Getting in shape

No picture for today's post. Really just wanted to note that since I've started exercise daily, following Sam Wood's 28 program, I've been feeling pretty good, waistline down and generally more energy. Finally practising what I preach to my patients!

This cook book is gold. Simple, delicious and yes, only 5 ingredients to buy! Some of the ingredients are as simple as garlic or onions. It's just a beauty. It makes juggling dinner prep, change nappies, clean up accidents - a bit more easier.... 

Year 2018

It's a rather unusual new year this one. Well, both me and my wife are working, oncall for our respective specialities. 2017 has been good, as she said, we have kicked some goals, but relationship wise, it has probably hit a new low. The silver lining is I guess the only way from here is up.

Christmas 2017

Finally a place to call home this Christmas. We've been renting since 2010, Melbourne, Calgary, then back to Melbourne. We brought the small tree all the way from Calgary, and my parents decided we need a bigger one now our house is bigger. Presents galore, the kids again will have a ball on Christmas morning after church!

Realpolitik

You learn something everyday. That's the beauty of living. The guy who help delivered our big mirror yesterday turns out to be part owner of a start-up brewery in the beautiful Mornington Peninsula - https://www.jettyroad.com.au/. It's amazing what you get to know when you strike up a conversation. 

"The art of possible". Duncan Garner, a political journalist, columnist for Stuff, wrote a piece on the pragmatism of the new Labour Government in New Zealand. The phrase "the art of possible" really captured my imagination. A quick google search revealed Duncan is not the first to use it, it has its origin from Realpolitik, a term coined by a German writer and politician in the 19th century.  

So much to know and so much to learn. I hope I can impart the joy of knowing and learning to my kids.

Be nice

A lot has happened in the last few weeks. We moved out of our rental and into our own home. Assignments, work, and I'll be oncall for the 3rd weekend out of the last 4. The "Final inspection" report from the estate agent came back yesterday, I think they expect the house to be without an blemish. I have been a landlord too, and am certainly not that picky.

Yet, applying your own standard to others, and you're bound to get disappointed. I should be old and wise enough to know that by heart now. But, for a few hours, I was very, very unhappy, and as a result, not being very nice to the people around me. Danielle will say I haven't been very nice at all lately.

In the clinic, I kept telling my patients, Obama wouldn't be able to held office for so long, if he didn't exercise regularly. I need to take my own "green" prescription, for I'm not a spring chicken anymore, and my ability to shoulder stress will rest on my ability to "de-stress". My dream water rower (note, I've been a fan of these "water" thing way way way before water-rower featured in the "House of Cards") is being delivered next Wednesday, let's, get, fit.

Are you OK

I wouldn't go so far to say my experience lately has challenged my sense of mortality, yet, reading an article from Stuff today really gave me a shock.

It was about the rebuilt of Christchurch's Cathedral. Apparently Jim Anderton has been a fierce supporter of a rebuilt. Jim Anderton - a name that was so familiar to me, yet looking at his photo on the website, I struggled to remember who he is.

When it reads... "former deputy PM under Helen Clarke.." OH my GOSH. Of course, the "Progressive party", the only other "one man" party apart from Peter Dunn's United (Peter is not contesting in the general election in 2 weeks.., finally retiring as well). 

So what was the shock? Well, how old does he look in the photo compared to when he was younger? The article went on to say he hasn't been "well" for a while, yes, it appears so indeed.

It's sad, to see how these "giants" back in those days are now so frail. It saddens me. Recently, my dad had the most terrible cough - I was concerned enough to get him an urgent CT chest. It only showed a bit of pneumonia. It brings me to the RUOK day - do ask your loved ones RUOK often.

Passed!

Danielle passed her exams, altogether five exams in total. These exams have been like a cloud over our whole family's head in the last year and a half. What an achievement. Well done, very well done.

It indeed marks the beginning of the end of her registrar journey. She deserves some sleep. Instead... she is battling with trying to get Jonathan to sleep while I try to do some work... the time is 10:58pm............

PowerPC

I'm working in the hospital library, there are five other people and most of them are probably undergrad or recent postgrad. I, in contract, graduated 15 years ago.

When I was a student, the computer lab is full of Mac, not the kind of Mac that the other 5 people are using, but PowerPC. There was internet - just, but certainly no WiFi.

I remember when Dell rules the laptop world, and how times have change. All 6 of us here in the library are typing away on Mac laptops - MacBook and MacBook Pro of varies vintages - all without the charging cable, showcasing the prowess of modern batteries. 

Danielle is having her final exams this Friday and Saturday. Completion of these exams mark the beginning of the end of her journey as a haematology registrar. PhD studies beckon and it's the end of an era.

Just another day

My mum told me I was sick all the time as a kid, we paid numerous visits to the doctor. Luckily, he was one of the more ethical ones and didn't prescribed tetracycline wily-nilly. I remembered at least 1/3 of my school friends had stained teeth - now a well known side effects of the notorious antibiotic.

Now I'm a parent, and when you are faced with a kid that's under the weather - life is a pretty tough gig. They don't sleep well when they're sick, they can't/don't want to go to daycare. 

Well, life goes on. getting sick is part of life of a toddler - or as a human for that matter. For out of everyone I should know better. Knowing doesn't help alleviating the suffering however, just like most things.