Mind on Central Europe

Last week, our team had lunch in a trendy Bohemian restaurant. I'm not sure why it was called bohemian, thinking the place had some Eastern European connection, but the food was what I would describe as American fusion. Most of my colleagues order burgers while I got a Tuna Ahi bowl with raw tuna on top of rice. The lunch went well with good conversation about the company and about life in general. Later in the week, we gathered together in the conference near our area after getting food from a nearby lunch table organized by personnel.

We also had a good sharing during that second lunch, and it was a nice time to share our thoughts and general bonhomie as we truly enjoy each other's company as equals. The good atmosphere is due to our boss, who is no-nonsense but fair and treats us as responsible adults. I am glad I ended up with this team, and I have been with this group for about 3 years, though most of us are just new, coming into this group. I believe it is the best time that I have had in my career, except for the work I did with my French friend in Asia Pacific.

I also attended my first meeting with Habitat for Humanity and enjoyed the evening meeting at their warehouse, where I tried a nail gun and met skilled handymen and carpenters.  I learned a lot in that short two-hour session, and I plan to be active in the coming months in their projects.  The carpentry skills I will learn here will help me build a fence and deck in my backyard. I want to spend more of my time in my senior years volunteering and giving to the community.

I also practice racketball in my local gym and enjoy the game of hitting the ball against the wall. I hope to find a playing partner and join a league to meet people and improve my game. I strive for these new experiences to grow and get out of my usual activities in the past, with these new experiences of volunteering and learning a new sport. Otherwise, I fear my brain will regress if I don't keep learning new skills in my senior years.

I dream more and more of my time in Singapore and the Philippines, missing my friends and reliving the old good times with relatives. Old memories come back sharp and clear as if my mind is recalibrating its memories and adjusting its cognitive process. I read an article that the body and mind change during a certain period, and one such period is the 60s. I actively prevent decline by exercising and learning new things, plus increasing my use of the tDSC device and cognitive exercises.

It's been a week since I arrived from my trip to Venice and Budapest. I am reading books on these countries as well as watching movies. For example, I am enjoying the series 'Baptiste', the 2nd season filmed in Budapest. I want to watch the series 'Vienna Blood'  when I get back from California. I want to keep learning about Austria and Hungary to maximize my visit to these 2 countries. It increases my knowledge and experience of these foreign travels.