I looked across the road.
Emotions ebb and flow.
Here was the hospital,
Andrew stayed for 55 days..
We had great doctors, nurses and staff.
At the end of the day,
Andrew lost his battle.
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Greenlane and National Women's hospital.
I looked across the road.
Emotions ebb and flow.
Here was the hospital,
Andrew stayed for 55 days..
We had great doctors, nurses and staff.
At the end of the day,
Andrew lost his battle.
Monday, November 24, 2014
25 years ago, today
25 years ago,
I buried my baby boy.
My daughter came home from abroad,
with a bouquet of flowers.
Thank you Gabrielle Chin
Sunday, November 23, 2014
walk for cancer, night walk.
https://deplyv9vomqtj.cloudfront.net/…/Banner-2suypp-bfed91…
1/2 marathon walk for cancer. What a great cause. Some of my friends did it. Very proud of them.
When I did my Marathon, I wasn't aware that I could raise funds. Now, my leg won't let me walk or run too far.
We
did it with light rain all the way but lots of fun. Thank you to
everyone for their good wishes and to those who supported this very
worthy cause.
https://walkingstars2014.everydayhero.com/nz/naomi
— with Danika Rivers and Naomi Armitage. Lesley Mitchell.
https://walkingstars2014.everydayhero.com/nz/naomi
— with Danika Rivers and Naomi Armitage. Lesley Mitchell.
Friday, November 21, 2014
Andrew's anniversary and my wrist bands
I wear 2 bands together.
Yesterday at a meeting, they attracted attention.
A speaker said she noticed and thought to herself,
I was very artistic.
I told her that it why I wear 2, so people would notice.
Wearing two bands attracted people's attention,
Some ask me what I am wearing them for.
Wearing two bands attracted people's attention,
Some ask me what I am wearing them for.
I tell them that it is ok to grieve.
There is no time limit.
Today is Andrew's 25 anniversary.
He is forever in my heart.
Andrew's 25 anniversary
22 November 1989, the day Andrew grew wings and flew to heaven.
It's been 25 years, Andrew is always in my heart, the little boy.
Andrew's life had not been in vain.
We donated his tiny body for Science.
I only wish I had waited and taken a photo with Andrew,
after they used his body as a learning too.
I was advised to say goodbye, because I might get upset with the cuts.
This photo was taken the day he was born.
We had already been told he was going to die.
So we were ready to let go of him,
He gave us 55 days to cherish and love him.
The doctors thanked us for him,
The nurse manager's last words were:
On behalf of the hospital,
I thank you for him.
Finally, I am philosophical,
I wrote my first book on him.
Without him, I would not have become a writer.,
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Farewell Dennis Hii
His mum has become a bereaved mum,
Just like me.
Cry Mrs. Hii, Cry.
Dennis is special to me.
When I was teaching in Kai Chung,
Dennis was the house captain.
I was one of the house mistress.
I always remember this photo.
I went in 2013 for the class reunion,
Dennis remembered me.
How was I to know that would be our last.
For the loved ones,
Dennis left behind,
for his wife, for his children,
It's Ok to cry.
Sad,
When your student dies before you do.
Monday, November 17, 2014
I voted for Skylight.
2015 Medibank Community Fund Grants
Medibank has shortlist 33 outstanding health and
wellbeing programs that bring For Better Health to life for their local
community.
Community projects for New Zealand
New Zealanders have the opportunity to decide which
community wellbeing projects will win 2015 Medibank Community Fund (MCF)
grants.
Five New Zealand projects from the Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch regions have been shortlisted to share in grants worth $600,000. For the first time, Kiwis can vote for the initiative they believe will be of most benefit to their community.
Five New Zealand projects from the Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch regions have been shortlisted to share in grants worth $600,000. For the first time, Kiwis can vote for the initiative they believe will be of most benefit to their community.
City MenzShed Supervision
Funding will enable City MenzShed to provide healthy living sessions for older and often isolated men in Wellington. With most participants suffering from some form of heart disease or other elderly afflictions that require healthier eating habits, the sessions encourage men to support each other to stay on track.
Common Unity Koha Kitchen
The Common Unity Project Aoteroa aims to construct a purpose-built community cooking school for Epuni Primary School’s 90 students. The facility will increase food production of the school’s existing vegetable garden and orchard and feed the students daily as well as host other community activities.
Garden to Table Trust
Building food literacy for the future – empowering and encouraging children to make informed choices around health, community and environment. Through a practical and engaging food literacy program for primary school children, Garden to Table Trust aims to provide students with skills and an understanding of healthy eating, so they can make informed choices and positive lifestyle choices in the future.
Project Esther Trust: Music and Movement Classes
Funding will enable Project Esther Trust to continue music and movement classes which support women and their families at risk in the South West Christchurch area. The classes give mothers the opportunity to build relationships in a safe, positive and supportive environment.
Skylight: Getting Stronger in Schools
Skylight has developed ‘Getting Strong’, a board game that helps children, young people and their families cope with grief, loss, trauma and change while encouraging openness and resilience. Funding will enable Skylight to bring the game to areas in Auckland that otherwise would not be able to afford it.Skylight Trust
Skylight trust circulates my book in their library. Please vote for them, I voted.
Skylight Trust
Skylight Trust
To
me
Today at 11:12 AM
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Sunday, November 16, 2014
My friend Margareth Ang and her birds
Social media aka Facebook is an amazing thing. Margareth Ang was my facebook friend who became my friend in real life. She especially came to the restaurant in Kuching when I went back to Sarawak to launch my books.
She posted these two photos and gave me her permission to share it on Facebook and on this blog post. I told her why.
Your photos remind me of a personal story. Before I blog, I tell you. We were married 5 years before we had children, because my husband was doing his PhD. He was a professional student for 10 years. Towards the end, my daughter was born. He used the analogy of my daughter was like a little nestling with her mouth open. exactly like your nestlings. He forced himself to work hard and complete his thesis.
Thanks for the photo and nice reminder of an old story. My daughter will turn 30 in 3 weeks.
While there was so much joy when my daughter was born, I see the mother bird feeding the nestlings and sometimes the nestlings die. The mother bird becomes bereaved. On Saturday, November 22th is the 25th anniversary of my 3rd baby, Andrew. I too, becomes a mum with an empty nest.
http://rubytuesdaytoo.blogspot.co.nz/
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Big daisies for Andrew
My girls used to pick these big daisies to take it to Andrew's grave.
http://floralfridayfoto.blogspot.co.nz/
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Nadia and Ken Lim
Nadia mentioned her grandma, and her late Dad Ken. My husband and I knew Ken from their engineering school days. They did the same course and continued to keep in contact. I imagine her grandma is still alive and hence a bereaved mother.
https://nz.lifestyle.yahoo.com/new-idea/star-watch/article/-/25446316/nadia-lim-s-family-inspiration/
‘I grew up cooking with my Chinese grandmother a bit, but it was more my dad and my mum. They are both really good cooks, but very different. My mum is a recipe follower – she’s very good at that and she can learn meals if someone teaches her, but my dad was a natural cook. He could throw anything together with no recipe. He could be given anything and it would always taste good.
‘He taught me how to cook good Chinese food,’ Nadia says, before running through the ingredients for her favourite, the coconut rice dish nasi lemak.
Sadly, Ken passed away almost three months ago. While she says her family is doing as well as can be expected, there is no doubt the loss has shaken the confident businesswoman and forced her to reevaluate what is truly important.
‘I
resigned from quite a few of my jobs because I realised I was doing too
much and it was just silly. I wanted to spend more time with my
family,’ Nadia, whose husband Carlos Bagrie works alongside her at My
Food Bag, says as she wipes away tears.
‘I think, with everyone, you carry on with what you are doing, and because I’ve been so busy, it actually has been non-stop. When Dad passed away, that was probably the first time I took a break and could actually see what had happened over the past few years.’
Now, Nadia finds herself drawing on her dad’s roots as the host of New Zealand with Nadia Lim, a show commissioned by the Asian Food Channel that screens in 13 countries, as well as a role working with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise to promote our produce in the region.
https://nz.lifestyle.yahoo.com/new-idea/star-watch/article/-/25446316/nadia-lim-s-family-inspiration/
‘I grew up cooking with my Chinese grandmother a bit, but it was more my dad and my mum. They are both really good cooks, but very different. My mum is a recipe follower – she’s very good at that and she can learn meals if someone teaches her, but my dad was a natural cook. He could throw anything together with no recipe. He could be given anything and it would always taste good.
‘He taught me how to cook good Chinese food,’ Nadia says, before running through the ingredients for her favourite, the coconut rice dish nasi lemak.
Sadly, Ken passed away almost three months ago. While she says her family is doing as well as can be expected, there is no doubt the loss has shaken the confident businesswoman and forced her to reevaluate what is truly important.
‘I think, with everyone, you carry on with what you are doing, and because I’ve been so busy, it actually has been non-stop. When Dad passed away, that was probably the first time I took a break and could actually see what had happened over the past few years.’
Now, Nadia finds herself drawing on her dad’s roots as the host of New Zealand with Nadia Lim, a show commissioned by the Asian Food Channel that screens in 13 countries, as well as a role working with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise to promote our produce in the region.
Leprosy Mission and Nepal and Siamese Twins and me.
Today,
Sarah from Church was interviewed about her forthcoming trip to Nepal
for the Leprosy Mission. When I took her photo, I told her that Nepal
was very special to me. She knew about Jamuna and Ganga. I was so happy.
When I lived in Singapore, I was involved with the separation of Siamese Twins In
2000, I was privileged to be involved with two Siamese twins from
Nepal. I answered an appeal and set up my own appeal in NTU.
I was actively organising a drive to raise funds and I got to know the parents and their grand father. I was very privileged to see Ganga and Jamuna while they were still conjointed in their heads.
Their mum, Mrs. Shrestha asked me why I worked so hard for her babies. I told her about my deceased son Andrew, I didn't have a chance to fight for Andrew. But if I thought her daughters had a chance, I wanted to give my utmost to Mrs. Shrestha to fight for the survival of her babies.
The separation process was a success, but things didn't end up happily ever after. Ganga died, and Jamuna is not exactly a healthy child.
I made a scrap book with all the emails, newspaper cuttings and photographs. I saw Jamuna and Ganga while they were still conjoined. This is a great privileged.
It was a very
intense and hard work. But if I have to do it again, I will happily do
so. The operation was successful and they went home to Nepal.
My photo taken with Mrs. Shrestha seated on the hospital bed, my friend Manchala and a Nepalese visitor.
I am doing this post for my new friends who asked me my connections with Shresthaand her Siamese twins.
Saturday, November 8, 2014
John Paul II Centre for Life in Auckland.
In my Mail Order Bride http://annkschinchan.blogspot.co.nz/ and Cry Oppressed of women. http://annchinchan.blogspot.co.nzI wrote of teen pregnancies.
Family Life International NZ's Founder and National Director, Dame Colleen Bayer, established the first John Paul II Centre for Life in Auckland. The pro-life, pro-family organization also has John Paul II Centres for Life in Wellington and Dunedin. Each John Paul II Centre for Life has the blessing of the local Bishop.
The Centres provide a physical place where mothers and families facing a crisis pregnancy can come for practical help, support and friendship; so that they may choose life for their babies. This offer of support is also extended to the sick, disabled, elderly, lonely, and those who may find themselves targets of euthanasia-type practices. The Centres are also a hub for prayer, education and research on life and family issues.
The Auckland John Paul II Centre for Life is the administration hub for Family Life International throughout New Zealand. In addition to the Crisis Pregnancy Centre, publications are produced, events organised and educational materials researched and compiled. On site is also a gift shop Family Life Catholic Gifts, which has a large range of statues, rosaries, medals, Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation gifts. This shop provides a source of income for the practical work we do in the Crisis Pregnancy Centre.
Family Life International NZ
John Paul II Centre for Life
569 / 569A Richardson Road
Mt Roskill
Auckland
Phone: 09 629 4361
http://www.fli.org.nz/john-paul-ii-centre-for-lifehttp://www.fli.org.nz/john-paul-ii-centre-for-life
Thursday, November 6, 2014
children sing for kids in Africa
Bay children sing for kids in Africa
By Amy Shanks
1:41 PM Friday Nov 7, 2014Add a comment
Hundreds of children sang and smiled their way through a songbook of Kiwi classics over three nights in Napier during Kids for Kids.
A total of 22 local schools took part in this year's event, titled Everything is Ka Pai and featuring tunes by Dave Dobbyn, Brooke Fraser, Jamie McDell, as well as old favourites like Haere Mai and Poi E.
Mass choir performances at Napier Municipal Theatre were fronted by actress and singer Jackie Clarke, who performed solos with some of the children.
Kids for Kids tour manager Dayna Vawdrey said: "We have a narrator doing the Wonky Donkey, it's quite a task to remember all those words. We have a ukulele medley, so there are a lot of different ways for kids to shine."
Adding to the entertainment factor were poi performances and break-dancing sessions.
The show promoted work carried out by World Vision, with an aim to sponsor 200 children in Africa this year.
It was an opportunity to educate Kiwi kids from 5-13 about global citizenship, Ms Vawdrey added.
"Jackie sponsors a little girl and she talked about how it has helped her kids to learn about want and need. New Zealand is not perfect, we still have our problems, but it shows them how privileged they are to live here."
Hawke's Bay parents turned out in good numbers to show their support on the second to last stop on this year's tour.
Nature playing a trick.
Two Face, the lamb born with two heads, has died
12:01 PM Friday Nov 7, 2014
The little lamb born with two faces in Southland has died after living far longer than was expected.
The lamb known as Lambie, Two Face and U2 lived for 41 days at the Slope Point Backpackers accommodation in Invercargill, his owner Justine Parker said.
She found him yesterday morning and suspected he had died from a brain bleed.
"There was some blood behind his eye...he had no signs of an infection," Ms Parker said.
"We knew he was probably going to die, but he'd come through so many things and kept bouncing back.
"He was a strong willed wee character, so it was just a wee bit sad."
Lambie's body is being kept in the freezer in case it could be used for research, she said.
"It would be a shame just to throw him down a hole - someone might benefit from it."
Ms Parker's three daughters Anna, 10, Sarah, 8, and Kate, 6, would play with the lamb.
"They were realistic that he wasn't meant to be, but we thought he may have got through the worst of it because he'd been tailed and he was feeding off the lamb feeder."
They were "pretty lucky" to be involved with such a special lamb, Ms Parker said.
Lambie had double of everything - four eyes, two of which appeared to have merged in the middle and did not blink.
When his left eye blinked, so did the right. When he cried, the other mouth opened too.
After the lamb's birth, Ms Parker told the Herald: "The lamb actually fell in the creek. I rescued it and went to put it back with its mother.
"I thought, 'Oh, the back of his head looks a bit strange'. And I turned it round and wow. I just thought, 'Heck, what's this'?"
The lamb had four eyes, two of which appeared to have merged in the middle and did not blink. "It's almost like he's got a mirror down the middle," she said.
The family had heard of other lambs being born with a similar deformity at nearby farms, but none had survived longer than a day.
Ms Parker had told the Herald her three young daughters - Anna, 10, and Sarah, 8, Parker and Kate Wilson, 6 - were smitten with the lamb and loved to feed and cuddle him.
She had said in September: "He interacts with the other lambs and he wags his tail and talks to you.
"The kids and I know that he's not going to live for long...but we're giving him a chance just like any other lamb."
- NZME.
I have a new friend, she comes from Nepal. I told her about the Siamese Nepalese twins I was involved in helping to separate.
Nature sometimes play a joke. I remember mother's ducklings. There were times they were hatched with double beaks. They usually did not survive.
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