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Traveling Again …

When Canada opened her borders to US travelers in August 2021, we decided to visit my brother and his family in Vancouver. We excitedly booked our air tickets and examined the necessary health protocols needed. Canada did not accept the rapid Covid test but needed all incoming visitors to have a PCR test. This is a Covid 19 molecular test that detects genetic material of the virus using a lab technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The problem we encountered was that you had to have the test done within 72 hours of the time your final flight leaves the US for Canada. This three day window made it very difficult to get the test results back in time. Most pharmacies indicated that results would only be available between three and five days after the test. Not wanting to chance anything, we paid for our test through Passport Health and were able to receive the results after 48 hours. Once we had this in hand we downloaded an app called ArriveCAN. We uploaded all our covid vacination information and confirmed we received negative PCR test results. The app gave us a confirmation code which allowed us to travel into Canada. We also downloaded another app called Verifly. This allowed us to record our American Airline flight details, vacination and Covid tests results which facilitated our check-in at Tampa airport.

Fortunately, our flights took off without a hitch. We left Tampa in the early morning of August 14 and made our connection in Dallas for Vancouver. Our connecting flight took off within the required 72 hour window of our PCR tests. We arrived in Vancouver at noon and cleared Canadian immigration and health inspection fairly smoothly. The officer entered our arriveCAN reference number into his computer and appeared to be satisfied. He did check our Covid test results (we had paper as well as electronic copies with us) and then waved us through. As we want through and handed our immigration/customs forms to an officer at the exit gate, we were channeled through a different line. We were told we had been randomly selected for a Covid test! There was a long line of people randomly selected for the test. This additional line took twice as long, but happily, two and a half hours after landing in Vancouver we were out of the airport in my brother’s car making our way to his home in Maple Ridge.

It felt so good to be able to travel internationally again.

Raising Children

Make Faith, Hope, Love and Family the center of your lives.

Agree on how you want to raise your children; agree on what you consider good expected behaviors and reinforce that understanding through consistent communication and expectations.

Focus on a few overarching concepts like “respect” and “responsibility.” Agree on what they mean for the family and live by them. If you get the “big rocks” right, the little pebbles fall into place.

Always honor and respect each other and teach children to do the same. Family traditions and rituals like date nights, birthdays celebrations, anniversaries, church attendance, Easter, Christmas and special acknowledgments help frame this behavior and allow it to spill over into everyday living.

Do not send mixed signals to children. They should not be allowed to play one parent against the other. Children should expect that parents will agree on decisions. To deal with “grey and new areas” that crop up, delay a decision until you have had the opportunity to discuss and agree upon a response.

Always try to explain the rationale behind your expectations and rules. Try not to frustrate your children by cutting them off, refusing to listen to them, or by not being willing to provide reasonable answers to questions.

Try to keep emotions in check when disciplining children. While it is occasionally useful for your child to experience your displeasure and anger through your raised voice, use that voice sparingly so your child understands that when you do it, the situation warrants it. Most of the time, be firm but in control when disciplining.

Finally, the development of good habits takes time, effort and consistency. Over time, in the long run, your lived values and expectations will bear fruit.

Quote: Don’t worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you. (Robert Fulghum)

My First Job

My first real job in 1970 was as a technical sales representative for a welding products company. It had a number of satisfying components to it. It required a knowledge of welding and metallurgy and had a continuous learning aspect to it. Its problem solving and creative elements made it challenging and exciting. It provided independence and job satisfaction. Remuneration was fair with potential for higher earnings tied to performance.

The job was to advise and sell customers on the idea of using the company’s products for preventive maintenance. Long before the green revolution, we were persuading customers to save money by embarking on a repair and maintenance program. In simple terms, they could at a fraction of the cost of a new part, repair or extend its service life. I had good products and the service I provided was needed and welcomed.

The other satisfying aspect was the independence I had in planning and managing my territory. I was solely responsible for how successful I was. My supervisor was there to help when needed and we periodically agreed on a fair territorial sales target. Most of the time I had supervisors who did not push for unreasonable performance, so it was always possible to meet expectations.

I enjoyed this job because of the control it gave me. Everything else being equal, it depended on me alone. Later, when I was promoted to the managerial ranks, my performance depended on how well I could help people give and do their best.

This first job taught me a valuable lesson. It helped me create the proper and necessary work environment for individuals I supervised. Competent people just need a clear brief and clear expectations. They then need to be supported and allowed to perform and grow with minimal supervision and interference.

Keeping Healthy 2

This is an update of my previous blog on keeping healthy. I have added a couple more habits since my last post. You may research the science of any of these habits on your own. In my experience, I find that personal action research is always the best verification. These habits work for me but may not suit you or work for you.

Water: I still drink about three glasses of water each morning and have eight to ten glasses each day. I have added a little something to this regimen. Before I drink the third glass of water, I consume a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.

Diet: Three months ago, I added intermittent fasting (IF) to my diet. What this means is that, from Monday to Saturday, I fast for 18 hours each day and have a six hour eating window (usually from noon until 6 PM). The only thing I consume during the 18 hour fast is a cup of coffee in the morning, blended with a teaspoon of ghee and a tablespoon of MCT (medium chain triglycerides) oil. I was hovering at 190 pounds for a long time but today, was down to 182. Because of IF, I have moved my breakfast shake to the 6 hour feeding window. I only have two meals a day between noon and 6 PM.

Exercise: I was also reading about the advantages of adding strength training to my exercise routine. I was reluctant because my joints were always sore after a gym routine. I then discovered resistance bands. For the past three months I have introduced resistance band training into my exercise regimen. My goal is not to get big, but just to stay strong and fit at my age. So far, I have not encountered any joint pains and am feeling stronger and fitter. My lower back continues to nag me occasionally, but I have included some lower back strengthening exercises to my daily routine. Rhonda and I also bought bicycles about six months ago. We cycle at least three times a week for about fifty minutes each time. The band training, concept 2 rowing, and cycling keeps me active six days a week. Sunday is a rest day from exercise and intermittent fasting.

Supplements: I still take daily, a multivitamin, a magnesium capsule, a fish oil capsule, a COQ10 capsule (recommended for users of statins). I added cod liver oil and turmeric since my last post. My only regular daily prescribed medications are still a statin (10 mg), Lisinopril (5 mg), and a low dose aspirin (85 mg). It was recommended that I have varicose vein removal and have had it performed on my left leg since my last post. I now regularly wear compression socks, especially when I am bicycling or working out.

Numbers: My current numbers are: Age: 71 yrs (in Aril); weight: 182 lbs; height: 73 ins; BMI: 24; Cholesterol: 148; HDL: 56; LDL: 73; Triglycerides: 93; Glucose: 101. The only number that is still slightly high is my glucose level. BP range is (110 -145)/(70 – 90) with the 5 mg of lisinopril.

Ten Books

During this time when we have a lot more time on our hands, it may be useful to read or re-read some books. Reading has helped me grow personally, spiritually and professionally. Here is a list of ten that can change the way we see, think and act. The books all have a common theme. They focus on man and his relationship with God, his neighbor, and his environment.

The Holy Bible – To be read with the eyes of faith and love and the critical lens of time and culture. This just happens to be from my Faith tradition. I encourage those from other Faith traditions to read from their own book in the same way. I do believe God is beyond traditions and boundaries and speaks the language of Love to all. Love is my test for Truth when reading the Holy Books.

Ghandi, an Autobiography Mohandas Ghandi – The story of a man worth reading about.

The Long Loneliness by Dorothy Day – The story of a woman worth reading about.

The Phenomenon of Man by Teilhard De Chardin – Probably the most technically difficult book to read in the list. A great book for the scientist, philosopher and open minded.

Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl – Frankl’s experience in Nazi concentration camps and how he was able to transcend the horrors of the experience.

Mere Christianity by C.S Lewis – Lewis’s very readable book on the the basic tenets of the Christian faith and the ethics Christians should live by.

The Seven Story Mountain by Thomas Merton – This is the story of Merton’s conversion and faith journey, sometimes compared to that of St. Augustine of Hippo.

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie – A gem of a book on fostering proper interactions and relationships.

Small is Beautiful by E.F. Schumacher – This is subtitled “a study of economics as if people mattered.” First published in 1973, it is still an important and timeless read.

Educating for Character by Thomas Lickona – The guide to being an educator who believes education is about having children learn to be both “smart and good.”

Quote: Clearly one must read every good book at least once every ten years. (C.S. Lewis)

Back to Blogging

It has been quite a while since my last blog post. Over the past year my writing took a very different focus and so the blogs were placed on hold. My daughter gifted Rhonda and me StoryWorth accounts. If you are not familiar with StoryWorth, it is a vehicle to record one’s life stories for posterity. We were emailed a weekly writing prompt, or we could choose to write about something else. The idea was that after about a year, one should have 52 stories or essays that StoryWorth would then print and bind in book form. I believe it is an excellent gift to parents or grandparents who could then record family histories and stories that are important to them. This is especially appropriate during these current times of social distancing, when most of us have a lot more time on our hands.

So, my time over the past few months has been spent writing, editing and compiling these essays. Just before this Easter, my wife and I completed the task and had 55 essays each ready for the book. A week ago, we received the completed book, with about 300 pages of personal essays. I must say the completion of the task provided us with a sense of satisfaction that we now have a record of some good memories and family history to share. We will give a copy to each of our two children and keep a copy each for the three grandchildren.

There are a few essays from the book that I may share in future blog posts. However, the main point of this post is to say that I am now back blogging and sharing again.

Our plan for the summer was to visit Spain and Portugal which would have made for some interesting posts. However, the current situation with the Corona virus has put that on hold. We are being good and following all the guidelines and keeping safe. We miss being able to travel. Hopefully, when we get back to normalcy, our travels can begin again.

Keep safe everyone.

Summer Travel 2019 – Heading Back (Days: July 21 – 29)

We left Penang on July 21 on AirAsia for Singapore. AirAsia offers economical flights to various cities in Asia. Travelers to the region can save money by flying into Singapore on a major airline and then using AirAsia for their regional air travel. On this leg back, we took the opportunity to book a room at a hotel located in the brand new Jewel complex at Singapore’s airport. The Jewel is an amazing mall with stores, activities and attractions that include a massive waterfall that flows from the top of the Jewel’s dome right down the center of the mall to the ground floor.

The next morning we began our journey back to North America. We flew from Singapore to Vancouver through Shanghai. It was a long leg – five hours from Singapore to Shanghai, an eight hour layover in Shanghai, and a twelve hour flight from Shanghai to Vancouver.

I stated at the beginning of these series of travel blogs that the reason we routed our journey through Vancouver was to be able to spend some time with my brother and his family in Vancouver. We had lots of family time that included dinners at home with friends and family.

My brother took us on an excursion to the mountains where we experienced some of the beauty of Canada that is available just a thirty minute car ride from his home in Maple Ridge.

After five enjoyable days with my brother and his family, we flew the red-eye from Vancouver to Tampa via Houston. We arrived home at noon on July 29, fifty-four days after we left Tampa on June 5.

Summer Travel 2019 – Penang (Days: July 10 – 20)

Penang is the city I was born in. When growing up as a child, Penang used to be the site for our annual family vacation during the Christmas school holidays. Wherever my dad worked in Malaysia, our annual trip to Penang was looked forward to with excitement and anticipation. Today, Penang is still a favorite and nostalgic place to visit.

This year we took the fast electric train from Kuala Lumpur to Penang on July 10 and then ferried across to the island. The train left KL Sentral at noon and took a very comfortable four hours to get to Butterworth. Riding the ferry from Butterworth to Penang brought back childhood memories of my dad driving the family car onto the ferry and all of us inside watching Penang loom larger as we approached the end of our long car journey from Singapore.

The KL – Butterworth Train

Ferries

Coming into Penang

Our base in Penang is always at a beach hotel. As a child I remember the family always stayed at the wonderful Spring Tide hotel, now demolished, and replaced by the high rise condominium Springtide Residences. When Rhonda and I were first married, we stayed at quaint and affordable places like the Lone Pine, Casuarina and Palm Beach. These have all since been upgraded into either expensive boutique hotels or rebuilt into 5 star hotels. For the past three visits to Penang we stayed at the Rainbow Paradise Resort in Tanjong Tokong. It is closer to the city – Georgetown – than the hotels up in Batu Ferringhi and has quite a few local restaurants around, including an Indian restaurant right across the street that serves curry on a banana leaf.

Panoramic view from our hotel room

Sunset from the balcony

The Indian restaurant across the street

Rhonda and I were married 45 years ago at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Penang. We had our wedding reception and stayed at the E&O Hotel in Georgetown. Today, the church is still accessible, but the E&O has been completely refurbished and no longer the affordable hotel it used to me. We went into the bar for a beer and the bar captain was kind enough to take us to the old ballroom where our reception was held.

The E&O Hotel

Where our wedding reception was held

Church of the Immaculate Conception

Standing 45 years later in the room where our wedding reception was held

Penang has a lot to offer the tourist besides its beaches. There is the Botanical Gardens, Penang Hill, fruit and spice farms along Ferringhi and Balik Pulau, places of worship, as well as the very impressive Entopia Butterfly Farm. There are also a number of durian and fruit farms where one can feast on this king of fruit. This year I met some former classmates at the Bao Sheng Durian farm for such a feast.

With classmates from 1966. The durian farm owner is on the left.

The Durian fruit

Durian tasting session

In Georgetown, one can truly get a feel for the history of the island. There are beautifully preserved heritage homes and restaurants and hotels and museums to visit. One can see some beautiful mural art and visit the 3-D Art museum as well as the Food museum. The Penang museum was closed for renovation but we chanced upon the Catholic Diocesan Museum which we found very informative.

A history lesson

One of the many exhibits

Art display of Fr. J. Reutens

Stained glass windows

A visit to Penang is never without reunions with friends and relatives, many of whom return from where they currently live in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand to visit and keep in touch with their roots and relatives. Of course these reunions all involve local food dishes for which Penang is well known.

Durian tasting session

Finally, Penang is the place where both my parents are buried. A visit to Penang always include prayers at their gravesite at the Catholic cemetery in Pulau Tikus.

After ten days in Penang, we left for an overnight stay in Singapore before the last leg of our summer travel – a flight to Vancouver, Canada via Shanghai to visit my brother Charles and his family, before finally heading home to Tampa, Florida.

Summer Travel 2019 – Kuala Lumpur (Days: July 4 – 9)

Kuala Lumpur (KL), the capital of Malaysia is where I lived and worked from 1970 to 1975. The city today, especially the roads and buildings, are practically unrecognizable. Difficult to imagine that during the 70’s I was able to drive anywhere in and around the city without a GPS.

We flew Air Asia from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumur on July 4. I was fortunate to catch my brother Miles at the airport. He was transiting to Seoul, Korea. We only had about half an hour between our arrival and his flight, but is was great seeing and catching up with him.

On this visit to KL we stayed with two former classmates who were very gracious hosts. As usual, we were able to connect with still more classmates and have an excuse for a “makan” (meal) – not that we would ever need an excuse to sample the local fare. We also visited the Coliseum restaurant on old Batu road that used to be a Peace Corps favorite and one of Rhonda’s and mine as well.

Dinner at the Golf Club

The Coliseum Restaurant

In front of the Coliseum

Peranakan food with classmates

The traffic in KL is heavy and the extensive light rail transport system is a much easier and comfortable way to travel around the city. We made our way to KL Sentral and took in the Twin Towers and walked through a couple of truly massive shopping malls.

Riding the LRY

Growth Mindset message on LRT station steps

The Twin Towers

Crowded mall

Mall

We tried to find an old seafood restaurant by Carey Island (close to Klang) that we used to visit regularly in the seventies. Our friends were kind enough to indulge us to look for the place. The restaurant is no longer there, but we found one close to Carey Island that has replaced it.

Sea Food Restaurant near Carey Island

By the beach near Carey Island

One afternoon, we also took the opportunity to walk through the Botanical Gardens and visit the Butterfly Farm, which boasts many species of butterflies.

We had seen many of our old familiars (the Selangor Club, The Ship, The old Railway Station, The KL Market, etc) on a previous visit so were quite content during this visit to simply relax and catch up with old friends.

Summer Travel 2019 – Kota Kinabalu (Days: June 30 – July 3)

Kota Kinabalu is in Sabah (old North Borneo). Although I was brought up in West Malaysia, I had never been to East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak). We decided this year to visit Kota Kinabalu for some sight seeing and SCUBA diving. We flew from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu on Air Asia on the morning of June 30.

When we landed in Kota Kinabalu (KK), we took a taxi to our homestay in Tanjung Aru. Our homestay was a comfortable ensuite above a local traditional coffee shop. It was very conveniently located around many food stalls and just a fifteen minute walk to Tanjung Aru Beach.

Our club in Port Dickson was affiliated with the Kinabalu Yacht Club, and we took advantage of this by spending our evenings watching the sun set at the KK Yacht Club located in Tg Aru. The Tg Aru beach is a very popular spot, crowded with people who are there to swim, enjoy the sights and the many food stalls that fringe the beach.

Rhonda and I are both divers but had not dived since 2005. We heard that the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park is a diver’s paradise and booked a day of diving with a company called Scuba Junkie. After a refresher and checkout dive, we had two 50 minute dives in different areas of the park on July 1. Scuba Junkie, was very professional and we felt very safe diving with them after such a long layoff.

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We filled the other two days we had in KK with a lot of walking and visits to museums and cultural centers. We found the KK museum and the Mari Mari cultural village to be very informative and interesting for our short visit.

Because of our time contraint we did not venture beyond KK to the site of Mt. Kinabalu or the many nature parks in Sabah. On our next trip to East Malaysia we shall try something new and head for Sandakan in Sarawak.