Working in pediatric oncology for the past few months has been such a privilege for me. Children, no matter how sick they are, bring so much joy. Precious moments I had with this particular 7 year old boy that I have been seeing need to be recorded as I only have a limited time to spend with him. My boy was in isolation in the bone marrow transplant unit when I saw him. I am referring him as "my boy" because he is one that I've been having music therapy sessions with, since the beginning of his treatment till today.

I have always seen my boy as a chatty, cute, adorable, loving & charming little boy, who likes motorcycles, animals....dogs in particular, adolescent songs and especially love songs.....yes, my 7-year-old loves Love Songs.....ahem....Over the past few weeks, we have gotten very much acquainted as I see him twice a week. However, each session, instead of the usual half hour can drag on for hours.....but due to his isolation, I have to get out within an hour:(

During the session, he would sing along, play instruments, joked, talked about his favourite animals, and his family members would often join in if they were around. I was often told by medical staff and his family members that he would look forward to his music therapy sessions each week....and it felt like years for him before I return the following week. His dad said that he would ask for me everyday!

We had a lot of fun and I allowed him to express himself through song parody, instrument playing, and offering him lots of choice and control....this was to break social isolation, encourage normality in hospital setting, for distraction and to build self-esteem. Afterall, that's what music therapy is about for kids like him. There were times when I continued my session as the medical staff attended to him, calmed him down when he was nauseous, and at other times included his family members for a time of bonding.

Just a few days ago, his dad got him a mini guitar as he had been pestering his dad for one eversince he started music therapy sessions. He was so eager to show it to me, strummed along as I played and I taught him a couple tricks. He has taken so much interest in that instrument that he would ask me to play along with him as he performed to staff that were present.....including the cleaner!

Saying goodbye at the end of each session was tough! I would often end with a slow love song for him as he would often request for one last song before I go. There were times when he would pretend to wipe tears off his eyes and said, "that made my eyes water", asked really serious questions concerning the music, or other issues that popped up to his mind....really mature for a 7-year-old.

Today, he was really serious and asked me, "do your kids ask you to play and sing to them?" and my response was, "yeah, other kids do ask me that". Then, he asked again with a really innocent look, "No, I mean your kids?" I couldn't help but laughed and said, "I don't have kids of my own! I'm not married!" His dad, with a cheeky grin said, "I know what you're thinking off..." and my boy said, "I really love you.....but I think I will have to find someone my age...." Then, he shook my hand and gave me a BIG HUG!!!!! At that moment, I was really lost for words.....and the volunteer and his dad who happened to be there could only respond with...."Awwwww....." My boy always make my day....and that's why I choose to see him in the morning!

Yesterday, I was at Caloundra, Sunshine Coast. Thanks to my friend, uncle and aunty who brought us there....it was one lazy Saturday afternoon. What a great way to begin my holiday! We began our journey at about 10.30am from Brisbane and our first stop was at Shelly Beach. Yes, the name speaks for itself.....we had really nice view of the blue green sea, and admired the rocks that were eroded by the water.

Then, we moved on to King's beach. That's where we had our little picnic (aunty made some really nice "kuih" like those we have back home!) and dived into the sea! I was being swept away time and again by those HUGE curly waves! Was fun tho, as you don't get this kind of waves back home! After awhile, I got tired trying to keep myself from being swept away.....so, my friend and I decided just to spend the rest of the lazy afternoon to get a medium rare tan. haha!!! The weather was good as the sun was warm but the wind was cool....u get the picture???

After getting the colour shade that we wanted....we got changed and proceeded to our next destination. It was another part of Caloundra beach, the one I went to early this year and got delicious boison berry + rum and raisin ice-cream to complete our trip for the day. I enjoyed the view of the sunset drive back.....seeing the sky and trees changing colour......aaaah.....awesome! Got back home at about 6.30pm......feeling refreshed and rejuvenated!

Yesterday my flatemate had his friends over for a game of mahjong! Though I've not played it for a long long time, it felt great to feel those tiles again! We had not only one BUT two sets of mahjong, which was even more exciting. Kinda like the pro's table and the beginner's table haha! I was with the beginners which were mostly girls coz the guys dominated the other which had bigger tiles. It brought back memories of Chinese New Year back home.....but of course, they weren't as noisy. :) Andrew added to the atmosphere by singing the Chinese New Year song....haha.

Anyway, holidays are coming up, and here are some of my to-do list:
1. Exercise - walk to Uni from my house
2. Exercise - jog along Brisbane river
3. Exercise - go to fitness first coz I've got free passes!

Hey! Decided to update a bit more about my groovy life here before it becomes just a photo blog...hehe! I've just finished my mid term exam and yes, holidays are on its way. BUT, this holiday ain't really goin to be a real holiday coz i still have my prac goin at the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH).

I've been gaining lots of new experience dealing with children in oncology.....but will write more about that next time. Too much for me to pen down.

Something has popped up in my mind these few days and its about "personality". I've been reading some journal articles and came across one that has 2 music therapists doing the same program but have got great differences in the results. And in our class discussion we talked about other health allied professions and personalities....like how you are more comfortable seeing a particular doctor rather than the other. Its all about their personality. Makes sense?

So, in whatever you do, your personality counts! If you are fake, people can tell by the way you act. Sincerity comes from the heart. Some have it, some fake it, some just don't!

Here are some pictures of me and some animal friends at EKKA which was about 2 weeks ago. Basically, EKKA is the annual show of Queensland, Australia. Its formal title is the Royal Queensland Show. It was originally called the Brisbane Exhibition and therefore is now usually known as Ekka, due to the phenomenon in Australian English of shortening lengthy words.

There were lots of things to see and do like show bags (a bag of stuff for a cheaper price....i got the tim tam's bag...hehe!), farm animals, fun fair rides, showcase of agricultural products, stunt shows, motor race, cannonball lady, horse race, dog competition (which was really nice...seeing those pretty dogs!), synchronized whipcracking, circus and much much more....which we couldn't have covered on the same day.