Sincerely...

I missed the blogosphere and I am planning to be back soon.
Whether to use the same blog name and theme or to change both is what I am currently considering.  But I already love The Chook-minder's Quill, slash Lens.  After I have gone past the major milestone in this Australian migration highway, this is still me- the chicken farmer.  For more than a month after taking my Australian citizenship oath, nothing has changed really, it has remained as a mere piece of document.

And yes I am leaving no stones unturned to achieve some major changes in my Australian life.  I am praying that it will soon be granted, and as it gradually unfolds I simply want to share it to the blogosphere. 

SIDE ALTAR.  St. Mary's Cathedral, Perth, Western Australia

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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

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Individualism

Comfortably standing on top of the hill in Victoria Square- East Perth, Perth, Western Australia is the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  From the original Norman Gothic style in the 1865-1930 construction, it was redesigned into an Academic Gothic style in the second phase of construction in 1930-1999; and the current Perpendicular Gothic edifice has been completed during the third phase of the construction which started in 1999, up to the present.  The Benedictine Brothers founded the cathedral in 1863.  

The first spire of St. Mary's Cathedral, Perth, Western Australia.  The second spire which was added during the third phase of the construction is, interestingly, not identical to the first one!  Have you noticed it on the first photograph?

Each of us was specially designed and created; even identical twins have so many differences.  Just like the two spires of this cathedral, we can also stand straight and humbly show the world of our own uniqueness!

The side-altar of St. Mary's Cathedral.  Photo taken February 27, 2011 after the 8am mass.

...bigger in Faith

The Patron, St. Vincent de Paul, is depicted in this glass-stained window of the Roman Catholic church in Port Wakefield, South Australia.  The parishioners had generously contributed to pay for the cost of this artwork.  There are only few devoted parishioners in this community, though (less than ten)... the reason why at the base of this lovely window there's an engraved brass plaque that reads:  Small in number yet bigger in faith. 


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Sevenhill, South Australia

The photo shows the details of the outside walls of St. Aloysius Church in Sevenhill, South Australia.  The bricks were, actually, quarried just around the property back in 1864.  If you are thinking that this is just another typical church, you're wrong, because there are quite a few things that make it so unique.  So why not join me, as I trace my journey back from the poultry farm in the town of Port Wakefield to the charming village of Sevenhill in the Clare Valley Region!

Sevenhill, S.A. is around 69 kilometres from my place, and while I was driving along the former railway town named Halburry, I noticed this antique shop beside the road.  I just thought it's worth more than just a thousand words, isn't it?

I went through the town of Auburn and after a few kilometers, I was attracted to this verdant hill on the right where a flock of sheep was peacefully grazing.  I hadn't seen any shephered looking after them, though, and so I thought that we may be sharing the same loving 'shephered'.   

Not so far away from the flock of sheep, there was a herd of Angus cattle in a relatively dense pasture!  Well, I had seen the virtue of the patience in this herd; surely, these animals have trusted that in due time, the farmer will eventually take them to a greener pasture that they always desire. 

The fresh buds growing out from the wooden vine reminded me that it's springtime Down Under; and in a region where wine is the primary product, nothing's lovelier than the serenity of this landscape! 

The St. Aloysius Church humbly standing in the middle of the vineyard.  This was built by the Jesuit priests thirteen years after they arrived from Austria to escape from the political and religious prosecution that time.  The Society of Jesus started the vineyard, currently 59 hectares with 16 varieties of vines, in 1952- a year after their settlement in the village.

 

However, due to the lack of funding during those years, the original plan of this church was not followed.  Have you noticed the the front tower?  The steeple is missing!  As you can see from the previous photo, there's a white post standing on the front-left, that's the church bell...  Sevenhill's St. Aloysius Church has no belfry!
    
The tree in the photo above is a red gum, it's endemic in the area... its timber was used in the roof arches of the church.

These days, anticipated masses are held every Saturday at six in the evening.

The holy water stoup located at the left-side entrance of the church.

The underground cellar of the Society of Jesus.

The visitor centre and the cellar is...

Open daily:
Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
Saturday/Sunday/Public Holidays 10am-5pm

and closed during Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday.

The Sevenhill major wine products- white, red and fortified sacramental wines, and a wide range of other wines.  The altar wines are distributed althroughout Australia, and some are exported to India, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. 

After the mass, I was physically hungry.  It's good because the Sevenhill Hotel- bar and restaurant is just located nearby.  

...with a very hospitable, and beautiful bar tender and cashier.

Fresh Tommy Ruff Fillets on a Bed of Rice with Bokchoy and a Thai Curry Sauce (Au$24)

...serving one of the best meals I have ever eaten!  A glass of Anne's LN Moscato completed my meal ( I didn't have my dessert), it's value was actually much, much more than its price (Au$6)!

It was only a 5-hour vacation but it was so meaningful!  And while the meal that I had is a 'must try', visiting Sevenhill's church and cellar door is a 'must do'!




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Finding the cure

Nanay is sick.

She had her goiter removed last August; a thyroid sample was taken for biopsy and it revealed a follicular papillary thyroid carcinoma or simply (complicatedly)—thyroid cancer.

I went home twenty-four days ago to attend Nanay’s Testimonial Program and Party—a tribute given to her by the Central M’lang District for her services and achievement as a public school teacher for 38 years. It was a remarkable event; it actually exceeded my expectations. Modesty aside, the eulogy that I gave was, I think, one of the highlights of the programme.

But three days after the testimonial party, the endocrinologist-surgeon advised Nanay to submit herself into a radioactive iodine therapy. She agreed, underwent a strict non-iodine/no salt diet for seven days...

...and three hours before my flight from Manila back to Sydney she was admitted to the hospital, was then isolated and dosed with a small, but (hopefully a) very powerful radioactive iodine capsule. Nobody was allowed to come and see her for four days because the ‘radioisotope of iodine’ that she had taken was very potent and hazardous to every individual! When Nanay was discharged from the hospital, she was separately transported back home, and has been isolated in her specially-made payag* for five days now. Luckily, my younger brother and our youngest sister were there to assist her, and to provide what she needs.

Nanay’s entire body was thoroughly scanned in the hospital yesterday. Whether it was done to detect the cancer cells or radioactive material left in her body is the thing that I don’t know. I have decided to stay innocent of all the complex things the medical doctors had, have been and will be doing to my mom because I have chosen to trust them, and most especially, I have ultimately trusted the divine power to heal my sick mother.

I had phoned and spoke to my mom a couple of hours ago. Nanay told me that she has been feeling drained and weary for the past few days. She has also lost her appetite, but forcing herself to devour some mangosteen and guyabano... believing that the therapeutic power of these fruits comes next to Heavenly Power.

Nanay is scheduled to see her doctor three weeks later. I am sure that the result of the radiation therapy and scanning will be discussed. I couldn’t put my thoughts into words, nor could I clearly explain my feelings...

If iodine-131 could only alleviate my prevailing anxieties, I am willing to undergo this radiation therapy to get treated.

_____

*payag is a Hiligaynon term for a nipa hut.

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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.

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'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.




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Ang Aking Tugon...

ANG IYONG PAGMAMAHAL SA AKI'Y madalas kong pinagdududahan nitong mga nakaraang buwan. Sinabi mo noon pa, naisulat mo na rin, at naririnig ko madalas sa mga taong malapit sa iyo na mahal na mahal mo 'ko pero pakiramdam ko, magtatatlong taon nang hindi ko nararamdaman ang iyong pag-ibig sa akin. Mahal mo ba talaga ako?

Port Wakefield Post Office, South Australia

Mahal kita.

'Ta mo, hindi ko na rin alam kung itong pagmamahal ko sa iyo'y tunay at tapat. Iparamdam mo kasi sa akin ang iyong pag-ibig hindi lamang sa salita, ngayong tayo'y magkalayo, mas mahalaga sa aking ito'y iyong ipakita sa gawa. Alam ko namang kayang-kaya mo itong gawin, pero bakit ayaw mo? Matagal ko nang hiling na kahit sa aking mga panaginip ay yakapin mo naman ako... Pero wala... walang nangyari.

Alam mo bang ang iyong liham para sa aki'y dala-dala ko pa rito sa Australia galing Pilipinas ngunit isinantabi ko lamang sa loob ng napakatagal na panahon? Binuksan ko na ito noon pa, pero hindi ko ito binasa. Ayaw ko kasing mabasa ang napakarami mong mga pangako sa aking... madalas pakiramdam ko'y palagi namang hindi naisasakatuparan... Siguro nga'y nabuklat at kahit papaano'y binasa ko rin naman ito noong nakaramdam ako ng labis na pangungulila, subalit dala ng matinding pagod dahil sa aking mga pagsisikap, hindi ko rin lubusang naunawaan ang iyong mga nais ihayag sa akin.

Sa gitna ng aking mga pag-aalinlangan, nagpapasalamat ako ngayong araw sapagkat nagkaroon ako ng magandang pagkakataon. Sinikap kong basahin at unawain ng buong puso ang ilang bahagi ng iyong sulat... tama ako, marami ngang mga pangako at kaakibat nito'y mga paalalang kailangan kong sundin ang iyong mga kagustuhan.

Ang Iyong mga salita'y tunay ngang makapangyarihan at napakabisa... higit na matalas ito kaysa sa alin mang tabak na may dalawahang talim!(1)

Sinusunod ko naman ng buong puso ang karamihan, kung hindi man lahat ng ating mga napagkasunduan; alam kong alam mo 'yon. Ngunit bakit parang nababasa ko rito sa iyong mga salita na kung nais kong magtagumpay at maramdaman ang tunay kaligayahan kapiling ka, kailangan kong isuko lahat ng aking mga nasimulan. Nahihirapan ako sa kahilingan mong ito... pakiramdam ko tuloy hindi ako nararapat dito sa aking kasalukuyang kinalalagyan.

Ang katuparan ng aking mga pangarap ay itinuturing kong isang kayamanan. Tama Ka nga, mas madali pa para sa isang kamelyo ang dumaan sa butas ng karayom...(2)







(1) Hebrews 4:12
(2) Mark 10:25