Travelling and Windsurfing

Travelling and Windsurfing

by Toh H L

Wind surfing by Toh H L

When I was younger,

I windsurfed 3 times a week.

It was excessive,

but the hope was to reduce the appetite.

About 8 years ago,

I bought a new surfboard,

the urge is still there,

the mind is willingly,

but, alas, the body is uncooperative!

beach foam motion ocean
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

I still retain the hobbies of travelling,

hiking and a bit of mountain climbing.

These activities not only exercise

the body but the mind as well.

Planning a travel itinerary,

requires a lot of brain effort.

Somehow, these hobbies releases

the happiness hormones, ie dopamine, endorphines, serotonin and oxytocin.

It’s a bit addictive, but we are

merely triggering and tickling its release

to feel what Louis Armstrong sung….

“What a wonderful world.”

by Toh H L

How high is one’s self-esteem?

How high is one’s self-esteem?/ 一个人的自尊有多高？/ 中文和马来语)

close up of black teapot
making tea (Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com)

Self-esteem comes from being able to define the world on your own terms and refusing to abide by the judgments of others. ― Oprah Winfrey

How high is one’s self-esteem? Here are some examples of young people with high confidence and self-esteem. What others think does not matter!

  1. Kavievanan and his masala tea business It was sensational news when jobless graduate engineer, Kavievanan Subramaniam, 23, took to the road on bicycle to sell masala tea. He becomes an instant businessman, his own boss! Mr. Kavievanan became a role model for many young people to emulate, especially during this trying COVID-19 period. This is an example of a person with high self-esteem. Never mind what others think. As long as he is making an honest living! Congratulations!
  2. Michael Tee and his bagful of goodies! “Michael lugged a bagful of calculators, pens, and toys. He went from table to table at the restaurants.” “Why can’t you just sit at home and wait for your A-level result?” “I enjoyed doing this. Many aunties bought from me. They must have pitied me!” Michael grinned cheekily. He flopped onto his bed and was soon fast asleep! So high was his self-esteem then. He ignored what others think about him selling items table to table openly. That was quite an experience while waiting his result and entry to tertiary education!
  3. Tommy Lam, his free chemistry book, and a washing machine Tommy approached the stationary shopkeeper. “If I buy thirty books from you, can I get one free?” And he did [RM400 per book]! Next he bought a washing machine and shared the price with other course mates who stayed in the same house they rented. When they graduated from that university, the machine was sold to the next lot of housemates! Good self-esteem, very enterprising, too!

谷歌翻译成中文 (Google translated to Chinese)

一个人的自尊有多高？以下是一些自信和自尊的年轻人的例子。别人怎么想并不重要！

卡维瓦南和他的马萨拉茶业[见上文]这是一个耸人听闻的消息，当失业的研究生工程师，卡维瓦南苏布拉马尼亚姆，23岁，骑自行车上路出售马萨拉茶。他成为一个瞬间的商人，他自己的老板！卡维瓦南先生成为许多年轻人效仿的榜样，尤其是在COVID-19这一尝试时期。这是一个自尊心高的人的例子。别管别人怎么想。只要他过上诚实的生活！祝贺！
迈克尔 · 蒂和他的一袋好东西！”迈克尔拖着一袋计算器、钢笔和玩具。他在餐馆里从餐桌走到餐桌上。”为什么你不能坐在家里等待你的 A 级结果？”我喜欢这样做。许多阿姨从我那里买的。他们一定可怜我！迈克尔咧嘴一笑。他扑倒在床上，很快就睡着了！那时他的自尊心太高了。他忽略了别人对他公开出售物品的看法。这是一个相当的经验，而等待他的结果和进入高等教育！
汤米林，他的免费化学书，和洗衣机汤米走近固定的店主。”如果我从你那里买了三十本书，我可以免费买一本吗？他做了 [每本书 Rm400]！接下来，他买了一台洗衣机，并与其他住在他们租的房子里的同学分享了价格。当他们从那所大学毕业时，这台机器被卖给了下一批室友！好自尊，也很有进取心！

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Who is the strongest of them all?

people woman office girl
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com
old woman doing makeup in room
Who is the strongest of them all? (Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com)
 Who is the strongest of them all?
 
 Mirror, mirror on the wall,
 who is the strongest of them all?
 A figure so tiny, so frail,
but she's a matriarch behind a veil. 

Besides a man so strong and tall,
is a woman who takes over when he falls.
When the family is cracking and breaking,
 that maternal glue is in the making.

See the dame running the family millstone?
The comforting bosom that belies a financial backbone?
So, mirror, mirror on the wall
who indeed, is the strongest of them all?

QUOTES

“You’ve got to stay strong to be strong in tough times.” 
– Tilman J. Fertitta

“Sometimes you don’t realize your own strength until you come 
face to face with your greatest weakness.” – Susan Gale

“So, You Have an Ostomy”: The Complexity of Coping —Part 1 — lights camera crohn’s

Part 1 of “So, You Have An Ostomy” focuses on what it’s like to find out you need an ostomy, the complexity of coping, and adjusting to your new normal.

Please click below:-

“So, You Have an Ostomy”: The Complexity of Coping —Part 1 — lights camera crohn’s

May I borrow some nutrients and love?

May I borrow some nutrients and love?

Parasitic attachment

*****

During my evening walks, I notice these parasitic attachment on a bigger host.

It’s like a metaphor to orphaned kids on foster parents.

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“May I borrow some nutrients
and love?”

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Evening walk: In the harsh nothingness, they grow

Evening walk: In the harsh nothingness, they grow

How does this leafy plant grow- on top of a ceiling sheet, no soil, only rain water and air!

As I set out to walk in the evenings,

I notice a particular leafy plant.

And I was so amazed to find

a few of these plants growing

on top on zinc ceiling sheets- no soil at all!

That would mean no nutrient?

Just rain water and air?

Then it reminds me

of the poor kids out there

with no parents, no guardian

to help them by.

Yet, they grow…

some did better

than those in the warm comforts of home!

This leafy plant found a snuggly warm comforting place between the two tree trunks- maybe with access to soil!
the same type of leafy plant- living on another tree
another plant at the top of the same tree

When seven fairies meet

When seven fairies meet (poem, a haiku)

seven fairies convene…

*****

Seven fairies meet

for seven days in a week.

What’s the agenda?

*****

Shall we bloom today?

Open individually?

Or bloom together?

*****

Take little babes steps

sweep all simultaneously

either way we reign!

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Perhaps, Covid19 is nature’s remedy…

Watching turtles during sunrise in Port Dickson – Courtesy of Toh HL

Perhaps, Covid19 is nature’s remedy…

The sky and sea are bluer than ever before, with the lockdown in place and reduced human activities. Even the sunsets appear more splendid and brilliant. I saw 6 turtles bobbing up and down in the sea just a week ago. Perhaps the reduction in pollution makes it right for them to seek a place nearby to lay their eggs. Who knows?

Perhaps, Covid19 is nature’s remedy for the pollution and destruction we have wrecked on Mother Earth. It’s time for humans to cooperate to conserve the Earth’s resources. Pollution is increasing, sea levels are rising, global warming is becoming a threat, floods and tornadoes are more rampant. There can’t be economic prosperity when Mother Earth is dying.

by Co-author Toh HL

Note:

“… I saw 6 turtles bobbling up and down in the sea, just a week ago.”

“.. you’re supposed to stay at home during this pandemic!”

“… from my balcony.” (by the seaside!)

*****

Quote: I like this statement!

“Perhaps, Covid19 is nature’s remedy for the pollution and destruction we have wrecked on Mother Earth. ” – Co-author Toh HL , from Port Dickson

*****

The first cries

The first cries

Newborn (Photo by Vidal Balielo Jr. on Pexels.com)

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moons of snuggling and swimming in the comfort of mum’s womb

suddenly, being yanked out into cold, cold, unfamiliar handlings!

scrunching up the little face, hands clenched, kicking lower limbs,

… loud shrieks fill the room

I remember a horrified hawker’s cry many years ago,

“another girl? This will be my eighth girl! My mum- in-law will make my hubby divorce me!”

Otherwise, boy or girl, it’s usually a warm welcome

… for a newborn!

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Pressure-ulcers: what is right is not always popular.

Pressure-ulcers: what is right is not always popular.


I am not proud to write this post.

When friends called for help; 
that their loved ones 
were discharged from hospitals 
with a pressure ulcer...

" My mum is bedridden.
Please keep her dry and turn regularly.
... to prevent her skin from breaking down."

"This is too demanding, impossible;
... cos we're short-staffed!"

What is right is not always popularly done.

Yet, some hospitals are able to maintain a zero pressure-ulcer rate
among their bedridden clients.

"I have been in a wheelchair since five years ago
and I don't have any pressure ulcer on my butt.
Know what?
The therapist showed me a picture- 
an ugly pressure ulcer!!!
I work hard not to develop one!"

"We took turns to look after 
our mum in hospital.
Changing her when she is soiled, 
turning her regularly 
with the help of the staff."

What is popularly done, is not always right.

Some unfortunately, 
did develop pressure ulcers 
during their stay in a hospital. 
 
 Prevention of pressure ulcers 
is a multidisciplinary responsibility 
(Physicians, physical therapists, nutritionists, nurses), 
although nurses play a significant role. 

Do you agree that the family members and carers should have a role in pressure ulcer prevention too?

"A pressure ulcer should not be allowed to develop in the first place. 
Cos it would take another long journey to healing that 'wound'!"


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