A tiring week (am I weak?)

It's been a tiring week. And I don't know whether the reason is that I'm weak physically. I mean, I've been falling sick quite a few weekends, esp those when I have to juggle both work & church almost consecutively. Yesterday, we brought our teens to Villa Francis Home for the Aged @ Mandai Estate. After which, I had this terrible headache and caused me to sleep from about 8pm last night to 10am this morning, after downing 2 paracetomol pills. I feel much better now. Going over to a neighbour's place for his firstborn's 1st month anniversary! The heading down to a lecturer's place for some celebrations too!

Anyway, remember I told you guys about a decision that I have to make? Well, more discussions with some ppl in the department and two social work professionals have thrown everything up in shreds again. Back to the drawing board again I guess. This is frustrating. I feel the urge to make a hasty decision but my rational side knows better. Will take this entire week to think through this carefully again. Don't want any regrets. Think I may have made one already.

About the Villa Francis visit, I think it was a wonderful experience. I realised the importance of a recce. Really appreciated the company there on Wed, esp since otherwise would have meant a lonely trip by public transport to the ulu place and an equally lonely trek up that hill. Thank you lex! :) The visit there yesterday was good cos not only did I feel I did something out of my comfort zone but I think the trip benefitted the teens quite a bit. Well, I can't say it helped all the teens but I think most of the teens "gained a new perspective" (the exact words of one teen) and that it opened their eyes to a part of Singapore that our government is so quick to sweep up into homes for the destitute. Not that it's a bad thing. Just look at America and you will realise that our country is lucky enough to be small and have a small (yet substantial) proportion of destitute people. I guess the young can be quite sheltered from the marginalised and forgotten in society especially since (I found out) that CIP nowadays can involve merely making and selling of gifts/food to raise funds for charity. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against this but this also means they do not have direct contact with the needy. Back in my time, although there wasn't CIP, we still had trips to an Old Age Home and I felt that the exposure was important. Back to the trip yesterday, I think that the teens was exposed to the conditions of an old age home. Ironically, I felt that it was definitely one of the homes in better condition and with better facilities/equipment. Also, how the nurses handled the resident was also appalling to some; to me this just highlighted the need for more staff in the social services sector and the congruent need for policies to address such rigidities as the RAF which dictates how much staff is sufficient in handling a set number of residents. There is much to do and improve. I guess for me what struck me was how loving some of the teens are; we have so much to learn from them. When we did a head count on the bus (going back to church already), we realised one of the girls in my class was missing. I was surprisingly calm as I headed back to the multi-purpose hall. I scanned the area and spotted someone stooped down and patiently feeding an elderly resident. It brought a smile to my face. As I approached her, she saw me and asked, "Is everyone waiting for me?" I just replied, "It doesn't matter. Take your time." That really made my day. I hope you guys have a similar incident to speak of. If not, make it happen guys. Make it happen. :)