The Decode Diary

The special thing about our minds is that it tends to habituate. It is the act of our minds to make or become used to something. It does not take more to understand why. It simply happens because our body tries to resist pain. We tend to stay in our "comfort zone".

Speaking to Johnny about habituation made me realize how corporate culture is meant to put us in situations we will never want to leave. Some would argue this is how we all earn money. By creating boring systems. I totally get that.

The question is how many of us realize that and actually take action and do something out of it, for example, start a business?

Listen to the whole conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4IG2Eyh9x7QBueeY2jM13D?si=638DCxC_QGScDGNTbA72aw

To Giri, cancer patients are not that strong after all. "Half the time we don't know what is going on!" was what he said and I think it is true. But I think the strength to live on treatment after treatment still needs to be there because the pain after each treatment can be unbearable. Listen to Giri's story and you will know how the treatments are almost intolerable.

Being labelled as strong may sometimes throw some cancer patients off, because it is easy to say those words when we are not the ones suffering. But being strong is really an understatement.

Listen to the full conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3c3AE1So9t782cOs8DI8hz?si=UlD7zvz5RYmUDVh-Dcynbg

It was a 7-week cancer treatment involving chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Listening to his experience revealed to me the courage one has to have to go through the treatment. Radiotherapy had him at his worst.

The 7-week period, I believe, made him a totally different person. From a lump on the left side of his neck to cancer-free, from being impatient in life to accepting of everything that happens and from being weak and unable to take care of himself to starting a fitness challenge on social media, what Giri has done was something extraordinary. The logical side of him made it easier for him to follow a plan.

But there are some other reasons as to what made the treatment easier on him. Listen on to find out.

Listen to the full conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3c3AE1So9t782cOs8DI8hz?si=UlD7zvz5RYmUDVh-Dcynbg

What are the odds of your university senior finding out you have cancer? That was exactly what happened to Giri when he was helping his seniors with their exams. It was odd listening to this part because I started to feel my body for lumps but thankfully, no.

Listen with me to how Giri found out he got cancer and how he reacted to this life-changing moment. It is heartwarming to know that Giri is still the optimistic senior I know.

Listen to the full conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3c3AE1So9t782cOs8DI8hz?si=UlD7zvz5RYmUDVh-Dcynbg

It has been 9 years since Giri was diagnosed of nasopharyngeal cancer. To him and everyone around him, it was the worst experience one could ever go through. There were no symptoms when he was diagnosed with it, but starting the treatments meant he had to endure all the pain that came with them. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the latter made his mouth and throat so dry that he had to rely on tubes to sustain himself. For 7 weeks, he had to tell himself "One day at a time".

I cannot relate and hope that I don't, but in the story I heard despair and hopelessness occasionally, but towards the end, it was clear that Giri emerged victory over the challenges. Speaking with Giri made me appreciate our health even more and I think everyone should. Join me as we hear his inspiring story of hope and resilience.

Timeline:

[00:00] His goal to find happiness now

[06:53] Fitness challenge on social media

[11:21] The moment he was diagnosed with cancer

[17:08] Preparing the fight with cancer

[19:52] Decision-making time

[21:53] The risk of recurrence

[23:23] Chemotherapy on his 20th birthday

[31:27] Radiotherapy is worse

[38:36] The real cause of change in his behavior

[46:42] His parents took good care of him

[56:27] Physical changes in his body during the treatment

[01:05:43] He learnt he wasn’t strong

[01:10:05] Survivor’s guilt

[01:15:08] Outlook on life after 9 years

[01:20:49] Words from a cancer survivor

We all know flight attendants get to travel the world getting paid. It is like a dream job for many people, especially young people these days. But what about the actual career advancements? Do they actually level up in their ranks? If so, what more do they do?

We explore the career progression of a flight attendant as Belinda reveals how she makes her way up the ranks.

Listen to the full conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Gxtyfhwu8A610wcy6bKAZ?si=VFXJy-GRSuOKQN8dSIbkKw

Because they fly so frequently and are always out and about, I would presume that they can make friends easily. And they are adept at maintaining relationships too. It turns out that they are probably the people who would lose the most number of friends if I had to count.

For some, being a "low maintenance" friend works. But it might not be that effective when you are rarely seeing your friends when life goes on. Relationships are all about sharing parts of life. Let's hear from Belinda her side of the story.

Listen to the full conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Gxtyfhwu8A610wcy6bKAZ?si=VFXJy-GRSuOKQN8dSIbkKw

Their spouses and family could be sleeping while they are working through the night serving passengers onboard a flight. This is one of the many things a flight attendant has to deal with in their job. But is this the toughest one?

In this snippet, we explore together with Belinda, who is a flight attendant, the toughest problem she has ever faced while flying. It might not be what you think!

Listen to the entire conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Gxtyfhwu8A610wcy6bKAZ?si=VFXJy-GRSuOKQN8dSIbkKw

For many, the dream of flying around the world to see beautiful places and people is worth the constant overtime at a 9-5 job. But for Belinda, it is her job to fly almost every single day. How does it work out for her if it means she needs to sacrifice on sleep and many more? What about relationships and family? Is this the best job ever?

In this episode, I’m glad to have sat down with Belinda to know more about her profession as a flight attendant, the job that is very much sought after amongst most young adults these days because of the obvious perks of getting to travel. Like you and me, she is someone who craves for a huge pizza after long hours of standing on the flight and having to deal with difficult passengers. But unlike you and me, she has most of her belongings packed at any time because she is always on the go. 

Timeline:

[00:00] What a day in life is like for her?

[02:12] How did she get into this profession?

[07:56] Troubles moving abroad

[09:42] The toughest thing about flying so frequently

[11:05] Sleeping on the job

[16:55] Skills in the service and hospitality industry

[20:44] Non-reciprocal compliments

[26:40] Her mental state after always putting up a front for the passengers

[32:19] Is work-life balance far-fetched for her?

[36:21] Is it harder to meet new friends or to maintain existing relationships?

[42:25] Family trips and feeling homesick

[49:22] Picking a career all over again

[51:46] Fostering one-off and long-term relationships

[57:47] Career advancement as a flight attendant

[01:05:38] More misconceptions about flight attendants

[01:07:10] The training required to handle safety

[01:11:05] Ever come close to a dangerous incident?

[01:16:46] Maintaining your body weight and image

[01:24:34] What is next for her?