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Monday, January 30, 2017

Student days, University of Windsor, Canada




In 1976, I was the secretary of the Malaysian Indonesian and Singapore
  student's association of Windsor University In Canada. Every year, 
on International Day, we had a big event and countries provided ethnic food 
and an item. The previous year, we did a Candle dance . Though I had never 
danced this before, I had to, because there were very few girls, and as 
the assistant liaison officer, I was made to do it. We didn't dance well, 
but the lights made it very  lovely to watch.
WE chose to sing that year. We sang the "Lenggang Lenggang Kangkung".
 I did not know Malay and neither did most of us. The tune was catchy, 
and our international guests LOL with our  "Lenggang Lenggang Kangkung".

I wish we had some one explain to us and our audience. The tune 
and the "Lenggang Lenggang Kangkung" never left me.


This You-tube dance is probably how we would have danced and sang. It is not professional, just look at the beautiful costume. They even got the audience to dance.




(Indonesian Folk Song)
 "It is very popular with children and adults alike. The topic is 
about a water spinach which is a favorite dish of the people in 
Southeast Asian countries…

Kangkung is a semi aquatic plant that grows on the river banks 

or lakes in many countries in South-east Asia, of which Indonesia 
is the largest since it consists of 17,000 islands and a population 
of 240 million. It is called the Ipomoea Aquatica, or Water Spinach 
and also known as Water Morning Glory, because it has flowers 
that are similar to the morning glory in shape and color.

The phrase 'Lenggang kangkung' has also the meaning of being 

leisurely and being idle or walking in a slow and peaceful gait."

I asked Sammy if the phrase, "Lenggang Lenggang Kangkung"

 is describing a person strolling along or is it describing the water 
spinach plant swaying.

 He wrote, "It is describing both, and if you want to be exact, 

you must mention the way the Kangkung, or water spinach
 with its long floating stem swaying gently and in a leisurely 
way on the rivers or lakes, gently swaying 
s they are blown by the wind or moved by the 
current underneath.

The word 'lenggang kangkung' literally refers to a person

 who strolls leisurely and without a single care, as if he or 
she owns eternity. This is a description of the peaceful 
and serene life in the beautiful life in the villages of Indonesia."

*****

People dance while swaying their hips to this song. 
Lenggang Lenggang Kangkung

1. Lenggang lenggang kangkung, Kangkung di tepi kali 2x
Begitulah kalau punya kekasih yang cantik sekali. 2x

2. Lenggang lenggang kangkung. Kangkung membawa untung. 2x
Beginilah nasib kalau punya kekasih yang jauh dimata. 2x

3. Lenggang lenggang kangkung. Kangkung di rawa-rawa 2x
Begitulah kalau punya kekasih yang suka cemburu. 2x

4. Lenggang lenggang kangkung. Kangkung membawa untung. 2x
Begini nasib kalau punya kekasih jauh dimata. 2x


Folk Song  (English) Carefree Kangkung

1. Carefree in a leisurely way, kangkung* by the river side. 2x
That's just my real fate for having a sweetheart who is very pretty. 2x

2. Carefree in a leisurely way, kangkung which brings me luck, 2x
That's my real fate for having a lover so far away. 2x

3. Carefree in a leisurely way, kangkung on the paddy fields, 2x
That's just my real fate, for having a lover that is so jealous. 2x

4. Carefree in a leisurely way, kangkung growing in the swamps, 2x
That's just my real fate, for having a lover that's so far away. 2x



http://youtu.be/DAWacIw2JEw

http://youtu.be/BZFwIv3ZqIo


LENGGANG KANGKUNG (The Quests' version) 




Live performance instrumental by The Quests, 
at downtown Kota Kinabalu on City's Day on 11th Feb., 2012.
This is an Indonesian folk song popularized by a Singaporean band, The Quests as an instrumental hits in the 60's.The Quests, a very popular band from Singapore in the 60's.








Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Kiwi Kids Lacking in Basic Life Skills



Kiwi Kids Lacking in Basic Life Skills - Weet-Bix Better-Brekkie Survey

By Fleur Revell
26 January 2017
How good are your children at using their mobile device, accessing an online movie clip or posting cute selfies on Snapchat? What about making their own beds, or creating a wholesome breakfast for a great start to the day, or packing themselves a lunchbox that contains all the nutrition they need for a busy day at school?

A recent survey by Weet-Bix Better Brekkie revealed eight in ten (78%) children aged 5-7 years could operate a cell phone and a further nine in ten (89%) have mastered a TV remote, but less than a third (29%) of this age group make their own lunch.

Less than half (49%) of young Kiwi children usually eat a nutritious breakfast seven days a week; however as children grow older, the figures get worse. Just one-third of children between the ages of 13 year and 15 years are eating breakfast in the mornings every day, and half of this age group skip breakfast altogether once a week.

The figures are a wake-up call for parents and professionals alike. Sanitarium has developed the Weet-Bix Better Brekkie initiative www.betterbrekkie.co.nz, in which popular Kiwi chef Michael Van de Elzen creates easy, delicious and nutritious breakfasts designed to inspire adults and children alike to pile into a breakfast with a punch, and prep a lunch like a pro.

“It’s not that hard to create a really awesome and filling breakfast in minutes that the kids will love,” says Michael, who, as a dad to two young girls, understands all too well how hard it can be to juggle the balance of feeding children well with a busy schedule.

“A good breakfast doesn't need to take ages to prepare, or create stress in the mornings. Getting the children involved and teaching them to do simple tasks like packing a good lunchbox doesn't just take the pressure off parents - it teaches the kids basic skills they’ll use for the rest of their lives.”

The results of the Sanitarium Better Brekkie survey have caused concern, not just among parents who want their children to learn about healthy eating, but by health professionals who believe teaching kids household tasks like getting involved with simple chores like cooking and meal preparation is essential to children's development.

“Children these days are so invested in social media and the advances of technology, they`ve forgotten how to do the simple things,” says mum of four and psychologist Sara Chatwin.

“By allowing children to take part and get involved with simple household chores and prepping easy meals, you’re ensuring your children have some of the basic skills. It`s all very well taking over [as a parent] to get the job done quickly and well, but this detracts from children`s simple skill knowledge and learning.”

Despite a whopping 99% of parents believing that learning to make your own meals is a vital life skill, the Sanitarium Better Brekkie survey results highlighted parents’ reluctance to allow their children to make their own breakfast, either because they didn't have time to clean up the mess, or because the morning rush is simply too stressful to include watching over the children in the kitchen or teaching them how to cook in such a time-pressured environment. A third (30%) of parents said they were concerned if they didn’t take matters into their own hands, the children would skip breakfast altogether, or choose an unhealthy option.

The survey was carried out by Sanitarium in conjunction with the company’s Better Brekkie programme and was designed to investigate Kiwi attitudes to breakfast, according to the company’s marketing manager, Jessica Manihera.

“I know in my own household that it's always a bit of a rush in the morning, but I also know it's important to prioritise a good breakfast for the kids as it sets them up for the day. I’m also mindful of how important it is for us as parents to encourage our children to make their own breakfasts and create good habits around food which will last them a lifetime,” says Manihera.

For more information see www.betterbrekkie.co.nz

  D





Written on behalf of Sanitarium by Impact PR


Australia Day and protest




Today January 26 is Australia Day.

In 2010, I was curious as a guest from New Zealand to see how the Aussies celebrated their National Day.

My brother Joseph and his family took me and Sam in his boat out to sea and to a beach to join him and his mates to party. Towards the destination, I was dumbfounded to see a protest of a flotilla of boats of all sizes and shape. Please click on the photos to read the red protest sign.

I thought it was very strange to have a protest on their National Day.


Let's something I found out about the protest.

Tippler's Protest
For decades Tipplers was an iconic boating destination and a part of the old Gold Coast lifestyle until the Gold Coast Council wasted millions of dollars of ratepayers money by making what some have described as the worst decision ever by the Council.

No longer is Tipplers the place where hundreds of boaties would congregate and enjoy a family day where all were equal - regardless of whether they had arrived on a tinnie or a luxury yacht.

We want Tipplers back!

Please join our flotilla on Australia Day (Tuesday 26th January 2010) in support of the Marine Action Group's campaign to get Tipplers back.

Please come by boat, tinnie or jet ski with your placard, banner or flag and meet at the Paradise Point foreshore at 11:00 AM.

The flotilla will leave at 11:30 AM and travel slowly around the Sovereign Islands, past Wave Break Island, the Seaway, The Spit and the Southport parklands.

For radio communication on the day, please go to VHF Channel 72.

Charter boat Top Cruise Rani will lead the flotilla - this will be coordinated by Jim McLaughlin mobile no.: 0447 140 060 - if you need a core flute or some help with a banner, please feel free to call Jim.

http://www.nuggetfishing.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=223:tipplers-protest&catid=19:news
http://rubytuesdaytoo.blogspot.co.nz

Our World Tuesday Graphic

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

auckland Stardome turns 50







 Auckland Stardome is celebrating her 50th year's anniversary.
Ten years ago, I took Sam and his friends  Auckland's Stardome Observatory Planetarium. The boys had fun. It was a pity the clouds were playing a trick on us. They came our in vengeance and we couldn't see the sun.

The guide Bill Goldstone, not sure if he was an astronomer,  was on hand and was very friendly to talk to us about the telescope and the stars, and planets. When he moved the dome, I thought we were moving.

My first Science lesson in Secondary school was on the constellation. I remember even to this say, it's shape and the stars, but I was a poor student, and I can't remember the name. My teacher Miss. Chew had her degree in USA, and if she is reading this post, she would be horrified.

My daughter went through my few ornaments and trinkets.   I told her the sweet story of how we were shortly married, we took our car and went to the stardome. There we met a woman cosmetic Japanese surgeon and her two teenage children. She thought we were Japanese, and we offered to tour Auckland. I brought her home and I pan fried a mullet. They were very grateful, and she asked us to wait at the lobby. She came down with two dresses, a make up bag and a trinket which was very special. My daughter promptly borrowed it. I will write about it next time.

http://annkschin.blogspot.com/2009/01/stardome-auckland.html










 http://mondaymellowyellows.blogspot.com.au/
http://rubytuesdaytoo.blogspot.co.nz

Our World Tuesday Graphic


Auckland Stardome.











 Auckland Stardome is celebrating her 50th year's anniversary.
Ten years ago, I took Sam and his friends  Auckland's Stardome Observatory Planetarium. The boys had fun. It was a pity the clouds were playing a trick on us. They came our in vengeance and we couldn't see the sun.

The guide Bill Goldstone, not sure if he was an astronomer,  was on hand and was very friendly to talk to us about the telescope and the stars, and planets. When he moved the dome, I thought we were moving.

My first Science lesson in Secondary school was on the constellation. I remember even to this say, it's shape and the stars, but I was a poor student, and I can't remember the name. My teacher Miss. Chew had her degree in USA, and if she is reading this post, she would be horrified.

http://annkschin.blogspot.com/2009/01/stardome-auckland.html

https://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.co.nz/



Sunday, January 1, 2017

Loom Bands

Image may contain: people sitting

I recalled, these were called loom bands. my students making them. I did not show my students' face.

Recently I saw children making them.

Parents are being warned of a cancer-scare involving fake accessories for loom bands after tests revealed some imported batches were laced with deadly levels of chemicals.
Safety officials have issued the stark message after intercepting rogue consignments of the bands and plastic trinkets sold with them which were headed for British shelves from the Far East.
Scientists carried out rigorous tests on several loom band 'charms', accessories attached to necklaces and bracelets made from the colourful elastic bands, and each one was found to have dangerous levels of phthalates in them.

Iban Methodist church In Borneo

I grew up in Borneo, and went to a Methodist school.

Image may contain: 3 people, people standing