Funny things about being a Speech Language Therapist...

A friend emailed me this :) I love it... read on...

TOP TEN REASONS TO BE A SPEECH LANGUAGE THERAPIST (SLT)

10. We have ways of making you talk
9. We know what the name of the little thing that hangs in the back of your throat is called
8. SLP is more than just lip service
7. [wil/`vtutraenskraib]
6. You're always analyzing your friend's speech
5. You think it's cool to hear someone swallow
4. Someone has to help Cindy Brady
3. We like to hear ourselves talk
2. You know how to say "larynx" correctly
1. You can legally brainwash people by making them repeat the same phrase over and over again

TOP TEN REASONS TO MARRY AN SLT

10. Get your mother in laws hearing tested free
9. Translates pet talk
8. Uses appropriate sign language - except when driving
7. Early diagnosis of dementia
6. Unlimited thickening fluids
5. Steady income - for weeks at a time
4. Free oral-peripheral exams
3. Good vocal hygiene
2. Knowledgeable in tongue-thrust remediation
1. Can distinguish women from cross-dressers based on pitch, intensity and intonation patterns

TOP TEN REASONS TO DATE AN SLT (MY FAV top 10!!! HA HA HA HA!!!!!! Its so wrong... yet so funny!!!)

10. We'll prove that doing it slow makes it smoother
9. We can make you scream in all the right ways
8. One hour sessions are our speciality
7. We'll teach you how to make the "OH" face
6. We know how to get your strongest muscle up
5. We know the value of frequency
4. We love intensity
3. We know how to swallow
2. It's all about tongue placement
1. We do it orally!

YOU MIGHT BE AN SLT IF....................

10. You casually drop the words "diadochokinetic rates" at parties to impress your friends
9. You are the only adult you know who still plays with bubbles on a daily basis and enjoys it
8. You write your child's first words phonetically
7. You get excited about flavoured tongue depressors
6. During informal conversations with friends, you often interject "good speech!" or "nice talking!"
5. You take dysfluency data during speeches and sermons
4. Children seem to gravitate to you during social events
3. Instead of saying to your friends "What a cute baby!" you say " Does he vocalize in two or three syllables?"
2. You can recite the Ling 6 sound test backwards
1. You make casual eye contact with people's mouths during casual conversations

at the hospital

I went to the hospital, bringing our housekeeper, to see the skin specialist after she had done something to her skin to aggrevate an allergy - creating such ugly and worriying rash, spreading through out her body... I just left her prescription at the pharmacist's window, waiting to be billed.

It was a busy day, and it took a while. All seats were occupied. I didn't really have much choice but sat in front of this lady and her daughter. They looked unkempt. I am such a snob that i looked down on them... thinking how they didn't take the effort to dress up, like the lady didn't clean up well... her dress weren't pressed properly.. her scarf did not match and more horrible thoughts....

As i was sitting there... I looked at the lady and her daughter closely. Having said they were not 'properly' dressed... i noticed the kid had more discipline than other kids properly dressed (beautifully and more expensive) in the hospital at that time. She sat properly, quietly. She hugged her mum, because she gave her a sweet from her tatty bag.

The lady and her daughter exchanged glances, hugs, kisses. it was genuine. It wasn't one of those hugs kids give you because they want something in return!!! I was humbled... I quickly appologised (in my head)... I realised I was a snob.. judging the exterior without knowing what's inside...

I am sure the lady would not want to be in a situation where she is not at her best... where she cannot give her children the best,.. but i suppose, that was the best she could afford at the moment... I felt so ashamed of being a snob. I never did realise i could be one of those people i loathed to be!!!

I then was forced to think back to my childhood... Though I wasn't as 'poor' as the lady and her child appeared to be, but i was far from being affluent. There were times, I wanted things but was too expensive. There were times i wanted to join in school trips, but knew it would be a ridiculous thing to ask. But all these times, I never had a friend saying to me... I am sorry you are poor and unable to join us....

To the lady and daughter at the pharmacist... I am truly sorry... I learnt a valuable lesson... You made me realise, there are always things within ourselves that we can improve and change, if we take the time to reflect... Thank you..

you know...

Recently, I have relocated to a new address. It is far away from where i used to grow up in. Readjustment is a necessity not just for me but the whole family, including extended family members. We are no longer free to make plans at a whimp's thought. I have, and so have the others, know we now live deep within a village...

You know you live in a village when:
1. You leave the house at 6.30 am but still gets stuck in traffic on your way to work every morning.
2. People drive insanely slow on the roads.
3. You think your heart will explode from driving at 50 or worst 35 km/hr on roads leading to the main roads / highways.
But others are blind to your hardship.
4. Road users just exited their lanes though they see your car fast approaching. And when you are behind them, they drive
at a ridiculous speed of 20-40 km/hr when you were going 80 km/hr.
5. You no longer drive fast. Instead you drive constantly at a speed not exceeding 80 km/hr to reduce consumtion of petrol,
hence budgeting your needs.
6. You do not feel the urge to move from the house unless something major happened - its too far!!!
7. You are no longer invited to impromtu activities as it takes you more than 30 minutes to just get to Gadong on a non-
busy day of normal traffic flow.
8. People on the road home recognize your car and hoots or waves at you.
9. People realise your family's car activities, and stare as your car moves up and down the lanes passing their houses... and
you think... God! Tongues are going to wag!!
10. You wake up on morning, and the air outside is much cooler, and there is peace and an element of serenity to the
surroundings.
11. You see monkeys, squirrels and cows everywhere.
12. You see different kinds of the bug variety and bigger mosquitoes.
13. There is mist linggering around the trees even at 7 am.
14. When it rains, it pours. HEAVILY!
15. The roads are not looked after properly by the authority.
16. You dont go home late as the roads at night are dark and it gets freaky.

I am sure the sister-hood has more to add to the list... Its not a complaint... its a re-adjustment after 30 years living around Bandar Seri Begawan / Gadong area where its about 5 minutes away from each location at one point in our lives to this.. its a big change... but a change, which i am sure everyone agress, we all are making constantly. Living far has taught some of us to plan the day ahead well... also manage time more wisely... so, yeah... something good always happen out of things / events.

Some pictures of the kids while they were in my room, enjoying each other's company as well as watching Harry Potter and Barbie :) as well as drinking Soya Bean and eating 'keropok'.

I have internet connection at home...

We just got connected at home... We have a land line... and we also have espeed.... YEAH!!! cicilised at last :P

Tonight, my younger cousins are sleeping over. 2 younger girls from my paternal side and 1 boy from my maternal side.

Hannah is my niece. She is 5 years old. Azra is my cousin. She is 6 years old. Syahmie is my cousin. He is 5 years old.

The girls rarely meet the boy. and when they do, they go crazy!

Each girl claim to be the love of Syahmie. and the poor boy, just stood there... I am not quite sure if the loves it, or just pretends to stand it. He gets more hugs and kisses than i do!

Funny things the kids says:

hannah: Why do girls like boys? Because they are cute!

Me: Azra, Why do girls like boys?
Azra: Because they are girlfriend and boyfriend.

Me: Why do boys like girls, mie?
syahmie: because they are pondan!

Hannah: Why do girls wear sexy clothes? Because they want boys to like them kah??

;) I hope you like it :)

I talk to all of you soon...

SELAMAT HARI RAYA

Dear readers,

I will be taking, yet another leave. This is my last day of work and will be back to work on 5th november 2007. However, in between, i will still have sessions in Tutong Disrict. Why? otherwise, they would be seen next year as my schedule is full... kesian jua kan.... nevermind... its just a day.... i do not mind... plus... i am sure, during my working hours, i have been fiddling my thumb or doing something unsubstantial... hence, this is like a "balas balik waktu kerja" supaya gaji yang kita dapati HALAL! ;)

ANYWAYS.....since i won't be patroning this blog for a while, i would like to wish all readers Selamat Hari Raya... I know i have said this earlier... but I like this to be the last entry i write in until i come back ;)

Have a good Raya... DRIVE SAFE PEOPLE... (It does not hurt to drive slow! I do! I drive 80 - 100 km/hr from bandar to KB!!!)

cinta is love...

I was blog hopping... something i do not do often... and i came upon this site http://cintaislove.wordpress.com

I read the first entry, the one he has currently is titled 'Someone' and i was like... WOW!!!

I often hear Dj Jenny on kristal name dropping, however, i never go and read his blog until today. Something drove me there...

He started the blog because he wanted to express his love for his 'Ayu', a work colleague, (whom also happens to reselbles one of his old crush that had died several years ago in a car crash) whom is engaged to another, but whom he belives he is in love with, and hence, the journey of him and AYU begins.... the drama is heart wrenching.

A lot of people are hooked to his blog / site because they want to know what happened... and what his reaction to it is...

A lot more female readers i believe patrons his site.... however, the odd, men are there... leaving footprints as proof that they do read actively as their counterparts.

I am lucky, ZUL (the blog owner) just recently started writing... but he wrote frequently. and comments are aplenty... but... i read through all of them... word by word! it took me a couple of hours, including interruptions (sorry folks) from friends and family on MSN and Yahoo! Messenger.

Just last month, Zul came to his senses, and figured that AYU is not the deserving one... after many comments and advices from blog readers. many are emotional... but, all were taken in good stride! I like his attitude.

At least one reader i know of, fell in love with him and wanted to know him more seriously and was devestated when this feeling had not been reciprocated as she anticipated... and the drama is all there for all to see and read.

However, Zul, being a ladies man, managed to get this reader back to the comments page... though she is not as active as she used to.

Zul also made many good friends through his site... I like that as well...

The recent blog entry, 'Someone' was like a love letter meant for someone, a girl he knew before Ayu, but only now realised he LOVES her.... He had not confessed his love... after Ayu, an emotional roller coster, he needed rest. but, he also stated several reasons why he is delaying it, and i suppose it makes sense.

I will definately patron his blog. I know its sappy... and its someone's personal life... and its kind of intrution of privacy... but its an interesting read...

If i have someone that loves me, just a tiny fraction, as he loves so deeply, i would be a happy soul... and i said so on his comments page, waiting approval.

happy reading people...

MORE POSTS

Actually, during my drives from Bandar to Kuala Belait, every morning or evening, ideas to write on the blog comes aplenty. but when i get my laptop out to write... ideas are drained from my thoughts...

however, do check this space... i am sure somthing is sure to come round.... another entry will be added in today... hopefully.

Selamat Hari Raya

I actually thought I have my temper in cheek compared to my earlier youth. However, occasionally, temper rises and snaps before i can control it. This is one of the few things i have to constantly check on... and this will be a life long ambition...

and so... Things to do:

1. Check temper
2. Smile
3. Eat less
4. Don't think
5. Start saving

SELAMAT HARI RAYA TO ALL - FAMILY, FRIENDS and READERS OF THE BLOG.
MAAF ZAHIR DAN BATIN SEGALA SALAH DAN SILAP PERTUTURAN ATAU TULISAN.
UMUR PANJANG KITA BERJUMPA,
UTUK YANG TIADA, KITA DOAKAN SENTIASA DIRAHMATI.

Hari Raya

What is the meaning of Hari Raya to the people of Brunei Darussalam. I had a conversation with a friend whom brought this topic up. He said, he misses the old times where he went from house to house either on his own or with family and/or friends and just to drop by people’s houses and said hi!!

His Hari Raya experience cannot be more different from mine. I remember going to people’s houses with my sisters and some neighbours.... but we only went to houses of people we knew. We did not knock on all the houses in Ong Sum Ping (that is where we used to live as children), just because we can. Anyways, if my parents had known, we would have been dead meat anyways. We even asked for permission to go to neighbour’s houses... often making an appointment and planning when we can go over (talking over fences and asking our parents for permissions to see if it was ok to do so).

We did not even minded if we did not receive any “green packets”. We were happy with cakes, and keropok udang and acar. We were also very happy to be served soft drinks. Often, when we received ‘green packets’ we kept the contents to buy school supplies for the following academic year. So, how is my Hari Raya, the same with the children nowadays experiences?

Then, we never call people later than 9 pm. We do not even visit people’s houses later than 11 pm. But, the trend nowadays is to go and knock on people’s houses and talk till the wee hours of the day! I do not appreciate being kept up when tomorrow is a working day.

Hari raya is supposedly a month to celebrate our victory against demons within ourselves, give us a pat on the back for being able to resist temptations and devote ourselves spiritually. However, people now mistake the term to be something else....

Yes it is good to visit relatives. It is good to have a small feast to celebrate. Yes, it is even good for children to know their neighbours. However, how is it good going to people’s houses only because they have an open house, but do not visit them on other days? How is it good, to stuff yourself, after detoxifying your body for a month only to pollute it again? How is it good to teach our children to go to houses of people we do not know just so we can collect money so you have more to spend???

My Daemon

By popular demand, i took the quiz, and this is my daemon ;) I like it :) but lets see if you think this is me... and so... it goes without saying... click on the questionnaire, and answer the questions.... YOU have 12 days to do so... :) It'll be exciting... and so.. Haslin, June, Burt, Adeline and Family members... i am waiting :)