Stumbling Along

Dear Diary,

Sitting in front of my computer on a Sunday afternoon like today. Kinda feel much better now. Wasn’t able to sleep well last night… realised I took a huge glass of iced tea at about 8pm last night. No wonder I couldn’t fall asleep which is a very rare occasion in my life. Usually, I sleep early and fast, haha… now I know the agony of those who just can’t seem to sleep… insomnia. When one can’t sleep, the mind tends to think about just anything… getting one distracted and even less likely to sleep.

Church was at 9am today… earlier than usual. Kinda like the earlier service since it left me with lots of time for the remaining of my precious Sunday. I spent them just lazing around and caught some old movie “Life or something like it” starring Angelina Jolie on TV. Yesterday kinda shook me a little. In fact, I am very likely to receive my first complaint from a customer after 1.5 years on my job. I am not scared though and even volunteered to give him my name so he could complain.

That fateful morning which was yesterday, a male Chinese customer with a Westerner’s accent came to buy Propecia and surprisingly, with no warning at all, claimed that I would “deface” his prescription if I should stick the “partial prescription” label at the back of it. He insisted that I stick it right on top of the earlier label (dispensed previously by another pharmacist). I explained that I would do that when the prescription had no other space left as we needed that previous label as reference. Then came the nasty comment he made loudly, “I am the one paying the money. If I say you do this, you have to do this!”

Oh boy, I was totally pissed off. I did not respond verbally but immediately I placed his box of Propecia and his prescription on my counter, left him without looking at him or saying a word of thanks (obviously). Think the entire store turned colder by a degree Celsius or so. I am good at this kind of icy snub. He got insulted and wanted to complain. I gave him my name plainly.

Of course, he went on and complaint against me at the cashiers. The rest of the staff at my store asked me what happened and expressed solidarity because they knew they almost never saw me got pissed off. That felt good initially but soon I realised that I have failed. I failed God and the challenge I placed for myself in the previous blog entry. What good is it that I repay evil for evil? No matter how I tried to convince myself, the intention to retaliate with a subtle insult and snub was not right. Reminds me of “Evan Almighty”. Ask for patience and opportunities for me to be patient will be given. Ask for the ability to love my neighbours, opportunities came and I just flopped it. Oh well…

In fact, for the last two days… wasn’t feeling too good. A colleague of mine came down to visit me at my shop and I bought her lunch at Subway. She was telling me how disillusioned she is with the job. I did what I always do best… comfort, pacify… you know… motivate her a little. Am I even motivated myself? I love to think so…. Until in the space of 3 days, two colleagues tendered resignations and intended to buy out their notice periods. Something must have gone seriously wrong somewhere.

While we were still munching the last few bites of our Subway meals, a guy sitting just beside our table was eaves-dropping our conversation all the while! He asked if we wanted a good high-paying job and he could offer to us? Yeah… maybe smuggle drugs? I gave an excuse that it was time for us to leave (actually that was the truth) but he persisted. I tugged my colleague and we left. Then jokingly I told her… maybe we should just tell him that we are so disillusioned with our job because it pays so little… just ten grand a month. =P That should keep him quiet.

However, assessing the objectives I set for myself 1.5 years ago… Then, I wished I would leave the “dispensing” role by the end of two years of work. I think I even told my interviewer that during the interview for this job. Now what? Seriously, I don’t know. Wish I had a clearer sign. Anyway… ok, a bit out of point… but still quite amazed that I actually met up with people whom I first knew 20 years ago…. Ok, I am a sentimental freak or junkie… whatever! =)

Wait for my company to demand an explanation from me for that impending complaint against me… in the meantime, gotta rise up the challenge and love my neighbours. =) After I started working, I really appreciate my Dad and Mum for bringing back the bacon. Working isn’t the easiest thing around. There are easier things like touring and slacking… haha… Oh yes, scheduled my Monday “off” tomorrow! Should I go for a swim? Dentist? Catch some movies? Ok, see ya. Hope you have a nice week ahead. Take care! ;-)

God Bless,

Andrew