Lottery. Oh, well. Next time.
It's warming up lately, around 90F in the afternoon. Inspired by today's June-like weather, and better late than never, I did Spring cleaning. Beginning vacuuming and laundry, I even did shoe shining. It is almost disturbing to find how much dust is hiding in the rooms. At the same time, I am happy to see the dusts are gone.
Tomorrow I'll do car wash and waxing if weather permits.
Some of my colleagues are going to AACR (American Association for Cancer Research) annual meeting in Chicago, starting today. Last year's meeting was at Orlando, FL. This year my materials were somewhat preliminary, so I decided to go to another smaller meeting instead. The AACR annual meeting is huge meeting, lasts for 4 days and gather more than 20,000 people. It does provide good opportunity for updating my knowledge and feel the direction of the entire cancer research. But you can also argue that it's too big.
My another colleague lent me a book about diabetic diet. I am not diabetic. But my mother is on borderline and has been ordered to take good care by her doctor.
When someone says "Take good care", a natural question is, "OK I will, but how?" I knew diet is a front line preventive/control measure for diabetes, but I did not know exactly what to do. I was curious about the theories.
The book author, a doctor in Kyoto, has his simple theory; that is, "cut down starch and sugar contents". Starch/carbohydrates can be directly digested to sugar, and they have a major impact on after meal blood sugar surge. The notion is to reduce the starch/carbohydrates/sugar contents from diet, so that harmful blood sugar fluctuation is contained. Proteins, fat and other components can be metabolized to sugar, but it takes extra time so that the sugar surge is gentle.
It sounds simple. But think of starch/carbohydrates/sugar contents. They are rice, pasta, bread, potato, pizza crust, sweets and many fruits. Hmm.
What you can eat is the rest. Vegetables, mushrooms, unsweetened yogurt, cheese, tofu and soybean products, meats, egg, healthy oils, spices......
You can drink, too. But fermented drinks (Beer, wine, sake) are to be consumed in smaller amount, because they retain some sugar. Spirits are better, they say.
Well, it's a theory, and sounds simple enough to implement. I'll give the diet a try for 3-7 days and see what happens. Who knows? My pancreas may get some (much needed ?) rest, and I may notice some recognizable change in my health.
March 31, 2012
March 29, 2012
Life: Mega-Lottery
Yesterday I wrote a post about Department of Defense funding, but the written and saved part somehow disappeared. Was it because of a server error? I don't really like it when that happens.
So I'll turn to current topics. As of 3/29/2012 in the US, they say Megamillion lottery winning has risen to 500 million dollars. Wow. Impressed, I bought a ticket with $5 ($1 for a drawing so I got 5 drawings). Now I am eligible for winning. Hehe.
Let's say you won. What would you do with the half a billion dollars? It's a huge sum of money far beyond personal finance.
First things first. The money would need good management, investment and tax planning. I'll assemble a team for the money accordingly. But I wouldn't make it completely someone else's business. I'll keep an eye on it. Of course, with my wife.
Now, there will be some questions.
Do you keep your job?
I'll remain as a scientist, but my involvement will be changed. I would use 10% of the winning to set up a fund to promote scientific research, and take an administrative position. Even 3% annual return of 50 million dollars is 1.5 million dollars, and it can support a number of research projects.
The granting institution would fund research related to (i) cancer, (ii) cell cycle biology (for which I have been trained and working), and (iii) stroke-related brain damage.
Do you change your lifestyle? Do you buy anything?
Money can buy a lot of things. Sure, I would upgrade some of my stuff and my family's. But I can do it later and over time. I wouldn't hurry to buy a new car. But I would take more time traveling and going to dance events.
One thing I would not do is "spend, spend, spend". It's a fool's mantra.
I would be cautious about someone else's cause and religious charities. But for local dancers and other artists, I would set up a fund to support activities.
Basic financial education I got tells me that "I pay myself first (10%), then charitable giving (10%), and think about the rest". I'd try to follow it. I feel good about it.
That much money will force you to think differently. And that kind of thinking (more like daydreaming) is fun.
It's not only fun. It does tell you who you are and what you really want. I'll indulge this daydreaming some more, later in the day. Perhaps later on, the "purpose" of the money would come clear.
Writing a blog post about lottery does not increase the chance of winning. But it does increase fun and preparedness for the miraculously rare event.
So I'll turn to current topics. As of 3/29/2012 in the US, they say Megamillion lottery winning has risen to 500 million dollars. Wow. Impressed, I bought a ticket with $5 ($1 for a drawing so I got 5 drawings). Now I am eligible for winning. Hehe.
Let's say you won. What would you do with the half a billion dollars? It's a huge sum of money far beyond personal finance.
First things first. The money would need good management, investment and tax planning. I'll assemble a team for the money accordingly. But I wouldn't make it completely someone else's business. I'll keep an eye on it. Of course, with my wife.
Now, there will be some questions.
Do you keep your job?
I'll remain as a scientist, but my involvement will be changed. I would use 10% of the winning to set up a fund to promote scientific research, and take an administrative position. Even 3% annual return of 50 million dollars is 1.5 million dollars, and it can support a number of research projects.
The granting institution would fund research related to (i) cancer, (ii) cell cycle biology (for which I have been trained and working), and (iii) stroke-related brain damage.
Do you change your lifestyle? Do you buy anything?
Money can buy a lot of things. Sure, I would upgrade some of my stuff and my family's. But I can do it later and over time. I wouldn't hurry to buy a new car. But I would take more time traveling and going to dance events.
One thing I would not do is "spend, spend, spend". It's a fool's mantra.
I would be cautious about someone else's cause and religious charities. But for local dancers and other artists, I would set up a fund to support activities.
Basic financial education I got tells me that "I pay myself first (10%), then charitable giving (10%), and think about the rest". I'd try to follow it. I feel good about it.
That much money will force you to think differently. And that kind of thinking (more like daydreaming) is fun.
It's not only fun. It does tell you who you are and what you really want. I'll indulge this daydreaming some more, later in the day. Perhaps later on, the "purpose" of the money would come clear.
Writing a blog post about lottery does not increase the chance of winning. But it does increase fun and preparedness for the miraculously rare event.
March 22, 2012
Life: Thank you note; my uncle
Thank you for concerns and caring words for my father. His condition and response seem to be improving in recent days. We will keep watching.
Incidentally, my uncle Shizuo (my father's elder brother), who had Parkinson's disease and long hospitalized, passed away a few days ago. Maybe he is telling my father to stick around?
Frankly, I am not certain what to wish for my father. But we will certainly try to bring good news for him.
Incidentally, my uncle Shizuo (my father's elder brother), who had Parkinson's disease and long hospitalized, passed away a few days ago. Maybe he is telling my father to stick around?
Frankly, I am not certain what to wish for my father. But we will certainly try to bring good news for him.
March 17, 2012
Life: My father on St. Patrick's day 2012
Hydrocephalus is a condition in which you retain excessive fluids in the cavities in brain. Generally your skull provides excellent support and protection to your brain, but it can work against you in a hydrocephalus condition. The built-up pressure of the fluid has nowhere to go, starts compressing your brain and interfering with brain function.
And that is what is happening to my father. Several days ago he started snoring abnormally, and his response worsened. He has difficulty breathing. Yesterday they used a brain scanner and figured out what is going on.
Currently we are observing carefully.
Until early 2002, my father was running a small construction company in Japan. After the economic bubble burst and in the following turmoil, it was not an easy task. It was then when he had his first stroke. Someone found him collapsed on the floor of a parking lot, and called 911. The stroke left him half-paralyzed.
My relatives were busy closing down his company. As a small-sized company with about 10 employees, there was no way continuing it without him. I flew back to Japan and did what I could for 3 weeks.
Afterwards, he and my mother started living in a city apartment. The place is barrier free and better equipped with wheelchair-friendly things.Their lives changed quite a bit. He enrolled in a rehabilitation program, and was showing a certain degree of recovery.
On 2006 summer, he had another stroke at night. When my mother woke up in the morning, he was drenched in sweat. It was serious, and most relatives and doctors believed he wouldn't make it. I flew back, thinking that I would have to take care of his funeral as his first born son.
When I got to Narita airport 3 days after the first phone call, I was surprised to know he was still hanging on. I took a bullet train and arrived at hospital.
I went to his bedside in the Intensive Care Unit and met him. Until then, his condition was a mess. The stroke near his brain stem badly affected his ability to automatically regulate basic body functions such as breathing and maintaining body temperature and heart rate. His heart rate was keeping around 180-200/minute, alarmingly tough on the heart.
Then something unforgettable happened. When I called him, he cried. Tears came down from his closed eyes. His rough breathing suddenly turned calmer, and his heart rate decreased to an acceptable rate. And he slipped into a calmer sleep.
Everyone thought he had been waiting for my arrival. It was one of the most emotional moments in my life.
His condition fluctuated wildly during following weeks. It was emotionally tough on my mother, and physically tough on him. After another 3 weeks, I left there to get back to work.
The 2006 stroke took away his ability to move around completely, so we needed to leave him in the hospital. It was far beyond my mother's ability for care. Communication was severely limited. We were uncertain whether he was recognizing us.
Last year, on 2011 autumn, I got married and traveled to Japan . I went to see him once again. When I called him with my new wife, he responded. Much clearer than usual. He shook his right hand as hard as he could. His eyes seemed focused. We were certain that he heard us. I am glad that I could show him my wife.
Now his response is down. To relieve hydrocephalus, usually they surgically insert shunts and drain the fluid. But doctors and my mother are reluctant to perform the operation concerning whether such an invasive operation is beneficial at this stage. We are resorting to the use of internal medicine and observing, leaving it to God business.
His story is not over yet. Like Frodo and Sam said in the Lord of the Rings, his story is a part of bigger story that continues. I don't know how the story goes. Such is life.
And that is what is happening to my father. Several days ago he started snoring abnormally, and his response worsened. He has difficulty breathing. Yesterday they used a brain scanner and figured out what is going on.
Currently we are observing carefully.
Until early 2002, my father was running a small construction company in Japan. After the economic bubble burst and in the following turmoil, it was not an easy task. It was then when he had his first stroke. Someone found him collapsed on the floor of a parking lot, and called 911. The stroke left him half-paralyzed.
My relatives were busy closing down his company. As a small-sized company with about 10 employees, there was no way continuing it without him. I flew back to Japan and did what I could for 3 weeks.
Afterwards, he and my mother started living in a city apartment. The place is barrier free and better equipped with wheelchair-friendly things.Their lives changed quite a bit. He enrolled in a rehabilitation program, and was showing a certain degree of recovery.
On 2006 summer, he had another stroke at night. When my mother woke up in the morning, he was drenched in sweat. It was serious, and most relatives and doctors believed he wouldn't make it. I flew back, thinking that I would have to take care of his funeral as his first born son.
When I got to Narita airport 3 days after the first phone call, I was surprised to know he was still hanging on. I took a bullet train and arrived at hospital.
I went to his bedside in the Intensive Care Unit and met him. Until then, his condition was a mess. The stroke near his brain stem badly affected his ability to automatically regulate basic body functions such as breathing and maintaining body temperature and heart rate. His heart rate was keeping around 180-200/minute, alarmingly tough on the heart.
Then something unforgettable happened. When I called him, he cried. Tears came down from his closed eyes. His rough breathing suddenly turned calmer, and his heart rate decreased to an acceptable rate. And he slipped into a calmer sleep.
Everyone thought he had been waiting for my arrival. It was one of the most emotional moments in my life.
His condition fluctuated wildly during following weeks. It was emotionally tough on my mother, and physically tough on him. After another 3 weeks, I left there to get back to work.
The 2006 stroke took away his ability to move around completely, so we needed to leave him in the hospital. It was far beyond my mother's ability for care. Communication was severely limited. We were uncertain whether he was recognizing us.
Last year, on 2011 autumn, I got married and traveled to Japan . I went to see him once again. When I called him with my new wife, he responded. Much clearer than usual. He shook his right hand as hard as he could. His eyes seemed focused. We were certain that he heard us. I am glad that I could show him my wife.
Now his response is down. To relieve hydrocephalus, usually they surgically insert shunts and drain the fluid. But doctors and my mother are reluctant to perform the operation concerning whether such an invasive operation is beneficial at this stage. We are resorting to the use of internal medicine and observing, leaving it to God business.
His story is not over yet. Like Frodo and Sam said in the Lord of the Rings, his story is a part of bigger story that continues. I don't know how the story goes. Such is life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)