First speeding ticket

Caught driving at 76 km/h on a 60 km/h road last week!  And I wasn't the only one...

After negotiating a roundabout, I might have hit the gas a bit too hard... Well it was a wide, flat and empty road... A few yards forward, I understood why the road seemed empty... 4 cars had stopped in the layby surrounded by policemen!  One officer waved me down.  Ouch... I knew I was caught speeding and there was no way out.  It was my first encounter with police officers since I started driving.  When asked for my driver's licence, I fumbled around for it in the car.  Where the hell was it!?  Fortunately found it, else it would have been a double ticket! Ha.

A few moments later, the officer scribbled on his notepad, tore the page and handed it to me after I signed it.  And that was Rs2000 down the drain... That hurts.  Bad.  Especially when you think of all the things you could buy with Rs2000 here.  Snif.

The officer told me 'Miss, do your best so that this is your first and last ticket'.  Hell, sure I'll do that now.  I got my lesson.  I don't want to waste another Rs2000 so soon.  I tried to look at the positive aspect of this.  It made me more safety conscious now.  Sure it can be a pain to drive at 60 km/h but speed limits were imposed for a good reason: you are more in control of your vehicle should anything unexpected arise.  Like a stupid stray dog crossing the road in front of you.

As I drove away, the officer smiled at me and wished me 'Have a good day Miss'.  Argh.  I ground my teeth together and drove away.  Slowly this time.

100 things to do before I die: #6

#6: Perform for an audience

The only people who hear me play piano 'live' are my siblings and parents when I'm practising at home.  I'd like to perform for a small audience one day, be it family or friends.  The idea terrifies me though, as I'm only a beginner and make a LOT of mistakes while playing.  It usually takes several recordings to get one that's decent enough to post on facebook.  I'm not scared of having an audience, I'm scared of not playing perfectly.  Music requires 'perfection' and does not really tolerate mistakes.  Because hitting a wrong note is literally an ear sore.

About being a physiotherapist (1/2)

"So what do you do in life?"

"I'm a physiotherapist"

"Really? Wow.  Um what does a physiotherapist do exactly??"

This conversation occurs quite frequently in my daily life.  I get asked all the time, what does a physio do?  The field of Physiotherapy is still embryonic in Mauritius and most people don't know about it.  Except for those who have already been to a physio before.

So what do I do?  

Basically my job is about improving human movement, function and quality of life.

How do I do it?

By correcting any bodily dysfunction.  

A broken arm or leg? The physio will help you to use it again by doing specific exercises or stretching, a process also known as reeducation or rehabilitation.

Pain in the back/shoulder/knee or any joint?  The physio uses different means and equipment to alleviate pain, eg massage, hot/cold packs, ultrasound, TENS... Then we'll teach you how to take care of your joint and the exercises that will help you use it again normally.

Chest infection?  The physio uses specific manual techniques (a bit similar to massage) to help you cough out secretions and to breathe more easily.

Had recent surgery and you can't walk like before?  No matter the type of surgery you've had, the physio's aim is to get you back on your feet.  We teach specific exercises to strengthen appropriate muscles and with the help of crutches or frame, help you to walk again.

So the main goal in any rehab program is to return the patient to his 'normal' life, so that he can perform the work and activities he was doing before his particular health problem.

In my next post, I'll talk about the pros and cons of being a physio.

100 things to do before I die: #4 & #5

#4: Reach a million hits on my blog!
Hahahaha.  I don't know if that's even remotely possible.  Maybe if I keep blogging until I'm 100 years old :p  But anyway, I'm happy if there are some people out there reading my ramblings and I hope that some posts have been helpful to you...


#5: Get wasted in Vegas
Yeah we're going to Vegas baby!!!  I hope that I'll be saying those words one day.  I wanna play American roulette in Vegas, watch Celine Dion perform, get drunk and party the night away! And get married in one of these chapels! Haha just kidding ;)

10 things I really love

1) I love shopping!!! :D

2) I love when it's raining outside and I'm indoors napping or sleeping.  Yeah I sleep a lot.

3) I love potatoes.  Baked, fried, boiled... cooked in any way!!!  If there's potatoes in it, I'll love it.

4) I love playing the piano.  When I play my favourite songs, I get carried to a peaceful and happy place.

5) I love The Vampire Diaries.  Seriously, I've never been so engrossed in any other TV show before.

6) I love a walk in the park alone.  It's been even more enjoyable now that football and dogs have been banned from it.

7) I love shoes.  A girl can NEVER have too many shoes.  Or clothes.

8) I love spending a weekend away from home once in a while.  Resorts are the best (and expensive! tsk!).

9) I love songs that have meaningful lyrics.  I put it on repeat and listen over and over.

10) I love driving my car.  I've had my toll of public transport!