Will the JFK files be released this round ?

Was looking at some family pictures last night and it brought back so many memories. There’s this pic of my mom and dad where my dad would stare at her lovingly while she looks at the camera. I grew up in a family where my parent’s were each other’s support mechanism and sidekick. They both trusted and depended on each other entirely and had a sense of adventure in their routine. They were each other’s pen pals for a few years before they actually met. And some 40 years later they still celebrated the day they went on their first date. My dad said he had very little money on their first date but because my mom spilled a drink on her pants, he bought her a pair of Levi’s with everything he had - well it worked for them lol. They definitely didn’t have it easy raising us up as we grew up in extreme poverty, but my dad wouldn’t have advanced his career or upward mobility without my mom and my mom wouldn’t have realized she can do everything her heart desires without my dad. She picked up piano at 50 among many other skills she wanted to acquire. I love that they were always honest with each other although that meant you can’t ever get one parent to hide your mischief from the other lol. And they had their deeply rooted passion and commonality in their love towards helping people. But most of all, they were each other's best friend. I think love like that is rare and precious.

This week’s favorite captions - Live with intention and gratitude When the chase ends, the routine begins Once you start seeing results, the grind becomes addictive It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving Set aside some time everyday to daydream and see how effective the week is. Never reply when you are angry, never make a promise when you are happy and never make a decision when you are sad

My boy is feeling much better today. His creatinine was off the roof at 910 umol/ (ideal range at 60-150) His urea was 48.9 umol/L (ideal range 3.6 - 8.9). He needs his IV every day this week alongside phosphate binders, probiotics, calcium carbonate, vitamin B complex. And gastric and anti nausea meds in the morning. I’ve got a mini apothecary going on, crushing all his meds and mixing it with either honey, baby food (fruit puree) or blended carrot and cucumber juice to syringe it in. The hope is to bring his CKD stage down, from end stage - stage 4 to a stage 2 level which gives him a few more months. Whether his body is reacting positively we will know at the end of the week. But thus far he is much better. If and when my dog no longer responds to the meds, I won't stress him up anymore. Until then we do what we can to make him feel better. But the fact that he trust me entirely with his life puts one in a diff state of mind. We went to the park yesterday. I drove over and although he walked a short distance of 30m walk, he was a happy boy. Lessons from my dog this week - can’t let fear control you. His fear of thunderstorms messed him up badly. And because the heart, gut, kidneys are all interrelated, hypertension has a domino effect. I’m building a mini wearable to measure his stats daily and halfway through soundproofing the room. Lesson no 2 - Find joy even in toughest moments. I love how even the simplest thing like going out for his morning sun puts a smile on his face despite everything he is feeling. As for this girl, weekends are when all the tiredness from the week comes crashing in and your body shuts down. But this weekend is going to be a ‘catch up on work’ weekend. My routine now is to be up by 3am to work while the boy sleeps. I’ve got 6 days to several major datelines so it’s going to be quite a mad week ahead. Hope everyone has a good rest and a great week ahead. Take it easy you’ll ❤️

One of the biggest challenge for my dog is overcoming the fear of thunder and fireworks. I always have Jazz on but it is no longer enough. I've started sound proofing the room. From what i read, seal all gaps first - windows and doors. I've got sound absorbents for the doors (2" thick) and additional thick sponges for the windows. And then I'm going to work on the walls and ceiling. If anyone has any tips and tricks, would love to know more.

This boy is feeling much better today. Two nights ago was the worst he endured in his 12 years. After throwing up twice, he was in so much pain he could not sit, and stood for a total of 6 hours. I don’t know if it was the lack of sleep the last few days or the heartbreak but when I walked into the vet in the morning I just burst out crying. Fortunately the doctor made a concoction of meds (gastric, anti nausea, anti inflammatory) which worked like a charm. But he can no longer take sub cut fluid as his arteries are too shrunk. We got him on IV drips and he started feeling much better again. Later today we will get his full blood works profile. Internal testing showed infection. Very much hoping it’s an isolated infection and we can find an antidote. But he is already at his end-stage. We will be focusing on palliative care moving forward. The brain understands but the heart is hurting. All I know is, I won’t put him through endless hospitalisation torture. He will do everything he loves for as long as he can. And I will find ways to keep his hospitalisation on a need-base only. When its time to say goodbye, I'd let him do it at his own terms. I’m about to wake him up for his morning sunshine. He slept so well last night - baby steps but with endless gratitude for yet another day with my happy boy ❤️

My boy has gotten real bad this week. We’ve been up and down the vet nearly everyday. Today he couldn’t hold down his food or water. I’m on night watch. My mom is helping out. Next few days are super critical. I just hope by some miracle his toxin level reduces. He loves life too much to give up now. And I love him too much to imagine a life without. When something you love so deeply is in pain, it’s a whole diff level of heartbreak

A compilation of penned down lines in recent weeks - from stuff I read, watched, heard, conversed or thoughts that came to mind : We're not lost. I just don't know where we are. The last mile, the final 10% is the most important. It requires all the attentions to the details "You'll be my home," she said. “And I'll be yours." Each individual is ultimately responsible for their own path. Nostr is your personal art space and every note is your blank canvas. Do what’s right by sticking to your convictions and you’ll do okay. Energy doesn’t lie Always be your biggest cheerleader and your strongest gatekeeper. People treat you exactly how they feel about you. I think you already knew this and I just captured what has been for you, scattered intuition. Bet on yourself, even if no one else does The simple things are also the most extraordinary things One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving “Vek zhivi–vek uchis.” Live and learn If someone tells you, it’s me or the dog, pick the dog The more I understand the world better, the more I want to stay away from politics Between continuous and discontinuous lies a spectrum of demands for behavioral change. Your heart’s validation is bigger than your friend’s recommendation. Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure. Keep going, finish the year strong

There’s something about people who leave you feeling energized after talking to them or reading their notes. When possible, do the same

Is America ready to bring Snowden home ?

I woke up thinking of hidden beaches today - there is one on an island I lived, it takes 2 hours hike to get to that beach - it’s a beautiful hike with waves hitting the shorelines next to you. There’s also a lighthouse and I remembered how peaceful it was sitting right on top, seeing the sea spread as far as your eyes can take you. Another time I explored a hidden beach was a random impromptu flight to Vietnam and another 5 hour bus ride on a windy road to a beach called Mui Ne. The beach was beautiful but what I remembered most was how the sky had a blanket of stars shinning from miles and miles away . I’ve never seen a spread of stars that beautiful. There’s something special in exploring hidden beaches The mind needs to work but the heart needs a break.

If you stayed away from mainstream and read hundreds of books from various perspective, your ability to view, gauge, and grasp the nuances of things will be very different

My brother : you have to master the Sicilian defense. That’s the only thing you need to good at (after hitting 4 different strategies to take me down). Everything else I read : don’t even bother abt Sicilian defense, you are not that person. Lol What are your favourite moves ?

When you have a dog that needs to stick his nose in whatever you are doing, pilates is customised to one hand rubbing his belly, forehead and one hand everything else, planks is making sure you don't fall on the dog when he insists on sleeping between you and the mat.

You build up these little things, and eventually, they make a big thing

I appreciate people who create real value for other people.

Lessons from my dog this past week. He went into a shock mode with the fireworks and thunderstorm. I was up most of the week keeping him calm, and was literally functioning on coffee. He went on a hiatus with his meds and food. And after various attempts, what worked like a charm was positive reinforcement i.e. cheering him on and telling he is a good boy every time he took his meds and food. Maybe we all need some cheering on in our lives too. He has been much better the last 2 days. This morning’s thunderstorm started at 4am so I thought since I’m up I’ll practice my guitar. I can’t tell which he thought was worse - the thunder or my playing. Pretty sure he would pay me to stop singing if he could too. But it worked like a charm and he slept back. Next goal is to soundproof the room. But it will only keep the thunder away. I’ll still be around. Stuff my dog puts up with, for love

Another interesting story about my first boss - after a few years as a manager, he decided to pursue his masters in the UK. He sold his nice comfortable house, his big cars, let his maids go - and took his family with him (his wife and 3 kids). He was on full scholarship but given pounds currency was a few times more, he took extra jobs to survive - cleaning toilets every morning from 3am at his university. But he has such a great spirit that he would publish comic strips of a “floor engineer” making light-hearted jokes of his experiences mopping the floor and washing toilets everyday. He finished his masters with high qualifications, and IEEE recognised his accomplishments and awarded him a full scholarship to do his PhD. He was among the10 selected globally. He went on to finish his PhD and next thing you know, the US hunted him down, got him a special O visa - I think it's called an “extraordinary visa” which is super hard to get. After a few years of hardship, today his family is quite settled and he has a good life going for him. What a journey to look back to.