Alas, a week is about to pass

So it's back to work once again. I realized how bad I make work sound in my previous posts. Truth is, work is fun. It's just that I've chosen to rant about work instead of exposing the fun parts of it.

As most of you know, I've been working as a locum in Columbia Asia since well, 2004. During the school holidays back then, my sister and I took turns running the Medical Records department; basically just sending the files to the correct places, doing filings and such. Then in 2005, after form 5, I worked there for half a year also as a Medical Records assistant until I went for form 6 in June 2006. Finished form 6 and the dreaded STPM paper in December 2007. Between that period of time, I did return to work there during short periods of time in the radiology department and as an admin assistant. At the end of my form 6 year, I was offered a new position; receptionist. I've always been a bit shy around new people so it was indeed an eye opener, especially since this receptionist job was in one of the most difficult departments back then where the average of patients who visited in a day were 150, at least. On top of that, some of the patients did not make the job easier for us so initially it was really hard to adapt myself, apart from some really,really difficult colleagues and when I think back, it does seem like a miracle as how I could survive since I came back usually near tears (or in tears) and frustrated for practically weeks!

However, in the end after learning the mechanisms of it, everything worked out fine. My time in that department ended and the boss offered me another position, also receptioning at a new area; the specialist clinic. The patient flow there was not as many compared to my previous department but there were still some difficulties with certain colleagues and also some patients. I did get frustrated when these problems occured but thinking back, if I had done the right thing then the situation is not in my hands any longer. Since I am only a locum, I was replaced with another girl whom the boss wanted to try out as a permanent staff at the specialist clinic and I was moved back to the Medical Records department. Some people dread working in this department because tons and tons of walking and running is involved. Also, the amount of filings, climbing ladders and such can really tire you out easily. And if a wrong filing is done, the search for that one precious file can be really difficult! I wasn't really happy being there at first since we had problems with people who called us up for files that were already in their hands and other problems. However, in the end, I started being mellow towards the whole thing and it was cool that we had a big room all to ourselves. Also, I managed to lose weight which was really =D

The day came when the girl who was supposed to replace me got fired and I got moved back to the Specialist Clinic. Still am there now and I don't know how long will I be here but I have to be prepared for any changes any time soon.

The good thing about being a locum is that you get to experience different experiences which is very eye-opening. I find myself being able to smile and say Hi and Bye to patients easily compared to before and I don't feel so awkward anymore in trying to help wheelchair bound patients. Seeing them smile and say 'thank you' really makes me feel happy. Once, the church pastor said that serving God does not necessarily mean serving in church, it can be anywhere. I guess being a receptionist, I am serving Him through helping others. Hence, I do try to do my best.

Of course when it comes to impossible patients, I still try to do what is best for them and although they do complain and get mad, I have learnt to be quiet and know that I did try to do my best.

Sigh. Alas, I've forgotten to be thankful once again to this job I have. Never did I have to ever find a job. The job always finds me and there I went, complaining about the colleagues who were well, different and the patients who were difficult. I should stop doing this and start looking at the beauty of being able to be a help.

So many things to be thankful for in my department now really =)



Some friends that I have acquired. My name tag is the most mien one since it is three years old compared to their few months old ones. Hmmph. The arrangement above is based on our photos and how young we look. So from left to right, it's from youngest to the oldest.



The actual truth is, the younger till oldest arrangement is as above. Amy's only 17 going 18 this September, yours truly is 20 and Renee's 27 but people mistake her to be around 18 years old all the time! Talk about forever young. Haha. My photo here is also 3 years old la which explains the spiky hair that was considered In then. Hoho.




Lots and lots of free pens!! When there are generous sales reps around, there are bound to be free pens. I've been collecting them pens for use for uni next year and I am coming up to about 10+ free pens now. Do you know how much I can save on buying pens??

Yesterday was also the first time I heard a patient tell me how jealous he is that we got really nice pens from the sales reps. He thought the pen I was using (pictured above) was really nice and asked if I had an extra one. I would have been nice enough to give it to him but then I had no extra pens around so I couldn't he said to remember to get one for him the next time I get a free pen since he is a regular patient of out clinic and would drop by pretty often.

He is also the patient that looks a lot like Aizzat and is super nice. Haha.



Super nice doctors around. Don't you think our ENT doctor has the cutest handwriting? Yes, it belongs to him. They were going to make a new signage for him and he wrote down the words he wanted on that signage. It looks a bit like my little brother's handwriting. Haha.


So far, I don't have any problems with the doctors here; the 5 resident specialists and the occasional visiting ones. I've gained some information from the surgeon whose sister is now doing a PHD in English; something that I would want to do, if it's God's will.

Also, who can forget the adorable kids that come along once in a while? I've discovered this adorable kid who never fails to play with my hole punch whenever he visits. He would also run behind the counter and sit next to me and ask for milk and sweets. =.= He is really cute though. Aww. I miss little Aqil too, in his super chubbiness and attention loving self. Le sigh.

To think that I would miss out in all these experiences if I had gone into a local university. I guess things happen for a reason.

Till then.