Kiwiana Christmas

I just got back from the Mt Albert Baptist Church Annual Christmas at Rocket Park. Tired but happy. My students and I must have given out 3000 goodie bags.

Santa came and he had stripped his thick suit for a singlet because it is so hot here. He also shaved off his beard either because of the heat or he heard that in New Zealand, men shave their beard for the movember cause for men's cancer. Along the way, he went to Germany and picked up a pretty helper, Anja Blaske. The elves were happy and couldn't wait to get out of santa's trailer. I suspected the reindeers went on strike because of the heat, and santa had to borrow a farmer's quad bike.

All very entertaining, James.

My students say, it is not Santa, It is his son. I could the kids to compare a traditional santa and a Kiwi/New zealand santa. Can you spot the difference?



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http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com

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

Weekend reflection: Bird's nest

http://newtowndailyphoto.blogspot.com/


Happy Mother's Day, an Australian Coots sits on her nest in a lake in Western Springs.

photohunt: Dusty in Australia & ANZAC Day

My niece sent me these photos taken at the University of Queensland in Australia.


http://tnchick.com/





This is an old post of the red dust in Sydney in September 2009. It blew up to Queensland and even across the Tasman sea to New Zealand. There was a layer of orange dust on our cars this morning here in Auckland.

I asked my family in Australia and my two nieces tell me:

It was very windy when we were hit by the dust storm on Wednesday. There was an inch of dust on everywhere. I was coughing all day and can't breathe properly because it was so dusty & air was really dry.

I spent whole yesterday morning to mop, wipe and clean my house. After I was just about to drink my coffee and relax watch t.v., the news said there might be another one coming this weekend.

F in the GoldCoast

Photos from the outside of my unit around 11.20am, when the storm hasn't fully blown into Brisbane yet. It got worst after that.

S in Brisbane

The photos don't show how bad it is, like she said, she took them before the situation got worst.

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ANZAC Day – 25 April – is probably Australia and New Zealand 's most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. It is the commemoration for the fallen. Lest we forget.

Outside, the rain is pelting. The National commemoration is shifted indoors in the National Memorial Museum. On this day, the skies cry and release their tears. A few years past, I joined the march past and it was raining.

When war broke out in 1914, Australia had been a federal commonwealth for only 13 years. The new national government was eager to establish its reputation among the nations of the world. In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula in order to open the Dardanelles to the allied navies. The ultimate objective was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul in Turkey), the capital of the Ottoman Empire, an ally of Germany.

The Australian and New Zealand forces landed on Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated, after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers had been killed. News of the landing on Gallipoli had made a profound impact on Australians at home, and 25 April soon became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in the war.

Although the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives, the Australian and New Zealand actions during the campaign left us all a powerful legacy. The creation of what became known as the “ANZAC legend” became an important part of the identity of both nations, shaping the ways they viewed both their past and their future.

weekend reflection: Oakley Creek Park

http://newtowndailyphoto.blogspot.com/


We had a wonderful weather today. We went for a walk and went to Oakley Creek Park. We had not been here before. The scenery was beautiful. If it was summer, I would be tempted to go down for a swim.

Skywatch Friday: One Tree Hill

http://skyley.blogspot.com/

The obelix monument is on top of One Tree Hill extinct volcano. The cloud looks like smoke come out of the monument,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Tree_Hill,_New_Zealand

The monument and the one tree were one of Auckland's most obvious landmark. However, the One tree Hill has become None tree Hill. Tourists often ask this question ,"Why is it called One Tree Hill, when there is no tree?"

Until 2000, a radiata pine tree stood next to the obelisk. This tree (one of two pines) had been planted to replace a sacred Māori Totara tree, the tree which had given Maungakiekie its English name. This totara had been cut down by a white settler in 1852 for firewood.


However, in the early 1960s during a jamboree, a group of overseas Boy Scouts cut down one of the two newer pines. The remaining tree was later attacked twice with chainsaws by Māori protesters (partly because it was not a native New Zealand species and thus considered an insult). The first attack happened on 28 October 1994, the anniversary of the 1835 Declaration of Independence.[2] A second attack on the 5th of October 2000[3] left the tree unable to recover and so it was removed due to the risk of it dying and falling down.

http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/One-Tree-Hill,-New-Zealand

ABC WEdnesday: M for Mountain

This photo of Ngarimu was taken when he played host to my sister Elizabeth, Bro-in-law Kallang from Borneo to his marea,











http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.com/


Technically, Mt Eden or Maungawhau is not a mountain. But we affectionally call our volcanic cones Mt Something. If you are a tourist to Auckland, chances are you will be taken up by bus by the tour operator right up to the summit and you get to walk round the rim of the crater. There, in amazement, you see an astounding 360 degrees bird's eye view of Auckland city. This is every tourist and tour operator's dream.

However, on the flip side, there is the ecological problem. The mountain may not sustain all the heavy load of traffic. In the past, the council rents out the mountain to farmers who graze their cows. This has stopped as this is tapu area and it disrespectful to have the cow pats all over sacred area. On a selfish reason, I am glad I don't have to watch out to avoid stepping on the shit. I climb up the summit quite often to get the challenge. I don't use the road but climb on the slope. Some parts are quite steep.

Organization chairman Kit Howden approached the board in February, concerned with a lack of management and direction for the Mt Eden-Maungawhau mountain.

"We support heritage tourism and not the mass tourism which is not contributing to the care of the maunga and not operating in accordance with the management plan."

Large portions of the mountain's western slopes are lacking support because of an unstable wall and the remains of an old quarry not being adequately revegetated, Mr Howden says.

These worries are coupled with Ngati Whatua O Orakei's concerns for the mountain in the lead-up to the world cup. Ngati Whatua heritage and resource manager Ngarimu Blair believes vehicle access should be restricted to the summit of Mt Eden-Maungawhau for safety reasons.

Ngati Whatua and the council are working on a co-governance plan for Maungawhau and other volcanoes, which could see a new management structure in place before the world cup.

skywatch Friday: Aucklandsky

http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Skywatch Friday: New Zealand

http://skyley.blogspot.com/


Today, a student from Tanzania shared with my class the Citizenship ceremony she went to make her a Kiwi or New Zealander. I too, more than 20 years ago underwent this ceremony and chose this country to be my home.

You may have read my previous posts that I not only became a New Zealander, I became a Maori as well. Through my association with the NGATI WHATUA O ORAKEI. on Waitangi Day, on the invitation of their Heritage & Resource Manager Ngarimu Blair, I sleep in their Marae, learn the culture , eat their food, and help in their Zero Waste program. Their chief told us that we were now Maoris.

Maoris were the first people to come to New Zealand. Maori is one of 3 official language. At Pt Chevalier School, we are very lucky to have Mr. Matua Emerson Nikora to impart his knowledge and skill of the Maori language and culture.

The video includes: Tutira mai action song, toia mai action song , haere mai action song and ka mate haka

In time, our students will be singing and dancing like the professional dancers. Thanks Matua Emerson. http://ann-mythoughtsandphotos.blogspot.com/2010/10/abc-wednesdaythursday-theme-song-new.html

ABC Wednesday: Jump

http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.com/


The kids in New Zealand start up with vertical jumping. When they turn 16, they are allowed to do the proper bungy jump. Both my daughters had done that. While they were jumping, my heart jumped to my mouth.

mellow yellow monday/Thursday theme song: I am sailing

http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com/
As New Zealand has water all round her, it is important children know how to be water wise. Our school takes students out to the beach for their lessons. They use an Optimist boat. They brought it back to school one day.
The Optimist is a small, single-handed sailing dinghy intended for use by children up to the age of 15.



hootin--anni has a new meme.
IT'S ALL ABOUT MY NEW MEME THAT I HOPE SOME WILL FEEL LIKE JOINING IN ON THE CHALLENGE AND THE FUN [at least I hope the weekly challenge will be fun!]. It's loosely based on song lyrics [recorded songs since the beginning of time to today] and associating them with photos of yours...as I've done in the past...If you click on the link above, it'll take you to the Meme's Homepage for rules and buttons. There will be a Mr. Linky Widget for each individual week also. Do consider joining me sometime. Hope to see it flourish in time.
http://hootin--anni.blogspot.com/




Rod Stewart won our hearts in New Zealand when he sailed across the sea to marry our beauty queen Rachel Hunter. However, he broke our hearts when he sailed away from her.

Still, we like his sexy voice.

I am sailing, I am sailing,
Home again cross the sea.
I am sailing, stormy waters,
To be near you, to be free.

I am flying, I am flying,
Like a bird cross the sky.
I am flying, passing high clouds,
To be with you, to be free.

Can you hear me, can you hear me
Thro the dark night, far away,
I am dying, forever trying,
To be with you, who can say.

Can you hear me, can you hear me,
Thro the dark night far away.
I am dying, forever trying,
To be with you, who can say.

We are sailing, we are sailing,
Home again cross the sea.
We are sailing stormy waters,
To be near you, to be free.

Oh lord, to be near you, to be free.
Oh lord, to be near you, to be free,
Oh lord.

Skywatch Friday: Auckland remembers Christchurch victims of earthquake.

http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Tens of thousands of people turned out for a memorial service at Christchurch's Hagley Park today. Prince William came from England and brought his message from his grand mother, the Queen.

Here in Auckland, in an hour, we will meet at the Cenotaph in the Auckland Domain to join in with our Christchurch people, in telling them that we care.

News Advisory - Office of the Mayor

11 March 2011

Christchurch Earthquake - Auckland Memorial Service

An outdoor memorial service for the victims of the Christchurch Earthquake will be held at the Cenotaph in the Auckland Domain on the evening of Friday 18 March.

The ceremony will follow the National Memorial Service in Christchurch , which the Mayor will attend on behalf of the people of Auckland .

The hour-long Auckland memorial service will take place at 7pm.

Aucklanders who attend will be encouraged to lay flowers at the Cenotaph after the ceremony.

Len Brown says it is important we remember what happened in Christchurch as we continue to work with the people of Canterbury as they rebuild.

Aucklanders can also leave messages of support in condolence books at Auckland Town Hall and Auckland libraries.



Auckland Transport Media Release

16 March 2011

FREE BUSES PROVIDED FOR CHRISTCHURCH MEMORIAL SERVICE

Auckland Transport, NZ Bus and Ritchies are providing free bus services for people attending the Christchurch memorial service in Auckland Domain this Friday.

Both the LINK and a special shuttle bus from downtown to Auckland Domain will be free.
The outdoor memorial service for the victims of the Christchurch earthquake will be held at the Cenotaph in front of the Museum in the Auckland Domain at 7pm on Friday.

The free shuttle bus from stop D11 outside the Mercure Hotel on the corner of Customs St east and Queen St in the CBD will run every 10 minutes from 5.30pm to 7pm and after the service from the domain between 8pm and 9pm. Passengers can wave down the bus from existing bus stops on the route along Customs St, Anzac Ave, Symonds St and Park Rd.

Alternatively people can travel free on existing LINK services to and from the Domain between 5.30pm and 7pm and after the service from 8pm until 9pm.

Auckland Transport says the free buses are a small gesture to help Aucklanders take a moment to reflect and show their respects for those affected by the earthquake.

The hour long ceremony will follow the National Memorial Service in Christchurch .
Auckland Museum will remain open until 9pm following the ceremony.
Aucklanders can also leave messages of support in condolence books at the Auckland Town Hall and any Auckland library.
Auckland Transport thanks NZ Bus and Ritchies for their support in providing the free services

ABC Wednesday: Letter I

This little boy cools his feet in ice cubes after running 8.4 km.


http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.com/


On Sunday, I took part in our annual Round the bays Run. There were 70,000 Iron men in training. There were some very serious runners, and some just went for fun in support for the charities. I was awed by some very senior citizens in their 70s. They were incredible, as some walked with their sticks. They inspired me to finish the course.