Today marks the last day of my service to a great company. I am as excited about my departure as I was in coming on board. One thing, the journey here has enriched me. The technical experts here are really very knowledgeable and has an ability to share their experiences at a level that is so easy to understand.

So, this marks my last blog on this site too. I will continue to blog, and you can find it at

http://echosofmind.blogspot.com/

It will certainly includes my series of "A father's chronicle", as well as other light topics.

See you around, and have a wonderful time with your friends and family.

Auf Wiedersehen

Today completes my 6th year working in this great company called Sun Microsystems. I could still recall my interview questions.... it has been quite an experience. I didn't spend my time today popping champagne. Instead, (yes, what a shame!), I am working on my project deliverable - a report! I should have applied for leave and do some stock-taking. Time flies too quickly.

Anyhow, I will take a break now that I've sent hours on it and grab a beer to have a short celebration.

This will be my last chronicle on this blog site. If you are enjoying it or have enjoyed it and would like to follow the series, you might want to know that I will continue in http://echosofmind.multiply.com/journal 

Well, wel, well.... it has been so long since I've last blogged isn't it?

Many things have happened in between. Kids gotten ill, I fell ill ... the bug circulates and passed around like a parcel. In fact, Gracia was one of the worst hit in the episode. She was down with bronchitis. Poor girl. Got to get her to the clinic, (btw, all these are aftermath now).... and as you can envision it - the clinic is FULL.

I mean, what a better season to fall ill? The school holidays, I am busy with project work... AND to top it? The clinic is filled with kids who are down with some flu bug or something. OK, the first victim in our family was Theophilus. I believe he might have caught the virus from his school (in fact, we were dead worried after we found out that there were cases of HFM in his school). To his delight, he was relieved from his last 2 weeks of school just before the holiday begins. Or rather the OFFICIAL holiday.

What blessings in disguised for him? What a nightmare to us!

Anyway, back to the girl - she was quite a poor thing. Quite restless and couldn't rest well at all. We even have to bring home the nabulizer. Well, it was only after the nabulizer treatment that things gotten better.

When we were back to the clinic for a review, it was ANOTHER long waiting session (3 hours I believe or ... to put it another way - my Saturday was maytred at the doors of the clinic). Yet, there were moments I could not help but play with some tune and words in my head. For example:

Doctor, doctor,  quick quick quick,

My daughter, my daugther, she is sick

Nurses, nurses bill me quick

My daughter is restless and became a wiggly twig

Ah, a great amount of my life is spent waiting, queueing, .... such is the true of life. What do people do when they wait? It is a period of great agony to me. Well, I guess that is also part of my job description for being a daddy - Must be capable to transcient across the (waiting) time.

We have had a talked with his maths teacher this evening. He was saying that if he continues his progress for the next 11 days... he will exceed beyond his 3 years gap and will be recognized for his achievement by Kumons. He felt it will be such a waste if he relax at this point because he well deserved the recognition for his achievement and hardwork.

For the recognition, he will be presented with a ... Ah, I don't know what. Who cares? Not important to us anyway. What is important for me is that Theophilus get to see a glimpse of his success. A taste of all the hard work, tears, frustration, persistance,... he gets to see the fruit of his labour. It is not easy for him. Maths is his weakest topic. And sitting down to concentrate on a piece of work is itself an achievement for such a tender age.

Yah, when we mentioned "fruit of his labour"... it was unavoidable -

Son: Daddy, you mean I have become a tree? I am growing fruits?

Daddy: No, that's figurative. It means you are reaping your reward. (Ghosh, reaping is a picture word as well). And 'labour' is hardwork. It is the hardwork you have done in your learning, your sweat, tears and hours of working on your maths, all these will be rewarded. You have finally achieved something for yourself.

Son: (Happy)

Of course, I bought him a toy once we left his school.... he deserved it. Well deserved a good reward.