Tradition dies hard. In this Dong Zhi Festival 22/12/2010 ( 冬至, arrival of winter), the Chinese celebrates it with Tang Yuan ( 湯圓, round glutinous rice balls in soup) as a symbol of family reunion. In ancient days, the arrival of winter meant that the farmers would lay down their tools and celebrate the harvest by coming home to their families. It is also the Winter Solstice in Northern Hemisphere when the night is longest. The days will be longer from now and the festival is symbolic with better days to come.

It's Guy Fawkes Day: What Does That Mean?

Today (5th November, 2010), Guy Fawkes Day, also known as Bonfire Night, is celebrated annually across New Zealand with the use of fireworks and the lighting of bonfires.

Historically, the celebrations mark the anniversary of the failed Gunpowder Plot of 5 November 1605 in which Guy Fawkes (13 April 1570 - 31 January 1606) and 12 English Catholic conspirators planned to blow up King James I and the House of Parliament. However, the plot was revealed, Guy Fawkes was discovered in the cellar of the House of Parliament surrounded by casks of gunpowder, and after being tortured he was executed for treason on 31 January 1606. Today, these conspirators would be known as extremists, or terrorists.

In a happy coincidence for New Zealand's large Indian community, Guy Fawkes today has coincided with Diwali or Deepavali. It means a "row of lamps". It is celebrated with great passion and happiness to mark the victory of good over evil and the removal of spiritual darkness and ignorance.

For Hndus, Diwali is the most important festival of the year and this classic Indian festival of light is celebrated with an exhibition and explosion fireworks other than food, dance, drama and beautiful art and craft.

Despite government regulations restricting the sale of fireworks to a four-day period, firework retailers were gearing for a big Guy Fawkes season. It was reported in a local newspaper that at one of Auckland's main firework outlets, the owner said "Good for business, Guy Fawkes and Diwali together".

The SPCA was bracing for several animal abuses involving fireworks such as lighting fireworks and aiming them at ducks and cats, taping fireworks to the bird. It was also reported that a goup of youths turned up at a paddock and let off a heap of fireworks, hence setting a bush and tree on fire. The fire caused six horses in the paddock to bolt through a fence in panic, one badly injuring its leg.

Instead of banning fireworks completely, i think the government should have tighter control and restriction on sale of fireworks. Another way is to reduce the number of days of sale or just cut it to one day on Guy Fawkes day

It is sad to hear annually of scrub fires being set off, animals being abused, older people being terrorised of the loud noise and hard working emergency services being kept busy by those careless and irresponsible persons. Anyhow, it seems like an odd way to celebrate a failed terrorism attack. Over the years, the Guy Fawkes celebrations would have caused substantial damages to people, pets and properties.

Happy Guy Fawkes Day & Diwali.

Prepared by vincent ht yeoh, 5th nov 2010

Wesak Day Celebration at Darling Harbour.

Wesak Day which is Buddha's Birthday was celebrated over two days at Darling Harbour, Sydney on the 8th and 9th of May. The celebration was combined with the multicultural function with performance and food fair. It was a sea of colours.

Happy Chinese New Year

Happy Chinese New Year to everyone.

May peace and love, understanding and forgiving, caring and sharing continue to prevail and everyone attain an awe-inspiring virtue and ocean of prosperity.

虎年快樂 威德福海

For this New Year and the coming years, I like to share the following eight secrets of longevity with every one.

1. Eat Well. Cut down on salty, sweet and fatty foods. And add lots of colourful fruits and vegetables to your diet.

2. Regular Exercise. Exercise on the regular basis to keep physically healthy.

3. Relaxation lowers blood pressure, eases muscle tension and promotes sleep. Taking it easy also helps combat fatigue, which is the first noticeable symptom of all chronic disease.

4. Take an annual Holiday. Holiday allows one to break from the normal routine, to do something different. It need not be expensive, but it is a period away from routine.

5. Being socially active. Studies show that people with good, active social lives have less depression, stronger immune systems and a much lower incidence of heart disease.
Keep the Mind Active.

6. Manage Stress. Continue to work to keep the body and mind busy. Manage work stress with self-discipline, time management, procedures or a decreased expectation. If the stress is overwhelming, it is time to retire.

7. Reduce weight and quite smoking if this is applicable to you.

8. And the most important, have a positive attitude towards everything.

Happy New Year

The Aussies say "No worry, be happy." There is happiness in the land of no worry.