Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Our Blue coats, ambassador in the airport.





Yesterday, China's Premier Li Ke Qiang visited to Auckland. I was teaching volunteering to my students. I told them it was be excellent if they can volunteer in our airport.


When I am retired, I shall like to be a "bluecoat" in our Auckland International Airport.

Our airport hospitality ambassadors, otherwise known as 'bluecoats' for their distinctive coloured jackets, are on hand to offer passengers help when at the airport. They can help you find your way and direct you to what you need.
You can find the airport information helpdesks at a number of locations:

International terminal: in the public areas in check-in, departures and arrivals areas. In the passenger only area, the helpdesks can be found on the second floor and in the customs hall
Domestic terminal: in the main arrivals area, near baggage claim carousels 1 and 2.

Our volunteer programme began in 1995 and we’ve never looked back! If you are interested in becoming one of our airport ambassadors please contact our vhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifolunteer services manager Bella Onekawa on bella.onekawa@aucklandairport.co.nz.


http://www.aucklandairport.co.nz/AirportInformation/International-terminal/Terminal-services-and-facilities/Information-points.aspx





http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com/

Monday, March 27, 2017

Fundraising for Starship

https://www.starship.org.nz/foundation

The Starship Foundation is a social-profit organisation that raises funds so Starship Children's Health can better care for its young patients.
The Starship Foundation's vision is to create meaningful and magical opportunities that enrich the health of every young New Zealander.

Image may contain: 1 person, baby and closeup



https://www.starship.org.nz/foundation

Sunday, March 26, 2017

Farro Fresh Online

Another food delivery company comes to the scene. If I remember my high school economics rightly, supply exceeds demand, the price will come down.  Farro Fresh Online makes me excited.





Media release: 27 March 2017
Get A Slice of Foodie Paradise Delivered to Your Door, with Farro Fresh Online!
If cooking shows are non-negotiables when it comes to your viewing calendar and your culinary repertoire is more foodie fetish than fish fingers and peas, your kitchen is officially about to enter the realm of next-level cooking, with Farro Fresh now delivering your own slice of foodie paradise – direct to your door!
No longer only the stuff that city dwellers’ dreams are made of, the new Farro Fresh online shop lets you trawl the aisles for standout local and international foodie finds and bring them into your home kitchen.
Whether you’re after a taste of the exotic with pomegranate seeds, edible rose petals or your go-to chestnut puree, no matter what your recipe calls for or where your appetite lies, Farro To You brings foodie innovations and the products you love to your door!
With each product carefully selected from proud artisans at Farmers’ Markets across the country and products trending globally, shoppers can seek out their favourite dairy free, fairtrade, free farmed, free range, gluten free, grain free, NZ made, organic, paleo, vegan, coeliac-friendly or vegetarian fare online.
Farro Fresh online isn’t just for home cooks either – with stunning food boxes, gift boxes and weekend boxes available to purchase, you’ve got your friends and family covered when anniversaries, long weekends and birthdays arise.
And if you’re after a little inspiration for your culinary creations, Farro To You offers a ‘shop by recipe’ option. From Blackened Prawns with Corn and Black Beans to a Berry Breakfast Scroll or Chocolate Cardamom Cake with Turkish Delight, shoppers can also rate the recipes with fellow cooking enthusiasts for an interactive online foodie forum.
Director, Janene Draper, says the new Farro Fresh online shop is a great way to bring unique, hard-to-find goods to Kiwis across the country who love to cook.
“We are thrilled to be able to bring our range into households the length of New Zealand. Farro To You is all about making everyday food exciting, nutritious and unique and we believe this should be something available to all Kiwi foodies, not just those who live in the city!” she says.
Farro Fresh online delivers dry goods nationwide to your door and this extends to a full range of chilled goods to your door, in the greater Auckland area. Online shoppers also have the choice of click and collect, pick up or delivery.
For more information, visit farrofresh.co.nz/shop
 
-Ends-
 
Written on behalf of Farro Fresh by Impact PR. For more information or images, please contact Mark Devlin mark@impactpr.co.nz (021509060)
 
 
FLEUR REVELL-DEVLIN |  MANAGING DIRECTOR | IMPACTPR.CO.NZ | PH +64 9 575 2722 | MOBILE 021 509 600 | SKYPE impactpr123
 
IMPACT PR - WINNER CAANZ GOLD AWARD FOR BEST LONG TERM STRATEGIC CAMPAIGN
 
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The Pedigree Adoption Drive Charitable Trust campaign

Just last week, I had been talking to my friends, both of them are empty nesters whose last dog had died, and wanted to adopt a new dog.  I rang her and told her about this:
– a new tech developed by Pedigree is set to help thousands of dogs around NZ rescued from abuse, be rehomed.
As part of the initiative, a website has been set up where empty nesters can enter their children’s physical characteristics (eg long hair) and look for a dog that matches.
The press release is below and video can be found here, and high res images are here

Image may contain: indoor


Media release: 27 March 2017
Rescue Dogs Put Their Paws Up to Become Part of a Modern Family
House unusually quiet? The kids might have flown the coop, but empty nesters are embracing the doggone delight of a new family dynamic, with a new initiative from the Pedigree Adoption Drive Charitable Trust.
The doggone modern family is all about rehoming the thousands of lovable pooches from around New Zealand rescued annually from abuse and neglect. And with empty nesters missing the kids who’ve grown up and out of the family home, rescue dogs are putting their paws up to be matched with a likely couple.
The Pedigree Adoption Drive Charitable Trust campaign has created a website which helps prospective owners match dogs with the physical characteristics of children who have moved out of the family home. From a loud, boisterous boy to a mellow, affectionate girl – there’s a pooch in need to blend with its newfound family.
Cuddles, bonding, love, affection and attention are all the best bits of being a parent – and once these warm fuzzies are no longer readily available, a furry friend can provide the tonic empty nesters need to re-establish their place in the world.
The benefits of owning a dog are well documented, with a recent study* outlining the therapeutic nature of canines and their ability to bolster mood and motivation in humans. As well as this, having pets in the home has been linked to a reduction in minor health problems in adults, lower stress levels and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. So it goes without saying that adults with pets make fewer visits to the doctor than those without pets!
Cormac van den Hoofdakker, spokesperson for the Pedigree Adoption Drive Charitable Trust, says the campaign will target the parents of adult children or those suffering from what is known as Empty Nest Syndrome.
“At this time of year, thousands of Kiwi parents will be feeling the effects of seeing their children leave home for the first time as they head to university or to start work, says van den Hoofdakker.
“There are also just as many rescue dogs in need of rehoming throughout New Zealand – we want to do all we can to bring them together,” he says.
Auckland psychologist Sara Chatwin says the impact of having an empty nest on our mental wellbeing should not be underestimated.
“Having spent much of their life looking after children and caring for them, parents can have a difficult time coming to terms with a house that isn’t so busy and frenetic.
“Suddenly their role as caregiver is significantly diminished and people can struggle with loneliness and depressive symptoms.
“They will often think long and hard about ‘what next’ to keep them physically and mentally active and getting a canine companion can help answer that question,” she says.
Chatwin says a new pet dog can allow the empty nester to shift the focus off themselves, their issues and feelings of emptiness.
She says choosing a dog that has attributes of a child who has moved out can also have significant benefits.
“I suspect that if a dog embodies characteristics of a family member; long hair, a type of physique, it could really feel like a great fit in the family.
“Often people are looking for a replacement and are attracted to things they’re used to (in regards to looks) or that remind them of certain people,” says Chatwin.
The campaign, which runs for a month, also needs foster parents to help socialise the dogs saved from abusive environments to prepare them for adoption, says van den Hoofdakker.
“For those that can’t commit to taking a dog permanently, helping to socialise the dog through fostering it in a caring home is a key part in preparing it for long term adoption.”
 
-Ends-
 
Written on behalf of Pedigree by Impact PR. For more information or images, please contact Mark Devlin mark@impactpr.co.nz (021509060)
*Waltham, Health Benefits of Pets Catalogue
 
HADASSAH DEVIS | IMPACTPR.CO.NZ | PH +64 9 575 2722 | MOBILE 022 155 9033
 
IMPACT PR - WINNER CAANZ GOLD AWARD FOR BEST LONG TERM STRATEGIC CAMPAIGN
 
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Wild orchid


No automatic alt text available.

3 inch plant, two tiny plants, one 4 inches apart. this one shrivelled up and the flowers didn't bloom. I was monitoring them. They were growing near my letter box.
No automatic alt text available.
http://floralfridayfoto.blogspot.co.nz/

Saturday, March 25, 2017

Malaysia Airlines


Passengers on a Malaysia Airlines flight delayed by more than 42 hours due to a mechanical fault are stranded at Auckland Airport because all nearby accommodation is booked out for Adele.
People were sleeping on chairs in the airport's KFC overnight with their luggage around them as they waited to catch the Kuala Lumpur-bound flight, the father of one passenger told the Herald.

http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11825579

I had a terrible experience when I flew last year.

“Extremely poor communications.”
2 of 5 bubbles Reviewed 13 September 2016
Dear Sir, (Malaysian airline)

I emailed to you and the only communications I got from you was, “Acknowledgement of Receiving Case -2589-06/2016,”
I flew back from Kuala Lumpur on 15th June to Auckland. Upon boarding the plane, an air stewardess told me to wait at the station behind the business class. She gave no explanation when I asked her why. Soon there were five others in my same situation, and there was a hullabaloo with the rest of the passengers boarding.
All we were told to wait. Sensing we were hot and bothered, a stewardess left a tray of juice on the corner and asked us to help ourselves.
The commotion went on, and I asked for a reason that we were kept in the dark. By then, I was very upset, and I voiced that I had travelled nine weeks and this was my last leg home.
The Indian man steward had the cheek to ask if I had been to Europe. I kept quiet, and wanted to shout,” What is it to you?” Yes, I didn’t want to say I have been to Europe and I have been to USA and Canada.
I verbalised that I am a writer. I am a published writer, a blogger and a travel writer. I did not say I could write about such a shoddy situation we were in.
They then offer a seat way back which I did not take up. Finally they gave me a seat behind where I had originally purchased.
Towards the end of the trip, I asked the steward if he could give me a satisfactory answer, he gave a vague answer like seats at 9 and 10 were ………
When I came back, I didn’t write in, but it is already August, I still have not heard.

Ann Chin,
This was written on 11 August, I still have not heard from there. it is 13 sept

Saturday, March 18, 2017

Thursday challenge: Bike



"MOTION (week 2 of 2)" (Airplane, Car, Bike, Motion Blur,...)
Next Week: OLD (Vintage, Antique, Grey-haired, Cloths, Cars,...)
roseThursday Challenge is a place for photographic fun and learning. A theme is announced on this site each week. 

http://www.spunwithtears.com/thursday.html

ABC letter J for jungle.

Orang Utans in the jungle.

 The guide tells us what not to do.

 A yellow sign to advice  people what no to do. My brother Dr Henry Chan,  takes his son Jonathan, to appreciate nature at a young age. 6 years ago, Jonathan took me to the same place.


My youngest brother Dr. Henry Chan Chok Khuang and his lovely wife Elley Lina. I am very proud of Henry as he works for humanity and we share a lot of ideals.He is always traveling and attending conference on the environment. We tease him to be the protector of the orang-utans in the jungle.

He is leader for the Heart of Borneo (HoB). The Heart of Borneo Leader for WWF in Malaysia and Indonesia since March. He is based in Kuching but he travels a lot.


https://www.facebook.com/BorneoRainforests 
https://www.facebook.com/wwfhob
http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/borneo_forests/





-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Session 3: Societal Response to Environmental Governance in Malaysia
Chairperson:Dr. Henry Chan Chok Khuang
Fellow, Asian Public Intellectuals



https://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.co.nz/

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

International women's day.

International Women's Day (IWD) is March 8 and the 2017 campaign theme is Be Bold For Change.


Image may contain: 7 people, people smiling, people standing and indoor 
I celebrate with the women who come to my English Class.

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.



 





A good stay in the hospital.





Yesterday, I was watching our local Medical TV show. A woman had come in with a little baby and was found to be seriously sick. When she went to procedures of scans, the duty doctor offered to take care of the baby.

My first reaction was how unrealistic. Then I remember when my first born was 8 months old, I was admitted for a minor surgery. Because I had no relatives in New Zealand and she was totally on my breast milk, the hospital admitted her as well to Greenlane Hospital. Because it was a surgical ward, there were old men and women. They thought it was Deborah who was the patient. They came to the entrance of our room to see her.

That was a very good stay in the hospital. 

http://mondaymellowyellows.blogspot.com.au/

Thursday, March 2, 2017

Wolfram Eberhard and the willow tree

Image may contain: tree, sky, plant, outdoor and nature 

My Dad was bilingual. He told me a story involving a non bilingual person who named his house something like the Willow Villa. Dad said the Chinese educated people laughed until their teeth dropped.
In the Chinese beliefs,a house of willow means a brothel. I finally found out the following.

 https://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Chinese-Symbols-Routledge-Dictionaries/dp/0415002281

Dictionary of Chinese Symbols: Hidden Symbols in Chinese Life and Thought (Routledge Dictionaries) Revised ed. Edition

by Wolfram Eberhard
Wolfgang Eberhard's Dictionary of Chinese Symbols:

The willow, much valued as firewood, is a symbol of spring. As spring is the season
of erotic awakenings, the phrase ‘willow feelings and flower wishes’ means sexual
desire; ‘looking for flowers and buying willows’ means visiting a prostitute, ‘flowers and
willows by the wayside’ are prostitutes, and ‘sleeping among flowers and reposing
beneath willows’ is a term for visiting a brothel.
The waist of a beautiful woman is compared to the willow, her eyebrows to
the curve of willow leaves. A young girl is a ‘tender willow and fresh flower’ while
a woman who can no longer claim virginal freshness is described as ‘faded willow and
withered flower’. A woman’s pubic hair is ‘in the depths of willow shade’.

floating debris

A picture taken on Jan 13 of a log jam at Sungai Paran, a tributary of Balui River where communication is almost impossible. — Photo by Chimon Upon

It would take millions of ringgit to try to remove the floating debris of over 30km long on the  river surface,”
In 2010, this occured in the same Rejang River, and I wrote, "Look what they have done to my river."

something to seriously think and act.
http://mondaymellowyellows.blogspot.com.au/
http://rubytuesdaytoo.blogspot.co.nz

Our World Tuesday Graphic