DAY 09: FINDING JOY IN SIMPLE WORK

This day was a little different. Why? Because it was Friday — but more than that, it turned out to be a boring, tiring, yet fun day for me.

My day inside the laboratory started with a simple routine. Elizabeth and I began by cleaning — sweeping and mopping the floor. We couldn’t just sit there and do nothing, so we really tried to find ways to help inside the laboratory, even in the simplest ways. Even small tasks matter, especially in a workplace like this.

Before lunchtime, Ma’am Roda told us to just stay inside the laboratory because she would be celebrating her advance birthday. Everyone was busy preparing the food, except for the medical technologists since they were occupied with many patients at that time. The laboratory was quite busy, so while others were preparing for the small celebration, the medtechs continued focusing on their work. Lunchtime was fun and noisy. It was filled with the singing of birthday songs and cheerful chitchats. Meanwhile, Elizabeth, Danny, and I were eating quietly, although we would occasionally joke with each other.

In the afternoon, we were informed that the RHU would be busy the next day. Because of that, the nurses and staff started preparing chairs and cleaning the different stations outside. Ma’am Roda then told Elizabeth and me to help clean the Pharmacy’s glass windows. One of the pharmacists gave us rags and a glass spray to use. Later on, Yanah, one of our groupmates, joined us. Elizabeth and I were assigned to wipe the glass while Yanah sprayed it.

While cleaning, we were having so much fun because we kept joking around with each other. Since it was almost 5 p.m. and we were not that busy anymore, some of our groupmates came over to watch, talk, and laugh with us. Kresha even documented the whole scenario while we were cleaning.

After finishing the Pharmacy, we transferred to the laboratory and continued wiping the glass doors and windows, both inside and outside. It may seem like a simple task, but it felt fulfilling knowing that we were able to help prepare for the busy day ahead.

It was a tiring day, but it was also full of laughter and small memories that made my immersion experience more special.