Show Me the Money!

With us Chinese folks, it appears it's all about the money... actually, the Chinese New Year is so much more! Starting with the reunion dinner, every stage of the subsequent 15 days is a celebration of life as we know it.

Anyway, Gong Xi Fa Cai to one and all!

Obamania Rolls into Office

Obamania is certainly made for the media in every aspect. In what was largely a flawless execution of an inauguration (save the gaffe by the Chief Justice on the oath), every detail was scripted to send a message... that Barack Obama can because Barack Obama cares.

I imagine Mr Obama would be mindful that it was not so much a celebration of his ascension to the highest office in the land, but rather the fact that Americans made the choice to do so. And for that alone, I envy them...

He spoke with the voice of authority and the reason of one who has thought it long and hard. The comparisons with Lincoln were deliberate and poignant. The leader of the free world is in office and now time for work to begin.

President Barack Obama... Yes, Hopefully He Can

Later today, Obama will be installed as President of the United States. After that, he assumes the office of the most powerful man in the world. He becomes a hope in a world in turmoil. During the Inaugural concert yesterday, Jon Bon Jovi and Bettye Lavette aptly performed the song "Change is Gonna Come" by Sam Cook I believe...

Despite my Republican leanings, I like the sounds coming from the Obama camp in areas like the economy, the Middle East, termination of Guantanamo Bay and even the possible raising of CAFE standards in what is arguably the best environmental agenda since Ronald Reagan decided to lower those standards to boost the automobile industry.

With Russia flexing its muscles and the Palestine issue now apparently in a ill-fitting truce, Obama will need to be more than Commander in Chief, or the Celebrity in Chief we see of late. In this respect, he needs to show the way forward with reason and steel... I hope he can.

From tomorrow, the proof will be in the pudding and I hope it is not only palatable for all, it should also be new because in these changing times, Momma's recipe may not be enough...

Dengue Warning

Just as sister Bernadette has recovered from dengue fever, I now get news that my brother was diagnosed with the same. Over the last month, this is the 3rd case involving someone I personally know and it's not surprising anymore. What is surprising is the lack of impetus from the government in dealing with this.

Something needs to be done and quickly...

Manchester United 3 Chelsea 0

The winners and losers...

Winners:

- Manchester United of course! Puts us in position to take over from the top IF we win the next 2 games...
- Aston Villa. The prospect of finishing 3rd...
- Liverpool. Somehow a Chelsea win would have been a tougher proposition for the league leaders... but only just.

Losers:
- Chelsea. Roman would have thrashed his TV at the replay... Scholari's days are very numbered and fast approaching single digit...?
- Rafa Benitez. Mind games or just losing his head, his timing could hardly be worse...
- Liverpool... no matter who won, they face the possibility of losing top spot...

Worried:
- Inter Milan. They do not have the dominance of Chelsea at midfield and United continues to improve
- Derby. What if Fergie changes his team for the second leg?

Alternative Power - Must Read Book

Started reading Thomas Friedman's latest book, Hot, Flat and Crowded.

As usual, Friedman takes a layman approach to what could be a technical subject and conveys a very compelling view, especially if you are American. Worth a read...

Beware of Feveral Fits - Poor Josiah

Not sure how to blog this, but perhaps other parents may find it useful.

On the night of the 30th shortly before midnight, I thought I had lost my baby boy. He had developed a temperature in the evening and after 2 doses of children panadol we went about putting him to rest. Normally Jed cuddles up with my wife until he falls asleep but she realised something was amissed when he suddenly stiffened and eyes began to roll. In panic she alerted me and upon turning on the lights, I could see that he was having a fit. The white of his eyes were showing, he was gritting his teeth and he did not responds at all to us. I used my finger to force open his mouth (wrong move but fortunately did no damage) and carried him straight into the lift and to the car with my wife chasing behind. Both in the lift and in the car we were speaking to him and praying that God would not take away our baby...

We felt him fading away in the car as we broke every conceivable law... I needed to save my baby! As we were approaching the hospital, Jed squeezed Ping's hand 5 times, then once more. It was as if he were trying to calm her down. Almost forcing a squad car off the junction at SJMC, I then came close to running over a policeman at the emergency section. We rushed Jed into a crowded emergency ward and by then, his eyes had shown some recognition.

The Medical Officer instructed us to remove the plastic spatula we had used to keep him from biting his tongue and checked him. By then, the worse seemed over. However it was only a long while before he finally whispered to me "daddy"...

He was admitted for observation and to suffered spiking temperatures for another day before finally tapering off. Thankfully Josiah is back home now.

What he had is called a "feveral fit" which can happen to a child when temperatures spike too high. Based on his high white blood cell count, he was diagnosed as having suffered a bacterial infection.

It may not sound like much in the aftermath, but as a parent, let me warn you that it is traumatic to say the least.

In such circumstances, try to bring the temperature down. Sponge the child and use a suppository if you have one on hand. Do not allow the fit to persist beyond 30 minutes. Hence, if you live 10 minutes away from an emergency ward, starting making your way to the hospital after 10-15 minutes of trying.

Josiah was in a fit for 15 minutes... it seemed like an eternal nightmare and for 48 hours after that, closing my eyes only brought me back in time.

Oh, and putting things in his mouth? That's a no-no. The child may vomit and things in the mouth can either cause injury or the vomit to go back in which would only complicate things.

2008 has been tough, but the best gift for us, is to have my cheerful kid back in my arms happy and healthy again.