PART 1: My Career And Language Barrier:

Last week i had a young, chatty 7year old patient who was very engaging in conversation! She even asked where i am from not that she knew where Finland or Kenya is but nevermind, she knew Sweden so i just told her we neighbour them! Everyone knows Sweden! Aarrgh! Anyhow we were talking about how her british accented english highlighted my day, made me feel like a super Nurse! I know i am a great Nurse! Talk about blowing your own Whistle hahaha, but really i got really great appraisals from my former bosses that i carry with pride! But that day i felt like a super Nurse knowledge wise and physically! You see, there was not abit of language barrier! Not from the Healthcare givers nor receiver!

I took up my First job at an old people's home at only 6 months in Finland! Haha.. Yea i can hear you laughing! I had memorized my cv in the Finnish language! I did not even understand what i was saying, but i walked into that office, told out about myself! Recited everything out like a poem, i had done lots of poems during my young school days so i was pretty good at that! Only this time my poem did not start with adjudicatours, teachers, ladies and gentlemen.... i did not pause since it would give them time for questions. After i was done, the lady, Sirpa was her name, gave me a paper to sign and some shifts starting the following week, she had a chat with me, well by herself since i understood nothing! 

I still see her in my mind to this day, sitted in her majestic chair, with her long blonde hair, long manicured nails, size D cup! You could not miss that since the top seemed a size smaller, and her makeup? Well let me not say anything about it since she gave me a job! A chance! My first job abroad! 

I left the Office knowing i got the job because there were shifts handled to me! I was really excited, i never thought for a second how i will understand my patients! Yea.. You continue laughing.. Lol.

1st day at work and Holy molly!!..😱I was like holy molly! I was working with this really older woman who was very interested in my life but poor her i was just a zoombie! Luckily i knew the basic like where do you come from, whats your name, until she asked me to go to the storage and get Housut! I only heard varasto and i checked it out in my mini book! I went out, stressed my brains out trying to figure out what this housut is. Ran quick to the coffee room and called my cousin, who told me that meant trousers! I mean! What a name! Bless my cousin for the many times i called her that summer asking what is this what is that! 

I spent all my free time memorizing what are diapers, shirt, bed and so on! I did lots of bathroom crying that summer and even gave up and stayed home for a few days till i learnt that sleeping stressed does not bring in the money and the Police will be knocking for a 6000€ bank ac statement to renew my visa! With that thought i pulled out the blanket, washed out my tears and went for more shifts. I continued with my bathroom cries! They helped alot, and i would breath in and out till the next time. The struggle was real i tell you, but somehow during payday, i would forget the struggle and get motivated.. 

In the process, alot of grannies spent all their days trying to teach me Finnish pronounciations, my workmates taught me a few phrases here and there and i did survive my summer job. Huraay..,

Wait.. Then i graduated and went for an interview looking for a job in Anesthesia or ICU. Alot of my friends thought i was crazy, yea me too, 'why dont you want to start in old people's home and then get a more complicated job when you understand the language clearly?, 'what if you kill someone?'. My concerned friends and family didnt get to me and so i booked the interview, i am sure that boss still does the evil laugh when he sees me, Language barrier will kill us ooh, i say that in a Nigerian accent! But i got the job!! Dont play with me....(ndugathake nanie!)

That story will be up for Part 2.. Save your ribs..