Ginger Bread House!?

Yesterday, my husband D, daughter E and I went to IKEA for Christmas shopping.
We spent almost all day there.
(IKEA there is a lot bigger than one in Hong Kong.
It takes at least 3 hrs to come to the exit with crowds)
What I wanted to buy was Christmas cookies and Ginger Bread House kit to build our own and decolate it. Since I saw the real Ginger Bread House at a convent last Christmas with E, I really wanted to try to make one. I found the one on a news paper inserts last week. I pinned it on the bathroom wall to see it everday since then.
E and I had been looking forward to buying one.
So...we were so happy to buy one.
But after a long day for shopping with crowds and
warmth in the shop, I hardly had energy to do anything.
But...E demanded to build and decorate the house
rightaway. I know she is only 5, it is only natural
to feel so.
As for me, I was exhausted then after finishing a report for online studying
the night before and I felt sleepless.
But again, I started to make her feel happy.
E kept touching icing and lick her fingers each time she put some chocolote balls,
I now can understand it is natural for her to taste suger and eat some chocolate for decoration.
However, I could not stand it .
I grumbled and scolded her.
E had tears in her eyes and said, " Yes, no more licking" and
then next moment her fingers were in her mouth.
I know no one can stop her and What's wrong with licking tasty icing?
I felt so bad after I scolded her and raised my voice.
But she still smiles and said that
" Can't help it. It was only first time to build the house"
I know the roof was cracked and the wall was torn. Icing was dropping...
I felt so crancy so I let it out on E...
I love you, E. Please forgive me. I don't care what other Japanse thinks of me,
I simply want to hug you and kiss you, 'cos I love you!

Last 3 days was tough!

Nov. 26 Vital Sign practical test
Nov.27 & today The first clinical session at a hospital
27th was rather easy because our team had orientation and the hospital tour.
But today was the first visit to an ward so everyone of us was a bit nervous.
Our team visited internal medicine ward (respitatory)and 95% of the patient were elderly( over age 70).
This is reality of Japan now, yes that's aging society.
In the ward, many suffers from deglutition pneumonia, some has lung cancer, carsinostatic treatment, palliative treatment, pulmonary emphysema, and average stay is around 17-19 days which is shorter than it used to be in Japan. (Due to the government policy change, many have to vacate the bed earler than it used to be)
We had chances to see nearly 10 patients closely today.
First 3 patients had bed bath and one had bed bath and pudic bath as well. Thanks to our mentor, she gave us a lot of chance to help and assist her with our maximum knowledge and practical skills we learned so far.
In the afternoon, every one of us had chance to take Blood Pressure.
In my turn, it was my first time to use a mercury manometor because
I always used aneroid manometor at school.
Anyway...
when I heared the systolic BP it was 220mmHg, it was far too high.
The mentor heared the pop through the dual scope at the same time and
she told me to remove the manchette immedietly.
The patient eyes were spacing and obviously the patient looked not well.
He is in the 70s and able to hear but has problem expressing himself verbally.
I sensed that he was not very well because he spitted out phlegm by himself and
coughed a bit just before I started measuring BP.
I was so carried away and just looking at the manometer but I should be more watchful to the patient condition anytime. That's more important than taking a vital signs.
Wow, I learned a lot more than I expected. One of my friend really got shocked to see elderly's pubic region and she even starts to rethinking her career. I believe we will have opportunities to feel satisfactions, or joys or even peaceful happiness through out clinical experience in next 4 years. I hope not she quits the school because she has a quality to be a nurse.

Thanks for visiting!

Thanx for visiting my blog.
My name is Maggie and I've started studying nursing 2008 spring in Japan.
The coming week my class has a nursing skill check.
I did my best to practice my skill, but I still need more time to ensure my skill.
Anyway, Japan has 3 consecutive holiday and today is so called "Labor Thanksgiving Day".
I enjoyed running and sunbathing with a 5 yr old daughter, spent almost half day in a park nearby.
I love playing with kids . Today I chatted 8 yr old kids strangers in a park, the kids seemed enjoyed being with me. E(mydaughter) seemed to enjoy being accompany with them. E is a only child.
E does not have siblings but I do hope she will take advantage of any chance to socialize with other children and learn a lot like children with brothers and sisters.
I wonder how this blog will be, I am a busy , ordinary, early 40's woman with full of curiosity.
I do hope this will produce positive and hopeful links to people.