This is a quotation, from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s A Psalm of Life, that has inspired me for a long time:
“Lives of great men, all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us,
Footprints on the sands of time.”
Sublime, in the Australian Concise Oxford Dictionary, means “of the most exalted kind……as to inspire awe or wonder,….far above the ordinary”.
Carbon footprints? Is that all that I will leave behind? Or nano footprints?
Sunday 30 March 2008
Friday 28 March 2008
This Thing Called Golf
Hey, golf is just a game. There is no need to get upset about it. Don’t take it out on your club. It will damage the fairway.
It is a strange game, with rules and etiquette. Just ask those players behind. They are always hitting balls over our heads.
It is a game where one may earn a lot of money. Just ask Tiger Woods. You can add up the numbers. Never in history have so few people lost so much golf balls to enable professional players to earn so much money. O.k., not all the money come from golf balls alone. There are endless number of corporations run by weekend hackers who are not unwilling to use other people’s money to sponsor four days of glory.
If you don’t play golf, stay away from groups of people who do. You will find that they will talk about anything so long as it is golf.
Golf sets are like cars. You buy a new set when a new model is available. In fact, the terminology is the same. You drive a car. You use a driver for those long distance hits.
Talk about distance, average golfers walk an average of 10 km playing a round of golf on a 6,000 metre long golf course. That’s right. Not a misprint. That’s why they are average golfers. Average golfers always tell you that golf is good for exercise.
It is also a game where you either have it or you don’t. Those who don’t have it are handicapped, whatever that means. The good thing is that those who have it can still enjoy a game with those who have not. In other words, those who are handicapped can play with those who are not. Do you follow what I am saying?
If you don’t play well after one year, you don’t really have it. I should know. I have been playing for years.
I am very sensible. I know it is just a game. There is no need to push the damn cart into the pond.
That's life. Till next time.
It is a strange game, with rules and etiquette. Just ask those players behind. They are always hitting balls over our heads.
It is a game where one may earn a lot of money. Just ask Tiger Woods. You can add up the numbers. Never in history have so few people lost so much golf balls to enable professional players to earn so much money. O.k., not all the money come from golf balls alone. There are endless number of corporations run by weekend hackers who are not unwilling to use other people’s money to sponsor four days of glory.
If you don’t play golf, stay away from groups of people who do. You will find that they will talk about anything so long as it is golf.
Golf sets are like cars. You buy a new set when a new model is available. In fact, the terminology is the same. You drive a car. You use a driver for those long distance hits.
Talk about distance, average golfers walk an average of 10 km playing a round of golf on a 6,000 metre long golf course. That’s right. Not a misprint. That’s why they are average golfers. Average golfers always tell you that golf is good for exercise.
It is also a game where you either have it or you don’t. Those who don’t have it are handicapped, whatever that means. The good thing is that those who have it can still enjoy a game with those who have not. In other words, those who are handicapped can play with those who are not. Do you follow what I am saying?
If you don’t play well after one year, you don’t really have it. I should know. I have been playing for years.
I am very sensible. I know it is just a game. There is no need to push the damn cart into the pond.
That's life. Till next time.
Thursday 27 March 2008
Travel - My Favourite Places (1)
This is a topic that everyone should join in and have a say. I am just as interested in knowing what your favourite places are. So tell us about the nice places in the world.
I have done some traveling, but not as much as a lot of people.
In every country, I am sure there are at least a few very nice places. Usually, if you stay long enough, you will appreciate the places. Best of all, if you have friends, it makes your stay many times better.
.
Top of my list is the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
Why do I like it?
I like the long stretch of beach and the spacious feeling you get when you are there. People are friendly and relaxed, and they all seem to be in the holiday mood.
What is there to do?
There is plenty to do – theme parks, golf, fishing, shopping, eat. I love fresh bread. There are nice little bakeries in all the suburbs and it is easy enough to walk over in the morning and select your favourite bread, hot off the oven. Walk the entire length of the beach from Main Beach to Miami Beach. Go deep sea fishing.
Where to shop?
The shopping centres are great. There are enough differences in the way Harbour City, Pacific Fair and Robina have been set up, so each is a different experience. Carrara Markets is the place to go on a Saturday. There is plenty of everything, from fruits to T shirts and shoes.
Where to stay?
Accomodation is plentiful. You can always get a nice little apartment on a reasonable weekly rate, especially in the off-peak months. I try to stay a bit away from the central area of Surfers Paradise. I like Broadbeach and Burleigh Beach.
If you are there, take a short drive to Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast or even Fraser Island. In the meantime, visit www.sunzine.net/goldcoast/welcome.html. For a nice photo, go to http://www.yesaustralia.com.br/img/GoldCoastPhoto.jpg.
Gold Coast – beautiful one day, perfect the next. It has seduced me. One day, I may get to live there.
I have done some traveling, but not as much as a lot of people.
In every country, I am sure there are at least a few very nice places. Usually, if you stay long enough, you will appreciate the places. Best of all, if you have friends, it makes your stay many times better.
.
Top of my list is the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
Why do I like it?
I like the long stretch of beach and the spacious feeling you get when you are there. People are friendly and relaxed, and they all seem to be in the holiday mood.
What is there to do?
There is plenty to do – theme parks, golf, fishing, shopping, eat. I love fresh bread. There are nice little bakeries in all the suburbs and it is easy enough to walk over in the morning and select your favourite bread, hot off the oven. Walk the entire length of the beach from Main Beach to Miami Beach. Go deep sea fishing.
Where to shop?
The shopping centres are great. There are enough differences in the way Harbour City, Pacific Fair and Robina have been set up, so each is a different experience. Carrara Markets is the place to go on a Saturday. There is plenty of everything, from fruits to T shirts and shoes.
Where to stay?
Accomodation is plentiful. You can always get a nice little apartment on a reasonable weekly rate, especially in the off-peak months. I try to stay a bit away from the central area of Surfers Paradise. I like Broadbeach and Burleigh Beach.
If you are there, take a short drive to Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast or even Fraser Island. In the meantime, visit www.sunzine.net/goldcoast/welcome.html. For a nice photo, go to http://www.yesaustralia.com.br/img/GoldCoastPhoto.jpg.
Gold Coast – beautiful one day, perfect the next. It has seduced me. One day, I may get to live there.
Tuesday 25 March 2008
The Human Spirit
(May I dedicate this to all the unsung heroes)
The Cambodian children with artificial limbs, victims of land mines, happily playing soccer.
Bomber, the ex-soldier and mine clearer, who triumphed over alcoholism and the scars of war, to give his service to the country he fought against. And his mate, Roy, another veteran, who lost his wife, yet found strength to devote himself to a new cause.
Like Roy, the many of us who have lost a loved one, and go on living.
The cancer victims who live the highs and lows of the disease and the treatment.
The people who battle cancer, depression, divorce, loss of job; and still survive.
The carers and the survivors.
The volunteers.
Donating an organ to a stranger, or to anybody.
Bravery beyond the call of duty.
The supermums who have to be mother, wife, wage earner, chef, housemaid, gardener, teacher, and the strength of the family.
(This is going to be a long list!)
The single mother who raised five kids. One of them, my friend, is a PhD from Cambridge University.
The parents who live away from their family, earning money to feed the family
The many senior citizens who live alone.
The poor who live with hope.
The victims of violent crimes.
The people with disabilities. Among many, people like Stevie Wonder and the late Ray Charles, who gave so much to music and us.
Nelson Mandela, through his years in prison, to emerge victorious and gracious.
The ones who dare to dream of a better home, a better life, a better world.
The students who try so hard.
Babies learning to walk.
You.
Me.
We all have it. The human spirit. Don’t underestimate it.
Till next time.
The Cambodian children with artificial limbs, victims of land mines, happily playing soccer.
Bomber, the ex-soldier and mine clearer, who triumphed over alcoholism and the scars of war, to give his service to the country he fought against. And his mate, Roy, another veteran, who lost his wife, yet found strength to devote himself to a new cause.
Like Roy, the many of us who have lost a loved one, and go on living.
The cancer victims who live the highs and lows of the disease and the treatment.
The people who battle cancer, depression, divorce, loss of job; and still survive.
The carers and the survivors.
The volunteers.
Donating an organ to a stranger, or to anybody.
Bravery beyond the call of duty.
The supermums who have to be mother, wife, wage earner, chef, housemaid, gardener, teacher, and the strength of the family.
(This is going to be a long list!)
The single mother who raised five kids. One of them, my friend, is a PhD from Cambridge University.
The parents who live away from their family, earning money to feed the family
The many senior citizens who live alone.
The poor who live with hope.
The victims of violent crimes.
The people with disabilities. Among many, people like Stevie Wonder and the late Ray Charles, who gave so much to music and us.
Nelson Mandela, through his years in prison, to emerge victorious and gracious.
The ones who dare to dream of a better home, a better life, a better world.
The students who try so hard.
Babies learning to walk.
You.
Me.
We all have it. The human spirit. Don’t underestimate it.
Till next time.
Monday 24 March 2008
Landmines
This is something I really would like to share with you.
It is Monday evening. I have just seen a documentary called Bomber and Roy on ABC TV. Bomber and Roy are Australian Vietnam veterans who, as part of their own healing, have returned to Cambodia to help clear the many landmines in the country. They are the only freelance mine clearers in Cambodia, and they are doing it on their own steam. They have raised money through various clubs in Australia to buy mine detecting equipments.
In the documentary was Aki Ra, a Cambodian who must be the champion mine clearer in the country. Until Bomber gave him a detector, he was just using a stick to look for mines. He is the founder of the Land Mines Museum at Siem Reap. Aki and his wife are looking after young victims of land mines by housing and giving them an education.
If you ever go to the Angkor Wat area, you must visit the museum. It is definitely a cause worth helping. If you live in Australia and you hear the name Bomber and Roy, you know what they are on about.
Aki Ra can easily be found on the internet. Here is one source www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aki_Ra . The Cambodian people have gone through a lot. So have the Vietnam veterans. They deserve our support. War is horrible, for all sides. If you see the faces of the people, you will surely be touched.
It is Monday evening. I have just seen a documentary called Bomber and Roy on ABC TV. Bomber and Roy are Australian Vietnam veterans who, as part of their own healing, have returned to Cambodia to help clear the many landmines in the country. They are the only freelance mine clearers in Cambodia, and they are doing it on their own steam. They have raised money through various clubs in Australia to buy mine detecting equipments.
In the documentary was Aki Ra, a Cambodian who must be the champion mine clearer in the country. Until Bomber gave him a detector, he was just using a stick to look for mines. He is the founder of the Land Mines Museum at Siem Reap. Aki and his wife are looking after young victims of land mines by housing and giving them an education.
If you ever go to the Angkor Wat area, you must visit the museum. It is definitely a cause worth helping. If you live in Australia and you hear the name Bomber and Roy, you know what they are on about.
Aki Ra can easily be found on the internet. Here is one source www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aki_Ra . The Cambodian people have gone through a lot. So have the Vietnam veterans. They deserve our support. War is horrible, for all sides. If you see the faces of the people, you will surely be touched.
World Citizen?
Will any of my readers feel offended if I call myself World Citizen? I hope not. It is just a pen name. World is not my real first name. I am not Miss World. Nor Mr. Citizen, a title of high esteem. I am just WC.
Why do I want to use a pen name? There is nothing sinister about that.
Firstly I just want a name that is free of any connotation of gender, religious background, and ethnicity. I could have used a number, I guess.
Secondly, we can play this game of profiling someone based on his/her writings. Have you ever met someone and then wonder what the person’s background is? I did that on a couple of occasions and found that my assumptions were all incorrect.
World Citizen was surprisingly available. I took the name at the spur of the moment. So that was it.
I am just the average World Citizen. I will be comfortable with WC.
I do not intend to offend anyone with what I write. If you find anything offensive, I will be happy to remove the particular posting or edit what I wrote.
Till next time.
Why do I want to use a pen name? There is nothing sinister about that.
Firstly I just want a name that is free of any connotation of gender, religious background, and ethnicity. I could have used a number, I guess.
Secondly, we can play this game of profiling someone based on his/her writings. Have you ever met someone and then wonder what the person’s background is? I did that on a couple of occasions and found that my assumptions were all incorrect.
World Citizen was surprisingly available. I took the name at the spur of the moment. So that was it.
I am just the average World Citizen. I will be comfortable with WC.
I do not intend to offend anyone with what I write. If you find anything offensive, I will be happy to remove the particular posting or edit what I wrote.
Till next time.
Sunday 23 March 2008
Celebrating life
Most people celebrate their birthdays. I don’t. I am not here arguing for or against birthdays.
I tell people I celebrate my birthday everyday. Yes, that is true. My life, not withstanding the highs and lows, is worth a self-celebration every day. No, I don’t waste money on cakes and candles. I just go about my everyday life, telling myself how lucky and blessed I am to be alive.
There is nothing wrong in celebrating. After all, you have every right to do that.
I have a suggestion. Every time you celebrate a birthday, an anniversary, a wedding, a graduation, a promotion or an achievement, why not make a small donation to a charity as part of your celebration. Today I recommend the Fred Hollows Foundation http://www.fredhollows.org.au/
Till next time.
I tell people I celebrate my birthday everyday. Yes, that is true. My life, not withstanding the highs and lows, is worth a self-celebration every day. No, I don’t waste money on cakes and candles. I just go about my everyday life, telling myself how lucky and blessed I am to be alive.
There is nothing wrong in celebrating. After all, you have every right to do that.
I have a suggestion. Every time you celebrate a birthday, an anniversary, a wedding, a graduation, a promotion or an achievement, why not make a small donation to a charity as part of your celebration. Today I recommend the Fred Hollows Foundation http://www.fredhollows.org.au/
Till next time.
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