Nil Sine Labore

Dear Diary,

Earlier, I was trying to jog my usual 5-km route but had to give up after running about half the distance due to some side stitches (yup, ETAP: exercise-related transient abdominal pain). Not sure if it was due the glass of water I gulped down just prior to it or that I was still recovering from my flu. So I decided I would not push myself further and transited into a slow walk…. A stroll down memory lane literally.

Just beside me was actually the former Bidadari Cemetery. I remembered this cemetery because when I was a Victoria School secondary 3 student back in Jan 1995, I trekked through the cemetery with a couple of other students during our orientation camp. Victoria School (VS) used to have those compulsory orientation camps for secondary 1 and 3 students. If anyone had an excuse to skip that camp, he would have to make it up the next year. That was VS, haha… I recalled the times we manoeuvred mostly in the Christian section of the cemetery. The students were scaring each other with some ghost stories but I was more intrigued by the numerous crosses, crucifixes, statues of angels, Virgin Mary and Christ, the good shepherd. Understandably, because I had just converted to Christianity and got baptised on Christmas Day the year before in 1994.

This evening, I stepped into the former cemetery for the first time since 1995. The graves were all exhumed and not a tombstone was left standing. Rather, a tranquil expanse of grassy land with rocky footpaths greeted me. A couple of frangipani trees still stood… with the strong breeze blowing and creating that occasional rustles. Some members of the Gurkha contingent were jogging around. There were some Singaporeans but we were outnumbered badly, haha… Memories flowed through my thoughts. I used to dislike those orientation camps which VS conducted because they were more like boot camps. Nevertheless, there is a realisation that whatever difficulties or pleasant experiences we went through… those were the events that moulded us the way we are. All I can say is that upon looking back, I am glad I went through those “rites of passage”. A few days ago, I am so proud to see my alma mater, VS, still rank among the top band of schools which includes Cedar Girls’, CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’, Anderson Sec etc… Hopefully, Victoria’s flag will stay unfurled as the anthem goes.

Tomorrow, I am giving myself just a half-day of work and then going to try a spa in Orchard Road. Kinda a little nervous because it is my first time I am ever going for a spa!!!!! Yikes! But I expect it to be rejuvenating and invigorating! A little treat to pamper myself… =) Oh yes, I learnt that “Nimegan” is a generic brand for Isotretinoin (an oral medication for severe acne vulgaris) on Friday. Was puzzled to hear such a drug name but decided to go that extra mile to explain to that young lady what generic medicine “Nimegan” is all about compared to the “Roaccutane”. Not sure if I should say this but for years, I never seen a girl so gentle and so sweet (at least based on first impression)… she is not super pretty or anything close… just so pleasant. Remembered that her blouse had the words “I’m a ninja.”

”You’re a ninja?” I asked her. She laughed. She did not spend a single cent at my pharmacy but she was the highlight of the day, haha… Okay, let me tell you a story:

Once upon a time, there were three eligible single clergymen who just graduated from seminary. A reporter came along and asked the clergymen if they were to choose a wife, would they go for character or beauty.
The first clergyman replied nonchalantly, “Character.”
The second clergyman remarked indignantly, “Of course, it would be character.”
The third clergyman replied thoughtfully, “Beauty.”
The other clergymen were shocked. Even the reporter was unprepared for this answer.
“Why would you choose beauty over character for your wife?” Asked the puzzled reporter.
“Well…” The third clergyman replied, “… (continue under the “comments” section)”

Okay, that’s all… have a nice week ahead! ;-)

God Bless,

Andrew