The reason why I'm studying what I love.

http://www.game-reserve.com/black_rhino_800x600.html

http://www.watoday.com.au/multimedia/environment/making-a-baby-rhino-step-1/20100329-r6wp.html

Fidelity: Eight animals that triumph Homo sapiens

Humans aren't the most faithful species around. When it comes to fidelity, I think animals can pull it off better. Here are eight species who only mate with a single partner in a lifetime, hence are termed monogamous species.

1. Swans:

Swans can form monogamous pairs that often last for many years, up to a lifetime. Two swans swimming close to each other, forming a shape of a heart with their necks - which has become a universal love symbol.

http://www.sygnetswans.com/swan.html

2. Turtle Doves

Turtle doves are migratory species, smaller in build than other doves. They are distinguishable from their wedge-shaped tail, with white borders; especially when they fly away from you.

"turtle" comes from the Latin turtur as the dove makes a deep vibrating "turr..turr.." sound upon it's arrival in spring. Nothing to do with the reptile - turtle!

Turtle doves form very strong pair bonds, and thus the reason why, in the song The Twelve Days of Christmas, Turtle doves come in pairs of two!

Populations of turtle doves are falling rapidly due to changes in farming practices (as they feed on weed seeds) as well as shooting practices in Mediterranean countries.

http://crujonessociety.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/turtle-dove_5384.jpg

3. Albatross

These huge birds can travel over great distances, but despite all that, it will always return to the same place and the same partner during the breeding season. The monogamic pairs can form bonds with each other that will last a lifetime; usually through affectionate ritual dances.

http://animal.discovery.com/guides/baby-animals/birds/gallery/wandering-albatross.jpg

4. Bald Eagles

The national emblem of the United States. These birds will only have a partner for an entire life, unless in an event of death of either one.

http://www.hickerphoto.com/pictures-of-bald-eagles-6631-mousepad.htm

5. Black Vultures

Inner beauty or good looks? Black vultures show us looks aren't key in a faithful relationship. In fact, they attack other vultures that are caught philandering or rather, having extra-marital affairs!

http://www.jeffreybarath.com/page11.html

6. Wolves

Wolves often have a much more loyal and faithful familial relationship than us. As such, wolf packs usually contain the two parents, and their offsprings! Amazing isn't it...

http://www.firstpeople.us/pictures/wolves/1024x768/JLM-wolves-1024x768.html

7. Gibbons

Gibbons, a family of the Lesser Apes, express very low sexual dimorphism, meaning both the male and female are of almost equal size. Also, this means they are on equal footing in terms of relationships.

http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/quest/borneo/field-guide/field-guide_03.html

8. Schistosoma Mansoni Worms (Schistosoma japonicum)

These parasitic worms often cause the disease known as schistosomiasis or snail fever (snail fever, because freshwater snails carry this parasite!). The reproduce sexually in humans, and they stick together for life. hmm.. this is sick, but they stick together via a groove in the male, which the female resides.

The parasite can penetrate the human skin into post-capillary venules, where they travel to lungs and other parts of the body. It's chronic and normally gotten from swimming in infected waters.

http://www2.ttcn.ne.jp/~akky/parasite/anatomy.htm

Chapter 8 - The little things we keep close to our hearts

Find the little things and keep them close to your heart. by Birdieblues on Polyvore.com

"Moments stand still.

Days crawl by.

Time flies."

With that I'm heading into the the 7th week of the semester already. It certainly has been crazy and hectic, and now I really think sleep is a waste of time. (yes it repairs the body! and for the matter of fact, we don't rest our brains when we sleep, our brains never shut down, but rather, we repair the broken tissues and muscles from a day's walking and trauma. our hormones comes into our circadian cycle and makes us sleepy!) Time really flies when we're smacked with deadlines. I guessed it's only human nature to always look forward to every single deadline and work towards it, assuming we'll lighten the load off our shoulders and feel happier, not knowing that doesn't really happen. Or I would say, that 'happiness' is just a temporary derivation. Soon we're faced with new deadlines and no one exactly looks back at that 'happiness' anymore. True enough?

Being in the vet school tells me no matter how much we love animals, we absolutely hate them when we struggle to pass our exams. Though I have sever quite a fair bit of emotional ties with animals, I haven't got over my passion for the good of our buddies in the wild facing extinction.

Being where I am now, also tells me everyone studies veterinary science for a different reason, though we still end up prescribing medication over the consultation table some day. Some thought it was a something interesting, some just want to do related administrative work, some wants to be a vet down at the farm, some just wants a stable job in the town clinic and for others, they didn't know what they want to do.

Competition drives one to greater heights, and it could be a suicidal weapon too.

At the end of the day, we would still want to see each and every one of us graduate together and then we explore our own career paths. It just irks me to see people who are so competitive and keeping everything to himself, despite knowing the fact we're all in this together. I appreciate competition but being over-competitive and overlooking what's in front of you, isn't how it is supposed to be. Maybe some people are meant to be like that, which isn't a bad thing after all. Because with them in our lives, we are able to think and further our thoughts, which makes us richer; emotionally.

Think about:

1. The last 3 Nobel Prize winners

2. The last 3 Miss World Universe

3. Top 3 world's wealthiest people

Now think about:

1. 3 teachers who have an impact on and contributed to your education

2. 3 friends who helped you in times of need

3. few people who made you feel special and would like to spend time with

The second one seemed much more easier to answer. The people who mean something to you in your life, are not the ones with the most money, are not rated at the top of the list or the best. They are the ones who care for you, who loves you, who will stand by you no matter what, and lend you a listening ear in times of need.

Give it a thought.

I want to quote this from an email my mom sent:

At the Seattle Olympics some time ago, nine athletes who were either mentally or physically challenged, stood at the starting line. As the gun fired, they raced in threes. Then one boy tripped and fell, after which he started crying. The other eight athletes slowed down, stopped and turned back to look.

Then a girl with Down's syndrome went over and sat beside him, gave him a hug and asked "feeling better now?" All eight athletes went back, and walked shoulder to shoulder with him together to the finishing line.

Everyone in the stadium applauded, and the applause went on for a very long time.

People still talk about this, but why?

Because deep down in all of us, we know that the most important thing in life is much more than winning for ourselves. It is about helping others to win, even if it means slowing down ourselves.

- "A candle loses nothing even if it's used to light another one."

I guessed there will always be people in our lives who are constantly wanting to win for themselves. To me, it's a loss to them, to overlook what's far more important in front of their eyes. For the rest, we try to help them realize that winning isn't everything, but there's only that much anyone can do.

Let us all find the little things, and keep them close to our hearts.

I reckon I'll leave it here. cheers.

Chapter 7.2 - Climbing the stairs

Exactly two weeks have passed since I'm back at the vet school. Technically speaking, knowing one semester has 16 weeks. Minus two for end-of-sem exams and minus another two for study breaks, we only have 12 teaching weeks! so I'm left with 10 teaching weeks. (: How comforting.

I'm beginning to see it. The amount of sacrifices and hard work behind that smiling face of a veterinarian at the clinic or hospital. Five years worth of knowledge and surgical skills earns you that Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (Bsc, BVMS to be exact) and then we all start off as a lowly fresh graduate. Honestly speaking, that degree doesn't give you anything much, it more or less, adds on a whole new level of responsibilities and moral values.

At times, when I wake up in the middle of nights, staring at the clock which reads 3:xx or 4:xx.

"... another couple of hours to go!" then falls back to sleep.

I see an imminent problem. I need to learn to stop thinking, for that few minutes whenever I want it to be. It's really a bad thing, when your mind can't seem to not process any thoughts, even on a Sunday afternoon. Though there's no limit to how much memory the brain can store, but, still. !

*******

2 days ago, which was a Friday night. Was talking to dad on msn, late into the night. Was about 12midnight...

Dad, "Got to go. work tomorrow."

me, "huh?! work, tmr? saturday eh. How long?"

Dad, "8.30-5pm"

me, "okay. gogo. goodnight."

Dad, "Bye."

It hurts, again, to know all that he's going through, all that he's put in, for his children. While I'm quietly studying in the library on a Saturday afternoon, with little (relative, and subjective) worries, he's elsewhere, everyday, just giving that little push to earn the extra dollar, not for himself, but for me.

He always tells me my studies is my priority, money isn't. When I was younger, I always believed money came from the sky, and dad could always buy me things which I want, and which would have some form of entertainment or educational purposes. I looked at how circumstances have changed, and I know it's not fair for him to be working so hard. What if: one day, he's down because all that late nights everyday has taken a toll on him? What ifs. all that. There're too much what ifs.

Yes, I don't have to be too concerned with all that 'what ifs', because I see each day as a gift, and count my blessings. But still, studies aside, dad, I will do my part. to lighten that burden, at least. Can't help but this thought never leaves the back of my mind. It's painful. and of course, there're so many other things we have to manage, be it daily, or part of the planning process for the future.

I guessed. Everyone have their own painful blob that hangs around somewhere, at the back of the cerebrum in the brain. It is there, and so we live with it, and manage it everyday, to lessen the pain. It's synonymous to stress - never let it build up. One day, that built-up will explode.

taking a step at a time... gaining back my inspiration.

Chapter 7.1 - Sacrifice

Been three weeks into the new year, another three to a whole new semester. Well, not actually, every semester is somewhat linked to one another. Hmm. But yes, a new year, with a whole lot of new friends. When I first came over to Perth, I thought six years of vet school seemed forever. Now that one year's down, five more to go! It certainly hasn't been easy but the many skills in life and lessons learnt throughout the year would have been priceless. It surely takes quite a bit out of one's life for him/her to grow up.

Many a time, it dawned upon me that I'm here by myself, my parents ain't gonna be around. My mom isn't going to be there to wash my clothes over the weekend, my dad won't be there to settle the monthly bills. No one's going to be there to tell you dinner's ready. No one's going to tell you to start studying, no one's going to teach you to manage your money. Basically, it's telling you, you ain't a child anymore; this is the start of adulthood. Even if everything seemed too harsh for you to accept, there don't seem to be another way to go about doing it. We take stride in what we do. We make mistakes, and we learn. We fall and we get up. Everyday is special, the whole learning process of what we term an 'adult' doesn't seem like ending anytime. As part of that process, we learn to accept that things don't always go our way, we learn to handle tricky situations, we learn to accept differences in people, we learn to make wise decisions.

As the saying goes,

By 3 ways we may gain wisdom. -

First by reflection, which is the noblest.

Second by imitation, which is the easiest.

Third by experience, which is the bitterest.

********

Recently, I learnt sacrifice. The meaning of sacrifice from within, a question that I've found answer to. I never understood how far, as a father, would go for his son. Sacrifice. It's such a big word. Big, big, one.

Now I do, I think I do.

"We reject someone else's sacrifice because we feel bad they are doing it,

not realising,

by rejecting them, we actually make them feel more pain."

And so..in trying to help dad save some money for my flight back home during winter and summer breaks, I've decided not to go back so often. Seeing him work long hours everyday, and not even letting a Saturday or Sunday off, I feel very bad of the financial burden I've imposed. So I've always think..by saving that $700-$900 for airfare, the money can be put to better use on my brother who needs it more. Despite of me telling dad all these, he said I should go home during the breaks if possible. I do agree with him because I believe spending time with loved ones, cannot be put on hold till another day. But still, I insisted the money can be better spent, and I'd work to gain some income.

However, little did I know, he worked so hard everyday, to earn that extra cash for my flight back home, and to see me. It's so hard to imagine how a father will feel, to want to see his own son, grown up; safe and sound. And so, never did I realised, my act of rejecting him, hurts him even more; that his sacrifices weren't appreciated.

Now I know. I really do.

Chapter 7 - The battle against yourself

And so we have half of the summer gone already. Yup, survived with just a little bit of burnt skin and toasted face. When December first came I dreaded the holidays because it seemed too long and hot over here for me to take it all. Especially when everyone heads back home one by one; been to the airport at least nine times in the month of December alone.

"See you next february! Have a joyous x'mas, new year and chinese new year. Remember to come back!" - classic sentence outside the airport departure hall.

Lucifer

That's Lucifer the mouse. Been with me since a friend of mine went back home. He loves nibbling on the spoon, he loves yoghurt, eating lotsa veggie and he gets high on beer. Imagine chasing him around the house after he gets high on alcohol. Once bitten, twice shy. "No more beer for you, lucifer!"

*****

Alfred. Nicholas. me - Monkey Mia; 19 Dec '09

Alfred and Nicholas came over for a tour around Aussie! Went north to Monkey Mia, and I'm proud to say I'm a finisher of 878 km on road; 10.5 hours drive! - Impossible is nothing. Yes, and so they are supposed to leave on the 21st night, but we spent a tad bit too much time at the casino and missed the flight to Brisbane. Tensed situation but this is what made things better - "When things go wrong, a smile is a curve that set things straight." One of the most valuable lessons I've learnt since coming over.

*****

~ 22 Dec '09 - 7 Jan '10 ~

/King's Park on x'mas day/

/Caversham Wildlife Park/

/Animal Show; shearing sheep and cow milking!/

/Magaret River Chocolate Factory/

Fremantle Port

/Rottnest Island/

/Train Ride/

/Pinnacles/

/Northbridge; Hawker's Cuisine/

/my room; new table from Ikea!/

/Burswood; (A)lure Restaurant buffet lunch/

/Murdoch University/

/Murdoch University's lawn/

- 7 Jan '09; you guys will be missed.

A really BIG BIG thank you to everyone who made the summer break enjoyable, despite the scorching heat, yes 38 degrees isn't a joke! As I said, Perth is a wonderful place, you guys just made it even better. Your impact on my life is immense; though the days may be already gone, we never forget the meals we cooked together, the barbeque we came up with and the endless jokes. Yes, memories is what we created, and they will last for an entire lifetime.

Good luck guys. Stay healthy and safe. See you soon!

life will never be the same without you.

Accept.

"We never quite get over the sorrow caused by losing those loved; we only learn to live with it and to live despite it; which makes living a richer thing. That is sorrow's gift."

- Applying Philosophy to Life, A.C Grayling.

I'm still living in denial. It might be easy for people to say accept it and move on. I say that to myself everyday but now and then sometimes I really hoped it was just a bad joke.

There're just too many things left undone, and life; how do you live life to the fullest? What's your definition of fullest? You left when we're just starting to realise what life is. I know you didn't want to, but God took you away.

I would wonder, what if I didn't live past tomorrow? What if I'm just gone like that. There're just too many things left unaccomplished.

For some reason, I always imagined how the parents themselves would have to handle all these. Imagine returning home and knowing your boy will never step into his own room ever again. The smell of the room, the messy corners of the room, the wardrobe of clothes..and just everything. They literally hanged there. It's like saying time stops at that instance. As harsh as it might be, we all know nothing will bring back what's already gone.

Every night I kept returning to pop by his facebk, hoping it wasn't true. Every day there're friends who wrote paragraphs of condolences to him and his family. But we all know he's not going to read it, his account will stay as how it is from that instance onwards. I don't know what to do. How am I going to accept it, I know I have to, but it's not working. It's as good as saying I have my friend on facebk but he's passed on. How do I explain how I'm feeling? Am I going to still see that last photo of him 20 years from now? or 30 years from now when my hair starts greying, already having a few kids and planning for retirement? I can't imagine that day coming, that when all of us grow old and change, but he's still there, looking the same.

Life is never about yourself, it's about the people around you. Because when they're gone, a part of you leaves with them. Life is really full of surprises, but at the same time, confusing. Sometimes it may seem that life promises you a bright future, but the matter of fact is, life doesn't promise you anything at all. So the next time when you think life is unfair to you, it is not. I think about my friends who have already left me and I tell myself - life is wonderful. I'm here and doing what I like.

"cherish every moment in life as if it's your last, appreciate and express how much you love the ones around you, for there's never always a second chance." - c.k. loh

Reality

People come and go. We keep making friends and too, in the same instance, losing them. For some, we'll never have another chance to talk again. When reality hits us hard, the hardest is to accept.

--

Truth. We all know it's the truth. But then we again, we still constantly question ourselves every now and then. Time doesn't allow us to turn back. Every second as I'm writing, as I spoke and as I listened, is gone without a trace.

--

To my dear friend who worked and fought hard to chase his dream,

...my deepest condolences to your parents and immediate family.

9 years since I knew you as a boy,

the fun and laughter we had together.

remember the times we met in Perth when you were here for your training,

then was the last time we ever had a warm handshake,

and asking a simple "how are you doing?"

A simple smile, knowing your good old friend is doing good.

you may have moved on,

but the memories will last an entire lifetime.

I'll pray for you.

Goodbye my friend.

Rest in peace.

...

missing you.

really feeling it these few days. I miss my sister. Not that I don't miss her at all but sometimes reality hits me hard, one night when I was staring into the darkness outside of my window. 14 years since I've been away from her. I never understand how it feels or experience how is it like to go school together with your sister. It is really not about being in the same school or not, it doesn't matter; but I wasn't given the chance to bring her to school.

I recently saw on facebk with that social interview thing my sis did.

The question was "If you were given a chance to go back to the age you want, what would it be?"

She answered "4? So I can stay with my brother always, without any troubles. Totally in our own world."

It doesn't help with how I'm feeling right now.

All these years I never knew how it was like to stay with your own sister; growing up, going to school, shopping, eat or play together. I reflect upon my life for over the past decade and yes that is what it is. We led our own individual lives and thus far we have went.

So people always say we shouldn't harp on the past, and must embrace the future with open arms. But aside to that, I'm pretty lost.

"I can't change the past, I can't change how I'm feeling - But I can change what I want to do about it, I can build on the future." - c.k. loh

Chapter 6.2 - Dreams; embrace tomorrow and cherish today.

“…daydreams, as it were ... I look out the window sometimes to seek the color of the shadows and the different greens in the trees, but when I get ready to paint I just close my eyes and imagine a scene.”
- ‘Grandma’ Moses

Talk about dreams. Many embrace the promises of tomorrow, too few celebrate the joy of today.

Someone asked if I'm excited about next year. I said I'm not.

People come and go. You make friends, and make new friends. You gain some, and lose some together.

I asked myself, 'is this the beauty of life?'

I closed my eyes. And this is what I saw.

run away.

Can do the same? I want to dive, deep down into the waters. I want to run away; I want to escape.

Chapter 6.1 - When letting go is receiving

Paid a visit to the RSPCA before my midsems and figured he's my favourite dog over there! hahaa. Handsome boy.

Took this picture behind my school. Was plucking plants (pastures) for one of my assignment, where we have to learn almost everything about soils and the different pastures. It's madness. Never have I ever wondered the dirt I trample on and the green I played a soccer ball on, makes me piss my pants for exam.

The building there is actually the old folks' estate beside my school, like a whole estate built specially for old folks to live together. The suburb around my school is quiet in the day, and nothing moves after hours (this is where all old folks stay!). Hah. Peaceful (:

Standing on the same spot, photograph taken at about 5pm in spring. Simply lovely. :)

Rugby post.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Decided to go have a check on something under my foot. Been going on for 2 months and now that I can't walk properly I figured I better have it checked!

Afterhours GP.. very very dodgy clinic beside the hospital.

Haha. That window there is the reception! so old school! and I paid $85 for consultation.

Yeah, after hours.

-----------------------------------------------------------

This is one of the sunday evenings when I was walking back to my room from the vet building...study study study. too much info, too little time.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Let me introduce.. he's CHARLIE.!! Caught him outside my flat yesterday. The shingleback, blue-tongued or the Bobtail they call it here. Native species and I will not be allowed to keep it for long. Pretty amazing boy.

I've this interest such exotic species. Planning to do my independent research and study next year on them. Will make a special request to the vet school to allow me to go into exotic species!

I left Charlie beside my bed, right beside my pillow last night, oh what a pretty boy. :D Wildlife is is truly breathtaking. Can I get any closer to wildlife? Yes I can. more more!!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'll be taking part in the RAT race next month, first time which is held in Perth. Will be racing for Oxfam, a global poverty organisation. I can't wait for it. It's held over 2 days, including street races on foot, bike and kayaks, absailing and overcoming obstacles. It's like an amazing race I'd put it. A team of 3 and here we go!

My team's Team L'mighty, and fundraising prior to the race is crucial!! Here's our website for donation: http://www.everydayhero.com.au/team_lmighty Everyone makes a difference! Be it $2 to $10, every bit counts. Our target is $800. If you can make a difference towards global poverty and injustice, why not?

This is my personal fundraising page: http://www.everydayhero.com.au/choonkiat_loh

I'll soon post our team photo up! Fundraising ends before my race on the 7-8th november, so I'd really appreciate if you can help!

Yup that's all for now. and it's SUMMERRRRRR. !!! 32deg now for a start. =O

Chapter 6 - Marching into spring with twenty-first birthday

Three days before my 21st, they struck. This is what friends are for. hahah. They knew my parents will be here in perth on the 28th. So they gave me a huge surprise on the 27th. Had a lil party in my flat, a surprise party in fact. Drank a couple bottles of beer. and then got thrown into the pool, on a winter night. It was 9 degrees then and I swear nobody would want to be anywhere near the pool.

Then on the morning of the faithful day, my birthday. Charmaine and her mom came over to my campus and passed me some food and sang me a sweet birthday song! The best part of the whole thing was the 'kong ba bao'. my goodness. her mom made it herself, and it was the best thing I've ever tasted since I came over to perth. Simply loved it. =) Appreciated it!

Then at about noon time, parents and bro came over. With a cake and presents. Had this cookbook from weiming. He passed it to my parents in singapore so they could bring it over. (: yup. Now I've a few recipes to follow.

- choco cake.

Went to spend my entire day at Caversham wildlife park.!

Then on a roadtrip, down south. and back up north to The Pinnacles! The Pinnacles is the desert area up north. It was pretty amazing. Spent 4 days on a roadtrip. It was very tiring but now I'm beginning to appreciate the outbacks of Western Australia. I love the farms and vineyards along the way. I love the way the weather is. I love the little suburbs away from perth city. They seemed so peaceful. Tranquility is all I seek.

On their last day in perth, I brought them around the city to different places. Tried the famous dim sum restaurant..had a few bites here and there. Went to a couple of shopping centres. We had dinner together every night and I'd never in my life forget the days when they came over for my 21st. It wasn't a planned trip. I only heard from my dad that they're coming to perth two weeks before my birthday and poof! here they come. Yup and a week is all we have in perth.

Then on the night they were supposed to leave for home, we had a last dinner together at a chinese restaurant before they dropped me off at my campus. That was about 9pm and off they go. It was a midnight flight. Although I only had their company for 7 days, but the memories left behind for me will last me a lifetime. Personally I would rather them save up the money and not come over to perth but all that done, I'm truly touched and and how I feel is beyond words.

---------------------------------------------------------------

So here comes spring with crazy winds and rain everyday. I never fail to not get caught in the rain every morning I step out of my flat and headed for classes. Winds are getting crazier and it just amuses me to see the umbrella of the girl in front of me get wrecked as soon as we suffer the full onslaught of head winds. School's back to how it was before the study break and workload's simply piling up.

Sometimes I look at my friends and I admire them for having their family here and so they would return to a place call home after classes. One returns to a home knowing that dinner will be ready in a while, clothes can be left in the washing machine and gets washed somehow by the weekend, a quiet and peaceful night to study. You can be half awake and still walk to the kitchen to get a glass of water withoutu tripping over any furniture. You know you're safe because mom and dad is around. You know it's home because you hear the usual television program that is on air. You know it's home because you can smell it. You know it's home because you see your loved ones.

I never once realise how I should have cherish the place I call home, back then. Not many can understand what I'm blabbering about for the fact that I never did. Till today I can only reassure myself all that I'm going through now is for the future.

This brings me to another point. If given a second chance, I'd want to treat my parents and grandma better (not that I've been rude and ill treating them!). There was a night when it suddenly dawn upon me that when I was still a baby and I shitted in my diapers, who were the ones who cleaned me up? When my diaper was soaked with urine at the end of the day, who were the ones who changed a clean diaper for me, and wash the soiled one? When I cried, who carried and rocked me to sleep? When I learned to walk and fell, who was the first to rush to pick me up and dust away the sand and dirt off my hands? When I climbed the stairs, who was the one who encouraged me to finish the flight of stairs? Who taught me my first timetable of math? And when I kept asking 'Why?", I don't remember anyone who ignored me.

I look at my brother and thought, when we were young our parents gave us everything they could. We were inquisitive and wanted to poke our noses into everything we see. We wanted to touch and ask "what is this?". I can't emphasize how important these lessons are in life, that when we grow older and start to have a life of our own. It's about time, to give back. When parents grow old they start to give up many things in life, because they believe their sacrifices are definitely worth for the sake of the kids.

----

One day when I was still in singapore, in the car with dad. He told me how he gave up certain dreams in life, because he said when one settles down and start a family, one will slowly learn to let go and make sacrifices. Everyone has dreams. When you were young, remember you said you wanted to be pilot, policeman, teacher, sportsman...scientist..?

----

I can't express in words the immense amount of sacrifices from them till this date. Yes I want to be a veterinarian, I want to have a family and settle down, I want to travel the world and get involved in animal rescue missions, I want to travel and give lectures and talks. I have a plan for my future. You have your plan. But before all these, shouldn't we take a step back and think about the future of our parents? Others before self; too big a word for me. Parents before self; certainly.

Cheers.