OMICRON … NOT NICE AT ALL !!! 😨

I am always a careful person … or at least I thought I was.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, I have warned myself and my family to take extra precautions not to be infected by the Cov19 virus. Even though the trend of the virus is not as deadly now as when it first started and with boosted vaccinations, I still tried very hard to avoid it … that was until last week.

Yes, caught that Omicron fella and was down and out in total isolation for a full week. True, the symptoms caused by Omicron were mild and not deadly but they were NOT NICE AT ALL!!! The swollen stinging sore throat, congested heaty breaths, the pulsing headaches, the night coughs and the feverish chills … I suffered like hell.

I was quite angry with myself for the lack of guard against the virus. I was bit worried too. You see, Cov 19 is a type of lung attacking virus and I don’t have the best pair of lungs in the world. My left lung is quite weathered and the other was damaged due to my excessive smoking habit in my younger years. I went for an emergency cardio thoracic surgery many years ago and even though I recovered, my right lung is not as good as I want it to be.

So, I was REALLY very worried … the questions keep coming into my mind, over and over again … what if the infection spread to the lungs? What are the chances? Can I survive that? All sorts of worrying thoughts went bouncing around inside my mind.

Really, I even started to write down “instructions” on what to do (for my wife and kids) should I succumbed to the virus.

Those worrying thoughts lasted several nights … only until the symptoms began to subside, I was relieved ... it did not spread to the lungs. Honestly, if it did spread to the lungs … I don’t think I can survive the infection. If it was the Delta variant, my chances of getting through would have been NONE.

Yes, the experts have proved it and majority people around the world is beginning to accept that the Omicron virus and the current global infection trend is not as dangerous or as deadly and that is why many countries have opened their borders with some restrictions.

Well, life has to go on … maybe it will not be back to the normal days like before but life has to move forward and we must learn to live alongside this virus. I agree and I am all for countries opening up their borders … people and businesses can go on as usual and we can live our daily lives maybe within an endemic environment.

But be careful and be vigilant … new variants may pop up and throw havoc at life again. So laws, SOPs, rules, regulations and guidelines must not lack … plus, personal discipline, strictness and observations must always be on top of our minds to avoid being infected.

Again, this Omicron variant and its trend is not as dangerous but there is still a possibility that it can get complicated for some. So, when infected … apart from the very unpleasant symptomatic days … it can also be a worrying experience.

Therefore, the number #1 advice is still … prevention is better than cure … DON’T GET INFECTED!!!

SHIT 60 !!!

Oh SHIT ! … 60 !!! 😂

Yup, I am 60 today. OK, OK … actually it is S.H.I.T. 60 !!! What I actually mean is ... So Happy I've Turned 60 !!! Yes, today I am officially recognized by the laws of this country as a senior citizen. 

Now, how do I feel?

Honestly? I don’t feel old.

The fact is I am growing older … nothing can change that but like I said before, if you stay healthy, active, alert and mobile … you will not feel old.  

Ten years ago today I posted SHIT 50 !!! when I celebrated my 50^th birthday and today I am still very much the same old person. My sarcastic, skeptical, semi-eccentric, acerbic, dry-humoured and "apa susah susah" ways of life are all still very much intact. Really, I have not changed … at least not my personality or character or temperament.

What has changed is my physical appearance … maybe I have a lot more grey hairs and a lot more wrinkles but that is nothing to worry about. I am still able and capable … staying active, alert, mobile, observing and learning.

What else has changed? Well, the world changed … especially in the last two years due to the Covid19 pandemic. It is still changing … affecting the way we used to live our lives. So now and whatever we are planning for the future, we have to adapt to the so called “new normal” and many countries are accepting it as an endemic situation … it is here to stay.

Another major change that is happening is the war in Europe. This war is going to change the lives of many people in Europe (especially Eastern Europe) and the spillover effects will also affects the rest of the world if and when the war progress.

I don’t know anything about this war or any previous wars apart from what I learned from historical books and documentaries. I don’t know who or what is right but I am very sure there will be nothing left when the war is over.

So, on my 60^th birthday … if I have one wish … my only wish (and hope) is that this conflict can cease and end soon.

OK … whether it is the virus or war, life goes on. When I say So Happy I've Turned 60 !!! … I meant it. I am really happy to have come to this point of my life. The last ten years were good and I spent my time well doing what I like, at the pace I am comfortable with, within my physical ability and financial capability.

Things went according to what I have expected until the Covid 19 virus threw a few curves at us but we were able to stay safe and protected albeit some plans and activities were halted.

From here onwards … embracing the new normal, I will continue to stay active, be alert, be mobile as well as constantly observing and learning. As usual, live simple and do the things that I like. Maybe a couple of sports, a few recreational activities and some social activities … nothing dangerous or too challenging or tedious. Just activities that are within my ability and capability.

Then I want to learn a bit more … there are many things to learn and learning does not have to be difficult and long. It can be learning to cook simple recipe or to play musical instrument or maybe a new hobby, learn a new skill or just simply reading a book.

As a matter of fact, I just started to take lessons on piano … learning to play the instrument and understand the language of music.

I have deep interest in Chinese history, space, galaxies and extra- terrestrial life … I have learned so much and continue to acquire more knowledge, information and facts on these topics. It is very convenient now … news, facts, details and up-to-date information on these topics can be easily obtained from the internet sources, social media, video platforms, ebooks and websites.

As of now, travel is still out of the question as many of the countries in the region have yet to open their borders but I think that will change soon. Then I hope to be able to visit a few places in the region and maybe further east … hopefully to see a bit more of that side of the world and to learn about the people and the culture of these places.

So again, I am So Happy I've Turned 60 … moving into the next decade of my life, I am glad I am still able and capable and have a fair bit of things to look forward to.

I hope the next 10 years will be safe and good for me and I will still be around to tell you about S.H.I.T. 70 !!! 

 

The Quality Of Life

I am sure we hear it very often … the quality of life. People always say that we must strive to have a better quality of life.

So how do you get a better quality of life? Now, one thing for sure is that you have to spend. BUT, there are also things that give you a better quality of life that money CANNOT buy.

And for those that can be bought … it DOES NOT mean that when you spend BIG, spend MORE and spend OFTEN ... then you will get better quality of life than other people who have less.

Quality of life?

What is your idea of a better quality of life?

A big house? Big cars? Expensive taste? Branded luxury items? Exotics holidays? Party at exclusive clubs? Millions in the bank?

Someone told me, that better quality of life means 喝饱吃醉 every day with 大鱼大肉 🐟🦐🦀 and a few bottles of branded whiskies on the table. THAT, they said … is the meaning of better quality of life.

OK, there is no right or wrong, true or false or “must do” and “must not do” here … how one define the qualities of their lives is entirely up to that individual … just live the way you think is best for you.

I live the way I wanted to … the way that I worked so hard to achieve. I think I have very good qualities of life now … some that I managed to build and maintain, some that I can afford and some that I continue to acquire as I live and learn every day.

What are my qualities of life?

Look, it might not be like yours or you may not think this is the quality you wanted but like I said, every individual has their idea of what his/her quality of life should be.

My quality of life is very first my HEALTH … now, for people at my age, don’t fall into the lure of advertising slogans that say your health can be like what you were when you are in your 30s … no, it will not be. It is only natural that you will lose some of your physical and mental abilities when you aged … you cannot change the law of nature. Don’t worry about it if there is no sudden or serious changes.

So what is healthy to me?

At my age, my idea of healthy is be active, be mobile and be alert. I try to be able and capable for as long as I can be. Of course there will be some aches and pains on the joints, muscles and tendons but as long as it is nothing serious or grave … I can still enjoy some activities, light sports and mental engagements.

So, to be active, mobile and alert is one of the better qualities of life.

Next, my home … let me emphasize, MY HOME, not my house ya. My home is where I spent most of my time in. I said this before and I will say it again … it is a place that I want to go back to, AGAIN and AGAIN.

It is where I am very close to my loved ones and yet enjoy the privacy and the retreat when I wanted some time for myself. It is where I feel most comfortable in. It is at my home, where I am most at ease, with those who live and interact with every day.

My home is what make my quality of life better.

My other quality of my life is that I still have ability, the opportunity and the resources TO LEARN.

My interest in Chinese history started many years ago … those days, due to the limitations of books, translations, time and resources … I did not go very far in my research of the vast Chinese history. Now, with the luxury of time, the convenience of the internet and the vast resources of ebooks, online publications as well as media platforms like Youtube, FB and Instagram … I have learned so much and I still have so much more to learn.

I travel not for photos … been to France a few times and I have not got a photo of me at the Eiffel Tower but if you ask me about what I learned about France, I can tell you about Napoleon, the French revolution and the wonderful things I saw in the Louvre museum. As well as the interesting culture that I have learned from asking many ordinary folks about their lives and living in France.

Was in Egypt many years ago … again, I did not play baccarat at Casino Royale but I was down inside one of the chambers of the big pyramid of Giza and was at awe in front of the golden mask of King Tut in Cairo museum. Maybe if the opportunity arise again, I hope to go learn more at the new Grand Egyptian Museum.

I like to learn … as a matter of fact, I just signed up for music lessons. Bought my first Kapok guitar many years ago … but music did not go far beyond that. Now, I am not just trying to play instruments but go further to also learn and understand music, to use music and to make music.

You see, I can still learn … more importantly, there is still so much to learn. From simple things like a new recipe to the mysteries of aliens in the vast universe and galaxies … there are new things, new discoveries, new inventions that I can learn every day. Whether it is history, music, science or mysteries … learning is one way that can definitely improve my quality of life. 

Look, there are other ideas of how to make the quality of my life better … it can in my belief, my understanding, my approach and my thinking. Maybe it is not the same as what other people have in their minds. That is absolutely OK … the objective is the same. We all want a better quality of life … just different ideas and ways of thinking and achieving what and how the quality of life should be.

What is better for you?

The year is ending soon … just a few more days to go and I am glad that a new year is coming and I think there are better things to look forward to.

I am looking forward to better days ahead … now, I am not sure what better means to others, people have different ideas of what better should be for them.

What is a better for you?

To some people, better means more. Others may think that better means bigger. There are many who think that better means expensive. Of course there are other meanings of better and how you want to make your life better is entirely up to you.

I have a different idea of what is better for me. You see, I don’t have the so called better things that many of my peers have … the big houses, the expensive cars, the high end brands, the luxury holidays and the “sikit atas” lifestyle.

I don’t have the ability and the financial resources to afford this concept of a better living … I cannot compare with my peers in this concept.

My approach to the concept of a better life is about what I DON’T HAVE.

Huh?

You see, at my age … it is not what I have that is important. Whether it is a big house or expensive cars or luxury brands … that is not my idea of a better life.

It is what I DON’T HAVE that makes my living better … heart diseases, stroke, Parkinson, Alzheimer, diabetes, liver and kidney failure, cancer, arthritis, obesity … last but not least, vision and hearing loss.

At least not yet lah … 🙏🙏🙏😉

I take this opportunity to wish you a Happy New Year and may the new year brings BETTER days to all.

Sounds like it … feels like it … looks like it but it is not IT.

I go into the forest almost every week … normally I will be at the trailhead at about 6.15am ... I start very early to avoid most trekkers that will arrive when the sky lights up.

I like to trek alone … yes there are some cautions to trekking alone so I have to be extra careful.

Last week, like before, I trekked into the forest but when I reached my first resting point, there was already a trekker there. Quite unusual, I was always the first one there for as long as I remember.

We greeted each other. As soon as I sat down, he walked over and started a conversation. The first few exchanges were quite general … “where are you from” … “how often do you come here" and blah, blah, blah.

Then he asked me … what shoes are you wearing? "Trekking shoes" ... I said.

“What brand is that? I have not seen this before” … he asked.

And before I could put down my water bottle to reply him … he started talking about his shoes.

“This is Salomon” … he told me while lifting up his leg.

I looked at his shoes and nodded … gave him a 👍. He talked about the design … I cannot remember what about … something on the fitting and shape. Then he went on to tell me about the trekking shoes he has at home … if I remember it correctly, he said he has eight pairs of them and mentioned several brands names … all “canggih canggih” brands.

From what I can see … he must have invested quite a fair amount on his trekking gears … the backpack I saw was one of those I cannot afford.

I listened … told myself give him a few more minutes and then I will continue with my journey into the forest. Then he asked again (very curiously) … “what shoes you are wearing?”

And again, before I could reply him, he said …”you know, I don’t wear this kind of shoes, it bad for my trekking … you better change your shoes also”.

OK, that was it … I have to make a move before he start talking about the singlet I was wearing and loose old khaki shorts that was hanging from my waist. So I made an excuse and left … I speed up a bit to make sure that I will lose him if he is behind.

Look, albeit his boastful tone and manner … maybe his intention was good. Maybe to him, good trekking shoes and gears must be from Salomon or Karrimor or some famous brands.

But what he must understand is … not all trekkers can afford expensive brands like him … so, maybe things that are not good enough for him … is good enough for others.

Let me tell you what I wear into the jungle. First, an old singlet … that I have accidently stained while washing. It is still wearable, so might as well use it for trekking before I turn it into table cloth. After that, I will look for another old singlet and the process repeats.

My trekking pants? It is an old pair of discolored khaki shorts with loose rubber waist band, got a big hole in one pocket (have to remind myself constantly not to put car keys into that pocket) and weathered with permanent stains due to frequent contacts with mud, soils and dirt from the many treks into waterfalls and forest reserves.

What about my trekking stick? Well, it is just a long straight branch that I picked up during one of my trips to Gunung Angsi many years ago. It is also my phone/camera holder … just use a long rubber band to tie the phone onto the stick and poke it into the ground and bingo!!! … an instant tripod.

I don’t use those retractable aluminium trekking pole … you know the ones with a little compass at the top? Why? A very experienced trekker once told me … those metal poles, they attract lightning. Yes, seriously … during thunderstorms, if a lightning hits a tree and you are standing near the tree with that kind of metal pole … well, very likely you will be fried.

OK, the most important question … what shoes do I wear? I did not get to tell the guy last week … so let me tell him now (if he gets to read this one day).

Is it a Salomon?

Well, it sounds like it, feels like it, looks like it … but it is not IT.

My pair of 傻老文

I call it "傻老文". Pronounced “sor low mun” in Cantonese. A cheap pair of imitate I bought online at just under 40 bucks and some more wait until the 11.11 sales on Lazada to get another 5 bucks off.

Tak bolih pakai meh?

You see … people boast about their possessions … that is absolutely OK. Of course everyone like to show that they are successful and they deserve to enjoy their successes

But don’t tell those who have less than you that what they have is not good enough.

I know a guy with a title in front of his name … one time he boasted about the luxury cars he has in his garage. He said to me and a few others at a gathering … “anything that is less than 500k is not a car” … now, to him a car have to be 500k or more.

Yes, some people think I am driving this

Then I want to ask … what are most of us driving then? Buffaloes and camels?