The Big Picture

In a previous posting I have mentioned that Ray is moving to another school on his final high school year. The natural reaction was - why? and why in you final year? Most of his teachers and high school mates were shocked and couldn't believe his decision. Part of my agreement is the fact that I have moved to another office location too. His choice of school was great as it was one of those high schools I have dreamed of for him to attend in Year 10- when I could already afford it.

Anyway, this post is more on his literary attempt to explain his decision and he aptly titled it THE BIG PICTURE. He sent a copy through the email to his circle and am so glad to receive it too as I was on his list. I've asked for his permission to publish it here and he agreed. Ray is a poet- writing witty little poems since he started school. So far this is one of this best ones- so here goes...

Hello,

I know you all have better things to do than sit down and read emails but this mainly focuses on those people I'll be leaving next year.
I'm moving schools for my final year. It's all to do with the life ahead and what I want out of it.

Using my skills to write lyrics I've composed a poem detailing the reasons behind my actions towards 2007.
For those of you who it's for, I hope you understand. For those of you who are in some other country, this does not concern you but read it anyway so you can see my attempt at poetry.

And so... here we go...

The Big Picture

By R.J. Robinson

As I sit here not far from year's end
With a year of school left to attend
I am writing this poem for you my friend
To tell you about the big picture

Why change schools for my final year?
It's strange I know, to disappear
The decision was made with a mind so clear
While contemplating the big picture

My life had started in another nation
As did my days in private education
It wasn't 'til a great realisation
I knew I was shaped for the big picture

I have always been different somehow
From back then to the person I am now
I've put it off to more than I can allow
I cannot deny the big picture

So I shift to a school of blue and white
As I drift to a place I knew was right
A place to get me closer to the light
A place that is part of the big picture

To a place where experience relates
To a place where opportunity awaits
To a place I'll find myself new mates
It's all on the road to the big picture

Never dread what lies ahead
Use your head. It's wise instead
To always listen to what has been said
It's to do with the big picture

A cat has nine lives - we only have one
We can all shine in our life, just like the sun
Life is the overall experience, for you and for me
I know at some point in your brilliant life you will see:

Your purpose on this Earth -
That purpose and its worth
Your chance to make a difference -
Your future significance

A faith in humanity will aid a path towards sanity
A deep understanding of history will help uncover life's mystery

Have a belief in God and if not, a belief in yourself

An understanding of the scripture
Will help complete your overall perspective of
The big picture

Take care everyone,
Ray.-- R.J. Robinson

images were shot at his new school, St. Joseph's Nudgee College.

BILLY JOEL- A GREAT SONG WRITER/SINGER

Last night my housemates and I watched the awesome concert of the one who sang The Piano Man. It was a time and money well spent. He was a real entertainer with his witty quips and anecdotes in between some of his world-famous songs. But he did not sing my favourite- the reason why I wanted to go see him. What happened was he made the audience choose between 'Just the Way You Are' and 'Honesty'. The audience decided with their cheers/clappings/stomping/yelling. And no matter how I yelled 'Honesty' , 'Just The Way You Are ' won. He also sang 'Uptown Girl' and Piano Man was his last song. He came back after the finale and sang 4 more songs. He has the power to make his audience so relaxed and he sang to us. There were no big screens present so everyone was just focused on him and his band members. He horsed around and joked a lot about himself. He is a real talent and a great entertainer of all times. If you have the time, spend that money and go watch his concert near you. His next concerts for the rest of this year will be in Japan and in Hawaii. I promise that it will be a great experience.

From a great fan from brisbane who watched you at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre at 8PM 23 November 2006.

images were from billy's site

Awards Night

Today, 15th November 2006 was the yearly Awards Night at Ray's High School.

Students and parents of the students are invited to join the night at the school's assembly hall.

Every year since Ray started school, we have graced every single awards night there was.

Ray had 4 prizes/awards and they are

• Award of Academic Distinction
• Subject Prize- Music
• Rotary Music Excellence Award for Year 11 ( he consistently received this award for the whole time that he was in High school)
• Rotary Mathematics Encouragement Award for Year 11, Maths A.

Those two trophies were for excellence and encouragement awards. Along with it came some book vouchers for a bookshop worth $100.

It was a sad occasion for the year 12's who are leaving the school. Likewise, for Ray too who will be going to Nudgee College for Year 12. All ask why? I've urged him to attend Nudgee in Year 10 but he was not interested. But all of a sudden he just decided to attend there on his last year of school He will go there for the experience of attending an all boy school It's one of the best schools here too, apparently #2 in Qld, the 1st one being Brisbane Grammar School of Boys.

Ray, David, Viv and I are very very proud of you. Keep up the very good work.

A year older another milestone

People who cared celebrated my birthday last saturday, 11/11 remembrance day to the veterans. I had the flu but the show must go on. My friend from the Gold Coast, Armi and Jim came at 2:30 pm and my daughter Vivs and Haines came for dinner. We were supposed to have a sit down dinner at the Golden Ox but it was cancelled as I was too sick to go out. Although I should have- as even though I stayed home, i just have to cook something for the loved ones.

And so.. after dropping Ray to his music class, i went to get some stuff at Woolies- David had been very good tidying and cleaning up and at 11 AM i cooked spaghetti for a change from the usual noodles or pancit (which we had for lunch), and adobo (chicken and pork with potatoes). David and Ray enjoyed the spag with garlic bread. It was a great excuse for David to have a beer at lunch time. He said that he is celebrating my birthday- great excuse....but i accepted his sincerity. Been too sick to be bothered or to eat...just had a soup.

good to have former kids share the food, the fun and the memories

Armi and Jim arrived and I served them the spaghetti too. Armi gave me a beautiful chocolate cake with a candle that sings 'happy birthday' non-stop!. We haven't seen each other since Easter 06 so we had a lot of catching up bla bla bla which i really enjoyed but not very good for my sore throat and my coughs ...

Haines and Vivs came for tea- we had steak which i marinated in soy sauce/montreal steak seasoning, mushrooms/onions, boiled potatoes, rice, beans and salad. Everyone enjoyed including poor sick me but they all looked after me....I felt really exhausted but very happy indeed. I also got a call from Mama from Baguio, I missed Mon's call and text msgs from dolly, donna, a couple of nos. i am no sure where it came from but hey thanks a lot for all your good wishes.

It's Monday today and I've been taking David's left over anti-biotic ( I know I shouldn't but too weak to go to the doctor yet and he and Ray had the same flu last week- in fact i believe that he's given it to me! It's really bad and I don't even wish it to anybody!). Am having a rest after this- I just don't feel sleepy yet... and I'd like to express my great appreciation and gratitude to those who sent their wishes...

My fashion statement at home - the apron and this is a new one too with xmas motif. I'll be wearing it for the Christmas Season.

Goodbye Riverside Part 4

Still on Riverside- i just wanted to reminisce my daily route from arriving at at Central Station to go to work- so bear with me but hey these are new images....

Upon arrival at the underground Central Station- this is the most popular stop/changeover station in the Brisbane CBD which is also underground you are greeted everymorning with newly-cleaned even shimmering grounds.
I normally take the stairs for fitness and this is located between those 2 escalators that transport people upwards during morning peaktime and downwards during afternoon peak hours.
At the top of the stairs/escalators, you are welcomed with these monitors featuring colour-coordinated train line destinations, trains going north or soutth. Going home is the blue line for me - the Shorncliffe Line on the northside. If you feel a bit hungry- McDonald is also located here- the queu here though is unbelievable during peak hours.
I walk further down and this is my fave passageway- the Sofitel-there is a certain smell to it that just mesmerises me and it's good to experience so early in the morning e.g. 7 am.
I looked back before going down- ads are abundant, informing you of whatever.
I actually go through this door which is extended from the train station. The Sofitel Brisbane shortcut.

have also updated plants site and peoplesite

THE MELBOURNE CUP

Today, 7 November 2006, Tuesday is the day of the greatest racing event in Australia/New Zealand or even the Southern Hemisphere if you like. It's held every 1st Tuesday of November every year in Melbourne in a racecourse called Flemington. I can't believe the funfare and festivity that goes with it, for just a 10 minute or so race. Ladies dress up for it- complete with expensive designer clothes and headgears, the men too. The drinks are overflowing and so are the cocktail food. The money involved is around millions of aussie dollars - mostly in buying betting tickets and paying out the winners.

Since 1993 David and I always put in a bet and somehow, we choose at least one of the winners. The first 3 horses that go past the winning post wins a place, and if you bet on any one of them you also win. We don't bet much because we just do just for the fun of it. Today we picked the 2nd Placer- Pop Rock and 3rd Placer- Maybe Better so that was a pleasant surprise- and wished we bet more money(who wouldn't if they knew the winner, huh?)
Today though the winner is a big surprise- Delta Blue and it's a Japanese horse. For a race dominated by winners coming from Australia/New Zealand this is a SURPRISE! and i don't think that they were prepared for it. There was no official interpreter even... and the poor jockey, all he could do was cry and say that he is VERY HAPPY and this is a SUPERHORSE- On the otherhand, this is just what he needed to say anyway and he was THE CHAMPION...Go Japan...this had broken the ice in this prestigious Melbourne Cup Race.

images were from wikipedia and yahoo.

Pictures from Viv's first overseas trip by herself

I actually mean without the parents- but she went with Haines.
They actually made it there and back and here's a picture of her. This is my favourite picture, by the Harbour- for one thing that she wished she was doing all the time- acting/dancing- but as she said, she likes being a nurse.

And of course a trip to HK is not complete without paying homage to one of its icons, BRUCE LEE!





More picture of Vivs/Haines on their recent overseas trip here.