Kia ora Aotearoa

There once was a land down under,

The South Island of New Zealand, a wonder.

With mountains so grand,

And glaciers so grand,

A natural beauty that makes one ponder.

Travel is therapy.  A fact I had forgotten until I travelled again recently. To a place right next door, but seems like being on a different planet itself. 

The wonderful islands of New Zealand.

Now I might be biased with my limited time on the ground, but the South islands of NZ was awe inspiring. I was expecting to see geography and vegetation similar to what is found in Australia, so was shocked to see a place closer to Europe. This makes sense, the islands are further south, closer to the south pole, and that was having an influence on the weather down there. It was snowing around Queenstown, even as the ski season was coming to an end. And rocks and trees was unlike what is seen in the southern part of Australia.

It took a while to get used to the waves on the beach , on lake Tekapo. Yep, the lake is so large, largest in NZ, that it behaved like a small sea . There were constant waves on the shore , usually only seen at a proper sea-beach. And the water was super cool.

Running for life

There once was a runner so fleet Who loved to run down the street Each morning at dawn They'd put on shoes and jog on To stay healthy and fit what a treat!

Change is in the air

The winter was long and quite dreary 

But now spring is arriving so cheery 

The cold winds now cease 

Warmer days increase 

As winter makes way for spring weary

Yes. Things are changing. Mostly for good. But not always. It sometimes feels like time just flows. And sometimes feels like Groundhog Year. I once liked the fact that the newspapers in this new adopted country of mine is a little more civil , with regards to reporting the news. But even that is now going down the drain. The elections might be over in the former United States, but the coverage, and its aftereffects is on the other side.

First , lets get this out of the way: the pandemic is over. The COVID-19 pandemic first reached Australia in early 2020. The government implemented increasingly restrictive measures like bans on public gatherings and travel to slow the spread of the virus. This had significant economic and social impacts on Australia. By April/May 2021, Australia had experienced over a year of the pandemic. Some of the key responses included closing schools which affected vulnerable children's education outcomes. The Reserve Bank of Australia also implemented unconventional monetary policies to support the economy. Throughout the pandemic, there were acute impacts on Australians' mental health as well as challenges for the healthcare system in treating patients and accessing personal protective equipment.

Inflation in Australia likely peaked in late 2022 and is projected to continue declining in 2023 and 2024 . But costs of things continue to stay high. The borders are now open, and temporary and permanent migration is not only high, but some say are higher than it has ever been.

But the biggest topic that has caught people's mind is the phenomenal , almost overnight rise of AI and the jobs it will reduce. And the repeated complaints of employers asking employees to return to office. Although these might look like two unrelated issues, they are more closely related than it seems.

I can still recall about 5 years ago, when Rising incomes, low public debt, affordable welfare state and immigration were discussed as things Australia was doing well. There was a general air of hope and confidence; this was the place to be, the model country for others to admire.

Maybe that spring isn't far away.

There once was a group full of hope Who said their investment would cope With schedules each day They planned things that way But optimism can lead us off scope

Thank goodness, I didn't go there

The USofA. I am talking of the USA. It was one of my life's best decisions that I didn't go there.

 Already more than 60 people have been killed in gun violence in 2023. And it is still only January.

There were 647 mass shootings last year.

And this is supposed to be the most developed, and advanced country in the world.

And now, top US companies have begun laying off employees. Andt these are some of the richest, most financially successful companies in the world.

Not going there.

75 years, and still waiting

Funny times, we are living in. I can distinctly remember the hope and energy in the air 25 years ago, during the 50th year celebrations. Yes, political leaders lied even then, but somehow those lies seemed plausible. And the goals they set forth seemed achievable. Do-able. In our lifetime.

Not any more.

After 75 years, a nation still waits. While it slowly destroys itself.