• Born in China
• Grew up in Hong Kong
• Graduated from University of Toronto Pharmacy School in 1973
• Worked in Kingston for 7 years
• Opened Millbrook Pharmacy in 1981

Pharmacy is a good profession which provides me with an easy avenue to connect with people and help solve their health problems.

SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

• Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. – John Wooden
• Life begets life. Energy creates energy. It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich. – Sarah Bernhardt
• Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards. – Soren Aabye Kierkegaard
• Life is something to do when you can't get to sleep. – Fran Lebowitz
• Laughter is the closest distance between two people. – Victor Borge
• Life is too serious to be taken seriously. – Mike Leonard

I have lived in the Millbrook area since 1978.

I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Life Sciences from Queen's University (Kingston, ON) in 1990 and a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Western Ontario (London, ON) in 1993.

I graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland School of Pharmacy in 1999.

I have been a pharmacist at Millbrook Pharmacy since August 1999.

"Does my lover feel what I feel

When he comes near, my heart beats so joyfully

Wish he knew what I am dreaming of

Tammy, Tammy, Tammy is in love"

The above tune which I first listened to as a little girl has become my daily anthem. I treat every person around me with love and compassion.

• Moved from Oshawa to Millbrook in 2002.
• Joined Millbrook Pharmacy in 2005.
• I started as a part-time MTO licence operator. Then, my role evolved as the store’s needs changed.
• I am now a full-time pharmacy technician.
• I enjoy spending time with my family.

STUDENT HELP

It’s too late to apologize

It's too late

I said it’s too late to apologize

It’s too late!

Above are the “hook” lines from the hit song “Apologize” by One Republic. I like this song a lot.

Young people face a lot of uncertainties in their future which cause anxiety. The journey of life is littered with landmines. One little misstep may mean “game over”. I don’t want to have to say “It’s too late”.

TECHNICIAN/ASSISTANT MANAGER

“We never know the love of our parents for us until we have become parents ourselves”

How do I pay back the love I received?

I gave up my hospital job of 17 years to come back to my hometown Millbrook so I can be close and care for my aging parents.

STUDENT HELP

I like to see things tidy and clean. It is a reflection of an uncluttered mind. I think I am a very organized person.

CONSULTANT CUSTOMER

People ask: "Why doesn't the Queen quit (as head of England)?".

The answer is: "She can still do it!"

She turned 80 in April of 2006.

June McCallion, at age 85, is still the reigning mayor of Mississauga (west of Toronto). She lives alone, cuts her own grass, and does her own house chores.

Compared to these 2 exceptional women, I am just a spring chicken at 75. I have worked at this drugstore for 2 separate long stretches. I know the business well.

My 2 daughters and a granddaughter now patrol the store. I just drop in the odd times to give them a nudge.

PHARMACY TECHNICIAN (Part-time).

FRENCH LANGUAGE TEACHER (Full-time)

Bonjour!

Renowned American novelist Mark Twain wrote in his biography: “It has always been a marvel to me--that French language. How beautiful that language is! How expressive it seems to be! How full of grace it is! And when it comes from lips like those [of Sarah Bernhardt], how eloquent and how lovely it is! I always think I am going to understand it.”

Merci!

PHARMACIST (Part-time)

Sinbad the legend sailor values friendship above his own well-being.

In “Legend of the Seven Seas”, Sinbad traveled to the end of the world (Eris’ realm in Tartarus) to retrieve the Book of Peace in order to save the life of his childhood friend Prince Proteus. It was a dangerous, treacherous journey. He had to battle mighty sea monster along the way and came out a winner.

I look upon my patients as my friends. I’ll go the distance (and beyond) to bring quality of health to their life.

PHARMACIST (Part-time)

“Her hair is Harlow gold

Her lips a sweet surprise

Her hands are never cold

She’s got Bette Davis eyes

She’s precocious

She’s ferocious

And she knows just what it takes

She’s got Bette Davis eyes.”

Just can’t stop humming along. The above is Kim Carnes’ 1981 #1 Hit Song “Bette Davis Eyes”.

This Betty does not have Bette’s eyes, but I do have a good pair of eyes to see through each patient’s needs and address them in the best possible manner.

HUMAN RESOURCES (CUSTOMER)

Educating children is a 3-prong attack: home, school, and workplace.

My 3 daughters have either served or are still serving this store as part of their overall education.

Raising children sometimes appears to be a thankless job. But seeing them grow up to become productive individuals is rewarding in itself. All the sweat and tears were worth it.

STOCKROOM

People often mistake me for being a sister to my daughter. Is my look really that deceiving?

All I do is just relax, stay loose and worry-free, and let nature take its course. Is that the secret to eternal youth?

PHARMACIST (FREELANCE)

Being a top-notch pharmacist requires knowledge, stamina, human skill, and humility. I pick up the sport Karate to help me achieve these human qualities.

My body becomes fit, my mind becomes strong but calm, my actions become disciplined, and my respect for the people around me (and the patients I deal with) becomes heightened.

I believe the world is a better place (so should it be) if people get along and help each other achieve higher living.

ADVISOR (CUSTOMER)

“Our great earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need, but not every man’s greed,” so said Mahatma Ghandi, an Indian philosopher.

I believe in a strong family and diverse friendly circles. Human relationship is more important than material possessions. As such, I remain happy at all time.

(Now, if only the Blue Jays and the Maple Leafs would post more games in the win column, I would be extra happy!)

MAINTENANCE

I am not the floor guy who sweeps floors.

I install and maintain computer hardware and other technology equipment in the store.

This day and age, a business cannot survive without high-tech equipments in place. I make sure these equipments are in good working order and hum along nicely every single minute every single day. When that happens, the workers are happy, and the customers are happy, and Betty gets to hum that Kim Carnes tune “Bette Davis’ Eyes” whenever she pleases.

PHARMACIST (FREE-LANCE)

"People who work sitting down get paid more than people who work standing up." ---Ogden Nash (American Poet, 1902 - 1971)

I enjoy sitting down not because of the above reason. I am most relaxed in a sitting position. My mind is a lot clearer which is conducive to thinking and learning.

My generation learns by either sitting in a classroom or sitting at home by a desk.

I remember other kids in the neighborhood ran around in the playground while I buried my head in books sitting at home. I get my education and earn a livelihood.

Sitting does not make me sluggish. Actually I love fast cars. I own a race car made by Subaru. But my wife does not let me use that car. She said, “You are a father now. You must slow down and settle down!”

Well, I bought a family sedan, an Infiniti, just to appease her.

PHARMACIST (FREE LANCE)

People often asked if my wife’s first name was Jaan because my car’s licence plate reads “I ♥ MY JAAN”.

Yes, I love my wife. But I “love” a lot of other people as well.

“My jaan” means my life, my darling, and the people in my life who I care about and become attached to (spiritually).

I look upon my patients as "my jaan”. And I look after them as if they were my loved ones.

PHARMACIST (FREE LANCE)

When I was very young, I used to be easily frightened by the sight of scary monsters and invariably took shelter behind my mother.

Now, as an adult, I embrace these characters. There is nothing to fear about. I believe in the good nature in people who have no reason to harm you.

Let’s celebrate Halloween and have fun.

PHARMACIST (FREE LANCE)

When I was born, my mother thought I was the 8th Wonder of the World, along with the Pyramid and Lighthouse of Alexandria (both from Egypt). My whole life was burdened with her high expectation.

I just want to live a simple life. I let my name be my guide (Adel means justice) and aim for justice and honor in every endeavour I involve myself in. I think I have done my parents proud so far.

FREELANCE PHARMACIST

A pharmacist must show empathy, sympathetic to the plight of each patient. Then, your inner beauty (which we all possess) just oozes out naturally. Trust me.

 CO-OP STUDENT

"The disadvantage of men not knowing the past is that they do not know the present."
G. K. Chesterton

PHARMACIST (FREE LANCE)

 "Brave women are all vertebrates; they have their softness on the surface and their toughness in the middle."

Gilbert K. Chesterton (Journalist and author)

I don’t mind working extra days and extra shifts. Strong backbone gives me my stamina. Besides, looking after my patients is my duty, a God-sent opportunity to do good to mankind.

PHARMACIST (FREE LANCE)

Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell them “Certainly I can!” Then get busy and find out how to do it.

Theodore Roosevelt 1858 – 1919

I feel that I am always in control because I have done my homework, and that’s before coming to work. While on the job, I am extremely relaxed because I know “I can do it!”

COLLEGE STUDENT - MASSAGE THERAPY

“When you leave here, don't forget why you came.”  ~Adlai Stevenson, to college graduates

“All that stands between the graduate and the top of the ladder is the ladder”.  ~Author Unknown

When I graduated from High School, I also “graduated” from the drugstore where I spent 3 years. I cherish the memories and the foundation I built which will put me on solid ground for higher achievement.

“Graduation is only a concept.  In real life every day you graduate.  Graduation is a process that goes on until the last day of your life”.   ~Arie Pencovici

FREE LANCE PHARMACIST

I am a proud mother of two.

Raising a family helps me understand others’ needs instead my own.

I translate that into my professional practice: looking after the welfare of my patients.

Seeing my patients do well brings to me as much joy as seeing my children grow up, stay healthy and be always happy.