"I Promise I Won't Bug You Anymore"...

I am taking a course in Psychology of Intimate Relationships this term, and in it, we study the aspects of all forms of relationships, from close friendships, sexual relationships, to casual friendships that we encounter on the street. And I must say, it is perhaps one of the most interesting courses I have taken.


One thing which I found fascinating was the study of emotion and body language, which humans are said to be able to read very well. You know what Custom Officials study when deciding who to question and search at the airport? Body language, of course!



Which brings me to this post...

I was at the hospital today, and while bringing blankets to one particular old lady who was using her puffer, she remarked jokingly that "man, breathing is such a chore", to which I said "oh, put on your big girl panties and suck it up", to which we both burst out laughing...




It was a good idea to put a smile on her face, but a pretty bad one because she needed another three puffs after that!

She was smilling and thanking me for the warm blankets and after every request (which she thanked me profusely for), she would say "I promise I won't bug you anymore"...



And it was while I was filling the fridge, which was near her room, that I heard her crying in pain. That poor old dear was going through chemotherapy and was writhing in pain but she didn't want to bug anyone, not even her own nurse, which is one very sweet young thing. And I knew they had just given her painkillers when I brought her the blankets, but they were obviously not working.

And so I felt sorry for her and slipped in and sat with her for a while, and asked if she wanted me to sit with her till she fell asleep. It WAS part of my job after all, to keep patients company!



And you know what, she said "no, it's fine, but thank you so much, could you please lower my bed, I promise I won't bug you anymore"...

Ok, I know she said she didn't want me there, but Body Language 101 said otherwise...



I slipped my hand into hers and she grabbed mine back instantly, and this time, she said, "Thank You for sitting with me"...



Darn!

That $120 textbook was right! We read body language better than we know it. We just gotta trust our instincts better. I wonder how many times I've walked pass an old person who really wanted someone to sit with them but thought they were a burden, and I didn't trust my instincts, and instead spent my time doing other stuff?

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Easing Back Into University...

Gail and me: Two overworked and tired university students, out to get some fresh air...

I know I'm tired when my very small eyes are even smaller than they usually are (see above), and they're puffy...

I know other people know I'm tired when my professor suggests I skip classes so I can have the day to myself...

This is what happens when you don't get a full holiday like everyone else, and just when you were enjoying your break, you have to drag your bum back to classes!

Besides that, it's been a pretty fun semester so far. I'm enjoying my classes (can't say the same about the workload, but well) and even most of the assignment-contents, and heck, I found a job this time around.



It was pretty much the perfect job for me. I get to combine my experience contributing to the newspaper along with my volunteer work experience, as I know am an Outreach Coordinator for a group that does alot of well, outreach work for marginalised groups.

Just last week, I got to see the workings of the food cupboard, which I must say is a really swell idea. The cupboard feeds about, on average, 200 people in the community a month, and everyone is welcome. Some families get a weekly supply, while for everyone else, they are welcomed to drop by whenever the cupboard is open.

University events too sometimes support the program. For example, instead of charging a cover-entry to the bar, they might decide to one night do a 'bring-two-cans-of-food-in-exchange-for-entry'.

Looks like I'll have my hands full this year. But that's the point of an education right? To gain as much experience as possible! And staying busy's just the way I like it...;)

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