Blessed

I'm blessed. Blessed with a family, lovely wife, healthy kids, supportive parents and parents-in-laws, and of course our helpful extended family. What more can I wish for? Yet again I don't count my blessings often enough. In times of difficulties, in times of frustrations, and in times of getting annoyed. 

One's emotion to the outside world is intrinsically linked to one's worldview, which in turn is shaped by one's identity, one's history. It is when you take stock, and reflect, then you gain clarity. For believers, a large part of this can be achieve through prayers. For the rest, meditation and mindfulness.

It's Christmas soon, it's first and foremost about the birth of son of Man. It's time to count our blessings.

Hello, Mr President

There we go. Mr Trump is the 45th President of the United States. A man with no history of holding any elected post, was elected by the American Public to the highest public office in the Free World. Extraordinary. There is just something not right about this, isn't it?

There is really only one explanation. People are, frustrated. Frustrated with the "establishment". Frustrated with the lack of real progress in income, social mobility, and job security for the average Joe on the street. The gains made in the last 20-30 years of globalisation has fatten the pockets of corporates and executives, but not the average American mums and dads.

Huff Post predicted a 90% chance of a Clinton presidency. The lesson here, don't just listen to/hang out with like minded people. If you know your history, you will not be surprised by how the polls got it so wrong. Remember Literary Digest's poll in 1936....?

10 years of blogging

Tomorrow this blog will be 10 years old. I started the blog when I came back from my trip to Argentina. I got myself a decent digital camera (Panasonic LX1) and this blog is to be a place where I will post some of my "creative works".

10 years on, I only changed my camera once! A few years ago I bought a Pentax K30 and am still happily using it. There are of course better ones out there, and indeed, the auto-focus on the Pentax is really a bit sub-par compared to the newer offerings.

Within a few months of writing this blog I met my wife, got married 3 years afterwards and yesterday Jonathan just turned 3, Elisha is just shy of 1.5 years old. I can't imagine, in another 10 years, J will be 13 and E will be 11.5!

What will the internet look like then? I have to say it's pretty amazing that this blogging platform has changed relatively little over all these years and still going strong.

The topical issue for the moment is Donald vs Clinton for the next American presidency. How will I feel when I look back in 10 years time?

When you kids are sick..

I really have nothing to complaint about.. I mean, both our kids are in general, healthy and happy. But oh boy, when they are, no, even when one of them is sick, it's not pretty.

J had a fever the other night, I was pretty sure it was up to at least 41C. In fact I was concerned enough to take him to see a GP before my wife hassled me to. Needless to say it the GP said "it's likely viral".. and sure enough he got better after about 1 week.. The most memorable thing about the visit was... the GP described daycare as "virus factory"...

It's now E's turn. Although the runny nose only lasted for 24-48 hours, she grumpiness lasted much longer. I couldn't help but told my colleagues at work about it today. Among other things, I said, "I just couldn't understand why she would wake up in the middle of the night (x ?6), wanting to be carried and pointed down the stairs, and then back up to her room again". The response? "She just wants to show you who's the boss".................. oh well. Oh well.

Isaac Newton & Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz

A brief bio of these two men graced the beginning of this text. I thought I was done with calculus when I finished high school more than 21 years ago but clearly I was wrong.... i needed to do some maths as part of my biostatistic studies.

On one hand.. I can't quite believe it has been 21 years since I left high school.... ?! Anyway, I digressed.

Newton I knew, Leibniz I had no idea until today. Both were genius, both contributed greatly to mankind. 

What will be my legacy? How do I want to be remembered and by whom?

Happy 7th Wedding anniversary!

Seven years ago tomorrow. I married the love of my life. Seven years on, we have two lovely kids and the same lovely wife.

Google tells me "wool and copper" are the traditional wedding anniversary gifts ideas for this milestone. I just have a feeling that neither of us would want anything to do with wool or copper for tomorrow... my wish-list is as as follows.. (I'm pretty sure hers is similar)

1. Sleep without being interrupted, may be just for one night.
2. Dinner together, with the kids behaving.
3. A movie date.. maybe?

Yes.. with one 2.5 and one 13 months old at home.. some fairly basic stuff can get to our wish-list!

Happy Anniversary. May be when it's our 10th, our wish-list might be a bit more sophisticated... just may be.

Elisha 1 years old!

My little princess turns one today. I simply can't believe how quickly the last 12 months have passed.

Despite working part time, I don't think I have spent anywhere near enough time with her. It's so tough on my wife, who works much longer hours than me. It must be tough for other parents who have to work long hours away from home, too.

We owe so much to our family for their support in childcare. My mum has simply be a star, beyond amazing.

Elisha is growing into a confident little soul day by day. We'll take some pretty photos later, but on this day, your very first birthday, I wish you the best that this world has to offer!

Infant Capsule

Well, the time has come. I packed up the capsule as Elisha seems to have outgrown it. Bought Jonathan a "6 months to 7 years" seat and Elisha will "migrate" to his seat. She will get to have a new seat for herself, when she outgrows it in about 2 years time.

Dani is fairly keen to keep the capsule in a garage, I have a vague feeling that she plans to use the capsule again .....

Just Pray (Official Advert)

It only came to my attention today that Richard Dawkins had a minor stroke and won't be coming to Australia/NZ for his tour next week. Whilst reading about it I learnt that cinemas in the UK refused to air this ad, by the Church of England, at the end of last year.  Like most people - including Richard Dawkins himself, I found it hard to believe this ad might "offend" people. www.justpray.uk

Patient Opinion

Patient opinion matters, period. Negative feedback always find their way to the complaints department, or "Patient Liaison/experience" is the new term for it at Eastern Health, I think.

Positive feedbacks? No fat chance of them getting anywhere but the ether. 

So I was delighted to learn about this www.patientopinion.org.au. It is genius. In fact I'm so excited that I've already spoke to the Unit Manager. I'm determine to get some posters up in the wards, and have little cards ready whenever anyone "thank" us for our care!!