stolen colours

I managed to have some social life this past week. Last weekend I met WQ for lunch after Saturday’s work ended - because he lives just next to Simei. And on Vesak Day I watched Accuracy of Death with my fellow team HO, on a whim. YATTA.

To be doing GS in this hospital feels familiar.

Things that aren’t familiar: I love how the blood-taking trolleys are (usually) filled with butterfly needles galore. I don’t know who ever uses the vacutainer needles themselves, because precious few HOs do. I like the self-contained blood culture sets. I love the 24-hour IT helpdesk. I like the pantry in the staff office with addictive Khong Guan biscuits.

There are memories from three years ago. The registrar-turned-consultant whom I shamefully broke down in front of still remembers me *winces* The elective student following my tutor from back then was my MO for a while (He recognised me! I didn’t recognise him because his hairstyle is now drastically different). The registrar from the team I was following is now my associate consultant. One of the senior MOs also recognises my face. One of the MOs from the team I followed then is now working here too, but I’m not sure which department.

This is the place where I cried for the first time for that reason. (not realising then that there would be more instances later in other places, and sometimes behind a computer screen.) The place where we left for the Muse concert. The place where there’s no excuse not to go to Changi Village, where I got to know of the beef noodle stall during that time when there was a sudden appreciation for cheap local food, partly thanks to our admiration of ieatishoot. The place where going home means giving a friend a lift on the way; different friend and type of friend now, and different route.

The first 10 days or so, I would be driving to work in tears, feeling so tired and so empty and so overwhelmed; and nothing to go back to for comfort, and nothing within myself to draw upon. Now it’s better. I don’t dread going to work. I still dread calls greatly. I like working with my team; but we’re changing teams soon, alas.