Built to Last

Dear Diary,

Couldn’t believe that I am still bleeding from that intravenous (IV) wound on my left forearm till now! That medic friend who tried to insert the catheter into my vein somehow “succeeded” in a violent and sadistic way. He took out that plastic catheter from my vein and then told me that it was kinked… *faint*… my poor vein… wonder what happen to my clotting factors… I never bled from an IV wound for so long before. Surprisingly, I could still endure the trauma on my vein despite absence of local anaesthesia. I successfully inserted the intravenous drip into his vein although his forearm is chubby with hardly a trace of “vein” for me to even aim at. I did it nonetheless after assuring him that it would be just one successful shot. I didn’t quite believe I could do it when I said that though… haha… =P A morale-booster! Yay!

Today was basically a revision of military medical trainings. Revised the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) protocol again… Basically, I get to practise CPR and setting up of IV infusion once every year at least. So it is actually very safe being with me! =P Ok… out of point here, haha… and that Prudential girl calls again!!!! Remember never to be a nice guy and fill up survey forms when waiting for your friend at bus-stops. Now this Prudential girl is calling me now and then… I told her I can only meet her after Chinese New Year but she still doesn’t get it! She said she will call me up again on Saturday… sobs… help me! Haha… time to read “An idiot guide to turning a girl down”.

Yesterday was quite a day to remember. I took bus 100 and alighted at the Fullerton Hotel. Then I took a slow walk, enjoying every moment of the breeze and the sight of huge white balloons floating on the Marina Bay. It would be my last time working in the pharmacy nearby because they would be removing the dispensary from that outlet tomorrow. That pharmacy had many memories and I am on pretty good terms with the staff there although I only occasionally worked there on my half-days. The most frequent was during the period when I did military physical training on certain evenings in June. I used to bring my students there too. I even brought one over to do stock-take there. I really wonder how the management came to such a shocking decision. After my reservist training in January, I will also be posted to another outlet as its new resident pharmacist. Changes sometimes feel so frighteningly quick and widespread.

Like how Singapore constantly tears down old schools and buildings, I suddenly feel like a stranger to my work surrounding. I really wonder if I have any perseverance left to continue to start from scratch. My allegiance has sadly dissipated away. Maybe 2008 is really the beginning of the end of an era in my life. We all do move on in life. It is just a matter of “when”. We can choose to respond to an impetus for change or to reject the change in our lives. Even choosing not to make any decision on that, is a choice in itself. So decisions are inevitable and in life… it is all about making the right decision at the right time.

However, there are always nice people around for us when the going gets tough. So after half-day work yesterday and realising that John Little wasn’t having any post-Christmas sale, I paid a visit to a friend at her pharmacy and watched her eat her lunch/dinner, whatever you call if it was taken at 4.30pm. It is always a joy to talk or listen to her because she gives me that feeling of “child-likeness” which almost seems so non-existent in the working arena. I must thank God for planting each special individual who comes along in my life. Maybe the interaction lasted for years, months, days, hours or even minutes… but nevertheless, it just goes to show how detailed God has gone into planning our lives that even cherished minutes of experience may remain as sweet memories of a lifetime.

God Bless,

Andrew