💭 Four Random thoughts
✈️ travel
Parenting in a Different Location, Not a Vacation
Yesterday, we met up with my wife’s cousin from Canada who is also vacationing in Queenstown. He's here with his wife and their one-year-old son. He shared an interesting insight:
This isn't a vacation for us, it's just parenting in another country. In fact, it's more stressful.
This resonated with us. Every couple of weeks, I find myself asking my mum how she managed to raise three kids when we find it challenging with just one. Despite the hardships, parenting is rewarding and has brought immense joy and fulfillment to my life.
iPad Pro: Thinner but What About Battery Life?
Now that the excitement has faded, I've been reflecting on the new iPad Pro.
My 2018 iPad Pro weighs 633 grams (LTE version). The 2024 iPad Pro is lighter at 582 grams, an 8% reduction. The thickness has also been reduced from 5.9mm to 5.1mm, making it 13.6% thinner.
Throughout my ownership of the 2018 iPad Pro, I never wished for it to be thinner. Instead, I would have preferred improvements in battery life. As the iPad ages, the degraded battery life becomes more frustrating. Apple only replaces the battery if its health is below 80%. Even then, they don't replace the battery but provide a refurbished iPad Pro.
My point is, instead of reducing thickness, focus on improving battery life. While some users may appreciate the reduced weight and dimensions, my preference lies elsewhere.
When the MacBook transitioned to the M1 chip, it significantly improved
the MacBook Air's battery life. Unfortunately, the iPad didn't enjoy the
same benefit when it received the same chip, due to technical reasons
that are unknown to me.
Ready to Return Home
I'm a homebody at heart. Given the choice, I prefer being at home. If not for my wife, I wouldn't have traveled as much as I have. We've been in Queenstown since May 12th, and today, I'm flying back home. I’ve missed my bed and my study.
This trip to Queenstown has been significantly more enjoyable than my previous visit in January 2023. It's been a great experience, but I'm ready to be home.
Is Travelling Worth It?
As my trip nears its end, I find myself reflecting on the costs. Everything seems to be getting more expensive, and I can't help but consider how much I've spent. I work for a not-for-profit organization, so I don't enjoy the same salary increases as some of my friends and family. With my credit card payment due in about three weeks, these thoughts are hard to avoid.
Throughout my travels, I've met some people who view traveling abroad as a symbol of success, almost like an achievement. I've never really seen it that way. Queenstown, for example, has been a wonderful experience. It provided a break from my life in Melbourne and allowed me to spend a week in this beautiful part of the world. However, I don't believe that my happiness or fulfilment would have been lessened had I not made this trip. Knowing the person I am, I am confident, I would have found happiness and joy elsewhere regardless. A lot of this comes from your inner self.
I woke up early, probably because I had these thoughts in my brain. It’s good, I managed to write them down. It’s probably time for my aeropress.
This post is written entirely on my 2018 iPad Pro using Notion.