World should emulate NZ

"Countries around the world should aspire to be as prepared as New Zealand for massive natural disasters like the Christchurch earthquake, former Prime Minister Helen Clark says."

Whilst the above statement is true, comparing Haiti to Christchuch is like trying to draw parallel between the Pope and Richard Dawkins....

"You will never get them back once you have lost them. They are a piece of you."

It may well be Daniell doesn't have a mother or extended family. But if she does, then may be supporting her family to support her may be an alternative to the model.

Transforming your fears

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world.

Nelson Mandela's Inaugural Speech 1994

Uncle's food

Every time we went to Grandma's place my uncle would spoil us with our favorite food, Tofu for me and pork belly for Dani. My uncle is too modest to have this photo on his Facebook, so I'll put it up on my blog instead :)

Canon S95

9 months after the S90, S95 is coming soon. Can't wait to see the reviews.. and may be the time has come for my LX1 to retire..

Are alpha men a dying breed?

ASK SAM - from THE AGE 18 Aug 2010

Brad Pitt calls himself Mister Mom. My male friend has more beauty products than the pampering section of David Jones. And more blokes are exfoliating, waxing and carrying around manbags than we'd like to know about.

No wonder the single women are complaining. "I just want a manly man!" is a common cry I've recently been hearing from frustrated women who are wondering what the hell happened to the hairy-chested, sports-playing, beer-sculling blokes of the world.....

Scams

It is no news that the internet is full of scam, sites that want your credit card number for stuff you don't need are the ones to watch out for. They are certainly getting more and more sophisticated. I've been surfing the net since 1997s and this is the best one that I have come across so far: www.bidfun.com.au. The deals are too good to be true, and one can spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars on buying "bidding dollars" - while the company pockets all your hard earn cash.

Last week I also received an e-mail from a friend's hotmail account, stating he got a new Apple ibook from a website, it's much cheaper and it's genuine.. blah blah blah. It was so real that I e-mail the friend back and say I must have a look at his new toy soon, only to find out it was a scam! His account probably got hacked.

Just watch out guys. For more info see www.scamwatch.gov.au

Julia Gillard

"It's not that I have anything against the institution of marriage, it's just the accumulation of a set of life choices that has led me to this point,'' she tells the Weekly.

"I'm not going to rule anything in or out, but I would say that any discussion about marriage would be about me and Tim, not about The Lodge, or being prime minister or elections or government, or any of those things.''

'I'm not preaching my life choices as a model for other people. It's my life, I made my choices, I don't regret my choices nor am I urging anybody to mimic them.''

Indeed. Life is full of choices, yes, there is fate and there is destiny and for the believer, there is God. At the end of the day it is the choices you made that shape your life. Your choice to be happy or sad, rich or poor, have a family or not.

"Under a vast sky" 海闊天空

Any Hong Kong people of the Generation X or Y vintage will know this song. It is the product of the heydays of 80s and 90s HK. Timeless. Thank you Anthony for letting me know this new version.

Winter in Melbourne

Whilst Auckland can be cold at times, the overnight low is not often 3 or 4 degrees. In our 5 months here so far, the highs were up to 34s in Feb, and the low last night was 3.
It was our one year anniversary the weekend just passed. It's only timely to post some photos here, kind of a time capsule I guess.

Cooking by omunni

From the famous Brunetti

Mum's sushi - felt like home

Our pre-anniversary dinner - a 5 course affair at home

Recipe from Julie Goodwin

Finishing with a fruit platter - haven't had Jack Fruit for so long!

1st Anniversary!

Vuvuzela

Ban vuvuzela. It emits up to 127 decibels and the noise is seriously deafening. I wonder what it is like if you're in the stadium.