Day 75...

MONDAY 17.11.14 - I am thankful for... Hospitals

*Photo from triple-m.com.au

This might sound a little biased coming from me seeing as I work in one, but I really am thankful for hospitals. Even though the staff and facilities are often stretched beyond capacity, we generally have a high standard of care, in comparison to a lot of other countries. We had a gentleman come in to get his pacemaker checked today and it was pretty obvious as we checked it that there was something wrong with the lead that goes into his heart to deliver the electrical impulse to make the heart beat. This particular patient is completely dependent on his pacemaker, without it his heart wouldn't beat that much at all. So knowing there was an issue with this vital lead which could become a major problem at any moment, we were not comfortable sending him home. A doctor examined him, agreed and admitted the patient into the hospital so he could have this problem corrected. Of course, the process usually takes an hour or two, but being a public hospital that's pretty good. There are places around the world were it's not so easy to get the medical care you need. Hospitals have been providing medical care en mass for generations now. Even though there are times when you feel it might be a hassle to go or waiting in the emergency department for hours seems too long, know that hospitals and their staff are always doing the best they can, and be thankful here in Australia we have hospitals that can provide for our needs.

Day 74...

SUNDAY 16.11.14 - I am thankful for... Ikea!

*I totally forgot to get a picture while I was there today, so am using the logo from the internet :)

My boyfriend took me to Ikea this afternoon before church. All I needed was a new bedside lamp (as my current one has been broken for months :p). Yes I suppose I could have gone somewhere just to buy a lamp, but going to Ikea is much more fun! 2 separate floors of homely design goodness! I've always had an interest in interior design and love shows like The Block. I'm not saying that I would be very good at it but I like looking at all the different things and ideas that people come up with it. Ikea lets you do that! So we walked briskly through the showroom first, looking at all the pre-designed rooms, before heading down to the market hall to look at the walls and walls of goodies. I found my lamp (yay!) and a few photo frames. Coincidently my bestie Dani had just gone to Ikea in Brisbane earlier this week and sent me a picture of her haul. So thank you to the Swedes for inventing and providing us with Ikea. Innovative, contemporary, and interesting, Ikea provides something for everyone :)

Day 73...

SATURDAY 15.11.14 - I am thankful for... Remedial Massage!

I have been hanging out for my massage appointment ALL WEEK! When I was 14, my mum, sister and I were in a car accident. A minor one, but we were rear ended by a car travelling at high speed. Since then we all have needed physio and massage on a semi regular basis, due to whiplash injury. It's been a few months since my last one, so I had some pretty nasty knots in my upper back and neck. The fact I've just gotten back into boot camp probably doesn't help either. This afternoon I had an 1 hour remedial massage and it was exactly what I needed! I have been going to this place for over a year now and they are fantastic. It can be relaxing, but painful if the knots are tight enough. The next few days after are a little stiff but long term I feel so much better. I think I have been getting massages for so long now I can't imagine not having them. But I am aware that it really is a first world luxury that not everybody can afford (but thankfully its claimable on your health fund!). I am thankful I have the ability and the means to afford remedial massage, something I will never take for granted.

Day 72...

FRIDAY 14.11.14 - I am thankful for... Opportunities to help others

Today was not a great day at work. Certain things and issues, out of my control, had me completely frustrated and not in the best of moods. So I was really looking forward to doing some physical labour tonight, to work it out... literally! Our youth group went to the home of an older couple from our church to put up Christmas lights for them. It really was a lot of fun, and doing what we were doing, and spending time with great people really helped my mood and to let go everything that happened during the day. And of course the end result was so worth it! The best part, however, was that the couple was so incredibly appreciative and wouldn't stop saying thank you. The lady even baked a whole lot of goodies for us that we devoured afterwards! It's interesting that I'm writing this actually, because our devotion tonight talked about that when we do help the needy, we shouldn't go around telling others all the good things we do. But instead, to keep it secret, to keep us humble and not full of pride. So me advertising our works over the net in my blog is a little contradictory to that. However, I don't wish to boast about my works for others, but merely point out that helping others comes naturally for us as humans of conscious. It's good for the soul. And expecting nothing in return makes it all the better in my opinion. I am blessed and have more than I need, as well as people to help me out when I need it. So why would I not do that for others? I am thankful that I get the opportunites to help those in need, on a small or larger scale. The reward comes in seeing the blessing you can be to someone else.

Day 71...

THURSDAY 13.11.14 - I am thankful for... Memories of past loved ones

*Picture from http://keksblubb.deviantart.com/art/Some-memories-never-fade-277780639

An elderly gentleman came to clinic, accompanied by his daughter, for a pacemaker check today. His daughter mentioned early on that they were from Mackay in Queensland but were in Sydney as the patient could no longer live by himself and was moving in with his son and his family. We had a lovely chat about his life over the years, how he used to drink and smoke but gave it all up for a healthier life many years ago. He told us he has had heart surgery in the past and that he had the Meals on Wheels program come to him every day for the last several years and how great it was. As we were talking, I couldn't help but be reminded of my Pop, my great grandfather on my father's side. He too lived in Mackay and lived on his own when his wife, my great grandmother died not long after I was born. He too had the Meals on Wheels program come to his place with meals everyday. One of my great memories of my Pop was he'd always save his orange juice cups he received with his meals, put them in the freezer, and every time my sister and I came to visit we'd have frozen orange cups. Unfortunately, he too had heart disease and died of a heart attack when I was 10. Though I was young, I only have really positive and special memories of my Pop, a World War II veteran and great man. It also got the thinking and remembering about my other great grandfather (my grandmothers father) and my Uncle John, who passed away a few years ago from heart disease and was like a second father to my sister and I. I am thankful I have wonderful memories of those important people who are no longer around. It also reminds you to treasure those who are, because you just never know when it might be the last time you see or hear from them.

Day 70... Another 10 days down!

WEDNESDAY 12.11.14 - I am thankful for... Office supplies

I have been feeling lately that my desk at work is rather lacklustre. Although I don't really spend too much time in my office, I just think when I do it'd been nice to have a space to work in that inspires me a little. So I decided to go to Officeworks for a little shopping spree! I got several things in a lovely bluey green colour (as pictured). I have always been a fan of stationary, one of my favourite stores is Typo (though they don't have much in the way of desk supplies at the moment, but soooo many other cool things). I can't really tell you why, but as long as I can remember I have. At the start of every school year, mostly high school, I'd enjoy putting contact over all my books, make sure my pencil case was full of new and exciting writing utensils and that my diary was neat and ready for the year. I know a lot of girls/women who are the same, so maybe it's just a girl thing. There's just something about having funky books and stationary and desk storage that is satisfying to the eye. So I'm thankful for a my little shopping spree that will make my work desk a little more modern and inspiring!

Day 69...

TUESDAY 11.11.14 - I am thankful for... Remembrance Day

On the 11th of November 1918, the Allies and Germany signed a treaty to mark to end of fighting in western Europe that was The First World War. On November 11th, at 11am every year, we here in Australia pause to remember, and reflect, the great sacrifice those who have fought in conflicts since and including WWI gave, so many with their lives. I was working in the cath lab today, and for the first time ever since I started working here, there was an announcement over the PA system marking the 11th hour. The voice told us that it was on this day in 1918 that the armistice (the treaty) was signed to end the fighting. Then the last post was played, followed by silence, followed by a section of The Ode of Remembrance and then finally, the Reveille. Every person in the lab stood silent and still. The only ones who continued their jobs were the nurses tending the patients, even then they did not speak a word. I was really touched that the hospital administration did that for us, because honestly when you're working its easy to let time slip by but I always like to stop for the moment's silence. I have a strong family history of war veterans. 7 Boveys I know of in total, 3 who lost their lives and whose names are on the Wall of Remembrance at the Australian War Memorial. Most recently my grandfather, who is a Vietnam veteran who has never seen himself as anything more than a man doing his job. Though I absolutely despise the very concept of war, it is unfortunately a reality in our history and continues into today. I am grateful and forever thankful for those who risked their lives for our country's freedom, so that I and everyone else here can live the lives they choose for themselves. We can never repay that debt.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

Lest we forget...