Meeting midway ,
Saturday, June 20, 2015 | 3:20 PM
Excuse me NLB while I borrow your book to take a photo. #PunIntended (confession: yours truly had to google the usage of borrow and lend before starting the post. So much for the 19 years of education. I wonder if university can even save me LOL)
Anyways the book is entitled “Tapestry of Care” in case the title got covered by the NLB tag (as always but it’s okay since I get to read it at zero cost, NLB you are forgiven). The book comprises of local stories shared by Medical Social Workers (MSW) working in Singapore with the following chapters (with each sounding more depressing than the next): Abandonment, Abuse, Awaiting Death, Grief, Hope, Suicide and All in a Day’s Work, summarizing what the Social Workers face each day.
I like that the book is written in simple and comprehensive English and that each story is accompanied by various explanations of terms and context, such as the various medical implications of illness and diseases, the complex laws that affects the consequences of our choices, the common issues faced by these victims that people usually does not know about. Reading about the plight of others made me feel that while what I’m going through is difficult and complicated, what I’m going through is definitely not the worst. /inserts meaningful reflection about cherishing and being grateful for what one has/
One thing that struck me though, was that I never knew the extent of resourcefulness that MSW have to be, finding funding and accommodations, writing appeal letters to MPs and various institutions to get the necessary help for their patients. I feel that it’s something that I’m terrible at after my experience with looking for jobs and financial aid for university (and also a terrible planner when it comes to making life’s Plan B, C, D etc.)
But somehow I turn into a planner when it comes to outings with friends. LOL But then again, I was a “trained” planner for outings thanks to my dad who MUST know the timings and location of where I will be. And due to my limited chances of going out, I always try to optimize the time and explore, experience and enjoy (that sounded cheesy LOL). So I mostly have to plan in advance (better to inform and get permission from my dad also) rather than act spontaneously (usually it happens when I found out that he will be overseas or busy somewhere for a definite time i.e. SEA Games Opening Ceremony). So... I guess I just lack motivation and drive when I don’t bother to plan or be resourceful.
Plan A has always been to study Psychology for me. They say that people who are driven to study Psychology usually has some personal questions that they seek answers to. While I was first offended when I heard it being said to me, I guess I was offended because it was true (elaborations will not be found in this particular post) and hit somewhere within me which I felt like I have to defend and:
I vaguely remember other plans include studying Sociology, being a Teacher, MSW and if all fails, sign on the Navy (oh but I can’t swim. LOL terrible planner strikes again). After reading the book, I felt a stronger sense to be a MSW than a Counsellor as it seems like I can do and give much more to people and MSW seems to be more well-received and needed than Counsellor (somehow there’s a stigma with having to go for counsellor. Though yours truly is an exception because I thoroughly enjoy going to the counsellor and having someone to listen to me thrash it out and giving me (false) hopes that things can be resolved).
At the end of the book, the author dedicated 5 pages to “Training Pathway to Becoming a Social Worker in Singapore”, listing 4 options:
1. NUS Bachelor of Arts (Social Work)/ Graduate Diploma in Social Work
2. Monash University BA/BSW Programme
3. SIM University – Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work
4. Foreign Social Work Degree Programmes
Well, Option 1 is out for me because yours truly is rejected by NUS (I did a very unwise decision of applying only for FASS but then again, I really have no idea what else to put as I am only keen on social sciences). I realize this is the first time I’ve touched on the subject about which University I will be going on Social Network (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Blog). Though I was close to talking about it after receiving a related question on my Askfm.
For those who don’t know what’s Askfm (Sorry Askfm you are not as popz as you think), basically it’s a site where people are allowed to ask questions anonymously about anything and everything to the user. It is the source of interesting gossips and rumors where people pry about sensitive relationships and friendship issues etc. casually.
For a period of time, I played with the idea of creating an account as I’m curious what kind of questions will people ask me. But it’s obviously a dumb idea cause it’s like asking to be slapped in the face. It’s especially unhealthy for vulnerable and widely-misunderstood people like me who tend to care too much and usually take even the tiniest of things to heart.
Then came a day when I was dying of boredom. Literally. So I decided to create Askfm. And I approached it with an attitude which I believe is very different from everybody else. Since the anonymous can ask GL questions (I bet every girl’s askfm has a “are you a virgin” question, like a virgin is suddenly the most important thing to be declared on social network. All Hail Queen Elizabeth I! And if you answer yes, then oh ok boring. And if you answer no, then suddenly you’re a slut. Either way, it’s meaningless), then I should meet them at their level with GL replies. And somehow it turned out to be pretty fun and entertaining for me (cause I really think I funny LOL).
While I don’t remain entirely anonymous like the people who ask me questions on askfm, I “protect” myself by half-being a fictional character that I made up (Aunteh) and half-being myself (naturally funny and GL is yours truly). I guess it’s fairer as they get to hide behind and be protected by the mask of anonymity. But I hope that while finding an outlet for my boredom, I didn’t offend anyone with my GLness and stupidity. LOL.
And I think the learning style in SMU will suit me better. NUS and NTU follows very traditional local Uni teaching style and I sucked as a JC student so I know the usual lecture and tutorial style is gonna be a struggle for me. Like how I really enjoyed the interview for my SMU admission (I’m sure I’ve mentioned it previously), I guess I’ll definitely look forward to engaging lessons that are going to be like this with people exchanging ideas and perspectives on various issues in class and stimulates my brain (though with its limited capacity), allowing me to see things from different point of view.
They told me it’s gonna be challenging and competitive in SMU but seriously, everywhere else in Singapore is also highly-competitive (the bell curve in NTU will murder me). Nevertheless, while I still don’t feel quite ready, I hope that by stepping out of my comfort zone, I will be ready to survive the merciless adult society within the next decade. There’s politics everywhere man...
A few months back I was seeking advice from a RV teacher on how to deal with office politics and I whined about how envious I am of her lack of office politics in the school environment. But she told me that no working environment, irregardless of the nature of the work, is spared of politics. It’s scary. Growing up is. But I’m glad for my current experience to grow and learn so that I’m better able to handle these politics and much more prepared to fall and to stand up than I was 6 months ago.
Labels: Books, Life, Theory, Work
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