...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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In due time

It was cloudy, raining and drizzling the whole day yesterday, and last night I didn't have the chance to see the February 2011 full moon.  But tonight, after shutting the blinds of the chicken sheds, I noticed this round, golden ball rising in the east... then I decided to take a photograph.

Indeed, there are times in this life when we couldn't get to see or achieve something right on the exact moment that we want it, but the universe has it's own special way of showing or giving it to us on a different but surely the perfect time... probably not exactly the same as what we desire but it could be as lovely or even more beautiful than we want it to be.  



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Look up

  

A juvenile magpie perching on my telly antenna.  There were, actually, three of them when I was aiming my camera but the other two had managed to flew away right before I pressed the shutter button down.  

This omnivorous bird is native to Australia and Papua New Guinea, and though they have the same colour, Australian magpies are not related to European magpies.  They are classified as passerine birds.  (Source:  Wikipedia) 

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Burn out

One of the company's new chicken sheds.  Port Wakefield, South Australia

I have a lot of stories to tell, but haven't got the luxury of time to write... 

At work, I have more than enough in front of me, my plate is so full!  24/7.  Shed alarms on my mobile phone (ringing even if I'm in the supermarket), feed stocktake, feed ordering, dozens of work-related phone calls in a day, bird weighing, night-time harvest (5 nights a week), daily mortality collection, water supply problems, hot temperature... No excuses, no day off, and no right to take a legitimate sickie unless it's really bad.  

The farm capacity has doubled since December 2010- from 250,000 to 500,000 chickens... and until now the company is still struggling to find a qualified person to complete our staff so we can easily run the 'show'.  There are qualified people out there but the next question is their interest or willingness to work and live in a secluded place like this- nothing but ten chicken sheds, fifteen grain silos, and four water tanks standing in the middle of the infinite, auburn South Australian plain... a modern chookery in a small town located 98 kilometres northwest of the city with the population of 600 people.      


And just like in the previous years, I am facing the same challenge- I am in captivity!  I am a captive of my ambitions- so powerful that I cannot just easily or instantly leave this job at this point of time until I am totally cleared of any immigration issue.  Don't get me wrong, I like the work experience here (dealing with this state-of-the-art chicken farming facility, probably one of the best in the world), I wanted to stay longer...  I am just in a desperate need of an assistant; and every time our job offer was turned down, I am considering to pack up- which is not and will never be a good option at all. 
   

Seventy-nine days more to go... and as I get closer, and closer to my eligibility for Australian citizenship, the 'game' is getting tougher; really, really tougher!  I am seriously tired, and honestly, I don't know how much further can I go.   




(By the way, happy new year and happy Valentine's day to all!)
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Australia Day

After the big parade in Adelaide, the multicultural crowd was patiently waiting for the Australia Day in the City Concert to start.  Photo taken January 26, 2011 at Elder's Park, Adelaide, South Australia.

These blokes had just come out of the pub, and heading towards the Torrens River bank for the Australia Day concert.  Their beautifully painted hat caught my attention.

Facing the red light, this car stopped at the Port Wakefield Road-Globe Derby Drive intersection.  The driver was in a rush, he was driving towards the city- possibly, to witness the concert in the park.

Dear Santa...

Port Wakefield, South Australia
24 December 2010
 

Dear Father Christmas,
 
Good day! How are yah?

Busy ay? If our chicken sheds are only empty, I would love to give you a hand in giving gifts to these excited kids down here who have been very good boys and girls althroughout 2010. But I still have two sheds of broilers left over the weekend, and will get emptied on the 27th, so sorry, I can't help you.

Just a reminder though, if you are coming to Adelaide today and tommorow, our maximum temperature forecast here is 34'C and it can possibly get even higher than that. So please leave your warm northern hemisphere clothes over there, you don't need that down here. I am saying this because for four years that I've been in Australia, I have seen you wearing those thermal garment well-suited for the winter season up there. Mate, it's summertime down here, I am only concern of your comfort, you know...

I believe that you know a lot of great costume designers in Australia or New Zealand, they'd be very happy to create a summer outfit for you. I just don't want to see you uncomfortable Down Under.

A Happy Christmas to you Big Bloke!

 

It's me,
RJ

An Hour at the Museum

While waiting for my 4pm appointment with the tax agent today, I decided to visit the Art Gallery of South Australia in North Terrace, Adelaide City immediately after lunch.  At the entrance, the receptionist told me that I need to leave my backpack at the baggage deposit area.

When the baggage personnel handed me the numbered card, I asked him if I can take my camera with me inside the gallery, he said, "Yes."   So I did.

Then I explored the entire building for nearly two hours but never bothered to take my camera out of my waist-bag to take photos.  When I was moving out of the Elders Wing, I noticed a group of tourists in the James and Diana Ramsay Gallery that had just started their guided tour.   The scene in the said gallery (that houses the paintings during the Renaissance, particularly in the 17th century) was so theatrical- a typical picture of a museum tour so I thought it was a good opportunity to take a candid photograph...  and this is what I got:

James and Diana Ramsay Gallery, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, S.A.

I forgot the title of these masterpieces except the second painting from the left, it's entitled 'The Crucifixion of St. Andrew' (by an Italian painter).  I can't recall the name of the artists as well, huh! Next time I will take my pen and notebook with me. 

Moments later, the curator came and told me, "Hey!  Taking photos is not allowed inside the gallery."  Then he went away.

I was intimidated, I was lost for words!  I immediately left the gallery and retrieved my backpack and exited the hall, of course with the saved photo in the memory card of my camera.

To the Art Gallery of South Australia, I am very sorry.  I have learned my lesson: When camera is allowed inside the museum, it doesn't mean taking photos is permitted.

Entry Fee:

          Free

 

Opening Times:

Mon - Fri: 10am to 5pm

Sat: 10am to 5pm

Sun: 10am to 5pm

Public Holiday: 10am to 5pm

Christmas Day: Closed

Good Friday: 10am to 5pm

 

The facade of the Art Gallery of South Australia, photo taken 08 February 2008.

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