Well I have just returned from a stint as a Doctor on a Russian ship in New Zealands sub antarctic islands. It was part of a Heritage Expedition. What a buzz, albatross, penguins and sea lions as we visited Snares, Auckland and Campbell Island 700 kms south of the bottom of New Zealand. A life long dream and ambition filled. Stories of many other ports, many I have never heard of. some like Vladivostok and Petroplavosk Kamchatsky I have visted. Travelling and seeing new lands is certainly good for the perspective and the soul. I remember reading a quote once from St Augustine, THE WORLD IS LIKE A BOOK-THOSE THAT THAT NEVER TRAVEL ONLY GET ONE PAGE.

Well I am up at 5am to get some work done before a meeting to finalise our e-learning content, then catch a plane to Wellington in my role as Chairman of an IT company that runs the IT for Capital and coast and Taranaki District Health Board. So another page today!

I have been woirking quite a few shifts in Auckland city hospital Emergency Department as a Doctor, seeing the tragedy of the human condition in all its forms. While seeing people die is certainly not a new experience for me having been a doctor for 20 years, it does always remind me how transient and tenous our lives are. We are only a heartbeat away sometimes. It always reinforces how important it is to live your dreams and enjoy the moments we have. You never know how many you have left, so make the most of what you HAVE.

Whether it is the albatross of the Southern Ocean, a black backed gull at your local beach or any local bird in flight, marvel at the sight of it and drink it in. You will miss it when you are gone.