Empty Nests, Faraway Reunions

 

Empty Nest Back Home - An Urge for Reunion Overseas.

What the parents in such cases discussed with me involves a hard but significant family decision. 

Some parents opted for Permanent Residency or PR (without giving up their citizenship of their country of origin) if they are convinced to move to where their adult off spring have migrated to.

If a parent has most of the children in the same foreign nation, this can increase the chances and odds of getting the PR.  Other parents pay an investment sum, or the adult children place financial back up for the parents,  to governments of countries which offer such options.

Those who relented with taking up a PR tell me of their underlying reasons.

- Evaluation of the empty nest syndrome - why have 2 empty nests, one in each country?

- Religious group and social networking viable in new land with adult age children and their own young families.

- Flexibility and financial capability of parents to travel back to their source country for sentimental, cultural, social and climate variation reasons.

- Bonding with the grandchildren when at a young age can attract migration of the grandparents, but these kids do grow up.

- Readiness at an elderly age to adapt to the climate and temperatures of the new land.

- Acceptance that the society and nation settled in can also change in parameters of reliability, safety and other attractive factors when they migrated.

Parents who decided to not migrate with their adult children have other reasons.

- Individuals  who are more set in their ways can find more challenges, especially with lack of pass time hobbies, loss of social networks and reluctance to adapt to norms of a different culture.

- Everyone must cook ourselves as eating out can be not so accessible or are more expensive to buy.

- Parents still have a strong network of siblings, other relatives and friends back in the country of origin.

- Baby boomers can find it hard to adjust to the demands on the body and health with different climates and temperatutes.

- Adult children and their own families can be found residing across different nations and continents.

- Parents realise they must truly want it for themselves as well to migrate - and not just for the adult children and their families.

- Inheritance matters, regulations and rules within the country of origin can underpin strong reasons not to migrate.

- Acceptance in the mindsets of the parents of the socio-political changes, conditions and restrictions in the country of origin.

What is the vision of elderly parents as to how they want to spend their golden years?  

What is in the hearts of adult children overseas as they begin different lives, off spring and careers away?

Advances in technology, mobility and communication across vast distances do reduce the gap between elderly parents and adult children no longer living together in the same societies.  Does distance make the heart fonder or forget?

The grandkids brought up in a country far away may also migrate themselves to other lands to seek fulfilment in their very own careers and adventures.

The old house may still be left standing,
with memories and echoes of when we were all together.
Hopes and dreams were built in the corridors and landings,
Achieved and realised far away in distant meadows of the here after.

#yongkevthoughts

Words

 Words can have emotion, but can be mere talk without action.

Choice of
words reveal more of those who utter them - and the listener has a choice to be informed, ignored, injured or inspired.

Perhaps it is more useful to realise the words that are not used, purposefully left out, rather than the words actually chosen, spoken and written, to size up the true situation.

Words articulated can have the effect of dried leaves blowing on a windy afternoon.  They can have no meaning beyond the utterance.

Other words expressed can remain in our heart or memory many years later.   Some of such words only make sense or implication many years later, for example when we deeply miss some one or catch up again.

What one says or writes can make the day more positive or delightful to another.    On the other hand,  when we receive unfairly construed negative remarks, we can be more determined to not lower ourselves to such toxicness.

Words, once let out, are never easy to detract.

Keeping silent at times says more than a gaggle of words expressed.

When in love, words exchanged are just an option.   Body language and expression can be more intense than verbal dialogue.

Intense emotions are shown by human beings without the need for words.

What I understand as the meaning of a word may not be understood in the same way by another we converse with.

Words utilised can be meant to bully, humiliate or put us down.   Communication can be worded in such a way to make us lose interest in reading everything -  and we should be triggered to be vigilant with such senders of such words.

Some achieve so much more with a minimum use of words. Others achieve not much in using too many words.

Words can bond us together, whether in a political catch cry, or in cultural and religious words of comfort, or simply in what we recall what our parents and siblings used to say to us.

Words recalled can take us back to a place, sensation or time from long ago.

Words can make us snap out from binding procrastination or make us reflect more before acting.

Words are indeed echoes from our way of thinking, inner selves and how the outside world treats us.

Carefully crafted words do  structure the way society runs, point to ideas and inventions, justify our choices and make the person we truly are.

Loosely used words lead to inclarity, informality and the dilution of a well trained and developed mindset.

Words used set the pace and tone for a culture.

Specific words are landmark posts in the journey of a lifetime.


#yongkevthoughts

Blood Test Outcome Acronyms

I offer some personal thoughts in several aspects of our body health as a lay person.  Please refer to a trusted medically qualified person if you have any questions.

BLOOD TEST OUTCOMES

I reckon best to fast for at least eight hours before going to pathology to get a blood sample from us for a full test or specific markers.  Some opine that not all blood test outcomes are affected by not fasting before.

Chloresterol

HDL - High Density Chloresterol or the Good Guy.

LDL -  Low Density Chloresterol or the Bad Guy.

Chloresterol to HDL Ratio - Upper ceiling of reading desired is 4.5. ( with ideal ratio of 3.5 to One)

Non HDLC is a measure of Lipids in our body, with 4.0 suggesting an upper ceiling.

Statins are widely prescribed to manage cholesterol levels, but non statin tablets are also available.   Side effects of statin intake include possible impact on liver function, pain on joints and muscles.

Glucose level in Blood

Levels oftwlen range from 70 to 100 mg/dL and levels above 126 mg/dL can suggest diabetes.

Blood Pressure Management

The target range is between a systolic or higher ceiling read of 120 and a dystolic or lower floor measure of 80.

As one gets older, should we still stick to this range, or allow higher systolic readings?

Beta Blockers are usually prescribed in daily tablets to be taken by a patient whose non medicine attempts at better lifestyle, less stress plus daily movement and exercise have not successfully optimised blood pressure readings.

The problem with manufactured prescription medicine often is dealing with side effects to the body of the patient trying to manage blood pressure issues.  These side effects can be in blurred vision, rapid pulse rates, diarrhea, overly low blood sugar and cold feet.

When one has unusually low body blood pressure, there is a risk of and incurring pains of having an insufficient supply of blood pumped to the heart (Angina Pectoris effect).

PSA Reading as an Indicator of Prostate Health.

Age increases the risk of having higher readings and monitoring is encouraged.

Level of Vitamin B12 is measured as it helps in the metabolism of the body's amino acids and fatty acids.

Folate or Vitamin B9 helps in DNA synthesis.

EUC/ LFT is a liver function test.

FBC is the acronym for Full Blood Count of the body, including for white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets.

HbA1c meaaures the average blood sugar over the past 2 or 3 months.  It is therefore an indicator of potential or actual diabetes.

Iron levels in blood.

Fatigue, poor concentration and anaemia are symptoms with lower than desired levels.

Triclygerides

This denotes the level of high fats in the blood, with a desired average of 2.5.

TfT levels measure the health of the body's thyroid function.

Vitamin D 

Vitamin D are fat-soluble compounds helpful particularly for increasing intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphate.

Bicarbonate levels can indicate potential kidney or lung issues. 

Urinary Micro Albumin point to the adequacy of protein count in the body. 

T Bilirubin parameters range from 4 to 20.  It echoes the health of the liver and is related to the yellow pigment in our bile.

ALT refers to Alanine Transaminase.  This measures liver health, which is impacted by side effects of specific medicines, excessive alcohol consumption and hepatitis infection.

OUTSIDE OF BLOOD TEST OUTCOMES:

Bowel Test Every Two Years

Samples of poo are placed daily in small tubes for three days and quickly submitted to the pathologist for examimation.

Fibres and texture in breakfasts of oats do help build up the roughage in daily intake for ensuring optimal gut health.

Nature's Produce as Medicine

We live in a commercialised society that brainwashes us on the intake of manufactured medicines and pharmaceutical supplements.  Medical treatment in the Western tradition has been accused of attending to relieve the symptoms instead of emphasising on the causes of ailments.  Are contemporary medical approaches meant more to generate regular revenue rather than evoke the Oath of Hippocrates?   I do not know a clear answer.

Our regular food intake can recognise more of Nature's abundance and generous ability to take care of ourselves.  Regular nutrition is more helpful than taking a daily handful of medicines that can have side effects and possibly interact negatively with each other.  

Whether it is natural food or prescribed tablets, be mindful to always everything ingested in moderation.

Magnesium is found naturally in seeds, nuts, green leafy vegetables and whole grains.

It is vital to maintain a healthy body immunity system, regulation of the body's blood sugar level and is helpful to both muscle and nerve functions.

Potasssium is an essential element that helps in the functioning of the body's heart, muscles and nerves.  It also is significant in transferring nutrients to the body's cells.

Movement, Muscle and Joints

Strength in specific muscles can be more significant to factor in body flexibility, agility and ability.

Depending on age, a human being has to pay attention to the fact that muscle loss can occur.  The ability to squat, balance and move up slopes gives overall confidence to maintaining the ideal posture, stretch and grip.

Eye Pressure.   The ideal reading is between 11 to 20. What is the link between overall blood pressure and eye pressure?   One should not experience too high or low a pressure reading of both kinds.

Minimising Build Up of Plaque for the Teeth.  Teeth are very tough and durable, but the challenge is to take care of its counterpart - the gums.   Taste and flavour are less experienced once teeth and gums deteriorate.   The overall softness of food taken in most contemporary societies - for example fillets, over processed texture and less biting of bones - no longer offers the crunch to maintain stronger teeth.

The dubious viability of many tooth pastes and a general taking of granted of the workings of our teeth also add to higher risks.

Across Australia, tooth care expenses are not covered by Medicare and so dental health is often neglected from childhood.

#yongkevthoughts

Blowing, Chipping or Washing Them Away

Spraying, draining, decluttering, chipping, removing.

I was just pondering.

Many of life's processes seem to be about freeing things up.  The flow of traffic.   The destruction of mould.   The blockages in pipes.   The fears that can manifest.  The build up of infestation.  The spread of weeds.    The build up of rust.   The plaque over gums.   The fattiness in the arteries.  The level of corruption.  The misplaced ego in politics.   The over consumption of sugar.  

Once removed, such obstructions and unwanted build ups allow better alternatives to channel in and give vibes and reality of relief and space.

So we can utilise the power and effectiveness of pulling, scraping and digging to remove.  There can be no better sensation at times to feel and observe the power of water.

We as human beings have this primeval linkage with the water from the Universe, whether soaking in the floating seas, or being sufficiently body internally hydrated or just watching the heavens open up in pouring rain.

Flowing water energy cleanses, stimulates our senses and also physically cleans.  Using the precise amount, whether with miniature or bigger tools, the gush of water sprays can so right in dental procedures, when courtyard cleaning or when a vehicle has dirt removed.

The less movement we allow, there can be accumulation of debris, dirt and unwanted stuff.    The more circulation we exercise for,  there can be less toxins, waste and dirt remaining.

We use mechanical blowers to remove insect webs, dried up biological waste and choked up debris.    We vacuum and sweep.   We drain away excesses, abcesses and restrictions.   We encourage circulation and redistribution.

Hoses get kinked, passages get blocked.   How best to liberate, attend and mitigate depends on the way to remove and clean.

Before chipping away at what we do not want, at times, the best way is not to place them or allow them to grow from the beginnimg.    Whether it is unhealthy food, negativity or rorts in society, each of us have to recognise them in the first place and not to allow them to fester.

Only then do we have less to clean up, remove and drain away.


#yongkevthoughts

The Cycle of Addiction

Introduce a specific thing or experience as exclusive, inviting or of curiosity.

Offer relief from the drudgery of routine or regime.

Package it to captivate the senses, or that particular personal sensitivity ignored or not aroused for a rather long time.

Allow entry or experimentation at a rather low cost or with seemingly no harm sampling it.

Remind on a regular basis, at cleverly selected times of day aimed at the target market.

When and where the sweetness sets in, reveal there is more.

Begin a process where dopamine like sensations seep in stages, varying doses or more to structure and embed regular usage.

Escalate usage and dependency.

Vary the flavours, choices, upgrades and engagement options.

Make users unavoidably incorporate the service or product into an essential pace and factor of life - without them realising it.

What are examples of such addiction?

It all starts when we are most impressionable.

That drink, that movie, that snack, accesory, toy or that other thing to be seen with - when we are children.

It may come from influencers, an ad, social media or peer pressure.  It propels on ego, a sense of belonging or not to be left out.

It embraces us with comfort, calmness and an apparent safe space - even when they are inherently and truly not.

It provides momentary escape.  It includes binge watching, binge obsession with thrills run by software and repetitive hits.  The reward is more than visual, it can be physical, physiological and pyschological.

It elates the ego, the uniqueness and elevation of one's self.  The product or service makes one feel special, even if in reality it is indeed for the masses. It implies constant and regular usage.

Reflect on examples of fast food, streaming, depreciating vehicles, hyped up supplements, additives, devices, frequent usage points, must have beverages and hidden ingredients. 

Many are convenient diversions or distractions. Some are obvious, many are delusions. 

It affects various ages, straddles across cultures and is truly accessible.

Such are the essense of addictions.  It alters our mindsets that indeed we cannot live without it. 

#yongkevthoughts

Musings, Passing Conversations and Observations

Diners go out for a meal and expect socialability.   Interacting with eatery staff is part of that experience.   Instead in more and more places, we are encouraged to order and pay on screens, get used to robot delivery and clear out of our meal table as soon as possible, as multi eating sessions are the order of the night.  Customers can feel as part of the churn.

Public transport terminals and interchange stations are ideally where passengers need not walk far to change train or bus platforms.  These hubs are usually not final destinations for many, but only a vital transition from one part of the journey to another.   Smooth connections like automated walkways are still rare outside of city airports across Australia.  Escalators and elevators are definitely useful for an aging demographic and families with child seated prams, but they can also reduce the opportunity for exercise and movement for many who need such activity.

Blood donation can be a most useful factor in population hubs.  Preassessments are understandably made of donors but these exercises can involve voluntary answers on several personal matters.  Of course these are asked to help develop and understand a profile of the blood  donated.   Questions are asked on travel places visited in recent three years - but also include on whom one has slept with,  the medicines taken, any relevant illnesses experienced and blood pressure measurements taken.   The burgeoning growth of populations means a need for blood supplies to help other human beings.

Purpose at different stages of the journey of life is the constant as one passes through the decades.    Society provides the structure in education, training and other development imperatives of children and teenagers until adulthood.  Adults embark and work on careers, family, 

personal changes, habits, passions and inner growth.

The crowded pressure of time management, commitment and achievement takes a different kind of pace after middle age.

Suddenly the new found apparent freedom for the elderly may transform from initial pleasure to finding more meaningful routines and ritual, away from work, obligations and holidays of the past.  Such new found purposes, in the view of third parties, can be prejudiced by perceptions and reality of slowing down in physiological and mental acuity and flexibility.

Does leisure travel fulfil all the inner wishes of any one who has more time and ability to do so?  Gen Z and Millennials tend to go overseas earlier than Baby Boomers and Generation X in peacetime.  Older folks these days generally do the big caravan trip around Australia or spend weeks cruising at sea after retiring. Tourism aimed at customers are rather structured for older demographics, while younger travellers of various nationalities prefer more independence, more parties, more influencer environments, more spontaneity, more social impact and more networking.

Contemporary communication, even for unimportant transactions as well as more significant matters, are increasingly all recorded on screen - and all executed on portable devices.  The capacity of awesomely huge databanks seem to grow virtually each year, with the electric costs in maintaining and expanding cyberspace often not publicised.

Is there a need to publicly verbalise and vocalise our personal positions in the stormy seas of politics, religion and sexual matters?   More people are hesitant to speak of such matters when physically gathered and present, but less so when using app messaging, making quick electronic postings and writing up opinions on websites.

Articulation and expression best echoes in a healthy debate, where ideally every individual who participates keeps uppermost in mind and discussion that although one may not agree, one respects differences in thinking and opinion.  Problems arise when dichotomy appears in supposedly being right and wrong.   There really is no right or wrong, only the effect of different perspectives in belief, philosophy, preference and approach - especially in heady matters of politics and religion.

#yongkevthoughts

Northern Hemisphere Still Holds the Key

 "There will be great trouble in the North", so goes the quote attributed to Nostradamus, who occasionally is brought up in the media as one from the past who made predictions about a future world.

Even as populations have increased and economic activities have been enhanced in the past 200 years across the Southern Hemisphere of Earth, societies here are relatively behind and still seemingly trapped in seemingly colonial platitudes, industries of the past with surprisingly low value add and with immature political structures.

South America and southern Africa have not shaken off the quagmire of governance and social revulsions, pulsating along a political spectrum of rule by socialist, dictatorial and right wing governments.

Australian governments are still content with exploitation of their raw resources, providing a key supplier of energy and mineral needs of nations pumping away in growth but located north of the Equator.

Australia, with one of the largest land masses for territory, has still not emerged to assert her own strategic interests and continue to perpetuate a mentality of being dependent on another Western nation.   She has not seized the oppprtunity to realise the huge advantages of her geographical location near the world's fastest growng area. 

New Zealand likewise has to break away from plucking the easier and low hanging fruit of tourism and agriculture.

No matter, both Antipodean countries do still attract migration from Asia, in waves from different countries due to a variety of economic, political and social factors.

The Northern Hemisphere however remains where the most relevant action occurs.

Innovation and research hubs remain in both Bay areas on both sides of the Pacific -  San Jose- San Francisco California and the Guangzhou-Hong Kong-Macau-Shenzen region.   London, Washington-Baltimore, New York, Boston-Cambridge, Seattle, Chicago and Los Angeles shine for Anglo nations.

In north east Asia, Tokyo-Yokohama, Seoul, Wuhan, Hangzhou, Nan Jing, Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto and Beijing propel like the bright city lights they exude in vibrancy of relentless growth.

Most growth centres encompass a profile of being financial, advanced technology, higher education and business investment hot spots.

It is no surprise that China and the USA lead in this respect.

Contemporary world events have also cast these two very same large nations in the speculation, dynamics and tensions for conflict.   Is it a clash of civillisations and ideology? Is it a time of the dominant old having to give way to a rising new?  Whatever it is, whatever the constant noise emitted, underlying reality and whatever the public is not told, in the end outcomes speak for themselves.

The "great trouble in the North" in so many ways can refer to a future drawn out conflict by the USA with Russia and China.  The world wars of the 20th century saw great divides between two groups of countries - for example, the Allies against the Axis powers and nations joining one side or the other accelerated the geographical spread of battles and destruction.

After the traumatic experience of massive, intense and widespread loss of lives and damage, there arose a non- aligned movement in the 1950s in which mostly African, Asian and South American nations chose not to be involved with the Western club of war winners from the European and Asia Pacific theatres of war.

As the 21st century approached, the momentum of this Non-Aligned Movement seemed to fizzle out.

Roll forward to 2025, eighty years after the Nazis and Japanese Imperial Army surrendered - and the world is once again regrouping into two sides - those who follow the lead of the USA and another who do not.

Significant changes since 1945 highlight great technology advances in societies once downtrodden and vulnerable; falling standards and quality of life in others once deemed superior; the greater mobility of migrants to enter nations once closed off;  the dearth of manufacturing in places that started the Industrial Revolution due to comparative labour costs; and rising educational levels which increased social and economic expectations and reality in so called previous "third world" countries.

Europe in the Northern Hemisphere has always been on the move from the Renaissance to its current nurturing of the European Union.

Geographically, continental Europe is relatively a smaller place than the expanse of land one travels through in the USA, China or Russia.  Unity and social cohesion remains a challenge for the various cultures and states of Europe.  Europe led in world affairs, colonised the rest of the world and had a confident heritage until the Second World War.

The lands lying between Europe, India, Africa and Central Asia have witnessed tumultous change of empires, birth of important religions and throbbed through aggressive cultures.  Several political entities here have been blessed with the world's dependency on petroleum - but this can come along with interference by foreign powers, violent disorders and instability for the unprotected. 

South east Asia and India have geopolitically entered a new era that is way past colonialism but are still riding the waves of political and ethnic nationalism.   Their populations for a variety of reasons contribute a large share of migrants to other parts of the world.  Politics here can be a mixed bag, attracting various versions of democracy, dictatorship, communism, royalty and socialism.

Standards of living, business dynamism and future growth do face risks from geopolitical turmoil.   Wartime means the further bloom in arnament sales but destruction and holding back of peace time share markets, inter cultural understanding, quality of life, supplies, public infrastructure networks, freer trade and economic returns.

Are conflicts fought over access to natural resources and food supplies?   Do troubles break out due to excess hormonic tribal pulses, in the name and push to uphold history, religion or culture?   Are battles fought with sacrifice of lives just because we are on the opposing sides of some imagined political spectrum or deeply rooted religious passion?

Are internal matters of a society interfered by outside parties instead of being allowed to be resolved without the manipulation by others?

Social upheaval can arise from ethnic tensions, divisions in multi-racial economies and changing governance arrangements.  Orders of the old world like royalty are diminishing.  On the other hand, when there is too much personal freedom, human instincts can long for being under personal political control.  History can repeat or rhyme for human societies.  New generations can forget, yearn for the past or experiment with drastic radical politics.

The British exported their language, government institutions, philosophy, religions and technology when they colonised the world.  Having superior technology in trade, science, arnaments, leadership and historical opportunity can embolden nationalism, cultural imperatives and the course of human civilisation.

The Northern Hemisphere has been saddled with the course of human progress, discord, capacity and impact.  The so called South may have been on the receiving end of initiatives and impact of incursions from the Northern Hemisphere, emphatically for Indigenous groups, but is not without her uniqueness and advantages.

The Southern Hemisphere seems to be an abode of relative remoteness, less pollution and a chance to restart and do things differently.  

Where negatively utilised, like in conducting nuclear testing, sourcing of slave labour and greedy exploitation of resources, these echo the dark sides of human behaviour.

Where positively shown, the Southern Hemisphere has been a refuge for the economically, religious and politically weary populations of Earth, where the atmosphere is relatively unpolluted and where one can still clearly see the stars of the Universe at night.

#yongkevthoughts

Delusions of Society Revealed?

As Earth populates as never before,

Expectations continue to rise and roar,

But not for those in the wrong place and time,

When even basic needs are withdrawn to the nines.

The false hype is that things will forever expand and grow,

When in reality the Universe and Nature of Earth is to be transformed in a gradual glow.

As human made channels congest and stress,

There is value and calm in wanting less.

Do we need to greed for more and chase after things that we do not truly need,

Just for our ego, pride and selfishness to feed.

Is there more inner joy to share and give,

Compared to accumulating more than we can ever need.

The contemporary world nourishes from more kindness, encouragement, smiles and consideration, 

Than obsession with competition, selfishness and aggeessive obsession.

Societies collapse from blatant corruption, ideology and discrimination,

Instead of being nourished by merit, ethics, humanity, proactivity and positive determination.

To shine a true light into the path of individual and collective destiny,

One can see beyond the limitations of supression, confusion, devastation and emnity.

#yongkevthoughts

Days and Nights of Early Hope and Optimism

 I could recite the newly introduced Federal Government National Principles of the Nation ( written by bureaucrats),  thoroughly enjoying the efforts  to unite a society of various origins, beliefs and backgrounds, ostensibly through common values of love for a young country formed from the end of colonialism.

I even won a primary schools award for some competition in the declared national language, even if I cherished the so many other languages to speak and write in, at home, with extended family of relatives, socially and when communicating with people and passer-bys on the road.

In my childhood, I was less conscious of racial differences and already enjoyed the variety of food and culture from residing in a land blessed with the contributions of migrants originating from different places. I was not told much at school or outside school hours of the Peninsular's Indigenous inhabitants, with low numbers living in remote rural corners, not even having an opportunity to see or meet them in real life.

I was born after the British colonists left.   Their influence and heritage were still embedded in everyday matters of life, in the building architecture, place names, significance of rule of law and in the discourse of education.

English language was inherently taken granted by me as an international language of technology, geopolitics, art, science and economic growth.  I  still could not realise the role that Mandarin language escalated to in these contemporary times.  My social networks were on a emphasis of Western civilisation not anticipating the rejuvenation of things Eastern.

American entertainment, news, philosophy and propanganda dominated my growing up years.   The glory of the British Empire, even if she had already dismantled, refused to leave the pyschology and adoration of the adults I encountered.  Overseas, there were strong stirrings of the impact of the Cold War on a stage pitting democracy against communism, of left wing versus right wing, of human rights freedoms versus extremism, of domino collapse theories and surging nationalism.

One evening, the perceived sense of orderliness and improvement in my society was shattered by riots, violence, gas lighting and abhorrent display of divisiveness in a few urban hubs of the country I was born in.

My eldest brother had been on a train to the capital city to attend university.  Police had to escort him and his fellow passengers at the destination rail station for safety from the rampaging mobs.  Rumours, fear, uncertainty and disbelief rose in the hearts and pulse of those who stayed home to keep away from the violence reported happening on the streets.  My sense of innocence about the world and my society was shattered.

How would my society react to this landmark episode?

Would this be grabbed by the horns to resolve the underlying issues, fractures and problems?

Some say the colonists, before granting independence, had already embedded the divisiveness and nurtured the flames of dissatisfaction amongst the different races they ruled over for so long.

If the fissures and cracks were already there, could they have not been repaired?  Or those in power in the newly formed Federation very likely had different ambitions and plans.

And as they say, the rest is history.

My aspirations, love and sentiment for the country of my birth took an inevitable beating in due course.

Cikgu Othman at Francis Light School nurtured my handling of the national language - and I still have find memories of him as my teacher at an important stage of life.

I still recall how happily I rode the bicycle to the Penang Free School each day, with a classmate whose father worked at the nearby naval base.   Green Lane did not have the congested traffic one experiences today.

And my nation of birth is not the same one as in my childhood, changed beyond what I can fathom.

Note - Independence was granted by Britain to Malaya on 31.8.57.  Malaya, with Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore, created the Federation of Malaysia on 16 9.63.   Singapore left this Federation on 9.8.65 and became an island republic.

#yongkevthoughts

Alternate Routines in the Daily Life

 At times, I do wonder whether my daily regime would be the same if I did reside in another city, another country.

Melbourne

The streets of more suburbs here seem to be oozing with more character, better architecture and more historical nuances.  The bay area would be facing the winds from the Southern Ocean - and wind chill would be more pronounced in as many months.

Wardrobe layering is de rigour. Dressed up, I would visit more venues of culture, collection and culinary.  The skies can often be more gray and cloudy.  I would take more hot beverages, examine more murals, appreciate more of the design of the trams and take in more of the temperate climate.

Singapore

I feel the geographical smallness of the island nation - and at the same time, the boundless determination to overcome any perception of limitation.

I would not give up the Kaya toast, half boiled egg and coffee at each MRT station.  I now see and realise the commercialisation of Orchard Road, but still do not get fatigued by exhibits at various institutions.

I would still minimise the sweat from outdoor afternoons and quietly seek air conditioned places.   I would observe the locals from the ubiqutious food courts.   I am still fascinated at places where foreigners and locals do retail.

I still relish in visiting suburbs around the Republic, each with its unique character and sameness.   I would seek out the pockets of greenery and Nature which the Government has planned and developed.

Some places may seem artificial and contrived.  Others are what this city state tries to maintain and grow, even if it has been given up or taken for granted in other societies.

I would not take for granted the appreciated high level of personal and public safety here.  I am grateful for the orderliness, signage and organisation.  

I look at the high rises of residence.  I notice the discipline of putting away trays of food after people finish their meals at food courts.  I am aware of the natural need to queue and the apparent fear of missing out in public behaviour.

I do realise the pressure to both communalise and yet differentiate on a personal level. There are not many private vehicles on Singapore roads relative to the population.  There is intense level of competition in keeping up with the Joneses - and the Government is ever conscious of developing and enhancing the sense and reality of a united society.

Penang

I miss the compactness of my childhood island, but the increased number of vehicles running on road networks that have not sufficiently increased is a significant matter still not resolved.

Public transport remains outdated for a population easily over a million on the island itself.

The island is ideal for a metropolitan hop on hop off train line, but faces challenges in building underground lines.  Flat land mostly is available on to her eastern and southern coasts, with a hilly centre and a narrow strip with cliffs and beaches on her northern shore.

I miss pleasure road drives on to the other side of Penang Island, with a more contrasting rural scenery than urban set ups in her more populated parts.  The high altitude highway transversing the middle part of the island gives you a view of the Malacca Straits and the southern Andaman Sea.

Three categories in Penang exist for the foodie.   World famous hawker food beckon both visitors and locals alike in taste, variety and pricing - and this is sorely missed across Greater Sydney, especially with demanding prices for essentially street food.

The diversity of migrants in Australian capital cities also mean the diversity of cuisines made available.  Fresh produce in Australia can be of better quality, but cooking ingredients can be more expensive to source, together with higher venue rentals, labour payments and limited hours of operation.

Hong Kong

I would climb up and down more sloping streets.  I would wriggle in and out of more crowds. I would not take the harbour for granted.  I would take in my stride the humidity in summer and moderate coolness at the start of a new year.

I would enjoy the hikes along hills and bays in parts of the territory seemingly far away from the maddening crowd.   I would enjoy the soybean, fresh seafood, noodles and other delicacies of a mature Cantonese cooking style.

I would take the opportunities growing from economy, trade and finance in a strengthening Bay area.   The China of today is at her door step, exciting, growing, promising and yet reality already.  The call of the future and the vibrancy of the present has over written and over ridden her past.

Klang Valley, Selangor

Distance in driving around is what I have still not got used to here.   The number of multi laned highways and how they interconnect with endless traffic can be both fascinating and mind boggling.  

I would enjoy dawn walks in the several large parks scattered around this valley.  Their shopping centres are less attractive as I grow older, for most of them tend to have similar retail and look the same.

I would enjoy the "kopi tiam" regime of so many people seemingly not home cooking and eating out at any time of the day or night.  I would not enjoy as much the challenges of vehicle parking in suburbs.   I would immerse in the vibrancy of so many small businesses expressing themselves in the various communities.

There are things not spoken off on the streets of jarring politics - and yet I feel the vibes of ordinary people over coming things in this quiet way.

#yongkevthoughts

Breakfast In The Morning

 The alluring aroma of onions on toast with poached egg is what drives me to make them at home first thing in the early morning.

But I still miss the variety of options of breaking fast in my childhood days - there were light fluffy south Indian pancakes (Roti Canai), stir fried Chinese radish cubes with garlic and bean sprouts ( Cai Tau Kueh), or modest packets of coconut milk flavoured steamed long grain rice with appetising  condiments ( Nasi Lemak).

Piping hot long black coffee with various blends did the necessary awakening for sleepy heads. There was no touch of Italian varieties, no Matcha or soy milk additives - in fact, fresh diary was and still is expensive in an equatorial land.

Personally I do not miss bacon, but ham slices are a pleasure to have, especially in a well prepared sandwich or focaccia, especially with beetroot and an avocado smash spread, together with some fresh rocket leaves.

 Nicely sauteed mushrooms added to the presentation transmits me to the border with brunch time.   A bagel is a welcome  change from the usual sourdough or Turkish.

Fresh juices made from tomato seem to be offered less these days than the ubiqutious orange juice.   Eggs in whatever way you fancy are popular - but fresh fruit cuts can be so refreshing.  I love local fruits offered when overseas - examples are passion fruits, papayas, grapes of different varieties, kiwifruits or Chinese gooseberries, rambutans, mangoes or cherries.

And nothing spoothes the body or appetite on a cold morning like pumpkin soup with a slight dash of cream.

In East Asia, there is the reassuring  delight of steamed fluffy buns or Bao, with fillings of well marinated and finely cut meat, or just simply with red bean or custard fillings.  For many days in southern China provinces, light rice congee assured the welcome of another day of adventure on tour.

Baguettes are essential in European sojourns.  They form the basis of crunch, texture and body to energise and inspire, together with top ups and relishes, sweet or savoury.  Coffee in its various forms are de rigour in the Mediterranean cultures, usually taken with strong blends and in small cups.

The differences between Continental and English breakfast varieties have been promoted in countless international hotel settings for so many years.   Across Asia, cooked breakfasts are often accessible as opposed to just cereal, breads and milk.

Most of the former colonised nations as a matter of course provide both local and European items in impressive spreads from 7am, echoing history, variety and internationalism.  Breakfasts in hotels across Australia and New Zealand tend to still limit themselves to British and American familiarities, despite the nature of their societies getting more diversified.

Fast food chains across the globe have embedded breakfast options long ago - although they do not sell them after 1030am.  

At Singapore MRT stations, one offering, the combo of Kaya toast, half boiled egg and coffee stands out as a cultural imprint.  Japan has the miso soup and noodles as a common thread to expect in the mornings.  Thais start with spice even in breakfasts.

Lentils, ground into a healthy mush, plus grain based fibre strong grains like oats, can be more healthy to be taken on a daily basis, improving gut health and bowel maintenance.

Sweet based dishes like waffles, pancakes and cakes now have moved from teatimes to early mornings in many cafes. Preserves and fruit based jams have always been spread on buttered scones, breads and wheat based bakes.

Breakfast dishes are packed in takeaways for an increasingly busy market.

And tea, milkshakes, juices and more compete with coffee in the beverage scene first thing in the morning.

And finally there is the increasing concept of "all day breakfasts".

#yongkevthoughts

Navigating Through The Fog

Each of us come across various numbers of people each day.

They can be acquaintances, colleagues, passer-bys, vehicle drivers on the road, silent fellow passengers on public transport, food providers, delivery personnel, health workers, politicians, friends, relatives, neighbours, commercial workers, influencers, school mates, hobby enthusiasts, club members, cruise passengers and more.

Most times, we only have transactional conversations with them in the way contemporary society is structured.  Increasingly, no voice interaction is even experienced, as finger driven text messages provide the communication channel.

Of course, we get to know particular persons better and in more intensity depending on the relationship involved.

There are individuals who also get to understand and know you better, or purposefully in a restrained and limited way.  There is a logic, rationale and purpose behind family and friendship.

How close or far relationships become can be tied to cultural norms, the sharing of various interests, the geographical factors underpinning viability to keep in touch, the over riding benefits or challenges in emotions and bonding of the parties involved and the opportunities to actually meet up in person.

Do individuals outside of an immediate family scenario persist to keep in touch despite having busy schedules?  

Do viable friendships make it so easy to catch up even after not having not caught up for a long time?

Do friendships wilt and ride off in the proverbial sunset as no effort is made to continue the previous vibes?

Whether or not we actually keep in touch in person is now supplemented by the parameters of social media, but not everyone takes part in this on screen availability.

Relationships used to be facilitated by residing in the same village.   These days we can be still be distant with people physically residing near by - but be more close with our special someones living far away.

Unresolved matters can degrade relationships with family, colleagues and others.  Whether things work out with past or present contacts obviously depend upon individual attitudes, the degree of intensity to maintain or improve a relationship, compatibility in needs or wants and the dovetailing or dispersal of common values or practices.

In a world facilitated by easier travel and mobility, are relationships threatened or enhanced by this?  Can virtual on screen meetings  be as effective as living nearby?

When populations migrate tp such an extent as we see today, are neighbours or friends in the same locality more dependable than family living overseas?

Individuals have varying levels of behaviour and pyschological make up.  We truly cannot change anyone, even as a spouse.  People develop their character and personality independent of our influence.

The most significant skill is to recognise what drives a specific person in day to day interactions with us.

Do they whinge to get attention, not wanting to increase their level of accountability or responsibility?

Do they behave like easy knock overs, never learning to say no and always ready to help when they need not to?

Do they swirl around in negativity and not even take a break to consider the bright side as encouraged by others?

Do they only need others to listen to their thoughts and have already made up their mind?

Do they just need to bully and bulldoze their way when dealing with others - and do not realise their ridiculousness as the proverbial Little Napolenons in their sickening little turfs?

Are they truly modest, humble and generous in consistent behaviour and approach, always considering the interests of the group above themselves?

Are they not able to appreciate the level of elegance, sophistication and refinement expected by so called high society?

Do they behave in a particular way and we cannot figure them out as we do not fully know their full story?

Do they have a consistent purpose in their own journey of life?

Are they easily influenced by others and tend to follow strong personalities?

Do their expectations entrap them in attachments which they may not even be aware of?

Do they interact with us only because they have something to sell to us, even if we are not interested in what they offer?

Do they drop us quickly like a stone once they have no use of us?

Do they break and not uphold well respected family and community values due to their twisted egos?

Do we judge people by a single mistake or act of unbecoming behaviour?

Do we not assume the burdens of negative and toxic individuals, as it is truly not our business to do so?

Do we not only help others to the best of our ability, without expecting anything in return?

Do we not realise that we have limitations in our own capacity and capability in helping others?

#yongkevthoughts

Happy 60th, Singapore

 Happy 60th, Singapore. 9 August 1965 to today.

A nation whose leader seriously reckoned would not last on its formation.

An island republic which has no natural resources, but gritly utilised innovative planning, its strategic advantages, technology, human skills and social harmony as imperatives.

An island that virtually imports most of its food.

An island that learns from her past but more emphatically prepares for the future.

An island with so much humidity but relies on energy sucking air conditioning.

An island that has thrived on free market trade and projections of financial governance.

An island that treasures cultures of her denizens - and values contributions of all, more on merit than on divisions.

Is this an island that already has become so costly in terms of paying for accommodation, health care and other aspects in life?

An island that values public transport for all over the trappings of a private car.

An island republic that treasures every inch of its small territory.

An island with a national airline that sets and maintains standards in a sector which is one of her national pillars.

An island that sees herself as a beacon to attract others on investment, educational and technology fronts.

A republic that does not sit still.

#yongkevthoughts

Snippets of War Observations

The USA government has so far never officially apologised for the nuclear bombs dropped on the cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima in August 1945.

No Anglo nation has been extensively firebombed in contemporary times from the 20th century to now, except for the United Kingdom.  Pearl Harbour was attacked, but not the mainland of the United States.  Darwin in northern Australia suffered more damage from the Imperial Japanese forces than Pearl Harbour, but not the rest of the Australian continental island.

Most of Europe incurred massive grief, destruction, personal loss and division in the reign of the Nazis under Hitler.

The ensuing battles and efforts to bring Hitler down in mid 1940s Europe ensured further deaths of many civillians caught up in the meeting of Allied and Axis armies.

The Japanese Government has never apologised for the Nanjing massacre in Central China in 1937.

A significant number of residents of colonies of the world wide British Empire in the 20th century fought for the United Kingdom in both the two World Wars. These included residents of India, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Malaya, Canada, Hong Kong and the Caribbean.

American born Japanese volunteered in enough numbers to form the Nissei regiment which saw service in Europe fighting against the Nazis.

Germany has officially and profusely apologised for the gassing by Nazis of innocents in the death camps echoed by Auschwitz.   Not only Jews, but European Gypsies, gays and various nationalities whom Hitler wanted exterminated were gassed.

The extermination of many Armenians in the early 20th century is often under recognised, together with other genocides those in current power refuse to emphasise.

The executions of overseas Chinese in Malaya, the Phillippines and Singapore by the Japanese Imperial Army, when they invaded parts of South east Asia in the early 1940s, illustrated the intense revenge sentiment and behaviour of payback.  These overseas Chinese had sent funds and volunteers to fight against the invasion by Imperial Japan of eastern China from the 1930s.

Many Nazis escaped to Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay after the end of World War 2.

Jews fleeing from Europe did find refuge in Shanghai in rhe 1930s.  The invasion of China by Japan caused them to flee again, this time to New Zealand and eastern Australia.

No south eastern Asian nation permanently accepted boat refugees from Vietnam in the 1980s.  They languished in temporary camps mainly in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore until the Western countries offered permanent settlement.

Australia and New Zealand sent troops to Malaya to help British colonists fight communist insurgents in the 1950s.

The extreme cruelty of the Pol Pot regime in Cambodia extensively scarred an ancient society and culture of a nation already damaged by the American war in next door Vietnam.

Afghanistan remains a land which has fought off foreign armies, whether those led by Alexander the Great, the Soviet Union or the United States of America.

The rich resources of petroleum, religious tribalism and political interference in the Arab and Persian lands have proved to be two edged swords.

Southern and Eastern Europe continue to be frontiers where and when Islam, Christianity and Judaism met in fraught and intense historical experiences. 

Did Winston Churchill send Anzac troops to Gallipolli in Turkey in the First World War, preferring to save British troops from a rather hopeless encounter?

The most number of civillians and troops died for Russia in the battles against the Nazis in the second World War.

Commemorations continue to be held in France to remember the sacrifices by the Anglo nations in both World Wars of the 20th century.

Thailand and Japan were the only Asian nations which collaborated against the Allied countries in World War 2, together with Nazi Germany, Italy, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria.

The Australian Federal Government in Canberra for a few years hid the fact of Darwin being bombed by the Japanese. Australia prioritised the attack of Pearl Harbour as being more important in communicating with her own residents during World War 2.

Many surviving Caucasians trapped in South east Asia, as British, Dutch and French colonies were over run by the Japanese Imperial Army in the first half of the 1940s, suffered traumatic experiences as prisoners of war.

South west China became a hub of resistance, defence and preparation for the Chinese besieged by the Japanese Imperial Army in the 1930s and first half of the 1940s.

The invasion by the Japanese Imperial Army in the 1940s sparked off the urge for national independence by several colonies after the end of World War 2.

#yongkevthoughts

On Life and Death

 Caring for basic humanity has again in another year been stampeded upon by those possessing power of all types, yet prioritise other things.

Every one of us do not choose where, when or how we are born.

It can be the luck of the draw.

While on Earth,
we are still mostly responsible for what we choose and how we act.

Whether to look away, keep silent, earn what we achieve or take a stand. And continue to have not enough, enough or unnecessarily more. Sufficiency in various meanings and layers.

No human being takes away anything upon death, except reputation.

Ignorance, chosen delusion, concerted pretense, cultivated addictions and
embedded beliefs lurk in every corner while we are alive.

#yongkevthoughts

Thank You, Readers

 It has been 220 months since this blog commenced.

Time meanders, experiences accumulate and our hunches become embedded.

As around this end of July 2025, average statistics indicate around 4800 reads a month.  Some postings remain frozen as time capsules, that photo shot taken reminding me of a moment with Nature, the hearts of individuals I enjoyed company with and those I learnt from.

Or such capsules reflected my thoughts, values and emotions on a particular day - with this blog strewing like jewels in the sand what consistently are what gives me inner joy and what I consistently believe in.

It has been a privilege to share. It has been a blessing to get your time and effort to read my musings.  Human interaction is best when we can relate our views with mutual respect and understanding.

In a world increasingly of obsession with strong articulation of differences, whether in politics, community and behaviour, I call for emphasising on commonly shared values.  Better understanding comes more from realising and embedding our similarities rather than harping on our differences.

I encourage every human being to also develop our own spiritual development in the best way you see fit.   Let us grow our uniqueness especially in personal development in a positive way.

Writings and images can be as temporal as the breeze that passes by on what seems to be an ordinary moment. What is of more everlasting value is to add to what is the true meaning of our privilege to live on Earth.

#yongkevthoughts

No Land Boundaries

 Let us look at some nations with no land boundaries, not sharing some of the problems and opportunities with another state crossable by road, walkover or possible easy infiltration.

1.    People you want to keep out must sail or fly over to reach your country.   Australia and New Zealand easily come to mind.  At times, you have too much of coastlines to monitor.  Passengers arriving by air have found it easier to overstay once they get into a nation with a tourist visa, especially when the country is vast and government checking resources are inadequate.

2.   The nearest foreign state is relatively far away.

In contrast, Iceland lies not that distant from the European suncontinent - so is the proximity between the Japanese islands and the Korean Peninsular.

Sulu and Mindanao, part of the southern Phillippines, are so temptingly near Sabah, north east of the huge island of Borneo but part of the Federation of Malaysia.

3.    You may truly be a relatively small island state, but technically you do not have a land boundary with a foreign nation.

Singapore is an island state, but have two bridge connections to Peninsular Malaysia.
Her strategic location in the midst of vital trading, air and supply routes has vastly contributed to her economic growth.

Malta and Cyprus enjoy having the Mediterranean Sea waters lapping on their shores, but are easily
accessible from Italy, Greece and Turkey.

4.    You may be surrounded by sea, but you are legally part of another nation far away.

Greenland, Hawaii and French Polynesia come to mind.   So are the areas carved out in the Antarctic. You are subject to the rules, norms and control of a state you do not have land boundaries with.

5.    You do not share a land boundary, but your demographics, culture and economics can be tightly knitted with your nearest neighbour.

Sri Lanka has historically had huge influence in several aspects from the Indian subcontinent.
Madagascar, Seychelles and the Maldives are other examples of this observation.

Mobility of humans,  advanced transportation and significant leaps in trade, technology and geopolitical developments have overcome any isolationist impact of nations with no land boundaries.

#yongkevthoughts

This Suburb

 I am standing along a suburban street lined mostly with unassuming shops.

The only place seemingly abuzz durinv the daytime
is the local cafe, where freshly made barista made cups of Aussie coffee blends set the pace, mostly takeaway.

The sun does shine brightly, accompanied by blue skies, even in winter.   Does the optimistic outlook not reveal the reasons for the otherwise quiet aspects of the place apart from the cafe?

Most of the businesses are basic but perhaps essential.   A hair salon, a small grocery, a vet, a house interior showroom, a dentist, a GP clinic, a newsagent, a physiotherapy, an optometrist, a Vietnamese bakery, a pharmacy. And of course there is the local pub, bought several years ago by well funded corporates from rhe Big Smoke.

Recently a vape and tobacco outlet opened, shattering the placid tones of a little village like community which was essentially defined by strolling dogs, kids on electric bikes and retirees.  I must say a small liquor store already exists, together with a machined gambling venue that firms a critical part of the club network in New South Wales.

There are no fresh produce markets - but the nearest one is only a kilometre away, in another suburb.   All three major supermarkets of the nation are only a ten minute walk away, downhill.

No imposing high rise apartment blocks have nevertheless sprung up.   The hills of the escarpment delude one to believe this is a refuge from the main highway not really far away.   One can view the ocean horizon by just walking up not many steps from the local strip.

A Meditteranean restaurant of repute continues to do well, in its second generation of operation.   Someone has invested in a wine bar yet to open. There are nearby local primary schools.

Families are the core of any growing and vibrant society.    They do appear especially on weekends in this village environment.  Nearby are parks, playing fields and children's playgrounds.

This suburb is pronouncedly bereft of activity on most afternoons.  After dusk, it seems residents sleep early.   The skies above are a riot of striking colours especially on autumn sunsets.  After dusk, the stars are clear and bright, as the place lacks the choking artificial lights of populated cities.

The sunrise from.the Tasman Sea beckons at first light.

Opposed to this, increasing traffic criss crosses this suburb when the main thoroughfares nearby become congested.
No roads have been expanded for the exploding number of vehicles.

The economy here runs on personal consumption and lifestyle,  based on a microeconomy structured on income earned from elsewhere.   This suburb is essentially residential, having  no forward looking hubs of growth.  Though pleasant and with a relatively mild climate, it does not generate tourism.   Youngsters still leave the area for the luring bright lights of other places.

Do aspects of this suburb ring familiar tones in where you live?

#yongkevthoughts

The Current State of Australian Television

 So it is Sunday.

An afternoon to turn to trivial things.

Eatery reviews these days are within an environment post Covid that has to deal with rising rentals, lack of staff, increasing costs of electricity and ingredients and a shrinking eat out market that has to grapple with continuing inflation.  Definitely not trivial.

So I shall turn my attention to the devastating state of free to air television across Australia these days.   Shrinking numbers watch such screens, as wi-fi induced streams and portable anytime diversions attract the competition.

Commercial stations have become more obviously the advertising behemoths that they essentially are.   Ad time is longer and more often.   Proper programmes are definitely after thoughts in these wagons of on screen sales inducers.   And the ads lack imagination, creativity and finesse.   Becoming more uncouth, do ads reflect the mindsets of evolving society in general, or just of the paid creators themselves?

Channel 10 Australia is wholly owned by CBS, part of the American Paramount group, which has merged with Bytedance.
Channel 7 is owned by Kerry Stokes based in Perth.  Channel Nine is part of Nine Network Holdings, owned by the Australian Packer family, the Murdochs and Bruce Gordon of WIN television.

Advertorials are blatantly put down our viewing sensibilities as if they underestimate the intelligence of whatever audience tv still has.   The morning and breakfast shows have followed a formula for over fifty years, first tried in the USA.

Peculiar obsessions of Australian television  are game shows, quizzes and participants driven by cash prizes.   The British and American dominance on the presentation and styles of such shows is evident even in the separately produced Australian versions.  At times, people can watch the foreign version in the early afternoon, followed by the Aussie set in the early evening.

And this leads to the next point.  The domestication of tv programming in Australia has reached one of the lowest points. We are being overswamped by American and British content every day and every night.  At times, I mistakenly think I reside in Leceister or Ohio when I tune on to "Australian" television.

Road accidents, shootings, weather episodes and more are generously sprinkled in news bulletins here - but they are all happening in the UK, Canada and the USA.  By a quirky coincidence, I do however find that very little is reported about New Zealand, a neighbour of Australia.

Although Australia geographically is situated in the Asia Pacific, there is relatively little content about Asia on Australian tv.   The exception is when Asia is mentioned littered with negative matters - a flood, a protest, a collapse, a political quake or a problem.   Rare these days on Australian tv are broadcasts of improving infrastructure, standard of living and cultures of the Asian region ( which is economically the fastest growing in the world).

In recent years, on the other hand, there has been wider presentation of television by SBS addressed to the interests and sensitivities of Indigenous Australians.

Live telecasts of key sports events have been a key landmark of free to air Australian television, but these have been eroded by pay streaming apps.

Australian tv in the past thirty years has achieved successes like her versions of imports like Masterchef - or in originals like Bluey.   Do not even remind me of Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, Neighbours and other classics from a forgotten past.
What happened?   Australia has become location wise a much cheaper place to produce American movies and that has had implications, especially when Aussie talent has moved Stateside as well.

Moving on, the expanded number of HD channels relegated to each Australian free to air station did not translate into more quality offerings.   Quantity did not translate into quality.   There are more repeats, shows dredged from the past and a startling absence of live presentations.
Having 24 hour transmissions has brought in endless shopping shows that drains us of meaningful watching.

An interesting trend of flagging audio only radio channels on television is only diluting the magic and uniqueness of television's future.   More news bulletins on television from  noon to dinner time has not had much return, especially when anyone can read the latest news readily anytime from the internet.

There is a declining availability of live music shows.  Food themed cooking shows in 2025 are mainly imports.   And the strong television obsession with weather updates is most intriguing.

On to the taxpayer funded tv channels.
Financial cuts by the Coaltion ruled Canberra Federal Government from around 13 years ago  has seen evident
deterioration in programming of SBS and ABC.    Both channels have resorted to providing streamed in news bulletins around the world, but seemingly of USA allied nations, as time fillers especially overnight and during  mornings.  

There is a high propensity of documentaries, detective dramas and politically compliant presentations on both ABC and SBS.   Bright spots perhaps can be in the continued funding for 4 Corners on Monday nights, satirical Charlie Pickering's The Weekly,  Gardening Australia at the end of the working week, the very observant Media Watch, Podcast styled If You're Listening and two servings per week of  Planet America on ABC News.

I recall the days when Aussies living abroad could follow up on things happening back home on the ABC tv service overseas - but has that gone too?

Certain quarters across Australian society have remarked upon the increasing politicisation of news bulletin content across both commercial and tax payer funded channels.   It depends on who calls the shots behind each station.

I try to be realistic that television is a trivial matter - but is it truly?  

#yongkevthoughts

All On That Device

 Why do we continue to put all our eggs in one basket - cyberspace and the smart mobile phone?

Portability, accessibility and convenience.  The days of having to reach a specified physical location to work on a database or effect significant transactions is now so passe. 

The transportability of human beings, the expectation of being able to whizz from one city to the next and the presumption of instantaneous response in more matters has lulled many into the use of wifi connected device dependability.

Answers are expected - and delivered - in a jiffy.  Gone is the opportunity to truly reflect or think about a complex or delicate matter.   Replies are given by a click or instant messaging.   There is increasingly no vocal communication or discussion.

Gone can be the better understanding and exchange of views when one had to meet face to face to negiotiate, compromise or make a revised offer and consideration.

Business and socials are effected on the screen - it is up to you as to when and how you read and respond.

The significant increased volume of gigabytes used is not a problem anymore as videos, images and graphics chomp on much way beyond mere text.

Will storage and usage capacity crash, or be transformed into ever more taken for granted transformations?

Human preoccupation can be ever channeling inwards.  Does it lead to social isolation, spearheading the epidemic of loneliness, as we spend more time with machines and software, rather than with personal interaction and the art of socialability?

There is a decrease of the use of paper, but more exposure to the debilitating consequences of light, dazzle and screen over use.

Communication used to emphasise the art of conversation  and writing.  Now it is silence, the dexterity of tapping fingers and the use of predictivd AI.  Is personal creativity eventually shown out of the room?  Has anyone consciously retained a semblence of still being able to write with a pen or pencil?

And what really happens if we misplace that personal device that contains virtually everything?  Or the big hack corrupting every item in that hand held device, with our personal identity stolen at the same time.

Electronic passes, financial accounts, life's meaningful images, news updates, means of messaging family and friends far and near, health records and more.

Each of us are also at the mercy of rising prices imposed by wifi providers which can be in a duopolistic market.

We may be already too late, having placed all of life's essential needs in a hand held device that needs to be changed or updated faster than the family car or lounge tv.

Well, that lounge tv is already nearly defunct.  No one gathers around to enjoy that screen together.  Instead, individually each of us are glued to the vagaries of our personal concerns, joy and diversions on our individual devices, even when we are seated together at the same table or room.

#yongkevthoughts

1400 in 16 years

 This is my 1400th write up for this blog.

To every one of you who have followed and read my posts even once, occasionally or all this while, I extend my deep appreciation, humility and gratitude.

In this age of temporary things, I am thankful for being able to go back to my previous musings, photographs, articulations, thoughts and moments.  Oh yes,  some of you may wonder why I have stopped posting images for several years now.   I still have not been able to resolve the technical problem, it may have to do with me preventing some thing on Google as part of strengthening my personal security parameters.

In culinary review posts, I had linked to Zomato, which has since gone defunct across Australia.

So many view points in the millions have been channeled in cyberspace, never going into print.    They gush through instant messaging, group chats, comments in apps that gaslight immediate feedback and other opportunities that may not encourage thoughtfulness before reacting.   Response by the masses churn as it is so ready for one individual  to light the fire of discord or inspiration.   We are pushed from checking websites to apps, from providing measured thoughts to spur of the moment gestures.  We need not even write in our response, but utilise symbols, icons and emotional signs.

Many of my previous posts reflect on matters that are no longer pertinent.   Yet I relish other posts that touch on longer lasting and still relevant subjects.    Politics, eateries and encounters can come and go, but meaningful human interactions and inspiration remain embedded.    The nature of passing and insignificant matters is illustrated.   Geographical places visited and experienced remain a joy in my heart.

Have some of my opinions changed in all these ensuing years, especially since my blog Kindlyyours.blogspot.com started in April 2008?   Each of us are evolving creatures and I hope the answer to that is a big Yes.  I may have moved on but I refuse to edit the views from opinion pieces from as far back as sixteen years ago.

#yongkevthoughts

If Not, Then Why Not?

If you cannot find it, remind yourself of the reason for the search.

If you miss it, then make new plans.

The best way is often not what the crowd is urged upon.

Adding a new ingredient can often lift your game.

Things can somehow organise themselves.

I do not realise that I get away at times to better appreciate not getting away.

The best plans get chucked away by unexpectedly meeting the right person.

You encounter the new by not only taking a different route, but also at a different time.

We will not pass by again the same banks of the river of a life's journey.

It is more fruitful to heighten our own expectations of one's self, than to bother with our expectations of others.

If we are no longer useful to some, then we do not hear from them again.

Conserve our energy and joy away from those who just seek attention to and for themselves.

Silence is the most relaxing position to assume when we try to listen.

Walking away in silence is the most effective way to handle negativity.

To accept inspiration and joy ftom others is divine.  To protect ourselves from the opposite calls for our mindfulness.

Enjoying love from a pet reminds me of no need to verbalise what is pure and fortunate.

What is most precious are not things.

Realise what can be not obvious.

The mind can take us to a higher and more meaningful plane of existence.

We do not have to like and dislike things from twenty years ago, for each of us have moved on.

When we do not use it, we lose it.

We are lucky to remember, retain and cherish moments and words that nourish us from the past.

Embracing the new is as important as relishing the past.

What seems routine and ordinary can turn out to be more meaningful than so called big moments.

Indulge with individuals we have as loved in the present, for the future relegates each of us to the past.

We are what we think.

#yongkevthoughts

The Thin Lines Between

 In this age of information overload, all competing for your loyalty, belief, funding, behaviour and more, what is propaganda, selective data, truth, marketing, fact, opinion, misinformation and falsity?

At a click, there are parties out there in cyberspace who spawn messages out in such huge numbers at a speed only their wifi can channel them.  We do not know, or have met, such entities or persons who send them - and they need out be human.

On any matter these days, we are bombarded with a spectrum of views.   The first check we consciously must be aware is who is the deliverer of the message.   Does it come from the horse's mouth, a middle broker, an agent of the source, a paid distributor or a more neutral person?

How is the message worded? Does it come with a balance of articulated various views, or does it come hammering our senses with only one view?  Are shouting words or phrases used to push each of us accept the message, instead of allowing the recipient an opportunity to think independently?

Is the message condescending, or utilise oppressive humour to knock down other parties?

Is the information only focusing on selective matters and show strong indications of cherry picking?

Can the recipient validate what is driven down the throat with other sources of information?

Does the information raise sentiment, emotion and provocation?

Does each of us consciously remind ourselves of our own biases, preferences and beliefs when processing information given to us?  I know of individuals who are so rigid in their thinking - they quickly dismiss information received from the other side, or deeply have suspicions of any such information.

Do we remain mindful of the context in which a message, video clip or weblink is sent to us?  Are messengers really wanting something from us, or consistently trying to influence our mindset?

I am taught in school that fact requires solid evidence to support its validity.  Opinions are so easy to spot - millions of opinions are sprouting like plankton in high season on social media.  Propaganda is also obvious - or it can be subtle, especially if they are expressed by authority in society.

Misinformation can involve so called experts, academics and regulatory authorities.  Selective data and evidence can be cleverly structured to convince individuals and the masses.  Many an occasion we are told what is good or bad, when reality is not so clearcut and can vary.

What is truth depends on perception, cultural upbringing and past experience.  So I learnt that truth need not be factual, but facts are true.  When facts are not accepted, the recipient has had other versions of what is truth in the mind, conviction and context.  I may be sold to a falsity which I have been taught to be true.

The blurring of things can become so significant when we confront matters of personal health, belief and politics.  We can be overtly or covertly pressured to conform when we are active members of a specific community in every sense.

How do I handle it when what  I have always held to be truth turns out to be against the facts?  How do I feel when selected facts given to me are discovered to be cherry picked to support an otherwise non factual menu?

We remain vulnerable when we are given pieces of information that stir our emotions, pushing us further to accept falsity as truth.   Fragments of truth can be found with sharpnels of falsity in a misleading brew.  The roar of mass approval can cascade us into this situation when we had hardly a chance to independently think for ourselves.

In shaking the chaff from the grain, I realise most of us take comfort in what we consciously or subconciously want to hear. That is critical to advisors and speech writers working for powerful politicians.

I get most gullible when I receive information from those I have trusted all my life.  Beware of those who then transform beyond their original perceived selves as they get caught up in commercial greed, huge funding and access to power.

On relatively small matters, it can be a fun game to discern from information that looks kosher but is really dodgy.

On more significant matters, increasingly there is no point to argue or challenge each other on who is "right" or"wrong".

The reality can be that we have all been fooled, manipulated like puppets on a string.

#yongkevthoughts

In the Course of Routine in a City Suburb

The air definitely feels more than a tad nippy.

The clouds overhead suggest of arriving snow fall, not within the immediate neighbourhood, but more likely kilometres away to the south, where this year's skiing season is due to begin.

Passerbys adorn that extra layer of cosiness, but more because there is a bite of chill from the single digit temperature overnight.

I head straight to the little bakery inside an arcade.  I know precisely what I want.  Not for eating on the spot but like a squirrel in a forest, I am saving the baked delights for another day, the culinary delights with flakiness, bite and fillings.

Yes, there they are behind the glass display.  However, there are several eager people already queqing when I arrive. Indoors, I feel warm enough to wait.

There are three compact shopping centres next to each other.   I easily navigate to another building.  Having not been back there for several months, I am eager to explore, to see if familiarity is still there, but also ready to realise if change has come about.

My subtle expectations of change are right on my path and in my eyes.  The once bustling cafe at a corner is gone.   An ethnic food eatery has its doors closed, an obviously not a good sign.  The bigger restaurant across the aisle has changed names.  Centre tenants come and go.  So it is a delight to see people still take the escalator to a long standing brunch and lunch place on the second floor.

I explore the spaces between rhe shelves in a still existing supermart on the ground floor.

The meet up for lunch with friends is at a recently renovated venue along the main road, but it is still two hours away for that catch up.

So I continue wandering into another building.   I check the custard apples at a fresh produce hall but today they are highly priced.  I relax looking at Japanese made packaging and kitchen items at a low price Daiso joint.  I bought the smallest kitchen filter sink that I needee to replace for years, a break to a lingering procastination.

Then I stumble into a cooked fresh food stall offering takeaways at a good deal of a price.  I cannot resist an exotic dish that I do not know how to make.  So I fall for the choice of pan fried cumin lamb, perhaps so appropriate to partake in this cool season.  There is also a queue lining up for the lamb and chicken.

I proceed to the main street.  It is now chock a block with vehicular traffic, underlying the hustle and bustle of the trading and economic activity there.  I look for a huge and well stocked kitchen ware outlet, but its doors remain well shut today.  I wonder why.  I quietly pray it is not closed, for I got a well made wok there a few years ago.

I pop into a place selling porcelain and furniture from the Orient.  I check out another family run bakery, spot their versions of small chicken pies and pork rolls. I wonder if their version makes the mark.  I get takeaway, no harm trying them once for a start.

The sun comes up, the breeze outside tones down.

I park myself at a contemporary bakery, yes another one, as the restaurant I am heading to for lunch with friends is just across the busy road.  All the walking around so far has energised my body more - and now I need a drink.

Enough hot coffee is my thought.  So I get a bit adventurous and try a new fangled concoction.  It is a cold brew but laced with a fruity flavour.  What am I thinking of, it is still a cold day.

My trying that contemporary brew turns out all right.  It has hydrated me at the right spot and moment.

I cross the road and line up in front of the door to the lunch time venue. The place is full, buzzing with hungry appetites, eager faces and endless chatter.

A middle edged lady rudely speaks to the elderly gentleman waiting at the door, telling him in an over the top voice that he is blocking the way.  The day had been pleasant for me since dawn - and even if such uncalled behaviour was not addressed to me, it broke the magical idyll when a day has been perfect.

#yongkevthoughts

Carving Up or Preservation of Territory

 Contemporary history continues the pattern of changing of boundaries and territories as the fortunes, power and fate of empires, states and societies vary through the course of time.

While some political states have largely maintained their lands, others have been afflicted with division, separation and takeover.

Nations are not created just because we share the same culture, religion or ethnic ties. States can be seen to hold diversity - and that can be both a strength and vulnerability.

Nations have been created or broken up for political convenience, as a result of violent conflict or subject to a powerful leadership past or present.

Europe is often cited as having the affliction of constant changing boundaries, small or large lands affected. Parts of Germany and France have switched to one or the other. The break up of the Austrian Hungarian Empire resulted in a platter of several kingdoms.  Scandinavia was once dominated by Sweden.  Italy was only formed in the late 19th century.   The end of the Soviet Union in 1989 mushroomed independent countries from Central Asia to the Baltic States.

Africa today retains the colonial map of the 20th century, even if independent states are in power today, instead of the carve up amongst the colonists from Italy, France, Portugal, Belgium, Germany and Britain.

Across Asia, several nations echo broken parts of what once was one.  India and Pakistan were separated based on religion when the British gave independence to the subcontinent.  The Korean peninsular underwent through a dramatic war between what was touted to be between communism and capitalism. Vietnam was broken in two when the French left in the 1950s, suffered a long bitter and violent conflict during the American War and finally was reunited under a nationalistic Communist regime.

In the Western Hemisphere, Mexican land was purchased by the burgeoning United States in the latter's expansionist phase going westwards in the 19th century.   Alaska was also bought from the Russian Empire in the late 19th century.

The United States controlled Panama after they built the canal that connected both Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. This is an example of territorial  takeover in bits strategic to trade and geopolitics.

The 1895 defeat by the Japanese of a weak China saw the start of Taiwan under Japanese rule, until the break up of the Imperial Japanese forces in August 1945.

When the original territory of nations are divided, there are significant implications for the people caught on either side of the separation. Think of Berlin during the Cold War between the USA and the Soviet Union.  Reflect of how Koreans have been split up since the ceasefire from so many years ago.

#yongkevthoughts

To Remove One's Self from the Circus

 I do note people I know, in a very calming way, not get agitated, in fact may not even consciously notice, any particular episode or seemingly endless trend, in geopolitics or even localised uproar.

Contemporary society, whether in news readings on broadcasts or telecasts, or in the relentless social media of podcasts, video clips, instantaneous messaging or captivating agenda filled weblinks, overloads the recipient with so much information, many of them silo views, political or commercial agendas, that no one individual can truly grasp the reality behind it all.   And do not even add the role of AI blurring the lines between virtuality, manipulation, tampering, factual and opinion.

So my attention has been to try to understand these individuals who seemingly are not affected by these increasingly intrusive diversions.

Their mindset sails on mostly uncaring of such external events or oblivious to such distractions.

Their personal attitudes seems so charmed, not bothered about the latest conflict, natural disaster or political gaffe, even if it happens not geographically far from where they live.

Are they burying ostrich like heads in the sand?

Are they protecting themselves Amish like or cleverly not allowing the vagaries of outside life affect their seeming inner peace?

They are not like individuals I hear about having burnout from the relentless commercial push, then changing to a completely different lifestyle away from disillusionment and societal demands.  These people I am discussing about on the contrary carry on in the suburbs and do not show obvious signs of having made a drastic sea change.

One thing they teach me is that most things are temporary.  Events hyped about usually reverse and change, so they advise me to just observe and bend with the flow, breeze and temperature.

They also make me wake up to the fact most things in the course of nature are beyond our internal influence, action or cause.  Matters of destruction are naturally followed by adjustment, regrowth and reconstruction.

Many are influenced by philosophical or religious belief.

Some are convinced in their personal comfort and faith that they do not have to react at all, because the only importance they respond to is to their spiritual superior. And all things in their personal life are decided by this factor.

So such people I know remain unfazed by most external matters. They can remain immune to influencers, politicians, snakeoil sales men and peddlers outside their own world of orbit.

There are other individuals with special armour not to be caught up in the distractions of the contemporary world.

Advanced Buddhist practitioners are focused on their continuing journey through various states of unending existence - their aim is eventually for their soul not to be reborn.  So the trappings of current life are to be ignored.

Others are so focussed or obsessed with their personal passions, specialisations or inherent drives, that external matters are just trivia.

So amidst the increased networks of technology, communication and information, I find it captivating there are individuals who are not so affected by the clutter, noise and bang.

#yongkevthoughts