Sunday, July 31, 2005

Big

Size does matter. Here in Australia, we like to do things big. Forget about the big pineapple or the big banana in Queensland, here in Melbourne we have our share of the big picture... We have the big rubic cube at the museum...
The big cans of casserole at Telstra Dome...
The big number seven at Docklands...
The big bowling pin that you can find everywhere...
The big dog at Fairfield...
The big cheesecake...
...and the big camera in Northcote...
The big budget blowout at the Spencer Street Redevelopment...
And of course, the mother of all biggies; the big rip off by the Howard Government!

Saturday, July 30, 2005

Coconut Tree In Melbourne

Ever seen a coconut tree grow in Melbourne? Well I have and here it is... Not only does it grow well in Melbourne's cold winter, it's bearing coconuts too! So how do you grow coconut trees in Melbourne? Simple, plant a plastic one! That's what the owner of this house did so it's maintenance free, save water and it's evergreen! And why would you want a plastic coconut tree in your front yard? Beats the hell out of me, I'm too embarrassed to ask.

N.B Now I know, the owner of this house is a diehard Kenny Sia worshipper!

Friday, July 29, 2005

Masterpiece

Alright Dino, you wanted it, you asked for it, so here it is; the masterpiece your son created! Share it with the whole world what your little angel can achieve, what potential lies beneath the little aussie battler! Our own Leonardo DaVinci of the 21st century! Ladies and gentlemen of the cyberspace and bloggieland, I present to you the Masterpiece, created by the genius child himself; Master Jedi Robert M!

Thursday, July 28, 2005

Dights Falls Park

This is Dights Falls Park. It is a popular picnic spot as well as a place for kayaking and bike riding.
Apart from its amenities, it is also a good place to go for a walk.
Here we enter the park along this paved walkway...
We can see kayakers at it already in the water...
These are new apartments right next to the park, it would be a nice place to live...
A weir was built at Dights Falls on a natural rock bar in the early 1840s to supply water to the recently restored historic Dights Flour Mill.
It may look serene but it is advised not to drink the water here, water pollution can be quite high.
There are a lot of walking as well as bike riding trails.

On the way out, I came across some mushrooms that were growing among the wood chip mulch. They look tasty but I'll probably die if I were to eat them. Have a nice day!

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Spiritual Healing Trail

The Spiritual Healing Trail is a gift from the Aboriginal tribe of the Wurundjeri people. It aims to promote personal good health through improving our emotional and spiritual well-being and a sense of being connected to the land.
The trail is simple, all you have to do is follow the map to get from site to site and allow the instructions for each site and markers along the track to lead you through your healing journey.
This is the start of the trail marked by these markers on the rock...
The trail leads you through the woodlands...
...to the first site called the Gathering marked by these markers on the rock. Here, you gather your thoughts and identify and prioritise your issues. Divide your issues of concern into two groups; (1)Issues that you can manage or that you have some control over, and (2)Issues that you can't manage right now, or which you have no control. Once you understand which issues you have control over and those that you don't, you are ready to continue your journey to the next stage.
Along the way, you pass through some olive trees...
...come along the creek...
...and reach the second site call the Purifying. Here you let the water wash away issues you have no control over by washing your hands in the water by the creek bank. Do not waste energy on issues that cannot be resolved.
Let them go or put them to one side for the time being and cross the creek and continue the journey through the gum tree lined valley toward a tranquil wetland....
Here, be cautious of snakes that dwell in the habitat during the warmer months.
The third site is at this wetland...
...marked by another markers on the rock. This is the site of Contemplation where you draw energy from the good things in your life. Take time to consider how you are feeling, think of where you have been and use your surroundings to connect yourself with the spirit of the place. Picture a wetland in your mind then probe deeper into the water before you and the diversity of life that it supports. Consider the richness and fullness of your life.Walk along the edge of the creek till you get to the fourth site of Possibilities at the second crossing of the creek. There is a fish ladder located here. The ladder is symbolic of the need to take one step at a time to overcome big obstacles. Take time to meditate on your issues for possible solutions by using this principle...
...follow the trail, across the creek and climb to the higher ground...
...till you reach the fifth site of the trail where you are on top of the world and on top of your issues! You are Ready To Go and tackle any issues that may come your way...

...take a moment to enjoy the view from this vantage point. Congratulations you are on the right path towards a rich, fulfilling and rewarding lifestyle!

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

What's for lunch?

Ever wonder what you gonna have for lunch at work everyday? The frustration of deciding can usually ends up with something boring. So I'm going to show you what people at work here have for lunch, starting with my lunch...
...I had a ham and cheese sandwich using country grain white bread...simple but tasty.
Trevor had chicken pasta with mushroom...looks good.
Katie had instant noodle with vegetable...quick and easy.
James had a ham and tomato sandwich with extra tomato sauce...very aussie!
Ky had steam rice and pork...home cooked favourite.
Effie had a special dieter's puree vegetable soup...good for her hip line.
Dino brought tandoori chicken wraps with spinach and mango chutney made by his lovely wife...

...too good to share!

Monday, July 25, 2005

Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events.

Here's another recent addition to my DVD collection; Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events starring Jim Carey, the voice of Jude Law, Meryl Streep and our own Emily Browning from Melbourne as Violet. It's a story of misadventure involving 3 ingenious orphans and a villainous Count Olaf played by Jim Carey who wants their enormous fortune. Personally I don't think too much of it but I particularly like the baby(who doesn't) who bites anything she gets her hands on. Overall, it's a great film for the whole family. I give it 3 stars.

Sunday, July 24, 2005

To Market, To Market...

What do you do on Sunday? You could go to church like some people to hear God's representative on Earth rant on about going to heaven or you could go to the craft market in Flemington Racecourse! This market is held on the last Sunday of each month in Flemington. It is also held at other venues around Melbourne in different places. If you like to know where or would like to know a bit more about this craft market, you can find it here: http://www.craftmarkets.com.au/.
You can find all kinds of stuff here; from fresh produce to knitwears.
Different type of timber handicrafts...
To Petting Zoo for children where we find...
...Porky here having a drink of milk. The highlight of the morning would have to be when we got to meet the pet of one of the traders and he's name is...
...Simba! Simba is a Shar-Pei dog of 3 1/2 month old. Shar-Pei dogs originated from China and the name basically mean wrinkled skin, very appropriate.

Saturday, July 23, 2005

Welcome to my backyard.

It's a typical winter day today; cold and windy but no rain. I dragged myself up into the backyard to continue my winter chores. Yes, that comes with my passion for gardening. Winter is a time for preparation if I want to reap the reward that follows spring and summer. There's not much to see in winter so I'm showing some of the pictures I took last spring and summer. Come through the back door and step into my little haven, just ignore the neighbours' houses in the back.
I grow heaps of patio roses in terracotta pots.
I also grow hybrid tea roses in the back. I can't remember how many different species of them I got but here's some of them...
Gold Bunny of the floribunda genus, lightly perfumed...
Blue Moon, hybrid tea, highly perfumed...
A bunch of Brilliant Pink Iceberg, a floribunda genus but very light scented, popular among the gardeners because they are easy to grow...
Next we have Joyfulness, hybrid tea and very strongly perfumed.
In fact, all these are very highly perfumed; Double Delight, Sheer Bliss, Mister Lincoln, etc...If you've a passion gardening, I like to know you.