Lost in Translation

One of the many things I enjoy about working with patients and families all over the U.S.A. as a nurse is the exposure to multiple cultures.

I do appreciate others’ expression of their personal history whether it’s the international pot luck in the break room during the holidays (Delicioso!) or speaking in Patois French to a Haitian patient in the Emergency Room. It can be a challenge too, when you have to tell the laboring mom that burning incense is not allowed in her room due to fire risk with all the flammable gases piped in and floating around.


I have worked in many different communities including the Midwest, North and South Florida, and California. (Talk about different languages!) Midwesterners have a vocabulary all their own, “Pop” instead of Soda? Are you kidding me?
In the Southern U.S., Ya’ll is noun, verb, adjective, you name it. A true Southerner can conjugate the word.
In my home State of California, “Dude” and “Like” are the overused exclamations for all seasons and occasions. You crash your skateboard, “Dude?” Your dog is lost, “Duude”. Your homies (friends) are treating you bad, “Dude”. Your dog is found! “DUDE!!!!” Dude seems more the province of the men folk below the age of 25 y/o in California, but Like, ah well, that’s the girl’s specialty. “Like, Omigod! I was like, I hated like everything, like everything like my mother picked out, it’s like, LIKE, I can’t like stand, Like I mean like Totally, LIKE Cannot Stand like anything she like got at Fred Segel, like, it’s like, OMIGOD, like just give me the Like Black AmEx and Like Drop Me off like there! Like, She is so, like Oh like, Puhleeze, Like, Like, Out of It”. (I apologize if I caused you to go cross eyed or lower your I.Q.)

In my job I work with patients and families over the telephone or through email exclusively, sometimes from thousands of miles away. We use a translation service to provide an interpreter so we can talk with our patients who are not fluent in English. Spanish is the language which I most frequently use a translator. I can understand some “Spanglish” based on my study of French, Latin, and by virtue of living in Los Angeles where it is ubiquitous. (Sometimes, even when English is the primary language, an interpreter might be helpful. The author,George Bernard Shaw said English is a common language separated by two people meaning the English and Americans, but I think this is just as true for Americans trying to communicate with other Americans.)


Yesterday, I worked with Mien interpreter for the first time. I had never heard of this language. It is spoken in southern China, northern Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam.

My fondest memory of how humans communicate with each other across language and culture is when I used a Thai translator last spring.
I was having a good discussion with the patient using the translator and addressing some concerns. I asked a question to which the person gave a lengthy and obviously detailed answer. I had to chuckle when the translator gave me the reply, “No”.

It’s ironic to me at times, I feel I am better with the interpreter, that it gives me more time to listen and reflect on the person’s response including tone of voice and expression.
I really appreciate the insight and healthy examination of my culture, biases, and beliefs in my work. I have also learned we all have culture, not necessarily “exotic”, but so telling of our personal history. I really enjoy the wide diversity of my friends and acquaintances whether they be from the Philippines or Philadelphia.

Thank you for “listening” and I would be delighted if you share some of your own unique culture or of someone else who you met or touched you.

My First Meme/Quirks

I have been tagged for my First Meme. I’m such a blognaramous, is this short for Memoir? Who wants to know about someone else’s quirks? Well, apparently flickrlovr and Kimbosue want to know 7 quirks about me and a host of other unsuspecting bloggers. So in the spirit of being a good sport, here are 7 quirky things about me. Yippee skippee, please contain your excitement.

I sit on a 55 cm fitness ball at my work desk.

I hate slimy things on my hands like peanut butter or slugs, ugh.

I can’t eat cheap chocolate even though I adore chocolate.

I love a good mechanical pencil.

I meditate before I start my work day.

I have never been stung by a bee despite spending a lot of time outdoors.

Roses that have no scent annoy me.

I don’t plan to tag anyone, because this tagging thing is a little toooo much like a chain letter which I never forward. If you want to play along, great, please comment and let me know your quirks too. If not, well, that’s just ducky too, please feel free to mock mine mercilessly.

I send my best to you for your endearing quirks.

Perfect Moments Monday – A Surfeit of Perfect Moments

Thank you for stopping by this Monday and sharing in a few Perfect Moments I enjoyed this past week. I really appreciate the blogger, Lori who introduced me to this and have found it to be a very mindful and rewarding exercise. For me, Perfect Moments not only include moments of joy and happiness, but contentment, clarity, and connection. These moments remind me of my humanity, ground me in the present, and give me perspective and empathy. Well, in spite of such a big and profound introduction, these moments were small things that meant so much. (Funny, it really is the small things.)

The first moment was a realization or “A-ha!!” Our family lives in a very pedestrian friendly neighborhood with shaded walkways or “paseos” where folks are out jogging or walking their dogs all times of the day and night. This includes yours truly walking our puppy, Charley. We see the “Regulars” on our walks, my neighbor with her King Charles spaniel, my friend with his French Mastiff (aka “Our Little Pony” at 180 lbs) and an older couple whose wife is wheelchair bound. I frequently see this older couple, a fit older gentleman pushing his wife in a wheelchair with their terrier trotting alongside them. The wife is frail and debilitated, but looks well cared for. I used to feel sorry for them, her at her physical plight, and he with the task of looking after her. Last week, our dogs stopped to socialize and we chatted. That brief exchange opened my eyes and heart that I was so, so wrong. This couple does not deserve my pity, but my appreciation and admiration for showing me this is what wedding vows look like in action. Also, caregivers not only give, but he too also receives much from his wife. Even though, my husband and I have been married for over fourteen years, I’m still learning everyday “on the job”.


The next perfect moment occurred when I opened a birthday gift from our niece. She is in her first year of college and also an excellent knitter, just like my Grandma Rose, her Great – Grandmother. I have never been lucky enough to get any of my niece’s handiwork, so I was thrilled to get these beautifully crafted socks in my favorite color for my birthday. It means so much to me, especially in light of how busy she is.


The last perfect moment I would like to share was when I heard our youngest son practice his piano. He is preparing for a recital and just got his music. When I heard him tentatively but most clearly start to play the opening notes of “Over the Rainbow”, my heart seized up. This song means so much to me and to hear him play gave me an immense feeling of appreciation and gratitude for my family and my life. His enjoyment, discipline, dedication to his art just all came crashing into my heart and spirit, that I could physically feel it.

Thank you for allowing me to share these small moments that touched me so deeply. I wish you the best today and everyday.

Show and Tell Sunday - Building Bridges

Sorrow is like a precious treasure, shown only to friends.

African Proverb

Today for Show and Tell, I would like to share how fate and circumstance can touch and heal lives, including my own.

This past week, I was visiting a blog newly discovered during International Comment Leaving Week. Cara is a mother of three daughters including her firstborn, Emma born still eight years ago. Cara lives in a rural part of the United States with minimal resources for parents whose baby has died. In response to this need, Cara has been preparing a proposal to start an Infant Loss Bereavement and Support Group at her local hospital chartered by the National Share Organization. Cara posted about her endeavors and requested input on her proposal. (I don’t think she knows what she signed up for when she very innocently emailed me her draft proposal.) I asked her permission if she wanted my professional nursing and clinical managerial spin on it and she was kind enough (or a little crazy?) to allow me to provide feedback. I am very proud of Cara and my contribution to her efforts in caring for her community. She honors her family and all the lost babies, including mine.

This effort also reinforced how important it is to me that no parent suffers from a lack of support and sensitivity like I did after my own miscarriage seventeen years ago. I am glad to be part of this blogging community and even more so, humbled to be given the opportunity to honor and remember my own lost little one.

Post Script Sunday morning: I just took the dog for a walk on a glorious, sunny, cool morning and an Orange Monarch butterfly crossed our path. A coincidence? I think not. Thank you.

Bras for a Cause

My friend, Kathy and I attended a Charity luncheon "Bras for a Cause" to benefit breast cancer research. It was a fun fashion show with a delicious lunch held at Mountaingate Country Club in Los Angeles. Another dear friend, Donna is a 7 year breast cancer survivor and helped organize this event. I am privileged to support her and delighted she is considered cured. I thought you all might enjoy some photos showing the bras that are auctioned off to raise money.


Here's a favorite, the Tequila Shooter Bra! Talk about well equipped for any Fiesta!


I totally love this Plumber's Bra complete with Hot and Cold Water Faucets!


What woman doesn't want to be Wonder Woman with matching skirt and cape?


I found this Garden Bra to be inspiring, the inscription on the rock reads, "The Earth Laughs in Flowers". So true.


Here's a picture of yours truly with my buddy, Kathy. Thank goodness for girlfriends IRL or in Blogland!

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so please check the "girls" and don't forget the boob taco press aka Mammograms! Okay, that's it for my public service announcement. Sending my best to you and please let me know which bra you like. Thanks so much.

Great Birthday yet Bittersweet

Thank you all so much for your birthday wishes. I really appreciate it. I had a wonderful day both at work and with the family. Last night we went out to a Chinese restaurant with a creative menu that we all enjoy. My family was extremely generous with their gifts and attention, truly a great day. It was wonderful to get phone calls and cards from my extended family wishing me a Happy Birthday.

Birthdays are beautiful and bittersweet. How much I miss the one card and phone call I won't be getting this year and haven't for the last 24 years since my brother, J died. We were very close, both in age and friendship. He gave me unconditional love and I didn't realize it until he was gone. I miss him terribly and I work hard to keep his love and memories with me and alive. My family talks of him openly and lovingly, he will always be a part of my life and family. My children ask about him and also know about him through our stories and pictures.
I honor and remember him on my birthday because I'm blessed to live the life that he was denied. He is with me still and I thank you for allowing me to share my sweet sadness with you.

Perfect Moments Monday - Another Birthday

Thank you for stopping by for Perfect Moments Monday. Tomorrow is my 47th birthday and it reminded me of a Most Perfect Moment that occurred two years ago on my 45th birthday.
Our sons participate in Scouting and I was asked by my older son's troop leader to conduct a First Aid Skills challenge for 250 boys over the course of a weekend that just happened to fall on my birthday. (Birthdays aren't such a big deal when the years go by so fast that sometimes both you and your parents forget your age!!) I agreed to spend the weekend with a bunch of smelly preteen and teen boys and no flush toilets even though I was disappointed I would not be with my husband and younger son on my birthday. We planned to celebrate as a family when I got home.
So my older son and I packed up the minivan with camping gear and a few more boys and off we went to Camp Jubilee in the Kern Mountains 100 miles away. I spent the full day until evening on Saturday working with scouts from all over Southern California on learning life saving skills such as a two man carry or responding to a choking emergency. It was alot of fun and very rewarding for me despite the hot and dusty conditions. After an enjoyable and exhausting day, I was looking forward to relaxing around the campfire. I had finished packing up my medical supplies and equipment and was walking into camp when I looked up and saw my youngest son! I said, "Son, what are you doing here?" as my jaw hit the ground. I then saw my husband by our tents with a huge birthday cake! He went to the bakery and then drove 100 miles one way to spend the evening with me on my birthday. That single act of love was absolutely one of the best gifts I have ever received. The joy of that moment and the demonstration of my husband's love takes my breath away and brings tears to my eyes even now two years later. Okay, off to get more tissues. (I'm going to start calling this "Mess Up Mascara Mondays.") I hope you too have a memorable perfect moment on your birthday and when you least expect it.

(Dear Mom and Dad, Thank you for everything. It all started with you. xoxo M)