Violino Piccolo

The young busker in Rundle Mall.  22 December 2011.

Amidst the energy and excitement of holiday shopping at Rundle Mall yesterday, I came across this young boy busking in the middle of this unique street.  Exhausted from the shopping rush, I walked towards him to listen to what he was playing and perhaps, to sit on the wooden bench nearby to relax.  As I got closer to him, I heard the melody of the carol entitled Mary's Boy Child...

James playing a Christmas carol.  Rundle St., Adelaide City, South Australia

Despite the jubilant theme of the song, I could see the sadness in his eyes.

Shoppers went past him; while most of them didn't, some of them tossed coins into his violin case lying open down the brick-covered lane.  There was a note saying, "Hope you like my playing. -James."

Whether it's for passion or just purely for financial gain, nobody knows it except James.

After taking this photograph, I grabbed a note from my wallet and handed it to him, he stopped fiddling and took it.

He said, "Thank you..." and he smiled.

"Merry Christmas, James!"  Then I left. 




.

Sofia's Basket

A basket of fruits for Sofia's birthday

Last September, a young Filipino family arrived and occupied the house (approximately) 70 meters south of my accommodation.  Yes, I finally have a neighbour in the chook farm compound.

Edwin- the head of the family, has been helping me with the poultry farm operation since then.  His wife Zuzette, coincidentally, was born and grew up in a town 36 kilometers southwest of my hometown.  The couple has two daughters named Sofia and Ezra.

Ezra is 4 years old, and Sophia turned 8 yesterday.  The family invited some friends to dine with them, and because it's a local tradition to bring a plate, I decided to make a cake for Sophia.  I heard from Edwin that Zuzette loves chocolate cake so I baked one... but frosting and designing it for an eight-year old girl was simply a mountain to climb.

I love to personalize my creations but this time I couldn't think of a cake that would fit the birthday girl.  Sofia loves telling a lot of detailed stories, she has a torrent of words!  Though she speaks and understands Filipino, she expresses her thoughts and feelings in English.  Her name reminds me of my Philosophy subject back in the uni- exactly the time when our professor said, "...Philos means love, and sophia means wisdom."

To make the story short, I ended up with a basketweave design.

The chocolate basket cake, left lateral view.

I am glad Sofia loved it, she and her parents were very happy and grateful!  The guests had literally dropped their jaw upon seeing it, and I am thankful they all said, "Hmmm... beautiful!"- the Australian way of saying delicious. 

Sofia realized she forgot to make a wish before blowing the candle.

After cutting the cake... (Photo taken using my mobile phone.)

I was happy with the outcome of this masterpiece, my plans were executed well and the cake turned out as what I had actually imagined.  To prove that the basket was really a cake, I made sure to take a photo after it was cut (Since I arrived in Australia, I have learned to use the word 'cut' in place of the preferred Filipino term- slice). 

A slice of the basket cake.

Unlike the photo above, weaving the creamy chocolate frosting was NOT a piece of cake; but it was fun!  I didn't post it last October, but I also made a chocolate doll cake for Ezra's birthday!  Somebody up there tells us to love our neighbour, I hope my gestures count.


.

'Double' Celebration

The ladies celebrating after the 2011 Melbourne Cup race.  Hahndorf Inn; Hahndorf, South Australia. 

These photos were taken from Hahndorf, South Australia.  I was there this afternoon to loosen up a bit and was, honestly, surprised to see the multitude in all the pubs/gaming rooms and restaurants along the town's main street.    
There was a celebration- tables teeming with fine foods, glasses overflowing with a wide range of drinks, balloons everywhere, and flags blowing up in the air!  The crowd was jubilant; and unlike Mexico, Portugal, Spain, Italy, France and the Philippines who earnestly celebrates the All Saints Day (and the following day- the All Souls Day), Australia holds the 2011 Melbourne Cup today.

Melbourne Cup is the major and the most famous horse race in Australia; it is actually known as 'the race that stops the nation' and is traditionally conducted during the first Tuesday of November.

In Melbourne and in most parts of the state of Victoria, Melbourne Cup is a public holiday.  Here in South Australia and in the other states, it's supposedly business as usual but I'm sure most of the Australians had turned their telly on this arvo to watch the race and bet for their favourite horse.  Hahndorf is (an old German town) located approximately 701 kilometres away from the venue of the race (Flemington, Victoria), but look at how important Melbourne Cup is to Australians.

Okay, Melbourne Cup is a horse race, but why do women wear colourful hats and hairdresses during this day?  They simply call it Fashion on the Field- there's a prize awarded to the best-dressed man or woman in the race.  It all started in 1962 and it has become a tradition- that in every local horse race, in Flemington or not, it is equally important to wear an elegant hat. 

The same women as in the photo above.

The French-based horse Dunaden- ridden by Cristophe Lemaire won the 2011 Melbourne Cup.  The horse's owner earned $3.6 million plus a trophy worth $175,000.


.

Thirty-two

My birthday cake specially made by Ate Fely Shumacher.

It's been quite a while since I had a birthday party- it was ten years ago right after getting my veterinary license.   

I didn't have the plan to celebrate this year, but my Titas in Port Wakefield organized something.  It was supposedly a surprise party but they failed to keep it, so I volunteered to procure a whole roasted pork.  Special thanks to my friends who are working in the piggery farm, we got the size we want at a lower price.  We didn't use a skewer but it turned up as an authentic Philippine lechon! 

It was a double celebration:  my birthday, and for getting the Australian citizenship this year!  Cheers!

The main dish.

Hogwarts-inspired dessert table.

The long table.

The celebrant with the event planners.

August 27, 2011.
4:30pm-11:00pm

Happy Easter!

In Australia, I've noticed that during Ash Wednesday celebration Christians would start greeting each other a "Happy Easter!"  Simultaneously, shops and other similar establishments would post this greeting or would exaggeratedly showcase an array of Easter stuffs during the entire length of the Lent.

My icing injector broke when I was writing on my mocha cake- the reason why the letters don't look very good.

During the Holy Week, the long weekend or public holiday Down Under would start on Maundy Thursday and, interestingly, wouldn't simply end on Easter Sunday but until Monday which is called Easter Monday; and in Tasmania they are on a holiday until Easter Tuesday!  Australia is always very excited for Easter, the reason why as early as Holy Tuesday, my mocha cake is already Easter-inspired.

This long weekend is not for the people involved in the livestock industry, though.  We still need to attend to the needs of our animals every day.  But honeslty, I don't know if the entire long weekend of those who are on a holiday is sincerely spent with the essence of the season because I've observed that more people are visiting the coasts and campsites than the church, and it seems to me that local children would directly relate Easter Sunday with bunny and with the colourful eggs of different sizes than commemorating Christ's resurrection.

I can't help but compare how Australia and the Philippines celebrate the Lenten Season.  Being religious is, indeed, not a guarantee of being prosperous.  I am sorry.

The chocolates at Haigh's Chocolates, corner Rundle St. and King William Rd., Adelaide City, South Australia

.

the Aussie way

Olive twigs, not young coconut leaves.
Palm Sunday 2010 at St. Vincent de Paul
Port Wakefield, South Australia

Cadbury's chocolates in colourful foil wrappers.
...in preparation for the Easter Sunday 2010
Port Wakefield, South Australia

Did you know that Australians would start greeting each other a 'Happy Easter!' as early as Holy Monday? I have, actually, received four Happy Easter greetings and have eaten five egg-shaped chocolates since the start of the Holy Week.

.

Ang Medisina ng Pag-ibig

Ang 'pag-ibig' ay isang talamak (chronic) at napaka-kumplikadong karamdaman ng buong katawang (systemic) tumatama sa lahat ng tao sa buong mundo (pandemic). Ang sakit na ito'y mas nauna pang natuklasan kaysa sa ketong, black plague at pagkabulok ng ngipin, ngunit ang sanhi at mga paliwanag tungkol sa sakit na pag-ibig ay pilit pa ring tinutuklas ng mga dalubhasa hanggang ngayon. Kaya sa kasalukuyan, mas angkop pa rin itong tawaging isang syndrome.

May mga teyoryang ang pag-ibig ay tumatama rin sa mga hayop pero hanggang ngayon ito'y hindi pa rin lubusang naunawaan o maipaliwanag.


SANHI (ETIOLOGY)
Tulad ng nabanggit na sa itaas, hinding-hindi pa rin natuklasan ang tunay na sanhi ng sakit na ito. Datapwat kapansin-pansing kapag ito'y tumama, sa isang kaso'y palaging dalawang tao ang tinatamaan, maaaring maging mas kumplikado kapag tatlo, at 'di malayong mangyaring apat ang apektado!

Sinasabing ang 'pag-ibig' ay may direktang kaugnayan sa puso, utak o sa mga bahaging pangkasarian subalit kahit na ang mga ito'y idinaan na sa mga mabusising pagsusuri walang nakuha o nakitang mikrobyo sa mga bahagi ng katawang ito na maaaring sabihing siyang pinakadahilan ng- at maiuugnay sa karamdamang 'pag-ibig'.

May mga pag-aaral nga lang na nagsasabing tumataas ang antas ng dopamine sa dugo ng tao kapag siya'y may sakit na 'pag-ibig'. Ang kemikal na ito ang siyang nagbibigay ng lubos na kasiyahang-loob at pagpupursige sa mga taong apektado ng pag-ibig.


KWENTO KUNG PAANO NAGKAKASAKIT (PATHOGENESIS)
Nagsisimula ang karamdamang ito kapag ang isang tao, babae man o lalake ay natamaan ng isang 'kathang-isip na palaso' sa dibdib na nagiging sanhi ng malalim na sugat; at kapag natusok na nito ang puso, ang mga bahagi ng utak ay agarang maglalabas mga kemikal na pheromones, dopamine, norepinephrine, oxytocin at serotonin na may epektong tulad ng sa mga amphetamines. Kaya ang taong natamaan ng matulis at matalim na pana ni Kupido ay makakaramdam ng kakaibang kaligayahan at aliw- ang masama pa, ito'y nakaka-adik!


CLINICAL FINDINGS
Ang mga nabanggit na kemikal ay may mga side effects tulad ng mabilis na pagtibok ng puso (tachycardia), kawalan ng ganang kumain (anorexia) at nahihirapang makatulog (insomnia), at 'di maipapaliwanag na sigla ng buong katawan.

Nang dahil sa tachycardia na madalas nararamdaman kapag nakikita ang taong iniibig, nagiging mas kakaunti ang dumadaloy na dugo sa buong katawan pati na rin sa puso, kaya maaaring magkaroon ng pananakit ng dibdib, panandaliang pamumutla at panlalamig ng mga palad pati ng mga talampakan. Pagkatapos nito ay bigla namang magkakaroon ng pamumula ng pisngi (blushing o hyperemia).


LESIONS
Kahit na ang matulis at matalim na 'palaso' ang siyang naging simula ng karamdamang ito, walang makikitang anumang lesion (mga sirang tissues o bahagi ng katawang nakikita nang dahil sa karamdaman o sakit), walang sugat o impeksiyon sa katawan...

Subalit kapansin-pansing kapag nawawala na ang 'pag-ibig' sa puso o utak ng dalawang taong apektado, maaaring magkakaroon ng 'di-mapigilang pagmumuta dahil sa matinding pagluha (lacrimation) ng mga mata; at kadalasan sa mga kasong ito makakakita ng mga sugat at mga pasa sa katawan ng mga biktima lalung-lalo na sa kanilang mukha.

Sa mga taong naging apektado ng 'pag-ibig' hanggang sa mga bahaging pangkasarian, nagkakaroon ng mga maliliit na pasa sa leeg o kahit saang bahagi ng katawan, at maaaring magkaroon ng pilas o wahi at kaunting pagdurugo lalung-lao na sa ari ng mga kababaihan.


TRANSMISSION
Hindi masyadong nauunawaan kung paano naisasalin ang 'pag-ibig' mula sa isang taong apektado papunta sa mga hindi pa apektado ngunit ang matamis na mga salita, natatanging kalinga, pagreregalo (ng mga rosas at tsokolate), at paghahawak-kamay ay ang ilan sa mga posibleng paraan ng pagkakahawa ng nasabing 'sakit'.

Pinagdududahang ang pagkikipaghalikan ay isa rin sa mga mode of transmissions ng 'pag-ibig', subalit ito nama'y madalas na nangyayari kapag nagkahawaan na kaya iniisip ng mga dalubhasa na ang pakikipaghalikan ay makapagpapalala ng karamdamang ito.


EPIDEMIOLOGY
Hindi man lubusang naipaliwanag ang pagkalat ng sakit na 'to, ang 'pag-ibig' ay laganap na sa buong mundo (pandemic) bago pa man nagsimula ang kasaysayan. Subalit sa kasalukyan, walang ganitong uri ng karamdaman sa mga bansang Iraq at Afghanistan, pati sa mga bahagi ng West Bank hanggang Gaza Strip sa Israel, at sa Pakistan.

Napag-alamang habang papatapos ang panahon ng taglamig sa mga bansang nasa hilagang bahagi ng daigdig at sa huling buwan ng tag-init sa katimugan- o tuwing Pebrero, tumataas ang kaso ng karamdamang ito.

Nakikitang ang mga taong nagkakaedad mula sampu o labindalawang taong gulang (puberty) hanggang sa mga matatanda ay mataas ang tsansang magkakaroon ng 'pag-ibig'. Ito'y pangkalahatan kung tumama sa mga nilikha, marami ang nagkakasakit (very high morbidity) ngunit kakaunti lamang ang namamatay (very low mortality).


DIAGNOSIS
Binabase ito sa mga nakikitang palatandaan at sintomang nabanggit na sa itaas. Hindi u-obra ang biopsy o autopsy; mas lalong walang magagawa ang complete blood count sa pag-alam kung apektdo ang isang nilalang ng sakit na ito (pag-ibig).

Maaaring gumamit ng ECG, ngunit walang halaga ang x-ray. Sa kasalukuyan, ginagamit ang MRI o magnetic resonance imaging upang pag-aralan ang mga bahagi ng utak na apektado kapag ang tao'y nakakaramdam ng pag-ibig.


TREATMENT, PREVENTION AND CONTROL
Napakahirap kontrolin ng pag-ibig!

Ang pagsasabon at paghuhugas ng kamay o di kaya'y pagmumumog ng mouth wash bago mag-holding hands o maghalikan ay siguradong walang bisa kung nais ay iwasan ang pagkalat ng 'pag-ibig'.

Maaaring uminom ng gamot na pampatulog at kumain kasabay ang taong iniibig upang maganahang kumain.

Hindi na kailangang gumamit ng Benzodiazepine/calcium channel blocker na Diltiazem, o di kaya'y Atenolol o anumang uri ng beta-blocking agents kung nais na maibalik sa normal ang mabilis na pagtibok ng puso (tachycardia) sapagkat ito'y kusa at paunti-unti namang mawawala...

Talagang kamangha-mangha, ngunit totoo- ang pinakamabisang panlunas sa 'pag-ibig' ay pag-ibig din mismo.








If you like this article, try to read this: Monetary Pharmacology
-----
Sources:
Wikipedia
Personal Experience
.

The Heart of the World

The City Cross
Rundle Mall, Adelaide City, S.A.

Eight days from now, the world will be filled with countless heart-shaped sketches and objects... will be painted with exaggerated red colours... will be covered with legions of rose buds and petals... and will be sweetened with tons of confectioneries...

...but I haven’t written my article about love, yet! I couldn't find ways to gather the exact letters and words to highlight the upcoming celebration. Honestly, I have started to fear that I don’t have a heart inside my chest; I may have one but possibly, it’s just a hollow muscular organ that rhythmically contracts to pump blood to my body.

I don’t mean to write another gloomy post this time so please stop wrinkling the skin on your forehead and start feeling the beat your heart. Is it beating?

Now, kindly take a look at the world news headlines I’ve got from Yahoo while I was writing this post (05Feb.2010, 10:50pm):

• Pakistan bomb in Karachi kills 11 (AAP)
• Bomber targets dog fight in Afghanistan (AAP)
• 20 killed in bombings in Iraq holy city during rite (Reuters)
• Taliban reject "deal" with Afghanistan, West (Reuters)
• 20 killed in bombings in Iraq holy city (Reuters)
• Taliban reject "deal" with West (Reuters)

Jesus’ message is very short and clear, “Love one another...*” And I believe Mohammed has said so.

-----
*John 13:34

.

...a Tiger by the tail

I’ve been staring at my computer screen for the past 28 minutes, hoping to write something good before the year 2009 ends...

By this time, the two thin slices of pork belly (I purchased from Foodland), the chicken giblets (I collected from our previous grow), and the 280 grams of peeled green prawns (I bought from the local fish shop in town) have already been thawed on my caravan’s countertop.

The defrosting process was so quick due to the relatively hot temperature down south, which is expected to reach the maximum of 43’C in Port Wakefield today. I am hoping that the coldest setting of my out of date air-conditioning unit won’t fail me later especially in the early afternoon.

Right after publishing this post, I will start cooking valenciana so I could go to Aling Nati’s house ahead of time for a New Year’s Eve dinner with other Filipino friends who are living within the Wakefield Region.

Coming early to the said party doesn’t mean that I am very excited... Of course Sydney and Melbourne have prepared lots of pyrotechnic devices for the fireworks display tonight, but those who are living in the outback like us, welcoming the Year of the Tiger is definitely not as colourful and boisterous as in the major Australian cities.

This is my third New Year celebration Down Under, and just like in the two previous years, I am sure that the approaching media noche is another record-breaker—a night with a deafening silence!

A Filipino belief says that firecrackers and its noise drive the malevolent spirits away and make the new year prosperous and bountiful. I don’t know if I will still believe in this ‘belief’ after discovering that despite the muted air between December 31 and January 1 in Australia, this country remains to be wealthy and continuously booming!

I hate to mention something that is very obvious in this post... Does it simply means the Philippines needs to ignite more Rebentador, Super Lolo, Super Pla Pla, Triangulo, Bawang, Sinturon ni Judas, Jumbo Fountain, Whistle Bomb, Kuwitis, Lusis ,Watusi, or Bulalakaw during the New Year celebrations?

Honestly, if a firecracker factory in Bocaue or Sta. Maria, Bulacan could create an explosive device that can drive away dishonest and corrupt elected government officials I will fearlessly volunter to be the first one to detonate it this 2010!

Let us welcome the New Year with a complete set of fingers!

.

'CROSSing Over'

http://www.daemonsmovies.com/

Watch AVATAR: The Movie (new extended HD trailer here...)

Sa mga hindi pa nakapanood ng pelikulang Avatar, panoorin niyo na. (Biglang naging amateur ang dating ng Jurassic Park nang dahil sa bagong-likhang ito ni James Cameron.)

Ito ang dahilan ng aking pagkatulala sa nakalipas na apat na araw; iniisip at winawari ko kasi kung ano ang hitsura ng aking magiging avatar sakaling ako ay magkakaroon ng pagkakataong makadalaw sa mundo ng mga Na'vi- ang Pandora!

Ang Pandora ay kathang-isip lamang; ito'y isang daigdig na kasinlaki ng ating mundo kung saan nakatira ang mga matatangkad na nilalang na kulay-bughaw ang balat at mayroong isang-dipang buntot- sila ay ang mga Na'vi.

Nag-uumapaw sa likas na yaman ang Pandora. Sa malagong kagubatan ay mayroong napakaraming mga makukulay na halaman, iba't-ibang uri ng mga lumilipad, lumalangoy at pagala-galang mga hayop.

Isa sa mga pinakamagagandang tanawin at pinakakakaibang anyong-lupa sa Pandora ay ang mga bundok na nakalutang sa kalawakan, at higit sa lahat, sa tinutubuan ng isang higanteng punong Kelutrel ay matatagpuan ang isang mineral na kung tawagi'y unobtanium. Napaka-espesyal ang mineral na ito sapagkat ang isang dakot ay nagkakahalaga ng US$20,000,000!

Nang dahil sa unobtainium, nagkainteres sa Pandora ang mga tao mula sa ating mundo. Nais nilang sakupin at angkinin ang lahat ng kayamanan sa daigdig ng mga Na'vi subalit hindi ito madali sapagkat salat sa oxygen ang Pandora at ang natural na komposisyon ng hangin doon ay ang carbon dioxide, methane at ammonia.

Sa tulong mga mananaliksik, natuklasang sa pamamagitan ng mga avatars na may magkahalong genetic composition ng isang tao at isang Na'vi, ay posibleng maikot at mapag-aralan ng lubusan ang Pandora. Ang mga avatars na ito ay maaari lamang kontrolin ng mga taong pinagkunan ng DNA sample sa pamamagitan ng kanilang sariling utak habang sila'y tulog sa loob ng isang makabagong kasangkapan.

Sa panahon ng bahagyang kalungkutan at pangungulila sapagkat sigurado nang hindi ko na naman maipagdiwang ang Pasko kasama ang aking mga minamahal, iniisip kong sana'y isang umaga ako'y magising doon sa Pandora bilang isang avatar! Natitiyak kong sa ganda at kulay ng kapaligiran doon, makakalimutan ko kahit papaano itong aking mga dinaramdam. ...lalo na siguro kung magkikita kami ng kanilang prinsesang si Neytiri.

Napakaraming uri ng mga hayop doon sa Pandora, at nais kong mag-trabaho bilang isang beterinaryo roon. Hangad kong tuklasin ang mga lihim kung bakit malulusog at malalakas ang higanteng ibong Toruk at ang mala-kabayong Pa'li! Nais kong mapag-aralan ang mga bahagi ng katawan at ang kahalagahan nito sa buhay ng isang ibong Ikran at ng mala-lobong Nantang.

Kayo marahil ay nag-iisip kung kaya kong magtatagumpay sa aking pakay doon sa Pandora... kung maihahayag ko ng maayos sa mga katutubong Na'vi ang aking sadya sa kanilang daigdig. Siguradong kayang-kaya, bilang isang avatar! Isang avatar na kawangis ng mga katutubo roon, na kumikilos, nag-iisip, at may pandamdam na katulad ng mga Na'vi.

Maganda ang pelikula, panalo ang kwento at super-galing ang animation at visual effects!

Subalit may tatalo pa ba sa isang 'avatar' na isinilang sa mundo at namuhay bilang isang tao humigit-kumulang 2,009 taon na ang nakalilipas? Ang 'Avatar' na walang kapantay... nagturo, at nag-alay ng kanyang buhay bilang isang sakripisyo upang mailigtas mula sa kasalanan ang sangkatauhan at tuluyang mabuhay ng walang-hanggan doon sa kalangitan!

Halina't batiin natin Siya- ang tunay at nag-iisang avatar! Maligayang kaarawan, Panginoong Hesus!









Ang mga impormasyon sa lathalaing ito ay nagmula sa Wikipedia at sa opisyal na pahina ng pelikulang Avatar.




.

Joining the Magi

Twenty-three days from now, the Christian (as well as some of the non-Christian) community across the globe will be celebrating the most festive day of the year. Everyone has been looking forward for the coming of this very special day and has been traditionally counting the number of sleeps before Christmas immediately a day after the last Christmas celebration!

Undeniably, people whose workplace is miles away from home would love to schedule their vacation during Christmas season, and those whose workplace is just close to their hometown couldn’t resist the desire to take a day off during this day. In some countries, employees are obviously very excited as December draws near because of a longer break from work during the holidays and primarily, it is the time to receive the ‘thirteenth-month pay’ and the Christmas bonus from their generous employers.

Christmas really has a magical impact in this world! It is the season when houses and offices; malls and stalls; as well as gardens and lanes are displaying colourful lights and decorations! It is the time when Christmas carols fill the air, and Christmas cards occupy the mail boxes... and when ovens, fridges and pantries are packed with special meals for every member of the family.

Through the years, Christmas has gradually become more modernized and commercialized. Airline, bus and boat companies, food producers and processors, as well as product wholesalers and retailers directly benefit from the event. As we gear to celebrate with our family and friends, prepare to have a special dinner to feast on, and choose to give the best gifts to our loved ones, businesses are certainly making more money during this festive season of the year.

There’s nothing wrong with the contemporary way of celebrating Christmas, of course... but as we pack our bags to fly or sail home this Christmas, we should also join the magi in riding their camels as they journey towards the manger to celebrate the birth of the real Celebrant this Christmas. May we never fail to light and decorate our hearts with faith and hope. ...guided by the bright, shining Star may we, at all times, be ready to give love to every person we meet as we travel in this life so we could feast on everlasting peace and joy in this world!




.

Rising...

Glenelg, South Australia

I am thinking that thousands or even millions of souls wandered around the state of South Australia at around 3 in the afternoon last November 2, 2009.

It was very hot (41'C), dry and sunny in Port Wakefield, and the gusty wind was angrily blowing from the north (the Northern Territory and South Australian desert) at around 2 pm. But there was a very sudden 'cool change' at 3 when the wind started blowing from the south (Antarctic); in just a span of thirty minutes I had to rush to the chicken sheds, shut the blinds and turn the cooling facility off to maintain the required 21'C temperature inside.

The relatively cool environmental temperature sustained for another three days, at the maximum of only 22'C. I love it, no more complicated tunnel ventilation setting, no hassles, and no worries.

I think I have to review my Climatology so I can explain these incidents in a more scientific way and stop blaming the non-guilty souls of my departed loved ones for the cool days last week. I was stricken by my conscience for not lighting even a single candle for them that day. Well, I joined the Australians for deliberately ignoring the commercialized and American-influenced Halloween celebration. Certainly, the cemeteries Down Under would have been totally forsaken had the Filipino widows (Australian by residence or citizenship) failed to visit the grave of their deceased husband that day.

Back to my weather report, the forecast for this week is very bad. According to my favourite TV station, the South Australian weather or temperature at this time of the year has never been like this before. I really hate dry, warm, or hot weather (this always reminds me to get closer to our Saviour), that's why I have been upset since Friday after hearing the news about the coming heatwave in S.A.. This means that starting today until Friday, maximum temperatures will be above 35'C.

Yesterday was my day off, and together with my friends, we visited Glenelg. ...never heard? Well, if Queensland has its Gold Coast, and New South Wales boasts for its Bondi beach, South Australia is very proud of its Glenelg.

My apology, I am too lazy to describe and write more things about Glenelg this time. I'll just share some photos I've taken yesterday, instead.

Pines, not palms!

The Glenelg beach-front condominiums.

On the jetty...

McCafe, Glenelg, S.A.

On queue... Mc Donald's, Glenelg, S.A.

"Have it here or take-away?"- in Australia
"Dine-in or take-out?" -in the Philippines

Left to right: Toti, RJ, Jollie, and Fernan.
Literally and figuratively, 'full'!

Uhmn, after all, it seems that summer isn't really that bad.

The mercury has been rising! The hormones are 'rising'... everything is rising!





.

A Reply...

"Thanks RJ..."

"WE ARE ALL FATHERS in our own rights and realms. I know you are emulated in more ways than you ever thought by people whose lives got touched by your character."

"Happy Father's Day to all of us- we are all children, we are all fathers in our own worlds- what matters is we listen in awe to those who father our thoughts as we also make those little children that heed our stories drool in dreams of being, someday, like us!"

"The struggle always lie within- to make ourselves always worth emulating. It is not an easy path, nor we could always be perfect in our walk, but nevertheless, we should always carry ourselves in the path of always being true and valiant before the eyes of those who watch our pilgrimage."

"You will soon be a great father RJ, perhaps better than what I could, because I know you are already a great man today," my previous boss, Dr. Ed A. Lijauco replied.



Happy Father's Day to all!

Genuine Love

They were only a day old when they arrived here in the farm. We housed them in a shed that costs more than a hundred thousand dollars, with straw beddings that cost a hundred and twenty dollars per bale. These chicks were brooded in a computerized, environmentally-controlled room—where the temperature, air flow and humidity were closely monitored and modified (if needed) to suit their living requirement. There’s a lighting program to provide enough brightness even at midnight so they can eat and drink whenever they want. Their feed was a mixture of special grains and was very nutritious—formulated by the best animal nutritionists of the country. We ensured that their drinking water is always available, potable and uncontaminated.

They had the luxury of modern facility, the gift of skilful handlers and the comfort of special husbandry but still some of them had stunted growth, others were weak and a few died. Sometimes I would think that our management practices might not be enough, and the computerized controls and mechanized equipment have not been always perfect.

Despite their luxurious lifestyle, I don't and will never envy them. They had been artificially hatched from the machines and were immediately brought here in the farm. They haven’t even seen their dam; they had been deprived of and never felt the genuine brood of a real hen!

For us who experienced and have been enjoying the genuine love and care of our mother, we are very lucky. But of course Mother's Day is not just all about how we feel the warmth of our mother's love for us, it is also about how we let her feel the warmth of our own love, care and thoughts for her.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers, and out there!

[This entry was originally posted last May 10, 2008.]

The required brooding temperature for day old chicks in this farm is 32'C. But the warmth of our mother's genuine love can never be measured!

A year and more...

I've been very busy for the past two weeks because of the chicken harvest... the reason why I forgot something very important about my blogging life!

Auntie Monette who is currently in London surprised me with these photos through the Yahoo Messenger just an hour ago! Dyarannn! The Chook-minder’s Quill has been in the blogosphere for a year and 5 days now!





RJ is inviting all of you- my dear readers to join me for a big celebration!

Ready... sing!

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, happy birthday! Happy Birthday The Chook-minder’s Quill!"


Cheers!









Have a slice of cake, guys!

Auntie Monette is the number one fan of The Chook-minder’s Quill! Actually, she has been reading all the blogs listed on my blog roll, and all your comments in my posts. You can check your live traffic feed if you're in doubt. o",)

Thank you very much Auntie Monette for this very lovely cake and the red wine (which is surprisingly from Australia)!

A Healthy Heart II

I've been keeping all my fingers crossed since 1pm today because at this moment Uncle Herbert is inside the surgery room of the Holy Spirit Northside Hospital in Brisbane, QLD. I presume the cardiologist-surgeon has already gained access to my uncle's heart, and must be currently implanting the artificial cardiac pacemaker.

Amidst this complex situation, my aunt has still managed to maintain her composure. She told me that she'd already entrusted everything to the medical doctors and above all to the Almighty. She's not 'taking the fact to her own heart' that Valentine's Day is coming, and that Uncle Bert's 'centre of love' could be slightly mutilated and would eventually affect his emotions on February 14.

-February 12, 2008

Undeniably, there are men and women out there whose hearts are relatively healthy yet their love is severely and acutely ill! I believe I don’t need to explain further about this because most (if not all) of us know what a broken heart means.

A Valentine's card through the Post, a Valentine greeting via SMS, a Valentine chat using the internet, a Valentine dinner in a cozy restaurant, or a Valentine gift will surely fill the land, the air, and the seas in the next couple of days.

...and what can we expect from February 15, 2009 to February 13, 2010?

How I wish I could hold the spirit of Valentine’s Day in my heart every single day. I pray that every day I could show my love to those who love (or even to those who never love) and care for me. With this, I don’t think I still need to bother myself about catching the perfume sale, waiting in queue to buy blocks of chocolates, finding despite the limited supply of the best red roses or enduring the discomfort of dialling my mobile phone amidst the busy network during the so-called Valentine’s Day.

I believe that throughout the year it is worthwhile to take the best care not only of my own heart but of my loved ones’ hearts, as well. Aside from eating a balanced diet and having a regular exercise to maintain a healthy anatomical and physiological heart, a daily nurturing of each other’s emotional and figurative heart is equally very important. After all, our heart’s health is our real wealth.

Three days ago, I sent an SMS to Auntie Chris in Queensland asking how Uncle Bert with his artificial cardiac pacemaker is doing. She replied:

“...so far, so good! The pacemaker has been performing very well. The next regular check-up will be on October this year. Thanks God!”

Well, it’s so nice to know that for exactly a year today the artificial cardiac pacemaker has been working effectively for Uncle Bert; and I believe their love for each other has been getting stronger!

Love, indeed, isn’t just all about how it started; it is how we keep it healthy and above all, it is how we sustain it until the ‘end...’

Happy Valentine’s Day to all!

-February 12, 2009

The normal average heartbeat of a chicken is 282 every minute; chicks have 400 heartbeats per minute, and humans only have 60-100 heartbeats in a minute!

Nagparamdam

WALANG NAGBAGO. Tulad ng naikwento ko na sa Aking Tambayan, mga tatlong araw na namang hindi tumunog ang aking roaming mobile phone!

Huhmn... Malamang abala ang aking mga kamag-anak at mga kaibigan sa Pilipinas sa mga Halloween Parties, at sa paggunita ng Todos los Santos at Araw ng mga Kaluluwa. Naisip ko tuloy na tama ang sinabi ni Batanggero, takot itong mga buhay na dalawin sila ng kanilang mga ‘yumaong mahal-sa-buhay’ kaya sila’y bumibisita sa mga puntod—kandila'y itinitirik at mga bulaklak ay ini-aalay.

Buti pa itong mga patay, naaalala. Subalit ang mga buhay na nasa malayo, kahit isang text message hindi man lang maalalang padalhan. Pero sa ganitong mga panahon, hindi na uobra ang pagtatampo (hindi rin naman ako matampuhin). Kaya ako ay nagparamdam sa aking mga mahal sa buhay sa Pinas!

Pinadalhan ko sila ng text message, “Kumusta? U *Siguro’y abala kayo sa mga panahong ito. Ayos lang ako rito. o”,) ”

Aba, ang daming nag-reply! Nakakatuwa!

Marahil tama nga ang paniniwalang nabanggit ni Batanggero. Minsan kailangan nating magparamdam para tayo ay maalala.

DARLING HARBOUR, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

An Invitation

I am very happy that the Supreme Court of the Philippines has dumped the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain. I heard it from the Filipino News—Bandila, at 6:45 this morning.

Like many other Cotabatenos, I have also expressed My Protest against the MOA-AD last August 2008. Though I’ve been held in captivity inside this Australian poultry farm, I feel that the shrill squawking sound I made that time was heard!

I’m inviting you to join me as I uncork three bottles of champagne tonight!