getting close, but not quite

It's been six weeks and counting. I will be joining the group lesson tonight but will not move. I'll just hit from one spot. My coach is really sweet to invite me over and let me practice a little. He says won't let me do too much even if I want to. I've rested a lot in the past six weeks, but I'm constantly tired too. I've missed exercise, but my body hasn't been up for it either.

The knee gets a little better almost every day, but it's remarkable how LONG this is taking, and how it is still sore. I will never take my body for granted again.

So I'm praising God even if I don't feel like it. And when I do, strangely enough, sometimes I actually begin to feel like praising Him.

But God shouldn't go around thinking that I enjoy this season, because I don't. I'm watching so much TV my eyes are turning square. Still, it's useful because it does interrupt my meditations on the fragility of the human body.


But we pray, knowing that God is able.
And we trust, knowing that He is good.

Gift from student

I really should teach a first year course again. It's amazing to follow the progress of students you meet in their first years. But first, my department has to find someone else to teach the mandatory second-year course so I can switch over....

Season of small mercies

Sprained my knee on April 19, so it has been almost five weeks to the day. I walked uphill to work this morning with almost zero pain, but it does still feel awkward. Almost as if my knee is out of place. There's still some clicking when I walk. But I'm thankful that the pain has been reduced greatly over the weekend.

Not pleased about missing basically all of dragon boat season now. Even if I can start exercising again next week, I can't possibly race in June.

The last five weeks have been very hard. The only thing I can look forward to now is hoping that I'll be able to get back to court in the very near future. I'll see the Alternative Doctor again this Friday.

Things I've learned:

- when you have a traumatic injury to a joint that you use all the time, "rest" is not at all restful.

- fish soup.....fish soup is healing and I wish I had started drinking earlier than the 4th week of injury.

- strangers can be very kind and very considerate.

- but there are some who just don't give a shit and will walk very fast close to you, cane or no cane.

- taxi drivers and minibus drivers in HK need serious counseling. They should be made to pass a mental health exam before being allowed to drive.

- friends are great to have, but I'm learning that some friends aren't very good at being empathetic. In facts, some are just downright terrible at it. Sigh.

- I'm going to start with calcium supplements. And add more veggies and nuts to my diet.

- I love badminton.

Gift from a colleague who is retiring

Faculty fellowship

Last meeting for the academic year, and saying goodbye to Harry. Very sweet, kind, gentle and faithful. But he's perhaps a little too self-effacing when he's in the limelight.....when he forgets to be self-effacing, he tells great stories. 

Gift from colleague