Running out of photos of bridges. This was taken when I went to Southport during one of my holidays. My sister Helen took us to a park. It was dusk, the lights were not very good.
Wild Onion, the smell is pungent. Some people use them in their salads. Grow wild everywhere.
I used to dig up the bulbs of this wild onion weed. It was very difficult to get rid off and the stalk break off easily. They grow and grow profusely.
Then two things happened, I started blogging, and and was attracted to wild flowers. I found these patches very pretty. I went to a farmers' market to take photos for my blog, and found that they sell the stems. They are delicious, assures the seller.
I never looked at the wild onion patch the same way again, and I don't dig them up.
I found myself sniffing in the intense aroma, or should I say, pungent odour, of onion weed (Allium triquetrum). the masses of white, bell-like flowers actually looked very pretty lining the roadside , the masses of white, bell-like flowers actually looked very pretty
It is known also as the three-cornered leek or angled onion, some describe the smell as leek or garlic-like.
The flowers are too little for me to take a macro flower. So a little bunch from a single stalk. Aren't they pretty?
The sun may be shining in New Zealand, but the day is bleak. There is a gas leak in the Maui gas pipeline, It is affecting many industries. Supermarket shelves are getting empty. Motel guests will have to have cold showers. Burger King, which shut most of its 41 restaurants Not very nice.
While you have Fall/autumn in the northern hemisphere, we have spring here. We have a tree is is completely pink. Pink Cedrela (Toon) Tree. It doesn't stay pink very long. Then they become green. A spectacular tree in spring when the new foliage is pale pink. The foliage slowly turns cream then deep green. An upright, narrow habit growing to approx 8M.
The young leaves are extensively used as a vegetable in China; they have an onion-like flavour. Plants with red young leaves are considered of better flavour than those where the young leaves are green.
We haven't had clear sky for a long time. Yesterday was the first day we didn't see a streak of clouds. We sat at the patio of my friend's house and talked about not anticipating going back to school on Tuesday.
Traditionally Oct 25th, is our Labour day. But it falls on Tuesday, so they gave us the day off on Monday instead,.
Here is another flag staff of the Pt Chev Sailing Club. No flags as the sailing season hasn't opened. Further down the beach, many brave hearts were wind surfing. I was too lazy to walk down to take their photos. J Bar, we are all on rugby mode, the beach can wait.
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!
My school is at Point Chevalier, which is near this beach. I am proud to say that my school supports Canteen. This is a reflection post of a different kind. This year's Canteen appeal is close to my heart. A friend's son and ex student of my school has cancer. As a bereaved mother, I feel for all those mothers who had lost their children to cancer, and I walk with those mothers who are struggling with their children as they fight this horrible disease.
CanTeen is the New Zealand organisation supporting young people aged between 13 and 24 living with cancer.
CanTeen was established to ensure that no young person in New Zealand living with cancer should ever have to feel alone. Mission Our mission is to support, develop and empower, young people living with cancer through a national peer support network, and high quality educational and recreational programmes.
Their annual appeal is the Bandanna Challenge,Bandanna Challenge is CanTeen's major public appeal and fundraiser for the year and was held from 23 September - 9 October in 2011. It is over, but you can still buy them online.
On everyone's lips who are watching the Rugby World Cup is 22 year old Aaron Cruden. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer, which necessitated the removal of one of his testicles, and is said to have cost him a super 14 contract in 2009. The cancer has since gone into remission. Cruden started the match at First Five-Eighth against Australia on 16 October 2011, in the World Cup Semi Final at Eden Park, scoring a drop goal in the 20-6 victory for the All Blacks.
Most schools support them, and my school's student council sold bandannas and the children wore this colourful bandannas in different style. The classroom became a sea of coulour hues.
The most popular ones were designed by celebrities and sporting heros.
Some schools refused to support this cause arguing that bandannas are associated with gangs. This is a pity as the orginally intention was to identify with cancer victims who usually lost their hair and have to wear a bandanna over their head to cover their baldness.
These photos epitomises New Zealand's friendliness and ingenuity. I was walking round my new neighborhood when I saw this sign for bowling and croquet. Croquet gives me a warm fuzzy feeling. My Dad went to London in the 1950s, and he played croquet. Croquet conjured pictures of victorian ladies in white gloves, and long dresses. I wondered why Dad and his friend from Gibraltar would play such a feminine game. He replied it was a game of precision.
I eventually got to try a game when I went to Christchurch. It wasn't easy, and a great game for friends.
On Friday, as I was taking photos at the club, this gentleman Frank came, he invited me to come and play, and to the tournament that was taking place during the weekend. I commented about his mallet. He said," I made it myself. It is better than the bought ones."
Croquet is a lawn game, played both as a recreational pastime and as a competitive sport. It involves hitting plastic or wooden balls with a mallet through hoops (often called "wickets" in the US) embedded into the grass playing court.
It was low tide yesterday at Pt Chev Beach. In New Zealand, all beaches are public. I went under a private jetty and took this photo. The underbelly was full of oysters.
We moved to a new house, the TV aerial transmission was no good. We bought a new TV, and it was still no good. We had to get a technician in. He climbed up the roof, now, we can watch good TV, especially the rugby world cup semi and finals.
Most importantly, I could watch the documentary of It's OK to cry when it was aired on Sunday. http://www.youtube.com/asiadownunder#p/c/C9FEF73B56807B22/3/IZk9w-uywAs I didn't have to fret, later I found I could watch it on TV and on Youtube. The producer GLENNA CASALME sent me a DVD.
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.
This kitty was sitting on top of my neighbor;s car and looking at me. I thought it suits the song that my neighbor stole kitty. (Though I think the cat belongs to her.)
My pussy cat was scratching out on my back door Scratched so long poor pussy got sore Sore pussy..ooohhhh Sore..pussy ooohhh Just a friendly little cat
My pussy cat was sittin on the front step Sat so long poor pussy got wet Wet pussy...ohhhhh Sore, wet..pussy Just a friendly little cat
My pussy cat was playing out on the back lot Played so long poor pussy got hot Hot pussy..ohhhh Sore, wet, hot...pussy.. Just a friendly little cat
My pussy cat was rocking in the rocking chair Rocked so long he lost his hair Bald pussy...ohhh Sore, wet, hot, bald...pussy Just a friendly little cat
My neighbor and I out at the clothes line I said to my neighbor won't you look at mine My pussy..oohhhhhh Sore, wet, hot, bald pussy Just a friendly little cat
My neighbor stole my kitty But I did see I said to my neighbor set my pussy free Free pussy Sore, wet, hot, bad free pussy Just a friendly little cat Here kitty kitty kitty kitty kitty.
There are renewed fears the stern of the Rena will break away and sink.
Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) has revealed there are cracks in the hull and a ONE News chopper also sighted the cracks today.
The aerial footage showed a large one on the starboard side.
Related 12:36 More oil reaches BOP coast (2:48) 12:38 Ships warned after containers tumble () 07:59 Containers fall from Rena (4:45)
MNZ says the Rena's bow is still stuck fast on rocks, but the stern is being swung about by huge swells, stressing the ship's structure.
Maritime New Zealand advisor Captain John Walker, who was one of the last people evacuated off the vessel last night, said there is a fold on the port side and the cracks on the vessel "are getting worse".
Kiwi Mummy Blogs showcases Kiwi Mummy Bloggers and their daily family ramblings online... http://www.kiwimummyblog
As a Kiwi Mum, I have connected with these blogs, and was invited to do a review of the SunRice. I am given a sample to try out and I do not receive any financial returns.
SunRice has launched three delicious new flavours in their Quick Cups range and are looking for blogging Mums interested in reviewing them. There are 3 flavours: Egg Fried Rice, Teriyaki Rice and Chicken Rice.
Cups are placed into the microwave and in just 40 seconds a perfect mound of fluffy Basmati rice, with real veggies and loads of flavour, is ready for serving. They’re perfect as snacks for kids – or as part of a balanced meal for your little ones.
They have marketed these rice cups as perfect as snacks for kids or part of a balanced meal for your little ones.
I have tried all 3 flavours. They have very strong flavours, the best is egg fried rice. The Teriyaki was very sweet, and the chicken rice too salty.
It is convenient, just pop in the micro wave for less than one minute, and you have a snack. The portions are small, ie child size.
Would children like such a snack after school? I don't know. Would mums like to serve a snack where grains of rice might be scattered all over the place?
I would say, instead of marketing SunRice as a snack to children, it could be marketed as a bigger portion as a lunch in the office lunch room.
Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪
我是一个新西兰的中国人，出生在马来西亚的沙捞越州
I am the writer of:
1: From China to Borneo and beyond. 海外华人的中国魂:
从中国，到南洋，到更远
第二次世界大战
我爷爷的故事
2: Diary of a Bereaved Mother, Goodbye my baby 丧儿记:
丧失儿子的母亲的一本传记
Published 2011
Genre: Non fiction, self help, bereavement, infancy death
NZ$35
Available in New Zealand at:
Women's Bookshop, University Bookshop, Auckland, Church of Christ Bookshop, Online orders: Wheeler books,Fishpond.co.nz ,academybooks.co.nz/product/isbn/9780473187095/
For Overseas order:
www.abebooks.co.uk/9780473187095/Diary-Bereaved-Mother...
please send an email:
annkschin@yahoo.com
TV and YouTube Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZk9w-uywAs&lr=1&user=asiadownunder
https://www.facebook.com/DiaryOfABereavedMotherGoodbyeMyBaby
http://annkitsuetchin.blogspot.co.nz/2013/02/foreverinmyheartexhibition.html
