After the grand finale of a long intensive full-on course, we are glad it is over. A walk on Pt Chevalier beach and watching the sun set helps to unwind.
Dr Jannie thanking to the Bag piper Chris.
3 friends from Pt Chevalier, Susan, Maureen and Ann together with our DP, Lynette make this "overseas" trip to the Northshore, at Onepoto School.
Here is Dr Jannie van Heesm the Project Director during the ceremony.
Dr. Jannie and Christine.
I wore my national dress the Batek Kebaya. I am a product of many ethnicity. Born a Chinese in Sarawak when we were under the British, the a Malaysian and now a New Zealander. On special occasions I wear the Kebaya. Thankful to Christine who marked and advised my tasks, and our DP Lynette who mentored us.
This morning my friends Maureen and Susan graduated as a trained English Language Assistant. Yesterday, our principal gave us beautiful bouquets. It seems someone had whispered that the peony is the national flower of China. Susan and Maureen's bouquet had some Peonies and red hydrangeas which I didn't really appreciated as I had hedges of them. When I got mine, they were peonies and Alstroemeria. I was over the moon.
The peony is among the longest-used flowers in ornamental culture and is one of the smallest living creature national emblems in China. Along with the plum blossom, it is a traditional floral symbol of China, where the Paeonia suffruticosa is called 牡丹 (mǔdān). It is also known as 富贵花 (fùguìhuā) "flower of riches and honour," and is used symbolically in Chinese art.[11] In 1903, the Qing Dynasty declared the peony as the national flower.
http://tinaspicstory.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/weekend-flowers-45.html
I walk past this garden everyday.
I am awed by the manicure landscaping.
Sometimes, I whack out my camera.
And snap a photo or two.
I feel awkward,
Just in case the owner is around.
Recently, as I walked past,
The lady was tidying her garden.
I said :Hi and beautiful garden."
She said, it could do much more work.
But, Alas she is too old.
I told her, I walk pass everyday.
I snap photos of her garden.
"Feel free to take photos,
even when I am not here.
Then she too be a tour,
to her beautiful garden.
And giving me lessons
of some of her plants.
These are no ordinary poppies.
They are called Flanders poppies.
Flanders to remember the WW1,
The poppies of Flanders.
I am so happy I stopped to say hi.
Today, I am owner of this precious knowledge.
I share this with you.
In Flanders fields
The red or Flanders poppy has been linked with battlefield deaths since the time of the Great War (1914–18). The plant was one of the first to grow and bloom in the mud and soil of Flanders. The connection was made, most famously, by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae in his poem 'In Flanders fields'.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/anzac-day/poppies
Veterans Day is an official United States holiday which honors people who have served in armed service also known as veterans. It is a federal holiday that is observed on November 11th. It coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark the anniversary of the end of World War I. (Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, with the German signing of the Armistice.)
Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day; Veterans Day celebrates the service of all of veterans, while Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving.[1]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veterans_Dayhttp://tinaspicstory.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/weekend-flowers-45.html
I walk past this garden everyday.
I am awed by the manicure landscaping.
Sometimes, I whack out my camera.
And snap a photo or two.
I feel awkward,
Just in case the owner is around.
Recently, as I walked past,
The lady was tidying her garden.
I said :Hi and beautiful garden."
She said, it could do much more work.
But, Alas she is too old.
I told her, I walk pass everyday.
I snap photos of her garden.
"Feel free to take photos,
even when I am not here.
Then she too be a tour,
to her beautiful garden.
And giving me lessons
of some of her plants.
These are no ordinary poppies.
They are called Flanders poppies.
Flanders to remember the WW1,
The poppies of Flanders.
I am so happy I stopped to say hi.
Today, I am owner of this precious knowledge.
I share this with you.
In Flanders fields
The red or Flanders poppy has been linked with battlefield deaths since the time of the Great War (1914–18). The plant was one of the first to grow and bloom in the mud and soil of Flanders. The connection was made, most famously, by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae in his poem 'In Flanders fields'.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/anzac-day/poppies
Veterans Day is an official United States holiday which honors people who have served in armed service also known as veterans. It is a federal holiday that is observed on November 11th. It coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark the anniversary of the end of World War I. (Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, with the German signing of the Armistice.)
Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day; Veterans Day celebrates the service of all of veterans, while Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving.[1]
http://tinaspicstory.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/weekend-flowers-45.html
