Arabic 101

"What is ma'adre chechi?", I asked my Indian colleague.
"Ma'adre? I don't know".
I got silent for a while and continued suctioning the tracheostomy tube of one of our patients. After closing the T-vent to hyperoxygenate the patient, I said again, "because I always hear that word. Ma'adre. I don't know what it means".
"It means I don't know"
I started laughing. "What? Ma'adre means I don't know? I thought you're saying you don't know what's the meaning of it!" Chechi Mini started laughing too, realizing why I asked her again.

I'm already nearing half a year here but I admit I am still ignorant to most Arabic words. Sometimes, I even ask the patients or the watchers and/or visitors if they can understand English.

On my first day at the hospital for my orientation and signing of contract, I already heard the words mafi mushkella and shukran many times. The first time I heard it was the only time it occured to me that I must learn their language. When I knew that I was hired already in this hospital, I have googled the place including the  language, and I have learned that English is already a part of their daily language. Good, I said, I wouldn't have difficulty in communicating with my patients.

But my first day at the ward proven me wrong. While I was taking the vital signs of one of my patients, the daughter asked me, "kif dacht? Kif harara?" Of course, I answered in English, but she smiled and said, "mafi maloom englizi sister". I smiled also, but in my mind, what? What on earth is she talking about? Good thing, the patient's Indonesian watcher--who doesn't know and understand English as well--said that I am a new nurse here. As I remembered on our PDOS (Pre-departure Orientation Seminar), if you cannot understand what they are saying, look at their body language. The other daughter motioned that I write in her palm but I didn't know what to right. So you see, I really look like an idiot there. I don't know what to do. And on my fright and nai'vety, I wrote the whole vital signs of the patient in her hands, making all the five children laughing at me. Until now, I didn't know what they asked me to do during that time.

I actually bought a small English-Arabic dictionary a month or so before my departure but upon reading  alien-like words, I stopped reading it, not to mention I am hooked to my V.C. Andrew's books as well. My colleagues at the hospital I have worked said that I will just learn the language if I would be interacting with Arabic-speaking people.

When I first arrived at the ward, this signage caught my attention. Of course, it is expected from us, I thought, but when the Filipino staff talked and welcomed me, they are all speaking in Tagalog!

Our charge nurse assigned me someone who would orient me in the ward on my first day. And the good news is she is my fellow Bicolana! She's from Naga, studied in Manila and was married to Irigueno. Small world, huh? I kept asking her every single Arabic word that I can hear and she was patient enough to answer me. She said I don't have to force myself to learn the language that fast, three words per day is enough. There was also a small compilation of basic English to Arabic translations available in the ward.

One staff advised me that if someone is talking to me in Arabic, I should answer "Ana jadid, mafi maloom Arabi", which means I am new, I don't know how to speak in Arabic. True enough, when I am saying that to our patients or to anyone speaking in Arabic, others would try their best to speak the simplest Arabic term possible or will do sign language. But others will ask for "thani mommarida"  (other nurse) to talk to them.

Because good and effective communication is an essential tool to being an effective nurse and to give quality patient care, day by day, I am trying to understand new words. I am often disappointed with myself if I am not able to understand my patient.

And to start, here are the few basic Arabic I have learned so far:

Arabic is like any other languages. Some words are hard to learn, others are easy. All we need is constant practice and before we knew it, we can easily communicate with our patients without the need of a mutarjim. Sa wa lala? :)

For those who are planning to go to Saudi, I hope I was able to help. To those who knows Arabic, I accept suggestions and corrections..:)

The Verdict

Never underestimate Prometric. That is my conclusion after taking the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties today. Mind-boggling is the best description I have for every test item I have answered.

When I was telling my colleagues that I haven't reviewed yet for the said exam, some says you can do it because if you passed the Philippine Nursing Licensure Exam, you will surely pass the prometric exam because prometric is a lot easier. I admit I believed them. Considering the fact that I only reviewed myself when have taken my NLE. I did opened my books, but after a minute or so of reading, I would stop and would do something else. My attention span in reading my nursing books is very short. I would rather open my favorite website for movies and nail myself in front of my laptop.

Two days before my scheduled exam, I decided to answer three sets of pre-board questions for NLE from a nursing website. I had a hard time answering the questions. Three years after my graduation is a long overdue to remember all those nursing concepts. And my grades? 56/100, 48/100, and 62/100 accordingly. Oh my God! What if the result of my exam would also be like that?? Poor me. I have told myself to prepare mentally, emotionally, and financially for a re-examination. But I still have a chance. Prayer.

The day before my exam came. I still did not open my books or watch the NCLEX CD reviewer which was brought by my bestfriend from the Philippines. I watched other things including TV shows which I don't normally do. I am making myself busy so that I wouldn't think about the upcoming exam.

But I did slept early. After praying that God will help me choose the best answers, I have had a long ten hours of sleep. Feeling refreshed after waking up, I prayed again that I will pass.

We were ushered to our seats and computers after we were strictly scanned for any metals on our body and on our pockets. Even our watches and rings were asked to be removed. Our bags were placed safely in lockers. Each seat has a corresponding camera so whoever dare cheat will be easily spotted.

Upon sitting on my seat and received instructions, I breathed deeply and whispered a silent prayer. Then started to answer the questions. The first one was easy. It's computation, and I think all nurses working in wards is expert with that. I sighed with relief. If this is the kind of question for the whole test, passing the exam would be easy. That sigh of relief was short-lived. The second question was very hard. And the next, and then the next. I was halfway to finish the whole test when I noticed that I have only two to three items where I am sure of my answer. Will I pass?

After finishing the seventy items set of questionnaires and reviewed my answers, I did not clicked the end button yet. I silently prayed again. God, please let it be a good news. After a few deep breaths, I clicked the end button, stared on the computer screen and prepared myself for whatever the result will be. Suddenly, the computer screen turned white. What now? Did I passed? It lasted maybe only ten seconds but it seemed like eternity for me. I wanted to raise my hand and ask for help from the attendant who ushered me on my seat. Then suddenly, it came. It was my photo which was taken before I have entered the examination room and other details regarding the type of exam I have taken. I quickly scanned for any sign that I passed or failed, and there, fourth line after my name is the word "PASS". I stared again, confused. Pass? What does it mean? Isn't it supposedly "passed"? Then the attendant came to me and said, "Congratulations! You passed the prometric exam. Please click the end button."

I passed? I passed? Did I really passed? Really? I stared again at the monitor and looked at the other details of my exam. I whispered an ecstatic "yes!" and thanked God silently. I want to linger a little longer and taste my victory, but the attendant said again, "please click on the end button". I continued to read the details of my exam result and she repeated again her instruction, somewhat annoyed based on the kind of her tone. You're ruining my happiness, I thought. I clicked on the end button and went out of the room. The receptionist outside asked me to sit and sign the same paper I have signed previously then printed the result of my exam.  After giving the result to me, I realized why the attendant inside asked me to click the end button thrice. The details of the result of my exam at the computer screen is the same as the hard copy given to me..:)

I was expecting for the word "CONGRATULATIONS" but this is what appeared on the computer screen.

Because I finished first before ate Charm, my companion, I have waited for her outside the reception area. She was smiling and gestured a thumbs-up sign when she came out. I knew from that moment that she passed also. She was always saying that she was nervous about our exam and she was not prepared yet. But now, seeing her face, I know that she has no regret in taking the exam with me (she was hesitant to take the exam earlier because of the short time to review).

And to treat ourselves, we rampaged the Mall of Dhahran, starting with filling our rumbling stomachs with the famous Popeyes' spicy chicken.

Hey, you! Stop looking at me! :p

Ate Charm

This is all we can afford...:)

Next stop: Hyperpanda

With ate Charm

Yummy mangoes!

When we got home, Ate Charm and me noticed the same thing: Almost all of the products we bought are soaps! 

The sweet watermelon. Ate Charm laughs at me while I'm selecting this from among the stacks of melon at the market. I was knocking on every fruit, trying to choose the best one. Good thing nobody answered. "who's there?" :)

We're now licensed to practice nursing here in the Kingdom. Nobody can question that. :)

Thank you, Lord for this blessing.

Because I'm Loving Green

It soothes the eye. That's the best description I can say about green. No, not only me, even with my bestfriend Joyce. We've agreed with that description when we were just in first year high school, and until now, it hasn't changed.

What's more relaxing than lying in a sheet that matches the color of nature?

Wikipedia says the word green is closely related to the Old English verb "growan", meaning, to grow. It can also be used to describe plants, or the nature. And the nature-lover in me agrees so.

Some of my things. I really don't like green...:D

KSA is in great effort in making their surroundings green in spite of the very hot climate and the not-so-favorable soil to grow plants.

Saudi Arabia's color is green, the traditional color of Islam. It can be seen in their flag. Unfortunately, green plants are rare here, considering the climate and the type of soil. They are trying their best though to plant trees and flowering plants though. 

Anything green

Even my some of my ballpens are green!

Would you agree if I color my hair green, too? 

Lol.

Happy Birthday, Baian!

BRYAN ELMER PASTOR BAGACINA:

A shortcut to his surname, he is known as Bagz by many. But to us, his bestfriends, we call him Baian aside from "Bakekang" Jo teasingly call him. He is celebrating his birthday today. And since I can't give him a gift (I'm Purita), this is all I can do.

A friend who is willing to give up his old post in Feature Writing in the Secondary Press Conference for his bestfriend by not doing his best during the "try out". Unfortunately, his bestfriend also did the same, so a first year student represented the school for feature writing! Epic fail! Haha!

The one who claims to be my number one fan in writing...

The man who will pull your shirt down when the lower part of your back is showing. You did that to me many times during high school! 

The man who is not ashamed to cry in front of his bestfriend because he was broken-hearted...:-) I still remember that! Peace!

The man who ignores his close friends when he sees them wearing spaghetti-strapped or sleeveless blouses and/or short shorts. When he did that to me, I never worn sleeveless in public again, especially if I'm with him...:) Talk about being conservative...^-^

Yey! You're 24 already! We have the same age na.. haha!

The man who is good in imitating others, and will give you a good laugh when he does it..:D

Wrestling-lover, and a big fan of John Cena, he would describe the whole fight to you in detail, even if you don't totally understand what he's talking about..

The one who started to call me "ate" because according to him, I'm older than him. Well, accepted. But I'm older than you by four months only, right, Kuya Baian? The one who started calling me "Nah", in short for "Ynah"...

The one who cried during our fourth year high school just because he learned I passed the Bicol University College Entrance Test, and thought I will be studying there, and he doesn't want me to leave his side. Separation anxiety, Baian? :)

Remember this song? The one your mom wrote for us at the back of your notebook? :)

Anyone who can see him treat his mom or hear him talk about his mom would easily conclude that he is a mama's boy. But I definitely would disagree. I think I would even facilitate a rally against that! Haha! He just loves his mom so much.

The most thrifty man I've ever met. He wouldn't spend his money for snacks during break time so that he can save for future use. May pinaglalaanan? hmmmn? :)

I remember the time when we were in fourth year college. There is an upcoming Regional Student Nurses' Conference which will be held at  Regent Hotel, Naga City. He is urging me to go, but since I lack the financial capacity to join, I cannot go. He said it is the last time in our college years that we will be able to attend an event like that so we must join. During the previous conferences, I already attended once, so I said I won't attend anymore. He was not able to attend before so he should be the one attending. But he said he won't come if I wouldn't come. And to make the story short, he lent, rather, he gave me the money for my own registration! I want to pay him after that but he refused. Thanks a lot, Baian! I owe you one..:)

Absent: Mike. As usual..:p

He's also good in making caricatures and portraits. When we were in fourth year high school, while our catechism teacher is busy explaining to us her lectures, Baian is also busy in drawing her face. Like a virus, that portrait spread in the whole 47 members of the class, resulting in controlled laughters. 


For an evidence, see the photo below..:) He is not fair though. He covered his face with a helmet. :-|

His gift for my 20th birthday. The only "picture" where the five of us is present.

Once, while I am busy denying my "heartache" with my now-boyfriend, Harvey, I didn't know he was just observing me. After I got home, I got a text message from him: "We've been friends for a long time now and somehow, I know you. You're smiling but your smile doesn't reach your eyes. I know from the look in your eyes that you're hurting even though you're saying you're not." Awww. I really can't hide anything from him.

So long. I only want to say this: Happy happy birthday bestfriend! We've been through a lot. We know each other's ups and downs but we're still together. I am very blessed to have you as my bestfriend. Thank you for always being there for me and the rest of the gang when we need you. You will always be our Baian.

Enjoy your day! Cheers!

P.S.: During high school days, he dedicated me a song... Sweet! Here, listen..:)

I've racked my mind the whole night and day thinking about this song. I have asked Mike and Joyce already but they also forgot. Last resort: ask Baian himself... pity I forgot this! :(