Dropping By

Dear Diary,

Ouch… but my left index finger tip is feeling much better. There was a deep laceration over there. Wonder if it will kinda affect my fingerprint for that finger? Haha… Realise that my skin is getting thinner with age. Literally… and metaphorically, it may also be true. Sigh. I got that laceration because last Sunday evening, as I was running…. I saw a kid with a safety helmet zoomed past in front of me. However, due to the loose gravels on the ground, he flew off his bicycle when he made that abrupt 45-degree turn. I could almost see it coming… in fact, under my panting breath… I was praying, “Let it not happen!” Oh well, the kid fell right in front of me.

I couldn’t be apathetic and went forward to help him up, reassured him and lifted up his bicycle. Geeshhh… the bicycle was rusty. His anxious father came along and he took over from there. As I proceeded with my evening run, I realised my finger was bleeding profusely! Immediately, I thought of tetanus!!!! That is why sometimes I had rather be ignorant. I ran on…. But secretly held onto my fingertips and squeezed out as much blood as possible. I had no antiseptic cream, no plaster… and was recalling if I had any tetanus jab and what is the duration of efficacy of such a vaccination. I decided not to run further for fear that it will enhance the circulation of the possible toxin. So it was a long walking journey back. Over the next few days, no signs of a localised finger muscle stiffness, twitching or spasm… yay, I survive! If I weren’t medically trained, maybe life would have been simpler. I wouldn’t know what a rusty nail will possibly harm and so… even the journey home would be stress-free, haha… Sorry, but medically, there is no such thing as “invincible ignorance” like what we know it religiously. =)

Over the last few days, I saw former university classmates everyday! What coincidence. On Monday evening, I met up with 3 of them for dinner at New York restaurant at AMK Hub. Nice to meet up with 2 of my former hospital outpatient (OP) pre-reg colleagues. We were particularly united because OP was out our first pre-reg training station after we were fresh out of the university. The third classmate was the one whom I spent hours in the medical library and beside the vending machine outside that library with during most of my university exam periods. It was the first time I ate at New York restaurant. The salmon steak was not bad. Had a long 4-hour chat and laughter with them before proceeding home.

On Tuesday, another university classmate came by and said hi… haven’t really talked to her much when in the university but well… suddenly, when we meet up after so many years, lots of things to speak about over the counter. Did not last too long though… the counter was soon overwhelmed with customers. Talk about timing, haha…

On Wednesday, was a little busy with stock-take counting… and two former university classmates dropped by because they were attending a seminar nearby. Asked me to join them for lunch but I couldn’t. Too busy! Haha…

On Thursday which is yesterday, yet another university classmate dropped by. Had lunch with him at the nearby Pizza Hut. Hadn’t gone to that Pizza Hut outlet for almost a year and they renovated the restaurant and made it awesomely cosy. Love it and the price for the baked rice set meal was just $8.50. Cool! Then a junior who happened to be working at my rival branch nearby just for today… she came over and saw us both chatting at my pharmacy counter. She joined us. Chat and chat.

That’s a pharmacy retail life. You are highly accessible to chats from some annoying customers and stalkers but on the positive note, you are also accessible to friends and maybe even long-lost friend reunion (eg. my primary school classmates’ reunion recently) or “serendipity” (as depicted in the Hollywood movies)? Hahaha… Ok, that’s all. Off to work…. AGAIN! Haha… =) Take care.

God Bless,

Andrew