reflecting 2008

Today is new year's eve. 2008 has come to an end. My reflections ....

A year of upsets - impossiblities made possible. Some for the better, some unimaginably downgrading. And all because there are humans who are inhumane. Lives are lost without so much as a flicker of an eyelid. Natural disasters may be unavoidable but are they the true causes ? WE cannot believe the fear of the Almighty has not been able to touch the hearts of the hands that executed these so called calamities or the mouths that utter such untruths. These people need our prayers or they will forever be in the clutches of the devil.

Fortunately, a few redeeming features saved this year from being a total disaster. Let us hope good governance is one of them. There are some outstanding individuals/groups who have exhibited noble values and I believe , will continue to do so.

On a more personal perspective , the year has not been too bad. Life has been fairly smooth sailing without much cause for worry. I thank the good Lord for His blessings.

Value drop

The sister would be shouting " Dr Gill is going to do a lumbar tap " We , the first year students will be scurrying around him to watch the procedure. More importantly , to observe the nurse preparing the instruments for the procedure, her position when assisting the renowned doc, and how the patient was positioned, and finally the clearing up . Informing the patient and reassuring the patient all throughout the prodeure was the domain of the assistant too.

30 years down the line , you see the present generation of students . You start to fear when you get to be the patient. Values have changed ,and so , attitudes. When you call them to observe a procedure they have not seen , they can answer , " Not time yet. When we have to do it , we will see. "

" We get paid so little and have to do so much ", is a favourite cliche among the new crop. But when one does a comparison to a contemporary peer, they are actually better off , in so many ways. Monetary or otherwise.

I lament how this situation has come about. Have the general values of society dropped or was that the fault of the trainers ? I tend to think the answer lies with the training - process or trainers themselves.

My Favourite Flower

A faithful companion for 21 years. Has yielded many offsprings, both from cutting and from seed. Ability to give joy is profound.

The Matriach ~ 2004

Celebrating 74th Birthday at Starview Penang

Remembering Father……..

In a week’s time, a day has been set aside for children to exhibit their love for their father. Debates aside, it can indeed be a good practice. The children having grown up and started their own families, may find it difficult to find time to bring dad out for a good time. Father’s day is a reminder for them to put in the effort to do something to make dad happy.

My father was a simple man. I cannot think of a more apt description. He was multi-talented. Yet, he never flaunted them. Have you seen a carpenter who can do multiplication to the power of 6 mentally in a record short time ?.

He was a craftsman who had intense passion for woodwork. You could see that in the pieces he produced. Every piece was an expression of this love.. I had the honour of working alongside him. Of course then, it seemed a chore. I had to help him sandpaper the table he built endless times. When would he stop the sandpapering and just paint the lacquer on? No, it must be of the right feel. That’s father.

Homework time with father was a joy. Arithmetic was so much fun. You could ask him to multiply a six-digit number with another six-digit number. You would get your answer in a jiffy. My own young ones had so much fun too testing the human calculator.

Father was not all work and no play. He was a footballer and a damn good one. I did not know then, why my mother would bring us to the Explanade to watch father play football with his buddies...He was in the state league.! When he became to old to play, his love for the game did not wane.. He would take me on the green bus to the city stadium to watch the matches. As he grew much older, he gave up going to the stadium. The games were disappointing. The European Leagues were more exciting. He rather watched football on TV. I must had been a disappointment to him. I was not the son who could share his love for football..

His zest for life was ever so evident. He never seemed to tire. During the weekends , he would bring me for a swim at the Explanade with my cousin and uncle. There was a beautiful beach then in the fifties. He taught me how to dig for siput. and how to throw a line to fish. We would bring the physical result of our effort for mother to cook. The emotional result remained with me till today.

My father died on 30 th January 1993.May his soul rests in peace.