Coughing away...

Dear Diary,

The cough seems to be getting worse… sigh… And to think I actually thought it was improving. The codeine phosphate cough syrup isn’t effective for me and surprisingly I am not drowsy after consuming it! Oh well… anyway, I went to work and saw a new pharmacy student at the counter. She will be attached to my pharmacy for 3 days, starting from yesterday which was my off-day. Initially, I had that impression that I had to be patient with her since her preceptor told me that she is a very quiet girl. Apparently, that was wrong information, haha… In fact, I thought she settled in very well! She spoke and smiled with ease. She is able to locate many of the products when the customers asked her for help. Just for today, there were already two customers who praised and thanked her for being such a nice and helpful girl! Good job, Kenning!

Looking at the various pharmacy students who were attached to me for short stints… May may (last year 2007), Yvonne Zhou and now Kenning… they are all very impressive students. Not just knowledge-wise but also by the way they communicated with customers, haha… Maybe they were attached to me only after the initial training by their preceptors and I did not see their “struggling” phase. ;-P Then the “about 50-year-old” locum pharmacist who “looked after” her at my pharmacy yesterday told another “late 30’s” locum that the prettiest student is currently at my pharmacy! The latter later dropped me an email to tease me… hmmm… Trust me… if you really eavesdrop grown-up males chatting among themselves, they are boys in disguise! ;-) Hee…

Today’s lunch was at Specky’s Casual Dining which is actually a stall in a secluded food court. When I leave my job, I am gonna miss eating at this stall which sells great tasty Western set meals and pastas for just a tiny fraction of what you will pay at usual cafes and eateries. Gave the student a treat there. Frankly, I usually just treat my students to meals because I don’t exactly feel the need to keep the honorarium (which I will receive at the end of the preceptorship) for myself. So why not spread a little joy to the students who are paid so meagrely? Hee… Specky’s never disappoints in that aspect.

Yesterday, I managed to catch the “Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” with a friend at Eng Wah Cinema in Suntec City. It was much better than I expected indeed. It beats the previous “Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” hands-down. Value for money and the cinema was practically empty. Yay! Ate lunch at Sofra which was a Turkish food restaurant at Shaw Towers. That is just the second time I ever ate there, with the first time back in the university days. The ambience was good and I guess I had a pretty good catch-up chat with this friend. Thank God for friends whom we can just call out for a meal… I guess I must learn to appreciate my life more and not take many things for granted.

I am keeping my fingers crossed and praying for another friend. Having brought her to church a couple of times, I am really hoping that she will agree to attend an introductory course on Christianity in my church. Thought for so long how to broach the subject and I eventually took courage to send an email. Also hope to introduce some church friends or even my sisters to help and accompany her as she journeys to know God more. I guess there is a limit how much a guy can help a girl in this because there is always a need of sisterly support which a guy can’t give, right? ;-) Please pray that she will know Christ personally and attend church regularly.

Sometimes, I really wonder how I am with God. Am I just going through a habit or a routine? I really want to be found faithful to God and be a beacon to point others to Him! Not in my own strength but by His! Oh God, please help me overcome my unbelief and lack of faith because I want to share your love with others.

Just to share a Nicole Nordeman’s song.

God Bless,

Andrew