me stand out

Wahaha.

Rising to the occasion #7

West Coast Park :)

Bread and butter #275 (Beautiful Smiles.)

This cruel world #3

Anything other than the positive is unacceptable and will be condemned in the most cruel manner.

I have not decided whether I should accept and abide by this cruel norm, or fight through this cruelty all by myself.