more about the soonger |
may 2003 |
One month already?!Wednesday, May 7What's be going on with me? Actually, quite a bit despite all the complaints I've had with all the taxes that I had to pay. It was getting insane how many hours I was logging in at the various pharmacies. But it did result in big pay cheques -- all in due time for Mr Revenue Canada come knocking at my door. From what I've learned -- it's all about maximizing your RSP contributions! How can I not mention my car in an entry? I did a little modifying a couple of weekends ago. Got the 'mod bug' and took out a hair dryer and dental floss and 'debadged' the trunk lettering from my car. What originally said "A C U R A " is now "I N S P I R E". Why do that? I'm doing what the aftermarket tuner crowd would call the 'JDM conversion'. JDM (Japan Domestic Market) conversion will change their auto to closely resemble what is available in Japan. My car (Acura TL) is known as the Honda Inspire in Japan. I'm not going to totally change my car (ie right hand drive) due to how impractical it is, but small changes (ie trunk lettering) is a small, subtle change that I like. What else ... I have been learning a little more about life. Got a few phone calls from all over -- looks like the Year of the Sheep is going to be bad. Got a phone call from the UK -- my eldest cousin passed away. It was such a tragedy -- lived by herself, got her health turned around but in the end, it wasn't enough. My aunt who came to Thailand with us was absolutely devastated. It must be any parent's worst nightmare (ie to outlive your own children). On my mom's side of the family: looks like there have been a couple deaths in the family as well. It's only May, too! |
On the brighter side of things, I had a chance to go to Tahiti first class totally FREE by a drug company but I ended up ineligible to go. My bro looks like he'll be going for a couple weeks in June. Dammit! I wouldn't have minded going, too. That's one thing I totally enjoy about my line of work -- since I have no affiliations with anyone, I don't have to worry about 'being there' or making any outside arrangements to have someone cover for my work shifts. I just tell people that I am unable to work and do my own thing. =) What else ... I have been trying to get back into shape in time for the summer. Have been earnestly trying to swim (1-2 times a week) as well as use the exercise equipment in the basement. I am proud to say I'm up to 130lb (approx 60kg) bench press and almost up to my goal of 175 lb (80kg). Shouldn't take me too long to achieve that milestone. One thing I've noticed: since I'm not swimming too much, my pace times have gotten worse (aka slower). I'm not 'building' as quickly as I once did. Perhaps this is just due to age -- can't turn it around like I once did. Such a shame -- I used to be fast ... ;) What's in store for the future: some more workin', saving up for RSP and future holidays, cleaning up my car, modifications to the Acura, a road trip to Toronto and that's about it. Anyone interested in the full change of my auto, you can always check out this link: Soonger's Yahoo Photos. |
Belated Mother's Day greetingsMonday, May 12It was a working weekend for me so it didn't feel like a "weekend" at all. What did I do? At least I was nearby and was at the Shoppers close to my house (3 min drive). I'm usually punctual (ie if the store opens at 9:00, I'm there at 8:59) but on Saturday, I was really punctual. Left the house at 8:35 to go to McD's (had a craving for a breakfast burrito!) so I was at the store at 8:50 -- I was there before the 'regulars' who are there early. Perhaps everyone was thrown off by the bad weather the past couple of nights-- there have been many heavy showers. Our household was affected by all the rain / thunder -- Rex was barking like a scaredy-cat! Saturday night -- I was at home watching the hockey game. I was so beat by the day (161 scripts) that I kinda crashed while watching the Ottawa / New Jersey game. At least I was awake through Coaches' Corner. I did hear the Senators won in overtime... whew! They dodged a bullet there -- up 2-0 and two unanswered goals almost cost them! |
On Sunday -- I got up really late. I was on the phone late that night.
Good thing work commenced at 10am. (Again, I was early again!) The rains had
a positive effect on my "punctual-ness". It was shocking to see how many
people trailed into the store and went straight to the greeting card section.
How many people shop for a card at the last minute?! It was surprising to
hear that from Hallmark data -- the most greeting cards are sold for Mother's
Day (even more than Christmas!). Again: it goes to show you that Mother's Day
is such a Hallmark holiday ...
Luckily, Sunday proved to be a much more relaxed day than Saturday. I was able to catch up on my 'readings' (eg Car & Driver, Motor Trend, etc) and have good discussions with the well-being of the staff and pharmacy technicians. ;) In the evening, we went out for Mother's Day dinner -- went out for Chinese. Vince & Mei were the hosts for the evening. They wanted to take my parent's out for dinner (welcome home) and it so happened they could also observe Mother's Day as well. It was a feast! The service was a little slow and that was understandable due to the occasion. Went home and watched the re-telecast of the world championships of hockey final between Canada & Sweden. Again, I was on the phone until late last night. |
Monday, May 26This was yesterday in a nutshell: it was a normal start to Sunday -- got up around 8:30-ish, then was getting ready for work at a very slow pace. Had something to eat for taking off to the new & unexplored (1st time at this Shoppers downtown). Let me tell you it was almost as bad as I had imagined. I was glad to have a younger, friendlier tech working with me. =) She took care of the more annoying people, so that made me happy. But I had to concoct these methadone doses for a lot of people. That didn't make me happy. However, by noon, my mom dropped off some leftover dim sum they had (the restaurant was a couple blocks away) so having hot food was really nice. =) Got out of work at 2 ... and no sooner did it arrive. It was so warm when I left -- my black jacket didn't help the situation. My car computer said 21 C -- that's a mini-heatwave considering how cool it's been the past week or so. Guess there won't be a gradual climb in temperature -- from cold straight to hot this year. |
Got home -- had to run a couple of errands before seeing Mike -- haven't
talked to the guy in close to a week. Man, all that work outside has him
tanned! Just hung out and talked on his driveway -- he finally found the time
to wash his own car. (Can't believe he neglected it that long...)
In the evening, went out to eat -- fantastic. Then came home to check up on my messages. Got a surprise phone call from a friend in Toronto. Afterwards, I chatted on MSN for quite a while before retiring for the evening. (I was up pretty late last night... MSN / ICQ -- those instant messanging programs can be awfully addictive!) That wasn't quite a 'nutshell' huh? Well, I'm going to do a better job with what's in store for me this morning. This morning, I rolled out of bed at 9 -- the Rex-inator was yelping from his cage at 6. Guess he wanted to go outside to drop some bombs. By the time I heard them and processed what was going on, my mom got up and sent him out. My plans for the rest of the day: will probably go pick up some disability insurance at the agent (been going too long without) and maybe a stopover at the mall, all before going to work this afternoon. (But I just went to Future Shop yesterday!) I did get a Men's Health magazine at Shoppers yesterday so I should be good. |