Destiny Revealed

Paths often cross uninitiated. It’s ironic that you never see the people you long to meet. You can live in the same area, school in the same district or work in the same building, but the percentage of a chance meeting is far and few in between.

In actuality, Destiny comes disguised.

It’s the people that love you, and you them - that’s Destiny.

It’s in the faces of those you love. In the smiles of those you care. Nestled between the words of which one converses with.

Every single minute of your life.

Because it’s the people that matter who make an active effort to meet up and make contact despite opposing schedules.

They make Destiny happen.

I love Rick for the happiness he plasters on his face, regardless of my temper and expectations. And I’m thankful for having Sharon Lee, Ross, and my Brother (even though his mouth’s so vulgar makes over filled, under cleansed dustbins blush).

F4, for their never ending support, attention and care. They make me want to run to work, and stay back without complaint.

And to God, without which, all this would never be possible.

I believe God surrounds me with extraordinary people.

Kristabel Chong Pik Wen states it beautifully,
“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day that says ‘I’ll try again tomorrow”.

Mok Zi Hui posted Avalon’s “You’re Everything To Me”.

I purposely posted their full names so if you Google them online, you’ll be directed here. Perhaps giving you the opportunity to learn a thing or two, from the people who have shared so unselfishly with me.

FEAR FACTOR [CONQURED]

F4 + 2 had been planning for weeks this outing for several weeks. Our Clarke Quay expedition, complete with extreme fear factor style REVERSE BUNGEE..!!

It was speckled with hiccups from the beginning. It was Kristabel’s sleeping day (post Night Duty), Analiza was scheduled for Morning Shift. Not to mention Gary’s last minute back out. He says he just registered for some specialist diploma in clinical research management thingee. Aiyah, no balls is no balls lor. Wahahaha...

But, yes, we forged on!

When we arrived at GMax, it was an oppressive sight to behold. There was no capsule. Just some steel bars, some harnesses and seats, resembling somebody’s bare ribcage. I felt my heart start to race. But Mokie remained quite adamant to try out the ride, despite the ridiculously high price of $40/trip.

Hiccup again.

But I made up my mind to heck the world and go for it. It’ll be worth the experience, I brainwashed myself.

Then the guy tells us the 4 of us can’t go together. It’s only a 3 seater. A golden opportunity for Leni to voice backing out.

Another hiccup.

Our eyes slanted and we rushed to pay for 4 tickets. Making sure Leni had NO chance to withdraw. It was settled that it would be a 2 on 2 thing. Me and Mokie. Leni and Snoopy.

I asked Mokie if we could go first, because I was certain that it would be better to get it over with FAST, as it would be pure sadistic torture to watch the feat THEN suffer the same fate.

So off we flew..!!

It was the most horrifyingly disgusting, adrenalin pumping 3 minutes I could imagine. They tilted the contraption at a 45 degree angle and instructed to keep our eyes open and enjoy the ride.

For 40 blardy dollars, you can be sure I kept my eyelids open!

We were blasted into the air. I swear it was the velocity of the that wind kept my lids forcefully open. All I could see was the never ending sky, then suddenly the whole thing-a-ma-jig flipped, making my limp limbs fly up merrily in the air, playing justice to the miracle of hinge joints all over the world.

The next thing I knew, I was racing to the ground at blood chilling speed. Kristabel, Leni, and Snoopy’s silhouette were growing bigger and bigger. I thought, this must be what’s it like to jump of a building.

This sick, perverse act repeated itself a few times. Each time leaving me screaming like a banshee, a testament to how top notch my lungs still are. But, it also boosted my confidence in the skeletal contraption, no matter how thin and weathered the harness was.

Though I didn’t dare to even turn my head, afraid that I would snap my neck. I concentrated on the fact that I was flying.

Even if it was like a cheap rag doll strapped in a chair, being thrown in a washing machine.

Mokie was quiet for the first half of the trip. It left me in awe, thinking, wah, she so steady man! Not scared ah! So power sey! I cannot lau kui also!

Then I heard her screaming.

Then pleading for it to stop.

Then praying.

That woman is so amazing. My mind was totally in shock. I couldn’t even think straight. Words could not escape my lips, let alone whole sentences. My only instinct was to scream. And loudly.

When the speed subsided, I tried to console her and reached out to touch her arm.

DON’T TOUCH ME, she snapped.

I could not help but laugh.

Luckily for us, that was the end of the ride. Phew.

We bounced down the thing-a-ma-jig like people given a new lease of life. The best thing about it was watching Leni and Snoopy go through the whole sadistic experience..!! I cachinnated from start to finish. There is such joy watching others go through the same torment.

Waka Waka

After which, we went to Central Mall for Chinese food. Then sent Kristabel off to Bedok to meet up with mum en route to Expo for a supposed Food Fair. Alas, the food fair is in future tense. So we ended up at Malan La Mien, slurping up delicious Xiao Long Tang Baos, Beef Brisket Noodles, Prawn Noodles, Fried Tofu and Mango Prawn Fritters, washed down with good ol’chinese tea!

And to top it off, the meal was kindly sponsored by Analiza!
Woohoo!! Thank you little woman!!

After that, Analiza and Leni insisted we go for drinks at Chinatown, as it would be closer to home. We psychoed Kristabel to come down from Bedok after sending her mum back.

F4 + 2 was thus complete again.

As usual, I have to say this. I LOVE F4 + 2!!!

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For all you kaypohs, here's our video of the ordeal :


Online Videos by Veoh.com

TOUGH LUCK

The past few shifts have been really draining. It’s really hard to keep up the level of energy people are acustomed to, when I feel I’m shouldering the double load of being the in-charge and a junior. I’ve been made to work the same shift with people that are frequently on MC, thus making Lao Lao/Ah Clow juggle the manpower base and I always end up working with ultra lazy people that I would rather do without.

I have to turn patients, change diapers, sit them out for meals, answer call bells, 2hrly oropharyngeal suctioning, NG feeds, dressings and do their walking exercises ALONE. On top of writing my reports, serving meds, giving my IVs, SCs and entertaining queries.

Haiz. The torture. Lord, please grant me 6 arms like an octopus.

I’d rather slog to death alone then slog to death pek chek (frustrated), witnessing the rest of them just sitting in the counter merrily chatting amongst themselves. I think I’m as tolerant as tolerant can be, to pregnant staff. I ban them from entering the rooms with airborne diseases. I also ban them from lifting heavy patients in case they stress themselves and suffer a spontaneous abortion. But initiative is not cultivated in pregnant bellies. Laziness is. To the point that the only thing they can do is counter nursing.

And the non pregnant clan whom I’m on with, is serving the army. Always MIA (missing in action), called away to some imaginary war. Incidentally the war zone is always in the tearoom. And as you may have guessed, the opponent is called HARD WORK.

People need to recognize teamwork is essential in every aspect of life.

Ross says not being able to delegate is my Achilles’ heel. I can’t bring myself to order pregnant women to work when they have histories of miscarriages and other rubbish. And why bother to ask, when initiative is never taken into consideration. I reckon it’ll just breed contempt.

I WANT MY PRECEPTOR BACK.

She rocks my world at the ward. She supports me well and instructs the rest to do their work. As for me, I tend to allow them to get away with murder.

I hope this week flies. Herald in the 14th!

Fortunately I have F4. Our breaks. Makan sessions. Our TO-SO-LEONG-TAM antics. I love us lah. Without them, I think I’d go mad. We’re also aiming for zero MCs this year!

CHEONG ah..!!

Room 37 persists in offering me food. She’ll shout at me from her room, beckoning me to hurry with Tupperware or is in the midst of dividing out whatever her daughter has brought. She speaks to most in a manner that will make anyone doubt her level of hearing is not impaired, but I guess that’s the way she is. She’s just loud.

Ah Mui ah.. Wa kio ler ah ni gu liao leh.. ler mai lai ah?!!
(Direct translation : I’ve been calling you for so long, you don’t want to come?!)

Nowadays, she’ll laugh. The type of hearty laughter that starts bubbling in the abdomen and releases into a hysterical guffaw. I have to take the food she throws at me, but I don’t eat them. Hahaha.. instead, I feed Room 39. She goobles it up, as usual, without a thank you or recognition.

Karma is a revelation I live in hope for.

Granny Lee passed away this morning.

She led a good life, leaving behind a bounty of people who loved her dearly. In her youth, Granny Lee fought hard to raise 4 children with her 2 hands after separating from her husband. She tried every respectable job available, just to feed hungry mouths not only belonging to her own family, but also those anyone who came to her in need.

Such benevolence beyond comprehension.

She taught her children the importance of education and family ties; thus ensuring them an independent life upon maturity. And in turn, they grew to have a deep respect for her.

She taught me the meaning of forgiveness; alongside the art of letting go.

And gave me such a wonderful gift in the form of Sharon.

I pray wherever she may be, she will be happy.

Memories that continue beyond tomorrow.

On a lighter note, I think the masses need and/or want to be updated on the Gary Saga.

On Friday, F4 minus 1, decided to meet up for lunch since Kristabel and I had to attend the symposium and Mokie was on the afternoon shift. We went to visit Lao Lao in her ‘prison’ and ended up chatting away quite merrily with her, wishing her a speedy recovery and helping to clear the fruits in her cell. She insisted we watch the infotainment channel on Fall Precaution and other crap.

Goodness.

I took the initiative to invite Gary to join us for lunch. At first, he gave a vague reply, ‘I’ll try to join if I’m not busy’. But yes, Cheryl is fond of having her own way. I told him to MAKE time.

End of story.

But Lao Lao’s visit went into overdrive and we ended up turning up late for the luncheon.

You should have seen Gary’s face when he saw us. He was seriously quite shocked. He was never informed that I would be bringing so many people along. Even Kristabel and Mokie also had to thank their good genes for keeping their eyeballs firmly in their sockets.

It amused me to no end. But hey, that man should thank his lucky stars. He got to lunch in with so many women. But we learnt that Gary is scary! He knows so many things happening in the hospital. And so many people came by to wave to him. Yikes..!

Kristabel got the prized seat in front of Gary, while Mokie got the next best seat in the house of being adjacent. I got the seat next to him. The safest! No need for awkward stares. Mokie acted virginal and just had drinks.

She thinks we’re at a bar.

Kristabel and Gary had some conversation going. A light banter I presume. Then she suddenly pulled a good one on me.

Kristabel : Hey! Derek L! (Points behind me)

Needless to say, I fell for the oldest trick in the book. I turned but no Derek. I returned her the favor though.

I pointed to an Ah Pek and said it was Brian S, just 25yrs older; complete with side comb barcode hair. We giggled like schoolgirls on laughing gas.

Poor Gary sat there, tormented by the childishness of it all.

Today, we met up to go break again. And to think, Destiny would strike again. On our way to the canteen, we bumped into Gary at Block 4. Mr Tam looked sooooooo happy! He only spoke to Kristabel.

I’ve got my eye on you!

If you think the world is small, then let me tell you, the hospital is much smaller.

I met Gary again when he went back to the ward. Him, with his usual cocky swagger. We exchanged greetings in the aisle a couple of times. He even said hello to Maggie. Hur hur hur.

Later in the evening, he tapped the glass divider to say goodbye, making me feel like a fish in an aquarium. I waved goodbye as I frantically finished writing my report. I had to arrange for blood. Feed my patients. Do turnings. Not a good time to entertain him. Maggie was impressed with his friendliness, maybe she wants him too. Wahaha...

I wonder what tomorrow will bring.

Time's racing with gawd knows who or what.

- 24 super long days to the next pay day
- 377A bullshit debate continues
- Helloween's past

- Sharon Lee has left for the US
- Granny Lee remains in hospice
- Little Ryan has been discharged

- Kristabel went & returned from Bangkok
- Gary went & returned from Taiwan
- Leni is still in Philippines

- Been treated to lunch

- Met up with Deeva, Meiz, Emi
- Met up with Mentor for our monthly makan sessions

- I’ve been both complimented and nagged by Lao Lao
- We have a new mini sized Physiotherapist
- DOM (Dirty Old Man) Red Alert in Ward
- I’ve completed the 5Cs program
- Another talk scheduled tomorrow @2pm
- Ward chalet next fri
- My uniform remains shrunken

- Songs continue to get stuck in my head

I’ll be back in the ward tomorrow.

Waka waka.

Pui.

Natasha Bedingfield - Soul Mate

Incompatible, it don't matter though
'Cos someone's bound to hear my cry
Speak out if you do
You're not easy to find

Is it possible Mr. Loveable
Is already in my life?
Right in front of me
Or maybe you're in disguise

Who doesn't long for someone to hold
Who knows how to love you without being told
Somebody tell me why I'm on my own
If there's a soul mate for everyone

Here we are again, circles never end
How do I find the perfect fit
There's enough for everyone
But I'm still waiting in line

Who doesn't long for someone to hold
Who knows how to love you without being told
Somebody tell me why I'm on my own
If there's a soul mate for everyone

If there's a soul mate for everyone

Most relationships seem so transitory
They're all good but not the permanent one

Who doesn't long for someone to hold
Who knows how to love you without being told
Somebody tell me why I'm on my own
If there's a soul mate for everyone

Who doesn't long for someone to hold
Who knows how to love you without being told
Somebody tell me why I'm on my own
If there's a soul mate for everyone
If there's a soul mate for everyone