The alarm rang like usual. Indicating it’s time to wake up, get ready, and get to work! But not for today. I hit snooze and continue sleeping. Or more like attempted to. Because I stirred once a while, being all too used to wake up in a routine and headed to clock in. Finally, I decided to just wake up la (bladder tak tahan liao).
8.30am. The air, the surroundings and everything is just the same. But I felt different. The first tune that came to me was Turn your eyes upon Jesus. I felt free and without responsibilities, and there was this excitement of NOT knowing what lies ahead. I haven’t plan that far and it seems to irk many people, who won’t settle for my answer ‘I dunno. I reaaaly dunno.’ And keep asking and quick to give suggestions.
Yes, this day onwards. I am no longer an official Malaysian civil servant. Putrajaya had confirmed it.
If I was just leaving Slim River, I would be so happy. But to leave Hospital Ipoh, the department of my passion was done with heavy steps and heavy hearts. Time crawls in Slim River. Time flies in OS, Hosp Ipoh. It was 1 year and 6 months.
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Yesterday, the clinic threw a farewell high tea party for me. Like DSA Afni said ‘Kita meraikan Dr Soo meninggalkan kita’. Food and place was fantastic. But nothing like the people… fellow officers were there, FYDOS came, specialists graced it, DSAs and Sisters came, PPK and trainee students and dear PT Vijaya also came. Friends from Paediatric department also joined us.
The funny part was Dr Rabindar and Dr Meena took me out earlier that day to choose my own gifts for me. I was surprised at the total budget, almost humbled. And I must say, these ladies did a great job in finding me gifts. I surely appreciate the gifts.
Because one day I reheat my dinner using clinic’s microwave.
Pinky is the name.
Having high-tea at Tower Regency Hotel was like having dinner for me. Their food layout and choicest was amazing and really worth the RM18/pax. Dr Yuen gave a word or two. And they made me give a farewell speech. I spoke gibberish which I dun remember now, and the clinic yet presented me with an amazing gift. A gift to keep and cherish in your heart. I understand this was a dear FYDO’s effort. With a fairy drawing on a make- shift suture box.
Every message in it was as classical and personified as the colleague and associate that I worked with, regardless how simple it was. DSA Sarlina would doodle, Dr Rabindar put her stamping chop on it, Dr Yuen told me to pass up my homework, etc etc etc, some with nicely cut borders, some included wax work. One particularly humbling piece was from a staff I blasted a few days ago, she cut a heart shape piece of paper for me and wrote there From Ibu.
I had enjoyed working in hospital Ipoh, especially in this field of Oral Surgery which I loved since 3rd year as a student. Everyday is exciting. And we are always that close to touching human’s life. I am not going to cry there and then, but this is certainly a job that I will miss in the future.
Dr Rabindar was funny. She wanted to leave already, so she stood up from 2 chairs of my left to say goodbye. I stood and have her a hug. She moved to my right hand side, sat down, grabbed a tissue and dabbed her eyes.
I returned home, with my car loaded with big items (microwave and lamp, see plus the files and books from hospital). I’m gonna love the lamp so much. I held a lot of stuff in my hand as I fumbled the keys to open the house door. One of the item I was holding was the suture box. Then it dawned on me… This is it. I can’t even believe this is real. There were tears in my eyes, which quickly disappeared when my housemate came out to help me with the door.
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A break.
Probably a break will do me good. Sharpen the saw, they said.
I had been wondering the whole day, how is clinic? How’s Meena coping without me? How’s Menaka handling the RR1? But then I have holidays to plan too.
“I hope you enjoyed your last day as a government servant. You’re full-time God’s servant.” Said Eunice, housemate. Woah~~ So I am.
Here closed another chapter of my life. With love and sweet memories.
aL is here 