Sally is in Sydney. I already miss her heaps. Even though I know so much of it is irrational, it was almost traumatic to say goodbye - all the while knowing that I'll probably see her on Saturday! Who says guys aren't emotional?
Now I begin to see and understand why some couples I know (though most of them are married), find it such a difficult consideration to be apart even for just a few days. I used to find this astonishing, thinking, "oh what, it's just a few days, so what's the difficulty?" - until I face the situation myself. It's like a part of me is missing, because it left when the other person went away. And my emotions irrationally behave as if no return is in sight. And it just doesn't seem to occur to me that it won't actually be so long before next time I see her!
Time passes, or doesn't pass (as it seems), it's now Tuesday - it feels as if Monday, when Sal left, was ages ago. Like a few long days, not just one. Time is a funny thing - it seems to take itself when we are saddened, and it loosens itself and runs away when we have fun.
Miss ya heaps, Sal!
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Thursday, September 15, 2005
(Unimaginative) update...
It's been a while since my last blog - time for some sort of update! Lately, have been semi-busy with my surgery rotation at RMH, but in this time I've been concentrating on the day-to-day looking after patients on the ward, still haven't visited operating theatre this rotation! Must visit sometime soon, so I know where all my patients are disappearing to and returning from, nasty scars and all. Am attached to the trauma team at the moment, but far from being the rushed, hectic, heroic scenarios second after second, it's been quite laid back. That's not to say they don't do heroic things. It was quite exciting and frightening at the same time being with the team this morning, trying to salvage (against huge odds) the life of a man whose head had been run over by a forklift - mashed, essentially. He's surviving for the moment, which is good. But it'll be a touch-and-go matter, whether he can recover from the injury, and how the brain will come out of it all. Unfortunately, the eyes are all but gone. To imagine that all these patients are in hospital because of things that could happen to anyone at any time - motor vehicle crashes, falls etc. It's such a strong reminder that we ought to be thankful for each moment of life we have!
What else has been going on? Did UMO for first time ever yesterday! UMO = university maths olympics. It's more-or-less a running relay race (up and down stairs) and whirlwind maths competition combined. I was a last-second (almost literally) addition to the team (the other members being Sally, Nick, Andrew and Zhihong)! I think I was far more valuable for my running skill than any mathematical ability I have, which pales in comparison with the others in the team. For most of the race, amidst all the chaos, we were winning. That is, until one question, where amidst all the chaos, brains shut down and refused to work. Having solved all the questions up til that one, we doggedly (and perhaps foolishly) persevered, still arriving at no result after a few minutes. After Nick ran down several answers, we finally decided to pass, and in frustration, realised that we'd just relinquished our lead to teams that weren't so foolish. In the end, if we had passed that question, we could have added the next question (which proved to be far friendlier) to our points - and given us a better chance. Nevertheless, a team full of amazing talent (myself being the exception) ended up third - a good result. Although disappointing after being in the lead for almost the whole thing (we would have won had the competition finished only a few minutes earlier), and doubly infuriating losing to a team that proclaimed its team description "we're here to beat Sally".
Enough ramble from thilly me for now, looking forward to med ball tomorrow night! Perhaps there will be some photos in my next blog! It promises to be a great night!
God bless!
~Dave ;p
What else has been going on? Did UMO for first time ever yesterday! UMO = university maths olympics. It's more-or-less a running relay race (up and down stairs) and whirlwind maths competition combined. I was a last-second (almost literally) addition to the team (the other members being Sally, Nick, Andrew and Zhihong)! I think I was far more valuable for my running skill than any mathematical ability I have, which pales in comparison with the others in the team. For most of the race, amidst all the chaos, we were winning. That is, until one question, where amidst all the chaos, brains shut down and refused to work. Having solved all the questions up til that one, we doggedly (and perhaps foolishly) persevered, still arriving at no result after a few minutes. After Nick ran down several answers, we finally decided to pass, and in frustration, realised that we'd just relinquished our lead to teams that weren't so foolish. In the end, if we had passed that question, we could have added the next question (which proved to be far friendlier) to our points - and given us a better chance. Nevertheless, a team full of amazing talent (myself being the exception) ended up third - a good result. Although disappointing after being in the lead for almost the whole thing (we would have won had the competition finished only a few minutes earlier), and doubly infuriating losing to a team that proclaimed its team description "we're here to beat Sally".
Enough ramble from thilly me for now, looking forward to med ball tomorrow night! Perhaps there will be some photos in my next blog! It promises to be a great night!
God bless!
~Dave ;p
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Inspiration...
I'm going to try normal-style writing for blog now, seeing that I reckon all the triple dots and lack of proper punctuation makes it all hard to read. It's somewhat unnatural for me, since I'm so used to typing the other way. So I hope this is a bit better!
Sal & I went to an MSO concert last night, featuring Stephen Kovacevich as the soloist playing Beethoven's brilliant Emperor Concerto, and it proved to be an awesome performance! The first movement is a grand combination of virtuosic, rippling cadenzas and robust, stately melody. The beautiful, relaxing melodic line and improvisational style of the second movement is reminiscent of a calm ocean reverie. Finally, the third movement resounds with the abundant energy of its familiar regal tune.
What is it about music that's so enjoyable? Is it in its power to transport one to a different world? Like vistas of grand, oriental palaces and spectacular celebration in the case of the Emperor? Or its ability to make one feel as if every fibre of the body just wants to dance and twinkle like a sprite? Or, might I suggest, that it could have something to do with the sparking of memories and emotion tied up with especially familiar throes of melody? Whatever it is, it's truly one of life's greatest mysteries!
I hope that music is always part of my life. I've lived with music since I was so little! Thank God for the inspiration and happiness He provides through music!
Meanwhile - I'm sure everyone will know about the current ongoing disaster situation in New Orleans, stricken by Hurricane Katrina. Such a stark contrast to the comfort and happiness of my own life, it pains me to learn of the suffering of many across the globe. Not only has a natural disaster struck, but the authorities seem slow to act in the remediation of the situation. All the while, human sin rears its ugly head in the midst of desparation with an epidemic of looting, rape, and all kinds of lawlessness. Disease strikes and claims many lives while afflicting multitudes more. The entire city has been made destitude and with so many people dispossessed and stripped of all they had except what God gave them the day they were born, we are reminded of our vulnerability and the fact that our life is a precious, fragile gift.
But it's at these times that we have to keep hanging on, even though it is so hard. God sustains us, in all ways. Even when afflicted by an overwhelming flood of enemies, when we are stripped bare, we should try to remember that we have a God who knows and understands suffering, because He has endured it already. And we stand before God, knowing that it's just us and Him, and nothing else. Habakkuk realised this, when he questioned God about the disaster facing Israel. God's plans are not always fathomable, sometimes they baffle us no end. But yet, he could rejoice because he knew God. Likewise, by faith, remain strong in God, because He alone is our hope and redemption, and rejoice in the face of trials. And so this Psalm goes out to encourage and remind everyone of this reality.
Sal & I went to an MSO concert last night, featuring Stephen Kovacevich as the soloist playing Beethoven's brilliant Emperor Concerto, and it proved to be an awesome performance! The first movement is a grand combination of virtuosic, rippling cadenzas and robust, stately melody. The beautiful, relaxing melodic line and improvisational style of the second movement is reminiscent of a calm ocean reverie. Finally, the third movement resounds with the abundant energy of its familiar regal tune.
What is it about music that's so enjoyable? Is it in its power to transport one to a different world? Like vistas of grand, oriental palaces and spectacular celebration in the case of the Emperor? Or its ability to make one feel as if every fibre of the body just wants to dance and twinkle like a sprite? Or, might I suggest, that it could have something to do with the sparking of memories and emotion tied up with especially familiar throes of melody? Whatever it is, it's truly one of life's greatest mysteries!
I hope that music is always part of my life. I've lived with music since I was so little! Thank God for the inspiration and happiness He provides through music!
Meanwhile - I'm sure everyone will know about the current ongoing disaster situation in New Orleans, stricken by Hurricane Katrina. Such a stark contrast to the comfort and happiness of my own life, it pains me to learn of the suffering of many across the globe. Not only has a natural disaster struck, but the authorities seem slow to act in the remediation of the situation. All the while, human sin rears its ugly head in the midst of desparation with an epidemic of looting, rape, and all kinds of lawlessness. Disease strikes and claims many lives while afflicting multitudes more. The entire city has been made destitude and with so many people dispossessed and stripped of all they had except what God gave them the day they were born, we are reminded of our vulnerability and the fact that our life is a precious, fragile gift.
But it's at these times that we have to keep hanging on, even though it is so hard. God sustains us, in all ways. Even when afflicted by an overwhelming flood of enemies, when we are stripped bare, we should try to remember that we have a God who knows and understands suffering, because He has endured it already. And we stand before God, knowing that it's just us and Him, and nothing else. Habakkuk realised this, when he questioned God about the disaster facing Israel. God's plans are not always fathomable, sometimes they baffle us no end. But yet, he could rejoice because he knew God. Likewise, by faith, remain strong in God, because He alone is our hope and redemption, and rejoice in the face of trials. And so this Psalm goes out to encourage and remind everyone of this reality.
Psalm 42
1 As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?
3 My tears have been my food
day and night,
while men say to me all day long,
"Where is your God?"
4 These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go with the multitude,
leading the procession to the house of God,
with shouts of joy and thanksgiving
among the festive throng.
5 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and 6 my God.
My soul is downcast within me;
therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me.
8 By day the LORD directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life.
9 I say to God my Rock,
"Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?"
10 My bones suffer mortal agony
as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,
"Where is your God?"
11 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.
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