Friday, October 04, 2013
It's been more than a year...
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| In Sapa, Vietnam with my virtuous ducklings "Compassion" and "Loving-kindness". We rescue "Empathetic Joy" and "Equanimity" later. |
It's been more than a year since I've stopped to reflect.
Many an idea, an activity this year I've hosted.
Surely, my beloved livealittle blog suffers from neglect. :(
It's 2:30a and sometimes I wonder if this hypomania would subside and life won't seem so wonderfully exciting and fulfilling. I surely hope I don't see that day!
Find me on Facebook!
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Focusing on ...
So, when even a psychic told me to focus on myself for 2012, I decided to spend my birthday at a Buddhist temple to meditate, reflect and get some inner massage. Interestingly, instead of solitude and silence, I was received with festival and activity. The Kadampa Buddhist Meditation Center in Glen Spey, NY was throwing a Spring Festival weekend!
As I voluntarily chopped my 25th Romaine lettuce for salad in the kitchen and rearranged the stationary section in the shop, I realized that I gained so much fulfillment from giving that there really was no alternative. Man, I sincerely did love my life of action, inspiration, motivation and compassion. Truly the Kadampa Buddhist Meditation Center was the perfect place to be surrounded by these values even though I was amongst strangers.
As I voluntarily chopped my 25th Romaine lettuce for salad in the kitchen and rearranged the stationary section in the shop, I realized that I gained so much fulfillment from giving that there really was no alternative. Man, I sincerely did love my life of action, inspiration, motivation and compassion. Truly the Kadampa Buddhist Meditation Center was the perfect place to be surrounded by these values even though I was amongst strangers.
Having slept in my tent the night before in sub-zero temperatures, I was not eager to leave the warmth of the Kadampa Cafe and don every piece of clothing I packed. So, boy was I ecstatic when campers were given the option of sleeping INSIDE the temple for the night. How fortunate am I to sleep in the temple for my birthday! Before passing out in my sleeping bag on the carpeted temple floor with Buddha peeking at me through the chairs, I did get to stop for 15 minutes, hug myself and thank all the devices within me for allowing me to live the life I do. Imagine if I took advanced anatomy and physiology how much longer that would have taken!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Youn Pa Youn (One by One)
Here I go taking my monthly blog posts down to the wire again... The current momentum of life has left me no time to reflect. Luckily I've made this commitment to myself to pause long enough to write this post at least once a month... so I pause for 15 minutes... better than zero, right?
But it's so hard not to get caught up with the momentum of the Youn Pa Youn (One by One) effort -- the effort to create awareness about the humanitarian effort in Haiti. I am so fortunate to have friends who take the initiative to organize a concert and produce a film about things they are passionate about. They inspire me to want to do SO much more! Truly it is about taking the time and effort to do what is meaningful to you. I believe it is those things done with spirit, gusto, compassion and intention that ultimately prevail. Thank you Juelz, Sean, Julia, Tess, Georgeton, Thaylord, Colleen, Alice, George for the support and for being the living hope for a better world!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Ode to Grandma
A stroke of reality occurred Feb 1st when I found out my grandmother fell and was severely bruised on the left side. My novice (but powerful) nursing sense kicked in and alerted me to the imminent danger of losing my grandmother to a brain bleed. Luckily it was not so and grandma left the hospital 2 days later with a fractured clavicle and fractured 3rd and 4th rib... quite painful for stoic grandma. This incident made me realize how mortal grandma was despite my confident campaign for her to be the oldest lady in Chinatown. She's 96 and I'd always naively assumed she will not pass. This incident has shed light on grandma's humanity. Grandma has persevered through starvation, sacrificed her meals and penny-pinched her entire life for the betterment of her children, her grandchildren and, now, her great grandchildren. The only time I recall her not living the struggling immigrant life and smiling was when we took her to her first Vietnamese meal last year and she realized she liked satay sauce and voluntarily requested more rather than allowing us to scarf down first for her to finish up the scraps. I hope this incident will help her recognize how important she is to us because surely she is very important to me. Her harsh Chinese upbringing will not allow her show affection to me, but I will realize grandma's expression of love in her nagging me about marriage, having children, eating meat and not staying out past dark. Love you back, grandma!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
2012 Resolutions
Kind of silly, but a recent seance experience (my first time... seriously!) has convinced me that for 2012, I should "stop spinning like a top, fight for the true Karen so I won't end up being a turkey"... whatever that means. :)Here's my 2012 resolutions list to stay focused on Karen:
- pass the certified emergency nurse exam
- blog at least once a month
- make me a spiffier website
- continue to enrich the world with meetups at least every month
- attend at least 1 toastmasters meeting/month
- pass life guard training
- snowboard at least twice
- see grandma at least once a month
- see mom at least once a month
- make/treat dinner with nieces at least once a month
- finally catch up with cathy, janet, kenny, henrik!!!
- get pregnant for a truly worthy couple or do the SF marathon (July) and Marine Corp DC marathon (October)
- hot yoga, body pump, run at least once every 2 weeks/each
- chicago weekend (wait wait taping, bahai temple)
- find full scholarship opportunities to a uni for george and thaylord
- french lessons
- 10 real push ups
- apply for family nurse practitioner/community health/sustainable development/social entrepreneurship ... something to move me along in some direction
- plan for Australia 2013!!
... and for every one I miss, I will donate $100 to the Clinton Foundation.
Oh! I can't wait for 2012 to start now!!!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Make 1000 cranes for Japan Earthquake Relief
On March 16, I decided I wanted to pitch in and do more for the Japan Relief effort. I realized I wanted to send hope for Japan's safety. Unable to sleep at 3a on March 16, I decided to hold a public event during the Help Japan fundraiser at Union Square. I was going to make 1000 cranes with the help of random New Yorkers. It's probably one of the crazier things I have ever done, but also one of the most fulfilling and satisfying as well. It is now 2 days after completion and I am still reeling from the outpouring of kindness and coping from crane-making withdrawal. Maybe I should have gone for 10,000 cranes...Full coverage on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=67976&id=178727572143931&saved#!/album.php?aid=67976&id=178727572143931&fbid=210312368985451
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
My first THANK YOU card from a patient
OMG. I got my FIRST Thank you card from a patient today. It has helped me to reaffirm that my attempt to be zen-like, calm and non-panicky on the job has not been seen as aloof and uncaring. I have wondered oftentimes if I truly make a difference in the chaos that is inherent with ER work as we do not have much time to connect with patients before sending them home or off to another part of the hospital. But obviously it has affected at least two people! Yay!
I'd love to give Thank you cards to my patients as well for enduring the ER wait amidst their distress and for tolerating, my sometimes, curt responses as I rush on complete my other tasks.
Thank you Suzane and RL for making an ER nurse re-love her job again.
Thank you also for the $15 Starbucks gift card! I will get night shift a full bag of coffee!
Thursday, February 03, 2011
Happy Year of the Bunny!
It has been more than 5 years since I've been around to celebrate Chinese New Year with the family. Although what the practical, frugal Chungs observe is tiny in comparison to what the usual Chinese family prepares, we do take the effort to make hundreds of our deep fried peanut, sugar and sesame seed dumplings (a.k.a. "horns") for distribution to friends (although many get consumed at home as well!).The Chungs have come a long way from the day event of manually hammer pounding to make peanut pieces of my youth to 3 minute food processor chopping our peanuts. Apparently that is not all that has changed in the times. This year, Mom recollected chinese new year of her youth and how much she had looked forward to the plethora of food and her guaranteed one set of new clothes for the year. She fondly recalled how devastated she was the one chinese new year her new coat got destroyed when a firecracker landed on her pocket. Maybe it's me, but these days, in our land of plenty, holidays are no longer about the "stuff" nor the "food", but rather the memories (no matter how bitter) and the people. Hopefully this year we will even get to catch up with the rest of the extended family as well as 5 minutes with busy, impatient grandma! Happy year of the bunny!
Monday, January 24, 2011
2011 Resolutions
Wow. For a year in which I didn't make new year resolutions, I had quite a huge 2010. Now, I wonder how I would top ...- going to Honduras for the month of February as a director of Enrich The World to survey, plan and collaborate the 2010 initiatives
- going to Haiti for the month of June on a medical mission with Heart to Heart International
- getting my dream job as an ER nurse at nearby Jersey City Medical Center in July
- becoming an active member of the Jersey City Food Co-op
- organizing my first fundraising enrich-a-thon event for Enrich The World in December
- coordinating and sponsoring 2 amazing Haitian young men to complete their college education in the US within 6 months of returning from Haiti!
- completing 9 runs with the New York Road Runners club to qualify for the 2011 New York Marathon!
As I usually have a long resolution list of about 20 items typically, I've decided to slim my list down to 6 to allow myself some leeway this year for spontaneity/insanity. At a recent dinner, the dinner plate I was given had the attached picture. So it inspired me to dub 2011 as Karen's year of "BRING IT ON".
My list of six:
1 - run the 2011 NY Marathon in a Boston Marathon qualifying time (3:45) -- any suggestions for running groups?
2 - meditate/study Buddhism at least once a month -- I've found from past experience that these offer me rare times of serenity and calmness (anyone try this out yet? http://www.ny.shambhala.org/index.php)
3 - Pursue surrogacy -- Single and flighty, I can't imagine raising a child myself. But, I would like to offer the gift of a child to a worthy couple who has already tried all possible means to conceive. (Any takers?)
4 - Maintain continued focus (commit at least 1 day/month) on my current projects at hand, namely:
- Enrich The World
- The Haitian Education effort
- Jersey City Food Co-op
- connecting with my beloved friends and family
6 - Pass the Certified Emergency Nurse exam
Here's to more serendipitous life moments and meeting more random, cute snowmen on the sidewalk in 2011!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
The Haitians are coming! The Haitians are coming!
Six months ago, I was unemployed, depressed and regretting having given up corporate money for a life in humanitarianism. My goodness... so much has changed since then. Truly 12/22/2010 12:00p is the affirmation moment I have been waiting for.
At 12/22/2010 12:00p, I was called by Georgeton Charles in Haiti to tell me that he went through his US Embassy interview and been approved for a VISA to study in the US. I had only received contact yesterday evening at 11:30p that through some miracle, he was being given an interview at 7a.
Georgeton woke up his local internet cafe owner to power on the shop so he could print the confirmation email. The rest of the night was spent collecting all his important papers to present to the embassy and coordinating a motorbike ride to the nearest town so he could pick up a bus to the capital city. When I called him at 6:30a this morning, he had just arrived onto the queue of the US Embassy.
Someone should make a movie of his life.
Details of the Haitian education effort: www.bit.ly/education4haitians
At 12/22/2010 12:00p, I was called by Georgeton Charles in Haiti to tell me that he went through his US Embassy interview and been approved for a VISA to study in the US. I had only received contact yesterday evening at 11:30p that through some miracle, he was being given an interview at 7a.
Georgeton woke up his local internet cafe owner to power on the shop so he could print the confirmation email. The rest of the night was spent collecting all his important papers to present to the embassy and coordinating a motorbike ride to the nearest town so he could pick up a bus to the capital city. When I called him at 6:30a this morning, he had just arrived onto the queue of the US Embassy.
Someone should make a movie of his life.
Details of the Haitian education effort: www.bit.ly/education4haitians
Monday, November 29, 2010
Announcing the Enrich The World Movement
I've been on the board of Enrich The World, Inc for more than a year now and it has transformed and blossomed along with me in so many ways.Today we announced our Enrich The World Movement which will kick off with the "17 for 17 Enrich-a-thon" next Wednesday on December 8th.
The Enrich The World movement is our effort to spread goodness through empowerment and appreciation. On this day, we are planning to take to the NY Metro area streets to inspire and be inspired. The goal is to spread awareness about our non-profit Enrich the World and raise funds for our programs involving 17 schools in an impoverished area in Honduras (La Botija - The Hidden Treasure). Believe it or not, we aim to complete 17 enriching activities in one day!
It's been a challenging month for everyone involved getting the website and concept together. I must say it's the biggest event undertaking I've ever worked on and I am so proud that it has moved along so well. Life is good when you do what you love. Thanks for being part of my life Tom, Shru, Dan, Carl, Andrew and George! I even tweeted for the first time today! Hopefully since Obama is following me he will give Enrich The World a shout out!
Saturday, October 02, 2010
Life October 2010
My life working days is at its last week. As of October 10, I will be a night staff worker (7p - 7a). Hopefully, with much willpower, I will adjust easily to sleeping during the day as well as use my off duty days productively also! I will have one month of mentored nights and then be thrust to work by myself starting November 1st.Interestingly, my focus on my non-work days (I only work 3 days a week!) is not ER nursing-related at all. A couple of people have asked and I think I've confused everyone.
I am currently:
- a director of a 501c3 non-profit - Enrich The World, Inc running programs in Honduras. We aim to bring hope to the communities we work in through education, living responsibly, research and innovation.
- coordinating for 2 young Haitian men to come over to complete their college studies in the US (details: https://sites.google.com/site/education4haitians/home).
- a member of the Jersey City Food Co-op (JCFC). Still in its infancy, JCFC aims to bring healthy food to the Jersey City community for lower prices in exchange for labor similar to the legendary Park Slope Food Co-op.
- petitioning to be the 1199 Union delegate for the ER nurses at Jersey City Medical Center.
- eyeing membership in the new Jersey City Newport Rotary club
One thing I am learning is that despite the generosity, willingness and efforts I sacrifice for these causes I believe in, there are always critics. Already I have received my first mail from someone who thought he deserved to receive something when I recently mailed a care package to Haiti. I realize I cannot help everyone. I also now fully realize charity and free handouts are truly the wrong methods towards empowerment. I am saddened but I have hope that I will have the strength to overcome the enemies I will create along this path of social entrepreneurship.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
ER Nurse Day #1
Wow. I was an ER nurse today. I didn't do much work but I am utterly exhausted. I have the coolest preceptor ever because she involves me in everything she does, she loves to travel and she's an overachiever. I am surely going to get a good foundation training with her. I have to remember to stow some bars into my pocket though coz we didn't get to lunch until 3p. I have to remember to pee also.The amount of paperwork and coordination with other work groups (technicians, doctors, lab) are huge. ER nurses need to think 5 steps ahead and even predict what the doctors may order. My mind was still processing the admission procedure when my preceptor discharged the patient hours later! Thank goodness we have a windows-based system because the rest of the hospital is on DOS!
I did have a funny incident today. I had to get a patient a new dinner because he did not eat fish. When I returned later with a chicken dinner, he argued with me stating that I had brought another fish dinner. Upon further inspection the dinners were surely very similiar in appearance. We dissected the dinners though and unanimously proclaimed that the fish dinner was flakier than the chicken and that both probably tasted like chicken also.
I think I will like this place. I can't wait to be a pro and know exactly what needs to be done for each patient even before they walk in the door.
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Employment Day #1
Today I started my first day of hospital orientation at Jersey City Medical Center. It's also day #1 of the dream I set out to accomplish when I quit the corporate world on July 20, 2005. I can't imagine life ANY better because I am going to be an ER nurse of the Trauma Center of a Magnet Hospital with a mere 10 minute walking commute. Already I am fantasizing about how I want to grow with this hospital. Everything feels SO right. I wish I can bottle my feelings for others to experience this very energizing sensation of empowerment and euphoria that comes with fulfilling a dream. It took me 5 years minus 14 days and the goal has been worth every second of the fantastic (although sometimes arduous) journey. It's nice to know that even in this horrible economy, passion can still make you stand out and dreams can still come true.Monday, July 05, 2010
Horsing around with the Chungs
Although a weekend in Hershey Park, Pennsylvania wasn't quite the ideal follow-up to Haiti I wanted, I surprised even myself with the ease in which I readjusted to the fast food, stuff-your-face American life... or maybe its this new appreciation for my loving, accepting family.I've always been a do-whatever-I-want-whenever-I-want new-aged-woman. I flitted in and out of the house whenever I pleased without real commitments to anything in particular. When I quit my corporate job and flew to Australia to be a nurse 5 years ago, I insensitively dumped all my stuff in my mom's garage and in my brother's basement with the intention to never return. When I prematurely returned in August 2009 (I changed my mind), my family (with a new addition!) welcomed me back with wide-open arms into their home and since have only made me 100% inclusive of their doings and been 1000% supportive of me in my 8 month unemployment slump and other antics (including the compost bin). I am truly fortunate to have such a wonderful, perfect family. I just hope that I will be able reciprocate all the kindness they have (and continue) to bestow upon me.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Reflections of Haiti
Now that I am back, I fully realize how fortunate and super spoiled we are in the US. Already I caught myself complaining about a brisk walk in 105F temperatures when we had afternoons of 120F weather in Haiti with no air conditioning to escape to. I guess heat seems hotter, hunger seems more gut wrenching and dirtiness seems more disgusting because in the first world we have the immediate option to remove ourselves from it while Haitians have no other option aside from sucking it up and dealing with it.Upon reflection, the enormity of the destruction and despair in Haiti was so overwhelming most days that it was difficult for me to see any salvation for this country even in the distant future. I still encourage everyone to go to Haiti and volunteer or even just to visit and see first hand the beauty of the country and its people amidst the rubble. But I would like to hope that organizations will start working more closely together with each other and with the Haitians because its the Haitians who need the jobs and its the Haitians who truly have the most invested in their country. In the meantime, to continue helping Haiti, I have been very touched and inspired by the life, charisma and tenacity of a particular 22 year old Haitian (the earthquake left him an orphan as well as head of household of his extended family who have moved in with him) that I am looking to sponsor him to come to the US to continue his law studies so he can someday try to tackle the corruption in his country and make Haiti a bountiful place for the children of his beautiful niece (pictured). I am apprehensive but also eager to embark on this endeavor and hope that I will have the strength and perseverance (and financial support!) of others to see this to fruition because I do sincerely have faith in this individual to make an impact... a much bigger impact than the one month of my volunteer work. Anyone with some insight into this kind of effort? When I get a firm proposal together, I will be looking for financial support - let me know if you want to stay posted.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Ayiti Day #28 - Dènye jou (Last Day)
I spent most of my last day at the Belaire clinic with my favorite Haitian-partner-in-pharmacy-crime, John (pictured) and being transported in my favorite mode -- via open air flatbed truck! Clinic was not a super crazy day as it usually is and I wonder if it was because of soccer or if I had mastered the pharmacy.Three months ago, Haiti was merely a whimsical idea. I wasn't even sure if I would be competent enough to come and truly contribute. Now, Haiti has enchanted me and, for the first time ever, I am already planning to return. After speaking with others, I've come to realize that there is a certain type of magic about Haiti which immediately charms you. All the smiles I've seen were warm and embracing. All the 'bou jou's I've received were sincere. But, I've been most impressed with the Haitian resiliency. They are a resilient people. Most have lived in poverty all their lives and have been thrust into even harder living conditions since the earthquake. But they cope with the change and persevere. In my one month, I have yet to hear a Haitian complain (with the exception of the sick who see us at the clinic, of course). So I really have no excuse for disliking our trickle showers in Leogane, for having an 8p curfew or for cursing the flash afternoon rains for soaking my dried clothes on the line again. The Haitians have it right. Be happy for what you already have; a happy life can be a very simple one too.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Ayiti Day #27 - Orévwa Lèogâne (Good-bye Lèogâne)
I took only ONE picture today. It is a picture of the Lèogâne clinic after I bade my farewells and my car started pulling away bound for Port-au-Prince. I didn't realize how emotionally attached I had gotten to Lèogâne and its people until I found myself totally drained and passed out in the 1 hour car ride back to Port-au-Prince at 10a! The sheer devastation combined with the amiable people instantly enchanted me the first week I was in Lèogâne (I've been here for 3 weeks). In Lèogâne, I was Haitian. I wasn't 'Karen'. I was 'Kaoween'; I even introduced myself as such. Noone forceably peddled their wares to me nor harrassed me. Everyone said 'bon jour' and most kids screamed 'blanc' (white/foreigner) when they saw me and I would scream back 'noir' (black) or 'jaune' (yellow). People wanted to practice their English with me and I would try my petit petit of Creole on them. This 3 week experience of living and working in Leogane is EXACTLY the type of immersion to a foreign country and its people I was seeking to find in my new life as a nurse. I am so extremely fortunate to have this opportunity so early in my career. Maybe I will not even consider travelling to any other countries for aid missions in the future as Haiti will be in need of help for generations to come. After 10+ years of travelling to 41 countries, I think the travelbug has finally been knocked out of me...Sunday, June 27, 2010
Ayiti Day #26 - Double Diety Dose Day
I'm not religious but I simply love attending church services because I love being around others who are filled with positive passion. I've gone to Sunday service each of the 4 Sundays I've been in Haiti. So it is befitting that I would spend my last Sunday in Haiti with a 7a AND a 3p service.Haitians seem to have become more religious since the earthquake as a way to express gratitude for surviving as well as coping with their current lives. The 7a service was held under a large tarp at the entrance steps outside the original collapsed church. Egged on by my friend (and because he stood up to announce that I would say a couple of words), I made my first impromptu speech in front of an audience of 150 Haitians (with him translating). I spoke briefly about being a volunteer nurse working in a mobile health clinic for a month, about the beauty of Haiti, about the even more beautiful Haitians, about how impressed I have been with how hard working the people are and about Surely, by looking towards the future and positive thinking, Haiti can be transformed and rise to be a first world country
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Ayiti Day #25 - Condoléance (My Condolences)
The death of a parent must be painful for any family. Today I attended a Haitian funeral for a friend's father today. To prepare, I was to make sure I wore no red on my person as red would mark the murderer of the deceased. As I did not want to be designated as such especially for someone I didn't know, in the morning of, I did a full survey and realized my sneakers contained large segments of red. My only other available footwear were my flipflops (which are brown) but then I realized my toenails were painted red. In desperation, I took a black marker and blackened my toes. I think my ploy was quite effective as I still remain alive.The funeral was held in a church and consisted of religious readings, a recited biography of the deceased, audience singing and individual singing. There was a bit of wailing from the wife of the deceased which tore at my heart. And it makes me wonder how horrible and difficult it must have been during the night of the earthquake. I teared immediately when my friend's sister's voiced cracked from sorrow in the middle of her song. Worse, the mixture of my tears with the sunblock on my face further aggrevated my eyes resulting to even more tears. They must have thought I was freak blanc. The coffin was then taken to a public cemetery, placed into a vault and sealed with cement blocks. I found it curious that no plaque is placed indicating the deceased name. The family would just have to remember the location. Afterwards, alcohol was poured onto my hands for cleaning prior to entry into my friend's home to symbolize cleansing of the old and starting anew. Interesting concept. It was nice to be around Haitians who were in the spirit of the future and moving on.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Ayiti Day #24 - My last working day in Leogane
Today completed my last working day during my 
three week stint in Leogane -- the epicenter of the earthquake. We finished up our mobile clinic at Fondwa - a remote area 1 hour away by cracked roads which was upon a hill with wide, sweeping views of terraced farmlands. Patients who come to this clinic travel far (2 weeks ago someone walked 5hrs) and usually the waiting area is packed even before we arrive. Today though, we had only a measely handful of 35 patients (instead of 70+ from previous weeks). As I asked around, causes were: the World Cup (everyone, including the dogs are fans), high chance of rain (since these people trek for miles to attend clinic, traversing up our hill was near impossible by foot in mud) and finally, the huge winds. Recent buildup of winds as we enter cyclone season made leaving accomodations (especially tents) a risk of losing ones home. I can't imagine living with no security of home -- that it may get blown away by the wind, swept away by the floods and stolen from. One of our doctors lost his home in the quake and is currently living in a tent. He maintains all his possessions in this tent. He and his family live there by night but by day, everyone exits as it is too hot to remain inside. In my near 1 month in Haiti, I have come to realize the Haitians are a very unique group of people. Despite the horrors of their living conditions and working conditions, they remain steadfast in their work ethics. They work hard with NEVER a complaint and with ALWAYS the most brilliant gleaming smile. (Speaking of smile, I flossed my teeth with a sugar cane today!)Thursday, June 24, 2010
Ayiti Day #23 - Ansanm (Together)
We got a taste of what it truly means to donate effectively today.
Upon cleaning out our bedroom pharmacy, we realized we had about 5 large boxes of medical material we would never use in our health clinic. They were things like surgical supplies, splints, an overabundance of bandages and casting material. So we decided to bring all these supplies to MSF's (Doctors Without Borders) large hospital facility in the area. But apparently like us, they were also inundated with donated supplies and did not want to be 'dumped on' as well. Asking around, we were told there was a nursing school nearby. When we arrived, what we saw was an impressive air-conditioned tent hospital facility desperate for supplies. 5 NGOs (one of which was Worldwide Village) collaborated to create this hospital and their intention was to move into the St Croix Hospital in downtown Leogane which has been abandoned since the earthquake mostly due to the population's insecurity of being in a concrete edifice 3 stories high. Our mission to find a home for our supplies was ultimately fruitful and it was motivating to see NGOs working together for a common good finally.Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Ayiti Day #22 - Lapli rive (the rain arrives)
During our afternoon clinic in the beloved Dufort site (NOT!), we 
were engulfed by torrential rains and forced to evacuate. Our hole-ridden tarps were no match against the downpour. Driving through town, we passed numerous groups of people huddled beneath awnings of any kind to stay dry until the rain passed (usually about 1 hour or so). Since I was seated on the outer edge of the bench on the tap tap, I was utterly soaked when we arrived. How will these poor people survive the hurricane season which is estimated to be more intense this year?Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Ayiti Day #21 - Tre anpil doule! (LOTS of pain)
An 8 year old girl came in today with an infected toe. Somehow she had peeled off a nickel-sized flap from the underside of her big toe. Bugs buzzed all around it. The doctor wanted to clean it up and suture it. Although he used lidocaine, apparently it wasn't enough because the little girl was in agony calling out for help from sheer pain as he sunk his prolene needle deep in. I winced each time she screamed during the 30 minutes of the procedure. She had absolutely no voice and no tears left at the end. If I was queued to be seen, surely I would have abandoned the clinic visit after the first horrible 5 minutes. I was left wondering though if this happens in hospitals as well. Boy, are there huge disparities between the practice of health professionals of a third world country and that of a first world country.Monday, June 21, 2010
Ayiti Day#20 - It's not fair
Imagine feeling obligated to go to work because you fear that you may not get paid or that you may get laid off. The father of one of our translators died yesterday and although I pleaded him to go home and be with his family, he refused for fear that he would not get paid. Our translators get $20/day. That's peanuts for us, but a family's full week of meals in Haiti. He cannot afford to not be paid. Imagine not being able to grieve and forced to work. I would not be able to cope. What huge sacrifices Haitians make to survive.(Pictured is the process of adding credit to my cellphone. You need to hunt down the person who is the designated credit seller and he will transfer credits from his phone to yours for a fee. What a concept!)
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Ayiti Day #19 - Haitian garbage
We noticed last week a large portion of our 
daily clinic trash consisted of empty medication containers and packaging. This week, the greenie in me had us start reusing these empties in medication dispersement and, amazingly, we had only one mere garbage bag of trash for the entire week. It is horrendous the amount of waste pharmaceuticals generate with their excessive ostentatious packaging. Our iron pills came 5 in one plastic container. It is absurd to even think that 5 pills would have any effect on an individual.Truly, over all, there needs to be less waste in Haiti. For such a poor country, I am surprised to see the large amount of trash on the streets. I half expected that poverty would encourage people to recycle, but it is not in their culture and knowledge to not litter and with all the foreign aid handouts, there also isn't much incentive to reuse. I believe it's USAID who has provided and who refill the huge bladders of water you see scattered around towns. People fill their large jugs via a big tap on the bladder. Because they know the bladder will get refilled, I've seen the tap open, emptying its precious contents onto the streets. In addition, due to the lack of a sanitation program, burning garbage is the only viable method of disposition. We have had to dispose of our own expired medications by burning as well! To help with population employment, a nationwide reimbursement recycling program would clean up the streets and 
keep people busy
. I wonder if there is any organization with a recycling initiative... sadly everyone's main concern at the moment is probably to clean up the earthquake rubble first... Although I have noticed a huge rebar harvesting effort amongst the rubble.
keep people busy
. I wonder if there is any organization with a recycling initiative... sadly everyone's main concern at the moment is probably to clean up the earthquake rubble first... Although I have noticed a huge rebar harvesting effort amongst the rubble.Saturday, June 19, 2010
Ayiti Day#18 - Mwen pa konprann (I don't understand)
Imagine having a good job and still not feeling a sense of financial security. Most jobs available are not contractual (even those employed by the NGO sector). Organizations can lay someone off seemingly at their whim since there is no need to provide evidence for the dismissal. You are among the elite 8% employed if you have a job at all. Usually an employed person supports his extended family as well. 
Although I am not harrassed on the streets, I am stopped occassionally to talk about job prospects with my NGO. Most people are looking to be translators. I have been ashamed to know that I speak only one language fluently while many Haitians speak at least 3 (French, Creole, English and sometimes Spanish). Being a native English speaker is a huge advantage. People here starve to practice English with others. I love being involved in their efforts of bettering themselves. In addition, at times their choice of words gives me a new perspective on the english language. For example, doesn't 'making photos' make so much more sense than 'taking photos'?
(Top picture is a panoramic view from the Bellaire clinic window. Rubble on the left are the remains of a school. Rubble on the right are the remains of an 8 family residential building. No one from the building survived.)
(Bottom picture is a panoramic view of the Bellaire clinic. To the right is the patient waiting area. To the left is the post-triage queue for a physician consult. In the top/back of the room, is the pharmacy area.)
Friday, June 18, 2010
Ayiti Day #17 - Bon Travay! (Good Job!)
We went to Biteau today. It's the poorest community we have serviced this week. Homemade tents are erected 
upon soil right next to a cemetery. Last night's rain linger still and we wonder how these people stay dry. Ultimately we concluded that they probably don't. The elements are a part of life, not something you seek to avoid.The saddest thing I have realized so far is that the population is so traumatized by the quake, they are fearful of going back to living in cement structures. They will be living in tents for quite a while and tent conditions are not conducive to a healthy life. Many patients come in with skin conditions, like scabies (a highly infectious condition whereby numerous mites burrow under your skin!). It is difficult to irradicate if one is living in a tent and sleeping on a dirt floor. I hope there is a nearer term solution for these people. Living in a tent cannot be a long term solution...
Another week in Leogane has come and gone. I am saddened to know that I have become a bit numb to the rubble and difficulties of living in Haiti. But maybe it's because I have also become a bit more Haitian! I have become fairly comfortable conducting pharmacy work sans translator giving all my instruction in Creole. Responding to questions asked is a different story though. I've noticed my brain becomes very spongelike when I travel. Possibly the adrenaline from the travel experience gives my brain a bit of a hormone-induced high allowing for rapid synapse firing and vocabulary absorption. Or maybe it's because I LOVE to surprise our beloved translators with pearls of unexpected Creole. It's great to see them break out in elated awe when I toss out Creole in general conversation. Although I do wonder when they praise me on my good Haitian accent. I sincerely hope I am redeployed here to spend my final full week in Leogane. I can't imagine a better way to conclude my trip!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Ayiti Day #16 - Se bie! (It's awesome!)
One thing I love about travelling is meeting all the personalities. Despite living in the Metro NYC area, I don't get many chances to meet random new people. But when I am on holiday... especially medical missions, I get the unique opportunity to meet all types of people from all around the world 
with a similiar passion. It's very comforting to know that other people care as well and I am always so inspired by their capacity to give. Not only do they practice on a daily basis their profession, but they love it enough to bring it along and practice during their vacation time. I am not yet half way through my month in Haiti (not that I'm counting, mind you!) and already I am stricken by the overwhelming number of organizations and their amazing motivation to do more.(I chose to post the picture of a cat begging for my lunch because cats are a rare sight as Haitians eat them. And because I love cats.)
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Ayiti Day #15 - An n ale nan ATM (Let's go to the ATM!)
You can never expect anything to be easy in Haiti. It's just the nature of life here and you learn to accept it. So when we realized that we were low on money (I left most of it in Port-au-Prince) to continue our post-clinic drink purchases at the air-conditioned oasis called "Chou Chou" - its a mini-7-11 type establishment, we decided to set out on a mission to find the closest ATM. Well, we made the biggest ATM run effort ever in mankind. After inquiring at a local bank, we were informed the closest ATM was at Carrefour. Halfway between Leogane and Port-au-Prince, it would take us 
at least 2 hours to go and return. With only 2.5 hours to spare after finishing our clinic and before dinner started at 6p, we committed to a rushed silly $40USD decision to rent a tap tap (local spare parts taxi). There was a possibility of the ATM machine being broken or rejecting our cards hence also a possibility we would not even be able to pay for our transport! Luck was on our side. We were able to withdraw money from the ATM AND return on time for dinner with 15 minutes to spare! I need to get me a "New York" lottery ticket tomorrow!
