Well today marks 11 months since we were logged in.
I think I was travelling well until I got the latest newsletter for our department which listed the wait time as being 12 to 18 months - whatever they are on I want some!
With a current wait time of 19 months (I think the people with a Nov 2 2005 LID have been waiting close to this) then there is no way we are getting our referral next month and I can pretty much guess it isn't going to be 18 months either without some sort of miracle.
So I was travelling well, but now I am just plain annoyed that they are living on another planet and there will be some of their clients who despite everything will believe it.
BTW at 11 months I would be half way through my pregnancy if I were an elephant!
Monday 21 May 2007
Sunday 13 May 2007
Today a newborn was abandoned...
Today, Mothers' Day, in Melbourne a newborn baby girl was abandoned outside a hospital in Melbourne. The baby girl was found wrapped in towels and placed in a cardboard box.
The story has made national headlines - it happens so infrequently. Police and the nurse who found her have appealed for the mother to come forward to receive medical treatment. It is all very sad.
But what makes me sadder is to think about how many times this has happened today, and every other day, in China and it warrants not a peep, it doesn't cause a ripple. And instead of making instant national headlines, these babies will get a small grainy newspaper advertisement in a couple of months asking their birth parents to come forward.
It is all so sad...
The story has made national headlines - it happens so infrequently. Police and the nurse who found her have appealed for the mother to come forward to receive medical treatment. It is all very sad.
But what makes me sadder is to think about how many times this has happened today, and every other day, in China and it warrants not a peep, it doesn't cause a ripple. And instead of making instant national headlines, these babies will get a small grainy newspaper advertisement in a couple of months asking their birth parents to come forward.
It is all so sad...
Saturday 12 May 2007
Dragon Boat Festival - fifth day of the fifth month on the lunar calendar
There are six main Chinese festivals - three for the living and three for the dead. Duan Wu Jie or the Dragon Boat Festival is the second festival of the living.
Duan Wu Jie is held on the fifth day of the fifth month on the lunar calendar, or June 19th 2007. The "double fifth" day represents the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.
The origins of the Dragon Boat Festival date back at least two thousand years, rooted in fertility rites performed to ensure abundant rainfall in China. Rice is a staple food for people in China, and rain is essential for an abundant harvest.
Later, this changed into a festival to honour the famous Chinese poet, Qu Yuan, who drowned himself in the river in 295 BC, in a protest against government corruption.
The people loved him so much that they threw rice and eggs into the water to draw the fish away from his body. They honoured him every year by searching for his soul on the river in dragon boats, brightly coloured and decorated to resemble dragons, with a head at the bow and a tail at the stern.
They also prepared special rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves, called Zhongzi, and threw them into the river as offerings to his soul.
The festival has developed to be more elaborate and fun. It is now celebrated with river parades, dragon boat races, rice offerings of Zhongzi, martial arts demonstrations, street theatre and firecrackers.
Festival Food - Zhongzi
Zhongzi can be either savory or sweet. Sweet Zhongzi are considered easier to make.
Sweet Zhongzi (Glutinous Rice wrapped in bamboo leaves)
Makes 12
Preparation Time about 1 hour, plus 2 hours soaking time
Cooking Time 2 hours
900g glutinous rice 1 tablespoon oil
24 dried bamboo leaves 450g black or red sweet bean paste
12 strings, each 1.5m long sugar to serve
1. Soak the rice for 2 hours, drain, change water and soak for a further 30 minutes.
2. Drain the rice well, mix in the oil.
3. Soak the bamboo leaves in warm water for 2 hours, rinse in fresh water, then drain and wipe dry.
4. Roll sweet bean paste into a sausage about 2.5cm in diameter, cut into 12 sections. Flatten each a little.
5. Place two bamboo leaves side by side together to form a triangular pouch. Add a portion of the rice and place a section of the bean paste on the rice. Cover with more rice and fold the leaves over the top and round the pouch to produce a plump, triangular-shaped bundle. Tie securely with string, but not too tightly as the rice will expand during cooking.
6. Simmer the Zhongzi in boiling water for 2 hours.
7. Open the Zhongzi packages at the table and serve hot with sugar as required. Any leftovers can be reheated unwrapped. Zhongzi taste even better reheated.
Glutinous Rice
While ordinary rice - long or short grain - is the daily staple of the Chinese diet, glutinous rice is regarded as a bit of a luxury in China and is only eaten special occasions. It contains more sugar and fat than ordinary rice, although they are both grown and harvested the same way.
The grains of glutinous rice tend to be whiter and rounder than ordinary rise and is much sweeter to the taste.
Source:
The Chinese Kitchen - a Book of essential ingredients with over 200 authentic recipes by Deh-Ta Hsiung, Kyle Cathie Limited, 1999
Duan Wu Jie is held on the fifth day of the fifth month on the lunar calendar, or June 19th 2007. The "double fifth" day represents the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.
The origins of the Dragon Boat Festival date back at least two thousand years, rooted in fertility rites performed to ensure abundant rainfall in China. Rice is a staple food for people in China, and rain is essential for an abundant harvest.
Later, this changed into a festival to honour the famous Chinese poet, Qu Yuan, who drowned himself in the river in 295 BC, in a protest against government corruption.
The people loved him so much that they threw rice and eggs into the water to draw the fish away from his body. They honoured him every year by searching for his soul on the river in dragon boats, brightly coloured and decorated to resemble dragons, with a head at the bow and a tail at the stern.
They also prepared special rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves, called Zhongzi, and threw them into the river as offerings to his soul.
The festival has developed to be more elaborate and fun. It is now celebrated with river parades, dragon boat races, rice offerings of Zhongzi, martial arts demonstrations, street theatre and firecrackers.
Festival Food - Zhongzi
Zhongzi can be either savory or sweet. Sweet Zhongzi are considered easier to make.
Sweet Zhongzi (Glutinous Rice wrapped in bamboo leaves)
Makes 12
Preparation Time about 1 hour, plus 2 hours soaking time
Cooking Time 2 hours
900g glutinous rice 1 tablespoon oil
24 dried bamboo leaves 450g black or red sweet bean paste
12 strings, each 1.5m long sugar to serve
1. Soak the rice for 2 hours, drain, change water and soak for a further 30 minutes.
2. Drain the rice well, mix in the oil.
3. Soak the bamboo leaves in warm water for 2 hours, rinse in fresh water, then drain and wipe dry.
4. Roll sweet bean paste into a sausage about 2.5cm in diameter, cut into 12 sections. Flatten each a little.
5. Place two bamboo leaves side by side together to form a triangular pouch. Add a portion of the rice and place a section of the bean paste on the rice. Cover with more rice and fold the leaves over the top and round the pouch to produce a plump, triangular-shaped bundle. Tie securely with string, but not too tightly as the rice will expand during cooking.
6. Simmer the Zhongzi in boiling water for 2 hours.
7. Open the Zhongzi packages at the table and serve hot with sugar as required. Any leftovers can be reheated unwrapped. Zhongzi taste even better reheated.
Glutinous Rice
While ordinary rice - long or short grain - is the daily staple of the Chinese diet, glutinous rice is regarded as a bit of a luxury in China and is only eaten special occasions. It contains more sugar and fat than ordinary rice, although they are both grown and harvested the same way.
The grains of glutinous rice tend to be whiter and rounder than ordinary rise and is much sweeter to the taste.
Source:
The Chinese Kitchen - a Book of essential ingredients with over 200 authentic recipes by Deh-Ta Hsiung, Kyle Cathie Limited, 1999
Sunday 6 May 2007
What I would take that I couldn’t find in China (easily)?
Here is a list of things that I have on my definitely take next time we go to China - thought I'd share - it is from an Aussie perspective but I'm sure you can adapt it for other countries.
A power board with 3-pin plug – many of the hotels have Aussie style powerpoints BUT they only work if the plug has 3 prongs! Also they might only have one Aussie powerpoint in the room so if you want to charge a number of things the powerboard is the answer (we were able to charge the video recorder, the mobile phone and have the portable DVD player running at the same time - godsend!).
Adaptor plugs – a full set just in case there is no Aussie style powerpoint – you can then plug in your powerboard.
Portable DVD player and DVDs - absolutely fantastic if you are travelling with an older child as it keeps them entertained (they get very bored at watching CNN and so will you); throw in some of your own DVDs for when they have gone to sleep but you aren't ready to; we took our DVDs in a single CD case (hard backed with sleeves for each disk) and they took up hardly any room.
Aussie disposable nappies (they have the resealable tabs and are more leak proof) – definitely for the flights if nothing else
Aussie baby wipes for sensitive skin – as it turns our Emily is allergic to most brands except the ones I happened to take with us
Milton’s tablets, a 3.5 L container and a bottlebrush – I chose to sterilise the bottles (some people don’t) and this kit was my travelling steriliser
Nappy sacks (perfumed) –didn’t see any over there; and they are a god send when you are in your hotel room with a bathroom tidy full of dirty nappies
Thermos – 500ml Kathmandu brand – has this nifty top which means you don't have to fully unscrew the top to get water out- just right for a couple of bottles on the run plus we used it at night as putting the kettle was too much hassle; yes you can find them if you look but it might take some time.
Tinned baby food – I took baby pears (helps prevent constipation; note stewed apple will make baby more constipated.) and other fruit and some meat ones
Snacks and quick eats for yourself – if you are trapped in the hotel room with a sick baby you appreciate not starving to death (the bonus is with food is as you eat it you make room in the bag for your shopping!); if you are travelling with an older child take tins of stuff for them as well (because chances are they will turn there nose up at some point at what is offered at the restaurant - our daughter like Heinz Little Kids variety 1-3 yo - take an enamel mug big enough to hold the tin and pour boiling water in and let sit for 10 minutes - warms the food sufficiently to make it palatable) - I also recommend a travel tube of Vegemite - most supermarkets sold mini-loaves of bread (sometimes only 4 slices), buy these and slap some Vegemite on - great on the road for kids and big kids alike.
Cough medicine, throat lozenges, cold/flu medication, headache tablets (actually the whole medical kit) for self and baby – yes you can go to the doctor there but it is a little like home, if you have a virus they tell you to take some OTC medicine and go to bed; problem is you can’t always get what you would take at home; the local stuff can taste foul. If you baby comes with a cold you are sure to end up with it.
Baby panadol and baby nurofen – take both with you – if the baby has a high sustained fever you can alternate these meds (each one can be taken only a max of 3-4 times a day);
Thermometer – digital or in your ear are best (glass ones break and take a long time to register); the little strip things for the forehead are OK; but you want to know if you or bub have a fever.
Anti-inflammatory tablets/cream – I thought I had prepared at the gym but nothing prepared me for lifting 8.5kg of wriggling baby constantly; I developed RSI in both wrists – I lived on my husband’s anti-inflammatories. When we got home I switched to cream on advice of the GP, fortunately as my arms strengthened I got over it but I was to the point of crying when I was in China.
Zip lock bags (various sizes) – great for storing lots of things; great for protecting documents; great for putting your passport and money in, if carrying in your money belt under your clothes (no one wants sweating money or a passport), great for carrying snacks - just great full stop!
Mobile phone (don’t forget your charger)– we had ours set to international roam but barred to incoming calls (we could phone out though). We used them to text family in Australia and they could text us – we used this to let them know when we would be in the room so they could call us. Also handy because there were a couple of occasions when we lost each other (temporarily) and we were able to text each other and meet up again.
Memory cards for your digital camera – take more than you think you will need, don’t go for one really big memory cards – take a series of smaller ones – cards do fail (even new ones) and if everything is on one card you will regret it … You can buy cards over there but they are the same price or more than you pay here (depending on type – our friend played heaps more for one compatible with his Olympus)
A power board with 3-pin plug – many of the hotels have Aussie style powerpoints BUT they only work if the plug has 3 prongs! Also they might only have one Aussie powerpoint in the room so if you want to charge a number of things the powerboard is the answer (we were able to charge the video recorder, the mobile phone and have the portable DVD player running at the same time - godsend!).
Adaptor plugs – a full set just in case there is no Aussie style powerpoint – you can then plug in your powerboard.
Portable DVD player and DVDs - absolutely fantastic if you are travelling with an older child as it keeps them entertained (they get very bored at watching CNN and so will you); throw in some of your own DVDs for when they have gone to sleep but you aren't ready to; we took our DVDs in a single CD case (hard backed with sleeves for each disk) and they took up hardly any room.
Aussie disposable nappies (they have the resealable tabs and are more leak proof) – definitely for the flights if nothing else
Aussie baby wipes for sensitive skin – as it turns our Emily is allergic to most brands except the ones I happened to take with us
Milton’s tablets, a 3.5 L container and a bottlebrush – I chose to sterilise the bottles (some people don’t) and this kit was my travelling steriliser
Nappy sacks (perfumed) –didn’t see any over there; and they are a god send when you are in your hotel room with a bathroom tidy full of dirty nappies
Thermos – 500ml Kathmandu brand – has this nifty top which means you don't have to fully unscrew the top to get water out- just right for a couple of bottles on the run plus we used it at night as putting the kettle was too much hassle; yes you can find them if you look but it might take some time.
Tinned baby food – I took baby pears (helps prevent constipation; note stewed apple will make baby more constipated.) and other fruit and some meat ones
Snacks and quick eats for yourself – if you are trapped in the hotel room with a sick baby you appreciate not starving to death (the bonus is with food is as you eat it you make room in the bag for your shopping!); if you are travelling with an older child take tins of stuff for them as well (because chances are they will turn there nose up at some point at what is offered at the restaurant - our daughter like Heinz Little Kids variety 1-3 yo - take an enamel mug big enough to hold the tin and pour boiling water in and let sit for 10 minutes - warms the food sufficiently to make it palatable) - I also recommend a travel tube of Vegemite - most supermarkets sold mini-loaves of bread (sometimes only 4 slices), buy these and slap some Vegemite on - great on the road for kids and big kids alike.
Cough medicine, throat lozenges, cold/flu medication, headache tablets (actually the whole medical kit) for self and baby – yes you can go to the doctor there but it is a little like home, if you have a virus they tell you to take some OTC medicine and go to bed; problem is you can’t always get what you would take at home; the local stuff can taste foul. If you baby comes with a cold you are sure to end up with it.
Baby panadol and baby nurofen – take both with you – if the baby has a high sustained fever you can alternate these meds (each one can be taken only a max of 3-4 times a day);
Thermometer – digital or in your ear are best (glass ones break and take a long time to register); the little strip things for the forehead are OK; but you want to know if you or bub have a fever.
Anti-inflammatory tablets/cream – I thought I had prepared at the gym but nothing prepared me for lifting 8.5kg of wriggling baby constantly; I developed RSI in both wrists – I lived on my husband’s anti-inflammatories. When we got home I switched to cream on advice of the GP, fortunately as my arms strengthened I got over it but I was to the point of crying when I was in China.
Zip lock bags (various sizes) – great for storing lots of things; great for protecting documents; great for putting your passport and money in, if carrying in your money belt under your clothes (no one wants sweating money or a passport), great for carrying snacks - just great full stop!
Mobile phone (don’t forget your charger)– we had ours set to international roam but barred to incoming calls (we could phone out though). We used them to text family in Australia and they could text us – we used this to let them know when we would be in the room so they could call us. Also handy because there were a couple of occasions when we lost each other (temporarily) and we were able to text each other and meet up again.
Memory cards for your digital camera – take more than you think you will need, don’t go for one really big memory cards – take a series of smaller ones – cards do fail (even new ones) and if everything is on one card you will regret it … You can buy cards over there but they are the same price or more than you pay here (depending on type – our friend played heaps more for one compatible with his Olympus)
Sorry for the break in transmission, we will now attempt to resume normal programming...
OK sorry it has been a long hiatus. A number of things collided.
Firstly, I had to go away for work and when I got back I was overwhelmed with things to do on the work and home front.
Then we had a family trip away and that compounded the things to do on the home and work front (you just don't realise how far behind you get on the washing and ironing - aghhh! And the work emails and home emails - I actually came home from the short holiday to find my personal email account maxed out).
And then amongst all this we had the dreaded '2 day' and '6 day' referral months - which despite all my attempts to stay sunshine sally has had me feeling a bit 'bummed out' (and I know for sure I'm not the only one).
Anyway I'm now trying to pick up the pieces and get things rolling again. Stay tuned!
Firstly, I had to go away for work and when I got back I was overwhelmed with things to do on the work and home front.
Then we had a family trip away and that compounded the things to do on the home and work front (you just don't realise how far behind you get on the washing and ironing - aghhh! And the work emails and home emails - I actually came home from the short holiday to find my personal email account maxed out).
And then amongst all this we had the dreaded '2 day' and '6 day' referral months - which despite all my attempts to stay sunshine sally has had me feeling a bit 'bummed out' (and I know for sure I'm not the only one).
Anyway I'm now trying to pick up the pieces and get things rolling again. Stay tuned!
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