Friday, August 4, 2017

Taiwanese cherry blossom






Prunus campanulata is a species of cherry native to Taiwan, widely grown as an ornamental tree, and a symbol of Nago, Okinawa in the Ryukyu Islands of Japan. It is variously known in English as the Taiwan cherry,[3] Formosan cherry, or bellflower cherry.

I used to mistake this for the Sakura cherry tree. They lined on both sides of Balmoral road where I used to live before Andrew was born, and later when we came back to live after 16 years in Singapore.

In 1989, the word Campomelic came to my vocabulary. It was the syndrome that Andrew had and killed him. Campanulata makes me think of that word. The Campanulata cherry  blooms ahead of the Sakura, then very quickly the flowers drop and fade away. 

This is the time when the Campanulata cherry  blooms are most pretty. At the time, at Andrew's birthday,  Balmoral road would be one scarlet hue. Then on his death anniversary in November, the trees would be bare. Empty like my arms.

Next month would be Andrew's birthday, This TVNZ documentary was made for 

 Baby Loss Awareness Week. I remember the interview I 

did  for the Television documentary," It is ok to cry." Here I am, telling myself it is 

OK to cry.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZk9w-uywAs&feature=youtu.be

http://floralfridayfoto.blogspot.co.nz/
 

Thursday, August 3, 2017

My brother, Henry Chan.

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2014/06/29/getting-it-right-the-first-time-engage-and-consult-for-successful-delivery-says-wwf-malaysia-man/

“Engagement and consultation with people both within and outside WWF are important to ensure successful delivery of WWF’s mission,” Dr Chan added.

Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2014/06/29/getting-it-right-the-first-time-engage-and-consult-for-successful-delivery-says-wwf-malaysia-man/#dI54xfHmRxx8FZYi.99
Proud to have a brother involved in WWF.



Man with a mission: Chan is an anthropologist with a big heart for conservation.


Man with a mission: Chan is an anthropologist with a big heart for conservation.


Man with a mission: Chan is an anthropologist with a big heart for conservation.







Dining at the Sky Tower.








We had  dinner at the Observatory restaurant at the Sky Tower in Auckland. We were up at 192 metres, and the view was fantastic. The sun set was beautiful too, so was the food.
I won't show you my dinner plate as it was a buffet.








Auckland Sky Tower turned 20.





Standing 328m tall, the Sky Tower is the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand and tallest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere. When it was first opened it was among the top 10 tallest buildings in the world.
Since opening on August 3 1997, nearly 15 million guests have travelled through its upper levels to dine, take part in a SkyJump or SkyWalk or enjoy views of up to 82km in any direction.
The Sky Tower turned 20 yesterday and Kiwis can go up for free tomorrow.
SKyCity is also letting New Zealanders choose the colours that will light the top of the tower tomorrow, Friday and Saturday nights between 6pm-9pm.


Mary Anne Vaz, artist with a heart
























Mary Anne Vaz  , facebook maryannevazartist This is at my Art Booth during the Borneo Fashion Week.
I am an artist. My art works feature woven basket. I am painting now.
I live in Miri. Since 1987. I m married to a Kelabit. My art feature the beauty of Sarawak: nature and culture. My mum is Hokkien, my dad is Portuguese. My hometown is Penang. My hubby is Marcus Raja
I have great admiration for people who are gifted and talented with their hands and a warm and big heart . Mary Anne Vaz caught my attention when she posted a weaved basket with her painting. 
The Penan tribe of Sarawak:
The Penan are a nomadic indigenous people living in Sarawak and Brunei, although there is only one small community in Brunei; among those in Brunei half have been converted to Islam, even if only superficially. Penan are one of the last such peoples remaining as hunters and gatherers.

Penan people - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penan_people
 
 
 
 

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Raja Bala

Here's Elley relative Raja Bala. I had to take a photo with this chieftain. The girls were Elley's flower girls.


 This is Elley's relative dancing at Elley's wedding. He had a traditional head gear and long pierced ears.

Our first encounter with the Kelabits from Bario Highlands was in the early 1970s. My Sister E  met and married Kallang Akup. If Kallang was a big man, wait till you meet Raja Bala. 

My Brother Henry and Elley was getting married. The whole Chan went to Miri for the wedding. I met Raja Bala when I went to meet Elley Lina's people from the Bario Highlands in the 1990s. I was awed by his towering physique of 6ft 3, and yet his gentleness. I asked him if I could have a photo with him. You can tell his affection by the way he held my girls' hand.

I had left for New Zealand and Elley told me he was very sick and later died. This towering belian tree left a mark on my life. He was not just Elley's uncle, but the man who obliged my request for this photo.

Help a Penan Child.


https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYidVmsMZeeb2CmNCDUJYTg3Ixj6L0iCE1p-PpXJ3XQs5f7E-vSkm4ZFx8-E1N0tb-ga-x49BVqcwUmWtYpsiYu7IVD4MUjV9djWTCzu819kYAnI5lKNLvwT3KnYpl0ZsJdqWpgXnVShtY/s400/hands+flute+lady.jpg

In 2009, I went on a delightful once in a lifetime holidays in the Mulu resort. We went to the caves, and at a Penan longhouse, this lady attracted me by using her nose to blow her flute. Her fingers moved  deftly, and  it was a beautiful music.

The Penan are a nomadic indigenous people living in Sarawak and Brunei, although there is only one small community in Brunei; among those in Brunei half have been converted to Islam, even if only superficially. Penan are one of the last such peoples remaining as hunters and gatherers.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penan_people 

Mary Anne Vaz, the artist painted the dog on the basket. She calls the dog, a dainty little lady. Mary has a project," Help a Penan Child".

By buying the basket, the buyer has also helped to cheer up and delight a Penan Child. This is a pet portrait hand painted by Mary. The bag is woven by a Penan Weaver. Penans are isolated and need our support so friends do select a picture you want painted on a bag and send it to me on 0162630568.

I applaud her devotion and decision to use her skills to help a good cause.