The last two years I have spent Christmas day at work, alone and away from old friends and family. So as the day drew nigh this year I was ambivalent. My wife and I had picked up three musical CDs some two weeks ago, one good old BoneyM and two other contemporary Christmas carols. As it were I needed some music to remind me of the coming yuletide.
So when we set out for Christmas shopping on the 23rd, I slotted the BoneyM into the Car stereo and hummed all the way. The shopping was uneventful until we got to the aisle for “Cake things”. Picking the flour, sugar, butter, eggs and milk was straightforward. But a guy like me gets really awed when it comes to making choices about those baking additives. As I pushed the trolley behind my wife, the search for such things like nutmeg, browny was exhausting and made me wander the routine such searches will be in the future.
Back at home that evening, not until I started chopping the turkey that I really felt Christmas was here. It is going to be a unique one...and I will not be working!
Indeed today has been special. It’s been the first of what will be many Christmas with my own family. This year, we choose outdoor and had a fun-filled picnic with our friends. I celebrate the birth of the Lord with a sense of gratitude.
And to all my readers: merry Christmas.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
WHILE THE WORLD WAS BUSY...
While the world was busy with itself, I got myself married!
Yes, so it was that on the 27th day of November, 2010 I got married to my long-time belle. However the weeks prior to this date were laden with so much activity I almost broke down.Suddenly it appeared, my work place became very busy; the assignments from my masters programme were rather abstract (ethical theories, research appraisals e.g.); I had end of year's exams to write the weekend before my annual leave starts, the scope of which was totally different from the the year's module work. Oh, I also had a car crash, bad enough to condemn my car to the mechanics/panel beaters garage for over one month! Added to these was the mental stretch of preparing for a wedding as well as containing the excitement of seeing my family and old friends after two and a half years away from them.
It was in the midst of the above that I was invited to be a pioneer contibutor to V Jug blog (one that could even fetch me some money!). After going through the operational dynamics, I tried making my first post under my "freestyle" section. I titled it "A bite more than I could chew" hoping I would write out a summary of my many engagements at the moment. However, as with its title, I never got to finish the article. It was around the same time that the now famous Chilean miners, trapped underground for those number of days were rescued. I thought to make a post on Heymeyville, saluting the triumph of humanity. After two sentences, I was either distracted or could not concretize my thoughts to continue the flow of words. I never completed the discourse.
Finally on November 15, my annual leave started. It was going to be my first holiday since January 2007 and I was more than excited. I travelled that morning and by the evening of the day I was literally in another world. The venue, suggested by my cousin at the bank was expensive but worth it. Firstly, we spent some time at the bar and then settled for one of those candle-lit tables by the buffet table, a few yards away from the live band. We talked, laughed, ate and during the dessert an exuberant me gazed into her eyes, spoke the formal words and slipped the diamond studded gold ring into her right middle finger.I got back to my Sister's later that night and my sister and I talked till 4am!
The following two weeks were frenetic with the wedding preparation in its definitive form. My penchant for certain details did me little favours but we got around most of them. As much as I kept my propriety during the meaningful moments, I had made up my mind from as long as I could remember that I was going to enjoy getting married. I had my fun in the whole time; like stopping the cab driver in the middle of the night because I saw "fried yam" by the road side or rushing in to the "Calabar Kitchen some 2 hours before leaving for the International Airport!
Yes, so it was that on the 27th day of November, 2010 I got married to my long-time belle. However the weeks prior to this date were laden with so much activity I almost broke down.Suddenly it appeared, my work place became very busy; the assignments from my masters programme were rather abstract (ethical theories, research appraisals e.g.); I had end of year's exams to write the weekend before my annual leave starts, the scope of which was totally different from the the year's module work. Oh, I also had a car crash, bad enough to condemn my car to the mechanics/panel beaters garage for over one month! Added to these was the mental stretch of preparing for a wedding as well as containing the excitement of seeing my family and old friends after two and a half years away from them.
It was in the midst of the above that I was invited to be a pioneer contibutor to V Jug blog (one that could even fetch me some money!). After going through the operational dynamics, I tried making my first post under my "freestyle" section. I titled it "A bite more than I could chew" hoping I would write out a summary of my many engagements at the moment. However, as with its title, I never got to finish the article. It was around the same time that the now famous Chilean miners, trapped underground for those number of days were rescued. I thought to make a post on Heymeyville, saluting the triumph of humanity. After two sentences, I was either distracted or could not concretize my thoughts to continue the flow of words. I never completed the discourse.
Finally on November 15, my annual leave started. It was going to be my first holiday since January 2007 and I was more than excited. I travelled that morning and by the evening of the day I was literally in another world. The venue, suggested by my cousin at the bank was expensive but worth it. Firstly, we spent some time at the bar and then settled for one of those candle-lit tables by the buffet table, a few yards away from the live band. We talked, laughed, ate and during the dessert an exuberant me gazed into her eyes, spoke the formal words and slipped the diamond studded gold ring into her right middle finger.I got back to my Sister's later that night and my sister and I talked till 4am!
The following two weeks were frenetic with the wedding preparation in its definitive form. My penchant for certain details did me little favours but we got around most of them. As much as I kept my propriety during the meaningful moments, I had made up my mind from as long as I could remember that I was going to enjoy getting married. I had my fun in the whole time; like stopping the cab driver in the middle of the night because I saw "fried yam" by the road side or rushing in to the "Calabar Kitchen some 2 hours before leaving for the International Airport!
Now I am back to work. It’s been an eventful holiday, through 5 hotels, one cancelled flight, a family reunion, a wedding and the ensuing honeymoon. My life has just changed gears.
Monday, October 11, 2010
ALL IN A DAY'S WORK: Saving Lives
I have surprised myself to write along the lines of this post. From the outset, this blog was meant to be about me and things apart from my job. Simply put: the non-doctor me. However a recall of the events of this afternoon, stirred in me an urge, strong enough that I have made this post. I might even make a series of this title if the urge is sustained.
To start with, I woke up today with the temptation not to go to work. I had a strong alibi and I had told those I spent the weekend with that I did not feel like working on Monday. Well, I made it to work eventually and the morning went without much ado. As I made to park my car upon returning from lunch, my work place colleague called. His words were along the following lines: the out-patient was crowded; there is pregnant female being taken to theatre whose CTG reading indicated foetal distress; could I just go to straight to the theatre and commence anaesthesia; he will make an attempt to reduce the queue of unseen out-patients and then join me as soon as soon as the pregnant woman has been “doped”.
On getting to the operating theatre, I went to the waiting area, introduced myself to the pregnant woman - one of those un-booked ones, confirmed her consent to the procedure including to blood transfusion if it was necessary and then got her into a conversation on the size of her family; the latter a ploy of mine to calm an obviously apprehensive patient. She was also HIV positive and I did well to let my colleague know before he started the Caesarean Section.
Indeed it all went well until the infant was delivered. With an estimated weight of about 1.5kg, my colleague went on to “scout” if there was a twin. The woman had repeatedly said she was about 8-month pregnant and her baby-bump was quite a size. Before the futile search for a second infant was given up, the one already delivered was handed over to the nurse to take to the Radiant Warmer by the operating table. Within a minute, I was called to see. I left my position by the anaesthetic machine to inspect the infant. He was limp, blue and showed no obvious respiratory movements. I proceeded with the resuscitation process. In between this, I shouted out instructions to the make-do anaesthetic assistant. Within the seven minutes or so that resuscitation lasted, I really thought we had lost him. But then, he came around and started that whining, much to the jeer of the theatre workers.
As I made to return to the “head” of the table to continue with the monitoring of the anaesthesia, my colleague who all this while kept on with surgery said to me with relief: “you have brought him back!” I replied, “The theatre nurse and yourself did not want him to go to heaven yet”. We all laughed. It was routine stuff and as it were nothing extra-ordinary had happened.
As I recounted part of the event to someone later this evening, I thought to myself that the life of that limp, blue and non-breathing child was saved. I cannot take the credit for it. Maybe indeed the child was meant to live but we did our part to ensure that. It gives me a sense of privilege.
To start with, I woke up today with the temptation not to go to work. I had a strong alibi and I had told those I spent the weekend with that I did not feel like working on Monday. Well, I made it to work eventually and the morning went without much ado. As I made to park my car upon returning from lunch, my work place colleague called. His words were along the following lines: the out-patient was crowded; there is pregnant female being taken to theatre whose CTG reading indicated foetal distress; could I just go to straight to the theatre and commence anaesthesia; he will make an attempt to reduce the queue of unseen out-patients and then join me as soon as soon as the pregnant woman has been “doped”.
On getting to the operating theatre, I went to the waiting area, introduced myself to the pregnant woman - one of those un-booked ones, confirmed her consent to the procedure including to blood transfusion if it was necessary and then got her into a conversation on the size of her family; the latter a ploy of mine to calm an obviously apprehensive patient. She was also HIV positive and I did well to let my colleague know before he started the Caesarean Section.
Indeed it all went well until the infant was delivered. With an estimated weight of about 1.5kg, my colleague went on to “scout” if there was a twin. The woman had repeatedly said she was about 8-month pregnant and her baby-bump was quite a size. Before the futile search for a second infant was given up, the one already delivered was handed over to the nurse to take to the Radiant Warmer by the operating table. Within a minute, I was called to see. I left my position by the anaesthetic machine to inspect the infant. He was limp, blue and showed no obvious respiratory movements. I proceeded with the resuscitation process. In between this, I shouted out instructions to the make-do anaesthetic assistant. Within the seven minutes or so that resuscitation lasted, I really thought we had lost him. But then, he came around and started that whining, much to the jeer of the theatre workers.
As I made to return to the “head” of the table to continue with the monitoring of the anaesthesia, my colleague who all this while kept on with surgery said to me with relief: “you have brought him back!” I replied, “The theatre nurse and yourself did not want him to go to heaven yet”. We all laughed. It was routine stuff and as it were nothing extra-ordinary had happened.
As I recounted part of the event to someone later this evening, I thought to myself that the life of that limp, blue and non-breathing child was saved. I cannot take the credit for it. Maybe indeed the child was meant to live but we did our part to ensure that. It gives me a sense of privilege.
Friday, October 1, 2010
I AM FROM WEST AFRICA
Last year, following the death of Michael Jackson, I watched on TV as hundreds of people from across the globe turned out at the Hollywood Walk of Fame, to catch a glimpse and trod the path where MJ’s position is etched. I recollect the TV reporter covering the event took time to interview a cross section of the crowd just to emphasize the international presence it was. Amongst those he interviewed was a lady whose attire and accent was very familiar. When asked where she is from, she said “I am from West Africa”. To this, my friend and I watching together that night chorused: “Nigerian”.
In my young life’s sojourn, much to my amusement I have found more and more people (mostly Nigerians) refer to their selves as being West Africans. Yes, I find it funny because I know people from West African countries do not refer to themselves by such christening in their home countries. One was a Nigerian, Ghanaian, Senegalese, etc. It’s like a Canadian saying he is North American when asked about his origins. It is ambiguous and an almost unconventional way to describing oneself.
This unorthodox nomenclature is another way Nigerians have tried to avoid the travails of being called one. Yours sincerely has had his own fair share of such experiences (CF blog post “My Passport is Green”, Heymeyville (c) November 2009) and I dare say that people who have had the inconveniences of being Nigerian loathe her identity. I do not blame those who have taken this path of anonymity because much that is known by the world is the guile and desperate measures employed by my country men in order not to beg for a living. While this in itself shows a people who are industrious and who have a value for their self worth, every Nigerian who is on the path to building a responsible life does not want to be identified with their country of birth. Of course when their reputation has been established, they proudly refer to themselves as being from “9ja”.
Incidentally, as much as we Nigerians try to conceal our identity, it is never hidden. Many times I have gone to the mall and at payment point; the cashier has asked if I am an “Igwe”. The latter is a commonly used word in the now ubiquitous Nigerian movies. Now and again, I am told of Nigerians in strategic places all over the world. I remember going to proudly “google” the name Remi Adefarasin after I watched “Elizabeth” (he was the director of cinematography). My work place colleague referred to Things Fall Apart earlier this week. ASA’s song was being played on the local FM and I sang so loud in my car the other day. Interestingly too, I have started watching games involving West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion because they now have Nigerian players!
I am sure it is not only nollywood that non-Nigerians admire about my country. Indeed the heterogeneity of Nigeria is broad and almost all-encompassing: the good- very good, bad and urgly. This ambiguity is what a non-Nigerian can never comprehend. He is hence filled with awe, fascination, disdain and distrust, all of these wrapped into one. Perception and attitude towards Nigerians then depends on which of these is dominant in an individual.
As my country celebrates her 50th independence anniversary today, I have found an unusual feeling about being proudly Nigerian. It is home after all. I am ever drawn to its generosity, perspective of life, fun, energy, resourcefulness and overall human warmth.
To all of this and more, I say Happy Anniversary Nigeria.
In my young life’s sojourn, much to my amusement I have found more and more people (mostly Nigerians) refer to their selves as being West Africans. Yes, I find it funny because I know people from West African countries do not refer to themselves by such christening in their home countries. One was a Nigerian, Ghanaian, Senegalese, etc. It’s like a Canadian saying he is North American when asked about his origins. It is ambiguous and an almost unconventional way to describing oneself.
This unorthodox nomenclature is another way Nigerians have tried to avoid the travails of being called one. Yours sincerely has had his own fair share of such experiences (CF blog post “My Passport is Green”, Heymeyville (c) November 2009) and I dare say that people who have had the inconveniences of being Nigerian loathe her identity. I do not blame those who have taken this path of anonymity because much that is known by the world is the guile and desperate measures employed by my country men in order not to beg for a living. While this in itself shows a people who are industrious and who have a value for their self worth, every Nigerian who is on the path to building a responsible life does not want to be identified with their country of birth. Of course when their reputation has been established, they proudly refer to themselves as being from “9ja”.
Incidentally, as much as we Nigerians try to conceal our identity, it is never hidden. Many times I have gone to the mall and at payment point; the cashier has asked if I am an “Igwe”. The latter is a commonly used word in the now ubiquitous Nigerian movies. Now and again, I am told of Nigerians in strategic places all over the world. I remember going to proudly “google” the name Remi Adefarasin after I watched “Elizabeth” (he was the director of cinematography). My work place colleague referred to Things Fall Apart earlier this week. ASA’s song was being played on the local FM and I sang so loud in my car the other day. Interestingly too, I have started watching games involving West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion because they now have Nigerian players!
I am sure it is not only nollywood that non-Nigerians admire about my country. Indeed the heterogeneity of Nigeria is broad and almost all-encompassing: the good- very good, bad and urgly. This ambiguity is what a non-Nigerian can never comprehend. He is hence filled with awe, fascination, disdain and distrust, all of these wrapped into one. Perception and attitude towards Nigerians then depends on which of these is dominant in an individual.
As my country celebrates her 50th independence anniversary today, I have found an unusual feeling about being proudly Nigerian. It is home after all. I am ever drawn to its generosity, perspective of life, fun, energy, resourcefulness and overall human warmth.
To all of this and more, I say Happy Anniversary Nigeria.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
"AFRICAN TIME"
Sometimes it really gets to me when people can not keep their word. I am told it’s an Africa thing; when one says I am coming to see you in 2 hours, it means he only has the intentions but which does not infer a commitment. There is even what they call “African Time”. An event is scheduled for 16.00 hrs but participants start converging at 16.30 hrs, the latter being the African Time.
Today’s world is fast-paced and 24-hour days are cramped up with schedules unending. We ride fast cars, eat fast foods and write in abbreviations. Unlike the Stone Age when the approach to satisfy the need for food, water and security were simplistic, satiety in the post-modern era is multidimensional. Is it at the massage parlour, the stocks section of the dailies or work-place performance appraisal? The list is varied, ever-increasing and added to the Early Man’s primitive priorities. Hence the drag for what to do is no longer exists. Time has become our most precious treasure.
While it is impossible to keep a timely pace with every thing, it is the deliberateness of being non-prompt as well as the (nonchalant) cheer it is greeted with that I find unnerving. Promptness ought to be natural. It speaks of character, respect for others and a sense of responsibility. Employment may not an appropriate word for the Early Man but the world has evolved since his existence. In the same way, “African Timing” (well, it is not only an African thing) ought to have gone through its own evolution.
As people make efforts not to laze with appointments and schedules, people will increasingly drift towards orderliness and the beauty it paints for our species. We must make the efforts.
Today’s world is fast-paced and 24-hour days are cramped up with schedules unending. We ride fast cars, eat fast foods and write in abbreviations. Unlike the Stone Age when the approach to satisfy the need for food, water and security were simplistic, satiety in the post-modern era is multidimensional. Is it at the massage parlour, the stocks section of the dailies or work-place performance appraisal? The list is varied, ever-increasing and added to the Early Man’s primitive priorities. Hence the drag for what to do is no longer exists. Time has become our most precious treasure.
While it is impossible to keep a timely pace with every thing, it is the deliberateness of being non-prompt as well as the (nonchalant) cheer it is greeted with that I find unnerving. Promptness ought to be natural. It speaks of character, respect for others and a sense of responsibility. Employment may not an appropriate word for the Early Man but the world has evolved since his existence. In the same way, “African Timing” (well, it is not only an African thing) ought to have gone through its own evolution.
As people make efforts not to laze with appointments and schedules, people will increasingly drift towards orderliness and the beauty it paints for our species. We must make the efforts.
Monday, August 16, 2010
YESTERDAY'S FLIGHT (DIARY NOTES)
(The diary notes of a lonely guy aboard a flight to a workshop).
Today I fly to a city in which I am planning to have my honeymoon vacation in a few weeks. As I was not sure if I would meet anyone I knew who would be attending the same workshop as me, I took along one of those unread EBONY magazines (yes, I read only Ebony, Charisma, Time, Newsweek and Reader’s Digest) to keep my mind busy during the flight. As I perused, my interest was drawn into an American-authored article recounting a holiday trip to Japan. Hence I have just picked up my diary from my hand luggage to write my own fleeting thoughts down:
First, I write about my envy for those sitting around me. They seem like a group of workplace colleagues going for a workshop of their own. With a lot of teases across the aisle and palm-slapping going on, there is evident excitement and familiarity in their converse. For whatever reason, I have never flown in the company of my colleagues, friends or family. I have always had to chat with the passenger sitting by me and those acquaintances have never gone beyond the Airport. This included a Flight Marshall once (when I sat on the front seat). When he found out I am a Nigerian Doctor, he was so excited in telling me how he has been desirous of exporting some chemical products to Nigeria. I never sit on the front row ever since.
What is the medical term for those popping sounds from one’s ears when a flight is in high altitude? Once again I have just had one of those and it has drifted my thoughts to which part of flying people find scary. I usually say a quiet prayer before take-off and then focus my thoughts on the things I would be doing at the other end of the flight. So far, it has been so good. I pray it remains so.
Since I checked in early, I asked for a window seat (those e-tickets do not come with seat numbers). I have always enjoyed the view of the city below. If it is in the day, it looks like a golf course; at night it feels like one is indeed in an orbit within the Milkway, lost in a sea of stars. It is sunny today and that means I don’t get to swirl in cumulus clouds. I am travelling from one coastal city to another and from my window; I see the coastal line all the way. How does the pilot keep the coastal line in view like it is a perfect straight line and we were travelling parallel to it?
My thoughts are interrupted by an almost elderly male steward thrusting a snack box and drink towards me. I caution myself from whatever slighting thoughts I may have towards him. Of course, flight attendants come more as pretty, slim, accented, cat-walking females. I take a sip of water and let my face contort into a grimace at the thought that I am actually writing this down, no thanks to my immediate elder sister. Yes, because I picked up this writing thing from her during High School. Speaking of which today is the birthday of another of my sisters and as much as I wanted to call her earlier, I could not because I was obsessed with making sure all my electrical sockets were switched off, all taps closed and all doors locked before I left for the Airport.
Postscript: Strange enough, after the flight, I got to the waiting lounge of the Airport and the driver of the shuttle taking me to the hotel had a list of names on his raised card board; the first being the name of one of my sisters. What a world!
Today I fly to a city in which I am planning to have my honeymoon vacation in a few weeks. As I was not sure if I would meet anyone I knew who would be attending the same workshop as me, I took along one of those unread EBONY magazines (yes, I read only Ebony, Charisma, Time, Newsweek and Reader’s Digest) to keep my mind busy during the flight. As I perused, my interest was drawn into an American-authored article recounting a holiday trip to Japan. Hence I have just picked up my diary from my hand luggage to write my own fleeting thoughts down:
First, I write about my envy for those sitting around me. They seem like a group of workplace colleagues going for a workshop of their own. With a lot of teases across the aisle and palm-slapping going on, there is evident excitement and familiarity in their converse. For whatever reason, I have never flown in the company of my colleagues, friends or family. I have always had to chat with the passenger sitting by me and those acquaintances have never gone beyond the Airport. This included a Flight Marshall once (when I sat on the front seat). When he found out I am a Nigerian Doctor, he was so excited in telling me how he has been desirous of exporting some chemical products to Nigeria. I never sit on the front row ever since.
What is the medical term for those popping sounds from one’s ears when a flight is in high altitude? Once again I have just had one of those and it has drifted my thoughts to which part of flying people find scary. I usually say a quiet prayer before take-off and then focus my thoughts on the things I would be doing at the other end of the flight. So far, it has been so good. I pray it remains so.
Since I checked in early, I asked for a window seat (those e-tickets do not come with seat numbers). I have always enjoyed the view of the city below. If it is in the day, it looks like a golf course; at night it feels like one is indeed in an orbit within the Milkway, lost in a sea of stars. It is sunny today and that means I don’t get to swirl in cumulus clouds. I am travelling from one coastal city to another and from my window; I see the coastal line all the way. How does the pilot keep the coastal line in view like it is a perfect straight line and we were travelling parallel to it?
My thoughts are interrupted by an almost elderly male steward thrusting a snack box and drink towards me. I caution myself from whatever slighting thoughts I may have towards him. Of course, flight attendants come more as pretty, slim, accented, cat-walking females. I take a sip of water and let my face contort into a grimace at the thought that I am actually writing this down, no thanks to my immediate elder sister. Yes, because I picked up this writing thing from her during High School. Speaking of which today is the birthday of another of my sisters and as much as I wanted to call her earlier, I could not because I was obsessed with making sure all my electrical sockets were switched off, all taps closed and all doors locked before I left for the Airport.
Postscript: Strange enough, after the flight, I got to the waiting lounge of the Airport and the driver of the shuttle taking me to the hotel had a list of names on his raised card board; the first being the name of one of my sisters. What a world!
Saturday, August 14, 2010
AND TIME PASSED BY
One of the fall outs of my recent birthday is a renewed consciousness to make my life count. It is as if I am finally feeling not as young as I used to and that the years of innocence are behind me. Much to my startle, the consequences of my priorities seem to have the coldness akin to a teen saying “whatever”! And instead of frightening me, this whole disposition amuses me.
I remember some time ago there was a fellow who was released from jail after a decade or so for a crime he did not commit. In his interview, he expressed his fascination in the ordinary things of today’s life that was not present in his “pre-jail” years. With reference to laptops, he was amazed computers were now so small in size. Then he was thrilled that he could get into the web and interact with folks from his childhood through a certain Facebook! With this new disposition of mine, I am beginning to think that one does not have to be in jail to lose touch with our ever evolving world.
They say there are seasons in life and with age comes responsibility. It’s not so much what one discovers now but what one does with every discovery. Indeed for me, motivational books have long given way to biographies. I know that I still have a penchant for new things. However the tease of the novel is not all there is. I am more consummated with what I call the “compactness of life” now and I just seem to care less with the outcome of whatever else.
It is the damn for whatever else juicy that I miss out on that I find intriguing. Well, maybe because I feel there are only few things that matter in life. I think I have come some way already and the path that I have led is reassuring (talk of the basic principles of life). I am amused at my own confidence.
I remember some time ago there was a fellow who was released from jail after a decade or so for a crime he did not commit. In his interview, he expressed his fascination in the ordinary things of today’s life that was not present in his “pre-jail” years. With reference to laptops, he was amazed computers were now so small in size. Then he was thrilled that he could get into the web and interact with folks from his childhood through a certain Facebook! With this new disposition of mine, I am beginning to think that one does not have to be in jail to lose touch with our ever evolving world.
They say there are seasons in life and with age comes responsibility. It’s not so much what one discovers now but what one does with every discovery. Indeed for me, motivational books have long given way to biographies. I know that I still have a penchant for new things. However the tease of the novel is not all there is. I am more consummated with what I call the “compactness of life” now and I just seem to care less with the outcome of whatever else.
It is the damn for whatever else juicy that I miss out on that I find intriguing. Well, maybe because I feel there are only few things that matter in life. I think I have come some way already and the path that I have led is reassuring (talk of the basic principles of life). I am amused at my own confidence.
Monday, August 9, 2010
IT'S AUGUST 9TH
Today, I woke up in the hospital! (OK, I was on call the previous night). I had breakfast at a friend’s. I watched a nice family movie afterwards. I got some 1001 phone calls and messages, including one that referred to me as “little brother”. I am over 30. I made salad for lunch and graciously shared same with my neighbours. I spared some time before super to listen to some good old songs and then prayed. Oh, I took time to reflect on my life too. I have every reason to thank my Creator. Mum told me that it was in the evening on that Thursday, August 9th... my birth day.
Below are shots in front of my house as my neighbour turned (amateur) paparazi before we had the salad.
Below are shots in front of my house as my neighbour turned (amateur) paparazi before we had the salad.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
EINSTEIN, CHURCHILL AND THE QUEEN
Much of my time outside of work is spent at home studying or “just” watching TV. Of the latter, I am often not distracted since I still live alone. Lately, three movies that I have seen on TV have caught my imagination enough that I have decided to write this post. They are movies about the true life characters of Albert Einstein, Winston Church and Queen Elizabeth II.
First is Into the Storm, a biographical account of Winston Churchill’s life and career as British Prime Minister during World War II. In the film, Churchill is in France after the war and reflects through the finest hour of a country despite the blood, toil, tears and sweat that described his reign as Prime minister. His personal struggles are laced with scenes of an almost magical spell with which he inspired a country at war.
Second is Einstein and Eddington, a British drama about Sir Arthur Eddington and Albert Einstein. It tells of the relationship of the two scientists, the frank personality of Einstein along with his quizzical temperament that led to the introduction of his theory of relativity. Einstein’s aloofness towards religion, societal norms and nationalism (which pervaded Europe at the time) is acted out with an almost reckless abandon that it catches the intrigue of the viewer.
While the plot of the above two movies were set in middle of the last century in Europe, The Queen is a cast from the eve of this millennium. The film depicts an account of the immediate event following the death of Princess Diana of Wales; portraying the differing views on how the death would be handled. While the Royal Family sees her death as a private affair which is not to be treated as an official royal death, the newly-elected Prime Minister Tony Blair is aligned to the public wish for an official expression of grief. Matters are further complicated by the media. The Queen is left to manage the mixed feelings at expressing genuine humanness at the death of the woman who bore her heir while she tries to stay unattached at what she sees as an apparent betrayal of the royal institution by her former daughter-in-law.
For me, these films tell of the personal struggles in high places. I am reminded that the rich and famous are flesh and blood too, that greatness does not infer perfection.
EXTRA THOTS
Did you know that in August 2010, there are 5 Sundays, 5 Mondays and 5 Tuesdays! This happens only once every 800 years! (culled)
First is Into the Storm, a biographical account of Winston Churchill’s life and career as British Prime Minister during World War II. In the film, Churchill is in France after the war and reflects through the finest hour of a country despite the blood, toil, tears and sweat that described his reign as Prime minister. His personal struggles are laced with scenes of an almost magical spell with which he inspired a country at war.
Second is Einstein and Eddington, a British drama about Sir Arthur Eddington and Albert Einstein. It tells of the relationship of the two scientists, the frank personality of Einstein along with his quizzical temperament that led to the introduction of his theory of relativity. Einstein’s aloofness towards religion, societal norms and nationalism (which pervaded Europe at the time) is acted out with an almost reckless abandon that it catches the intrigue of the viewer.
While the plot of the above two movies were set in middle of the last century in Europe, The Queen is a cast from the eve of this millennium. The film depicts an account of the immediate event following the death of Princess Diana of Wales; portraying the differing views on how the death would be handled. While the Royal Family sees her death as a private affair which is not to be treated as an official royal death, the newly-elected Prime Minister Tony Blair is aligned to the public wish for an official expression of grief. Matters are further complicated by the media. The Queen is left to manage the mixed feelings at expressing genuine humanness at the death of the woman who bore her heir while she tries to stay unattached at what she sees as an apparent betrayal of the royal institution by her former daughter-in-law.
For me, these films tell of the personal struggles in high places. I am reminded that the rich and famous are flesh and blood too, that greatness does not infer perfection.
EXTRA THOTS
Did you know that in August 2010, there are 5 Sundays, 5 Mondays and 5 Tuesdays! This happens only once every 800 years! (culled)
Saturday, July 24, 2010
JUNGLE JUSTICE
There were two of them but for all I may not know, a few others watched from a distance. I was in a hurry to get to my country’s consulate on time (to collect my new international passport). The taller one spoke to me, asked that I must give them some money. For a moment, I thought he was another brother who needed my help. Still in my quick strides, I told him it would have to be another time. He came across me and as he smiled the gold on one his teeth flashed to the brightness of the sun rise. “If you act funny, someone is gonna get hurt” were the words that followed. After some resistance from me, I finally let them have the cash and they walked away. All this while, there were many other pedestrians who just looked and passed by.
For that moment I missed my home country where at the single shout of “Ole” in the public, able-bodied men and women would come to my rescue. And it does not matter whether I am stranger to the team of “standby rescue workers”. I missed when everyone watched out for his neighbour and crime was only in the aloneness of darkness; a thief was not only in the night but he would run to his escape if he heard human movement before his act. I missed the age when there were jungle justice and vigilante groups. Crude as it may have been, one policeman (who oversaw my medical treatment of someone who had been brutally injured by passersby when he attempted to break an ATM) said that it was actually more effective.
The end should never justify the means but present day policing and criminal justice has never been sufficient that in certain circumstances one desires more. I hear there what they call community policing or neighborhood policing; a policing strategy and philosophy based on the notion that community interaction and support can help control crime and reduce fear, with community members helping to identify suspects, detain vandals and bring problems to the attention of police. This needs to be emphasized along with the patrols and check points as security agents can never really be ubiquitous.
The illustration above actually happened to yours sincerely only yesterday. I do not want to think of what may have happened in the full glare of passersby if I did not have some money with me at the time nor if the greed of my attackers went beyond cash. It’s time for community policing. Unlike the biblical Cain, let’s say “I am my brother’s keeper".
For that moment I missed my home country where at the single shout of “Ole” in the public, able-bodied men and women would come to my rescue. And it does not matter whether I am stranger to the team of “standby rescue workers”. I missed when everyone watched out for his neighbour and crime was only in the aloneness of darkness; a thief was not only in the night but he would run to his escape if he heard human movement before his act. I missed the age when there were jungle justice and vigilante groups. Crude as it may have been, one policeman (who oversaw my medical treatment of someone who had been brutally injured by passersby when he attempted to break an ATM) said that it was actually more effective.
The end should never justify the means but present day policing and criminal justice has never been sufficient that in certain circumstances one desires more. I hear there what they call community policing or neighborhood policing; a policing strategy and philosophy based on the notion that community interaction and support can help control crime and reduce fear, with community members helping to identify suspects, detain vandals and bring problems to the attention of police. This needs to be emphasized along with the patrols and check points as security agents can never really be ubiquitous.
The illustration above actually happened to yours sincerely only yesterday. I do not want to think of what may have happened in the full glare of passersby if I did not have some money with me at the time nor if the greed of my attackers went beyond cash. It’s time for community policing. Unlike the biblical Cain, let’s say “I am my brother’s keeper".
Monday, July 12, 2010
...and the World Cup was in my backyard!
Only yesterday, the FIFA World Cup, South Africa 2010 ended with much colour and excitment. The past month has been a buzz for football followers. As the games were in my backyard, I toke the opportunity of an appointment in one of the host cities to join in a match day's frenzy. I did not travel with my camera and so I had to employ the use of a mobile phone and the generosity of a friend's camera to capture the moments in 2D. I have decided to blog some of my photos below.
EVENT: World Cup 2010, 3rd place match, Germany v Uruguay.
DATE: 10th July, 2010.
LOCATION: The "Sunflower", Nelson Mandela Bay, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
EVENT: World Cup 2010, 3rd place match, Germany v Uruguay.
DATE: 10th July, 2010.
LOCATION: The "Sunflower", Nelson Mandela Bay, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
On our way we stopped and had a shot
...and our excitment was loud enough, a passerby joined in
could not miss the chance to stand with a fellow spanish fan
showing off my facials!
she did the painting
with a desperate fan
many mothers do have them! each kid cheered the other team
with Yirsina
fans from Cape Town...World Cup Halloween
3 from Bloomfontein
on the German ball: "sorry, you lost to the spanish".
rubbing it in
inside at last!
Kick off
Saturday, June 26, 2010
WHERE WERE YOU?
The above-narrative occurred exactly a year ago to this day and the memory of it has been said over and again. This is because the death of MJ is one of those events of life that is easily drawn in day-to-day conversations and for first time acquaintances; it is commonly asked “where were you when you heard about MJ’s death?”
Much mystery surrounded the life and times of Michael Jackson, with many a question yet unanswered one year after his death. However, it is unanimous that he represented a great talent who toed a path unheard of and rose above the restrictions that held sway in his society. These are universal marks of greatness and MJ has his place in the history of humanity, his flaws not withstanding.
Indeed a part of being human is being flawed .While this is certainly not an excuse for bad behaviour, in my opinion no flaw is less “evil” in itself. We all have our struggles in life, most of which is unseen to the world around us. A look at the facial expressions in the latter life of MJ seem to express this inner turmoil of being a mortal; someone with wishes and regrets. And yes, if we did not agree to the things about him that commanded negative comments, we can at least learn from them rather than spite the man.
I am proud to say MJ lived in my generation. He may not have had the entire juicy PR we would prefer him to but he was outstanding in his field. This made him an icon and enlists his name in the annals of mankind.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
TWO THINGS
Today, I got an email with an attachment that spurred me to make this post. The attachment is video of a stand-up comedian doing his thing to much cheer from his audience. Said he, there are always two things in life and one thing will always have 2 out comes. When it came to HIV/AIDS, he said there is only one outcome: death.
The video is a very imaginative in creating awareness on the reality of HIV/AIDS but lacked the completeness of the modern HIV/AIDS message. This message now includes providing accurate information on the mode of transmission of the disease, the process of the disease as well as what options there are for People Living with HIV/AIDS. The latter is serving its purpose of encouraging more people to volunteer for HIV testing and its hopeful consequence of reducing the spread of the virus.
The last time I wrote to convey the reality of HIV/AIDS, I used my personal experience vis-a-vis the emotional ruffle I went through following a needle stick injury while dealing with a patient who turned out to be HIV negative. It was very dramatic and I made it public on Face Book. In response, most of my readers reassured me from Christian religious perspective. Soothing as that was (yours truly has great value in his faith); I thought my readers were less balanced on the issue of HIV/AIDS.
Indeed, as much as I appreciated the good intent of my readers, I am of the opinion that science; in its final position is the application of wisdom of God and that the latter transcends to the socio-economic responses to all the ills that have fallen humanity. For example, the stand that an individual infected with HIV should take ARVs is as Christian as it is scientific.
It is the completeness of information fed to the public that will pave the way for our society achieving her interventional goals in any issue of societal calamity. As someone has said, half of the truth can be more dangerous than an out right lie! So I join in saying:
“Spread the message and not the virus”; but make sure it is the accurate message that is disseminated.
The video is a very imaginative in creating awareness on the reality of HIV/AIDS but lacked the completeness of the modern HIV/AIDS message. This message now includes providing accurate information on the mode of transmission of the disease, the process of the disease as well as what options there are for People Living with HIV/AIDS. The latter is serving its purpose of encouraging more people to volunteer for HIV testing and its hopeful consequence of reducing the spread of the virus.
The last time I wrote to convey the reality of HIV/AIDS, I used my personal experience vis-a-vis the emotional ruffle I went through following a needle stick injury while dealing with a patient who turned out to be HIV negative. It was very dramatic and I made it public on Face Book. In response, most of my readers reassured me from Christian religious perspective. Soothing as that was (yours truly has great value in his faith); I thought my readers were less balanced on the issue of HIV/AIDS.
Indeed, as much as I appreciated the good intent of my readers, I am of the opinion that science; in its final position is the application of wisdom of God and that the latter transcends to the socio-economic responses to all the ills that have fallen humanity. For example, the stand that an individual infected with HIV should take ARVs is as Christian as it is scientific.
It is the completeness of information fed to the public that will pave the way for our society achieving her interventional goals in any issue of societal calamity. As someone has said, half of the truth can be more dangerous than an out right lie! So I join in saying:
“Spread the message and not the virus”; but make sure it is the accurate message that is disseminated.
The Video
Thursday, June 10, 2010
MY VUVUZELA
Earlier this week, I bought my own Vuvuzela, that cheek bursting plastic trump which in recent months has become the emblem for the fan cheer of the FIFA World Cup, South Africa 2010. Of course, the football fan I have always claimed to be was true to me in buying a Spanish football muffler well before the present winter; the Spanish being the team I am cheering to finger-print the golden trophy.
I have always fancied myself as someone who never wants to miss life’s ultimate moments but this year’s football festival almost caught me napping. (One’s job can really be a distraction you know!). However, my recent trips to 2 of the cities hosting the matches have brought me out passivity. Really, how could I let this moment pass quietly? Watching football is one of my hobbies and for the 1st time its ultimate competition is being held in my home continent, specifically in South Africa where I live presently. It’s historical and everything from TV commercials, the drapes on the streets to store cashier uniforms reflects an exhilarated population. I join in the slogan to say “feel it, it is here!”
As I punch the keyboard to enter this post, it’s to the live music coming from the pre-tournament concert and in less than 24 hours the games should have begun. It’s been a long but eventful wait for this moment (including all the many threats of industrial actions to disrupt the games - in order to gain better pays!). If you ask me, I think SA position is that of gain as “we” host this world cup.
From where I live, the nearest stadium where some games will be played is some 3 - hour road trip away, so I’d be much glued to my TV this next month. Even my overtime has been arranged to match! I am undecided about going to public viewing centres yet but I am sure going to be a renewed football fan this world cup.
Back to my Vuvuzela, it’s going to be my emblem beyond the tournament. I also like the sound of the name “Makarapa” but I don’t really fancy wearing it. So my Vuvuzela will be it; hoping it lasts as a souvenir from this moment of history.
I have always fancied myself as someone who never wants to miss life’s ultimate moments but this year’s football festival almost caught me napping. (One’s job can really be a distraction you know!). However, my recent trips to 2 of the cities hosting the matches have brought me out passivity. Really, how could I let this moment pass quietly? Watching football is one of my hobbies and for the 1st time its ultimate competition is being held in my home continent, specifically in South Africa where I live presently. It’s historical and everything from TV commercials, the drapes on the streets to store cashier uniforms reflects an exhilarated population. I join in the slogan to say “feel it, it is here!”
As I punch the keyboard to enter this post, it’s to the live music coming from the pre-tournament concert and in less than 24 hours the games should have begun. It’s been a long but eventful wait for this moment (including all the many threats of industrial actions to disrupt the games - in order to gain better pays!). If you ask me, I think SA position is that of gain as “we” host this world cup.
From where I live, the nearest stadium where some games will be played is some 3 - hour road trip away, so I’d be much glued to my TV this next month. Even my overtime has been arranged to match! I am undecided about going to public viewing centres yet but I am sure going to be a renewed football fan this world cup.
Back to my Vuvuzela, it’s going to be my emblem beyond the tournament. I also like the sound of the name “Makarapa” but I don’t really fancy wearing it. So my Vuvuzela will be it; hoping it lasts as a souvenir from this moment of history.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
17
In the last 2 years, no thanks to my small body frame, I have often been asked what my age is. My answer has always been a wholesome "17 years". Most of the times, this would spark laughter and disbelief on the face of my enquirer. This has become a cliché of mine, injecting mirth to frank conversations, my receding hairline and sometimes the length of my undergraduate training doing me no favours at the end.
For those who stretch the questioning far enough as well as for those who I feel obliged to tell more about myself and my ways I go on shed more light on my professed age:
Much of the life I live now was either dreamt of or the foundation of the dreams I now have was laid when I was 17. It was the age at which I really concretized my thoughts into building the adult life that nature and nurture had moulded me into; much without pre-mediation. I also determined at that age that my next major outlook at the course of my life would be at age 35. And as that next milestone approaches, I dare say that I have reached most of the fundamental desires I hoped to reach by that age. Quite frankly, not all my desired goals have been realized, I am still on the path to some while I have had near misses with others. Yet, there are some desires that I have had to either modify or erase completely.
Life is dynamic and I learnt early that if one takes too many things as matters of life and death, one would die many times. In other words, I have tried to avoid the extreme in some issues of life so as to gain happiness. My attitude has grown to be that of positivity and I feel a churn in my guts every time I am able to sense resourcefulness out there. It's been a progressive path and my faith in God has been pivotal to all of it.
So if I am living the life anchored from when I was 17 why should I not answer to being 17 years? I have often wished I could live that year of my life again, although figuratively, it remains my age until I am 35.
For those who stretch the questioning far enough as well as for those who I feel obliged to tell more about myself and my ways I go on shed more light on my professed age:
Much of the life I live now was either dreamt of or the foundation of the dreams I now have was laid when I was 17. It was the age at which I really concretized my thoughts into building the adult life that nature and nurture had moulded me into; much without pre-mediation. I also determined at that age that my next major outlook at the course of my life would be at age 35. And as that next milestone approaches, I dare say that I have reached most of the fundamental desires I hoped to reach by that age. Quite frankly, not all my desired goals have been realized, I am still on the path to some while I have had near misses with others. Yet, there are some desires that I have had to either modify or erase completely.
Life is dynamic and I learnt early that if one takes too many things as matters of life and death, one would die many times. In other words, I have tried to avoid the extreme in some issues of life so as to gain happiness. My attitude has grown to be that of positivity and I feel a churn in my guts every time I am able to sense resourcefulness out there. It's been a progressive path and my faith in God has been pivotal to all of it.
So if I am living the life anchored from when I was 17 why should I not answer to being 17 years? I have often wished I could live that year of my life again, although figuratively, it remains my age until I am 35.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
WALKING AWAY
At the end of the my working hours when I start out to leave the work place, I often make an effort to keep a straight face, pretend to be engrossed in a conversation with a colleague...or my favourite, gladly speaking into a phone if I am coincidently receiving a call. These have been my recurrent but apparently futile "shows" to conceal my deeper emotions from the "usual" crowd still waiting to be attended to in the health facility where I engage my so-called trained skill.
A few weeks ago when I was in the private setting, the crowd in the waiting section was almost looked forward to. Of course, the larger the crowd the greater the income since the waiting room in a private healthcare facility is only occupied by those who can afford the higher fees of private care. However, that crowd is fickle compared to the endless queues in the public facilities. Indeed the poor are usually sicker in number and in severity (apologies).
Human wants may be said to be insatiable, but even the necessities of life never seem to go round. It's almost a vain dream to think the world as we see it now is going to be a perfect place. It's only as good as we make (or even as we take) it. There would always be inadequacies in healthcare, food/water supply, clothing and housing; the supposed basic necessities of our species. This is not to undermine the efforts in the world over aimed at providing these basics of human living. If anything, every individual involved in such efforts should be commended as people living beyond themselves. Their passion is always so evident and by all means everyone should strive to give back to humanity.
I know some feel it's almost human injustice for someone to purchase expensive gems and toys when out there are one thousand and one hungry stomachs unsure of the next meal. Well, human needs change with income. The dynamics of our needs are so variable. I am tempted to think along the lines of the Master those many years ago: "The poor you will always have with you".
Going back to my antics as mentioned in the first paragraph, I have found much peace that I do my job to the best of my ability. Instead of yielding to the personal emotional blackmail at the end of work, I'd focus my thoughts on the good I have brought to those I have had the privilege to attend to.
For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. Mark 14:7.
A few weeks ago when I was in the private setting, the crowd in the waiting section was almost looked forward to. Of course, the larger the crowd the greater the income since the waiting room in a private healthcare facility is only occupied by those who can afford the higher fees of private care. However, that crowd is fickle compared to the endless queues in the public facilities. Indeed the poor are usually sicker in number and in severity (apologies).
Human wants may be said to be insatiable, but even the necessities of life never seem to go round. It's almost a vain dream to think the world as we see it now is going to be a perfect place. It's only as good as we make (or even as we take) it. There would always be inadequacies in healthcare, food/water supply, clothing and housing; the supposed basic necessities of our species. This is not to undermine the efforts in the world over aimed at providing these basics of human living. If anything, every individual involved in such efforts should be commended as people living beyond themselves. Their passion is always so evident and by all means everyone should strive to give back to humanity.
I know some feel it's almost human injustice for someone to purchase expensive gems and toys when out there are one thousand and one hungry stomachs unsure of the next meal. Well, human needs change with income. The dynamics of our needs are so variable. I am tempted to think along the lines of the Master those many years ago: "The poor you will always have with you".
Going back to my antics as mentioned in the first paragraph, I have found much peace that I do my job to the best of my ability. Instead of yielding to the personal emotional blackmail at the end of work, I'd focus my thoughts on the good I have brought to those I have had the privilege to attend to.
For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. Mark 14:7.
Friday, April 30, 2010
FIRST DAYS' BLUES
It's funny after wanting so much change, it comes and suddenly we are in a deluge of mixed feelings. For someone like me right now, it's been drawn from the extensive paper-work that goes with public service (Oh, I wanted to know all the details I could understand so that I maximize my position), meeting new collleagues (I repeat every name and say I'd get to know each of them as time goes by ), familiarising myself with the environment and getting orientated in my job description.On the latter, I have found myself a bit apprehensive as to whether I'd get it right with the details peculiar to the new environment; more so that my previous job was less encompassing.
In between all of these personal stuff, my thoughts are drawn into the other responsibilities I have to assume because of a higher pay-grade, that ever increasing thing that is called age, short-/long-term commitments I have hitherto made and the overall drift towards my greater life goals. Very interesting.
For each of these flirting concerns, I have been able to come up with answers that gave me peace; be it rationalizing the thoughts or flipping through a basic life principle I always had. Also, I have found the friendliness and the good PR of people around me very encouraging.
What I am about is called settling in and I should not wish to skip it. Going through the processes of life and negotiating them well makes for immense stability and confidence in the future. I am on it.
In between all of these personal stuff, my thoughts are drawn into the other responsibilities I have to assume because of a higher pay-grade, that ever increasing thing that is called age, short-/long-term commitments I have hitherto made and the overall drift towards my greater life goals. Very interesting.
For each of these flirting concerns, I have been able to come up with answers that gave me peace; be it rationalizing the thoughts or flipping through a basic life principle I always had. Also, I have found the friendliness and the good PR of people around me very encouraging.
What I am about is called settling in and I should not wish to skip it. Going through the processes of life and negotiating them well makes for immense stability and confidence in the future. I am on it.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
5 RANDOM THINGS
After 15 months and 4 days, I am taking a a bow from my present job and relocating to another country. My departure has not been the relaxed one I had hoped for, as I had to work up to the night before my trip. The reason being that no one is available to take my place on the on job yet. As physically and mentally drained as I am now, I still have (howbeit a quiet) enthusiasm about the new job, the new life and all the other things that I am planning to come with it.
These past weeks, it finally dawned on me that my relocation is for real. I have been much pensive and found myself with these 5 random conclusions about life.
1. Life is made up of everyday's small things; bits that make up the whole. As we strive in the small things, we achieve the whole, sometimes without realizing it. But when we do finally arrive, we are thrilled.
2. The people/things that are really meaningful in our lives are very few. A lot out there is just background noise. It is not snobbish to be choosy. I went through my phone the other day and there were alot of contacts I could really have gotten by without.
3. It is gainful to have the bigger goals in view always. Distractions from our goals come in snippets.
4. Whatever happens to us, we should try to find the fun of life and savour them. Happiness is a perspective. What is there going through life without happiness?
5. Time takes care of all worries and concerns. In the course of life, our desires are modified.
These past weeks, it finally dawned on me that my relocation is for real. I have been much pensive and found myself with these 5 random conclusions about life.
1. Life is made up of everyday's small things; bits that make up the whole. As we strive in the small things, we achieve the whole, sometimes without realizing it. But when we do finally arrive, we are thrilled.
2. The people/things that are really meaningful in our lives are very few. A lot out there is just background noise. It is not snobbish to be choosy. I went through my phone the other day and there were alot of contacts I could really have gotten by without.
3. It is gainful to have the bigger goals in view always. Distractions from our goals come in snippets.
4. Whatever happens to us, we should try to find the fun of life and savour them. Happiness is a perspective. What is there going through life without happiness?
5. Time takes care of all worries and concerns. In the course of life, our desires are modified.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
WITHOUT A FINGER
(Originally written on my Notes page on Facebook, March 16th, 2009).
The taxi stopped for her. She was most likely in her late twenties, held a crutch on one hand and bore all things girlish on the other. Her crutch came in first, then she slid into the seat beside me, leaving the crutch to lean on me, right across my face. Before I could let out a whiff, she was already engrossed in a conversation with the cab driver.
“Sorry, could this be yours?” I said with a smirk on my face, my voice a little lowered. My wry sense of humor did the trick as she suddenly looked towards me giggling; “Aw, sorry, I almost forgot about my ‘third leg’” came her innocent reply. Later, I learnt that she had been using her “third leg” from when she was 4 years old following an “accident”. I also deduced from our engaging verbal congress that her attitude and style of expression was that of someone content with life in spite of her obvious inconvenience. It left an impression on me. Could I ever get used to a personal nuisance, especially when it inconveniences others? How would life be for me if I have to complement myself with anything artificial, even if it's a well-fitted denture?
Earlier that morning, I had slammed the car door on my right index finger while alighting from the cab I took to work. If the travails of a woman in childbirth was rated 10, I was somewhere around 9 for the 30 mins that ensued. Bearing in mind that the thumb and the index finger are said to be the most important fingers, here are a few things about me: I am right-handed (they say it’s because the left side of my brain is dominant); my job is graded as highly skilled labour; I have to examine people and perform many a procedure using my hands; I have to type all my notes into a computer at work; now and then give a hand-written script or a referral.
Beyond the professional use of my right hand, the turnover in the personal use of my hand is far exceeding; all of it done almost unconsciously. At work that morning, I attempted to maximize the use of my left hand; it was clumsy, slow, inconvenient and almost impossible for some of my routines. (Well,I did enjoy the mischief of my illegible prescriptions!).
Within a few days, my finger felt better and did return to its pre-injury wellness.
All these happened about a year ago, but I remember that the days following this incident, I became more aware of my many unconscious routines and my sense of “physical completeness” was very re-assuring. My heart has not ceased to be full of gratitude.
If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change - Buddha
The taxi stopped for her. She was most likely in her late twenties, held a crutch on one hand and bore all things girlish on the other. Her crutch came in first, then she slid into the seat beside me, leaving the crutch to lean on me, right across my face. Before I could let out a whiff, she was already engrossed in a conversation with the cab driver.
“Sorry, could this be yours?” I said with a smirk on my face, my voice a little lowered. My wry sense of humor did the trick as she suddenly looked towards me giggling; “Aw, sorry, I almost forgot about my ‘third leg’” came her innocent reply. Later, I learnt that she had been using her “third leg” from when she was 4 years old following an “accident”. I also deduced from our engaging verbal congress that her attitude and style of expression was that of someone content with life in spite of her obvious inconvenience. It left an impression on me. Could I ever get used to a personal nuisance, especially when it inconveniences others? How would life be for me if I have to complement myself with anything artificial, even if it's a well-fitted denture?
Earlier that morning, I had slammed the car door on my right index finger while alighting from the cab I took to work. If the travails of a woman in childbirth was rated 10, I was somewhere around 9 for the 30 mins that ensued. Bearing in mind that the thumb and the index finger are said to be the most important fingers, here are a few things about me: I am right-handed (they say it’s because the left side of my brain is dominant); my job is graded as highly skilled labour; I have to examine people and perform many a procedure using my hands; I have to type all my notes into a computer at work; now and then give a hand-written script or a referral.
Beyond the professional use of my right hand, the turnover in the personal use of my hand is far exceeding; all of it done almost unconsciously. At work that morning, I attempted to maximize the use of my left hand; it was clumsy, slow, inconvenient and almost impossible for some of my routines. (Well,I did enjoy the mischief of my illegible prescriptions!).
Within a few days, my finger felt better and did return to its pre-injury wellness.
All these happened about a year ago, but I remember that the days following this incident, I became more aware of my many unconscious routines and my sense of “physical completeness” was very re-assuring. My heart has not ceased to be full of gratitude.
If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change - Buddha
Friday, April 2, 2010
OH, IT'S GOOD FRIDAY!
How time flies and one's childhood becomes such a distant memory. I came to the foregoing reflection in the course of a conversation with someone today. Said she, "I'd be going to church this evening" and I went, " Oh, it's Good Friday! Do people still go to church on Good Fridays?".
Forgive my seemingly flippant unreligious present -no thanks to the demands of my undergraduate years and the duti-ness of the profession it led into. But the above conversation drew me to remember how Easter was those years ago when I was a little child (I am still much a child, maybe not a little one!). The holiday was looked forward to and no one ever wanted to miss the crucifixion movie that the TV stations always had a way of showing in the afternoon of Good Fridays. And there was usually some church service on Friday evenings and I remember some church denominations have a Galilee-like event on Easter Monday( not sure now if it is also called Good Monday!...Why not?).
That was then. I had gone to the university years after and if there was any (personal) holiday for me during the Easter,I'd probably be on the road on Good Friday and be on the road again on Easter Monday. The childhold Easter routine got even more disrupted when I started a career more years after. And as my innocent remarks today confirm, my life has practically become out of sync with the Easter activities of my childhood. I do have a hope though and it's when I become a parent and would have to help create a similitude for my wards. But then life may have changed signicantly in the details of such celebrations. We shall see about that.
As for now,I would say I still believe in what Easter stands for. It's just that I am not active in its celebration as the rest of the world does, and much less the way I did as a child.
Happy Easter to all my readers.
Forgive my seemingly flippant unreligious present -no thanks to the demands of my undergraduate years and the duti-ness of the profession it led into. But the above conversation drew me to remember how Easter was those years ago when I was a little child (I am still much a child, maybe not a little one!). The holiday was looked forward to and no one ever wanted to miss the crucifixion movie that the TV stations always had a way of showing in the afternoon of Good Fridays. And there was usually some church service on Friday evenings and I remember some church denominations have a Galilee-like event on Easter Monday( not sure now if it is also called Good Monday!...Why not?).
That was then. I had gone to the university years after and if there was any (personal) holiday for me during the Easter,I'd probably be on the road on Good Friday and be on the road again on Easter Monday. The childhold Easter routine got even more disrupted when I started a career more years after. And as my innocent remarks today confirm, my life has practically become out of sync with the Easter activities of my childhood. I do have a hope though and it's when I become a parent and would have to help create a similitude for my wards. But then life may have changed signicantly in the details of such celebrations. We shall see about that.
As for now,I would say I still believe in what Easter stands for. It's just that I am not active in its celebration as the rest of the world does, and much less the way I did as a child.
Happy Easter to all my readers.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
SINCE THE LAST TIME...
As much as I had hoped to fill this blog aplenty this month, time has drifted by and quite rapidly too. The last time I wrote on these pages, it was at the news of the a new job on the horizon. Since then, yours trully has had to travel across international borders 2 times to sign the job contract and to commence the processing of the paper work.
As I sit here today, my days on my present job are indeed numbered. So I am thinking I should write my memoirs, the experience of the last 15 months and my reflections on them from a "looking-back" position. The nature of my job is essentailly based on universal principles but the cultural perspective of living where I am presently is much varied from my own distant "roots". I am not promising myself but I'd see what I can do about blogging my memoirs; even if I have to punch the keyboard from the "other side".
It's been an eventful month and I am looking forward to better days ahead.
Global Filter
I wrote as a status update on my Facebook page a day after President Obama signed his much-praised healthcare reform bill: "I don't have a job, hence I am hungry. I have healthcare insurance though. I am an American! (Whatever happened to Maslow's hierachy of needs?)".
This was me being cynical for the sake of it. What Obama has done and the way in which he achieved it is a true landmark. We should keep the greater goal of our promises, even if there are pressing concerns of the moment; more so when there are structures on ground to eventually address those concerns.
As I sit here today, my days on my present job are indeed numbered. So I am thinking I should write my memoirs, the experience of the last 15 months and my reflections on them from a "looking-back" position. The nature of my job is essentailly based on universal principles but the cultural perspective of living where I am presently is much varied from my own distant "roots". I am not promising myself but I'd see what I can do about blogging my memoirs; even if I have to punch the keyboard from the "other side".
It's been an eventful month and I am looking forward to better days ahead.
Global Filter
I wrote as a status update on my Facebook page a day after President Obama signed his much-praised healthcare reform bill: "I don't have a job, hence I am hungry. I have healthcare insurance though. I am an American! (Whatever happened to Maslow's hierachy of needs?)".
This was me being cynical for the sake of it. What Obama has done and the way in which he achieved it is a true landmark. We should keep the greater goal of our promises, even if there are pressing concerns of the moment; more so when there are structures on ground to eventually address those concerns.
Friday, March 5, 2010
JUST LIKE THAT?!
Today has been quick and eventful. It’s one of the days I really want to fill my blog, but my mind has been active with a flurry of “what’s-next” thoughts. So I am going to try and hold on until all the final implications of today’s events are laid out.
How do we want to do certain things but the thoughts of doing the thing keeps us from doing it? I am in that position right now. But since it’s about good things, I care less. Yes, I’m in poise after all. Pretty soon, I am going to be busy with my own things. I hope I’d still be able to see the goings on around me and would not have missed much after my things are sorted out.
By the way, the title of this post came from my Face Book profile. For after the phone calls, text messages, emails and all the other conversations, I opened my Face Book profile and wrote as my status update “just like that?!”
How do we want to do certain things but the thoughts of doing the thing keeps us from doing it? I am in that position right now. But since it’s about good things, I care less. Yes, I’m in poise after all. Pretty soon, I am going to be busy with my own things. I hope I’d still be able to see the goings on around me and would not have missed much after my things are sorted out.
By the way, the title of this post came from my Face Book profile. For after the phone calls, text messages, emails and all the other conversations, I opened my Face Book profile and wrote as my status update “just like that?!”
Monday, March 1, 2010
A NEW DAY
There is certainly something about the rising of the sun. Whether it’s the dawn of a new year, the 1st day of the month or a Monday morning (as Sunday is considered a part of the weekend), there is freshness in the mind and haste in the one’s steps. It’s like charting a new territory, the uncertainty of which comes with a thrill akin to an adventure.
Today was no exception. I woke up feeling a lofty psyche, my mind in a buoyant flair. And surely, I got on the road to work unwilling to be bothered with the way my Mondays go...and bang! Starting from the problems with my work place computer network to the frightened 2-year old that would only wave his byes to me when he was outside the glass door; my day was fast and laborious. O yea, I did have that unusual lunch.
At home now and after my evening jog, I reflect at the sheer joy of life when the next event is not an event. Quite simply, unknown (although in this case, I didn’t care to think of what lay ahead of me). The spontaneity of life is one of the things that make it interesting.
I feel I am at the brink of something really profound in my life. I have surely put ink to paper on a few things I wouldn’t want to miss out on, but I have also left a lot that my life so far should be able to face head on without much pre-meditation. What was that quote my Professor said when he welcomed my class to a new phase in my undergraduate years? Yes, he wished us all the luck that our prep would have brought us.
It is twilight now but I could also say “let tomorrow come”.
I don’t want to tamper with natural ignorance; it’s the key to happiness- Anonymous.
Today was no exception. I woke up feeling a lofty psyche, my mind in a buoyant flair. And surely, I got on the road to work unwilling to be bothered with the way my Mondays go...and bang! Starting from the problems with my work place computer network to the frightened 2-year old that would only wave his byes to me when he was outside the glass door; my day was fast and laborious. O yea, I did have that unusual lunch.
At home now and after my evening jog, I reflect at the sheer joy of life when the next event is not an event. Quite simply, unknown (although in this case, I didn’t care to think of what lay ahead of me). The spontaneity of life is one of the things that make it interesting.
I feel I am at the brink of something really profound in my life. I have surely put ink to paper on a few things I wouldn’t want to miss out on, but I have also left a lot that my life so far should be able to face head on without much pre-meditation. What was that quote my Professor said when he welcomed my class to a new phase in my undergraduate years? Yes, he wished us all the luck that our prep would have brought us.
It is twilight now but I could also say “let tomorrow come”.
I don’t want to tamper with natural ignorance; it’s the key to happiness- Anonymous.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
THIS SATURDAY MORNING
It’s Saturday and I am still in bed at 9.30am. I don’t work on this day of the week and when I am not on a trip, I usually have a late breakfast, go to the afternoon movies, hang outdoors for a while, eat lunch out and return home at night fall to watch the football games on TV.
However today, I am flirting with thoughts otherwise. I am considering staying indoors, do the school work I had planned for tomorrow and do every other thing homely! But I also have to go to the TV subscription office today...and there is a premiere at the movie theatre. I think I made one call too many yesterday in the evening, the tone of which led me bed early. Yea, I feel I am crowding my thoughts again, hence my drift towards being indoors today.
Also, I think I woke a bit too early this morning and have had extra time to loll under my duvet. I have invented my Saturday to free my mind from the monotony of work and of life all together. It’s my day to do my own thing, to add some variety to life, catch up on the events around me and see the life out there. I must confess that this too is becoming quite a routine in itself but until I can come up with something else, I shall rise to the rhythm coming from my bedside CD player and get this day started.
I have always find fun in everything after all. Today will be no exception.
However today, I am flirting with thoughts otherwise. I am considering staying indoors, do the school work I had planned for tomorrow and do every other thing homely! But I also have to go to the TV subscription office today...and there is a premiere at the movie theatre. I think I made one call too many yesterday in the evening, the tone of which led me bed early. Yea, I feel I am crowding my thoughts again, hence my drift towards being indoors today.
Also, I think I woke a bit too early this morning and have had extra time to loll under my duvet. I have invented my Saturday to free my mind from the monotony of work and of life all together. It’s my day to do my own thing, to add some variety to life, catch up on the events around me and see the life out there. I must confess that this too is becoming quite a routine in itself but until I can come up with something else, I shall rise to the rhythm coming from my bedside CD player and get this day started.
I have always find fun in everything after all. Today will be no exception.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
EVERYONE IS DEPRESSED
A colleague called me a while ago asking how she could get antidepressants. Another friend of mine said he's just finally got out of depression. Someone spoke wth me yesterday wanting me to attend to a mutual friend of ours who is stressed out. All of these coupled with the number of cases of depression I have to deal with daily, I am begining feel that everyone is depressed.O yeah, I went to bed out of sorts the other night because "we" lost the game. Everyone is depressed.
I can't say why, but seems it's sometimes quite a task keeping up with the fast pace that life has become in our generation. Goals,deadlines and desires of life that require our stretch everytime. And there are bills too - this loan-based modern financing approach makes slaves out of people you know. Man's drift towards wanting more; money, position, possession and the outright damn folly in the heart of some have left many a mind warped. People lose their sleep, their eyes akin to over-flooded dams at bed time, they fight to concentrate on hitherto routines, bark at friends and family, enclosing themselves into a shell of solitude as they become worthless to themselves and everyone else. Alone and depressed. The zest for life is gone. Suicide becomes an option.
If the reins of life are not handled delibrately, it's almost natural, everyone tending towards it, everyone getting depressed.
I can't say why, but seems it's sometimes quite a task keeping up with the fast pace that life has become in our generation. Goals,deadlines and desires of life that require our stretch everytime. And there are bills too - this loan-based modern financing approach makes slaves out of people you know. Man's drift towards wanting more; money, position, possession and the outright damn folly in the heart of some have left many a mind warped. People lose their sleep, their eyes akin to over-flooded dams at bed time, they fight to concentrate on hitherto routines, bark at friends and family, enclosing themselves into a shell of solitude as they become worthless to themselves and everyone else. Alone and depressed. The zest for life is gone. Suicide becomes an option.
If the reins of life are not handled delibrately, it's almost natural, everyone tending towards it, everyone getting depressed.
Friday, February 12, 2010
TO MY FRIEND TOMI - MANY THANKS
I acknowledge I have not written much on this blog to start counting the number of posts. However, I got a mail from a friend today in which the central theme was about giving credits to whom it is due and this, early enough. So when another friend told me today she read, loved and forwarded one of my blog posts to a number of friends for whom it was a timely word, I know I had to do the bidding of the earlier email.
I will put it like this:
“I stumbled into your blog in 2008 and loved what I read. I was so fascinated; I made a bookmark of your blog site. I knew I could do something similar but for about a year, I nursed the thoughts using yours. To my friend, Tomi Lamikanra (www.olaoluwatomi.blogspot.com) thanks so”.
I will put it like this:
“I stumbled into your blog in 2008 and loved what I read. I was so fascinated; I made a bookmark of your blog site. I knew I could do something similar but for about a year, I nursed the thoughts using yours. To my friend, Tomi Lamikanra (www.olaoluwatomi.blogspot.com) thanks so”.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
THE TOP
Below is the sequel to my blog post The Colours of War. It is an excerption from another author. Enjoy the read.
You are the top when you have made friends with your past, are focused on the present and optimistic about the future.
You are the top when you have made friends with your adversaries and have gained the love and respect of those who know you best;
When you are filled with faith, hope and love;
And live without anger, greed, guilt, envy or thought of revenge;
When you know that failure to stand for what is morally right is the prelude of being the
Victim of what is criminally wrong.
You are the top when you are matured enough to delay gratification and shift your focus from your rights to your responsibilities.
You are the top when you love the unlovable, give hope to the hopeless, friendship to the friendless and encouragement to the discouraged;
When you know that success, a win does not make you and failure, a loss does not break you.
You are at the top when you can look back in forgiveness, forward in hope, down in compassion and up with gratitude.
You are the top when you are secured in who and whose you are, so are in peace with God and in fellowship with man;
When you clearly understand that failure is an event not a person, that yesterday ended last night and today is your brand new day;
When you know that he who will be the greatest among you must become the servant of all.
You are the top when you are pleasant to the grouchy, courteous to the rude and generous to the needy;
Because you know that long term benefits of giving and forgiving far outweigh the short term benefits of receiving.
You are the top when you recognize, confess and develop your God–given physical, mental and spiritual abilities to the glory f God and for the benefits of mankind.
You are at the top when you stand in front of the Creator of the Universe and He says to you “well done, thou good and faithful servant”.
You are the top when you have made friends with your past, are focused on the present and optimistic about the future.
You are the top when you have made friends with your adversaries and have gained the love and respect of those who know you best;
When you are filled with faith, hope and love;
And live without anger, greed, guilt, envy or thought of revenge;
When you know that failure to stand for what is morally right is the prelude of being the
Victim of what is criminally wrong.
You are the top when you are matured enough to delay gratification and shift your focus from your rights to your responsibilities.
You are the top when you love the unlovable, give hope to the hopeless, friendship to the friendless and encouragement to the discouraged;
When you know that success, a win does not make you and failure, a loss does not break you.
You are at the top when you can look back in forgiveness, forward in hope, down in compassion and up with gratitude.
You are the top when you are secured in who and whose you are, so are in peace with God and in fellowship with man;
When you clearly understand that failure is an event not a person, that yesterday ended last night and today is your brand new day;
When you know that he who will be the greatest among you must become the servant of all.
You are the top when you are pleasant to the grouchy, courteous to the rude and generous to the needy;
Because you know that long term benefits of giving and forgiving far outweigh the short term benefits of receiving.
You are the top when you recognize, confess and develop your God–given physical, mental and spiritual abilities to the glory f God and for the benefits of mankind.
You are at the top when you stand in front of the Creator of the Universe and He says to you “well done, thou good and faithful servant”.
THE COLOURS OF WAR
What is the origin of conflicts, the extrapolations of which makes men want to kill their fellow men? From the age when all there is to war was about thrusting another man’s flesh with anything sharp to the development of the A- bomb, the weapons as well as the politics of war have evolved over time. It’s amazing that these days, the final executors of war, the ground soldiers and their like sometimes have no idea on why they do what they are doing. They are just following orders from a Commander-in-Chief who is comfortably seated far away in front of a screen. Hence, these “heroes” come back from the battle fields, become depressed or go the direction of the sociopaths we have heard about so often and again. The truth is, unlike the soldiers of the distant past, they never had a personal reason to kill another man.
I read some where while still a little boy that the first and foremost battle is that of the self. It said that no matter what battles we have won in life the most important will always be winning the battle within ourselves. Our inner convictions and peace is our greatest ally in life. As I glance over the same page on cnn.com, I saw a video of James Cameron saying he will not win an Oscar with Avatar. Indeed, the battles of our mind can suddenly make us look less invincible after a major feat. Winston Churchill had is doubts and went on to lose the immediate election after WW2, Adolf Hitler had his hesitations within the inner circle of his influence, Bill Clinton wrote about the demons in his “Life”.
It’s our conquest in the wars within us that make for true peace, the colour and rhythm of which a famous author has called The Top.
(Please refer to the next blog post; The Top)
THE GAZE
MY EXTRA THOTS
LOL!
Love is in the air as Val’s day is 3 days short. So here is a laugh line on the subject of sharing love.
A husband, who is a certified public accountant, works 15-hour days for the first few months of the year. In spite of his hectic schedule, he took time out to order his wife flowers for Valentine's Day. While pondering what sweet endearment to write on the card, he obviously began thinking of the many hours of work still ahead of him. His note read: "Roses are red, violets are blue. If I weren't thinking of you, I'd probably be through."
Friday, February 5, 2010
MAKE UP YOUR MIND,PLEASE!
Some times I just get really irritated at peeps that seem never to make up their minds on what I consider the lesser objects in life. Whether it’s choosing to add chilli to one’s fries, preferring brown sugar to white at the coffee shop or hesitating between the hand dryer and the tissue paper in the Gents, the list is just ridiculous.
As a passive rule, I never order lunch to the work place- I take the break and go out for lunch on my work days. This is mainly because it affords me some time to free up my thoughts from the hassles of the job, allows me to breathe in some fresh air and see the sunlight out there. So I went out today for lunch and got on the queue for my order. The line never seemed to move forward for so long because some lady up front could not just make up her mind on what she wanted to be added to her main meal. From my position, I saw the attendant was making good efforts to be cheerful to her. But for those of on the line who wanted to just “grab” our lunch and dash out, it was tiring and almost unfair. I stood there and just marvelled on how people make so much fuss on the little things of life. The wait was long enough that by the time my turn finally came my lunch time was almost over.
Today, I agreed to when it is said that life is played as we make it. It is complex when we think it from a complex view point; it’s simple when we take it simply. I also accept that the customer is always right and reserves the right to his choices, however long it takes to decide what that choice is. But there is always someone else behind on the queue whose life is beyond a single purchase. I write this piece with some humour in my mind as I might as well be expressing my discomfort with some of my own closest female friends- whose hobbies include shopping. In fact, this is the only way one of them relieves stress!
But truth has to be told. We should never stretch our rights to the extent they disrupt the schedule of others; especially when those rights only serve to protect us from our inability to make up our minds. The point can be made that the reason some folks can not make up their minds on certain things is because those issues are not matters of life and death. But since we live in communities, kindness is almost a human obligation. So when it’s not a matter of life and death, step aside from the queue and make up your mind. Please!
When you have the opportunity to choose between being right and being kind, choose kindness.
As a passive rule, I never order lunch to the work place- I take the break and go out for lunch on my work days. This is mainly because it affords me some time to free up my thoughts from the hassles of the job, allows me to breathe in some fresh air and see the sunlight out there. So I went out today for lunch and got on the queue for my order. The line never seemed to move forward for so long because some lady up front could not just make up her mind on what she wanted to be added to her main meal. From my position, I saw the attendant was making good efforts to be cheerful to her. But for those of on the line who wanted to just “grab” our lunch and dash out, it was tiring and almost unfair. I stood there and just marvelled on how people make so much fuss on the little things of life. The wait was long enough that by the time my turn finally came my lunch time was almost over.
Today, I agreed to when it is said that life is played as we make it. It is complex when we think it from a complex view point; it’s simple when we take it simply. I also accept that the customer is always right and reserves the right to his choices, however long it takes to decide what that choice is. But there is always someone else behind on the queue whose life is beyond a single purchase. I write this piece with some humour in my mind as I might as well be expressing my discomfort with some of my own closest female friends- whose hobbies include shopping. In fact, this is the only way one of them relieves stress!
But truth has to be told. We should never stretch our rights to the extent they disrupt the schedule of others; especially when those rights only serve to protect us from our inability to make up our minds. The point can be made that the reason some folks can not make up their minds on certain things is because those issues are not matters of life and death. But since we live in communities, kindness is almost a human obligation. So when it’s not a matter of life and death, step aside from the queue and make up your mind. Please!
When you have the opportunity to choose between being right and being kind, choose kindness.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
LEARNING NEVER ENDS
I am back to the class room, to assignments, deadlines, active (and almost -) daily studying, the application of facts, group discussions, fact-proving/presentations. And there is that log book to carry around and fill. All these with a profound web-based learning tool that could make a gizmo enthusiast like me become a real time geek. These thoughts flashed through my head when at a point during my first contact session, the co-ordinating professor asked the class to log in their individual ID, test run our discussion board by posting a piece on the how as post grad student we would combine studying with our regular “daytime” jobs. Then I had to compose another mini essay on myself to be fed into the school’s “who-is-who media library”. Shortly after, I heard one of my tutors advising the class members on the need to develop our individual thesis very early. The jolt couldn’t be more; I am back to school and my verdict- learning never ends (any way).
Here is a paraphrased excerpt from that composition about myself. I believe the best thing about being human is in the possession of a high intellect. Compassion is instinctive and Faith is acquired; both of which are gainfully channelled through a functional mind. I have found much fun and essence in the engagement of my mind, whether it’s observing a coach apply sound tactics to a game, following a brilliant plot in a movie or reading the skill in which a biography is told.
So for me, it’s the interplay of the mind that makes learning fascinating. Formal education does not only stimulate a higher intellectual process but in fact bring order to the intellect and in the end garnish the product of the mind. Yes, the joy of learning is in the use of acquired knowledge for the betterment of life. The formal school life is here again and this “adult education” has begun.
If I have seen any further, it’s by climbing on the shoulders of those who have gone ahead of me.
Extra Thots:
I have read that the latest kid in the techno-block, I Pad is a magnificent addition to Apple’s already witty kit.
The world witnessed in dismay the horrors of the earth quake in Haiti just before I went to school. Our hearts and goodwill go its victims.
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