The Journey

You know, life is a journey..often riddled with detours, ditches and dead ends. However, I have learned that "I" am ultimately responsible for everything that happens...which can be good and bad.

Even when my actions have led to consequences where i rail at the world, rail at God, I know deep down that He is there...allowing the chips to fall, confident that it will end up where it needs to end up, that I, as a child of God, will rise to the occassion no matter how far away he may feel.

Going through hard times are what life is all about. You can't help but appreciate the blessings in your life...

January Whimsy

Alphonsus O'Kane New Zealand

ALPHONSUS O'Kane went to New Zealand over 50 years ago with his friend Jimmy to make a life for himself.

He built a business out of blood, sweat and hard work. Alphonsus married a great woman and had four sons.

When the time was right Alphonsus became the farmer he was meant to be. He went down his own path in life, living by the creed, never one to back down and with Alphonsus there was no such word as can't.

He was a proud New Zealander in the country he chose to make his life, but if there is one thing you learn, being the son of an Irishman, you can never take the Irish out of an Irishman.

Our dad was born a Tyrone man and he died a Tyrone man.

Merry Christmas!

Alone

at peace i stand
alone
feeling the wind
dry my tears

images flash
before my eyes
limp languid loss

my gaze looks outwards
silently i moan
i need more
my soul searches, yearning but never fulfilled.

Change has come....

Truly a historic election! I am so happy that one more wall has been firmly torn down!

Matthew Mead Halloween Tricks and Treats Magazine

Just wanted to mention that Mathew Mead's latest holiday magazine Matthew Mead Halloween Tricks and Treats has hit the store shelves! Why you ask...because he dedicated this special issue to my amazingly talented sister at Restyled Home. Also, because these are projects that even I can do...and I really am craft challenged! I can't wait to share some of the projects with my little girl as we need to spend some quality mummy & daughter time! This magazine is perfect for that!

Matthew Mead Halloween Tricks and Treats

I just wanted to spread the word about Mathew's Meads newest holiday magazine! Why...because he was so nice to dedicate this first issue to my amazingly talented sister! Besides that, his magazine is amazing...so amazing that I can even do some of the beautiful projects. I can't wait to purchase my issue to share with my little girl. We need some quality craft time together!

Cocoon

I have deliberately chosen in this past year to wrap myself in a cocoon, to muffle myself from the outside world. During this time, I have discovered that people who say their your friend...aren't and that those say you are their friends...really are!

I appreciate my family, my friendships that have stood the test of time. I acknowledge that I have neglected my friends who have deserved my time and attention when others haven't. I have been dazzled by words spoken that weren't true...that hurt, but I hope I've learned to hold back and wait...let the words line up with actions.

My true friends aren't all glam and sizzle, in fact, they are worker bees, working hard for their families, sacrificing themselves for their loved ones and others. They put themselves last in their desire to serve others. Yet, expect no applause, no appreciation, they see the work that needs done and just do it. They walk the walk with minimal talk...

We can't all be Bono or Nelson Mandela...but we can be within the community we find ourselves...tonight, I was reminded by that.

"Humility is often only feigned submission which people use to render others submissive. It is a subterfuge of pride which lowers itself in order to rise."

French moralist, La Rochefoucald

Navel Gazing...

 

Marc Chagall

Does there ever come a time when we stop over analyzing the church? Can it not just be an entity that exists as a vechicle for us to come together under a common belief in Jesus Christ?  A place to grow in our faith and actually follow some Biblical commands such as helping the poor and being part of the community in a way that serves those less fortunate.  I am so fed up with the hypocrisy and double standards the jockeying for favour, coolness, and how hip we are...could we please move beyond highschool and aim towards substance?

If the church doesn't hurry up and figure out who it is...how can it expect to have any relevance in this day and age of fleeting fads and traditions. I believe there is a huge mass of people searching for depth and substance...is this to much to hope and pray for?

Summer and the living is easy...

It has been sooo long since I have written on here...doesn't seem much point lately and I feel the weight of keeping silent, yet I take comfort in trusting that all things lead to their own resolution.

Summer is here...finally! Though at times, only peeking its head in the door! We are doing our yearly routine of swim lessons at the beach, bbq's and bonfires with family and friends and quiet get togethers with close friends. Many of my friends have been in my life for soo many years that at times I have taken them for granted...allowing my busy days as an excuse to not get together or return phone calls.

Somehow, one would arrive with a coffee exactly on the day when I needed a friend most or simply a quick hello or another drives all the way out from the city to give me a small calender to help me keep track of all my appointments.

I find myself thinking about friendships lost...some thru death others thru rash decisions of my youth and others thru disappointments and betrayal. With that, it makes me appreciate the friends that I do have. Friends who have been there for me throughout the years...through good times and bad...who have my back...they are rare and to be cherished.

I will always ache and grieve the friendships lost...each friend touches your life in such a special way...good and bad. I feel badly for those I have hurt in the past and I hope that it makes me a better friend today to those who count me as their friend.

Pavement Cracks

The city streets are wet again with rain
But I'm walkin' just the same
Skies turn to the usual grey
When you turn to face the day
And love don't show up in the pavement cracks
All my water colours fade to black
I'm goin' nowhere and I'm ten steps back
All my dreams have fallen flat

(Love don't show in the pavement cracks
There will be no turning back)

Time and space will pass us by and by
When we don't see eye to eye
I would have done anything
For happiness to bring ...
But it don't show up in the pavement cracks
I can't even cover up my tracks
I'm goin' nowhere and I'm light years back
Ooh I wish you well

How come
Every day
I'm still waiting for the change?
How come
I still say
Give me strength to live?

Where is my comfort zone?
A simple place to call my own
'Cause everything I wanna be
Comes crashing down on me
And it don't show up in the pavement cracks
I can't even recognise my tracks
You and I can't turn the whole thing back
Ooh I wish you well


[ www.azlyrics.com ]

Canada Apologizes...

Such a historic day.

I watched with surprising emotion the proceedings in our nation's Parliament building the other day. I watched as Prime Minister Stephen Harpur stood and apologized over and over for the multitude of sins placed on the heart and soul of our aboriginal people. This included the barbaric removal of children from their families and placing them in Indian residential schools.

The two main objectives of the residential schools were to remove and isolate children from the influence of their homes, families, traditions and cultures, and to assimilate them into the dominant culture. Can you imagine the horror of having your child removed from your home, your care, your arms, because the dominant culture deemed you inferior & unequal???

Indeed, some sought, as it was infamously said, "to kill the Indian in the child."

I remember travelling to Thompson, Manitoba years ago on business and watching as they locked the doors at night to keep the "natives" out of their hotel because of the problems with alcohol and drugs. I also witnessed the palpable tension between the two communities...it was uncomfortable and I was in agony listening to how easily people dismissed the Native community. They lived in homes that were barren and cold. I felt their pain and it profoundly affected and changed me. I had never tasted such open discrimination towards a group of people.
Please let us learn from this painful period in our Canadian history. Let us join hands and hearts and work towards healing, respect and love for the true natives of this land.

Nasty Nestle Strikes Again....

Okay, so Nestle is at it again, promoting their formula at an event that is in direct violation of many different codes, including WHO and UNICEF. We all need to send in an email to voice our concern. So, if you can take a moment to copy and paste the following emails, it would be greatly appreciated. Your letter does make a difference!

My participation in the boycott of Nestle is not because I am against baby formula, what I am opposed to is the sly marketing practices used by Nestle. How they provide free formula in third world countries until the mother's breast milk has dried up and the mother then has to struggle to pay for formula and provide clean, sanitary water to mix the formula with.

Below is the email I received today.

Thanks!

Dear Friends,

We need your help to stop Nestlé's plans to give a wine and dine infant feeding talk (June 12, 2008) to health professionals in Burnaby, B.C. As many of you know, Nestlé attempted a similar event in Burnaby last year, but after our letter-writing campaign, it was cancelled. Apparently they think they can get away with it this year.

The main speaker at the event is Owennie Lee, a registered dietitian. This event violates both the International Code and the College of Dietitians of British Columbia’s code of ethics.

B.C. has a 95 per cent breastfeeding rate because health workers there work hard to protect breastfeeding from the commercial pressures to artificially feed. We are asking that concerned people throughout B.C., Canada and internationally email Nestle to let them know we will not put up with marketing that violates the WHO Code.

Please email Oweenie Lee (owennie.lee@ca.nestle.com) and Catherine O’Brien at Corporate Affairs at Nestlé (Catherine.Obrien@ca.nestle.com). See INFACT Canada’s letter below or write your own.

You can also email the College of Dietitians of British Columbia at mailto:info@collegeofdietitiansbc.org. See INFACT’s letter below.

Please CC Renee Hefti-Graham, who started this campaign, so she can measure the momentum. (Renee Hefti renhefti@telus.net)

If the talk is not cancelled, a demonstration is planned on June 12, 2008.

Your email will make a difference!

Letters

********************
To: Owennie Lee, registered dietitian

Cc: Catherine O’Brien, Nestlé Corporate affairs

Dear Ms. Lee,

I’m writing to you about the upcoming Nestlé event in Burnaby called “the Infant Feeding Maze.” As you may be aware, because this is a violation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. The International Code was created in 1981 by the WHO and UNICEF to protect infant health and breastfeeding, and violating it can put infants and young children at risk.

Article 7.3 of the Code states: “No financial or material inducements to promote [infant feeding products] should be offered by manufacturers or distributors to health workers”. An expensive dinner at a downtown hotel could certainly be construed as a material inducement to win the favour of health professionals.

Resolution 49.15 of the World Health Assembly, which carries the same weight as the Code, states companies like Nestlé have a responsibility “to ensure that the financial support for professionals working in infant and young child health does not create conflicts of interest”. Clearly the sponsorship of nutrition conferences by a formula company creates a conflict of interest for health workers who attend.

This event is also a violation of the College of Dietitians of British Columbia’s Code of Ethics, which states that dietitians must “avoid bias,” “remain professionally objective”, and “refrain from real or perceived conflict of interest.” The WHO, Health Canada, and the Dietitians of Canada all recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life as the optimal way to feed infants. Clearly, a dietitian partnering with a formula company inhibits her ability to promote breastfeeding and creates a clear conflict of interest.

Nestlé attempted to stage a similar conference in Burnaby last year, but was obliged to cancel it after letters of protest were written by health professionals and concerned citizens across the country. That the company is so persistent in attempting to violate the Code is discouraging. I respectfully request that you abide by the International Code and the CDBC’s Code of Ethics and cancel this event.

Our contacts in Burnaby have expressed their willingness to demonstrate at the event should it go ahead, as well as to contact local media. I hope that, as happened last year, Nestlé will realize the folly of events like this and consider abiding by the Code in the future.

Sincerely,


To: Melanie Journoud and

Fern Hubbard

College of Dietitians of British Columbia

Dear College of Dietitians of British Columbia,

I’m writing to you regarding the upcoming event in Burnaby on June 12 entitled “The Infant Feeding Maze”, being hosted by Nestlé Nutrition. Local health workers have been invited to the event, and the evening’s speaker is Owennie Lee, a registered dietitian.

This talk is being staged by Nestlé, the world’s largest infant formula company, and it is aimed at professionals who work with mothers and babies. It is unreasonable to expect that it will be purely informational, and not promotional in nature.

The WHO, Health Canada, and the Dietitians of Canada all recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life as the optimal way to feed infants. Nestlé has a vested interest in discouraging breastfeeding and promoting infant formula. Therefore participation in events like this present health workers with a conflict of interest, and are in violation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.

The International Code was created in 1981 by the WHO and UNICEF to protect infant health and breastfeeding, and violating it can put infants and young children at risk. Article 7.3 of the Code states: “No financial or material inducements to promote [infant feeding products] should be offered by manufacturers or distributors to health workers”. The event in question includes an expensive dinner at a downtown hotel, which could certainly be construed as a material inducement to win the favour of health professionals.

Resolution 49.15 of the World Health Assembly, which carries the same weight as the Code, states companies like Nestlé have a responsibility “to ensure that the financial support for professionals working in infant and young child health does not create conflicts of interest”. Clearly the sponsorship of nutrition conferences by a formula company creates a conflict of interest for health workers who attend, and compromises their ability to promote breastfeeding.

The CDBC’s own Code of Ethics states that BC dietitians must “avoid bias” and “remain professionally objective.” How can a dietitian who is being paid by a formula company effectively convey what’s best for babies, namely the benefits of breastfeeding and the risks associated with artificial formula? The Code of Ethics also states that dietitians must “refrain from real or perceived conflict of interest” and “advocate for the client at all times.” If she’s speaking at an event sponsored by Nestlé, how can a dietitian claim she’s advocating for anyone but the company? This can surely be perceived as a conflict of interest.

While I am aware that CDBC is understands the importance of breastfeeding, that an accredited member of your organization would participate in an event like this is discouraging. It appears at least some of your members are not fully aware of their responsibilities under the Code, or the negative effect that formula promotion has on infant health. I respectfully ask that you affirm your support for the Code and infant health, and consider letting Owennie Lee and Nestlé know that the College of Dietitians views her participation in this event as a breach of CDBC’s Code of Ethics.

Sincerely,

Building with Shipping Containers

There is a great article about recycling shipping containers into new homes and buildings over at greenhomebuilding.com. You should check it out!

Suffering

http://www.loopkin.com/images/sadness.jpg

There is so much suffering going on in the world right now. From earthquakes in China, to cyclones in Burma, a growing food shortage that is affecting people in over 28 countries, wars, floods, Darfur, etc... What is the average person to do? I could blog about it, encourage you to give to the Red Cross or World Vision two charities I support...but in reality, talk is cheap and being a laptop do-gooder costs me nothing and makes it look like I'm actually doing something.

For those who actually work on the front lines...your in my thoughts and prayers...your really making a difference! At this time in my life, all I can offer you is my money and prayers. I'm not sure where the church is in times like this. The only message I hear from the church is disagreement on who has the "right" theology, who is cooler, hipper and more cutting edge, hippy~esque, too judgemental, not judgemental enough! Turn on the tv or blog-land and so called do gooders have their hands out wanting you to support their efforts via money to maintain their image of doing something when I truly question that they do anything!

I'm definitely dis-illusioned.