TSUNAMI: THE RIPPLE MISSED THIS SHORE..PHEW!

Australia has all but escaped the wrath of a Pacific Ocean tsunami triggered by a devastating 8.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the coast of central Chile. The earthquake struck off the coast of central Chile about 5.30pm (AEDT) on Saturday, killing hundreds and sending shockwaves throughout the Pacific.

Beaches today on Sunday were closed and emergency services were on patrol as the brunt of the tsunami waves travelled in a northwest direction, narrowly missing Australia's east coast. But tsunami waves were recorded along the NSW, Queensland and Tasmanian coasts, with Norfolk Island recording a 50cm surge in sea levels. The Gold Coast saw a 20cm increase in sea levels. In Tasmania, Southport and Darlington experienced a 17cm increase.

The Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre (JATWC) issued a tsunami alert, declaring a "potential tsunami threat" for Queensland, NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island. Dangerous waves and foreshore flooding listed in the warnings did not eventuate but the JATWC was focused on strong ocean currents affecting people in boats or in the water. "In all likelihood (the tsunami warning) will be cancelled later today or tonight." The JATWC rep, Mr Hainsworth said shockwaves from an underwater 8.8-magnitude earthquake could be devastating. "We in Australia have been very, very lucky indeed," Mr Hainsworth said. "The focus of the energy from the earthquake was definitely to the northwest from South America. "So we were much on the periphery of the seismic seawave events." But JATWC kept its tsunami warning in place for Sunday, because the quick changes in sea levels around Australia's east coast could cause severe currents.

So tomorrow, the surf dudes can hit the waves again... or is it too early to venture in????

WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER-PT. 4

Whew, glad that was over! The talk went very well and the kids from both classes had a great time. I think the teachers enjoyed the information about chinese culture too. The powerpoint software behaved very well and everything went smoothly. Thank you God!

Had a nice chat with Jordan's teacher, and found she had travelled to many countries including Korea and China, so she was very familiar to Asian culture. She was very helpful and even taught me some new tricks for powerpoint. Even at the beginning of the presentation, I found that most kids here were very exposed to chinese culture and they were certainly interested to know more.

I also found the Aussie kids here don't just sit quietly and listen to you talk. They participate very actively in the classroom and treat the talk like a discussion. From an Asian perspective, it would seem rude to put up your hands and ask questions in the middle of a talk, but it is perfectly acceptable here. So, my talk went on longer than expected... busily answering questions as I went on each slide.. Jordie very sportingly wore a traditional chinese costume for them to see.

I think they enjoyed the 2 quiz questions at the end to try for the angpow prize!! They also had a great time munching on the keropoks and squishy konyakku jelly. So, yup glad it pulled off well and I probably won't be doing this for quite a while...

WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER - PT. 3- NOW MY GUTS LIKE JELLY MELT

Yup, like those konyaku jelly that emerged in disastrous soft lumps ready to break , . I am stressed. Now why did I volunteer myself for this talk? I examined myself asking what is the big deal. Kids only after all, so why am I so worked up?

One of the reasons is that this week has been a real stressful week for me. When it rains, it pours. Beryl needed me to help edit her book in time to pass to Pastor Lily before she flew off tomorrow. Coupled with the fact that I had to attend a meeting today at Caroline's place. Pastor Dexter was sharing to a group of people tonight. I was late and then found myself being the last minute standby for song-leading to a roomful of Aussies,, not prepared...AARGH!! THEN, my konnyaku jelly which I was making for the kids tomorrow all went gooey and wouldn't stand firm even after I tried making another batch with less water. Ban JIM WILLIE BRAND for Konyakku for life. BOYCOTT!!

The other reason is that it is my first time ever presenting with Powerpoint, so not really familiar or sure if it would pull off tomorrow.

The main reason (DRUM ROLLS/ CYMBALS) is ... after some soul-searching : I am a control freak....... I admit it,.. I want to do things nicely properly and not a hair out of place. The best CNY presentation the kids could ever get with fun, food and quiz. and then...So far, only the keropoks I fried turned out nice. The rest is pretty much in shambles... The konyakku was disappointing...I also had initally wanted to pass out some nice red packets to every kid there in the mood of Chinese New Year (of course with chocs, not money, not that rich, you see) but my despatch for angpow packets had not arrived until now!

Okay, I just came out of a christian meeting so I must not have murderous thoughts..... And this uncertainty and unfamiliar ground of Jordie's classroom and 50 pairs of eyes staring up at me expecting a nice talk is eating me up... So, what do I do? Gulp down some more smashed up Konyakku jelly and comfort myself...that I am after all human.

WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER - PT. 2

Went into Jordie's class today to check out the equipment available for the Chinese New Year talk I was giving this Friday.. and it turned out I was lucky his Technology teacher was around, so he agreed to help test out tomorrow if my Mac notebook could be hooked to their projector for the powerpoint presentation.

Yup, we need to go high tech these days, I hope NOT to have to print out bubble jet pictures of images I wanted to show or paste them arduously on manila cardboard,... Powerpoint is so much easier and effective, if I could pull it off, keeping my fingers crossed........

This is supposed to be a SMART school, his teacher agreed, so we need to get on with that technology thing, or face being called a backward institution...anyway I think his teacher was just so amazed I was going so out of my way for this thing... don't ask me why, I just feel it is a good thing to do...

PUMPKIN PASTA

A new recipe I invented last nite since I had lots of pumpkin on standby... so clever rite?

Pumpkin is very nutritious and high fibre. I used my leftover pumpkin soup to make this pasta for extra flavour, some cut up pumpkin (pre-boiled), zucchini, onions, ham and garlic +2 tbsp of thickened cream - 2 teaspoons of curry powder for a mild spicy taste...

garnish with egg and salad leaves - viola a quick and easy meal for the evening....

WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

I don't know about other public schools, guess most schools would have this at the beginning of every school year to arrange for the parents to meet the teachers. Today, went for a Parent meet Teachers meeting which is considered standard practice at Varsity College for all grades up till year 6-7, maybe. They gave a short debrief on what to expect for the term on study materials and things to watch out for in homework, books, activities, etc. I heard that his class and 4 Melbourne, the partner class are one of the few that got fitted out for air-conditioning so that is a nice bonus for summer.

While talking to his teacher, I couldn't believe I actually heard myself volunteering to give a talk on Chinese New Year next week! What did I just get myself into? She was so excited and asked if the other class adjoined could sit in as well... yikes! 50 pairs of young eyes -have not done public speaking for a long time. Their project theme this term is called 'We're all in this together' which is a study on multicultural differences.

So, now here I am putting together something that is hopefully presentable for next Friday...Jordie said he might get a little embarrassed-he's at the age when he doesnt like questions from other children about his parents. I told him I would withdraw if he didn't like it. He said, okay, okay...he sorta liked it, guess didn't quite know what to expect about situations like these... oh well! I just thought it would be nice to lend a bit of support to the teachers' effort in doing the cultural exchange theme for this term - A bit of PR, if you like, doesn't hurt too these days. Plus, I wanted Jordan to be proud of his heritage and background, lest he forgets he's actually a chinese.

DEAL OF THE CENTURY

Few people know much about Clive Palmer the man. But after the weekend deal of a century the Gold Coaster is truly standing in the international spotlight.

Mr Palmer and Premier Anna Bligh announced a $69billion deal to export coal to China, which the Broadbeach Waters resident says will create thousands of jobs in Queensland and likely restore the state's AAA credit rating. His company Resourcehouse will supply 30 million tonnes a year to China for 20 years.

The coal will be mined from the Galilee Basin region near Alpha, west of Emerald. A private 495km rail line will be built and new jetties and ports erected at Abbott Point, near Bowen. The royalties from the sales are expected to tip more than $700 million into the State Government's coffers each year from 2014, while creating 7500 direct jobs and 50,000 to 60,000 indirect jobs across the state. Mr Palmer, a life member of the state opposition Liberal National Party and a former state director of the National Party, said the Export-Import Bank of China had financed a $6 billion loan but emphasised the project was 100 per cent Australian-owned. The man who turns 56 next month wakes up millions of dollars richer every day. He studied journalism at university but opted for Gold Coast property investment as a career instead. Mr Palmer's biggest break came in the mid-1980s when he took over the assets of two US mining companies in the Pilbara region.

They were exiting Australia and Mr Palmer was just about to become one of the richest men in the land, riding on the commodities boom, an understanding of how to do business with China and a relentless work ethic. Exactly how much he is worth, no one is sure. It has been estimated that his fortune lies between $1.5billion and $6.5 billion, but that was before Saturday's $60 billion deal.

His fortune has been built with two key men beside him Clive Mensink and Geoff Smith directors of Mineralogy and Gold Coast United and more among the dozens that Mr Palmer controls.

The China deal through Resourcehouse features former Opposition leader Alexander Downer as a director along with Domenic Martino, Mr Mensink, Baohua Bai and Zhengrong Chi, of Beijing, Peter Lynch, of NSW, American John Elmore and former Briton Derek Payne. - excerpt from goldcoast.com.au (dated 8 Feb, 2010)

EPISODE 40: STEPPING INTO 'DESTINY'

We had prayed about changing churches last year and around Christmas time was the turning point of our decision. So, today, was officially our 1st time there as new members of Destiny Church even though it was not the 1st time we had been there. (we visited twice last year before coming to this decision) Genesis was a good spiritual home for us in our 1st phase of this Gold Coast journey, but we felt we needed to move on and are very excited about our next phase in Destiny Church. I joke about it often but perhaps there is some meaning in all of this... we start our phase of journey in Australia in 'Genesis' and we move on now to 'Destiny' . The church is led by Pastor Sue Baynes and her husband Roger Baynes as well as Dean Taylor.

It was pouring heavily this morning but some friendly ushers were there ready with umbrellas. Not bad at all... I thought. So blessed to have some shelter from the rain. Today, Faylene Sparks who heads her own prophetic ministry and church was preaching and ministering. It was inspiring listening to her and the atmosphere was just so charged up with the flow of God's words and worship. Today, was by far, the most spiritually saturated Sunday I had experienced since I got on the Gold Coast. How can I express it? I felt that I had eaten and was satisfied. I loved the way the music flowed all throughout the ministering. The keyboardist and his band never left their post and kept the worship going all throughout. This was one of the main things that drew us to Destiny - the worship and prophetic flow which was so full of life. What inspired me was also the way the youths and youngsters served in the music team with dedication and worshipful spirit.

You know the weird thing is for all 3 sundays we had been there, it poured, it always poured heavy rain. The outpouring of the spirit - it seems to favour this little place. And all throughout the worship there is this sweet smell of breads. Yes, I know there is a bakery somewhere outside in the complex, but then when you walk out, there are also breads galore on the table, for free takeaways and breads served at the cafeteria. The prophetic word that came this morning was "Destiny, you shall be a house of bread to the nations, a mantle of healing placed upon you and healing shall flow in this place."

God works in parallels, I am starting to see that...in both natural and spiritual outworkings in our lives, he teaches through parallels. And surprisingly Jordan, who has never complained he is hungry, because I always feed him so well, now told me after the service: "I am hungry, I want to eat now..." Now, I am hoping he works up a spiritual appetite as well....

EPISODE 39: Yr 4 @ Varsity College

This year, Jordie goes to Year 4 which is generally for 9 year olds. He was very excited about going back to school to meet new classmates and teachers. So, he didn't even want to miss out on the 1st day of school which was last week. So, when we touched down at the airport flying in from KL, on Wed, Jan 27, I brought him to school a little after 10 am when we'd settled some clearing of stuff in the house and breakfast. At least, he still managed to be at school on the 1st day of the term even though a little tired.

His class is named 4 G, short for 4 Gold Coast. For Year 4's, the classes are named after Australian cities. Aussie schools do not stream the pupils into classes according to performance. They believe in team and group work, and teachers partner up on certain projects to teach their respective classes.

Jordie finds Year 4 challenging, he complains about aching arms from having to write so much. But that's good, I feel. A little challenge never hurts the human spirit. On the 1st day, they had spelling tests for 100 words! No mucking around in Year 4....