Lecture. Accident.

Everything was going fine for the past month or so. I was asked to take over a lecture 2 Thurs ago. My boss, R, got something to attend to and he doesn't want to cancel the lecture. So he sent me an email at 7am asking if I am keen to do it. I was up early that morning and upon seeing the email, I rang him up immediately. Below is how the conversation takes place.

Me: Morning R******, this is Ben. I just saw your email and would like more details.

R: Morning Ben, what other details? Its ok if you are not comfortable with it. I just thought to ask if you would be interested as had been receiving emails complimenting you on your teaching.

Me: No no.. thats not it, I am definitely interersted as its something new to me. Besides, it would be a good experience for me as well. I would like to know what lecture you want me to give.

R: Thats good to hear! The topic would be on 'Electricity and Safety, EMG, ECG, EEG and ERG - kinda stuff.

Me: Sounds good! Alright, see you at 1.30 then!

I went off to see him and he did warn me that normally only 50 students turn up for the lecture at that time as its scheduled at 5-6pm. He told me not to be disappointed if I get less than that as he had been seeing only arnd 30 students the past 2 weeks. So at 5pm, when I entered the scehduled lecture theatre, I was amazed at the turn out. Almost 150 students turned up! Haha. The lecture was good and they all enjoyed it. I was smiling inside as its indeed good experience and of course, I was smiling on my way to the bank! Wahaha.

The next time I saw my Boss to sign the new contract for the lecture, he told me this...

R: Ben, I had received emails from the students asking you to take more lectures. Good job! At the rate you are going, I think I would be out of job really soon.

M: *smile* Thank you, R.

R: I was thinking, since I would be going on my long service leave next year, would you like to take over the lecturing position on a contract-basis? (Contract as I would be unable to do full-time due to my own impending Masters.) As you had taken most of the tutorial classes this year, you would had known at least half the students, it shouldn't be that difficult.

M: Thats would be great! Thanks R. Perhaps we shall discuss this towards the end of this year after my graduation.

R: Definitely! Let me clear this with the head of school as this is considered an unique appointment and it should be no problem given your experience in teaching these 2 years in Uni.

Haha. If everything goes well, I should no longer worry about my financial issues. Everything seems rosey and sweet until last Wed.

I was involved in a car accident. Who in the right mind turns left without checking her left side? Only that stupid lady! I was on the left, turning into the main road. She was on the right. Both of us wants to turn left. She keep checking her right and fails to notice me. When she turns, she turns into my car!! Even after hitting my car, she didn't stop! She drove right through almost pulling my front bumper apart! Its as if she felt no impact or what-so-ever.

I drove forward and pulled over at the road side. We both got out of our car. The first thing she said was, "Are you insured?" While the first thing that came out of my mouth was, "Are you alright?" Bloody woman. Talk about empathy. She blames me for pulling up next to her. I blame her for not looking her left when turning left. We did not want to argue so we just took down each license's number and details. We called our own insurance company and let them deal with it. In all, my company is sending me some forms for me to fill up and to draw the diagram as they are well aware that both parties are blaming each other and its a case of my word versus hers.

Now got to wait til the forms arrive and Tues for my car damage assessment to be done at the insurance mechanic. Sigh... Not sure how is it gonna be. Of course its possible to look on the bright side and say its material damage and I wasn't harm. But still, its a heart-breaking to see my first car like that. Sigh. A close friend did mention that Chinese has a saying that material loss is a form of way to ward away evil things that might harm you. So maybe take it as a form of blessing instead. Sigh, lets just hope that its one big evil thing that was coming at me... and no more please...




















The damage...




















From the side...