my thoughts, stories and articles

Friday Shootout: Delicate

2012-01-26T21:20:00.001-08:00

We had a surprise this afternoon. My principal organised for us to have cooking lessons at http://www.maincourse.co.nz/
We made couple of delicate dishes.

Kieren's delicate Thai chicken roll. She was at the next station to mine, and I saw her cutting delicate "lace" work. This is a winning dish.

The cheese ricotta delicate things are very delicate to come out of the silicon tray. I laughed out loud, when Luana, from another team came to help us. No wonder we won.

I have never made lemon tarts before. When Kate asked me to make them, I was really nervous. They have to be baked at the right length of time, otherwise they will split. I didn't help when our oven broke down. Juliet told me to rest them before getting them out. That's how delicate they were. They will break if removed too early from their cases. I am not going to comment on cooking contestants when they say, "I have never made this before." Please look at the tiny delicate cut grapes that Nina did to decorate the tarts.

The coach Jen Jordan taught us well. All our food were not just edible but they were delicious, and well presented. You could see our creativity put in practise.

From an academic school, Pt Chevalier School, the teachers arrive to become cooking students at Main Course, the southern end of the Historic Gas Buildings on Victoria Park in Auckland city.

Thank you, Sandra for this fun event.

My final photo, a tribute to my Domestic teacher Mdm Tiong, who taught me to cook delicate yam puffs and to crochet beautiful lace. No, I didn't crochet this, I saw it at a shop window at Pt Chevalier.

Delicate: Show us the delicate side of town! The dancers, the flowers, architectural ornaments..that is our subject this week:)

link to Mr Linky at the Friday shoot out link below.
http://mytownshootout.blogspot.com/

Green Peace, No deep sea oil drilling

2012-01-26T13:10:00.001-08:00

My No deep sea Oil Drilling sign was ripped away by an idiot. I happened to be nearby with my camera. I wanted to snap her photo and confront her. On second thoughts, I decided as a friend of Green Peace, I was too gentleman to be engaged in a scuffle. It won't be good if I appeared on National TV for breaking the peace.

This Green peace member stands at a street corner educating about protecting the earth. Sometimes, he is subjected to abuse like the person who ripped away my sign. But he always smiles.

Rena photo courtesy The NZ Herald.

Salvage crews have removed four containers of dangerous goods from the bow of the broken ship Rena.

Maritime New Zealand said the containers removed yesterday held empty tanks that were formerly used to store hydrogen peroxide.

Most of the chemical had escaped from the tanks - though residual traces remained, MNZ said.

Cargo recovery company Braemer Howells would use special procedures to process the dangerous goods when they were brought ashore.

Salvors have now recovered 43 containers from the Rena since it broke in two earlier this month.

About 400 containers are still in the mostly submerged stern section of the ship.

Here's an email from Green Peace.

Dear Ann,

A child's spade in the spilled oil2012 is a critical year for New Zealand’s coastlines.

As the Rena finally breaks up and Bay of Plenty residents brace themselves for more oil on local beaches, international oil giants see only the ‘opportunity’ of deep sea oil drilling around New Zealand’s coast lines.

An estimated 20,000 birds died after the shipwrecked Rena spilled 350 tonnes of oil into the Bay of Plenty. The death toll amongst other wildlife, like whales, seals and fish, will likely never be known.

A team from Greenpeace was there to help with the clean up but we never want to see oil on NZ beaches again.

A spill from a deep sea oil rig could be more than a thousand times worse than that seen from the Rena. A blowout similar to that experienced by the deep-water horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico would overwhelm New Zealand. Our beaches, marine life, tourism and fisheries industries are all at risk of devastation.

This year will be crucial to stopping the oil giants coming to our shores. To stop them we need your help.

Please make a real difference and join Greenpeace today.

Your donation will support our work to reverse the government’s policy of opening NZ waters to deep sea oil drilling.

Thank you again,

Calendar Cover Image- Maeve Doherty and the whole crew at Greenpeace

PS When you start a monthly donation of $30 or more, you will receive as a special welcome, a 2012 Greenpeace calendar with your first donation.

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com

http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/

my world tuesday: Waitakere Ranges , New Zealand

2012-01-24T14:46:00.000-08:00

http://www.arc.govt.nz/albany/index.cfm?6C0A62BC-14C2-3D2D-B9D2-7947C7126971

Edmond Hillary was the first man who reached Mount Everest. He is a New Zealander. This trail is named after him, but we are sure it is not the trail he used to train. We went on Monday, but we didn't go on the whole way. We went 2.5 km.

Hillary Trail

The Hillary Trail connects a network of existing regional park tracks and basic backpacker campgrounds. It takes trampers through the Waitakere Ranges, past the Arataki Visitor Centre, Huia, Whatipu, Karekare, Piha, Anawhata, and either winding north to Muriwai via the Department of Conservation's Te Henga Walkway, or through Cascade Kauri Park and onto Swanson. Trampers can also choose a public transport option, beginning their journey at Titirangi and connecting with the train at Swanson.

The Trail epitomises the sense of adventure and personal achievement that Ed Hillary himself championed and was renowned for. It is not a walk in the park - but a chance for well-prepared trampers to experience the diverse, and often challenging west coast. The ARC hopes that creating an opportunity like this, in close proximity to urban Auckland, will inspire Aucklanders to get outdoors and experience the wilderness that exists on their own doorstep.
Hillary Trail facts

The trail takes trampers through the Waitakere Ranges
Is approximately 70km
Based on four days, three nights
Back country campground stays
For experienced trampers and those with a high level of fitness
The trail was officially opened on 11 January 2010
Is bookable by phoning 09 366 2000 or visiting the Arataki Visitor Centre

http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/

Save the world: Do not spit.

2012-01-23T16:03:00.001-08:00

I grew up in Borneo with the fear of TB aka tuberculosis, and we were told educated people should not spit. TB was a very fearful disease. People were sent to sanitorium and they die.

Just the other day, I could hear foot steps behind me, and that awful sound of someone about to bring his spit out. Next thing, I could feel the spit almost landing on my legs. This idiot brought his unhealthy habit to New Zealand.

I like the model of Singapore where I lived for sixteen year. Despite whatever people say about Singapore, Singapore is clean and safe.

$500-$1000 Fine: Spitting in public
Spitting laws have been in the Singapore law books since the early 1900s but have only recently seen stepped up enforcement. The last available data on stepped up enforcement appears to be in the early to mid-1980s, when presumably the spread of tuberculosis. Recently, with the SARS, it was enough to frighten people. However, of late, there is a wave of new immigrants, even though they are very educated, they still have the nasty habit.

When I went to pick the water engineer from his international trip, I saw this rubbish bin in the Auckland International Arrival lounge. I hope everyone reads the notice. If not, I hope more people will read this notice from this blog and my facebook.

http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/

Sunday Stills-Birds (January 26th)

2012-01-21T19:33:00.001-08:00

This gives a good introduction to the birds in New Zealand.

I am showing the Godwits again, because this was such a rare occasion that you see these birds from Siberia in flight.

The gannets are migratory birds from Australia.

http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/

FSO: Glass

2012-01-19T21:54:00.001-08:00

a 1920s house has many glass windows, This is a recess. Sometimes, rainbows form from the different angled glass pieces.

To add to my nest of Russian Matryoshka Dolls, I was given a drink glass bottle Matryoshka doll. It was empty when I got it.

I went to Australia, at Surfers Paradise, at the market, I was delighted to see a New Zealander Glass blower artist. I bought a kangaroo and a grand piano.

I went shooting for photos without realising that this week's challenge is glass. I was approaching a senior citizen's retirement village. I chanced on this bus shelter. What a fantastic idea, the bus passengers can look our for the bus and feel dry and warm.

January 20 - Glass: Interesting Windows, Unique Displays, Beautiful Collections...what glassy things can you find to share from your town?

link to Mr Linky at the Friday shoot out link below.
http://mytownshootout.blogspot.com/

outdoor wednesday/save our world: People watching over us in Summer

2012-01-17T19:57:00.001-08:00

It is summer, and the surf guards are out there volunteering to save our lives.

Surf Life Saving is the leading water safety organisation in NZ. We have been providing surf lifesaving services to New Zealand communities for nearly 100 years.100 years of an iconic volunteering movement.

Whether patrolling swimming areas or rescuing in heavy surf, every Surf Lifeguard knows the powerful motivation of saving or protecting a life. It's a motivation that marks Surf Life Saving as more than just 'something to do' at the weekend.

A different kind of save our lives, Green Peace Benn Hanns was out there teaching us how to save the world.

Today, the Greenpeace website has gone dark in protest of the U.S. Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and PROTECT-IP Act (PIPA). The U.S. Congress is about to censor the Internet.

If SOPA/PIPA become law, sites like Greenpeace.org could go dark simply because one of our corporate targets files a claim that its intellectual property rights have been violated. No proof required, no court hearing. Don't let corporate interests censor the internet.

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com

http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/

My world Tuesday: Asian Games Mascot

2012-01-17T00:24:00.000-08:00

In 2010, the Asian games was held in China. The water engineer was there on work assignment before the games started.

The last Asian Games was held at Guangzhou, People's Republic of China last 12 November – 27 November, 2010. The next games will be held at Incheon, South Korea.

Guangzhou is the land of my ancestors. My great grand father left Guangzhou more than 100 years ago. I am thinking, it is about time I should be " Daughter, for the return home!"

http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/

Sunday Stills-Corners

2012-01-14T18:30:00.000-08:00

To go to Omaha bird sanctuary, you go down this many corner bridge to the beach.

A trap to catch rodents before they eat the chicks and the birds. Reminds me of an old fashioned school desk.

A sea gull was sitting on top of this 4 cornered bird sign.

This is a million dollar sight, the Godwits fly from another corner of the world, from Siberia to visit us.

The shape of this trailor attracted me, Pete of the Surf school stores his sails and boards.
Surf sails have lots of corners, and they don't shape the sa,me.

I had a great day yesterday at Omaha beach, and the coastal engineer went to see the sea wall, and I found the birds. It was a fantastic sight. Not something you see everyday. I wrote to the Omaha Shorebird Protection Trust and they replied the same morning. I had watched on TV about the Godwits, and never in my imagination would I think I will see them, especially when it wasn't a planned journey.

Ka Pai and Paki Paki to these lovely people at the bird trust who answered me so quickly.

Hello Ann,

The birds in your photograph are bar-tailed godwits, or kuaka. They are easily identified by their very distinctive beaks, which are clearly visible in your photo. We have a very large group (perhaps 600-700) that roost on the spit at Omaha at high tide from late spring to early autumn. They feed on the mudflats of the Whangateau harbour at low tide and rest on the spit for a few hours each high tide. Although the birds look black against the sky in your photo, they are in fact speckled brown. Towards the end of summer the godwits begin to develop their breeding plumage of dark orangy-red. This is a sign that they are preparing for their long migration back to the Northern hemisphere where they breed. You can find out more about these birds on line, for example at the following address.

http://www.nzbirds.com/birds/kuaka.html

In some cities in NZ the godwits are formally welcomed back to NZ in spring. It would be nice to have a similar ceremony for our Omaha godwits. They are sight faithful, with the same birds returning to the same feeding grounds year after year.

Best wishes,
Marie Ward
OSPT shorebird monitor

Sunday Stills-Corners
Posted in Helpful Hints?, Sunday Stills, Sunday Stills Challenge of the Week on January 9, 2012 by Linda

This weeks challenge it to photograph corners…..corners on buildings, boards, streets…..just find yourself a corner and play with light and shadows.

http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/

Sunday Scans: Foreign Students in New Zealand.

2012-01-14T11:17:00.000-08:00

Flatmates Simon Wong and Desmond Chiong.

I recall Simon came from Binatang.

Paul Chee is a Roman Catholic Priest.

My Uncle John Chan Kok Fei came to visit New Zealand. Many ex Sacred Heart students knew him as Master Kok Fei. he taught Sacred Heart Primary school, but he was very supportive of the whole school's sports. Even those who joined the school in Sacred Heart Secondary School at various stages knew him as Master Kok Fei. I was told he trained some of them and was present duting the sports meet. When he came to New Zealand, ex students in Wellington and Auckland came to entertain. The bulk of the Sibu students were in Christchurch, and it was a pity he didn't go there.

In the 1960s, the crème de la crème of the Sarawak students were given Colombo plans scholarships to study in Canada, Australia, New Zealand. One of my neighbours went to Canada and became a doctor. I really wanted to go to Canada, but when I grew up, they changed the systems, and there was no more Colombo Plan scholarship, and I wasn't crème de la crème, so I don't think I would get the scholarship.

In the next decade, a group of self financing students went abroad. Initially on what we dubbed as our parents' scholarship. They worked very hard, most of them worked in the summer holidays, and some of them worked in the weekends.

I was one of them, and here were photos of my friends and flat mates in 1979. I have not seen many of them since they graduated. Some went back to Sibu, and then to other countries. Paul, is a priest and posts on Facebook a lot.

http://sundayscans.blogspot.com/

FSO: January 13 - Arms and Legs

2012-01-11T19:11:00.001-08:00

Surfing lessons at Omaha beach. It will certainly be useful if you have arms and legs to surf.
My 15 year old was so happy with Simon the instructor that he wants to go back for more lessons. http://www.surfaris.co.nz/

Jessie is my sister Grace's daughter. She lives in Singapore. Thomas is my other sister Helen's son. He lives in Australia. Every few years, they visit. Here they are playing a touching game.

January 13 - Arms and Legs

link to Mr Linky at the Friday shoot out link below.
http://mytownshootout.blogspot.com/

Our World Tuesday: outdoor wed: Omaha beach.

2012-01-10T20:21:00.001-08:00

On patrolled beaches, there are two flags that mark where swimmers can swim. These are the areas where the surf guards can see you. On TV, we watch a lot of Bondi beach in Australia and Piha beach in New Zealand. Often, foreignors are not aware how important this is. http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Auckland man swept to his death
10:50 AM Wednesday Jan 11, 2012

A man has reportedly drowned on Waihi Beach. Photo / Thinkstock
Expand
A man has reportedly drowned on Waihi Beach. Photo / Thinkstock

An Auckland man was swept off a rock while fishing with friends north of Waihi Beach last night.

The four men were fishing at Homunga Bay when the 30-year-old man was swept away by a wave.

He did not resurface for some time and although lifeguards were at the spot within minutes , ambulance staff were unable to revive him, Sergeant Dave Litton said.

The spot was a popular fishing spot and not known to be dangerous, Mr Litton said.

But yesterday there were 2-3m swells and the man was probably standing too close to the edge.

"He was not dressed for being in the water.''

Police said the death highlighted the need for personal flotation devices and life jackets while fishing.

The man's name would not be released until next of kin had been notified.

http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com

Save the World: Artist Oliver Wong "Dancing Trees"

2012-01-09T01:09:00.000-08:00

My friend Oliver, the environmentalist, he is involved in replanting oil palm tree plantation. For Christmas Eve, he had a self cooked simple dinner of two eggs and two slices of bread, in memory of millions who go hungry without food this Christmas.

This painting started with a figure in the centre, then I just let my spirit takes over, the trees came in, the leaves falling, the roots , and then breeze and then the colors of the wind then the smell, like what you have described. I took me one intense hour to finish in one shot. Like golf occasionally you experience a magical moment and wonder are you there GOD?

Oliver, when I knew him as a university student in 1978 in Auckland New Zealand

http://ollieartgallery.blogspot.com/

This is present day Oliver involved in: Save Malaysia Stop Lynas campaign. This photo shows a peaceful and joyful demonstration of Save Malaysia.

http://savemalaysia-stoplynas.blogspot.com/

On 30 June 2011, the Malaysian Government presented to the press and the public in Kuala Lumpur the final report of an IAEA expert mission that reviewed radiation safety at the Lynas Project, a rare earth processing facility under construction near Kuantan in Pahang state to the Malaysian Government.

Australian rare earths miner Lynas Corporation, which is building a RM700 million processing plant in Gebeng, Kuantan, will continue to invest in Malaysia. The controversial RM1.5 billion plant being built in the prime minister’s home state of Pahang is now said to be more than 85 per cent complete and is expected to power up by early next year.

The rare earth refinery, touted to be the biggest in the world, aims to break China’s near-complete stranglehold of the minerals required to manufacture high-technology products like hybrid cars, smartphones to bombs.

But public protests by local residents and environmental groups over the possible radioactive hazard posed by the plant this year put the brakes on Lynas’plans.

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) is gravely concerned over the possible deleterious health effects from radioactive and other toxic waste residues of the proposed Lynas Rare Earth Refinery Project to be located in Gebeng, Pahang.

We share the public concern that not enough information, attention or due diligence to public safety has been provided, before even the approval of such a huge and contentious project would have been made.

This projected plant touted as the ‘largest' Rare Earth Refinery in the world (when fully functional) is located so close to human habitation!

"Every year, they are expected to spend about RM400 million if you include the employment of staff, facilities and chemicals," said International Trade and Industry Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Dr Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria.

She also said the Lynas project would bring a substantial amount of business into the area, for Pahang and also for Malaysia including in value-added exports.

As to why Lynas chose Malaysia and not Australia to set up the plant, Rebecca said investment decisions were made for various reasons, and that Lynas decided to locate to Malaysia based on business reasons.

Stop Lynas campaign groups sought greater transparency and vowed to seek a judicial review on the latest claimed public engagement of Lynas Malaysia. The groups are appalled by the difficulties in gaining access to the Lynas’ pre-operating licence application documents and the ongoing lack of public consultation on the project.

So what is Lynas? This is their media release.
http://www.lynascorp.com/applicationList.asp?category_id=1&page_id=7

Enhancing Environmental Protection

Global warming due to green house gas emissions is a concern for us all. Rare Earths already play a vital role in the reduction of green house gas emissions.

Learn more here...
Enabling Digital Technology

The digital era is gathering pace; broadband access, digital television, digital cameras, and digital music are around us at home and on the move – Rare Earths are enablers of this technology and its miniaturisation.

Learn more here...
Improving Energy Efficiency

Increased population and economic growth leads to greater demand of the world’s energy, which means increased use of our limited fossil fuel reserves. Rare Earths are already playing a vital role in conservation of these reserves, and are likely to play an even larger role in taking us forward to the hydrogen economy.

On paper, it seems too good to be true.

Way to go! Oliver and your friends. Good luck.

Disclaimer: as I am in New Zealand, I am not involved in this Lynas episode. The information above is obtained from google.

http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/

http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/

sunday stills: Light painting

2012-01-07T19:28:00.000-08:00

Fire works hold a great fascination for the Malaysians, especially the boys, big and small. In the 1960s, they were banned during the Communist insurgence. Even now, it is not sold openly.

In the water engineer's home town, kids spend a lot of money lighting fire works and crackers. During the Lunar new year, instead of presents, we receive cash packages known as Hong Baos aka Ang Baos. Boys can't wait to get this and off they go to the shop they know is selling the fireworks.

Sunday Stills-Light Painting (January 8th, 2012)
Posted in Uncategorized on January 1, 2012 by Linda

This weeks challenge is a fun one. Set your camera on a slower shutter speed…….or just turn the flash off on a point and shoot, find some lights and shoot them moving your camera as you do. You can also find some moving lights (traffic for instance) and photograph those (a tripod or setting your camera on something and using a remote or the timer works well for this). You could also have someone (even yourself-using your cameras timer and a slow shutter speed) use a flashlight in the dark. The challenge in this is to play with aperture and shutter speed. Be creative;

I cheated on this thene, I didn't take these photos. My daughter G did. I don't know if my little camera can the what is suggested. The water engineer just came home from overseas with a very modern camera. I don't know if it would. He is having jet lag and I don't want to wake him up from his beauty sleep.

http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/

FSO: Where you hear music

2012-01-06T01:35:00.000-08:00

The very talented Jessica plays the key board, violin and sings. Here she is performing at Christmas at Rocket park. She is in the Mt Albert Baptist Church Worship team where her two brothers, Tom and Issac play as well.

Yes, you can hear beautiful contempory music in a church.

Thomas Lovatt: she plays violin, piano and sings, she can also play a little bit of guitar

This weeks theme is..musical places around your town..where do you go to hear music!!

link to Mr Linky at the Friday shoot out link below.
http://mytownshootout.blogspot.com/

Outdoors Wednesday: Windsurfing

2012-01-05T00:05:00.001-08:00

It's been a wet wet holiday, and my son was hoping to have a fine day for his wind surfing lesson. When I woke up, it rained. But in the afternoon we got glorious sun.

We only had to walk 5 minutes to the beach where the surf lesson is. He had lessons from Pete Smith WNZ Master Instructor.http://www.aucklandwindsurfing.co.nz/

While Sam had his wind surfing lessons, others were doing paddle surfing. Sam enjoyed himself, and kept persuading me to, after all, we live on 5 minutes from the beach. The school is located just ten minutes from the city at Raymond St Reserve Pt Chev

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com

Our World Tuesday: Buggy

2012-01-03T22:10:00.001-08:00

This buggy belongs to the surf guards. They are good and can go into ravines. I was in one when I couldn't finish my 3 hour horse back riding to the beach. The co-owner came to the beach with our afternoon tea in the buggy, and I asked if I could go back with him. The family teased that it was my iron horse.

This was taken at Omaha beach.

http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/

Save the world: The sausage sizzle.

2012-01-02T12:25:00.001-08:00

The quintessential fund raiser of New Zealand, the sausage sizzle. In schools, clubs, sports clubs, events practice, and outside shopping centre. Volunteers barbecue these sausage with a slice of bread, tomato sauce or not. Some have fried onions. Yum!!!!!

In Pt Chevalier school, volunteer parents come every Thursday to BBQ these sausage sizzles and raise funds for the school. Ka pai and paki paki.

http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/

Sunday Stills: favorite photo from 2011

2011-12-31T16:47:00.000-08:00

Twenty minutes walk from my house, close to the Western Springs Stadium, Auckland Zoo and the Western Springs Park is MOTAT. The museum has large collections of civilian and military aircraft and other land transport vehicles. An ongoing programme is in place to restore and conserve items in the collections. This work is largely managed by volunteers many of whom have been associated with MOTAT for upwards of four decades.

This is my favourite photo, it is not cropped. It shows the plane in the middle, lots of sky, and the plants around, I think it ia a balanced photo.

I do not take "people" photo. I have seen mistakes by others making their subjects very short. For 2012, I like to learn from other bloggers to take good photos.

Post your favorite photo from 2011 and your photographic hopes for 2012.

http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/

Thursday Theme Song: Whatever will be, will be

2011-12-31T12:04:00.000-08:00

When I was a little girl. Will I be rich and live a big mansion on a private island, play with a boat and jet ski and go parasailing?

Now I have children of my own.

On the first day 0f 2012, I remember this Doris Day's song, Que Sera Sera. What an appropriate song for us as we look forward to the big unknown, and not to fret over what will happen.

Of course, in reflection, 2011 has been a great year for me. I managed to write my book which had been sitting for 21 years, got it published and sold a few copies. Got an article in the newspaper and in a documentary on National TV.

Best of all, I went to Facebook and found a whole lot of friends I had not seen in over 30 years. The best is yet to come.

Spanish & means, "what will be, will be."

Doris Day - Que Sera Sera Lyrics

When I was just a little girl
I asked my mother, what will I be
Will I be pretty, will I be rich
Here's what she said to me.

Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.

When I was young, I fell in love
I asked my sweetheart what lies ahead
Will we have rainbows, day after day
Here's what my sweetheart said.

Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.

Now I have children of my own
They ask their mother, what will I be
Will I be handsome, will I be rich
I tell them tenderly.

Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.

http://youtu.be/MXQTWCTc0aI

http://thursdaythemesong.blogspot.com/
http://hootin--anni.blogspot.com/o

Sunday Scans: Sibu Waterfront

2011-12-30T13:09:00.001-08:00

I grew up in Sibu, 90 miles from the sea, Sibu is at the junction of the Rejang River and Ikan River. Dad used to take us in a little park next to the Chinese temple and watch the stevedore unload cargo from ships that sailed across the sea. We marveled at our river, 350 miles of it. I still remember this statistics because it was drummed into me and I was so proud of it. We even used the word the mighty river.

http://sundayscans.blogspot.com/

FSO: your best memory: Snow fell in Auckland

2011-12-28T02:06:00.000-08:00

This is snow in New Zealand at Mt Raupehu, not the one in Auckland this August.

D

These are simulated photos, I went to my freezer and snapped icicles growing in it.

I broke the icicles and imagined the day when I was with Grandpa, holding the hail stone in my palm.

December 30 - End. The end of another year. What is your best memory from this year? or How do you celebrate the end of a year.

On August 16, Auckland experienced the coldest day ever with the temperature rising to just 8.1C - colder than the previous record of 8.7C in July 1996 at the airport.

Excited Aucklanders left their offices yesterday to see the rare sight of snow falling across the CBD. The weather was part of a polar blast hitting the whole country and something the MetService described as a one in 50-year event. Snow fell.

But so did something else - the word graupel has now entered our vocabulary. It is a soft hail-like frozen pellet, and it fell in the city.

Hail stones have an intriguing effect on me.

My Grandpa left China about 100 years ago to Tropical Borneo when he was 20. When he was 80s, and I was 18, there was a freak hail storm.

Our house was on stilts. "Snow! Snow!" we yelled and we all rushed downstairs.

Grandpa in his 80s, and all of six of us aged 3 to 18. ( The Chinese believe that you should not go out in the rain or you will catch a cold.) We laughed and picked the hail, the marble size hail. We twirled and danced and laughed in the slushy rain. Grandpa cried, he had left his temperate China, never returned and thought he would never, ever see this natural phenomenon again. Sixty years had past, and God sent few minutes of ecstasy. We told Grandpa, "You can die now."

My big sis Rose stared out of the window, and thought we had gone mad. When Grandpa died 3 years later, I was in Canada experiencing the coldest winter Canada ever had, minus 28 degrees. I looked out of my window, at the falling snow and whispered, Grandpa, you are now be back at your homeland China. Go and play with the snow, real snow, not hail.

Whenever we have hail, I want to go outside and relive that incredible time again. My grandpa, my siblings and me.

This Christmas Day in the summer in Melbourne, Australia, hailstones as big as tennis ball pelted down. I thought of my cousins Kim and Abbie who live in Melbourne. I dedicate this posr to them and to all my other cousins whom I found in Facebook this year. Most of these cousins I have not even seen because I had left Borneo before they were born. May this episode give them a warm fuzzy feeling of a grandpa they never knew as he had died before they were born.

*This story is perhaps dramatic only to children growing in a tropical climate*

http://mytownshootout.blogspot.com/

http://mytownmrlinky.blogspot.com/

Happy Birthday Cousin Catherine

2011-12-27T12:50:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday, Catherine. I wrote on her facebook wall that I knew something about the events of her birth that perhaps she didn't even know.

I left home in 1975 and had my children away from family.

I often jokingly blackmail my eldest, because it was such a difficult delivery when I had her. 26 hours, and I could have died. She was now my slave.

In 1985, I visited Catherine's Mum, and surprisingly her mum asked me about my delivery. I had not even told my mum who had moved to Australia. You couldn't believe it, there, Aunt and niece had identical experience, we were away from family, and our delivery were extremely long and painful. Aunt concluded that a dry delivery, meaning the water breaking before the baby was ready to come, was excruciating.

In parts of China, and Taiwan, on the birthday of the child, mum gets a present. It is to mark the day of her "greatest suffering." It makes a lot of sense. When the kids are young, dad gives gives her a gift, and when kids have grown, they would give mum one. When I told this to a friend, she said she always gives her daughter-in-law a bunch of flowers on the grand children's birthday. What a great tradition.

http://annkschin.blogspot.com/2009/01/auckland-hospital.html

In the Auckland area, the hospitals have chimneys. I used to work for the Auckland Hospital and I asked what the chimneys were for. I was told that they were used to burn all the bloodied cotton bandages and swathe. As for the body parts, they were sent to the city incinerator. This photo is next to the National Women's hospital where my daughter was born.

photo courtesy Sarawakaina

Fellow Blogger Sarawakiana

I could never understand why the makers of playground equipment made these things that go round and round. When I was little, we lived near a playground provided by the Government.

Whenever I see equipments that go round and round, I think of this incident with my Cousin Catherine. I posted this last year.

I never liked the "Merry Go Round" aka roundabout, it was like a bird cage of 8 feet diameter. Otherwise, it was like a giant rattle, with the handle stuck in the ground. We could sit on wooden planks or stand. It was two feet from ground. The braver ones hold with one hand and stand on one leg with the body outside the cage. A person or two stand on the ground and spin the cage. Usually the bigger boys did that. I was prong to dizziness but it didn't deter me from joining the rest to be spun round and round.

In those days, our cousins always came in the holidays and they would go crazy in the playground as they didn't live near one.

My fondest memory or one that impacted all of us was we were all on it, and the boys were spinning us. There were two little cousins M and C. Cousin H who was my age was eating a preserved plum and carrying one of our other cousins.

I was screaming because I always getting dizzy. H dropped her sour plum and was bending down to pick it. She didn't know that when you are on it, you must hold on to the rails very tightly. The little cousin's head was almost touching to the ground as we spun round and round. H tried to grab hold of cousin M or C. She was spun like rag doll or a head banger when an ice skater spins his partner holding her legs.

Initially the boys just spun faster and faster. It was terrifying, all the girls were screaming and our little cousin was crying. Realizing what was happening, the boys pulled the Merry Go Round to make it go the reversed direction before it finally stopped.

Luckily our cousin was not hurt, and only shaken. In fact, we were all shaken. It was our secret. We never told anyone. Catherine, H and I belonged to different sets of family. We bribed Catherine and her sister M to keep quiet.

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com

Outdoor Wednesday: Preserving natural habitat

2011-12-26T12:10:00.001-08:00

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/us-landowners-in-canada-now-able-to-donate-property-for-conservation-136130673.html

Naughton and Nelson have been determined for years to donate a substantial chunk of a Georgian Bay island, Ingersoll Island, to Canadian conservation authorities. They wanted to keep the pristine land out of the hands of big developers as real estate prices soared in the area.

My friend King highlighted this article and asked if I would blog about it. She said, "We can't find such generous souls in our present society. These American set a very good example."

This makes me think seriously of "Paradise lost" my grand parents and my parents home had become. I show a photo of a creek in Auckland which I visited today. It is not unlike a creek I once grew up with. My grandparents and parents had rubber garden holdings, and fruit trees, and free range chicken and ducks. We used to swim in the creek, do our washing, collect water for our cooking.

Our fondest memory was how brave our oldest Sister Rose was when she saved my brother Charles from drowning. Alas, sadly, the properties do not belong to us now. The government ordered force block sale back to the government at a much lower price. Gone were our roots.

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com

our world tuesday: Going digital.

2011-12-25T00:23:00.001-08:00

New Zealand is going digital television. It begins in September 2012, and by the end of 2013 the old analogue television signal will be shutting down, meaning that every TV will need a digital receiver to work.

We bought a Samsung 40" Full HD LED-LCD Television in October. We bought this sleek flat panel TV that can be hung on the wall, but we chose to sit it on our old TV Cabinet.

For the best possible Full HD picture quality this Samsung 40" LED TV features HyperRealEngine, Ultra Clear Panel Technology, ConnectShare USB2.0 Movie, and 4 x HDMI inputs. There are so many features that the water engineer is having a ball operating it. There are many channels that we couldn't watch on our analogue TV.

A digital signal can carry more information than the old analogue network, which means it delivers better picture and sound quality. It also lets broadcasters offer more channels and a range of new services like on-screen TV guides.

If you’re not doing one of these things, you may need some new equipment to be able to watch TV after your area has gone digital.

http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/

Save the world: Don't waste

2011-12-24T11:40:00.000-08:00

This is my own "Christmas tree" aka plum tree. At this time of the year, the tree is laden with red baubles. I can't use all of them, so I pick some to give to friends. I also invited the neighbouring kids who are also my students to come and pick them.

If the fruits are not picked, they would go to waste by dropping and and eaten by birds.

http://annkschin.blogspot.com/2011/12/save-world-share-your-excess-fruit.htmlyear
Relying on an expanding team of volunteers, assistance is always appreciated and most definitely needed; businesses as well as individuals are welcome. Di is currently seeking assistance in the construction of a website, to better promote Community Fruit Harvesting, and transportation to permit the distribution of fruit to a larger number of charitable organisations.

Click here for more information, to register as a volunteer, or request fruit picking services. Alternatively, email Di at: pickfruit@xtra.co.nz .

http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/

FSO: Lights

2011-12-22T13:38:00.000-08:00

December 23 - Lights. Night lights, daylight, sunlight, accent lights, light fixtures; anything pertaining to light.

These are some of the lights I took when I was in Australia two years ago around this time. These photos lead up to the story of the last photo. May be you will throw some light to this mystery.

My beautiful niece S took me to the Mirage on the Gold Coast for an evening.

http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
I am posting this for Reader Wil, Diane, J Bar and all my Australian Blogging friends. Today, posted in my Facebook was this thrilling post. It is like a movie. Do you recognise these people? http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=744380540.

I think if you go to my Facebook. you will be able to view the whole roll of photos under the post of Ivy Lee.

Give some one a great Xmas present by getting their camera and memories back. Though I am not sure if they like their photos plastered all round the world. That is why I am posting just one.

6 December 2011
DO YOU KNOW THESE PEOPLE??? We found a camera 3 months ago at a park in Lota Brisbane. We handed the camera into the police however it was never retrieved by its owners. There are alot of wonderful memories on this camera and I would love to see it returned to its rightful owners. PLEASE SHARE THIS ALBUM OR SOME PICS ON YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE. They say there is only 6 degrees of separation between people maybe you or a friend of a friend may know these people. PLEASE HELP!
By: Kathryn Waitai

http://mytownshootout.blogspot.com/

http://mytownmrlinky.blogspot.com/

Give the gift of sight

2011-12-20T13:54:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful gift to give the gift of sight. These puppies are trained to help the seeing impaired. They, seeing-eye dogs cost a lot of money to train.

When I was young and growing up in Sarawak, Borneo, my Muslim neighbours told me that dogs are unclean. They refues to touch our dogs. I was in Nanyang University in Singapore, some Muslim staff made a big hooha about dog owners letting their dogs drink from water fountains.

As was a self appointed busy body of the campus and I asked some educated Muslim Professors how to deal with this situation. They, more moderate Muslims told me that they do have dogs in their home country, but they make sure that the dogs and humans do not eat and drink from the same utensils. They do however, protested that dog owners should not let their dogs drink from a drinking fountain.

I put my head on the chopping board a wrote a post suggesting that dog owners should not let their dogs drink from a human drinking fountain. I personally didn't want to drink from the fountain where a dog had licked on it.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guide_dog

Because Islam considers dogs in general to be unclean,[6] many Muslim taxi drivers and store owners have refused to accommodate customers who have guide dogs.[7][8][9] However, in 2003 the Sharia Council, based in the United Kingdom, ruled that the ban on dogs does not apply to those used for guide work.[10]

Despite that ruling, many Muslims continue to refuse access and see the pressure to allow the dogs as a restraint upon religious liberty.[citation needed] Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra of the Muslim Council of Britain has argued strongly that Sharia does not preclude working with guide dogs, and it is actually a duty under Sharia for a Muslim to help the blind.[citation needed]
[edit]

What do you think? When in Rome, do what the Romans do!

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com

http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/

save the world: Water safety

2011-12-19T12:26:00.001-08:00

On average (last 5 years) 105 New Zealanders per annum have died by drowning.New Zealand’s annual drowning toll is one of the worst in the developed world.
Water safety education is about saving lives, in, on and under the water.

Our 15 year old wanted to take up surfing. Our surf beaches are very dangerous, we drove 1 and 1/2 hours to Omaha so he could have surfing lessons.

Taking lessons with him were tourists from France and Germany. It was raining and cold. I was on the beach with a German girl taking photos.

Surfing is good for the environment. You need only to buy the board and wet suit. Then the waves propel you. No need to burn up expensive non renewable fossil fuel.

http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/

Tis the Season

2011-12-16T12:48:00.001-08:00

Carolling in my School, an open invitation to the community.

We (Mt Albert Baptist Church) entertained thousands of guests, raised money for Plunket for children aand dug a well in Thailand.

My Canadian Roommate MaryAnne invited me back to her parents home in Kingsville, Ontario, Canada for my first White Christmas. I see her mum make mince pies, and my first bite wasn't what I expected. It was sweet, made of fruits. I had expected it to be savory, made of minced meat. That was the best Christmas I ever had.

This is the goodie bag that we gave out 3000 of them. Some people didn't want them thinking they had to pay for the,. Some people asked more more though we told them it was one per family. One insisted he had 2 kids, and one balloon wasn't good for them. I must tell the organisers. Perhaps next year, we should have spare balloons in our pockets.

A night of sugar! sugar! and more sugar!. During the later part of the evening, I decided I won't ask the kids, I asked the parents if the kids were allowed. It was Christmas, and most parents said "Yes."

I enjoyed this photo more than most, I used this to teach the children and adult students," Compare and Contrast" the tradition Santa and our Kiwianna/New Zealand Santa.

The Crossing is a Bi-annual issue by Mt Albert Baptist Church. This is included inside our goodie bag with carols to sing by candle light. It also has an interview done by me.

For a bit of fun, I bought this apron as a gift. Rudolph the red nose reindeer.

Presents! presents! presents! I got a very pleasant surprise this year. My group of adult ESOL students banded together and gave me this present.

Lollies, sweets, candy canes, gums came out of this bag for the kids that came to the Christmas in Rocket Park. It appears gums were most popular. Some kids wanted to swap, and I told them, sorry, perhaps you can swap it with friends.

End of the school year. we had a secret santa. This was what I got. We were told to give something between $5 and $10. Someone obviously bought something more than $10. It was anonynmous, so nobody knew what I bought. I did not buy $5 worth, neither did I buy $10. I remember the Kris Kringle incident when I was first in Canada. As residents of Laurier Hall in the University Of Windsor, we blind chose our Kris Kringle. As freaky as it sounds, my Kris Kringle was also the one who I was Kris Kringle to. I recycled some of her wrapping paper, and at the end of the party, we were asked to guess who our Kris Kringle was. She named me and I almost died of embarrassment. Today, as an environmentalist, I advocate recycling, but not in 1975 as as a 20 years old. I tell this true tale on Christmas day. I wonder if this American gal would have done the same.

I wore a head band with 2 Santas on my head to school the Monday after Christmas in the Park. I wore them during the Christmas in the Park. The teachers and kids LOL.

People ask "what are you doing at Christmas?" "Are you going away for Christmas?"

Christmas is a bit of Christian religion, a bit of fun and lots of memories.

Christmas as a child in Borneo,
Was going to Mid Night Mass,
Was having a supper after church,
Decorating a tree.
Dad had lived in England and brought this custom back.
Christmas was Open House,
People came to visit, and mum made tit bits.

Christmas in Canada was wonderful.
My first white Christmas,
Mince pies, pecan pies,
Seeing Canadian geese.
Kris Kringle for a week.

Christmas as an adult,
In New Zealand, Singapore and Australia,
was a mixed bag.
Lots of fun,
Lots of parties and presents.
Secret Santas.

For the last 3 years in New Zealand,
We have Christmas in Rocket Park.
This I feel is the real meaning of Christmas,http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Sharing the Good News to non Christians,
The Good news that Jesus came.
Sharing a happy time with other Christians.

Sunday Stills-’Tis the Season (December 18th
Posted in Uncategorized on December 11, 2011 by Linda

What represents this Christmas season to you? Is it lighted trees, decorations, food…..snow? Photograph whatever represents this season to you.

http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/

FSO: Layers

2011-12-14T14:49:00.001-08:00

A walk on the beach with the water engineer is invariably a lesson in Stratum, a layer of rock or soil with internally consistent characteristics. Landslides occur when the layers are of different consistently.

Another engineering lesson, a retaining wall, I won't want to live just beside the beach no matter how strong the retaining wall is. Besides, in New Zealand, the beach belongs to the public. Any Tom, Dick and Harry can walk right up to your property to see how the other half lives, and perhaps plot a Burglary or robbery.
Or you may face landslides. Right now, we are having a lot of rain, and the town Of nelson is declared an emergency area.

My favourite topic, be green. My layer is a free range hen and lays eggs taht get to become chicks in the open.

http://mytownshootout.blogspot.com/

http://mytownmrlinky.blogspot.com/

Cars

2011-12-12T20:44:00.001-08:00

Cars are very expensive in Singapore, when we bought our brand new Hyundai Sonata, with the same money, my brother Joseph joked that we could buy a merc in Australia.
What was worst, we barely had it for less than 5 years when we left, and we scrapped it for a fraction of the price we paid for it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driving_in_Singaporehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) in Singapore implemented an Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) scheme to deter traffic congestion during peak hours at various roads. The ERP scheme requires electronic gantries to be placed over the road at designated locations and that cars be equipped with an In-Vehicle Unit (IU), a rectangular device pasted on the inside bottom right of the front windscreen from the driver's view, which will deduct the toll price from a CashCard. The CashCard must be inserted into the device, and to fail to do so is in violation of law. There is no charge for entering the area during certain non-peak times.
[edit] Parking

The cost of parking in many upgraded car parks can be deducted from the CashCard inserted in the IU of the vehicle, thus eliminating the need for the car park to have an attendant.

This rental car reminds me of the message to drive less, use public transport. The trouble with Auckland and her history of quarter acre houses meant that the city is spread out very widely. Compounded with our public transport of buses and trains are not very efficient. The water engineer and I work in different directions and at different times, so it hardly makes sense to use the public transport.

We did our bit of driving less not because we were greenies, but because it made economical sense.

New car buyers are required to buy a Certificate of Entitlement. The term "bidding" is often used but, in practice, new car dealers assist in the process. The fee of each successfully obtained COE is added on the costs of a new car based on engine size (usually lower for cars with 1600cc engine or smaller, and higher vice versa). The COE is valid for 10 years. There are provisions for a rebate of the COE if the car is scrapped before 10 years.

The COE costs have increased in recent years. The October 2011 COE for Category B (1601 cc engine and larger) was S$63,600.[9]
[edit]
Back before S was born, we drove a "weekend" car. The car registration plate was red, and by paying less money to the Government, we could drive our car only from Saturday afternoon to Monday before dawn. For the rest of the days, you need a twenty dollar coupon to use the car. It worked out quite well when we car-pooled with our friends driving the two girls in two separate schools. We would drive two days and I did my shopping on those days. Then D went to another school where we could not car pool, and we paid a lot of money to have it converted back to a normal car.

Here in Auckland, we are stuck between a shopping centre and a shopping mall. If I do not need to buy a lot of things, I trust my worthy bus NO 11. (my two pair of legs.)

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com

http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/

Save the world: Trim your hedges

2011-12-12T19:04:00.001-08:00

The flowers are just beginning to bloom here, soon the whole hedge will be white.

This house ownder trimmed his hedge well, but there were a few that escape his shears.

The tree privet and Chinese privet were introduced to New Zealand as a good hedge. Now it is regarded as a pest plant. In my family and among friends it is known as the time when I tried to murder my husband.

Last night, I was in bed half sleeping and half watching a TV show which must have been Ghost whisperer. A ghost had approached the ghost whisperer that his wife had killed him by subjected him to allergens which eventually killed him.

As I as driving by a hedge with full blooming privet flowers I remember about 30 years ago before we had children. There was a beautiful hedge with white flowers which reminded me of the rambutan flowers in Borneo by our bedroom window.

Feeling nostalgic of the land I left when I was 20, I picked some of these flowers and placed it on our dining table cum study table. The husband immediately felt sick with his nose running, and eyes watering, head spinning and difficulty in breathing. I thought he was coming down with a cold. He retired early to bed and continued to feel really sick.

The next morning, he said it was the pollen grains from my flowers. I quickly throw the flowers as far away as possible. We told our landlord and he was very understanding. He offered to have the hedge trimmed completely from the flowers. Since then, we found out that privet was one of the most obnoxious pest that is responsible for asthma.

When the husband and I go for walks during the spring and summer season, he can smell the privet meters away. I do wish privet hedge owners would think of asthma sufferers and trim their hedge and stop the flowers from blooming.

http://en.wikipedia.org/whttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifiki/Privet

Privet is one of several plants that are poisonous to horses. In some parts of the world where they are not native, some privet species have become invasive weeds, spreading into wilderness areas and displacing native species. This is particularly a problem in North America, where no species of the genus occurs naturally.[4] Privet is a huge problem in New Zealand and the east coast of Australia. It is banned from sale or cultivation in New Zealand due to the effects of its pollen on asthma sufferers. Privet pollen is known to cause asthma and eczema in sufferers. Privet can be removed by contacting local government agencies to report ihttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifts presence.

http://www.arc.govt.nz/environment/biosecurity/search-for-plants/index.cfm?63E0F20E-14C2-3D2D-B905-50098EBBE4B9&plantcode=Ligluc
Problem: Tree Privet is listed on the National Pest Plant Accord. It is a fast growing tree which can easily out-compete native plants in the bush. The leaves and fruit are poisonous and it is believed to be linked to instances of hay-fever, asthma and allergies. Chinese privet has the same problems and is subject to Pest Management Strategies in many Regions in New Zealand even though it is not listed on the National Pest Plant Accord. They are both commonly seen in gardens as the ornamentals they were originally intended as, but unfortunately they have escaped and thrived in less controlled areas.

Thirty six percent of respondents to a survey of gardeners in the United Kingdom said that privet would put them off buying a property.[6]
[edit]

http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/

Sunday Stills: Pets

2011-12-10T01:08:00.000-08:00

I am devoting this post to one kind of pets, man's best friend. The dog. No I don't have any pets and I don't have any preference. But U see dogs every where. Looks like they are the prefered pet by many people here. I see dogs walk kids to school, and wait for them to come home. I see dogs in beaches and parks.

Oh I wish I was a dog.

http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/

http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3&ThirdPartyClicks=ARS_linktous_text01

FSO: Wheels

2011-12-07T13:12:00.001-08:00

Summer's here, and it's time for windsurfing.

Santa in New Zealand at Christmas at rocket Park organised by Mt Albert baptist Church came in a quad bike, bring his elves in a trailer. I enjoyed teaching my students Kiwiana Christmas. Getting them to compare a traditional Santa and a Kiwi santa.

School kids come to Pt Chevalier School in scooters and skate boards, and It was shocking that there was a ring from a neighbouring school that came and stole our children's scooters.

Scooteracks
This is a small company set up by two of our parents, Dave & Helen Morgan, to manufacture and sell racks to allow scooters to be stored upright.
Dave came up with the idea after hearing me moaning about scooters lying in doorways around the school. They have trialled their prototypes here and
donated them to us. After hearing of the thefts, Dave came in last night and installed about six new Scooteracks around the school at no cost. These
are the ones that allow the scooters to be locked in using a bike lock. You can see a photo on their website www.scooterack.co.nz under
'Scooter What?' in case you want to know how it's done. These models are also prototypes and we are very grateful for their generosity in providing
them to us so promptly. We hope to purchase a number of the final version from them next year.

http://mytownshootout.blogspot.com/

http://mytownmrlinky.blogspot.com/

southern tip of Canada

2011-12-06T11:12:00.000-08:00

This photo or the location had puzzled me very much. In 1975, when I first went to Canada, Windsor in particular, I went to this beach, at the lake. I was given to understand that this was the Southern most tip of Canada, and the name was something like Pt S_________. My friend Ning too, went and he couldn't remember.

Now when I google, and Canadian fellow Bloggers tell me that it is The most southerly part of Canada is Middle Island. It is located in Lake Erie, just 100 meters from the Canada-US Border, between Pelee Island, Canada, and Sandusky, USA.

is the southernmost inhabited part of Canada, and Point Pelee is the southernmost part of mainland Canada.

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_southern_most_point_in_Canada#ixzz1fmW2tZoN

Before I tick off my bucket list, or before I kick the bucket, I really would like to know.

Do any one of you know and solve my puzzle?

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com

http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/

Sunday Stills -Backlit

2011-12-04T20:46:00.001-08:00

Sunday Stills -Backlit (December 4th)
by Linda

This next weeks challenge is to back light something. A while ago I saw the most perfect aspen leaf on Flickr……the light was behind it and every minute detail showed up.

Hi Linda,

I am not sure about this week's challenge. Looks more bokeh to me.

http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/
sure about this

FSO: Imbalance

2011-12-03T01:11:00.001-08:00

December 2 - Imbalance. Lack of proportion or relation between corresponding things. Shots with strong points of interest on one side of an image and ‘emptiness’ in another area. Misproportioned.

May be this is ok. A trip to geo thermal land near to taupo called crater of the Moon. We went with my sister Rose.

Sorry for the last posting on panning. Again, I read wrongly.

http://mytownshootout.blogspot.com/

http://mytownmrlinky.blogspot.com/

Save the world: Share your excess fruit.

2011-12-02T13:05:00.001-08:00

Sharing the World's hottest chilli, the Habanero chilli gave us a lot of LOLs.

My friends Uncle C and C shared everything they grew in their beautiful house in Auckland. He even bagged them and delivered them.

So often, when I walk around the neighbourhood, I see trees laden with fruits, and the ground with fallen rotton fruits. My heart aches because I grew up in a culture in Borneo where we shared our fruits. When I was living at the Nanyang University in Singapore, I was the secretary of the gardening club. I grew veg and flowers, and had excess. Times I even grew plants I couldn't use. I was going round the neighbourhood giving away my crops.

The worst was one summer in Australia. There was a glut of yummy mangoes. I could be in heaven if I had a couple of tree. People were throwing the mangoes into the wheelie bins and the council was threatening to fine them because the mangoes made the bins very heavy, and the rubbish collectors were complaining.

My school had a Crops for Christchurch when we had the earthquake. Teachers Nicole and Keren organised a Friday sale and invited students to bring their fruits and vegs in March this year. I love you, Nicole and Keren. http://ann-mythoughtsandphotos.blogspot.com/2011/03/skywatch-friday-crop-for-christchurch.html

Today, I found up about this new charity, I have signed up to help pick the fruits and write for them.

http://www.garden-nz.co.nz/latest-news/news/charities-enjoy-the-fruits-of-community-s-labour.html
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Fruit trees can offer an embarrassment of riches, with too much fruit ready for harvest all at once. However, an enterprising not-for-profit company provides salvation for those with too much, giving to those with too little.

The brainchild of Di Celliers, from Browns Bay in Auckland, Community Fruit Harvesting offers orchard owners and gardeners alike the opportunity to share their bounty, by picking their fruit to donate to charity.

“The purpose of this group is to facilitate the sharing of fruit from our own backyards,” says Di, “People can share their excess fruit with those that are struggling to make ends meet. We do this by inviting volunteers to register their interest in picking fruit from trees in their neighbourhoods for the elderly, disabled, or people who simply don't want the fruit from their trees.”

A portion of the fruit collected is given to the owners of the fruit trees, with the remainder donated to charities including the Auckland City Mission, SPCA and a number of food banks, either for distribution, or to raise funds for worthy causes.

communityfruitharvesting2.jpgDi says, since its inception in July, the organisation has donated at least 4000kg of fruit, and more than 400 bottles of marmalade and cordial prepared by volunteers.

The service has been embraced nationwide, with operations now also underway in Auckland Central, Christchurch, Wellington and Hamilton.

“It all started in Auckland, but as news got out, I’ve been contacted from people all over the country wanting to start similar ventures,” says Di, “I supply them with lots of information and templates, facebook logos and administration as well.”

Relying on an expanding team of volunteers, assistance is always appreciated and most definitely needed; businesses as well as individuals are welcome. Di is currently seeking assistance in the construction of a website, to better promote Community Fruit Harvesting, and transportation to permit the distribution of fruit to a larger number of charitable organisations.

Click here for more information, to register as a volunteer, or request fruit picking services. Alternatively, email Di at: pickfruit@xtra.co.nz .

http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/

FSO: Panning

2011-12-01T22:21:00.001-08:00

Sorry Rebecca, this is the best I can do, and I don't thing I am getting right. (I do have a panning for gold photo)

Double Takes With Rebecca: Panning
No, I am not referring to panning for gold,
but that would be exciting!
I am referring to capturing the feeling of motion
in your still photo.

Definition
Here is the Wikipedia description:
In still photography, the panning technique is used to suggest fast motion, and bring out the subject from other elements in the frame. In photographic pictures it is usually noted by a foreground subject in action appearing still (i.e. a runner frozen in mid-stride) while the background is streaked and/or skewed in the apparently opposite direction of the subject's travel.

Example:
I took the photo below from a ferry.
I steadied myself along the edge of the ferry
and using a slower shutter speed
I followed the jet ski as it passed
with my camera.

You can see the splash is blurred
as is the water -
caused by the slower shutter speed,
Yet the action of the
jet ski seems stopped -
cause by following it with the camera.

If I had a second chance,
I would have slowed down the shutter speed some more.
But they were not aware of my pleas to circle around again!

Practice:
Here is a great way to practice...
as long as you don't get too dizzy.
Go to a playground with one of those spinny rides.
I don't know what they are called,
but you push them and they go round and round.

Sit on one side,
have someone sit opposite of you.
Keep your camera steady by bracing your elbows against yourself.
Spin the ride and snap your photos.

Here is an example.
Note the blurred background from spinning

http://mytownshootout.blogspot.com/

http://mytownmrlinky.blogspot.com/

save the world, Run or walk, prolong your life

2011-11-30T20:38:00.000-08:00

I read about Move it, move it , a slogan for anti Alzheimer's disease. The more physically active a person is, the more likely his brain will stay healthy as he ages. They say regular aerobic exercise can help prevent or delay this horrible disease.

The hay day of my running was 7 years ago when I ran the quarter marathon. I hung up my running shoes as soon as I finished the race. My husband keeps telling me that I mustn't rest on my past laurels, and been encouraging me to run again.

With the weather warming up, I decided I will walk again, and bought two pairs of shoes. One is a tone-walker and one has unique gel technology. They should set the path for me to walk again.

Activation toning pods create natural and multi-directional instablility while you walk, run or jog during your regular fitness regime.
http://www.tonewalker.com.au/benefits/

Key Benefits
TONE CALVES, THIGHS AND GLUTES

The arc shaped sole naturally activates your body’s core support and leg muscles. This in effect forces your muscles to exert more effort with every step you take.
STIMULATES MUSCLE ACTIVITY

The simple rolling motion with each stride in the TONEWALKER creates an uhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifnstable setting compared to walking on a completely flat surface. The rolling foot motion you go through stimulates your leg and glute muscles into action.
IMPROVES FOCUS ON POSTURE AND FORM

Due to the distinct profile of your TONEWALKERs, you are required to increase focus on your centre of balance to maintain walking stability. This in turn triggers more concentration on walking posture and form.

http://www.mitreperformance.com/products/shatter/

Shatter - a women's netball and athletic shoe featuring unique Gel technology to minimise heel strike impact pressure while maximising energy return.

http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/

Outdoor Wednesday: University of Windsor

2011-11-28T21:32:00.000-08:00

We rented big American cars. One of them was Oldsmobile. We packed so many of us in it like sardines. Now I recall why I don't like journeies, my fun begins only when we arrive at the destination.

This photo is for you Ning and Wong, somehow, we went that trip without you.

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com

The international students in Windsor university worked very hard. We had to, our parents paid for our expensive fees and accommodation. We were not allowed to work. So most of us did summer school.

Once in a while, we rented a car and went to unwind and have fun. For thise who could drive, these big American cars were a joy. I drove at home, but I am not very adventurous, I don't drive other people's car. Today, I avoid driving my husband's car.

A summer Christmas in Auckland New Zealand.

2011-11-27T10:09:00.001-08:00

Christmas at Rocket Park, organised by Mt Albert Baptist Church.

http://ann-mythoughtsandphotos.blogspot.com/2011/11/kiwianahttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif-christmas.html

We raised money for Plunket. I was glad to see my favourite Plunket nurse, Jane.
I was busy giving out Goodie bags, so I spoke to Jane briefly.
http://ann-mythoughtsandphotos.blogspot.com/2010/11/christmas-in-rocket-park-2010-and.html

We sold coffee to build a well in Thailand.

Summer means sand and beach. This bouncy castle depicts one at the beach. Free bouncing is a hit with little children.

Face painting, I had to get Gloria to stand where the sun was good for the photo. She was very patient until her friends went away.

Here is Albert, the team leader of the ESOL students and Chinese Fellowship volunteers. He is standing with Eric and Mary Regondi, our newest ESOL students from Argentina. Behind them is our personalised Christmas tree. I want to thank Tom Lovatt and Kuda from Zimbawi who took a lot of time to make the tree behind my personalised tree. Sorry you couldn't see a green band with Pasifika theme and red bow. This was to tell the 30 or so volunteers where we would assemble. We had a picnic. Asian picnics are done in style and a big way. We had sushi, fried noodles, friend rice, dumplings. Pity I did not think of taking photos.

The lovely Jessica Lovatt, Tom's sister.

http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/
'

Hello from Argentina.

2011-11-27T00:51:00.000-08:00

Meet my newset friends. Eric and Mary are pastors of Renacer Church in Co'rdoba Argentina. They are in New Zealand for 5 weeks visiting their daughter. They came to our ESOL class on Wednesday at Mt Albert Baptise Church. I invited them to our Christmas in Rocket park.

They joined the ESOL students and Chinese fellowship by our special tree, and ate of Chinese and Japanese food. I asked Eric if he enjoyed the evening. He said yes, and it was very special and eating the Chinese food was delightful.

I sang to Mary, a little bit of " Don't cry for me Argentina."

sunday stills: Bokeh

2011-11-26T17:04:00.000-08:00

http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/

Sunday Stills-Bokeh (November 27th)
Posted in Sunday Stills, Sunday Stills Challenge of the Week on November 20, 2011 by Linda

This weeks Sunday Stills challenge comes from Trapper Creek Daughter. She’s taken some amazing photographs and has a very well written tutorial on moon shots. Here’s the next challenge;
I recently joined a Flickr group dedicated to bokeh and while I was going through the archives looking for some candidates to submit, I got the idea for the challenge.
From Wiki: “Bokeh occurs for parts of the scene that lie outside the depth of field. Bokeh is often most visible around small background highlights, such as specular reflections and light sources, which is why it is often associated with such areas. However, bokeh is not limited to highlights; blur occurs in all out-of-focus regions of the image.” Bokeh is not just for DSLRs with fast lenses. While bokeh is easiest to create with a DSLR due to their larger sensors, it is not impossible to do with a point & shoot.
Bokeh is created in one of two ways. A short focal length between the camera and the subject and wide aperture (small number, i.e. f/2.8 if your lens will open that wide) while keeping the background as far away as possible. A long focal length between the camera and subject, and the widest corresponding focal length while still keeping the distance between the subject and background as large as possible. A longer focal length will increase the depth of field – a larger focus plain – so the background would have to be farther away than with short focal lengths, otherwise it will all be in focus!Bokeh generally falls into two main categories: Hollywood style and cream cheese. Here are some examples of each:
Hollywood style;

Sorry Ed,
I have done a Bokeh challenge before, but I am still as clueless as before. So I interprete it as focus on your subject, and your surrounding is very blurred.

New ZEaland Election 2011.

2011-11-25T23:13:00.000-08:00

I voted today, and not every woman had a vote in our history.

I am very proud of Kate Sheppard. Her image appears on our ten dollar note. She is mainly responsible for New Zealand to be the first country to give women the vote in modern times.

Katherine Wilson Sheppard (10 March 1847 – 13 July 1934) was the most prominent member of New Zealand's women's suffrage movement, and is the country's most famous suffragette. Because New Zealand was the first country to introduce universal suffrage, Sheppard's work had a considerable impact on women's suffrage movements in other countries. During one of the protest movement, she led a whole group of ladies to lie down on the road and the police couldn't do anything.

Sheppard played a considerable part in getting the women's suffrage bill was successfully passed, granting women full voting rights. Sheppard herself was widely acknowledged as the leader of the women's suffrage movement.

An elderly friend in her 80s told me that when she was growing up, the girls wanted to be like Kate.
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
"On 19 September 1893 the governor, Lord Glasgow, signed a new Electoral Act into law. As a result of this landmark legislation, New Zealand became the first self-governing country in the world in which all women had the right to vote in parliamentary elections.

In most other democracies – notably Britain and the United States – women did not win the right to the vote until after the First World War. New Zealand's world leadership in women's suffrage became a central part of our image as a trail-blazing 'social laboratory'."

http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/Gallery/Suffragists

I felt very funny at how flimsy the ballot boxes are, They are just card board boxes. In 1974, Sarawak had a election. As a teacher in Kai Chung school, together with Miss Chieng, i was invited to count the votes.

It was serious busniess, the ballot boxes were made of heavy metal and had a strong padlock. I felt very important that night. An experience I will tell my grand children about. I suppose I can consider that as one of my bucket list.

FSO: Lawn Tools

2011-11-24T11:23:00.000-08:00

Here is my friendly mower. He was mowing my lawn when I came home from work. I asked if I could take his photo, and he obliged. Then he asked me why I wanted his photo. I wanted to be cheeky and say I wanted to make him the most famous mower in the world. But I just smiled, I have to be careful with what I say.

In fields where it is not even, and swampy in my town of birth, Sibu, in Borneo, many grass cutters use a string trimmer.

http://mytownshootout.blogspot.com/

http://mytownmrlinky.blogspot.com/

November 25 - Lawn Tools.

outdoor wednesday: Christmas in the Park.

2011-11-22T16:13:00.001-08:00

http://vimeo.chttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifom/26659854

Christmas in Rocket Park is another Mt Albert Baptist community event where we raise funds for a local charity. In 2011 it will once again be Mt Albert Plunket.

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com

http://ann-mythoughtsandphotos.blogspot.com/2010/11/christmas-in-rocket-park-2010.html

It is summer here in New Zealand. This Sunday, the Mt Albert Baptist church is organising her 3rd Christmas in Rocket Park. See you there.

My World Tuesday: University of Windsor

2011-11-21T21:16:00.000-08:00

http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/
'
When I was at the University of Windsor, I joined the Malaysian Indonesiian and Singapore Association, aka as MISSA. I was the assistant liaison officer, and secretary.

Once a year, we joined other nations in celebration of International Night. That year, I was part of the Candle dance. Can't remember who the others were, but it was a beautiful dance. We were young then in 1975-77.

I heard the steel drums from the Carribean for the first time.

Save the World: Fill up your Ute

2011-11-20T04:53:00.000-08:00

photo courtesy my cousin Ambrose in Sarawak.

http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/

In many parts of the world, it is a common sight to see vehicles fully utilised. How safe is this? It is debatible.

When I was in high school, we went on a long boat trip to visit a farm. From the jetty, we had to walk another long distance. It was humid and hot. When the farm truck came, and stopped for us, we were just glad to have a ride. We were hauled up the back of the truck and pack. We joked that we were pigs led to slaughter. The truck driver drove quite fast and at each swerve, we slid forward. But as teenagers, we didn't care. We laughed.

On arrival, the farm manager apologized for the rough ride. He asked if we wanted the same ride back, We all shouted Yes in unison.

But now, at a half a century, you won't get me in a truck unless I park myself in the cab.

sunday stills: Portraits.

2011-11-19T07:49:00.000-08:00

Sunday Stills-Portraits (November 20th)

http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/

This week’s challenge is Portraits. Let’s not only share some beautiful photographs, but also a new tip or two learned along the way. What worked, what didn’t… If you don’t have a willing human subject, it’s just as challenging to take good dog, cat, horse, armadillo portraits ;-).

After a long hike in a hot humid Borneo jungle, an ice cold can of sprite is heavenly to touch, says Sam. With a bit of corruption, I think I got a good photo.

Whose hand can be tougher than mine? asks the seller of Durian, the king of fruits which is hard and prickly like a hedgehog. This photo doesn't show much of the face.

This satin sheet is so smooth to touch and it is better when it's sun dried and wind blown. A reluctant model, children can be difficult to photograph.

Sam love tomatoes. Here he just harvested little tomatoes from our one and only plant. Another reluctant model, he says, take my hand.

My brothers loved flying kites. I guess they would give anything now to touch the strings and fly kites like they did once upon a time. Taking a photo of the model and the kite is hard.

This is not what I like to touch, Thomas tells me that it is OK to touch the mouse.

Here's Olivia and Thomas. My daughter G and Sam had done it before, so did I. We inheritted the Amazonian women's genes from our Hakka mum and Grandma.

with children, they don't stay still, and part of their head gets chopped off.

Reader's Digest: Story Contest

2011-11-18T16:33:00.001-08:00

Dear all,

Voting ended on November 15th. I did not expect to win as I entered really late, on October 20th. But it was a great exercise. I wanted to bring exposure to baby Loss Awareness and bereaved parents.

I joined the International Catergory, and a quick counting showed I garnered enough votes to rank 4th out of 800 entries. The TV New Zealand You tube clip had more than 400 hits, compared to the other clips that were aired that day.

Thank you to all who voted, and those who rallied for me.

Thanks,

Ann

When I was young, I always read the Readers' Digest and marvel at the bravery of the mothers who struggled with sick children. When I had Andrew in the hospital, and accepted the doctors' advice that the kindest option was to let nature take it's course. When Andrew didn't die when the doctor predicted, I struggled with myself and spoke to the doctor about those mothers I read in the Readers' Digest, and I wanted to be these mothers, Dr James said that Andrew was different.

Today, I found out that Readers' Digest was inviting people to submit their stories. I am submitting mine for media exposure. But if you like to vote for me, it is appreciated.

"Diary of a bereaved mother"
My journey of having a baby who died and now I am the self appointed spokes-person for bereaved parents. My story is from my heart and will resonate with anyone who has had the misfortune to give birth to a child who has struggled to live. Synopsis: Your baby is dying. Andrew did not die that night as predicted by the doctor, he didn't die after 3 days, 10 days and finally he died at 55 days. Friends did not know whether to congratulate or commiserate us. He was declared dead after his first at 40 days, but he bounced back. That was more excruciating than his actual death. After Andrew, what have I done? Have I become a better person? There are many of the things I am most proud of. I spearheaded raising funds to separate a pair of Siamese twins from Nepal in Singapore. For 16 years, I raised funds for the Deafhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif Children in Kenya. I did the publicity, marketing, cooking and selling. I volunteer at teaching new immigrants.
http://www.youtube.com/asiadownunder#p/c/C9FEF73B56807B22/3/IZk9w-uywAs
Vote up!

http://apps.facebook.com/yourlifecontest/content/diary-bereaved-mother

FSO: Symmetry

2011-11-17T19:04:00.000-08:00

The advantage of having many cousins are they travel a lot, and they are happy to loan you their memories.

This is taken by Ambrose, it could be in Thailand or Borneo. It's almost Symmetry .

The rest are Bart's Baltic cruise. If you are interested, Bart's the travel manager of http://www.wahtung.travel/

In the Viking Musean in Oslo. This certainly qualify to the thme Symmetry .

The Master Johan Motel in Malmo, Sweden.

The Challenge for November 18 ~ Symmetry ~
Symmetry.
This is our challenge for November 18. So .... what is it?
The balance of design elements where one side equals another.
Balanced visual weight in the photo.
The effect of an evenly balanced arrangement of visual information, such as patterns, on either side of a central division.

Whew!! So what does all that mean?

Here is a great article on Symmetry by Jim Zuckerman.

And go here for more examples of excellent symmetry in photography.

http://mytownshootout.blogspot.com/

http://mytownmrlinky.blogspot.com/

Outdoor Wednesday:UNESCO Site Split Croatia

2011-11-15T00:38:00.001-08:00

2 more days to vote.

http://apps.facebook.com/yourlifecontest/content/diary-bereaved-mother
Vote for my story, you can vote once a day. Voting finishes on November 15th. Thanks.

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com

Bart with my Aunt and Uncle, my cousin Lee Lee and his wife.

Next time, I will get a job at wahtung.travel/"Wah Tung Travel Service Sdn Bhd. in Kuching, Sarawak Malaysia.

Our world Tuesday: Venice by night

2011-11-14T02:00:00.001-08:00

3 more days to vote.

http://apps.facebook.com/yourlifecontest/content/diary-bereaved-mother
Vote for my story, you can vote once a day. Voting finishes on November 15th. Thanks.

http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/
My Cousin Bart Ngieng is the Travel Manager with Wah Tung Travel Service Sdn Bhd. in Kuching, Sarawak Malaysia. www.wahtung.travel

Bart's unusual take, Venice by night when the tourists have gone to sleep.

Sunday Stills: Potluck with a purpose

2011-11-12T08:33:00.000-08:00

http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/

3 more days to vote:
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Vote for my story, you can vote once a day. Voting finishes on November 15th. Thanks.

Another difficult challenge. One bad photo, try to improve it? is this right, Ed?

FSO: A for author

2011-11-10T11:29:00.001-08:00

A is for author, A is for Ann. This is how the producer of the Television New Zealand described me in this TV clip. I am passionate in championing for bereaved parents. I could be a step closer if you vote for me.

http://apps.facebook.com/yourlifecontest/content/diary-bereaved-mother
Vote for my story, you can vote once a day. Voting finishes on November 15th. Thanks.

There is a street in Brisbane Australia called Ann Street. I was naturally attracted to it. May be one day, they might name a street after me.

One of the greatest successes of the streetscape of World Expo 88 was the series of sculptures known as The Human Factor. Created by John Underwood's Artbusters organisation, The Drovers captures five of these figures in a typical Australian outback scene. They are located outside the Primary Industries Building at 80 Ann Street.

http://mytownshootout.blogspot.com/

http://mytownmrlinky.blogspot.com/

our world tuesday/outdoor wednesday:

2011-11-08T15:57:00.001-08:00

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com

http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/

With summer coming up, boys will soon be swimming in the lake. Here they were 2 seasons ago, when they were cleaning the weeds.

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Sunday stills:In the dark

2011-11-05T12:58:00.001-07:00

It was Guy Fawkes night, a perfect night to go out to take photos of kids and parents lighting their fireworks to celebrate the foiling of the gunpowder plot which Guy Fawkes and his friends planned to blow the House of Lords with their King, King James in 1605.

But my camera ran out of battery, so here are some archives photos of when I went to Australia, which incidentally do not celebrate Guy Fawkes, so told to me by an Australian friend yesterday.

To those of you who are not familiar with Guy Fawkes, this year, I taught my students why Guy Fawkes was celebrated.

New Zealand is not part of UK, but Queen Elizabeth is the Queen of New Zealand. Guy Fawkes day is celebrated on November 5th.

When I first arrived to NZ from Canada, my friends invited me to a party in 1978. They had an effigy of Guy, and they burnt Guy in a bon fire they built in the back yard. They explained that back in 1605, Guy went to the cellar of the Parliament house of England and tried to blow up the building and all the members of parliament. A member of his plot had a brother who was a member of the House of Lords. So he squealed on Guy telling his brother not to go to work that day. The message went to the King, and they caught him red handed. He was executed for treason.

Hence, every year to commemorate the arrest of this villain, the people of England celebrate this day with bon fire and fireworks. Many of the immigrants to NZ were Anglo Saxon. They brought this traditional celebration to their new country.

However, over time, many people do not really know the history or care to find out. It is a chance for fun. Companies import expensive fireworks, and it is quite magnificent to see the cascading "stars" from the fire works. Most people don't remember the effigy or the bon fire.

Once, I went to a park nearest to my house to watch the fire works with my son. He was frightened with the loud sounds. There were people of all ethnic groups, the Polynesian islanders, the Chinese, The Korean, Indians, Sri Lankans , and refugees like Somalian and Sudanese. They were just lighting the fireworks which I feel is money up in smoke. To them, it was just a fun time.

The day after Guy Fawkes, I asked my students if they lit any fire works. Most of them did, and most of them knew the story of Guy Fawkes. Their teachers had told them. They tell me that they spent hundreds of dollars. One boy even boasted that he spent a thousand dollars. Then he clarified that they had a party with extended family of uncles and cousins.

To end this story with a sad note, the then Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clarke threatened to ban fireworks if people were not responsible. One has to be over eighteen to buy fire works. Fireworks can be sold only 4 days before the day.

Hooligans burned a pediatric clinic, a teenage boy was arrested because he threw a sparkler into the bedroom of house and burnt the whole house down. This is a sad testimony, the tenants of this house were overseas volunteers to the Department of Conservation. A baby girl's face was badly burn when some firework was thrown into her pram. Household cats and dogs have been frightened and burnt. Pet owners have resorted to giving their pets tranquilizers to induce them to sleep. I am gutted by such horrible stories, and am not disappointed if the ban is on.

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FSO:November 4 - Funny , Unusual, Strange, Spooky Signs

2011-11-03T11:07:00.001-07:00

Sorry neighbors, we are have a weekly session of NEARLY music, it will be for a group of screaming babies and toddlers. To accommodate you, it is only for half an hour. Please wear your ear muffs. LOL

Free coaching, that's great. Wear flat soled shoes, that no problem, the jandal or the flip flop is a New Zealand National icon.

Help! my friend is drowning, I am happy to pay the $10, but the boats are all locked up.

November 4 - Funny , Unusual, Strange, Spooky Signs

http://mytownshootout.blogspot.com/

http://mytownmrlinky.blogspot.com/

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Guest Post

2011-11-01T20:22:00.000-07:00

I dedicate this photo, a big strong tree to all the Mesothelioma Cancer sufferers. In New Zealand, we have a term Kia Kaha, which means be strong. I used this term for myself at the end of my book, Diary of a bereaved Mother.

I recently had an email from a David Haas if I would allow guest hosts on my blog. I went into his blog and found that he and I share the same passion. Making greater awareness of Cancer. I am linking his site here and also the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. Prior to this, I have not even heard of the word Mesothelioma,

Hi Ann,

I stumbled across your blog and noticed the great content on your site. I am wondering if you allow guest posts because I recently have been researching and writing about how beneficial cancer support networks and also staying physically fit is to people going through treatments, in remission, and even family members of cancer patients. I believe an article on one of those two topics would mesh with your blog very well and also benefit your readers tremendously. This is an important message to get out there so please let me know if you would be interested in seeing it and sharing it with your readers.

Thank you for all you do in making a difference,

David Haas
http://www.facebook.com/people/David-Haas/100002194392208

David Haas
Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Guest Blogger -
http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/

Advice From Haas

1. If you love someone make sure they know it
2. Don't take things for granted
3. Live your life to the fullest
4. Enjoy the great days and try to be positive during the bad days
5. Spend as much time with your family and friends as you can - life is not meant to be lived alone
6. Always be polite - Chivalry is not dead
7. Speak Up - Tell people when things bother you, tell people when things make you happy
8. Laugh uncontrollably
9. Nothing can't be done - strive for the impossible
10. Nobody is perfect so show your imperfections because that is what makes you an individual

Sometimes I don't always follow my advice but here are some things I try to live by. Life is too short to not live to the fullest - I hope you enjoy.

Haas

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Sunday Stills: 25 steps and 50 steps

2011-10-29T00:39:00.000-07:00

This is like a preposition lesson, look across the road, look to the right and left,

25 steps

50 steps

Sunday Stills-25 and 50 Steps (for October 30th)
Posted in Uncategorized on October 23, 2011 by Linda

The challenge for this week is 25 and 50 steps. Holly suggested this and sent me both the instructions and the photographs.

Choose a starting spot, walk 25 steps in any direction and take 3 photos. The 25 steps can be outside your home, inside your home, in your neighborhood or away from your neighborhood.
Once your steps have been counted out, you must anchor one foot, you can pivot on that foot but your anchor foot may not move.

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FSO : October 28 - Creepy Crawlies!!

2011-10-27T02:25:00.001-07:00

October 28 - Creepy Crawlies!!

In my school, caterpillars are not creepy. In New Zealand, people grow swan plants for the Monarch butteries to lay their eggs. The kids handle the caterpillars, and is an excellent lesson for the very hungry caterpillar and the life cycle of the butterfly.

A Mature Swan plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillar. In New Zealand, people grow the swan plants for the Monarch butterflies to lay their eggs. Soon, it is the season (peak of summer) for the caterpillars.

There is even a Monarch Butterfly Trust in New Zealand.

http://mytownshootout.blogspot.com/

http://mytownmrlinky.blogspot.com/

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Outdoor bowling

2011-10-24T22:09:00.001-07:00

usually played outdoors on a lawn. At outdoor bowling, the players throw a ball, which is sometimes eccentrically weighted, in an attempt to put it closest to a designated point or slot in the bowling arena.

This is very popular with the older sportsperson.
http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com

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Save the world:Stop fleas with natural methods

2011-10-24T01:16:00.000-07:00

We have an infestation of fleas. All three of us have been bitten by fleas.

The first question friends ask is, " Do you have a cat or a dog?"

We don't have pets, but every so often, we get bitten by fleas. When we get bitten, we get bitten so badly. It is itchy, it is pinful and gives the chills. We don't want to use chemicals or flea bombs as they are toxic.

I googled for a natural herb, and found out about Pennyroyal. I went to my local garden centre and I bought two plants .

It didn't repel the fleas, but they look and smell lovely. Pennyroyal leaves, both fresh and dried, are especially noted for repelling insects.[4] However, when treating infestations such as fleas, using the plant's essential oil should be avoided due to its toxicity to both humans and animals, even at extremely low levels.[6]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennyroyal

Does anyone know a herb that will repel fleas?

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Sunday stills: Rocks and rock formation

2011-10-21T13:30:00.000-07:00

Here, Ed are rocks of New Zealand, and some photos of nostalgia taken in 2000 when all my kids are little and living at home. And No rock on my ring because it is so small that the camera can't pick it up. We were both students and couldn't afford a big rock.

The Old Arts Building of the Auckland University from another angle.

This is a monument to Sir Logan Campbell who donated the land for a public park and named it One Tree Hill. This is now dubbed as no tree hill, because protesters chopped the pine tree down in 2000 just before we went there.

Not too far from Auckland at Taupo, there is the Huka falls. The water engineer likes tot go there. These days, you can go in a jet boat.

Because New Zealand comprises of two big islands, it is easy to go to places. We walked to the Glaciers. This one is Frans Josef Glacier. The Franz Josef (Ka Roimata o Hinehukatere in Māori)[1][2] is a 12 km (7.5 mi) long[3] glacier located in Westland Tai Poutini National Park on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. Together with the Fox Glacier 20 km (12 mi) to the south, it is unique in descending from the Southern Alps to less than 300 metres (980 ft) above sea level, amidst the greenery and lushness of a temperate rainforest.

The area surrounding the two glaciers is part of Te Wahipounamu, a World Heritage Site park. The river emerging from the glacier terminal of Franz Josef is known as the Waiho River.

It was raining and cold even though it was December, our summer. We walked and walked and reached the terminus.

We went to Fox Glacier the day before, but didn't go to the terminus.

I was intriqued by these man made shaped rocks. The water engineer says is to put on the coastline to prevent erosion.

Seals and sea lions, can you see them? These were in South island.
There are some in the North Island. Currently where a container ship Rena is aground in Tauranga, birds have died, and it is reported that sea lions and seas are affected. Yesterday, a baby whale beached. The local maori people believe that it is an Omen. A bad one.

http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/

Sunday Stills-Rocks and Rock Formations (October 23rd)
Posted in Sunday Stills on October 16, 2011 by Linda

For this next weeks challenge Shirley over at Ride a Good Horse suggested rocks and rock formations. They can be natural, and man made and can include stone buildings, concrete, stone statues or anything modified from rock or other minerals……..including the stone in your wedding ring;

http://apps.facebook.com/yourlifecontest/content/diary-bereaved-mother
Vote for my story, you can vote once a day.

FSO: Scavenger Hunt

2011-10-20T13:54:00.000-07:00

http://mytownshootout.blogspot.com/

http://mytownmrlinky.blogspot.com/

October 21 - Scavenger Hunt suggested by Mark, Butler and Bagman - Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. I guess that is four.

Mark, Butler and Bagman, is there a wedding in the air?

http://mitherof3.blogspot.com/2011/10/visit-to-maine-wildlife-park.html

Most of this post is for Cheryl of Life Is What You Make It.... She loves photographing hearts and manages to find hearts in the most unusual places.

I have always looked out for hearts for Cheryl. So here you are Cheryl, a 100 hearts. A family of sleeping dragons at Coyle's park, near the beach of my house.

Something old: the dragon is as old as the beginning of times.
Something new: it has been given a new coat of paint.
Something blue: It don't know if I like the dragon colored, it was just concrete before. I guess it attracts the children.

Something borrowed: Many years ago, my daughter G sprained her ankle, she borrowed the clutches from her friend. G's ankled recovered, G moved out to go flatting. The clutches are still "borrowed" in my house.

As for Mark, Butler and Bagman, I am afraid there will be no wedding in my household for a long time. LOL

http://apps.facebook.com/yourlifecontest/content/diary-bereaved-mother
Vote for my story, you can vote once a day.

Readers' Digest Contest

2011-10-19T13:40:00.000-07:00

When I was young, I always read the Readers' Digest and marvel at the bravery of the mothers who struggled with sick children. When I had Andrew in the hospital, and accepted the doctors' advice that the kindest option was to let nature take it's course. When Andrew didn't die when the doctor predicted, I struggled with myself and spoke to the doctor about those mothers I read in the Readers' Digest, and I wanted to be these mothers, Dr James said that Andrew was different.

Today, I found out that Readers' Digest was inviting people to submit their stories. I am submitting mine for media exposure. But if you like to vote for me, it is appreciated.

"Diary of a bereaved mother"
My journey of having a baby who died and now I am the self appointed spokes-person for bereaved parents. My story is from my heart and will resonate with anyone who has had the misfortune to give birth to a child who has struggled to live. Synopsis: Your baby is dying. Andrew did not die that night as predicted by the doctor, he didn't die after 3 days, 10 days and finally he died at 55 days. Friends did not know whether to congratulate or commiserate us. He was declared dead after his first at 40 days, but he bounced back. That was more excruciating than his actual death. After Andrew, what have I done? Have I become a better person? There are many of the things I am most proud of. I spearheaded raising funds to separate a pair of Siamese twins from Nepal in Singapore. For 16 years, I raised funds for the Deaf Children in Kenya. I did the publicity, marketing, cooking and selling. I volunteer at teaching new immigrants.
http://www.youtube.com/asiadownunder#p/c/C9FEF73B56807B22/3/IZk9w-uywAs
Vote up!

http://apps.facebook.com/yourlifecontest/content/diary-bereaved-mother

Surf Boards

2011-10-16T13:43:00.000-07:00

This photo is taken at Pt Chevalier Sailing Club. This is taken for J Barr. He posted his photo of a flag staff the same day I saw mine. I went back yesterday to take a better photo. The sailing club was closed and there was no flags.
http://sydney-city.blogspot.com/2011/10/millers-point-sydney-observatory_14.html

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com

http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/

http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/
http://www.3news.co.nz/Surf-designer-looking-to-win-accolades/tabid/412/articleID/206331/Default.aspx
A Kiwi student's in with a shout of grabbing what's known as an Oscar of design in New York.

New Zealand AUT Student Mike Grobelny is a finalist in the post-grad section of the international design excellence awards, with an eco-friendly surfboard hewn from locally-sourced sustainable wood. Paulownia is a fast growing, locally available wood.

Mike Grobelny's twin passions for surfing and sustainability pushed him to design his eco-conscious board from paulonia wood and bamboo. It eliminates the use of polyurethane foam, fibre glass and polyester resin.

“Surfers are conscious of the fact that what we ride or the materials we use to make products do affect the environment that we are in, and you know surfers are in touch with the environment a whole lot more obviously, being in the water a lot,” he says.

Veering away from the traditional materials of foam and fibreglass is all very well, but it still has to carve through waves.

So 3 News handed Mike's board to one of New Zealand's hottest surfers, winner of the Raglan super 16, Luke Hughes.

“You've got to fine tune your equipment before it gets out there, but I think no, definitely there's a place in the marketplace for this type of product, good mate,” he says.

Luke's dad Craig has seen it all before - he's been making boards for more than 40 years - but even he sees potential.

“I'm intrigued by the weight, but certainly the durability you know, we make a lot of very light high-performance surfboards but they wouldn't have the longevity that this board obviously has,” he says.

In recent years thousands of cheap Chinese plastic boards have flooded the market, but there could be potential for beautiful wooden boards that are both durable and ecologically sustainable.

The design innovation is the honeycombed interior. And it's easily copied because it's cut by computer, pointing the way for New Zealand to rule the waves in sustainable surfboards.

Win or lose at the design Oscars, Grobelny wants to develop his board and make one for Hughes too.

http://youtu.be/iq3Bww1w_ms

Warmer weather is coming up, it will be great if more surfers will use surf boards that are not made in a toxic environment.

Sunday Stills:Focusing on the Foreground

2011-10-15T21:31:00.001-07:00

http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/

Sunday Stills-Focusing on the Foreground
Posted in Sunday Stills Challenge of the Week on October 9, 2011 by Linda

This next challenge for October 16th is to focus on the foreground in your pictures. This is a way of composing a photograph with a strong visual in the bottom section of your picture. It’s a great way to create a dynamic landscape (IMHO). Try and get a fairly wide angled shot and maximize the depth of field so that everything is in focus. The foreground can be something small or something as large as a boulder but it should fit with the landscape your shooting.

Sorry Ed, this is another exercise which is very difficult. I took this landscape photos today.

FSO: Sweets

2011-10-13T13:05:00.001-07:00

Chocolates, any kind, except white chocolate. There is never enough for me.

Some strawberries are very sweet like this one.

These yummy desserts, the reversed is spelled stressed. When you are faced with a wonderful buffet like this, you feel stressed. Should I or should I not? My uncle David hosted us and my sister Margaret at the Sky Tower.

Pavlovas are a national icon, there is a ongoing war with Australia as to who invented the pavlova.

These are very good for you.

Some Manuka honey has an antimicrobial property not shared by other honeys. This property is called the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF®) antibacterial property.

The little jar is UMF 25+. and is worthed it weight in gold. It is good as a balm, when you are on the onset of a flu, it will help to check it in time. Though, I find it too sweet.

Every morning I take a teaspoon of the UMF 10 or 15 in a warm lemon or cider apple vinegar.

October 14 - Sweet. Show us sweets in your town. I love chocolate, just the milk chocolate with nuts, any kind of nuts.

http://mytownshootout.blogspot.com/

http://mytownmrlinky.blogspot.com/

Diary of a bereaved Mother:

2011-10-12T15:07:00.000-07:00

I was part of a documentary for the Baby Loss Awareness Week: Oct 9th to 15th. This was showed on National TV on Sunday.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sands-Auckland-Central/112396652171998

Some bereaved mothers and dads went to a park by the beach and released balloons.

Fellow Blogger Scriptor Senex commented on my Photos Site.

Thanks Scriptor Senex, I always feel empathy from fellow bereaved parents and those grandparents and those close friends.

You did a great job, how long ago did your son die? We never fully get over our loss, don't we. Though this year, I am philosophical about not having Andrew. I tell myself, he made me a writer because he died. Otherwise, I will just be a amateur writer.

Many husbands including mine belong to stiff upper lip group, the category that we should accept and move on. I wrote in my book how I wished he continued to attend the Sands meetings.

I go to the Sands meetings, and more women attend the meetings than men. Those men who attend, they are very good.The meetings are not just for their wives but for themselves too.

'Worst ever environmental disaster' in New Zealand

2011-10-10T22:02:00.001-07:00

Pictureque coast shore in Tauranga likened to this one at Pt Chevalier in Auckland is facing an environmental disaster.

Photo from Green peace.

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com

http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/

http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/

Today, I received an email from Green peace.
Hi Ann,

You've no doubt been watching in horror as the container ship Rena has continued to leak oil off the beautiful and fragile Bay of Plenty coastline.

Oiled seabirds have already been found dead close to the Rena, and there are grave fears for many of the area's marine species and sensitive ecology.

As I write this, reports have come in that the oil has already reached the shore.

Only a fraction of the oil on board the Rena has been released into the sea so far, and it's already caused a toxic 5 km slick. Bad weather is now approaching so the situation could get much worse.

The response so far has been slow and indecisive consisting mainly of spraying chemicals on the oil from a helicopter. The chemical "dispersant" being used, Corexit 9500, was used in the Gulf of Mexico last year and is known to be toxic to wildlife and humans. The fact is dispersants like Corexit don't clean up an oil spill, nothing can. They only put it out of sight and often add to the harm by increasing the overall toxic load that marine life is exposed to.

Despite the best efforts of those on the front line, New Zealand is simply not prepared for a disaster like this.

It should be seen as a bright red warning as John key's Government opens up new frontiers of oil drilling in New Zealand waters. Drilling at depths similar to the Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico could begin as soon as next summer.

But if we can't control the spill from the Rena, then we have no chance at all of containing a deep water oil drilling disaster.

It's time to draw a line in the sand and say no to deep sea oil drilling.

80,000 people have already signed our 'No Deep Sea Oil Petition - Help push that up to 100.000 before the election. Share it on Facebook, email your friends and family, download a copy for work or school.

Nick Young and the whole crew at Greenpeace

PS. Greenpeace has offered our boats, boat drivers and volunteers to the Maritime Safety Authority, which is co-ordinating the response to the spill. For anyone in the area wanting to help, Maritime New Zealand is advising people not to try and work independently, but to call 0800 645 774, or 0800 333 771 to report oiled wildlife. The oil is highly toxic so should be avoided.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10758195

A massive oil spill from the stricken cargo ship off the coast of Tauranga has become New Zealand's worst ever maritime environmental disaster, the Government says.

Environment Minister Nick Smith this afternoon said oil had been pouring out of the Rena at "fivefold" the rate it had in the days after the ship grounded on Astrolabe Reef.

He said significant amounts of oil would start washing up on beaches around Mt Maunganui from tomorrow and into the coming weeks.

Environmental response coordinator Nick Quinn said oil spills arriving from tomorrow would be much more significant than the clumps that washed ashore earlier this week.

He warned residents to prepare for weeks of cleanup work on beaches in the area around Tauranga.

The "tragic" spill was inevitable since the Rena grounded carrying 1700 tonnes of oil at 2:20am last Wednesday, said Mr Smith.

He promised the Government would hold those who were responsible for the grounding to account.

Transport Minister Stephen Joyce said the cost of the Rena cleanup had already risen to millions of dollars.

Much of that cost would be borne by the vessel owners under maritime law, but there would be a cost to the New Zealand Government, he said.

He added that it was a high risk situation.

Save the world, save our women.

2011-10-10T13:08:00.000-07:00

This month, I wear my pin to make a difference to support awareness for breast cancer.

I used to wear these two bands and were asked a lot of questions of I had breast cancer. By wearing two, it attracts more attention than just one.

http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/TIP03844/Signs-of-Breast-Cancer.html
Do you know the signs and symptoms that might indicate breast cancer? While personal and family histories of breast cancer and lifestyle habits (including diet, exercise and how you handle stress) can all affect breast-cancer risk, learning to recognize the signs of breast cancer may save your life - early diagnosis is key to treatment and recovery. Performing a monthly self-examination is still recommended by many health professionals, as is having a yearly exam performed by your doctor. In addition, the National Cancer Institute suggests keeping an eye out for the following signs:
A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area
A change in the size or shape of the breast
Nipple discharge or tenderness
An inverted nipple
Ridges or pitting on the breast (resembling an orange peel)
A change in the look or feel of the breast, areola or nipple (such as temperature, swelling, redness or a scaly feel)

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, see your doctor for a diagnosis and possible treatment. If you are over 40, talk to your doctor about mammograms.

During this year's Waitangi day, I met some lovely ladies who were out in their tent promoting this cause. It was a very hot day, Miriam, Andrea and Elisabeth were there the whole day like me doing their educating.

Gillette Venus is partnering with the National New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation and is launching the popular Embrace razor in pink to help women get closer to the cause.

There is an easy way you can help raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation:
Get new Embrace® in pink or any specially marked Venus razor and we will donate 50c from every razor sold to the National New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation.
Discover Venus Embrace

Last August I did this post http://annkschin.blogspot.com/2010/08/save-worldsave-our-women.html

I am very passionate about this topic. Thirty one years ago, I found a little pea sized lump in my left breast. I did not panic because I didn't realise the implications. The doctor just said," I will send you to the hospital to check it out." At the hospital, the junior doctor just said," We will do a little biopsy."

At the ward before I had the procedure, elderly women came and hugged me and cried, saying," we are sorry for you." I was still very innocent telling them I was in for a biopsy." Fortunately, I was in only for a biopsy.

Six years later, I had another cyst. This time, the doctor and the counsellor talked a lot of consequences if it was malignant and if I wanted to remove the breast if it was. That was really scary. Thank God when I woke up, I still have my breast.

I have a two inch scar to show for the battle I underwent. It is better to have the scar than to have the disease. I know a young woman E who is bereaved twice with the same terrible Campomelic Displasia that robbed me my late son Andrew. Now she has recovered from breast cancer.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/campomelicfamilies/

CaringBridge provides free websites that connect people experiencing a significant health challenge to family and friends, making each health journey easier. It takes just a few moments to create a personal and private CaringBridge website.

I want to add that breast cancer affects men as well.

Sunday Stills: Vanishing points

2011-10-08T03:40:00.000-07:00

Sunday Stills-Vanishing Points-October 9th, 2011
Posted in Sunday Stills, Sunday Stills Challenge of the Week, the next challenge on October 2, 2011 by Linda

I’ve been thinking of this challenge for a while…..too bad I waited until Saturday to get some pictures for an example. We’ve had horrendous hot winds most of the week and then yesterday it clouded over (although the wind is still howling) and it’s almost too dull for any sort of pictures.
Vanishing points are just another way of taking pictures with perspective in mind. It’s all a part of composition…..they can create balance or lead your eye to something in the distance. You can maximize the effect if you use a wider angle to get your point across and using the Landscape Mode on a point and shoot will give a sharper focus. A road with lots of autumn color or a creek or river that leads off into the distance would be great subjects for this challenge…… I had neither close by Really watch what angle you take the pictures from….it makes a world of difference as you can see by my bad examples.
A barb wire fence across the road from our buildings, my focus should be on the WHOLE fence not just the first few posts;

http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/

Hi Ed,

Not too sure about this. Ann

FSO: Things you are thankful for

2011-10-07T02:18:00.000-07:00

Thanks giving Day is not a national celebration here in New Zealand. In church, we have a service where we bring our produce and giving thanks. There are lots of things I am thankful for.

Parents and school teach their children to help the less fortunate victims of the Christchurch earthquake and organic planting.

<
Farmers bring their animals to city kids,

foreign students get to stay in a marea and learn about zero waste.

I am thankful for living on an isthmus where we are very near the sea, children get to have water wise lessons.

http://mytownshootout.blogspot.com/

http://mytownmrlinky.blogspot.com/

Save the world: Scrap the debit card transaction charges.

2011-10-06T13:53:00.000-07:00

http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/

For 2 weeks, I was teaching about banking. My adult ESOL students couldn't understand why anyone would use a debit card, when they could use a ATM card. It was timely when on Tuesday, Bank of America announced the $5 charge. I see it as the big bank verses the little people. If you have the money, you can have a credit card, and you can spend and pay later. But with you can't qualify for a credit card, you have to pay $5 to spend your own money.

My students came up with different scenarios of needing a debit card if you pay online purchases and you don't have a credit card.

I quote a chapter I copied from a lesson, " What good is a bank when you are spending your own money and get charged for it."

I subscribe to Change Org, and I got this email.

Dear ann,

Whoa. ABC News heard that 135,000 Change.org members signed Molly Katchpole's petition against Bank of America's new $5 monthly fee to use a debit card. So the network tracked down CEO Brian Moynihan and forced him to respond to the petition. (Thanks, ABC News!)

The CEO was flustered and couldn't give a coherent explanation -- an embarrassing moment on national TV for the big bank (and the second night in a row that Molly's petition was a featured story on the newscast).

Bank of America is feeling the pressure from Change.org members. As more people speak out, Bank of America will be forced to cancel its new fee -- and other banks will be too scared to create their own new fees.

Add your name to Molly's petition demanding Bank of America cancel its new $5 debit card fee.

While you're signing, check out the amazing video from ABC News. It's inspiring to see one person's petition can make a bank CEO squirm on TV! Watch it here:

http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-bank-of-america-no-5-debit-card-fees

Thanks for being a change-maker,

- Michael and the Change.org team

Our world Tuesday/outdoor Wed: Windmill

2011-10-03T17:33:00.001-07:00

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com

http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/
This windmill in Christchurch doesn't generate any power. It is a landmark in Riccarton. My friend Jenny and her family took me to the area to have lunch and dinner.

Sorry for blurry photo. I was in a moving car,

Save the world: Watch the pesticides

2011-10-03T16:17:00.000-07:00

http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/

Which foods have the most pesticide residues? Celery, a range of fruit, dairy products and bread are all ranked in the top dozen of foods available in New Zealand which are likely to contain more pesticide residues (

Celery is also likely to contain a fungicide chlorothalonil, which is a probable human carcinogen, and in laboratory studies has caused DNA damage and embryo loss. Chlorothalonil has been included in a list which the EPA in the US intends to study as a potential endocrine disruptor. This pesticide has also been found in groundwater, sea water and air and is toxic to many species, including earthworms. Another fungicide used on celery, mancozeb, has a breakdown product, ethylene thiourea, which has been found to cause cancer, endocrine disruption, goitre and birth defects. Exposure to heat increases the amount of metabolite, so think of that before you add non-organic celery to your soup!

Usually, washing, peeling and cooking reduces the amount of pesticide residues, however some persist. If you think organic food is too expensive, remember that non-organic food does not include the cost of biodiversity loss and other environmental degradation. With organic food you pay the real cost for real food, and you give the grower a fairer return. By having organic food you support a system which better protects our children and the environment.

By Alison White, Safe Food Campaign, http://www.safefood.org.nz/additivesfr.htm

I just bought this bunch of crunchy celery. Some friends tell me that give it a soak in salt water

Sunday Stills: Water Droplets

2011-10-02T13:02:00.001-07:00

Sunday Stills-Water Droplets
Posted in Uncategorized on September 25, 2011 by Linda

This weeks challenge is for you to take photos of water droplets. Catch one in mid air or on a surface or maybe a splash of them while someone skips a rock across the water. If you’re using a point and shoot put it in the action mode to freeze a splash

http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/

Ed,

It is raining outside and I snapped what I could.

Sorry for being MIA last week, I moved house. Pt Chev is by the sea, and was in the tornado path. I can feel the strong wind.

Photohunt: Covered

2011-10-01T21:45:00.001-07:00

October 1: Covered
http://tnchicks.wordpress.com/

Much of the rocks at Pt Chevalier beach are covered with dead oyster shells. A friend once told us that when you harvest the oysters off the rocks, make sure you chisel off the bottom shell. Only then will new oysters be able to cling and grow on the rocks.

The beach too is covered with shells.

FSO: Stairs

2011-09-30T14:34:00.000-07:00

September 30 - Stairs. Going up, coming down, from behind.

Click to enlarge.

I was at a dentist's window in Kluang in a small town in West Malaysia. I saw these buildings, or the back of these buildings. I couldn't believe my eyes. They looked like some of the buildings in my home town Sibu, in Borneo. I remember going to my friend's house along Ramin Way, and we used to go up and down in those narrow spiral stairs in the mid-1960s. We had to do this in secret because it was a three storeys building. They were considered very tall building at that time. My friend's mum said men at the bottom of the stairs could look up and see our knickers. These buildings must have been built at the same time, and never had a new white wash.

I visited a Chinese Temple in Paloh Johor in West Malaysia, and there was some sort of a well, It was fenced off with two stairs running on it's sides. There was no one in the temple I could ask, so I just snapped this photo.

My brother Joseph has a stairs from his jetty down to the lake. The kids swim in the lake or get to their kayak. He doesn't need the stairs when they go on his boat. I don't mean this little boat that my nephew Joshua calls a Tinny. His other 20 foot mustang is parked on the other side of the jetty, and you don't need the stairs.

http://mytownshootout.blogspot.com http://mytownshootout.blogspot.comom/

http://mytownmrlinky.blogspot.com/

Human Powered Chariot

2011-09-29T13:31:00.000-07:00

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com

http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/

http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/

http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com/

http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com

http://www.suelovescherries.blogspot.com/

Sorry all, I had not been able to access my internet, so I am combining these memes.

I have often seen this family of human powered vehicles. Mum or dad rides the adult bicycle which has a chariot attached to it. Rain or shine I see them. An older child rides his child size bicycle. This exemplifies what we can do for the environment and teaches the children too to love the world. Inside the chariot are two little ones, all bundled up during the wintery rainy days.

I tried often to photograph this family but was in vain when I was driving along the road. yesterday, I eyed them going into the community library and gave me this perfect opportunity.

mickey mouse bush

2011-09-20T02:06:00.000-07:00

Fellow blogger in the Philippines mentioned a plant they call Mickey Mouse. It is interesting that different regions call different plants by different names. In two much older posts, I posted with passion this Mickey Mouse plant.

Last week, I found my cousins on Facebook. The thing is I have never met them before. I left Borneo before they were born.

Here is a post I wrote when I thought of their Dad, the uncle I loved the most, and he stayed with us for many years before he was married.

Francis, my 6th Uncle used to buy motor bikes like my Grandpa saying, changing bikes like changing shoes.

I was seventeen. One day, out of the blue, Francis asked if I wanted to ride his bike. Boy! did I want to ride his bike. He showed me the ropes and I was off. Our road was a private cul-de-sac. On both sides were long lalang grass, and Mickey Mouse shrub.

I got on the bike with wind blowing in my face and zoomed. I wasn't very steady and before I knew it, I had crashed the bike to a Mickey Mouse bush. I fell and the bike landed on top of me.

Francis asked, if I was hurt.

I replied, No, just a few scratches from the sharp lalang grass. It was my ego which was bruised. I never rode a bike again.

Francis died prematurely at 55. I was in Singapore when the family rang me. When I see the mickey mouse shrubs, I cry a tear for him.

http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com

Sunday stills: On the road

2011-09-17T02:33:00.000-07:00

Sunday Stills, the next challenge: On the Road
Sunday Stills on September 11, 2011 by Ed

Pretty straightforward, any type of pics of roads, straight,curvey, bends, paved, gravel, dirt… If you can, get some interesting scenery in your road shots..:-)

http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/

Last night during the Rugby world cup between New Zealand and Japan, there was a minute of silence. We both were affected by earthquakes. I remember when i visited Christchurch, I took lots of photos to document the effects of the earthquake.

These are some of the photos that makes my heart ache.

FSO: T for Tower

2011-09-16T07:35:00.001-07:00

A disused old brick chinmey that was the incinerator of Auckland's rubbish.
href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aDLkUj2nFos/TnNfvecUpwI/AAAAAAAARI4/_elrHzWuMDc/s1600/church%2Bsymond%2Bst.jpg">
A church near to the University of Auckland at Symonds Street,

http://mytownshootout.blogspot.com/

http://mytownmrlinky.blogspot.com/
These are some of the towers in central Auckland. The most famous is the Sky tower.