Not a very pleasant one

(This entry was written on Monday, 6 February 2006. But due to some technical glitches it wasn't posted, and during the days that follow I avoid being in close contact with PC)

Presentation (especially the one with a change in schedule) and sore eyes (a severe one) certainly do not go well together.

But this is the situation that I am currently in right now (that's why I know how bad it affects one's life).

I was supposed to have a presentation (well, my first ever upon joining this company) on 17 February (next week). And the director has conveyed the message and made sure it is clear that he expects an academic presentation, whatever that means.

On 23-30 January, I enjoyed my short break in Jakarta (and finally ate rujak cingur after so long, it's an Eastern Javanese delicacy in case you're wondering and this one was especially brought from Malang by my cousin for my indulgence). Coming back to office on Wednesday - it was still quite as people are still extending their Chinese New Year break - only to know that the presentation (the academic one - what else?) is brought forward to 10 February (this Friday).

Unable to start preparing it immediately (what with my other works to do), I've allocated Friday onwards just to do it and also for something "oral examination kinda thing" which is due on 8th of Feb (the day after tomorrow).

Friday morning, I woke up only to know that my right eye sored. Went to see doctor in NUS, only to hear her saying that it is a serious one, my eye was badly infected and she then made an appointment with an eye specialist in NUH for me. By then, the sore had become more and more unbearable and she gave me an MC.

I had a tearful moment with the specialist. My slit eyes and single-eye lid made his usually long eye examination longer. Once he forced to fold my eye lid back and what I can tell you is that it wasn't a very pleasant experience. And because my eyes were too small, he needed to drop some medicine to dilate my eyes. Very uncomfortable, felt very absurd. He told me I got a bacterial infection.

The weekend was gone through by a swollen right eye, waking up on Saturday only to know that my left eye was also infected (the doctor suggested not to share pillow and towel with anybody, but I just can't quarantine my left eye from the right one, right?), few tearful moments, especially when I applied the eye drop (my whole body shakes for few torturous second.. I'll look like someone who just consumed drugs), skipped my painting class and did it at home instead, and until this morning which I felt my eyes are much better than 2 days ago.
But being in office (i.e. air-conditioned room) for 1 hour had again discouraged me. My eyes became more red and very dry.. I kept on squinting and it made me more difficult for me to prepare my presentation!! Oh no... How? What to do? I am panic now. Will seek more advice when I see the specialist again this afternoon.

OK, gotta do my presentation slides now (heaven helps!!) and in case you're wondering how on earth can I type for so long now, I am at home now (without air con) and have brought all my works back home in case I decide to extend my rest until tomorrow (better than coming with red squinting eyes to the presentation room which will be attended by directors, project leaders, etc??)

PS: Panic to the power of infinity!!!!!

Now is TODAY's entry:

I went to see the specialist again in NUH on Monday, 3 pm only to know that though my bacterial infection has waned, I still have a viral infection which will last for 10 days - 2 weeks!! Luckily, it doesn't hurt as bad as the bacterial one. Still bearable, or at least my eyes had their normal size back. Obviously, he pleaded me to abstain against reading, watching movies, seeing PC's monitor.. avoid them as much as I can. He gave me MC for 4 days. At first he wanted to give a full week MC but I objected it.

With this, my director agreed to postpone my presentation. Phew.. Can't really imagine how to prepare it under this condition.

I couldn't do anything right. Can't read for more than few minutes, only checked my important e-mails (and kept squinting)... All in all, it was boring boring boring!!! So I slept a lot (something that I don't usually do under normal circumstances). I normally can't have a nap how hard I try (contrary to norm?) but luckily they came at ease when I was soooo daaaammnn boooreeeddd..

Today, I ecstatically went to office. Finally... my eyes are already back to ALMOST normal. Still have blur eyesight sometimes... But as long as I don't overstrain, I guess my normal eyesight will be back soon...