My Oxford Trip.

Actually, it was on a Church pilgrimage. When I first heard the announcement I thought of it as going to  be an interesting one, so I took the news letter home to read more of it.

Then, I got myself ready for the day.

On getting to the Church, an almost new Bharat Coach was there with few people, some where inside while some hanging around.  When I got inside I saw few bags on the seats and asked the female driver if I can leave mine too and she agreed. She said our things were safe being that she is not leaving the vehicle.


So, I chose  a section near the window and dropped my handbag. Being that we were told that the day would start with mass which was optional, I decided to attend the mass as well. Church time was 9am while departure time  was 9.30am.

Our day began with mass and towards the end lots of people seem to be around. On getting to the outside,  there was such a huge crowd, youths, parents and their kids, even the elderly too. I was wondering what prompted this sort of crowd and a handful of strange faces before I was then made to understand that we are about three Churches; St Thomas More Catholic Church( my parish), St. John's Anglican and a Methodist church. Interesting!

Within few minutes, another Coach arrived from either of the other two churches carrying few persons and with enough space there, we all sat comfortably in our seats. There were few empty seats remaining anyway.





I went to check my bag and decided that I might as well remain there till we leave. Our priest briefly told us that he has been very stressed lately and still have a tight schedule and would not be going with us. However, we went in the company of an Anglican Priest and our Nuns, Mother Eugenia and her two other colleagues.

The priest briefly told us how our trip would look like by listing the events of the day and saying a brief prayer with us. He did same for the other bus and we started hitting the roads. A woman sitting in front of me and a family at my back were from St John.  By my side was a family from my parish.

We had little chats as we drove ,especially, with the woman sitting before me. She has a camera with her and seem to be very excited about the trip and was delighted she was going to Oxford city.

She was snapping basically everything, the lovely views we had from the window, be it birds picking food or grazing animals, even plants and the rest of them. At a point I joined  her, capturing the ones I love the most. They were all lovely.

 so green.

On one occasion, it was as if our Couch almost hit a car, we got tensed and only found out that it was not our driver's fault rather that of the driver before us. In addition to that, it happened on a hilly road. Some  people were like she ought to be careful no mater what. We kept going and it happened again but this time, I saw it. It was a driver whom I can simply tell what was wrong with him, he kept changing lanes on the highway.

Now, most of us were on the watch-out, our driver made sure that very car does not cross us again. Whenever we noticed that that car is coming close we would all shout 'it's coming again , don't let him come before us'. The small car driver noticed what we were doing and started laughing with his passenger.
It turned out to be fun.  No one blamed our driver again and we were all vigilant till we went our separate ways.

In Oxford, we first visited St. Mary's (University Church). It is a magnificent church with many historical displays. We were told that it was initially built by Catholics but now belongs to the Church of England.

Upstairs

We gathered and said prayers for the unity of Christians and at the memorial to the Reformation Martyrs. I was pleased on how we all came together as one and prayed for the good of another. We  had to look around the entire vicinity.

What I loved most was the paintings and decorations in this church. All images looks beautiful and archaic as if they are going to last forever.

Next, it was time for a tour to Merton College. This was done in batches being that they do not like overcrowding as they seem to have so much rules there. I was among the second batch and had enough time to look around until it got my turn.

Luckily, I enjoyed the company of elderly women who could not stop amusing me. They were both from my church so we got on well. With their new friends I was really entertained. The eldest one would go to another table to chat while the other one would be monitoring her. At a time she said to me 'If I go out now for a minute to get something she would tell everyone that I had abandoned her'. I was laughing all through.

The eldest one later returned with a muffin in her hand. She showed her colleague and said 'look at what my new friend gave to me'. Her response was ' Don't tell me you left your tea and toast to go and beg for muffin?
'I didn't beg she just gave it to me and I collected. I can't see anything wrong with that.'  She turned towards me and enjoyed her muffin like it was a special delicacy compared to what we have on the table.

Hahahaha!

We were supposed to go for the tour together but she said the walk would be too much for her which meant that none of them would be going again. I admired the way they look out for each other.

Eventually, it was our turn and the Priest took us down to the college. On arrival a Priest welcomed us and handed over a leaflet to us. He told us some brief history about Oxford University with preference to the college we visited.

He said Merton College was founded in the year 1264 by Walter de Merton, who had passion for education and believed that student should study, live, play and pray together. This was how they built the college and a huge chapel was equally erected where student say their prayers.

Merton college

Someone is in the compound.

In the Chapel were historical icons. According to the priest the image below is that of Henry Savile who translated Luke and Acts of the Apostles in the Kings James Version bible.

Henry Savile

Thomas Bodley

Thomas Bodley was one of the great scholars that passed through Merton college. He was buried in the Chapel.

On the outside, we were shown the library, which was said to be the oldest functional library in the Western world. In the sense that, other old libraries exist but are rather moved to other places. It is the home of Oxford dictionary. Also, books cannot be taken out.

I was made to understand that the University is for the Brainy and the Rich .  The time we went was their exam period and we saw  their students with their various dress and colour codes for exams. It was really interesting. this implies that by the colour of the ribbons on their shirts one could tell their levels.

We were told that those that have shiny hats and garlands with bottles of wine has just completed their final exams.

I took no pictures of the students but the woman that sat before me in the Couch stopped some of them and took some pictures.

It was now time to ransack Oxford City. This time, I was with a much younger woman. We had lunch and  began with window shopping which enabled us see a whole lot things before picking some. She seem to know much about the area. Funny enough most shops were very expensive with some awful dresses.

In the evening, it was the time for evensong at Christ Church Cathedral, the choir sang angelically. They sang Abide with me and other songs.

Finally, we made our way to the Coach,  checked that we are all complete and headed back to London.  It was a smooth drive and people were discussing various places they went to. We all had unique and fun experiences.

More Effort All The Time.

 

In certain cases, it is down to luck that we excel. However, generally speaking, it is the amount of effort that we put in that actually determines how far we go.

For some people, it could take little time while for some it requires lots of hard work and more time but at the end we all get there. 

That brings me to the main topic. How do we ensure that the passion we have for a particular idea or an issue at the beginning keeps burning? It is very important that we always bear this in mind because we still need this very passion to remain successful at all time.

But this is not always  the case. Most times, we simply forget what it took us to attain a certain height in life and thereby easily let ourselves get carried away. Consequently, we fumble  and may be worst than how we were  before we ever got started. 

This is not only applicable to our studies or at workplace but can be seen in all areas of life. For instance, in relationships / marriages, always remind yourself of what it took you and meant to you to get to where you are and ensure you have that in mind to make you stronger and more productive, otherwise, you might simply feel so relaxed and unknowingly to you, you  might have deviated so much from the person you used to be.

In workplace/ school, it is equally essential because nobody knows it all and there are numerous innovations on daily basis, so do not relent. If you found yourself on top, always challenge yourself. 

It is applicable in our spiritual life and make us do things we could not have imagine. 

No condition needs to be stagnant as humans we easily feel bored and are quite insatiable.  Always challenge yourself by trying to be and remain on top. 

Always remember that the Rich (be it politicians, athletes, entertainers, movie stars e.t.c.) still struggle to remain on top otherwise it would have been when you make it once in life you back out but it is not the case. The struggle continues.

I once came across a write-up that says  'Always do the best you can while alive because you would have a longer time to sleep when you are dead'. That does not mean we do not have to enjoy our lives but it is a sort of reminder.  Besides, our motivations play an important role in how we handle situations.

Most people believe that attaining a greater height in life is very difficult and challenging while others think that the hardest part is to remain successful.

All the best in all you do. 

Does a Woman have a Religion?

The issue of a woman's religion or perception of religion has been more or less no news. We are in the era where certain issues our fore-fathers never imagined have become common occurrences.


As each single day passes by, many people seem to be made cognizant of their evangelistic mission on earth and therefore go for it. There are now numerous Men and Women of God, with majority heading various churches. Kudos to them, there is explosion of churches globally. However, it would be very nice if all these reflect on the rate of crime we encounter lately.

Nevertheless, I was chatting with a mate yesterday and along the line she mentioned a new church in her neighbourhood that attracts lots of crowd especially women. She said many people have been testifying about the wonders the Man of God there performs. All thanks to his packs of -find your life partner, seeking for the fruit of the womb and the likes- crusades. Consequently, most worshipers are women who seek speedy miracles.

By the time I know it, we have already delved into a strange topic. She told me how she has quit her former church and now has another favorite and concluded by saying 'what does it matter a woman has no church.'

I would not have minded pretending I did not hear her well but not on this topic. What she said re-echoed in my ears. Are you serious about that? I asked.

She answered by saying she knows I am passionate about Catholic church but when the time comes I would speak differently. This was how we ended up discussing about women's perception of religion and all that it might entail. I could not believe she made such a direct statement.




In my opinion, women have religion. I believe so because when you grow up in one and value it so much you cannot be easily talked into a new one within a blink of an eye.  Besides, if you see religion as having a huge influence on your life you will simply prefer someone that reason like you but when it does not  necessarily mean that much to you, any place of worship ought to be suitable.

She asked what if I fall in love with someone that has a completely different religious view from mine. She almost sounded apologetic and wanted me to reason with her for my own good.

How is that going to happen? Who said I will call that love? These questions were prompted quickly in my head but I did not let them out out-rightly.

I have known many cases of what you are saying and I respect your reasoning. All am saying is that for people that want such, it is okay if it comes their way. I know no one is certain about anything in the future  yet we all make plans. If you think this is same for all women, then you are wrong.

What if you meet someone and they willing choose to switch churches because of  you?

Hey! Where are you dragging this conversation... Personally, I would prefer someone who is on same page like me. I am not willing to make someone change their church because of me. I guess when people do that their family and friends would know they did that for you and  that might affect your relationship with them. Please! I do not have such powers. I respect all religions. I can recall a time while in the course of  doing home visitation work as a Legionary we converted a neighbouring family, that is the sort of conversion that gives me joy. I mean not for personal gains.

Well, thats for you. As far as am concerned, no woman has a church until she is married. That was her response before I changed the topic...

NB:
I truly respect different people and their religions and have friends with all sorts of belief too. I mean no offense to any of my readers.
Please, feel free to share your  views.

Is it true that a woman has no church?

Prader-Willi syndrome

You might be a lover of Prada products but this is something else...

Prader-Willi syndrome(PSW) is a rare genetic disorder that causes characteristics such as obesity due to an excessive appetite. 

 Signs and Symptoms

• Newborns are often small and floppy.
• Male infants may have undescended testicles.
• Trouble eating as an infant, with poor weight gain
• Almond-shaped eyes
• Delayed motor development
• Narrow bifrontal skull
• Excessive intake of food due to feeling of permanent hunger 
• Rapid weight gain  

• Short stature 
• Very small hands and feet in comparison to the child's body.
• Sex glands produce little or no hormones
• Slow mental development. 
• learning difficulties
• lack of secondary sexual development
• behavioural problems, such as temper tantrums or stubbornness

Children have an intense craving for food and will do almost anything to get it. This can result in uncontrollable weight gain and morbid obesity.

 Causes

-Prader-Willi syndrome is caused by a gene missing on part of chromosome 15 .Normally, each parents pass down a copy of this chromosome. Most patients with Prader-Willi syndrome are missing the genetic material on part of the father's chromosome. Others often have 2 copies of the mother's chromosome 15.
The genetic changes occur randomly.

-Sufferes usually do not have a family history of the condition.
 












Investigation

Genetic testing is available to test children for Prader-Willi syndrome.
As the child grows older, laboratory tests may show signs of morbid obesity, such as:

• Abnormal glucose tolerance
• Above normal level of the hormone insulin in the blood
• Decreased level of oxygen in the blood
• Failure to respond to luteinizing hormone releasing factor 
  
  Management

If a child with PWS follows a restricted diet and control their weight, they would be able to enjoy a good quality of life although, its highly unlikely that they lead a fully independent lives.

Heimlich manoeuvre;a procedure for managing a chocking patient, is been taught to parents or guardians of patients because they are at high risk of choking as compulsive eating abnormally expands their stomach.

There is no cure for PWS, so treatment aims to manage the symptoms and associated problems. For parents, this includes dealing with their child's behavioural problems and excessive eating.

Limiting calories will control the obesity, but the family, neighbors, and school must work together closely because the child will try to get food wherever possible.

Growth hormone is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of Prader-Willi syndrome. It can help:

• Improve physical strength and agility
• Improve height
• Increase lean muscle mass and decrease body fat
• Improve weight distribution
• Increase stamina
• Increase bone mineral density

There have been some concerns that taking growth hormone therapy may lead to sleep apnea. A child who takes hormone therapy needs to have annual sleep studies to monitor for sleep apnea.
Low levels of sex hormones may be corrected at puberty with hormone replacement.
 

Complications

• Type 2 diabetes
• Right-sided heart failure
• Bone (orthopedic) problems.
  
  This is a terrible health condition, at first parents would ensure that their children feed well and then try to restrain them from over eating. Lastly, they do not have a long life expectancy when compared to other children.