who's soonger??

more about the soonger

august 1999

There and back...

Monday, August 2.

I did the unthinkable this weekend-- we went to New York again after a visit a couple weeks ago. However, this trip was not for pleasure-- it was to console close family friends after the patriarch of their family passed away on Wednesday. We would have attended the funeral on Saturday but my mom was in Vancouver with her high school friends for a reunion.

My mom got back Saturday at noon (after a long delay). She had enough time to come back home, get cleaned up after the long flight and delay at Pearson Airport, grab a bite to eat, pack some clean clothes and then travel to New York.

The drive, which normally takes 10 hours was slightly longer this time. The weather was not to our favour-- we were running away from a major thunderstorm but we had to stop for food. That was our downfall-- on the way back to the Interstate, an inexperienced driver bumped our car stopped at a traffic light. To her defense (it was a woman driving the car), it was a dark and rainy night. The red light was at the bottom of a hill. She tried her best to stop but there wasn't enough distance, at the speed she was going.

Our trip was delayed an hour to get a hold of the police but in Pennsylvania, the police did not need to write a report since both cars were in 'driveable' condition and no one was injured. We traded information and were on our way. We didn't make it to New Jersey (where my uncle lives) until 1 AM. Man, that was the latest we ever got there. It was a good thing my cousin was still awake (my aunt and uncle were waiting but they looked a little groggy...)

The next morning, Sunday, we went to the big city. I did the driving-- I was amazed at how smooth flowing the traffic was-- after all, this was New York City. We made it to Queen's from my uncle's place (a 60 km drive) in less than an hour. We got there around noon.

Our family friends were waiting for us since 9 that morning. We sat down and heard what happened that day-- who was there, and other details. Everyone was wearing a black ribbon in memory of I Wah Hsue (the deceased). We asked if the flowers that we ordered were there but there were so many flowers there and no one was 'looking' to see who sent what.

Before going to visit the widow, we had some dim sum. On a lighter note, we went to the same dim sum place as last time. Not only is the dim sum not bad there, we wanted to see if the Tina (the waitress who gave my mom her telephone number) was working that weekend. To no avail-- she wasn't there. Even if she was there, what would we say?

Before going to the house, we bought some mangoes to bring over. Now that was an experience-- downtown Flushing, NY is a nightmare to get around during the weekend. Everybody is double-parked, traffic is bad and many of the drivers are just plain bad as well. Pedestrians disregard signals-- a mess. Somehow, I managed to get through traffic unscathed and in good time-- in fact, I was complemented by our family friends-- he said I did a pretty good job keeping up with him (we took 2 cars).

After the shopping trip we spent the rest of the time with the widow. She was in very good spirits-- she was happy to see us, regardless of the occasion. Because she is a pyschic (she is a clarvoyant) She told us that she knew her husband would not make it to his 83rd birthday (2 months from now) so she was prepared for the loss. Her voice did quiver when she told my mom the details of what happened.

There was also time for her to see what the future holds for my brother and myself. Since my parents are concerned with my brother's social future, they asked her what his future holds with respect to a bride. The same was asked of me. The only difference between my brother and myself was of age-- I'm younger so my chances are better and I'm still in school. (I'm guessing my 'odds' are better because of that.)

For dinner, she didn't want to go out to eat (she's more or less confined herself to the household) so the rest of us went out to eat. Again, we went to the same restaurant for dinner as lunch. The food was okay-- I have to say that Windsor cuisine is better than that restaurant (what a bold statement that is!)

We got back to New Jersey relatively early (before 10:30). It was because we left early and the blazing speed I was going back on the expressway. Can you believe it costs $11 to get around NYC for a day?! [$4 for George Washington bridge toll (roundtrip) and $3.50 one way to use a bridge that connects the borroughs (we used the Throgs Neck Bridge)] They say that New York is one of the most expensive cities to live in-- I can see why!

Didn't stay up too late one bit-- we all sat by the TV to tell my aunt and uncle how the others in NYC were doing. Then I went upstairs to crash. I think the others followed my lead...

Monday was the long drive back to Windsor. It was much better coming home-- weather was much better, visibility improved and we were less tired. We had breakfast at IHOP and did a little shopping before we took off. I had to find a case of my favourite pop (Americans call is 'soda') called SARSI. For those who haven't tried it, I describe it as Chinese root beer.

My brother took the first part of the drive back. I was surprised at the good time he was making-- he was actually exeeding the posted limit by quite a bit. (It told me he was in a real hurry to get back home!) I took over the drive somewhere in the middle of Pennsylvania. My mom needed to get a McDonald's soft cone (and we needed to pick up some gas). When I took over the wheel-- I made sure we made good time-- I was going well over 65 mph the whole way. However, I did make a boo-boo. I missed the exit to hit the Ohio Turnpike (Interstate 80) at Youngstown. Instead, I kept going straight and went on Interstate 76.

By the time I discovered this miscalculation, we were over 10 miles past Youngstown and we saw a huge traffic backup on the eastbound lanes. I pulled off and used the map in the truck that we found several years back (thank goodness we didn't throw it out!) We found the alternate route-- we passed Akron and hooked back up on the turnpike.

The missed exit did not cost us too many miles. When we got back to our house in Windsor, the trip odometer said we did a little over 1000 km on the way back. The shortest distance we've ever gone one way to New Jersey is 975 km. I may have cost us 25 km. That's a 2% mistake.

Before I went to bed, I had to eat instant noodles. Although my uncle's packed lunch was great, it was not enough to sustain me. (The McDonald's break to redeem my winning small McFlurry in the Inspector Gadget giveaway promotion couldn't keep me full, either) Also I did a little e-mailing and websurfing. After all, I missed out on 3 days worth of stuff!

Back on the job...

Tuesday, August 3.

Before going to work this morning, I had to get the dog from the kennel. The place was really busy (since it was the first day back from the long weekend) and I guess people needed to have their pets see a vet. I waited for the reception area to be cleared out and then had the receptionist have Rex all ready to go. He was well-behaved, to my surprise. Of course he had barked himself hoarse and was virtually soundless. They had washed him and used powder preventing him from being all stinky.

I went home to drop him off, get changed and then went to work. I wore the HardRock Cafe t-shirt mom had picked up in Banff last week. The drive to work was typical-- a 10 minute drive to the pharmacy. When I got there, it was pandamonium already. Instead of being the tech, I was put out for frontshop duty.

By noon, we had filled over 230 prescriptions. The afternoon slightly slowed down. By the time I had a chance to catch my breath, we were close to topping our 'all time' high of prescriptions filled. I left at 6 so I didn't hear about the final tally until the following day.

My Aunt Fiona came over that evening to see how everyone here was doing. (We haven't heard from them in quite a while) They stayed over for dinner and enjoyed my mom's cooking (which by the way, has dramatically changed in style) I was supposed to go out to see a movie with the guys but that didn't pan out. My friend Mike was no where to be found...

News from around...

Thursday, August 5.

I'm getting reports from outside of Windsor-- lots of stuff going on. An aunt and her family is over in Singapore enjoying a month vacation over there. I sent e-mails to my cousins over there to check out the status of the whole thing-- man, the advent of e-mails has made communication so much easier. (Imagine the size of phone bills if I called overseas ever so often?)

Also, my Italian neighbour was kind enough to bring over some of her freshly made pasta-- lasagna. Everything was homemade-- the pasta, the sauce... it was SO GOOD. Let me tell you something: I can never go back to eating stuff from a can-- I would be slummin' it if I did... Our friends (the Lees) came over to see the rabbit that has been plaguing my dad's garden was still around. My dad told them the story about his attempts to trap the rabbit and send it to the nearby conservation. But the idea did not go beyond the planning stage-- it mysteriously disappeared. My suspicion is the tu-tse (Mandarin for rabbit) was caught by a neighbour's cat or run over by a car. In any instance, my dad's flowers have been flourishing ever since.

Today, I had to be in to work for 10 am. Not a bad time, but at the same time, not a great time. The workload has been somewhat steady after Tuesday's hectic time. A new face to the crew: an entering-second year student who is keen on becoming a pharmacist. Her name is Anita and she's been very helpful watching the front counter. (That was my job on Tuesday and I didn't care for it too much-- I need to get my hands on stuff and do more than take people's names and addresses...)

Today I was everything: running upstairs to go see doctors, counting pills, doing front shop stock, unpacking orders, taking the phone and counselling people. However, the amount of counselling has been dwindling-- there were two pharmacists on duty and they did their job.

When I came home, I had so many phone calls. I received a phone call from the university because I contacted the faculty yesterday and told them that I would be unable to make it to orientation. Also heard from the 'States and the insurance company.

The real surprise call was from my pharmacy friend. She normally doesn't call me that often (I don't blame her too much) but she had a lot to tell me. Gossip was a highlight-- I heard about the stuff that's been going on OUTSIDE the class. I had some stuff to tell her-- hey, I may be an outsider but I'm not in a bubble. Some juicy tidbits do trickle down to Windsor and I am able to share this info... The call lasted over an hour (not unusual for me to talk to this girl for lengthy periods) so I was truly entertained...

Tomorrow, I have another 8 hour shift at the pharmacy. Have no idea what the plan is for the weekend. Heck, I don't even know if I have to cover for my friend at the pharmacy this weekend or not...

I still have to contact a few people that I didn't get a chance to talk to. Since I was away during the Civic holiday weekend, I missed my friends who came back to Windsor. Of course my friend up at UWO has a few things to tell me what's up with him. (He has a whole lot of small things to say but when you add them up, there is quite a bit to say...) Also have to call up my friend up in Ottawa and Calgary. Perhaps I have too many friends!

The Sixth Sense...

Wednesday, August 11.

Unlike other weekends, I actually went out and did stuff. First, I went to the east side of town for my weekly expedition for an Arby's lunch and a visit to my aunt's house. Since my aunt wasn't home that particular time, we went home early. Before going home, we decided to pass by the old house and our nextdoor neighbours were sitting on the front porch. We went inside to talk to them-- haven't seen them in ages.

Sunday was more of the same thing-- it was my dad's birthday so we celebrated through fine meals. In the morning, my mom and I got up early to make the most of a grand opening sale-- I purchased a new pair of shoes and some tearaway pants. Also had to go to the bakery to get a nice cake for my dad.

The meals we had on Sunday were paid for by my brother (dinner) and myself (lunch). Lunch was dim sum-- I couldn't believe we ate $40 worth! It was much cheaper than dinner so I shouldn't be complaining...

On Tuesday, I went to see The Sixth Sense. The trailers to the movie are no indication to what the movie is really about (lately, most trailers give away the movie...) If you have no idea what the movie is about, it's about a boy who can see the dead. Bruce Willis is a child psychologist trying to help this boy.

Overall, you can tell that I approved of this movie and would recommend it to anyone I knew. I give it 8.5 / 10. In fact, I can honestly say that I would place it as one of the best movies this summer! Well worth the $4.50 admission I paid. The reason for all this enthusiasm is the movie's ending. There are so many subtle hints throughout the movie that you kinda forget about it until the end. It was a total surprise (unless someone tells you!) After the movie I started to think how the movie's perspective totally changed knowing the ending versus while you watched it. Those types of movies are far and few nowadays...

As for the rest of the week, I've been slaving away at the job. Haven't been feeling too much appreciated but working as a team, no one particular person should 'steal' the glory-- the place has its moments.

Looking ahead, I do intend on going up to Toronto to move some of my stuff up ahead of time. Don't think it will all fit in the Accord so the trip has a constructive purpose. I really wanted to go up anyways to have fun with the friends before school officially begins. And with me going on vacation during Frosh Week... that leaves me little leisure time-- can you believe I'm having an exam first week into classes? (There's some pressure to it: we need to get 100% on it otherwise we have to do it again, and again until we get perfect...)

One more week...

Saturday, August 21.

It's amazing how fast time goes by. It's been how long since I've touched this page?! Well, not much has happened since last time. Since watching The Sixth Sense all over movie trailers have left little for me to be excited. Perhaps it's the end of those 'good movies' until Christmas time, when the movie execs strategically position their movies into Oscar contention.

As for work, it's been the same old deal. The sole male pharmacist in the building had the week off so I was workin' with the ladies again. No big deal but I get that feeling that being the only guy around town (figuratively speaking) has me as a token figure. One female pharmacist has me counselling a whole lot more than the other (aka the boss) but no matter-- I'm learning and getting paid for it.

Went up to Toronto last weekend. Man, was it something else. Seriously-- it was something else. Anything I had 'planned' (which was little) did not fall through. It was the generousity of my newly-met friends that saved my sorry hide. I will see them again-- I initially intended to drop my stuff off for temporary storage such that my move to Toronto in September would be a lot less than intended.

This weekend, I was going to look around to find a small hard drive to put in the old computer. I'm going to do a little surgery to it by removing the SCSI controller / hard drive into the computer I'm taking back up to Toronto with me. You see... I have intentions to install a SCSI CD burner into this P2-266. I'd like to have that option of optical data storage as well as a more economical way to have songs to listen to. (I won't go into details of what I mean here...)

One last thing: where does time go? I have one more week left in my summer term at the job. That means summer is coming to an end! (But it does mean that I will have free time to golf!)