A. has been away this past week, visiting his mother whose apartment needed some work done. So I have been living the single life, which is actually more boring than it sounds. Working out, quilting, watching internet TV, reading, pretty much sums up my days.
And it has been nice. Simple meals, sometimes a salad, sometimes a sandwich & sometimes, when I feel bad, a bowl of instant noodles.
But I'm ready for A. to come back.
Which he is.
Tonight.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Friday, October 25, 2013
Alien
I read this article someone posted on Facebook today. Very true words.
I've lived away from the country where I grew up in for just about a third of my life. I count the number of times I have moved in my married life (10 excluding the temporary housing we've lived in while waiting for our "permanent" homes to be ready for us to move into).
I've embraced this experience. But some of the sentiments expressed in this article about missing out on stuff ring so true. I've missed birthdays, weddings, anniversaries. I've missed my extended family and hanging out with friends. I've also grown apart from friends whom I previously thought were my "besties" but the years apart & the worldly experiences I've had has resulted in us growing apart, not just in distance but also in our attitudes towards various social issues. I think I've become liberalized by my exposure to so many different cultures & ethnicities and can't help but feel appalled at some of the attitudes that exist in my home country.
I believe that third culture kids (& third culture adults like me) become more tolerant of differences. The xenophobia & racism that I increasingly see at "home" alarms me. It doesn't feel like home anymore. It's not the same as what I remember it to be.
The saying goes: "Home is Where the Heart is". It certainly is...and not necessarily located in any particular physical location.
I've lived away from the country where I grew up in for just about a third of my life. I count the number of times I have moved in my married life (10 excluding the temporary housing we've lived in while waiting for our "permanent" homes to be ready for us to move into).
I've embraced this experience. But some of the sentiments expressed in this article about missing out on stuff ring so true. I've missed birthdays, weddings, anniversaries. I've missed my extended family and hanging out with friends. I've also grown apart from friends whom I previously thought were my "besties" but the years apart & the worldly experiences I've had has resulted in us growing apart, not just in distance but also in our attitudes towards various social issues. I think I've become liberalized by my exposure to so many different cultures & ethnicities and can't help but feel appalled at some of the attitudes that exist in my home country.
I believe that third culture kids (& third culture adults like me) become more tolerant of differences. The xenophobia & racism that I increasingly see at "home" alarms me. It doesn't feel like home anymore. It's not the same as what I remember it to be.
The saying goes: "Home is Where the Heart is". It certainly is...and not necessarily located in any particular physical location.
Tuesday, October 08, 2013
How Doctors Die
I read this article some time ago. It talks about a topic that many are uncomfortable to delve on. It came to mind because a close relative of mine, who has been suffering from a chronic form of leukemia for the last several years, just found out that his condition is probably turning acute (not a good thing, where leukemia is concerned). He is also a medical doctor and knows what this means with regards to possible scenarios.
We talked about what his options are now. He has to live a day at a time, continuing with chemotherapy for a while longer, for what it's worth. He is putting his things in order so as to make it "easier" for his loved ones (is it ever easy?) when he finally passes on. There are three physicians in our family (including himself). He has spoken about euthanasia (when the time comes) with his brother (the other physician), with me & with his own oncologist, knowing full well that the laws of the countries we live in prohibit it. It is not an option, he knows, though he jokingly asks me to give him an overdose of propofol when he starts going downhill. I laugh in response while trying to keep tears from rolling down my face (we are on the phone).
He knows what he is in for once the acute phase kicks in. Fulminating infections, organ failures etc. He doesn't want to suffer through all that. The only option left at that point would be an induced coma until he finally passes on with dignity.
We talked about what his options are now. He has to live a day at a time, continuing with chemotherapy for a while longer, for what it's worth. He is putting his things in order so as to make it "easier" for his loved ones (is it ever easy?) when he finally passes on. There are three physicians in our family (including himself). He has spoken about euthanasia (when the time comes) with his brother (the other physician), with me & with his own oncologist, knowing full well that the laws of the countries we live in prohibit it. It is not an option, he knows, though he jokingly asks me to give him an overdose of propofol when he starts going downhill. I laugh in response while trying to keep tears from rolling down my face (we are on the phone).
He knows what he is in for once the acute phase kicks in. Fulminating infections, organ failures etc. He doesn't want to suffer through all that. The only option left at that point would be an induced coma until he finally passes on with dignity.
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