UPDATE ON IAN

I've been getting updates from a few of Ian's friends on his condition. The latest is from Mr Eric Martin who informs me that Ian has had a couple of good nights and is now at the Royal Bristol Infirmary.

UPDATE ON IAN

Ian still needs to be hospitalised. His condition was very worrisome a week ago but I am told that he is slightly better now. I have not been in contact with him since he was admitted to hospital. However, I have good samaritans like Miss Barbara Dunham and Mr Eric Martin, both of whom are Ian's good friends, who have been keeping me updated on Ian's situation. I get really worried if there is no news about him but at the same time each time I see an incoming message from one of Ian's friends, I feel anxious. Ian is such a brave soldier and he will try to cheer up those who are near and dear to him. I am told that he is in great pain most of the time which makes me feel very sad as I could not do much for him except pray. My one consolation is that his dear friend, Barbara is there for him and she is doing all that she can for him.

The Serenity Prayer

God, grant me the Serenity

To accept the things I cannot change...

Courage to change the things I can,

And Wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time,

Enjoying one moment at a time,

Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace.

Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is,

Not as I would have it.

Trusting that He will make all things right

if I surrender to His will.

That I may be reasonably happy in this life,

And supremely happy with Him forever in the next.

Amen.

Attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr

IF I NEVER KNEW YOU

Here is a beautiful music video with scenes from a drama series, "Palace" that my niece Kelley likes very much. "Palace" or "Goong" in Mandarin tells the tale of a crown prince who enters into an arranged marriage with a commoner because of a promise made by his grandfather, the late king to his best friend. It is a lovely story detailing how the beautiful crown princess, a feisty girl, has to conform to strict palace protocol and how she eventually manages to melt the heart of her Ice Prince. The title of the song is "If I never knew you" taken from the movie "Pocahontas". I am posting the video especially for both Kelley and Ian. Enjoy!

UPDATE ON IAN

This was the missive I received from Ian on Monday, 23rd October 2006.

Hi folks.

I'm being admitted to 'C' ward at Southmead hospital today.

Cheers.
IH

If you are reading this, do say a prayer for my dear friend. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the medical personnel will be able to find a way to cure him.

AUNT MAY'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

We celebrated Aunt May's birthday on Monday. She treated us to lunch at a vegetarian restaurant. Aunt May is Sophie's mum which makes her James' grandma.

Get Your Own! | View Slideshow

OLD FRIENDS

Here is another picture taken with my colleagues from the first school that I was posted to. The name of the school is S.K. Sri Kinjang. The picture was taken in 1989. Pictured from left to right Anis, Salasiah, Ustazah and I. Anis was one of my closest friends. When he died from an automobile accident in 1990 I was devastated and it took me sometime to get over the demise of my dear friend and colleague.

SHORT INSPIRATIONAL SAYINGS

Women are afraid of mice and of murder, and of very little in between. ~saying on Women by Mignon McLaughlin, The Second Neurotic's Notebook, 1966

The test of courage comes when we are in the minority. The test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority. ~saying on Prejudice by Ralph W. Sockman

There is no greater invitation to love than loving first ~short inspirational sayings by St. Augustine

You should never kiss a girl unless you have enough bucks to buy her a big ring and her own VCR, 'cause she'll want to have videos of the wedding. ~quotes about Marriage by Jim, age 10

Faith, indeed, has up to the present not been able to move real mountains.... But it can put mountains where there are none. ~short inspirational sayings by Friedrich Nietzche, Human, All Too Human, 1879

http://random-quotes-sayings.com/short-inspirational-sayings.php

FUNNY SHORT SAYINGS

"What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus? Claustrophobic."Funny Short Sayings by, Unknown.

"Before marriage, a man yearns for the woman he loves. After marriage, the 'Y' becomes silent."Funny Short Sayings by, Anonymous.

"Marriage is a three ring circus: engagement ring, wedding ring, and suffering."Funny Short Sayings by, Anonymous

"A hippie is someone who looks like Tarzan, walks like Jane and smells like Cheetah."Funny Short Sayings by, Ronald Reagan

"Only two things are necessary to keep one's wife happy. One is to let her think she is having her own way, and the other is to let her have it."Funny Short Sayings by, Lyndon B. Johnson

"Marriages are made in heaven. But so again, are thunder and lightning." Funny Short Sayings by, Anonymous.

"Of all the things that tax a man's patience, there's nothing to compare with a stuck zipper."Funny Short Sayings by, Anonymous.

ENGLAND PHOTOS

I had actually posted a few of these photos in my other blog, STESMA forever some time back but am reposting them here in the Ajoajo blog. The pictures are sharper here as I had one of my students, Shukri, scan them for me. Picture one is of Adelino Mulongo from Mozambique and me inside the School of Education. Picture two is of my classmates and I in winter outside the School of Education in Bristol. Picture three shows me next to a British mailbox and Victoria Halls, a Bristol landmark. Fourth picture is a clearer one of Ian and I taken inside the Porter's Room. Last picture is of my two lecturers, Barbara and Chris posing in front of Blaise Castle.