If I could recall for the past 3 months, I haven't experienced a more tormenting and tribulation-filled day than yesterday. If I could borrow the lyrics of pop to illustrate the day, it would be "sunshine after the rain".
I was expecting to wake up a bit later than usual yesterday because the recce to the neighbouring Bishan Park was scheduled for 9am and I can claim cabfare for it. However, while doing proofreading till late at the design house the previous night, I realised the chinese translation was incomplete! Thus, I need to get back to office in the morning to send out the full version. Argh, 1 hr short of the intended beauty sleep span.
The cab ride to Bishan Park can't be more opportune for me to catch my forty winks. Sadly, the cab uncle spotted my runny nose and began preaching the goodness of health supplements and even offered the number of his friend who's a supplements sales rep. I accepted it out of courtesy la, but will steer clear to avoid being trapped in a MLM conspiracy.
Was it raining the previous night? I didn't know about it and wore my fave dark blue velvety pointy pumps to the park. I was in deep regret when I step foot on the soggy field and that was point of no return. I had to move on with the rest to recce the GOH route because my team lead was there and I really don't wanna be viewed as a bimbo who refuse to get her fave shoes dirty. The end result: 80%-soiled pumps, color bleached to a shade of dirty brown. There was no way I could salvage the shoes because of its material. Guess I'll just pluck out the flower on it and part with it reluctantly..
My corp comms colleague and I had to rush back to office before the end of recce to do final proofreading. I began to develop a headache towards the afternoon due to the earlier sunbathing in the park. Miss ber kindly bought chicky rice for my lunch as I had to miss it due to work. We found a comfortable spot in the lounge for me to gorge on lunch while Miss ber did her part as a chatting partner. When we were about to go back to our desks, I felt a sudden slight pinch on the back of my left knee. I thought it was the normal skin reactions we get sometimes when our cells and nerves beneath are at work. I brushed it off at first. Two seconds later, the same sensation replicated at the side of my left kneecap. I touched it and felt something protruding inside my jeans!! It felt like an insect so I grabbed it only to feel more pain a few inches away from that spot. I grabbed the other end and realised how long and huge this thing inside my jeans was. Almost 4 inches I reckon! I was terrified and it literally scared the pants off me. I dare not let go for fear that this thing inside my jeans will retaliate and bite me harder. I attempted to injure it/make it unconscious by pinching it, but I had to control my strength to prevent its blood/juice or whatever you call that spatter under my jeans! I decided to let go after some substantial pinching and flicked my left leg furiously for it to drop out. What appeared before my eyes was a disgusting looking black centipede measuring indeed about 4 inches long! I nearly fainted. I was dumbfounded and stumped. 3 fellow colleagues who witnessed the ordeal were astonished. The only guy among us came forward after recovering from the shock to murder the centipede in case it goes around inflicting its venomous bites on the rest. My bitten skin developed a huge red patch and stingy feeling. Team lead summoned Miss ber to accompany me to a GP immediately. I was given the usual antibiotics, allergy pill and cream for external use. The incompetent GP took a while to decide on the medication to give me. He assured me that such insect bites are generally harmless. INSECTS? Since when does a centipede fall under the category of insects who has 3 body parts and 6 legs?? Even spideys ain't insects, much less a centipede? I was so disillusioned with the quality of local healthcare. The $33.75 spent was definitely not worthwhile, wonder if I could claim for it in full since I was victimized while at work.. I'm sure some form of workmen compensation could take place here, can't it?
A look at the evil centipede who deserved its prosecution:
http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/content/images/2006_3219.JPG
this is not the guy who bite me, but he looked like this, a pity I didn't take a photo of it struggling as my colleague was performing manslaughter on it.
For the benefit of those who are unfamiliar with centipedes, here goes:
Centipedes (Class Chilopoda) are fast-moving venomous, predatory, terrestrial arthropods that have long bodies and many jointed legs. Chiefly nocturnal, centipedes are found primarily in tropical climates but are also widely distributed in temperate zones. Some species are highly venomous but none can cause death in humans who are not allergic.
For more information and visuals, you may visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centipede
I was blessed that I'm not allergic and that the bite was not intense. For some others, it can cause death and it is strongly recommended that you visit the A&E rightaway and obtain a titanus injection. Miss ber who had a centipede embedded on her waist experienced excruciating pain and had to go A&E to receive treatment. This is how serious things can get.
The bad day ended on a good note with the text for our collaterals being finalised, saving us the trip to the design house after working hours. Beh came to pick me up from work, an unusual act during his term time. The centipede bite worked! haha.. We went to Vivocity for the first time. Beh treated me to Asian Kitchen dinner and we went back right after that because I was really tired and wasn't feeling well. Back in hall, beh became disciplined and started to tidy and clean up his room. His friend kindly offered to deliver excess OCK snacks over to us for supper. Whee! The night was good as we munched on OCK while watching Bruce Lee's Fist of Fury where he starred as Huo Yuan Jia's favourite disciple who will stop at nothing in a bid to avenge for his shifu's death.
I'm glad that sunshine did appear after the rain.. :)
