Safe in a Crazy World …

Here I am, writing a blog at 0400 hrs, after coming back from lab around 0230 hrs. I was supposed to finish my stuff by 1500 today and come back to rest, then start reading up on my project. Alas, my experimental results turned out to be very faint, so I decided to repeat the experiment from scratch, to confirm the outcome. Since my fren was also staying late to finish up her experiment so that she need not go back to lab tomorrow (Sun), I was happy to have company. After all, it feels good working in lab during weekends bcos boss is not around and we can better concentrate on our work, taking breaks during incubation times and having lunch, tea, dinner or supper etc. That is the good thing about lab jobs - flexible timing (but unlimited time at work too!). 

Due to unforeseen circumstances, my work was delayed and I had to stay one hour later than planned. My fren offered to stay back to accompany me, otherwise I would have to find my way out of the hospital alone in the wee hours, which can be freakin scary. I remembered having ventured into the lab through an unusual entrance on a Sunday morning, which led to staff area which did not seem to be in operation and the lighting for stretches of corridors/areas was very dim. Somehow the lift was not in service, and the door to the stairs was locked, so I found my way into some bed linen/kitchen section, and it became like a maize. There was nobody, just me alone trying to find my way out of that maize into some common lobby. Apparently, once I had entered the place, there was no turning back bcos it became like a jungle - the more I moved on, the more confusing the place got. I chanced upon a lift in the midst of this jungle and took it up to the 1st level. I didn’t like the lift at all bcos it was one of those big lifts for transporting ward beds and I had to be alone in it. On the way, the lift stopped at B1 and I thought to my relief that I would finally see some people, but to my horror, the lift door opened and I came face to face with a dark place, with NO ONE at all (my hair really stood on end by this time)! I pressed the lift door "close" button and crossed my fingers that I could get out soon. When the lift finally reached the 1st level, 2 staff entered and I went out. To my horror AGAIN, the area looked the same as that horrible dim B1, and I had nowhere to go except towards a not-so-promising-looking exit sign. To my horror for the last time, the exit door led me to yet another enclosed area and there was another door. I held my breath and pushed open the door, finally seeing some corridors!! After venturing through more internal corridors and opening a few wrong doors, I finally found my way to the main atrium! I felt so stupid then, to have tried venturing in through that warehouse-looking entrance in the first place, but it was partly bcos of the rain and I could not cross over to my usual entrance.

Tonight was different, bcos I had my fren with me. It kinda felt very heartwarming, esp when I saw a few other people from other labs at work and we had small chats. Only people in the same boat would understand what one another are going through, and hence chatting with them makes you feel much better at times when you have to work into the wee hours. It makes you feel that the lab is your second home, partly bcos you are there for a longer time than you are at home, and people who understand your plight most are also there with you. It is during these times that you feel being in lab is good, haha. Another thing is that it is definitely much more interesting than office work. Time passes like nobody’s business as you are doing experiments, instead of most of the time sitting in front of a computer and trying to suppress your sleepiness. The greatest factor that distinguishes lab from office is that it is extremely important that you have nice colleagues bcos you are almost "living" with them, considering the time spent in lab. Even if you have a horrible boss, as long as you have support from your colleagues, all the nasty things you face would seem to have diminished by 80%.

After finishing our work, my fren and I walked towards the nearest shopping mall to take a cab. Upon reaching home, it felt really good to have a hot shower. Just when I was going to sleep, I had a sudden craving for instant noodles, and so I had it! I kinda like the feeling of going to bed with a satisfied stomach (who doesn’t?).

Now that I have had my noodles, it is time to hit the pillow (I have to be back in lab 4-5 hrs later!). Since the film developer is faulty again, I would have less to do tomorrow. These circumstances really help, for it allows me to take a short break without feeling guilty. =P I still have to go back to plate cells anyway, but at least I can skip the part with long waiting time = enough time to come home earlier to zzz before continuing with my day again. =)

Special thanks to wormie & mu for your concern, sorry to have caused you to stay up. Good night! zzz   

This entry was posted on Saturday, March 10th, 2007 at 12:46 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.