Tuk-tuk into town: 15,000 kip
One month bicycle rental: 250,000 kip
Chinese made helmet: 110,000 kip
Bike light: 17,000 kip
Having my own transport after trusting a real estate agent who can't read a map: priceless.
Sunday, March 04, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Only in the Philippines
...would the inflight entertainment on a major national airline consist of calling for volunteers to sing unaccompanied Karaoke into the intercom.
...would people get up & do it.
...would you see guys walking in between stopped traffic to sell, not garlands of flowers, gum or cigarettes, but a whole tray of bonsai trees.
...would people get up & do it.
...would you see guys walking in between stopped traffic to sell, not garlands of flowers, gum or cigarettes, but a whole tray of bonsai trees.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
The walk to work
Leave the apartment, check the lock. Nearly called a locksmith last week.
Down 16 floors. Say “Good morning!” to the security guard as
he opens the door. Sling the backpack diagonally across my front and out into
the heat.
Left is the laundry service, four money changers, the most
famous bar in Manila, and Kink Cakes, which sells exactly what you think it
does.
Right is the way to the office.
Along the side of the shopping mall, closed at this hour. Stay
to the right of the footpath, anything else confuses everybody.
Past the crowd outside the recruitment agency, spruiking
dreams and jobs in the Middle East.
Down the 50cm step from footpath to road, helpfully matched
with a wheelchair symbol on the other side.
Past the fallen tree, the Philippine Airlines training
centre, the pedocab drivers asleep in their cabins while early 90s pop blasts from their speakers.
Right, and cross the road with care, between gaps in the
jeepneys and motorbikes. Past the construction site proudly proclaiming, “182
days without recordable loss of work incident!” - as it has read for the last
two weeks. Contemplate the use of the word, “recordable.”
Left again, past veggie stalls, cigarette stands, disabled
beggars and the Supreme Court.
Right onto United Nations Avenue. We are the only UN agency
in the street. Fight through the largest crowd, outside a “clearance centre.” This
could be interpreted as referring to its demolition site appearance, but it is
where all jobseekers must apply for a security check. The five-year-old kids do
a brisk trade in Black Ballpens here.
And here we are, another smiling security guard, through the
metal detector and into the compound: green lawns, regional flags, the walkway
flanked by a koi pool with resident tortoises.
On the way home, more than half the trip is through the
mall.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Hepatitis B - so what?
Hep B isn't the most obvious disease to choose. In Australia, we tend to think of it as a blood infection to avoid, but (even in the medical world) aren't really that aware of the consequences. The idea of a "carrier" implies that that person is pretty healthy, really, but not that they are themselves at risk.
In Laos, 80% of women give birth without a skilled attendant. Less than 30% have any antenatal or postnatal care. About one in ten children die before their fifth birthday, although this number is falling. And the total government spending on health care is about US$1.90 per person. Per year.
Laos isn't going to meet the regional hepatitis B control milestone. It's not hard to see why. But in some ways, an international push for one priority can focus attention on others.
If you're interested in reading more, this is the place to do it. For the public health inclined, the paper by Rani has an interesting discussion on the motivations behind setting regional goals.
- One in four people chronically infected with hepatitis B will die of liver failure or liver cancer
- Approximately 278,000 people in our region die from the consequences of hep B per year
- Babies whose mothers are infected have a 90% chance of contracting hep B
- A vaccine dose at birth is the best way to prevent lifelong infection
- Almost half of the people in the world with chronic hep B infection live in the Western Pacific region (which Australia is in).
In Laos, 80% of women give birth without a skilled attendant. Less than 30% have any antenatal or postnatal care. About one in ten children die before their fifth birthday, although this number is falling. And the total government spending on health care is about US$1.90 per person. Per year.
Laos isn't going to meet the regional hepatitis B control milestone. It's not hard to see why. But in some ways, an international push for one priority can focus attention on others.
If you're interested in reading more, this is the place to do it. For the public health inclined, the paper by Rani has an interesting discussion on the motivations behind setting regional goals.
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
The settling in process
So, I've done this a few times before. Arrived in a new place, rushed around to get myself organised, put the pressure on in order to sort my life out as soon as possible, which will then allow me to relax.
I bought a house on the first day of work once.
Don't worry, I haven't done that.
All this is my way of preparing myself to settle a bit... but it requires a fair amount of energy in the meantime. Combined with the mandatory new-country-new-workplace-culture-shock First Thursday Meltdown, it's often not pretty.
So far, it's been smooth. My victories thus far are:
1. Getting on the plane at all. Some of you know why.
2. Knitting a fish.
3. Obtaining a phone number.
4. Realising the day before work that my normally fairly accurate sense of direction was flipped, and therefore I what I thought was North (the way to the office) was in fact South.
5. Finding an ATM that will recognise my card. See this for why this is an issue.
6. Obtaining an apartment. On a three week lease.
7. Realising before muesli-planning purchase that those are not shreds of coconut. They are squid flakes.
8. Toasting rolled oats in a wok.
9. Eating both lunch and dinner with different new people two days running.
10. Obtaining an ID badge with purty blue official logo button. Not needing it because the security guard already recognises me.
10. Swimming 20 laps. OK, so it's the "condo" pool and it's only about 15m long. But I still swam.
11. Getting internet. I can now talk to you all.
So for now, this is home sweet home.
And tomorrow is Thursday.
I bought a house on the first day of work once.
Don't worry, I haven't done that.
All this is my way of preparing myself to settle a bit... but it requires a fair amount of energy in the meantime. Combined with the mandatory new-country-new-workplace-culture-shock First Thursday Meltdown, it's often not pretty.
So far, it's been smooth. My victories thus far are:
1. Getting on the plane at all. Some of you know why.
2. Knitting a fish.
3. Obtaining a phone number.
4. Realising the day before work that my normally fairly accurate sense of direction was flipped, and therefore I what I thought was North (the way to the office) was in fact South.
5. Finding an ATM that will recognise my card. See this for why this is an issue.
6. Obtaining an apartment. On a three week lease.
7. Realising before muesli-planning purchase that those are not shreds of coconut. They are squid flakes.
8. Toasting rolled oats in a wok.
9. Eating both lunch and dinner with different new people two days running.
10. Obtaining an ID badge with purty blue official logo button. Not needing it because the security guard already recognises me.
10. Swimming 20 laps. OK, so it's the "condo" pool and it's only about 15m long. But I still swam.
11. Getting internet. I can now talk to you all.
So for now, this is home sweet home.
And tomorrow is Thursday.
Thursday, February 02, 2012
FAQ
So... where are you going?
Lots of places. Manila based, with a month in Laos and two months in Cambodia. Rough itinerary is:
Feb 4 - 28: Manila (this is in the Philippines, for those who may need reminding)
March: Vientiane, Laos
April: back to Manila with quick dash home
Late April - mid June: Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Late June: Manila
End of June: Home.
What are you going to be doing?
Doing an Internship placement with the Western Pacific Regional office of the World Health Organization (and trying to remember to spell that with a "z".) Focusing on Hepatitis B control via vaccination, specifically looking at promoting uptake of the vaccine dose given at birth. This is when children are most likely to get Hep B & keep the infection for life, so the best window to intervene with immunisation.
Where are you staying?
I have a hostel until Wednesday & will figure the rest out when I get there.
They're putting you up, right?
No, the internship is not a job as such, but a work placement, hence I need to sort out arrangements myself. I'm hoping to count it as a subject for my long-running Masters study.
Will you have internet?
Yes. I will based in big cities, not in the jungle like before. Manila has 12 million people - I'm pretty sure they have phones. I might even have one myself.
But seriously, I expect to get a local sim card so not sure about being textable on my current number, but will be here, on email, fb and skype.
Have you had all your shots?
One of the benefits of leaving the country so often is that I've actually had them all already... and don't need any boosters or anything!
What are you doing after you come back?
Drinking cocktails and knitting.
Lots of places. Manila based, with a month in Laos and two months in Cambodia. Rough itinerary is:
Feb 4 - 28: Manila (this is in the Philippines, for those who may need reminding)
March: Vientiane, Laos
April: back to Manila with quick dash home
Late April - mid June: Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Late June: Manila
End of June: Home.
What are you going to be doing?
Doing an Internship placement with the Western Pacific Regional office of the World Health Organization (and trying to remember to spell that with a "z".) Focusing on Hepatitis B control via vaccination, specifically looking at promoting uptake of the vaccine dose given at birth. This is when children are most likely to get Hep B & keep the infection for life, so the best window to intervene with immunisation.
Where are you staying?
I have a hostel until Wednesday & will figure the rest out when I get there.
They're putting you up, right?
No, the internship is not a job as such, but a work placement, hence I need to sort out arrangements myself. I'm hoping to count it as a subject for my long-running Masters study.
Will you have internet?
Yes. I will based in big cities, not in the jungle like before. Manila has 12 million people - I'm pretty sure they have phones. I might even have one myself.
But seriously, I expect to get a local sim card so not sure about being textable on my current number, but will be here, on email, fb and skype.
Have you had all your shots?
One of the benefits of leaving the country so often is that I've actually had them all already... and don't need any boosters or anything!
What are you doing after you come back?
Drinking cocktails and knitting.
Off again...
Hello all who may occasionally drop in (all three of you) and welcome to everyone else! Once again I am jetting off for a few months of my life, thus resurrecting this blog seems the way to go. Please feel free to contact me by other means, but this way I'll not be cluttering up inboxes!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Early musings for 2011
It's not New Year yet. But I've got the time to reflect now.
What can I change?
What should I aim for?
Once again, the idea of monthly goals appeals.
For January:
Buy nothing new.
Not an original goal, but not one I've tried before.
Why?
To remind myself of the world beyond the material. Of the limited resources we share. Of my blessings in having access to so much of them.
Plus, I'm moving interstate. I need to downsize somewhat (in a month?! Yeah, right.) And I have spent the last few years railing against clutter with only mild success. Here's another way to tackle it.
What?
Well - roughly along the lines of the Compact. Food & drink is ok - but buying consciously, aware of what I already have in the pantry. Cleaning products - but only if I've truly run out or don't already own an alternative (three different types of shampoo, anyone?) Second hand is ok if I really need something. My exceptions will be: 1. Repairs - my shower screen needs fixing, and 2. Experiences are ok. I believe that spending money on experiences add depth to life in ways that Stuff does not.
Why only a month?
Because I'm afraid of commitment. And I believe in baby steps.
What can I change?
What should I aim for?
Once again, the idea of monthly goals appeals.
For January:
Buy nothing new.
Not an original goal, but not one I've tried before.
Why?
To remind myself of the world beyond the material. Of the limited resources we share. Of my blessings in having access to so much of them.
Plus, I'm moving interstate. I need to downsize somewhat (in a month?! Yeah, right.) And I have spent the last few years railing against clutter with only mild success. Here's another way to tackle it.
What?
Well - roughly along the lines of the Compact. Food & drink is ok - but buying consciously, aware of what I already have in the pantry. Cleaning products - but only if I've truly run out or don't already own an alternative (three different types of shampoo, anyone?) Second hand is ok if I really need something. My exceptions will be: 1. Repairs - my shower screen needs fixing, and 2. Experiences are ok. I believe that spending money on experiences add depth to life in ways that Stuff does not.
Why only a month?
Because I'm afraid of commitment. And I believe in baby steps.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Circle of security
Bigger.
Stronger.
Wiser.
Kind.
The freedom to leave to explore.
The safety to came back.
Simple, no?
Stronger.
Wiser.
Kind.
The freedom to leave to explore.
The safety to came back.
Simple, no?
Friday, August 13, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
New job, new pace
New place
New patients
New problems
Just started in the community clinic. So far the timetable seems to be child psych, autism, learning problems, ADHD, child safety issues. With the odd trip to the outback for good measure.
So i'm gearing up for the next learning curve... from managing up to 20 people to managing just one.
Me.
New patients
New problems
Just started in the community clinic. So far the timetable seems to be child psych, autism, learning problems, ADHD, child safety issues. With the odd trip to the outback for good measure.
So i'm gearing up for the next learning curve... from managing up to 20 people to managing just one.
Me.
Monday, August 02, 2010
Flying visits
Well, am thankful to be back in the ville. In once piece (mostly).
Wedding the first: Hobart. Footless tights & long gown - perfect. 3 days with cousin - awesome. Dancing with aunt - very cool. All in all, a success.
Travel: airport singapore noodles is the best cure for a cold.
Friday: bell ringing skills thoroughly honed.
Wedding the second: made it to the church on time. Afternoon chilling. Evening dancing. Vodka shots. The sunday was somewhat less than dignified.
And yes Mum, I did make it to work today.
Wedding the first: Hobart. Footless tights & long gown - perfect. 3 days with cousin - awesome. Dancing with aunt - very cool. All in all, a success.
Travel: airport singapore noodles is the best cure for a cold.
Friday: bell ringing skills thoroughly honed.
Wedding the second: made it to the church on time. Afternoon chilling. Evening dancing. Vodka shots. The sunday was somewhat less than dignified.
And yes Mum, I did make it to work today.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Revolution
So, the last couple of years have been a time of new things.
Ultimate frisbee
Deep dives
Managing people
Hiking & liking it
Building a veggie garden
Flying to work
Cyclones
Today I'm sore from a few hours of hula. With my own hoop, to my own rhythm, with a bunch of fun people. In public, no less!
Never would I have dreamed that I'd have the co-ordination, let alone the willingness, stamina and ability, to cruise around hooping for a couple of hours. And to do it whilst soaking up the sea breeze, watching the yachts and reveling in the sunshine of a Sunday afternoon is brilliant.
Townsville rocks!
Ultimate frisbee
Deep dives
Managing people
Hiking & liking it
Building a veggie garden
Flying to work
Cyclones
Today I'm sore from a few hours of hula. With my own hoop, to my own rhythm, with a bunch of fun people. In public, no less!
Never would I have dreamed that I'd have the co-ordination, let alone the willingness, stamina and ability, to cruise around hooping for a couple of hours. And to do it whilst soaking up the sea breeze, watching the yachts and reveling in the sunshine of a Sunday afternoon is brilliant.
Townsville rocks!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Cool new procrastination tool
Sign up, sign up, to join the internet revolution in health surveillance...
Flutracking.net is a program designed to track seasonal & possible pandemic influenza through 2 simple questions.
Do you have fever?
Do you have a cough?
They have been able to identify the lift-off point for the flu season with amazing accuracy - and 10 seconds of volunteer's time per week.
The whole concept is fascinating - use volunteers and modern day connectivity, simplify as much as possible to keep them engaged, and every week you have data from ten thousand people - and results in less than 24 hours. By comparing vaccinated vs non-vaccinated, they can sift out the true flu over the background sneezing.
Now what else could be done with that power?
Flutracking.net is a program designed to track seasonal & possible pandemic influenza through 2 simple questions.
Do you have fever?
Do you have a cough?
They have been able to identify the lift-off point for the flu season with amazing accuracy - and 10 seconds of volunteer's time per week.
The whole concept is fascinating - use volunteers and modern day connectivity, simplify as much as possible to keep them engaged, and every week you have data from ten thousand people - and results in less than 24 hours. By comparing vaccinated vs non-vaccinated, they can sift out the true flu over the background sneezing.
Now what else could be done with that power?
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Reading log 2010
I wrote down every book I read from about 1992 to 2006... and then tailed off.
But would like to restart.
So: a post to be edited as the year progresses.
Was there another, to start the year?
First Among Sequels - Jasper Fforde
Twilight - Stephenie Meyer (yes, Dot, I "jumped on the bandwagon"!)
The Tall Man - Chloe Hooper - finally finished, with a vastly different picture of Palm Island in my head to when I started (through experience, not the book so much)
New Moon - Stephenie Meyer
The Fox - D H Lawrence
Smoky Joe's Cafe - Bryce Courtenay
Started Long Walk to Freedom somewhere about here...
The Wee Free Men - Terry Pratchett
Thud - Terry Pratchett
Wyrd Sisters - Terry Pratchett
Dream Angus - Alexander McCall Smith
Unseen Academicals - Terry Pratchett
Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer (yes, there are that many "e"s). Noticing any themes?
Juliet, Naked - Nick Hornby
10 Short Stories you must read in 2010 - Various
The Elegance of the Hedgehog - Muriel Barbery
The Year of the Flood - Margaret Atwood
Addition - Toni Jordan
Long Walk to Freedom - Nelson Mandela (finally finished!)
The Postman - Antonio Skarmeta
19. Maybe can squeeze another in before year's end? Am halfway through the last vampire book...
But would like to restart.
So: a post to be edited as the year progresses.
Was there another, to start the year?
First Among Sequels - Jasper Fforde
Twilight - Stephenie Meyer (yes, Dot, I "jumped on the bandwagon"!)
The Tall Man - Chloe Hooper - finally finished, with a vastly different picture of Palm Island in my head to when I started (through experience, not the book so much)
New Moon - Stephenie Meyer
The Fox - D H Lawrence
Smoky Joe's Cafe - Bryce Courtenay
Started Long Walk to Freedom somewhere about here...
The Wee Free Men - Terry Pratchett
Thud - Terry Pratchett
Wyrd Sisters - Terry Pratchett
Dream Angus - Alexander McCall Smith
Unseen Academicals - Terry Pratchett
Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer (yes, there are that many "e"s). Noticing any themes?
Juliet, Naked - Nick Hornby
10 Short Stories you must read in 2010 - Various
The Elegance of the Hedgehog - Muriel Barbery
The Year of the Flood - Margaret Atwood
Addition - Toni Jordan
Long Walk to Freedom - Nelson Mandela (finally finished!)
The Postman - Antonio Skarmeta
19. Maybe can squeeze another in before year's end? Am halfway through the last vampire book...
February goal
So:
The sleeping thing is going ok. Not quite four nights a week, but at least three, and most earlier than it would have been. So close, but no cigar (or ridiculous pen, as my reward was to be).
For February:
Meditate 3 times per week.
1 down thus far. Will see how I go!
The sleeping thing is going ok. Not quite four nights a week, but at least three, and most earlier than it would have been. So close, but no cigar (or ridiculous pen, as my reward was to be).
For February:
Meditate 3 times per week.
1 down thus far. Will see how I go!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Overcoming resistance
I have done 2 things today of which I am rather proud.
I got an autoelectrician to look at my car.
And I drafted an article for hopeful journal publication.
The two things have been my biggest procrastination problems in recent months. The article has been in process, in theory, for about 20 months. That means that, whenever I thought about it, my heart would sink. My old boss would email me every 2 months or so to check on it - and my heart would sink further. It became an enormous mental hurdle to even think of it - and hence I avoided thinking about it at all costs.
Which made it worse.
So today, I spent LESS THAN 2 HOURS and finally sat & wrote it.
That's less time than I've spent avoiding thinking about it.
But at least, I can celebrate that it's done.
A draft at least.
I got an autoelectrician to look at my car.
And I drafted an article for hopeful journal publication.
The two things have been my biggest procrastination problems in recent months. The article has been in process, in theory, for about 20 months. That means that, whenever I thought about it, my heart would sink. My old boss would email me every 2 months or so to check on it - and my heart would sink further. It became an enormous mental hurdle to even think of it - and hence I avoided thinking about it at all costs.
Which made it worse.
So today, I spent LESS THAN 2 HOURS and finally sat & wrote it.
That's less time than I've spent avoiding thinking about it.
But at least, I can celebrate that it's done.
A draft at least.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
The sleep thing
So, in the spirit of staying on track - how is my January goal going?
I received a gorgeous calendar from a friend for Christmas, just in time for the relaunch of the gold stars. Thus far, there are 5. Which, given there's been 6 "school nights", I'm pretty happy with.
I've also got rid of 2 large boxes of shredded paper - mostly due to a frantic scramble to find a form that will determine 6 months of my training.
It was due on the 31st of December.
I didn't find it.
I finally bit the bullet & called my supervisor to request a re-do, six months late... and he thankfully pointed out that we never did the form in the first place. Which made me feel like slightly less of a disorganised muddler.
And now there's several kilos less paper in my life - big yay!
I received a gorgeous calendar from a friend for Christmas, just in time for the relaunch of the gold stars. Thus far, there are 5. Which, given there's been 6 "school nights", I'm pretty happy with.
I've also got rid of 2 large boxes of shredded paper - mostly due to a frantic scramble to find a form that will determine 6 months of my training.
It was due on the 31st of December.
I didn't find it.
I finally bit the bullet & called my supervisor to request a re-do, six months late... and he thankfully pointed out that we never did the form in the first place. Which made me feel like slightly less of a disorganised muddler.
And now there's several kilos less paper in my life - big yay!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
New Year's goals
So, New Year, new changes, all that.
Although my ones are old changes - or at least old intentions. Just a new commitment to them.
My overarching goal for this year is: Simplify.
I know this is a bit of a catch phrase at the moment. Or at least it is on the blogs I've been reading.
But I'm a good public health trained girl & I know that goals must be SMART. And "simplify" doesn't quite cut it.
So I'm working on micro-goals. Bit by bit. 15 minutes at a time. And making myself publically accoutable (at least, to the 3 people I know drop by here occasionally - hello & that means you)! These are things that I know I can do because I've been doing them in little bits for a while. I've already decided not to study externally next year (full-time work is enough, thank-you), have come a long way in decluttering "stuff" (despite what my mother may say) and have started to learn how to meditate. So it's really just working at integration. Sounds simple.
Gretchen at the Happiness Project has put out a 2010 Happiness Challenge, which for me ties in with Simplify. Her suggested focus for January is Energy.
So, for January: my micro-goal is...
Lights out at 10:30 on a school night.
I need at least 7.5 hours sleep a night, preferably more. The nights I get it I can get out of bed, get moving & stand in the shower wondering what the day will hold, rather than internally moaning. I enjoy work more. I get less frustrated and cranky. I get more done. And I'm overall a much nicer person to be around, including for myself.
In order to do this, I will:
Do my teeth, take out my contacts & wash my face after dinner.
In theory this should mean I'm ready for bed when I need to be.
I'm toying with the idea of setting an alarm to remind me. Hmm. Perhaps an automatic shut-down for my computer may be better.
I'll be tracking my success using my trusty gold stars (yes, there's a reason I work with kids, people!).
Update: weekly.
Is that specific, measurable, attainable, relevant & time-bound enough?
I think so. Sounds simple, right?
But the fact that setting it out here is giving me palpitations means it's going to be a challenge...
Although my ones are old changes - or at least old intentions. Just a new commitment to them.
My overarching goal for this year is: Simplify.
I know this is a bit of a catch phrase at the moment. Or at least it is on the blogs I've been reading.
But I'm a good public health trained girl & I know that goals must be SMART. And "simplify" doesn't quite cut it.
So I'm working on micro-goals. Bit by bit. 15 minutes at a time. And making myself publically accoutable (at least, to the 3 people I know drop by here occasionally - hello & that means you)! These are things that I know I can do because I've been doing them in little bits for a while. I've already decided not to study externally next year (full-time work is enough, thank-you), have come a long way in decluttering "stuff" (despite what my mother may say) and have started to learn how to meditate. So it's really just working at integration. Sounds simple.
Gretchen at the Happiness Project has put out a 2010 Happiness Challenge, which for me ties in with Simplify. Her suggested focus for January is Energy.
So, for January: my micro-goal is...
Lights out at 10:30 on a school night.
I need at least 7.5 hours sleep a night, preferably more. The nights I get it I can get out of bed, get moving & stand in the shower wondering what the day will hold, rather than internally moaning. I enjoy work more. I get less frustrated and cranky. I get more done. And I'm overall a much nicer person to be around, including for myself.
In order to do this, I will:
Do my teeth, take out my contacts & wash my face after dinner.
In theory this should mean I'm ready for bed when I need to be.
I'm toying with the idea of setting an alarm to remind me. Hmm. Perhaps an automatic shut-down for my computer may be better.
I'll be tracking my success using my trusty gold stars (yes, there's a reason I work with kids, people!).
Update: weekly.
Is that specific, measurable, attainable, relevant & time-bound enough?
I think so. Sounds simple, right?
But the fact that setting it out here is giving me palpitations means it's going to be a challenge...
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