Persevering!

Dear Diary,

It is another of those incredibly busy days. It always happens that way when I release the roster and then a whole load of requests for change will come. Really tired of work. Where is the free time I used to think I would have, to read up a little and update my pharmacy knowledge? If you ask me about what is the latest news in the pharmacy world, all I can tell you is a pretty old news that Subutex (Buprenorphine) is now a controlled drug in Singapore. It used to be just a prescription medicine. However, I can tell you that just moments ago, 2500 scientists gathered in Prague for the International Astronomical Union (IAU) meeting have finalised the definition of what a planet is. Due to the new definition, the nine “classical” planets in our solar system have been reduced to just eight. Pluto, the ninth planet from the sun has been stripped of its “planet” status as its oblong orbit overlaps with Neptune's. It will be classified as a “dwarf planet”.

It is quite hard to accept that what I have taken as an undisputable fact, is no longer a fact. Eight planets? Well… that’s life… full of changes. In recent times, with the tremendous amount of work to accomplish everyday, I am beginning to weed out unnecessary activities. At the chopping board is the half-marathon. Sigh…. I am going to run one more time tomorrow and decide. If I don’t make satisfactory progress, I am giving up the run this year. Somehow, the shortage of pharmacists in my company is weighing down on all of us in terms of roster and timetable. Glad to hear that one more former university classmate will be joining us soon. She came to my pharmacy with her boyfriend this evening and had a chat with me. Can’t wait for her to join us soon! =)

Earlier in the afternoon today, a pharmacy junior (now currently doing pre-registration training) visited me at my pharmacy too and we had a pretty long chat. Apparently from this year onwards, all pre-registration pharmacists have to sit a common exam at the end of their pre-registration training conducted by the Pharmacy Board… and then they will be graded whether they pass their 9-month training. That exam is stressing them up. She told me that her classmate who is training at a rival pharmacy nearby knew me. I don’t know her though, keke… I told her to ask her classmate to visit me one day so at least I can know someone who already know who I am…. Hmmm…

Being a little popular is a plus point indeed. Recently, I have been communicating with a number of former professors in my university and all of them said they knew who I am. That’s a consolation indeed, especially when I need their help, haha… Maybe it is all in the name of nostalgia, but now that I am no longer a student… I really appreciate those lecturers I used to have. Guess we had been taking them for granted all these while. They really are nice people! =) One of them posed me a question and I know she is concern of me… concern about my plans and thoughts. However, that question made me feel as if I am a betrayer… hee… I really don’t know where all these will lead. Maybe it will open new paths. Maybe it will just fade away and become an unviable phase in life. I don’t know… no one knows… the odds are against me and I am truly taking that step of faith.

I can likened my current life journey to that of Singapore Idol hopeful, Joakim Gomez. He has been lambasted for poor vocals and singing abilities. In fact, in yesterday’s performance, the judges practically told the audience and voters explicitly to vote him out. Sadly, the judges lost the clout they enjoyed in the 1st Singapore Idol show. In this second show, audiences are throwing out the very best singers each week… wondering if those were acts of defiance against the overbearing judges? Thankfully, I am not like Joakim Gomez who has to face “discrimination” at such a young age. Surprisingly, he is still in the competition and in the top 5 already. =) In fact, I pray that he will go all the way and cause a real upset! Haha… can’t wait to see the facial reaction of the judges! =P There is one part of me discouraging myself too… That’s the intellect. It tells me the observable and visible odds against me. However, there is the “feeling” part of me. That gives me the drive and faith to trust in God.

I will persevere and if God is willing… and if it is God’s will… and if it is my destiny, I will make it! Taking up those numerous responsibilities in work has truly made me a patient man. In the face of many things needing my immediate attention, I can now just coolly conduct myself. I once thought that when I stepped into the working world, I would eventually be grumpy, sensitive and quick-tempered. Nope… I am so glad… that at least so far… I seem to have more patience and slow to anger! ;-) It is by God’s grace!

God Bless,

Andrew