Mustard Seed

Imalka de Silva at LPF Academy

2010-09-12T15:47:00.000-07:00

In a few hours of delightful inspiration! Where passion for a better world takes precedence over the mundane existence of individual lives. LPF academy hosts Imalka de Silva, the first Sri lankan to set foot on Antarctica. Representing Sri Lanka, she joined the World Wide campaign to draw attention to climate change.

The Antarctic continent is one of the most remote, inhospitable environments on earth. Harsh and inaccessible, covered by over 5 million square miles of solid ice, it is the world’s highest, driest coldest and windswept continent.

This event was organized by the Peace Gang, a group of very young children devoted to promoting peace within the community as well as peace within each individual, Peace Gang has been a major part of extracurricular activities in the La Petite Fleur Schools since 199…

Bernadine Anderson, the mind behind the Peace Gang, has inculcated the Peace Curriculum into her schools to promote integral learning. Mrs Anderson believes that “the Life of children should be more than just school work and tution, but the development of a wholesome individual.”
LPF Academy, a small school with a large dream, has held onto its beautiful ideology of Integral Education, once visited by Martin Luther king Jnr. The school holds on strongly to true Montessori values of educating the child.

Peace Gang, an initiative which promotes the participation of the Colombo community reaching out to the poor children in rural Sri Lanka , has actively promoted the cause of collective effort with the participation of the very young and their parents.
On this Satuday morning, as the group of children from the Peace Gang, and parents and teachers sit to listen to the inspiring journey to Antarctica. lmalka, an energetic and delightful speaker, holds the audience spell bond with wonderful sights and anecdotes from her unique experience .

Imalka’s animated presentation to these young minds, stimulates the young to reach out to become all that they can be, thinking beyond the confines of a school curriculum, and take responsibility for changing the world.
Behind her youthful and humble demenour is a gentle spirit in tune with nature , her exuberance shines through, as Imalka de Silva, A PhD student nominated to join the 2010 Antartic expedition, tells of the sights and sounds of melting ice. Of pristine beauty and wildlife untouched.

Imalka explains that Sri Lanka was selected because it was going thru a “transition to peace”. Beginning with a glimpse of her childhood, and paying tribute to her parents for making her everything that she has become; “from my father I Iearnt strength and discipline, and from my mother kindness and humility” , all these attributes reflect in her accomplishments, which have culminated into this daring journey to Antarctica.

Imalka, who describes herself as a “war child”, had her childhood in the height of the war. Yet she chose a mind frame which was to be in harmony with Nature. “Nature protects, you when you are in tune with nature, you become nature’s child”.

Imalka, starts the presentation by telling her audience about the phone call that will change her life, and leads the enraptured audience through the experience of intense preparation at Ushuaia in Argentina , where they practiced hiking and received lectures; Training the participants to “walk like penguins”.

Sailing on a Russian ship, with food from South Africa, the journey began, Passing Drake passage into the Antarctic Peninsula. Imalka takes us along with her on the journey into the Continent dedicated to peace and science. Imaginations follow her, through the stilled images of snap shots of baby Seals and Penguin colonies.

Imalka tells of the disruptive effect of global warming she experienced first hand, she describes the disruption of the circle of life. The warm temperatures of the sea kill the Krill bills, an important food source for penguins. This reduction in food source affect the seals and other wild life in the Antarctic who in turn feed on penguins.

Despite the pristine beauty of ice formations and Antarctica blue seas, it’s sad to hear the tale of the melting ice, swept away by the rising temperature of the sea water. This is caused by the carbon dioxide emissions of the industrialized world; finally she reveals the war path of man against nature.

An hour later, the children are still spellbound, listening to the importance of each individual taking responsibility for caring for the planet. Their young minds might not fully comprehend the magnitude of the task ahead, yet the seed has been planted, and they will some day hopefully, devote themselves to ending this damage to our planet. Imalka ends her presentation with the importance of keeping track of carbon foot print, ‘if every one acted responsibly, eventually this trend will be reversed”.

On a proactive note, the Peace Gang’s Commitment to caring for the environment, has attracted the Green Army, a team of teenagers who are dedicated to encouraging recycling in Colombo . Umar, a student of LPF Academy, originally from South Africa tells another tale of an underprivileged Community in South Africa, who took a barren land, and fertilizing it with compost, worked together to create a beautiful garden, a park for the small community. This project took troubled youth of the streets, and diverted their energy into something worthwhile.

With the young working together for a cleaner and safer environment, there is hope for the future. Such events ensure that climate change and the importance of protecting the environment will always be at the fore front of life style decisions. When the Green Army joins the Peace Gang, there is no doubt that such youthful energy will lead to significant change for a better Sri Lanka.

Vesak Lanterns

2010-05-28T06:15:00.000-07:00

UnNigerianization of my Son

2010-04-01T22:39:00.000-07:00

My ten year old son (half Sri Lankan) has been finding it very difficult to process the stories he is hearing about Africa. Derogatory references to the continent of his birth, and his mother’s Race is stirring up unsettling vibes and a mild identity crises.

Recently he repeatedly told me about the pictures of starving children his class teacher had shown his class. The malnourished images etched into his mind the hardship and depravation suffered by a race he belongs to; a harsh reality all children of African origin have to face eventually.

On another incident, some other teacher was talking to the class about cannibalism, and she gave the example “in Africa, some people eat parts of the body of their enemies because they feel it would give them strength”. She told me of his dramatic reaction, as he yelled “I am not one of them!” animatedly gesturing for emphasis.

I worry that he will grow up with a very negative self image. Being African is not a choice, it never was for any of us, we are born in the continent and have to make the best of what ever opportunities we have, while facing bravely all the threats that come our way.

I still cringe, when I hear or read the “single story” references about Africa, on poverty, violence, corruption or disease. If as an Adult I am still so affected by the African Stereotype then, I can’t imagine what he would be experiencing as child. A young mind in its formative years, constantly hearing more and more of Africa bashing, will grow up detesting the continent, and what I fear more, the part of himself that is African.

All people have their challenges, but ours seem to be the only one, where our woes seem to seriously out weight our blessings. There is a high probability, that he will soon want no part of the continent in his identity, and try to form a self perception based on his preferred Nationality (most likely Sri Lankan).

I might be wrong, but I worry that, rejecting a part of our identity is a great loss. How can you face yourself in the mirror everyday, if you can’t stand the stark reality that you are ‘black’ and the all connotation there in? The only option is to love the blackness, with all its flaws, and then perhaps we can some how transcend the negativity.

When he was younger, he had once said to me, “I wish we were German”! This was back in Nigeria when we were living in an expatriate neighborhood, I am not sure why he said it, but I would speculate that he must have observed the differences in the living standards of his father’s German colleagues, as compared to the other LDC nationalities.

As it often happens, a lot of innocuous comments children make, have deep meaning. But my challenge as a mother is to put aside my own melancholy about the continent and seek to find some sunshine in the Dark Continent.

Don’t get me wrong, I would gladly paint myself and my children white, and migrate to a colder climate. Adopting a new accent and embracing a cultural identity without so much baggage. Or, I could also from the comfort of my economically stable nation, scream my Africanesss, wearing the colorful uniform of ancestral traditions in other to gain attention and adoration of my culture hungry fans.

Sadly, that option is not available, so for the sake of my son’s self esteem, I have to bury my African demons, retire my nagging Naija doubts. Because I don’t want him growing up and wishing he was anything but who he is, African- Asian, and everything else in between.

Beggers on the Bus; an unbearable burden!

2010-02-11T09:25:00.000-08:00

Nothing humanizes a person like going by public transportation. Many car owners in developing countries may never know the trauma experienced in public transport. Beggers that i would usually feel pity for : i find very difficult to feel sorry for when they are taken advantage of the situation of cramped spaces in congested buses. Many are known drug addicts and alchoholics, who formulate lies to get pity from the already low-in-come earning bus commuters.

Having moved to Srilanka from Nigeria, I have been bitten by a comparison bug and I find myself constantly comparing the two Countries. In both countries Public transportation as in other places of the “third world”, is a major reminder of the almost subhuman existence people are forced to live in due to poverty.

Though there are varying degrees of distress when it comes to public transportation in the third world, such as the hazardous rusty “Danfos” in a city like Lagos, or the risk of being robbed by other “passengers” in the FCT. This article is about the City of Colombo, the commercial Capital of Srilanka. It is based on my observations, discussions and experiences in the couple of years I’ve been here.

Traveling over long or short distances in uncomfortably close proximity with strangers, particularly during rush hours is never a pleasant experience. The tightly packed spaces of buses will confound any sociologist as it is a very unique dynamic in human interaction. Standing or sitting with just enough space for you and in most cases others leans onto you.

While many people whom during normal situations would not come anywhere near you will be rubbing their bodies so close to you as they go in and out of the bus. You will pretend it didn’t happen, because acknowledging it will make life just too unbearable; So many perverts taking advantage of the close proximity to assault young women.

Neat or well dressed people, standing or sitting so close by is even tolerable, but what is unbearable is when beggars (some with possibly contagious diseases) come into this limited space, clutching the same bar handles you will be holding onto as you get on or off the bus, parading their illnesses for already desolate eyes to see.

It doesn’t seem fair to me that they should be allowed on buses during rush hours, there’s more than enough to contend with, the sweat drenched scents and on the rare occasion a pervert who decides to take advantage of the situation and lean in too closely even for the sardine -like arrangement of people inside the fast moving vehicle.Beggars on buses in third world countries are quite common, especially in major cities. Many with, cancers, amputations or fire accident victims usually move from their street corners into buses which is seemingly more lucrative.

On buses there can be no hasty rushing away, stuck in the vehicle till they reach their destination, passengers are a perfect target for sympathetic ears.The unavoidable sights such as stray dogs, street hawkers and poorly disposed garbage, are part of all urban cities. Beggars are a part of the landscape in Colombo's city center.

Majestic City, a major shopping mall in the heart of the city is a major tourist attraction. Yet even there several helplessly crouching beggars with various degrees of deformities and illness sit from morning till night waiting with hands outreached for rupees that passersby can spare.

I heard from reliable sources that they are picked up and dropped every day by a very well organized cartel that run the show. It’s indeed a sad life for them, to be shuttled to and fro in a daze of an unforgiving and harsh reality.But just in case you missed them on the street not to worry, many of them ply bus routes, some of them I’ve been told give a small percentage to the bus conductors, who also get a small side income from the misery and suffering of the helpless beggars
Usually on most days, going by buses is a very pleasant considering the very low cost and its availability. Hundreds of numbered buses crisscross through several routes around the city, plying constantly from morning till night; one is unlikely to ever get stranded due to lack of transportation.

They are consistent and safe on most days, even pick pocketing is not very common despite the rush hour congestion.Often enough, a man suffering from Elephantiasis the disease caused by lymphatic filariasis will limp into this already compact space, displaying his swollen leg as he appeals for money. With so little space for the sweat drenched workers returning from work, it’s a terrible assault to the senses. No matter the sympathy one might have for beggars, it truly is an unpleasant experience!There are other categories of beggars that come on the bus, some that allow a certain level of pity to flow; these are usually children, malnourished figures begging for arms in melancholic singsong voices.

Mothers with infants are another heart wrenching sight that make one ponder the whole point of existence just watching them walk from seat to seat with hands outstretched.
It comes as a big relief to the Colombo Citizens, that the government has banned beggars from going on buses from the month of May, 2010.

This is From a Sri Lankan Daily

I wish to thank Private Bus Owners’ Association President Gemunu Wijeratna on behalf of Colombo City Citizens’ Committee for banning begging in buses with effect from end of April.
He informed that this decision was taken to improve the service and make it commuter friendly, he added. Wijeratna said he will introduce a system of fines. A fine will be imposed on bus drivers and conductors who allow begging. The proposal for this will be announced officially.
A C M RAUFF - Secretary
Colombo City Citizens’
Committee

Edward Weerasinghe Kelaniya group correspondent

The banning of begging on trains is a timely move, although it has taken such a long time for the relevant authorities to realize the inconvenience caused to commuters. The same rule should apply to CTB and private buses as beggars have become a nuisance.
Most of the bus-commuters told the ‘Daily News that besides beggars, others who frequent public transport collect funds for medical treatment and surgery, some who identify themselves as university students collect funds to organise cultural shows, vendors of ‘Book-marks’ and picture postcards, musical entertainers, lottery ticket sellers and differently abled persons.
A regular traveller from Yakkala to Colombo Nimal Jayasinghe said that individual beggars engaged in their daily routine for years with infants which they once carried have grown over the years to become skillful child beggars.
Hence this menace should be banned in private buses and CTB buses as early as possible with the assistance of the police.

Movie Maraton

2010-01-24T02:23:00.000-08:00

Need i Say more? this is the best moivie i've seen, i look forward to an entire series, this is the new startrek!

The first Hindi movie i've seen in a while, its totally hilarious!

Will Smith was brilliant in the drama, the ending was really intense!
and i think i just learnt how to pronounce Vegan!

Is it just me, or Jude Law and Robert Downey have both grown as actors, They were both sensational in this flick!

Movie ; Mangement

2009-11-06T21:53:00.000-08:00

Hey Whats happening to me? i am begining to love romantic movies...growing up i guess!

Mustard Seed: Marketing Article for ICBT

2009-11-05T16:45:00.000-08:00

Mustard Seed: Marketing Article for ICBT

International College of Buisness and Technology, Srilanka

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/091011/Education/ed18.html

Marketing Article for ICBT

2009-11-05T16:24:00.000-08:00

Increasing the scope of careers in childcare

For the first time in Sri Lanka, ICBT City Campus, Bambalapitiya offers BTec Higher National Diploma in Advanced Practice in work with children and families .

This Edexcel UK qualification is an eighteen month programme especially for all involved in childcare professions. AMI Diploma and A level graduates now have a chance to develop a range of skills and techniques essential for success in childcare career.

Addressing the need to give a multidisciplinary training in leadership, quality assurance and management in the early year's sector, ICBT offers this unique programme that encourages students to think critically about theoretical and practical issues concerned with the education and care of children.

This Higher National Diploma in Advanced Practice in work with children and families focuses on providing education and training for a range of careers in the early year's sector. School Administrators, parents and other professionals in the early years sector will have this opportunity to achieve an internationally recognized qualification, which may be used as a qualification for migration and greater employment opportunities in many countries around the world including UK.

The Higher National Diploma in Advanced Practice in work with children and families is a vocationally specific qualification, resulting in UK National Qualification Framework level 5 Certification. It is an opportunity for those wishing to enter into employment as well as for those who wish to advance academically.

This education and training will improve the skills and effectiveness of the early years workforce and provide advanced training for those who work with children and their families.

ICBT provides quality training, culminating in UK qualifications at a fraction of the cost it would take to do it in UK. As the leading Edexcel provider in Sri Lanka it has been awarded A grade approval for five consecutive years as well as ISO 9001:2001 certification.

This programme is conducted by a highly qualified panel of experienced academics and industry experts. Apart from the knowledge and experience of work with children and families gained from employment and this training, you will also develop additional effective transferable skills, such as writing skills, group working, leadership, communication, giving presentations and IT.

This training is for professionals working in the public sector, voluntary organizations and privately funded institutions to support the welfare and care of children, young people and families.

The HND is a recognized 'stand alone' qualification, and there is also a progression path to a B.A. in Early Childhood Studies. There are many recession proof Career Opportunities in health services, children charities, and preschool education, even for those interested in living outside Sri Lanka, this will provide the qualification to work in this highly regulated profession.

The teaching technique includes group lectures, which will outline knowledge and concepts specific to the module, and workshops where activities will create a link between theory and practice. Presentations, role play, group and individual research are other methods used to optimize the learning experience.

With more than ten years experience in the educational sector, ICBT is positioned to offer training in Social Care and education which are among the largest employment sectors in the world today, a field where opportunities are buoyant.

For further information regarding this programme, please contact ICBT City Campus hotline: 011-4869999 .

By Maryanne

Lecturer - ICBT City Campus

Phoenix on the Rise Again...

2009-08-18T07:07:00.000-07:00

The time has come to die again.
To cast myself on the pyre and burn again.
It hurts to break up then build again,
But its harder to stay still,
chained to chance and pain again.

The advantages of being Broke!

2009-07-21T00:49:00.000-07:00

Becoming broke does have its unique gains.

What you lose in the material sense can be replaced by other worth while things.
All over Asia, monks give up worldly pursuits to train their minds for a higher calling.
Not everyone has the ability or will to walk away from life and become a hermit. However we can all learn a thing or two during financial contraints.

So what happens when your down on your luck?

1. The most important thing is, you learn who your true pals are. The fair weather ones just fall out of touch (conviniently), You also might become uncomfortable with the people you used to know, back then when there were no money problems.

2. You learn to appreciate the non monetary aspect of your life, things like your health, your childs smile, or a hug from a loved one, a setting sun, a full moon...

3.You find cheaper ways to do things, DIY becomes inevitable when you dont have the dough to dole out. Even shopping becomes a challenging experience to differenciate between your wants and needs.

4. You waste less when you have little

5. There is nothing as humbling as lack! arrogance and pride falls with the fat pay check.

6. Empathy for others in similar situations is embedded in your mind forever, you will know what its like and if and when things improve, you will understand the plight of others in similar situations.

Click here to read about Someone who choses to live without spending money

2009-07-10T08:45:00.001-07:00

Bridge2Peace Srilanka

2009-06-24T20:31:00.000-07:00

http://www.bridge2peace.org/

Lunugamvehera, a remote village near the Southern coastal town of Hambantota in Srilanka is where the first Bridge2Peace Montessori begins its mission.

Completely on volunteer bases, Bernadine, Lysiel and Tharanga are Montessori teachers who have for the past three years, committed their time to the vision of Bridge2Peace. They train young women to be qualified to care for preschool children as well as continuously monitor their performance to ensure the quality of education is not compromised.

Bernadine Anderson the Founder of the Bridge2Peace initiative promotes Maria Montessori’s Peace education. The Peace curriculum which she has adapted for the preschool programme in Lunugamvehera is a benchmark for making peace education a part of the educational system.
Since its inception three years ago, 60 children have graduated from the Montessori while the first Batch of preschool teachers have been trained in providing quality child care, comparable to any preschool in urban Srilanka.

Bridge 2 Peace Sri Lanka

2009-06-24T18:33:00.000-07:00

In 2004, after the Tsunami hit the shores of Sri Lanka, many well meaning Nations and individuals committed time and money to projects, many of which have been abandoned or mismanaged.

Living in Srilanka, has given me the opportunity to meet three incredible women who are dedicated to helping rural communities in war torn, Tsunami ravaged , rural Srilanka.
Their steadfast commitment to helping the poor has been a source of inspiration to me. Notwithstanding our racial differences, the common thread of our humanity binds us to a cause we believe in working for despite our own personal challenges.

Bridge2peace is one of the NGOs still working consistently to better the lives of the poor in Rural Sri Lanka, by providing free quality preschool education to the poor in rural Sri Lanka.

Bridge2Peace goes beyond the band wagon of the tsunami relief efforts and puts in place a model of education that will remove ethnic segregation which has been a major cause of division among the people of Srilanka.

Through an education in a trilingual medium of English, Sinhala and Tamil, Bridge2Peace creates a community that embraces unity in a Country recovering from over two decades of civil war.

Bridge2Peace Sri Lanka has built a school in Lunugamverahera, which provides quality teacher training and free Montessori education for the poor in the area.

Though i have been here only about a year now, I at once connected with the mission and have committed my time contributing in whatever way I can.

Volunteering for me, is not something I choose to do, it’s something I am compelled to do; driven by an incomprehensible force, I have over the years been drawn to doing what I can to make a difference in the lives of children. Suffering youngsters stir in me the desire to give my widows mite, from cuddling HIV positive babies to providing children’s books for an orphanage library.

Coming from a part of the world where any non religious affiliated charity work is viewed with suspicion, volunteering comes with its own unique stigma, ranging from being considered a fraud, to being ridiculed for having a ‘Mother Theresa complex’.

Reaching out to the helpless leaves me with a better perspective of life, and I learn to count my blessings.

One of the most intense moments I experienced on a visit to the Bridge2Peace Montessori, was watching a child with Down’s syndrome, work on his own, studying intently in an organized and stimulating educational environment. This child would have been segregated and hidden from the public, but here he was, enjoying the experience of quality education.A high quality Montessori education in a rural community is a huge blessing for both parents and teachers in the area.

Marketing Education in Sri Lanka

2009-06-20T08:46:00.000-07:00

Srilankan School Girls...

Education is the only way out of poverty... educational opportunities abound providing young Sri Lankans with numerous career options.

Most popular College programmes are the ones that allow the students to start courses in universities abroad, within the shores of SriLanka, then leaving to Australia, Uk, Canada, India etc to complete the course and hopefully gain emlployment.

Nigerian Pidgin English

2009-06-18T21:16:00.000-07:00

If there's one thing that i really miss about living in Nigeria (apart from Abuja's clean streets), is speaking Nigerian English.

There is something sweet about how the words flow out of the mouth, making light, issues that would otherwise be very serious.

I really miss Nigerian stand up comedians (somebody please send me a CD of Basket Mouth and ClintDDrunk)...i really miss those guys.

For some wierd reason pidgin English Lyrics have been playing in my head today...there's this popular one

me i no go suffer,

i no go beg for food

me i no go suffer

i no go beg for food

God of miracles,

na my Papa ohh

God of Miracles na my Papa ohh

Another one

Seek am first the kingdom of God ohh

and his righteousness,

if you do am soo,

everything else ohh na jara

Money ohh!

Na jara

Husband Ohh!

Na jara

Education Ohh!

Na jara

Pickin ohh

Na Jara

Job sef ohh

Na jara

Just had a thought, wont it be cool, if someone sang all these pidgin english hymns and put it on utube?

Things i like about Sri Lanka!

2009-06-15T15:51:00.000-07:00

I have Started a list of the reasons i like living here

The Constant Electricity and Water Supply

Electricity is widely available in the Country; not just for the Generator possessing few, but for most of the country. It’s very expensive if you use hot water and Air conditioning but otherwise affordable. I have learnt that some electronics consume more electricity than others, my bill has gone from 15,000 rupees to 2000 just by not having an AC, hot water from the tap and changing my refrigerator.

Water runs uninterrupted in taps; people that don’t have taps have fresh water wells nearby their homes. I noticed that unlike in Nigerian rural areas where we fetch water and take home to bathe, here the rural folk bathe, do the dishes and the laundry by the side of the well.
Woe betide you if you don’t pay your bills, they cut off you supply after a warning. Receiving a warning is considered very irresponsible so generally most people pays bills as soon as the pay check comes in.

Sri Lankan Body Language

Beginning with what I will call the “SriLankan Head twist”; a delicate move of the head that is neither a nod nor a side to side movement, but somewhere in between.This head roll may mean anything from “OK”, “Maybe” or “Yes”. It is a contagious habit that I have also began notice myself do.

The unique “SriLankan Hello Smile”, which is sooo different from what, we do in Nigeria. The smile is a slow reciprocal gesture that one can find in shops, schools and other places strangers interact.

Here greeting is not compulsory or considered rude except in formal settings.
Ayubowan! “May you live long”, is the standard greeting, yet no one says it except you are about to spend your money...E.g. at supermarket checkout counters.
Usually once you caught the eye of the person you want to communicate with, you just proceed with the dialogue with no greetings preamble. Even elderly people who are strangers do not expect any elaborate greeting, respectful eye contact and a slight smile is all you need.

I have learned to discern between the innocent and not so innocent smiles. Some could mean
“I think you are interesting” this could come from a person who is just passing by, and happens to make eye contact. Some smiles could mean “I think you are cute”, this I return with a rude glare that clearly says “back off, I’m not available” or in the rare occasion where the guy is actually cute too I pretend I don’t notice by simply looking away.

MD Gunasena, Sarasavi and Secondhand Bookshops

I have enjoyed reading a lot of books recently and discovered lots of writers, though lately i have curtailled my cumpulsion to buy books. I spend hours in bookshops or the British Council Library, i find it therapeutic.

I have even volunteered to inventory a school library, i really enjoy being around books and i feel really bad when i see books illused or disarranged. I wonder if i was a librarian in another life time....

Just before leaving Abuja, New Metro opened in the heart of the city, it was my favourite place in Abuja, though very expensive. Here you find a wide range of prices. There are quite a few publishing houses here, many translate popular world literature in the Native languages Sinhala and Tamil.

Food and Fruits

I remember the first time i tasted Srilankan food almost ten years ago now, i fell in love with it immediately. Coming here i gained 10Kg in one year due to the side effects of medication i am taking and , my love for the spicey food. I miss yam alot, Heck i dream about yam alot...but i enjoy the variety of Vegetables and rice they have here.

Rice is the staple food here and there are several different kinds, my favourite is the red rice i remember searching everywhere in Nigeria for it those days.

Fruits are not soo cheap, especially bananas and papaya. But when in season mangoes, mangosteen, pineapple are sooo tasty.

The Honeymoon is Over!

2009-06-14T09:40:00.000-07:00

Reality slowly sets in for me as I begin my second year in Srilanka.

Immigration rules and exploitative business owners have soured my romance with this country.

Starting with the news from the immigration that I will have to pay forty thousand rupees every year to live and work here. I am reminded that I am a legal alien…and I ask myself why I choose to live in Srilanka despite the increasing disadvantages.

I seem to forget that i am a foreigner here until i am charged double what locals pay, (e.g for my Child Psychology Diploma) then i become very upset by what i consider an unfair treatment.
There doesnt seem to be any advantages of being a foreigner, except the annoying call of trishaw drivers "Taxi Madam"... they call out at me as i scurry to the nearest bus halt.
I have since stopped using Trishaws or three-wheelers as they are called here, as the cumilative monthly cost is almost the same as my rent. I wonder why they cant have meters like taxis?

I used to think that once you where granted a Residence Visa you could live and work like a local. How completely wrong i was.
Sometimes i miss the lack of restrictions one gets living in one's own Country. Lots of topics i was researching and hoping to write about in Nigeria has been put aside. This i must admit is the only true loss i have experienced by leaving Nigeria.

Considering how green, clean and beautiful Abuja is… Colombo is Hell! The garbage in the streets, the flowing sickening gutters that line the narrow walkways continues to repel me.

I have often asked myself why am i here?, Why have i opted to live here?

The obvious answer is my children's education!

My boys are thriving here, they are happy and balanced. yet sometimes i wonder....

In some ways my life was better in Nigeria, while in other ways it was terrible.

Basically i had a job i loved and lived in a beautiful place, yet i was greatly dissatisfied with life.

I have exchanged one life for another, one set of worries for another.

i have gone from having everything done for me by house girls and gardeners, and going in AC driven cars to going in public buses and washing the maggots out my trashcan.

Who am I?

2009-06-03T20:59:00.000-07:00

I am not who my parents made me,
i'm a cow seeking greener pastures.

I am not who my country made me,
I'm a Patriot, only to the nation
within and around me.

I am not who my childhood made me,
i'm a queen, ruling her kingdom
with the firm hand of faith.

I am not even who my genes have made me,
i'm, an athlete running against the tide of nature,
fighting to keep the flab away.

I am not who my children have made me,
i'm a dream, waiting to come true.
A vision of unspoken hope,
working to find a peace thats not imprisoned.

The war Ends

2009-05-16T19:33:00.000-07:00

My three year old comes running to me terrified by the sound of explosions..."mama bomb....mama bomb" i cuddle him and tell him its not bomb its fire crackers....

The celebrations begins...the war Ends after almost three decades its finally ending....

Another Tsunami...500,000 civilians displaced as the war draws to an end

2009-05-10T05:41:00.000-07:00

The protracted armed conflict in Sri Lanka between government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) appeared to be nearing an end in 2009 with the LTTE cornered in a small area of the northern Vanni region.

However, there remained almost half a million internally displaced people (IDPs) in the country. In 2008, the scene of conflict had shifted to the Vanni where an estimated 230,000 civilians were displaced by intense fighting. Most of the civilians in the Vanni were prevented from leaving by the LTTE which forced them to remain in the active conflict zone. Many civilians were displaced a number of times as the LTTE lost ground to government forces and they became squeezed in a rapidly shrinking conflict zone.

As of April 2009, the UN estimated that approximately 50,000 displaced people were trapped in the Vanni. Civilians were facing serious violations of international humanitarian law by both parties to the conflict and a severe humanitarian crisis with only the ICRC able to gain access to them through a sea route.

Source; Internal Displacement Monitoring Center

Controversial Origins of "Maliaka"

2009-05-09T22:41:00.000-07:00

It Seems no body knows who first sang this song...
Bonney M, Mariam Makeba and many others have Sang their versions.

Royalties accrued from the song are shared amoung the first set of local musicals from Kenya and Tanzania who first sang the song.

It has been said the tune was brought to Kenya by returning members of the entertainment regiment of the Kings African Rifles that was recruited to entertain African soldiers serving in Burma during the Second World War.

I think its a folk song transmitted orally over generations.

Translation of The Song "Maliaka" A Swahili love Song

2009-05-09T22:02:00.000-07:00

Malaika Angel Malaika, nakupenda Malaika.
Angel, I love you Angel.

Malaika, nakupenda Malaika.
Angel, I love you Angel.

Nami nifanyeje, kijana mwenzio,
And I, your young lover, what can I do.

Nashindwa na mali sina, we,
Was I not defeated by the lack of fortune,

Ningekuoa Malaika.
I would marry you Angel.

Nashindwa na mali sina, we,
Was I not defeated by the lack of fortune,

Ningekuoa Malaika.
I would marry you Angel.

Pesa zasumbua roho yangu
Money is troubling my soul

Pesa zasumbua roho yangu
Money is troubling my soul

Nami nifanyeje, kijana mwenzio,
And I, your young lover, what can I do,

Ningekuoa Malaika.
I would marry you angel.

Nashindwa na mali sina, we,
Was I not defeated by the lack of fortune,

Ningekuoa Malaika.
I would marry you Angel.

Kidege, nakuwaza kidege.
Little bird, I dream of you little bird.

Kidege, nakuwaza kidege.
Little bird, I dream of you little bird.

Nami nifanyeje, kijana mwenzio,
And I, your young lover, what can I do,

Nashindwa na mali sina, we,
Was I not defeated by the lack of fortune,

Ningekuoa Malaika.
I would marry you Angel.

Nashindwa na mali sina, we,
Was I not defeated by the lack of fortune,

.

BONNY M Version

MICROWAVE OVENS

2009-05-08T09:03:00.000-07:00

i have always wondered if they were safe to use...http://www.curezone.com/foods/microwave_oven_risk.asp

Street walk Colombo; Vesak 2009

2009-05-08T07:59:00.000-07:00

Offices and homes, join in the celebration, decorating with special Vesak Lanterns

For the first time i noticed majestic city closed....
its hard to capture the ambience that the paper lanterns create...

Buddhist flags and vesak lanterns for sale!

Dull Streets light up with the deco...

Vesak is the equivalent of Christmas for Buddhist, when the Birth, Enlightenment and attainment of Nivarna of the Lord Buddha is celebrated.

Vesak 2009!

2009-05-07T19:03:00.000-07:00

Todays Poya is Vesak.

http://whatson.srilankainstyle.com/2009/02/vesak-2009.html

More Sights From a Lankan Wedding

2009-05-07T18:05:00.000-07:00

Sights from a traditional srilankan marriage

2009-05-07T16:27:00.001-07:00

Virgin Girls Sing

Family of the bride and groom arrive...

Dancers and guests arrive...

Beggers on Forte Street

2009-05-07T15:15:00.000-07:00

That she is blind there is no doubt.

With her disfigured eyes wide open, she sits chanting to attract passersby, rocking back and forth, her hand holding the open jar for change. Sparse betel leaf stained teeth jute out with the eerie song she sings.

On the other side of the narrow lane, another stands, quiet, almost calm, only a slight bend from the waist first draw attention, then I see it, the mangled legs that barely let her stand. She leans against the wall, her fair skin taunting her dismal fate.

After the initial shock of seeing such inhuman suffering, the next moment in time trickles by and I rush past them towards my life, back to my own reality.

Been Sooo Busy With Life

2009-05-02T09:26:00.000-07:00

Started new job....

http://www.lpfmontessori.com/about-us/

Older son possibly dyslexic....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyslexia

The weather here is soooo HOT!!

so yes...very busy with life.

The war comes nearer!

2009-02-20T22:11:00.000-08:00

After watching a delightful dance drama at the lionel wendt , we walk out to the darkness of a city in a black out.

Bright lights like falling stars, aim for the skies, antiair craft missles target LTTE aircrafts flying somewhere beyond our sight.
The pleasure of literary awakening disappears, replaced by a shiver as the trishaw drives me home...
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/LTTE-launch-airraid-on-Colombo-2-dead-40-hurt/426175/

Reaching menarche in Srilanka

2009-02-08T08:31:00.000-08:00

My neighbour's daughter just got her first period. Her mother informed me a few days ago, and i have been invited to join them celebrate.
After getting over the slight embarassment of discussing such private buisness, am getting used to the idea as the noise of visiting relatives and the constant bustle of cleaning and rearranging the house her parents seem to be engrossed in continues.
I havent seen the girl, as she will be kept in confinement for a couple of days...

more here

Malu! Malu!

2009-02-03T22:34:00.001-08:00

Street walk Galle Forte!

2009-02-03T22:12:00.000-08:00

More HERE http://http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galle

Srilanka is 61 today!

2009-02-03T22:04:00.000-08:00

The stiffling heat make me grateful to be indoors today. Most of the city is shut down, its a public holiday...and the fear of suicide bombers keep security forces anxious and the public tense.http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/02/04/srilanka.blasts/

Unawatuna, Galle

2009-02-02T08:24:00.000-08:00

Beyond the Sentiment: The 44th American President and his multicultural connotations

2009-01-26T13:42:00.000-08:00

As an African woman living in Sri Lanka during this historic time in American history, it is difficult not to be amused by the excessive hype associated with a person of African derivation becoming the president of the most “powerful” nation in the world.
Obama’s presidency has been celebrated as a sign of Martin Luther King’s “Dream” coming true.

This may be an over generalization of life for the average African- America. However, there is no doubt that his hopes of ending racism and all the evil it perpetuates is slowly coming to an end. King’s aspirations for his descendants is gradually coming to life as the world watched and supported Obama’s presidency not because of the “color of his skin”, but because of the “content of his character”.

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character”. Martin Luther King, Jr.

For those who supported him because of the color of his skin, that of course is their prerogative, though that cannot be what King meant in the same speech when he said

“I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit together at the table of brotherhood”.

Whether life today in Georgia is free of racial discrimination, it is only those that live there who can tell.

This part of his speech reflects the need to see ALL people as human beings who deserve just as much peace and happiness as we do, not as categories based on race or religion. Division of the classes based on financial status is another issue all together, as only a spiritual evolution that would eradicate greed can end that.

However, racial discrimination in particular can end when we recognize that we all share a common thread of humanity and whatever affects others will one way or the other affect us too.

President Obama’s father was a Kenyan immigrant who came to the US on a scholarship he must have earned, as he went further to get his PhD after his divorce from Obama’s mother, and then returned to Kenya. Obama’s mother an anthropologist remarried an Indonesian, Lolo Soetoro, together they had Maya Soetoro Ng, who is currently a history teacher in Hawaii.

Obama had lived in Indonesia and Hawaii, where he must have experienced other cultures, developing some sort of understanding of other religions and languages. As he was quoted as saying to an audience before he was inaugurated,

“The day I'm inaugurated, not only will the country look at itself differently, but the world will look at America differently, because not only do I have the experience of working at the highest levels of government on foreign policy but also because the leaders of others counties will know that I've got family members that live in small villages in Africa that are poor so I know what they're going through”.

A President with a world view perspective will definitely do more good for America than one that would single mindedly pursue that goals of his country and undermine others, making enemies along the way. As good as he may be for America’s image, the solution to the economic and security problems America and the rest of the world is facing lies in the union of humanity. Naïve as that might sound, Obama does not hold the key to the solutions to Global warming, conflict in the middle east and Corruption in African governments.

The solutions lie in the individual efforts of millions of people all over the world. It lies in the personal responsibility of doing your own bit to make a difference. Talk as they say is cheap, America’s new President may bring conflicting parties to the table, but what they do after that is not up to him.
Real change will always lie in the hands of the People. It lies in you and me taking responsibility for little things like proper garbage disposal and being kinder to those of other religions and ethnic groups.
Obama has broken the stereotype, the image of “black” man in an influential position will inspire millions of youths. Finally the inferiority complex that has plagued the African race since the days of slavery will begin to fade away. But real change still depends on you and me!

I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Obama's multicultural background

2009-01-21T03:34:00.000-08:00

Maya Soetoro-Ng is an Indonesian American Phd, she teaches in Hawaii and is Married to a Malaysian American.

The coolest things i did there!

2009-01-19T22:20:00.000-08:00

Here is the 1202nd step, the King's Castle used to be right here...

The climb was gruelling... but the view and wind was very refreshing.

I dont know what got into me, but for the first time i wasnt afraid of a snake, and neither was my 3year old son.

The snake charmer stood bye. He had 2 cobras in a basket and he asked us to watch while he made them dance but i guess they were not in the mood because they didnt budge.

Here am i on the elephant, holding on tightly, its a very rocky ride.

1600 year old beauties...

2009-01-19T22:03:00.000-08:00

The view from the top of the rock is breath taking, its seems that time has stood still .The jungle around the rock has remained unchanged.

There were over 500 of these paintings, but they were rubbed of by monks who wanted to uses the space for meditation after the reign of the king ended.

Sigiriya...The Castle on the Rock!

2009-01-19T21:39:00.000-08:00

The view of the rock from the hotel was not very impressive, Abuja's Zuma rock gives more of an intimidating sight. However as soon as i set foot on the grounds of the castle, i fell in love with the wonder of the past that must have lived here and let my imagination to carry me further from the present algea filled pools, to a time when beautiful concubines wade in the crystal clear pools trickling down from the rock, and sever guards must have stood alert, protecting their patricidal King.

Fountains and Swimming pools, Caves and Paintings of topless maidens.

Sigiriya must have been a world of luxury and royal overindulgence.

Sights Myths are made of...

2009-01-19T21:24:00.001-08:00

My Journey to the 1600 year old castle on the rock rejuvinates my spirit and awakens in me a sense of thrill and adventure.

I rode an elephant, touched a python and for a moment became queen (in my head).

Standing on top of the rock, time stood still for me and i was grateful for the chance to experience it all.

Leaving Srilanka's commercial Capital Colombo by train, the uninspiring view of the shabby houses of the city's poor, eventually give way to breathtaking sights as we approach Kandy, Srilanka's Cultural Capital.

Street walk in the Petta!

2009-01-14T00:53:00.000-08:00

Most Countries have their ugly side...

Hope is in the AIR!

2009-01-14T00:50:00.000-08:00

That the 25year civil war will soon end.

Today is Tamil New Year! Thai Pongal By Tamil.net

2009-01-14T00:18:00.000-08:00

Holidays and festivals in Sri Lanka are an essential part of culture. The tradition and custom of celebrating Pongal in Sri Lanka is same as that of Tamils in India. Among the Sri Lankans, this festival is also known as the First rice festival, Thai Pongal and Ulavar Thirunaal. In Sri Lanka, Rice is both a staple food and an inheritance in which deities figure prominently. Thus, the harvest festival of Pongal is one of the most significant occasion for them.

On this day, the Sri Lanka Tamil farmers honor the Sun God Suriyapakaran. This happens when the sun enters the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makara). Although the real solstice falls on 21 December, the Thai Pongal festival is celebrated in mid-January, or the Tamil month of Thai, to coincide with the rice harvest.

Legend has it that, Lord Shiva asked his bull, Nandi, to go to earth and tell the people to have an oil bath daily and have food once a month. But, Nandi got it all mixed up and told the people to eat daily and bathe monthly. Shiva was annoyed and said,"Now that people need to eat more, you stay on earth and help them plough the fields more!" Thai Pongal is family-oriented and the day begins with the boiling of a clay pot of Pongol rice at sunrise in the front of the house as the family delightfully cries out, "Pongal! Pongal! auchu!" which means, "It's boiling! It's boiling!"KolamsIn Sri Lanka, "Kolams" (Rangoli) marks the dawn of Thai Pongal in front yards of houses, drawn with rice flour paste. The idea is that ants and insects would feed on it and bless the house. At its centre is a lump of cow dung, holding a five-petal pumpkin flower, a symbol of fertility and an offering of love to the presiding deity.

The festival of Pongal is celebrated by Sri Lankans for two days. The first day is devoted to the boiling of milk in a pot to which rice, jaggery and the syrup extracted from crushed sugar cane is added. This sweet rice pudding is offered first to the Sun God, and is then eaten at the climax of a family festive meal. The second day is dedicated to the oxen who assist the farmers in the rice fields. It is called Mattu (cattle) Pongal. The animals are washed and decorated with straw garlands hung around their necks and horns.

My sound of music

2009-01-01T19:04:00.000-08:00

Colorful saris and white sandy beaches
Red rice, fresh tuna and variety of veggies
Blue ocean view, montessori for kids
these are a few of my favorite things.

Majestic city, MD Gunasena
Vijitiyapa and secondhand bookshops,
Arpico super and Dominoes pizza,
these are a
few of my favorite things.

When the heat stings,
when the sweat pours,
when am feeling Sad.
I simply remember my favorite things
and then i dont feel
so baaad!

Thambili, Nolimit, and Oprah brand products.
Temples, the Sangha and carved sitting Buddhas,
Bus 154 that goes by the British Council,
these are a few of my favorite things.

Trishaws that charge less, and bicyling post men,
Deep green clean forest, and unpolluted cold air.
Elephant claves and brown beagle puppies.
These are a few of my favorite things.

When the street stinks,
with the trash there,
when am feeling bad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
and then i dont feel,
so Baaaad!

Favorite movies of the year!

2008-12-28T15:30:00.000-08:00

My number one favorite...i laughed alot when i first saw this one, i could really identify with the Panda. It reminded me of Shrek. I hope to see a sequel.

Madagascar Two wasnt a disappointment at all... though the Hippo/ Girrafe romance is a bit disturbing.

I love Angelina's real life personality, she's such an inspiration. As a Mother, a woman in the tough buisness of acting and her contibution to the underprevilegded.

I have always thought James MacAvoy to be extemely sexy, he is a great actor who really puts his whole being into the role he is playing.

The best romantic comedy ever. Ricky Gervais was fantastic for the role of Doctor Pincus, and of course Tea Leoni was her usual delightful self.

Colombo Christmas Shopping Festival

2008-12-23T06:43:00.000-08:00

MADE IN SRILANKA Micro cars

My Kids have fallen for the best marketing stategy ever.

2008-12-21T21:20:00.000-08:00

Here they both do the Spiderman pose wearing t-shirts with their favourite cartoons on it...

The older one likes Naruto

While the younger one is a Fan of Power Rangers...

NARUTO

The buying season is here again, and all parents will have to dig into their pockets to excited faces and expecting minds.

Even as the illusion of Santa Clause continues and commercialization of Christmas blossoms....

the latest mania of children is action figures and toys with their favourite cartoons printed on it.

T-shirts, Shoes, School bags and water bottles are paraded in shops with the stickers of these cartoons.Refusal to purchase some would cause a major tantrum from one of my boys.

They are both huge fans of Ben Ten...niether of them is even ten year old yet, But to them all heroes are cool, and as long as they own a piece of merchendise with the fictional hero's face on it, for a while too they are Spiderman, or Batman, or Naruto, Or Ben 10...some times they are all of them at once...

Brain cells...Use it or Lose it!

2008-12-11T15:39:00.000-08:00

Some very intreasting facts i;ve come across lately.
According to recent findings trauma or stress in a maturing brain can cause damage to brain cells. This i suppose is the reason why children need to be nurtured and most importantly stimulated. The infant once born, must have his senses stimulated to establish neural pathways that will become a foundation for intelligence.
If these brain cells are not used, they DIE!
But there's good news for those who may have not have been born in ideal developmental enviroment.
Once it was belived that once the brain had establised these neural pathways in the early years of development, that was pretty much it, nothing more could be done.
Fortunately, further research has proved that, neural connections, even after damage can produce new connections based upon a process called synaptic reorganization.
These finiding are considered by some (myself included) as the most incredible discovery in the 20th century.
Now we know for a FACT, that our thoughts and actions actually determine how our brain will be wired, as opposed to our "natural inclinations" guiding us to act.

Recession and Developing countries from www.odi.org.uk

2008-12-05T19:20:00.000-08:00

The economic downturn in developed countries may also have significant impact on developing countries. The channels of impact on developing countries include:
• Trade and trade prices. Growth in China and India has increased imports and pushed up the demand for copper, oil and other natural resources, which has led to greater exports and higher prices, including from African countries. Eventually, growth in China and India is likely to slow down, which will have knock on effects on other poorer countries.
• Remittances. Remittances to developing countries will decline. There will be fewer economic migrants coming to developed countries when they are in a recession, so fewer remittances and also probably lower volumes of remittances per migrant.
• Foreign direct investment (FDI) and equity investment. These will come under pressure. While 2007 was a record year for FDI to developing countires, equity finance is under pressure and corporate and project finance is already weakening. The proposed Xstrata takeover of a South African mining conglomerate was put on hold as the financing was harder due to the credit crunch. There are several other examples e.g. in India.
• Commercial lending. Banks under pressure in developed countries may not be able to lend as much as they have done in the past. Investors are, increasingly, factoring in the risk of some emerging market countries defaulting on their debt, following the financial collapse of Iceland. This would limit investment in such countries as Argentina, Iceland, Pakistan and Ukraine.
• Aid. Aid budgets are under pressure because of debt problems and weak fiscal positions, e.g. in the UK and other European countries and in the USA. While the promises of increased aid at the Gleneagles summit in 2005 were already off track just three years later, aid budgets are now likely to be under increased pressure.
• Other official flows. Capital adequacy ratios of development finance institutions will be under pressure. However these have been relatively high recently, so there is scope for taking on more risks.

Which countries are at risk and how?
The list of channels above suggest that the following types of countries are most likely to be at risk (this is a selection of indicators):
• Countries with significant exports to crisis affected countries such as the USA and EU countries (either directly or indirectly). Mexico is a good example;
• Countries exporting products whose prices are affected or products with high income elasticities. Zambia would eventually be hit by lower copper prices, and the tourism sector in Caribbean and African countries will be hit;
• Countries dependent on remittances. With fewer bonuses, Indian workers in the city of London, for example, will have less to remit. There will be fewer migrants coming into the UK and other developed countries, where attitudes might harden and job opportunities become more scarce;
• Countries heavily dependent on FDI, portfolio and DFI finance to address their current account problems (e.g. South Africa cannot afford to reduce its interest rate, and it has already missed some important FDI deals);
• Countries with sophisticated stock markets and banking sectors with weakly regulated markets for securities;
• Countries with a high current account deficit with pressures on exchange rates and inflation rates. South Africa cannot afford to reduce interest rates as it needs to attract investment to address its current account deficit. India has seen a devaluation as well as high inflation. Import values in other countries have already weakened the current account;
• Countries with high government deficits. For example, India has a weak fiscal position which means that they cannot put schemes in place;
• Countries dependent on aid.
While the effects will vary from country to country, the economic impacts could include:
• Weaker export revenues;
• Further pressures on current accounts and balance of payment;
• Lower investment and growth rates;
• Lost employment.
There could also be social effects:
• Lower growth translating into higher poverty;
• More crime, weaker health systems and even more difficulties meeting the Millennium Development Goals.

WebMD on Depression.

2008-12-04T20:16:00.000-08:00

The Dalai Lama's Advice on Depression
Inner peace is a gift -- nurtured through meditation, empathy, and compassion.
By Jeanie Lerche DavisWebMD Feature

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Have your job, your mortgage -- your life -- pushed you into depression? The Dalai Lama can help.
The ancient practices of Tibetan Buddhism -- meditation, mindfulness, empathy, and compassion -- are offering world-weary Americans a better perspective on life and its hardships.
By feeling compassion for others -- seeing even our enemies in a new light -- we can ease our own stress and anxiety, the Dalai Lama told a crowd of thousands, gathered for his visit to Atlanta in October 2007. Through "inner disarmament" -- reducing anger, hatred, and jealousy -- we create a path to our own happiness and world peace, he said.
The Dalai Lama has long shown the world that, even in adversity, inner peace is possible. In his many books, he has taught us The Power of Compassion, The Power of Patience, and The Art of Happiness. As the spiritual leader of Tibet, he has toured the world, inspiring multitudes to embrace this philosophy of compassion.
He has also inspired leading scientists at Emory University and elsewhere to study traditional Tibetan Buddhist practices and ethics, researching them as a treatment for depression.
Much of our inner turmoil is due to negative feelings like fear and anger, the Dalai Lama said during his Atlanta visit. "Those emotions that disturb our peaceful mind must be eliminated. In times of great distress, our best friend is inside the heart ... it is our compassion."
A compassionate attitude sustains one's good health, whereas feelings of anger, hate, and fear can hurt the immune system, he said. Trust develops between people when there is evidence of genuine concern and warm-heartedness. Good creates more good -- even if it comes slowly.

Cultivating Compassion as Depression Therapy
In developing compassion and inner peace, daily meditation is key, explains Geshe Lobsang Tenzin Negri, PhD, a senior lecturer and director of the Emory-Tibetan Partnership.
During meditation, one becomes mindful of one's thoughts and feelings, he tells WebMD. "Meditation is a moment-by-moment awareness of your thoughts. Then, we work to change those negative feelings -- to view other people and their actions differently."
It is a human tendency to react to certain thoughts and feelings in a preconditioned way, says Geshe Lobsang. "We all have aversions and cravings, likes and dislikes. If a thought of a person comes up, we tend to immediately react based on whether we like or dislike them. That sets up a chain reaction about what's wrong with that person."
That cycle of preconditioned reactions is what we seek to change. "When people cause us difficulty, we can learn to see that they have difficulties in their own lives -- and that they act from ignorance or weakness," he says. "It's not about condoning injustice. What's wrong is wrong. But we can see them as our spiritual teachers, teaching us lessons like patience."
We can also look for "unintentional kindness" from people who help us survive -- providing the food we eat, the clothes we wear, etc., he explains. "We need to see beyond the superficial relationships to connect at a deeper level, where we all share the same aspirations." The world begins to feel less harsh, more nurturing.
"The challenge is to develop a deep sense of empathy for all people we interact with -- whether they are friends, people who give us difficulty, or people who are neutral to us," says Geshe Lobsang. "It's all about recognizing that they, too, have misfortunes and difficulties in their daily lives -- and that all beings want to be free of these difficulties, for their own happiness."

Through these practices, we can develop a real sense of connectedness with other beings, which is the source of empathy, compassion -- and, ultimately, our happiness. "That's how Martin Luther King Jr., Ghandi, and the Dalai Lama can feel compassion for their enemies," he says.
You'll notice the spillover effect into your daily life, Geshe Lobsang adds. "When certain thoughts arise that might disturb you, you are able to notice them so you don't get stuck with them. You move on with the job at hand."

Meditation in Depression Therapy
Regularly meditating on compassion can also help prevent depression by reducing a person's emotional and physical reaction to stress in his or her daily life, says Charles L. Raison, MD, a psychiatry professor and co-director of Emory's Collaborative for Contemplative Studies.
"We look at compassion meditation as a protective strategy, sort of like exercise," he tells WebMD.
Over the past three decades, research has shown that meditation produces a relaxation response that helps decrease metabolism, lowers blood pressure, and improves heart rate, breathing, and brain waves. As the body receives a quiet message to relax, tension and tightness seep from muscles.
Meditation has gained millions of converts, helping them ease anxiety, stress, and chronic pain, improve heart health, boost mood and immunity, and resolve pregnancy problems.
By learning the Tibetan practice of "mindfulness meditation," it is possible to break the cycle of negative thinking that feeds depression, says John D. Dunne, PhD, co-director of Emory's Contemplative Practices and Studies programs.
"Negative thoughts are very real to depressed people," says Dunne. "They interpret their own actions in a very negative way ... have a very negative sense of self. They hold onto these thoughts very, very strongly."
Because a depressed person is so self-focused, it's difficult to convince them that their negative thoughts are not reality, he adds. "The goal of mindfulness meditation and compassion is to end this self-focus this negative tone."

Learning to Be Compassionate
A secularized version of the practice called compassion training is a step-by-step method for developing compassion. It is being used in Emory's research studies to examine the health benefits of meditation and compassion, says Geshe Lobsang.
At its essence, compassion requires that we develop a sense of connectedness to others, which will give us empathy for them, he explains. "If we are genuinely able to feel empathy for others, then compassion is the natural outcome."
In compassion training, students focus on developing that sense of deep connection with all beings, he says. "We develop a way of seeing how others are kind to us, even if it's unintentional kindness. Whether they intended to be kind to us or not, we can choose to perceive it as kindness."
Compassion Training Transforms the Mind
Using MRI brain scans, scientists have begun tracking the effects of compassion training.
"We are finding that we can transform the brain by changing the mind," says Richard J. Davidson, PhD, director of the Laboratory for Affective Neuroscience and the Keck Laboratory for Functional Brain Imaging and Behavior at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. The brain region related to compassion, the insula, "is quite special," he explains. "It is the only brain area that monitors the body and provides the brain with information on what is going on in the body. It sends signals to the body that might change during emotional distress."

Compassion training can generate a state in which loving and compassion envelops the whole brain, he says. When people meditate on compassion, the signals to the insula and other brain regions involved in empathy and understanding are changed. The change is more dramatic among advanced practitioners, compared with novice practitioners, he adds.
His studies have shown that with even a little compassion training, people can reap a physical benefit.
Volunteers who received compassion training online -- and practiced it for 30 minutes a day for two weeks -- showed significantly greater propensity to want to help people who were suffering. They also reported a higher level of well-being, confidence, and positive feelings. MRI brain scans of these volunteers showed greater activation in the insula, Davidson reports.
Raison has studied the effects of compassion training in Emory freshmen -- examining the body's stress response system, specifically inflammation that links stress with depression. These same inflammatory processes are risk factors for other diseases including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease.
In one of his studies, freshmen who got six weeks of compassion training had less physiological stress response in a test -- heart rates, blood pressure, stress hormone levels, and other stress-related markers -- compared with students who participated in a discussion group instead.
Not only that, students in the "compassion group" who actually practiced the meditation -- rather than just taking the training classes -- fared the best in the stress test. They had the least stress reaction, he reports.
"They came in the door a little different than the other kids who didn't practice it," Raison says. "These types of meditations help people reduce their reaction to stress."
Meditation: No Magic Depression Treatment
While meditation can help many who are depressed, it's not a sure-fire cure, Raison tells WebMD. "In fact, many people with mood disorders find they can't do meditation when they're depressed." Their thoughts are too overwhelming. They are anxious, nervous, and can't sit -- and likely they need antidepressants, he says.
"For people who are seriously depressed -- or whose depression involves too much internal focus and rumination -- meditation can make their depression worse," he tells WebMD. "Early on, they begin to realize things about themselves they are uncomfortable with."
Meditation provides true insight into why we behave as we do, Raison says. "There can be a shocking realization when you start watching your thoughts. You see the junk that's in there, and it can be very distressing. Every individual case is different. With depression, which can be so disabling and overwhelming, we need to use wisely all treatment modalities to give people the best outcomes."

On the road to Pannipitya!

2008-12-04T14:00:00.000-08:00

Sun Set over paddy fields.

Under the Tamarind Tree

2008-11-25T23:57:00.000-08:00

A tree house in the compound of the School

Singarajah Forest...a wildlife Preserve

A piercing pain in my ears awoke me that morning.
It’s past midnight, in four hours I will be going for a trip to rural Srilanka, visiting Mrs. Bernadine Anderson’s Bridge to Peace Montessori Lunugamuvehera.
I am clueless of what to expect, i am not even sure how many hours the journey would be, But I let myself be open to the positive possibilities of the universe (My new philosophy) .

So it was with a settled mind I rush out to meet the Jeep that came to pick me at home, the pain reliever I swallowed numbing the ear ache.

The darkness slowly gave way to dawn, as we gradually left Colombo behind, speeding past the outskirts of the awaking city. Aunty Berne is her usual cheerful self, infecting us all with her enthusiasm and passion for her work.

Lyzel, Fazreen, and Thalini, all staff of LPF (the school Mrs Anderson opened Over 15yrs ago), join Aunty Barne in the chit chat, i join in every now and then. Our elderly driver, focuses all his attention on the road, never speaking unless he is spoken to, an uncommon trait in a Srilankan driver as they are known to butt into conversations of their passengers, or comment nonstop on sundry issues.

I doze off after venting on the garbage disposal issues in Colombo, I am particularly peeved about the refuse dumped in our neighborhood ,Dehiwala where I reside and my kids attend school. Fazreen and I brain storm the different possible efforts we could put in place to pressure the municipal council to take action. The solutions we come up with seem unrealistic and farfetched to me, I soon give up, not even Fazreen’s noble words, “come on Pam, change can start from us” would spark a light of enthusiasm for social change in me.

Mothering two boys while I study and cope with all the house hold chores leave me too exhausted to be noble. It occurs to me that this maybe the reason no one else has done anything about waste disposal problem in the city, most people are just too overworked to bother. We work, we earn, we shop, then produce waste we are too tired or preoccupied to dispose properly, the reality of city living.

The surreal view of the deep green forest takes my breath, as we stop for the “traditional” tea break on the Udawalawe Bridge. We spot waterfalls streaking down the hill sides in the distance, the misty horizon leave me speechless and serene, at once I feel the crisp clean air fill my lungs, only then I realize the Colombo air is congested and polluted.

We pile back into the van, refreshed and the ready for adventure, an elephant and two calves, probably from the elephant orphanage nearby linger by the water’s edge, for a while we stop and stare, in awe as always by the wild elephant’s seemingly gentle ways.

Fruit stalls built with palm fronds, stand picturesque by the road side, and we spot another elephant, this time very close to the side of the road, just behind the electrified fence put in place to stop it from wandering to the sugar cane plantations on the other side. We stop and take pictures, posing in front of the wild elephant, whose thoughts were probably “why can’t these puny creatures get me something to eat instead of staring stupidly at me?”

We move on, in a short while we reach our destination, our first stop is the derelict prefabricated quarters where the trainers stay whenever they come from Colombo, as we stretch and freshen up, i am drawn to a shelter nearby made by two tamarind trees, i wander under its wide branches, looking out for creepy crawlies. Narrow logs of wood tied together form a good bench and I sit on it sighing deeply, taking in the fresh clean air, almost immediately I feel the tension I didn’t even know I had, drain out of me.

We walk a short path to the bridge2peace Montessori, an impressive and well equipped building, three class rooms for 2 ½ to 5 year olds. One of the class rooms is for the children with special needs, today only three are in attendance, two with Down Syndrome sit and work, a heart wrenching sight knowing how much pain they suffer in remote poverty stricken regions as these
We walk among the children, accepting their greetings, smiling and watching them work. Soon they pile out for “the peace Routine”, then pose for their end of the year photos, its overwhelming to observe them, considering the providence that has brought quality education to their quiet backwater, they seem so cute and well behaved, most likely a biased impression, as only their care givers know their true temperaments.

A little later, Fazreen and I join Mrs Anderson to visit a few homes of families who have applied for the enrollment of their toddlers, but not before witnessing the sight of a mother with her three day old infant in her arms and her prematurely grey husband, who had been waiting for several hours by the school gate to speak to Mrs Anderson personally. They request for their son’s enrollment, I cringe at the thought of having to be the one to turn them down, simply because they are not poor enough to be considered. The spaces are limited, so it is important that only the “poorest of the poor” are given the opportunity to educate their children.

I am frustrated that I cannot help, I am angry at the fate that economically cripples such people, I am helpless I cannot do more. For a while my own financial challenges are suppressed with a deep desire to see the fragile little one hiding behind his mother’s frock educated in a safe and productive environment the B2P Montessori provides.

I am a bit relieved to climb back into the van and head for the home visits with Fazreen and Mrs Anderson. Mother’s with their children travel the interior regions on bicycles, unprotected from the elements and snakes, Lunugamuvehera has some of the highest snake bite reports in Srilanaka. Soon the nostalgia for such natural pollution free settings is replaced with gratitude for running water and electricity.

The homes are over three kilometers from the B2P Montessori, the realization of the distance they have to travel is very disheartening.

“ Initially they brought their children because of the free meal and the annual care package of clothes, shoes and toiletries we offer the children”, Mrs Anderson explains. "but now they see the value of the programe".

I tag along, observing the incomplete structures they live in, lost in the translation from Singhalese to English Mrs Anderson provides as she talks to them, as she tactfully finds out the information she needs to approve their applications, and listens to their tales of woe. Once again I am filled with awe and admiration for Aunty Berne’s devotion to the poor, a rare trait among the typically indifferent Colombo elite.

We return to the B2P premies, the children are closed for the day, almost all the children stop to "worship” us, a very respectful form of greeting in Srilankan culture where the younger ones bend and touch the feet of the elder, we hold them up and shake their hands, its humbling to receive such unearned respect.

Within the school premises we have returned to, is a young woman with her young daughter in a tight embrace, Aunty Berne translates to me after talking to her that she just got news that her husband died in the war front, her beautiful tear streaked face paralyzes me, I feel the image singe into my subconscious, this is a part of Srilanka I have never seen before. The poverty, the war, the deep deep sadness, invisible in the bright lights and shopping districts of urban Srilanka.

FINALLY A BREAKTHROUGH IN MY RESEARCH!

2008-11-24T17:11:00.000-08:00

By Alicia Fortinberry...

New studies show that antidepressants and talk therapy don’t do the trick. Here’s what does.
Depression is just about the loneliest experience in the world. One of the main reasons I get so much satisfaction from helping people with depression, as my husband Bob and I have for over 20 years, is that I suffered so much from this illness. And, because of that, so of course did Bob. It was especially painful for him, as a psychologist, to feel helpless to cure my so called “treatment resistant depression.”

My depression spurred us both on to develop new and effective methods for healing depression. What we found as we studied depression in our clients and emerging research about how the brain actually works, is that the public is so misinformed it’s almost a con.
How I wish I had had the real scoop on depression in my teens, when I had all the signs: sleep problems, radical weight fluctuations, isolation from other students, lack of ability to enjoy myself, panic attacks, but mostly the sense that something was terribly, terribly wrong. And since no one could help, that something was wrong with me.

Now, I’m pleased to say: no more! Now I have the satisfaction of reaching out to others who suffer from depression and emotional pain because I’ve been there. Often I’m able to guide them out of the deep dark hole they fear they are sentenced to for life. Every time this happens it feels as if I’ve somehow reached back into my own past to pull another part of myself into the light.

Depression facts
So let me share with you the real facts about depression. First of all, clinical depression affects 15% of the population, and a third of all women. One of the reasons twice as many women as men suffer depression and anxiety, according to researchers at University College, London, is that women’s traditional roles (taking care of the household, family finances and children) are under-valued. Many of us wind up feeling guilty and exhausted as we try (or have to) become achievers at work and/or lonely and frustrated at home. Men are also under pressure in an effort to balance family life with an increasingly competitive workplace, and are particularly vulnerable to depressive episodes after redundancy and retirement. The burden on the often isolated nuclear family is enormous, with little time left for the kids or relationships with friends and even extended family.
It is little wonder depression is the second biggest killer behind heart disease (itself a contributory factor in depression), and is increasing a staggering 23% per year in children, according to one Harvard University study.

The real tragedy is the lack of effective available treatments, with many people led to believe that pills, or herbs or diet will do the trick. The truth is that antidepressants work for less than 50% of depressed people, and are about as effective as sugar pills. The FDA only recommends taking them for short periods. (This does not mean you should stop taking them abruptly, certainly not without medical supervision. Or at all, if they are helping you.) Even natural remedies, such as St. John’s Wort, while they may not have nasty side effects, don’t offer a long-term cure.

Savvy psychiatrics suggest therapy along with medication, but here’s the rub. The standard form of psychotherapy for depression, cognitive behavioral therapy, has a relapse rate of up to 80%, according to University of Washington researchers.
Depression in the brain
The problem with these treatments is that they don’t reflect the latest research, and fail to address the underlying causes of depression. Childhood trauma is now recognized as the primary cause of clinical depression. This can include everything from outright abuse to criticism, lack of attention, unclear boundaries, divorce, conflict within the household, neighbourhood or even violence on TV.

This trauma inhibits the natural development of the brain, leaving several crucial areas, including the frontal cortex, hippocampus and amygdale, from functioning properly. Emotions are exaggerated and often inappropriate, decisions become difficult and depression and anxiety result.
Researchers are now viewing depression as a physical disability—just like having a spinal injury. It’s a structural problem in the brain caused by an “accident,” or trauma. That’s why you cannot just talk your way out of it, nor find lasting relief by simply treating the neurochemical imbalance—itself a symptom of the brain’s misdevelopment.

The relationship solution....

But there is a cure! The “accidents” which lead to depression are almost always dysfunctional relationships. As adults we tend to seek out and recreate the most difficult relationship patterns from childhood, and so the damage is perpetuated, reinforcing our vulnerability to depression.
The good news is that certain kinds of supportive and trust-worthy relationships can actually undo the damage of poor relationships. The brain is capable of growing new cells in a process called neurogenesis. But to do so the brain needs a safe and emotionally healthy environment, free from the trauma of criticism, uncertainty, abandonment and abuse.

We believe that each person can create a relationship environment that will allow the injured brain to heal. Needs not met in childhood by our parents and significant adults must be met by our partner, friends, family and workmates. If you were threatened as a child you may need people to ask for permission before giving you a hug. Or you may need them to be very careful not to criticize you, because that may spark fears of abandonment and trigger a depressed mood. If a boss constantly points out your faults and not your achievements, you may fear being fired. Don’t be afraid to ask him to give you positive feedback—and specify how often—and to let him know the conditions you require to work at your best.
Bringing people into the process of healing your depression can start with something as simple as asking a friend to join you for a weekly walk in the park.

Not only will the exercise elevate your mood, but creating shared rituals will strengthen your relationship. Make this get-together an opportunity to let them know your needs of them—and ask them what they need from you.
In our Uplift Program and our book Creating Optimism: A Proven, Seven-Step Program for Overcoming Depression we help people pinpoint their vital needs, and access the antidepressant power of relationships.

The important thing to remember is that depression is not a failure on your part, and you can overcome it. The real healing will begin when you change the basis of your relationships and build a healing support system around you that will help keep you depression-free for life. You’ll be amazed at the outcome.

November Poya Celebrates....

2008-11-11T20:43:00.000-08:00

Bodhisattva Maitreya 2nd century art (wikipedia)

In Srilanka, the November Poya celebrates the coming a future Buddha ...Maitreya...and the sending out of the 60 Disciples to spread the Buddha's message.

The famous laughing buddha Statue is not a literal presentation of what he will look like, but a symbolic representation of what he stands for. In Chinese, they say that Maitreya Buddha has "big stomach" and can therefore tolerate anything. Little kids climb all over him and it’s okay. You can take advantage of him and it won’t make him mad. The English equivalent of "big stomach" in this context is "big heart." The Maitreya Buddha is big of heart.
Now we begin to get beyond the superficialities. It is precisely because "stomach capacity" is the Chinese way of expressing one's capacity to give and to forgive, that the ancient Chinese chose to fashion this buddha with the obviously huge stomach. What better way is there to symbolize limitless tolerance and generosity?

MOre Details below from religionfacts.com

Chinese Origin

The celestial Buddha named Hotei or Pu-Tai is best known as the jolly Laughing Buddha. In China, he is known as the Loving or Friendly One. He is based on an eccentric Chinese Ch'an (Zen) monk who lived over 1,000 years ago and has become a significant part of Buddhist and Shinto culture. Because of this monk's benevolent nature, he came to be regarded as an incarnation of the bodhisattva who will be Maitreya (the Future Buddha). His large protruding stomach and jolly smile have given him the common designation "Laughing Buddha."
The Laughing Buddha's image graces many temples, restaurants, and amulets, as he has become a deity of contentment and abundance. The image of Hotei is almost always seen carrying a cloth or linen sack (that which never empties) which is filled with many precious items, including rice plants (indicating wealth), candy for children, food, or the woes of the world. He is patron of the weak, poor and children.

Laughing Buddha statues depict a stout, smiling or laughing bald man in robes with a largely exposed pot belly stomach, which symbolizes happiness, good luck, and plenitude. Some sculpture has small children at his feet. Another item that is usually seen with the Laughing Budda figure is a begging bowl to represent his Buddhist nature.
In some scenes the Laughing Buddha may be found sitting on a cart drawn by boys, or wielding a fan called an oogi (said to be a "wish giving" fan -- in the distant past, this type of fan was used by the aristocracy to indicate to vassals that their requests would be granted). All of these images display Hotei as a wandering monk who goes around and takes the sadness from people of this world.
According to legend, if one rubs the Laughing Buddha's great belly, it brings forth wealth, good luck, and prosperity. Hotei is also referred to as the patron saint of restaurateurs, fortunetellers and bartenders. When one overeats or over drinks, friends jokingly attribute it to the Laughing Buddha's influence.

Prediction of His Coming

Shakyamuni Buddha predicted that due to the inevitable degeneration of the times, his own teachings would last just five thousand years before disappearing from this world. People will grow more and more immoral and their lifespan will gradually decrease, as will their health, stature and fortune. While such delusions as miserliness, hatred and jealousy gain strength, the world will go through prolonged periods of famine, disease and continuous warfare until it eventually resembles a vast battlefield of graveyard. Thereupon Maitreya will appear, not in his fully evolved buddha form, but as a person of regal bearing, very handsome and taller than those around him. On seeing this unusual being, people will be filled with wonder and faith, and will ask how he came to have such an attractive appearance. Maitreya will reply that this is due to his practice of patience, avoiding giving harm to others, and if others will also abide in love and tolerance, they could become similar to him.

Maitreya's appearance will mark a great turning point in the fortunes of this world. As more and more beings follow his example, their store of merit, and consequently their lifespan, will increase. Eventually people will live in health for such a long time that the sufferings of old age and death will scarcely be known. At that time, their observance of morality will grow lax as people become more and more involved in the pleasures of their existence. With this laxity will come another gradual shortening and degeneration of their lifespan until eventually beings once again will become suitable ripe to take sincere interest in the spiritual path. When the human lifespan as increased again to many thousands of years, and when the planet will be entirely dominated by a benevolent wheel-turning sovereign (Chakravartin) named Shankha, it is at this time that Maitreya Buddha will descend from the Tushita buddha field (devaloka) where he now resides, to appear in this world as the fifth founding Buddha of this world age. Maitreya will be born the son of a Brahmin priest, and will renounce the world and attain enlightenment in a single day, not requiring six long years. The world in this time will be politically neutralised, and therefore the warrior class and its martial virtues will be obsolete. Thus he will be born among the intellectuals, the priests, and his teaching will bring the gentler emotions to the fore.

His teachings will not deviate from that of previous Buddhas, except for an interesting tradition that he will not teach any esoteric Tantras (most likely hinting that Maitreya's mission will in general be more effective than Shakyamuni's). This does not show a difference in the perfection of liberative techniques of the two Buddhas, rather a difference in the evolutionary stage of the human beings on the planet (Shakyamuni Buddha taught at a time of violence and widespread militarism, and had to turn to the martial qualities of toughness, ascetism and determination toward the pursuit of enlightenment.
Shakyamuni Buddha also predicted that those who followed his teachings would be reborn in the first circle of Maitreya's entourage and would be able to complete the spiritual path under Maitreya's guidance.

Intreasting link

Here

Street Walk @ Maradana

2008-11-11T20:22:00.000-08:00

Used books for sale and for lending...

Bookshop and Library.

The fresh fruits and vegetables along the narrow busy roads brighten the otherwise desolate view!

and of course, odds and ends for sale...who needs super markets, when there are roadside shops?

Lanka Looks!

2008-11-11T20:03:00.000-08:00

Elephant show...

Nagin!

Birdie!

Timon's relative

Whose Bear?

Sky Sight outskirts of Colombo

I love these shoes!

2008-11-07T22:13:00.000-08:00

I cant wait till the Day African leaders in Africa will become as simple and as commited as Obama....

And isnt she gorgeous...howz that for an African Frist Lady...

Homagama Sunday Market.

2008-10-16T20:44:00.000-07:00

Fresh fruits and Veggies at lowest prices....a vegetarian heaven!

Batman Vs Blankman...and then there's Hancook

2008-10-07T01:40:00.000-07:00

After the disappointing experience of watching Batman, Blankman was a hilarious caricarture, depicting the inferiority complex of the African American psche.

The Dark Knight story line annoyingly shows the subtle political opinions of the script writers. Its hard to just relax and watch a movie these days without having the different ideological opinions of America's international image been shoved down your throat, which for politically apathethic people like me, can be quite annoying.

Blankman in it own poignantly humourous way, reveals the economic struggles of the average African American...While batman is a Millonaire using his means to create hero-sonic gear. Blankman uses junk to create his own gadgets.

Even the Neighbourhood "crackhouse" he hopes to close down, ridicules the One-man- Vigilante approach of super heroes. The differences in their costumes is not even worth commenting on.

Is it me, or are racial differences still a very strong determinant for economic status?

Suicide Bomber kills 27,

2008-10-07T01:26:00.000-07:00

By KRISHAN FRANCIS –

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — A suspected rebel suicide bomber blew himself up Monday inside a crowded opposition party office in northern Sri Lanka, killing a former army general and 26 others.
Retired Maj. Gen. Janaka Perera and his wife were among the 27 dead and at least 80 more were wounded in the bomb attack at the United National Party office in Anuradhapura town, military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara said.
The blast came as government troops and Tamil Tiger fighters battled for control of the rebels' administrative capital in the northern town of Kilinochchi.
The suicide bomber was a Tamil Tiger rebel who apparently targeted Perera because of his successes against the separatist cause during his years in the military, Nanayakkara said.
The attack occurred at about 8:45 a.m. Monday as officials from the United National Party gathered to open a new office. The blast also killed Rashmi Mohamed, a television journalist who was covering the opening.
Wearing a hidden explosives vest, the assailant "embraced the former commander" before detonating, the rebel-affiliated TamilNet Web site reported, noting that Perera played a key role in evicting Tamils from northeastern villages in 1984 to settle ethnic Sinhalese there.
Perera was lauded as a war hero in Sri Lanka for his repeated confrontations with the rebels and his role in halting a major guerrilla advance in 2000 into the Jaffna peninsula, the cultural heartland of the country's minority Tamils.
But he was also a critic of the government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and became a leader in recent months of the opposition United National Party. In August the retired officer won a seat in the north-central provincial assembly.
The United National Party, meanwhile, accused the government of ignoring repeated requests for a stronger security detail for Perera — an open critic of the way Colombo has conducted its military campaign against the rebels.
"The government must take full responsibility. They did not give him adequate security for political reasons," party official Tissa Attanayake said, without elaborating.
Condemning the attack, Rajapaksa said the Tamil Tiger group faces "severe setbacks" in its northern strongholds and "is now making every attempt to create violent backlashes in other parts of the country." He urged the public "to act cautiously in the face of such provocation."
Just hours before the attack, a roadside bomb killed two civilians and wounded another in a village near Anuradhapura.
Rebel officials could not be reached for comment on either attack because communication lines have been cut to guerrilla-dominated areas in the north.
The rebels, banned as a terrorist group in the United States and the European Union, are said to have carried out more than 240 suicide bombings against military, political and economic targets.
The Tamil Tigers began fighting in 1983 to create an independent homeland for the country's ethnic minority Tamils who have faced years of discrimination at the hands of governments controlled by majority ethnic Sinhalese.
More than 70,000 people have been killed in the violence.
Meanwhile, fighting continued Sunday along the northern front lines separating the government territory and the rebels' de facto capital, killing 14 rebels and one soldier, a military statement said.

"Peace Gang"

2008-09-25T22:19:00.000-07:00

Hand painted pottery...

a middle eastern sitting room Batik painting

A glimpse of Rural Srilanka...isint she cute?

African Stall, presenting private collection of those who have travelled to Africa, a bid to educate the Srilankan spectators about Africa.

The efforts of parents to promote international harmony and internal conflict resolution. All continents of the world are represented in this colorful presentation on the major themes that potray the different parts of the world.

Barefoot Goddess

2008-09-22T06:26:00.000-07:00

Come lay your fresh fruits by her blistered feet,
Bring in the best of your harvest to her tattered stall,
Then build for her a temple, a home for her tired limbs.
Change her worn clothes to soft silk and warm wool.
Then make a feathered bed to lull her to dream worlds...

Here comes the barefoot goddess, wrinkled and baked.
Soon it would be too late, and all that is left will be the
Curse of her fate, an echo of all our lives.

Whats the Karma of a Clone?

2008-09-03T02:19:00.000-07:00

For those of us that believe in rebirth and the consequent results of cause and effect, What would we say about the "soul" , no the "souless" ness of a clone.

What would be the karmic consequence of his existence?

HERE

Saying goodbye to the room with a view...

2008-08-17T05:58:00.000-07:00

I finally moved away from my crampy two bedroom apartment in Mountlavinia to a spacious but fantastically airy two bedroom on Hill street Dehiwala.

Yes, i will miss the view from the balcony (these are the pictures above), but i wont miss the gloom in the old apartment.' It lacked sufficient natural lighting and proper cross ventilation.

Am ever so happy in this new place, best part is, its just a short walk to the childrens school

Its sparsely furnished and no AC or hot water (thank God) cost of electricity is crippling. My neighbours seem nice, and there are lots of kids for mine to play with.

Innocence Robbed

2008-07-27T19:52:00.000-07:00

It’s a Monday evening and I just got back from a job interview. I tried to nap but I was feeling restless, so I sneaked out of the house before the kids will notice (leaving them with Malika, my indispensable “servant”). I decided to go for a brisk walk by the sea shore close to the apartment block where we live.

Before I could reach my destination, I was followed by an elderly man toward the train tracks just beside the shores.

“Hello” he said, and I replied politely, “hello”.

The next obvious question I get a lot from three wheel drivers and others here came

“You’re from ?”,

and I complete the sentence with my response…

"Nigeria”,

“ you here for studies?” he inquires further, I don’t want to be rude, but I was hoping for a quiet walk to unwind, not be chatted up by a bored stranger. I nodded yes and walked briskly away. “it rains a lot this time of year in Srilanka” he continues unperturbed, I waved my umbrella in the mid air, still walking without looking directly at him. I cross the train tracks carefully and I hear and respond coldly to his good bye.

Climbing down from a pile of sand bags, I walk towards the sea; I let the waves soak my feet, and the edges of my skirt. The clouds darken, the sea is restless. The angry waves suit my mood; warm sandy foams of water soothe my feet. It’s a perfect moment. The beach is not crowded, a few young men sit,

drinking in the wooden shacks with signs like “breeze bar” and “ocean hotel” ……I stroll on, enjoying the lonesome walk, relishing the gentle wind and endless horizon. Another group of boys laugh and play seemingly innocous.

My leisure is short lived, as a beach ball bounces on the shallow water towards my feet,

“kick it madam kick”, a scrawny young man in black underwear grins, and I smile politely and move on. But he keeps following me, soon they are three of them, and they keep following me, cajoling me to kick the ball, I move away from the edge of the sea and towards the concrete benches placed a few meters from the sea shore. I sit for a short while I breath in and try to regain my composure. A police post is near by and a few beachside bar owners are even nearer. "Its safe enough" i reassure myself.
As i sit, and try to comtinue my romance with the sight of the sea, slowly it dawns on me, obstructing my watery scene are a bunch of blackened scrawny teenage boys in panties playing on the sea shore, so I get up to continue my walk.

But not before another tattooed sun baked creature comes and asks “you’re from?”, this time I look away and ignore the question, he gets the message and leaves me alone.

Its starts to drizzle, so I turn back towards the train tracks towards home, the same boys run past me, then turn and start following me, asking me “what’s your name…what’s your name madame?” I wave my banded fingers at them, and move on speechless. I would have been scared, if I didn’t remember walking along Lagos bar beach on my own and fending of Indian hemp hawkers.
I had read alot about child prostitution in Srilanka, and my stomach churned at the thought of massive sexual expoitation of children. I wasnt ignorant of the fact that for as little as $5, one could buy a child male or female. Child pornography and pedeophilia was the gift from the perverted tourists that abounded third world beach resorts.

I still wasnt quite sure what the boys were up to, till I heard them ask “you want, only 500 rupees,? You want… only 500", one of them walked beside me while the others walked behind me, it gradually occurred to me that they where soliciting me.
The shock was momentary, I continued to walk, refusing to show fear or any form of being disconcerted, I used my umbrella to block their faces from my view. Yet they persisted so I said, “I will call the police if you don’t stop following me”. This seemed to scare the older ones, but a child just slightly older than my own son, rode on a bicycle and asked me the same question “you want…. only 500rupees madam”? I was appalled, "he is just a baby" i thought, ignoring the worldly glint in his eyes as he rode on and followed me till the edge of the train tracks...

Abuja Carnival...photo memories

2008-07-20T07:20:00.000-07:00

Sunset Beach

2008-07-20T07:09:00.000-07:00

Lovers entwined...

Slave Island Colombo

2008-07-19T08:01:00.000-07:00

Couples linger uncompfortably, snatching moments of passion after work and before reaching close knit family dwellings.

Hindu gods, the accepted addition to Theravada Buddhist belief

Once the living quaters of African Slaves brought by the British and Portuguese, Now a congested city with concrete mass, putrid water, and noisy traffick.

A Comparision...Nigeria/Srilanka Stats that intreast me.

2008-06-26T05:36:00.000-07:00

Srilanka Ranked 99th, life expectancy 71.6, Adult literacy 90.7, Births per woman 2.o
Ranked 158th, Life expectancy 46.5, Adult literacy 69.1, Births per woman 5.8

This is all based on the United Nations human development Index...

Each year since 1990 the Human Development Report has published the human development index (HDI) which looks beyond GDP to a broader definition of well-being. The HDI provides a composite measure of three dimensions of human development: living a long and healthy life (measured by life expectancy), being educated (measured by adult literacy and enrolment at the primary, secondary and tertiary level) and having a decent standard of living (measured by purchasing power parity, PPP, income). The index is not in any sense a comprehensive measure of human development. It does not, for example, include important indicators such as gender or income inequality and more difficult to measure indicators like respect for human rights and political freedoms. What it does provide is a broadened prism for viewing human progress and the complex relationship between income and well-being.

Street Walk Colombo

2008-06-25T04:00:00.000-07:00

Charm For the Safety of the NEW Car!

Cinema Showing Local movies

Hindu Temple
Reeking Canals

King Coconut

Phone Booths that actually Work

Fort Station
Petta Market

Dehiwala Zoo

2008-06-19T07:57:00.000-07:00

Random pics within the Temple

2008-06-17T23:59:00.000-07:00

Observing Sil

2008-06-17T23:42:00.000-07:00

Priest walking to begin days preaching.

Incense...

Flowers...

white wics in coconut oil...

Rituals performed as part of the process of Theravada Buddhist prayer.

Rock Temple Galvihara , near the school my kids attend!

2008-06-17T23:29:00.000-07:00

2008-06-17T23:15:00.000-07:00

The Significance of Poya
Even before the birth of Buddhism, Asian ascetics in the ancient times when there were no calendars, made it a practice on full moon days to cease worldly pursuits and engage themselves in religious activities.
The Buddha adopted this practice and from this developed the preaching of the Buddhist texts and commentaries (bana) in monasteries and temples on full moon Poya days. And when the Venerable Arahat Mahinda Thero introduced Buddhism to this country in 247 BC he also introduced the Poya tradition. Following is a brief description of the 12 Poyas in the Buddhist calendar and their significance.

Vesak (full moon Poya day in May)
The Buddhist calendar begins with the month of Vesak. On Vesak Day, Buddhists world over commemorate the triple anniversary of Sakyamuni Siddhartha Gautama The Buddha. Triple anniversary because The Buddha was born, attained Supreme Enlightenment at the age of thirty five, and after a successful ministry of forty five years attained Parinirvana or passed away on a Vesak (May) full moon Poya Day. It was also on a Vesak full moon Poya Day, in the eighth year of his enlightenment, that The Buddha made his third and final visit to Sri Lanka. On this full moon Poya begins the 2541 year of the Buddha.

Poson (full moon Poya day in June)
It commemorates the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka by Arahat Maha Mahinda (son of King Asoka of India) at Mihintale in the third century B.C. Ven Mahinda established the Dispensation of The Buddha (Buddhasasana) in Sri Lanka

Esala (full moon Poya day in July)
Commemorates the deliverance of the first sermon to the five ascetics and setting in motion the Wheel of the Dhamma (Dhammachakka) at Sarnath Benares, India. The essence of this sermon is the explanation of the Four Noble Truths: The Noble Truth of Suffering or dissatisfaction or conflicts (Dukkha), the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering and the path leading to the cessation of suffering. And The Noble Eight-fold Path:

Nikini (full moon Poya day in August)
During the month of August the conducting of the first Dhamma Sangayana (Convocation) is commemorated. This was held three months after the passing away of The Buddha. Five hundred Arahat Theros participated in the convocation which was held over seven months in the cave at the foot of the Rajagahanuvara Vebhara Rock
Binara (full moon Poya day in September)
Commemorates The Buddha's visit to heaven to preach to his mother and celestial multitude. Also the commencing of the Bhikkhuni (nun's) Order. Pajapati Gotami approached The Buddha and implored him to establish the Bhikkhuni Order.

Vap (full moon Poya day in October)
The significant events commemorated during this month are: the conclusion of The Buddha's preaching of the Abhidhamma for three months to his mother in the Heavenly realm (devaloka), King Devanampiyatissa of Sri Lanka sending envoys to King Asoka requesting him to send his daughter Arahat Sanghamitta Theri to Sri Lanka to establish the Bhikkhuni Sasana (Order of Nuns).

Ill (full moon Poya day in November)
Celebrates the obtaining of Vivarana (the assurance of becoming a Buddha) by the Bodhisatta Maitriya and the commissioning of 60 disciples by The Buddha to disperse his teachings. Also the conclusion of the three month retreat (vassana).
Unduvap (full moon Poya day in December)
Arrival of the Bo-tree sapling. This was brought to Sri Lanka from India by Buddhist Theri Sanghamitta, and it is this very tree that is venerated by Buddhists in Anuradhapura. It is also the oldest documented tree in the world. Sanghamitta Theri established the Bhikkhuni Sasana (the Order of Nuns).

Duruthu (full moon Poya day in January)
In honour of Lord Buddha's first visit to Sri Lanka. This visit too took place in the first year of The Buddha's Supreme Enlightenment.
Navam (full moon Poya day in February)
Celebrates the following events in Buddhist history: Entrance into the order of two leading disciples of The Buddha (Sariputta and Maha Moggalana), The Buddha proclaims for the first time a code of fundamental ethical precepts for the monks. The Buddha announces that within three months His Parinibbana (death) will take place

Medin (full moon Poya day in March)
Commemorates the visit of The Buddha to his home to preach to his father King Suddhodana and other relatives and show them the path to enlightenment and final deliverance.
Bak (full moon Poya day in April)
It commemorates the second visit of The Buddha to Sri Lanka which took place in the fifth year of his Supreme Enlightenment.

18th June 2008 (Wednesday) The poson Full Moon poya day is the second most important Poya for Sri Lankan Buddhists. The day celebrates the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka 2550 years ago. Mihindu thero visited Mihinthala Mountain and intelligently sermonized to king Devanampiyathissa who was hunting a deer. Mihinthalawa has been declared as a sanctuary and it is probably the oldest sanctuary in the world portraying Srilankan’s nature-friendly attitude. Main activities of Poson Full Moon Poya centers to Mihinthalawa, but celebrated around the country.

Local Vegetable Market at Mount Lavinia

2008-06-15T08:55:00.000-07:00

Every Sunday morning, a narrow Street at the suburban town of Mount Lavinia (Srilanka) is closed to vehicle traffick while vegetable and fruit sellers lay out their wares......Fresh fish and coconut,cheap clothes and other knickknacks compete for attention.

The stiffiling heat make window shoping impossible, buyers rush from stall to stall, purchasing fresh produce for the week, most wearing serious expressions, even here the tension of Srilanka's "Situation" is hard to miss.

Human Revolution

2008-06-07T04:47:00.000-07:00

All the books in the world
Will not bring you happiness,
But they will quietly lead you
Back inside yourself.
There you will find all you need,
Sun, stars and moon,
For the light for which you search
Dwells within you.
The wisdom you so long sought
In books,
Will then shine forth from every page--
For now that wisdom has become your own

German author and poet Hermann Hesse (1877-1962) advocating the need for a
revolution in human consciousnes

Guidiance for Today

2008-05-30T22:59:00.000-07:00

"Simply deciding from the outset that you are just not good enough, without making any effort, is nothing but escapisim. Each one of us is different,but we are all alike in that we posses tremendous potential. The truth is, you can do almost anything if you set your mind to it. The worst thing is to lose confidence in your self and limit your own potential."

Daisaku Ikeda

Sunset on MountLavinia beach

2008-05-29T22:55:00.000-07:00

The view of the setting sun, as breathtaking as always....Does this capture my romance with this war plagued nation?

Public safety message from Srilanka's GSM providers

2008-05-29T21:43:00.000-07:00

"Citizens are adviced to be vigilant of unattended parcels, bags
and electronic items. Call 118 or 119 to report suspious items.This is a
public safety message."

Small World... its no Cliche

2008-05-29T01:45:00.000-07:00

My Uncle Dan in the brown and white striped shirt, and the Srilankan aquiantance standing with arms folded, first person on the left with brown trouser and white shirt.

Volunteering to tell the grade two class of my son's school an African folklore led to some very intreasting discoveries.

After showing the excitable 7 and 8 year old kids an old calender picture of Nigerian landmarks, i told them the only Nigerian folklore i know by heart, which is the "how the tortise broke his back story". At first i was filled with dread, i had never done such a thing before, but i was excited to tell them about Africa, and wanted to contribute something to the class project for the month "Africa". Being the first and only African they had ever seen made me a bit of a novelty, so dressed in a colorful Nigerian "skirt and blouse", and my "headtie", i went to the class half scolding myself for my "busybodyness". It turned out well, i relaxed after a while and the succeded in keeping the childrens attention as they laughed and giggled at my demostrations of certain parts of the story, its always such a delight to see children smile.

I was invited a second time to show them an African craft or a recipe i knew, so i chose the only craft i know,bead making, i took my bead collection with me and showed them how to make a flower pot decoration....but not before i had an incredlible experience, which is what i am actually intreasted in sharing.

As i walked into the school compound, there was an elderly man wearing an imbroided blue shirt that looked so farmiliar, and i wondered where i had seen that before. Then climbing upstairs to the particular class i was going to he followed behind with a thick black and white cloth that seemed undoubtedly farmiliar but i shrugged and walked on, untill the class teacher introduced me to a lady who also came to give a craft talk, she said

" Mrs Jayawardana, meet Mrs Jayawardana,"

and we laughed at the coincident of having the same last names, then she asked which part of Nigeria i was from, an i answered

"the middle",

she asked

"are you from Benue", i said "yes", surprised at her knowledge of Nigerian States.

She clarified stating, "we lived in Gboko for ten years....."

and i was like, "My mother is from Gboko, i go there every now and then...."

We were both thrilled, she went on "my father worked in Benue Cement in the late eighties and nineties, more excited i said

"Waoh my uncle Dan worked in Benue Cement around that time too, maybe your Dad might know him..."

strolling in with the Tiv tradition ceremonial attire and an antique Staff was the man dressed in the blue shirt..I just went

'oh my God! Oh my God! ..thats the traditional attire of the ethnic group i belong to"

i exclaimed, surprised by the coincidence.

So the lady introduced me to her father, and told him am a Tiv lady married to a Srilankan, he was excited to meet me, he began his nostalig rendition as only old people know how to,

"i left Nigeria over twenty years ago....."

I asked him if he knew any Ichull, cos they are a big family in Gboko, so he said no, it doesnt ring a bell. So he went on showing me pictures of fulani normads and many others he had. Reaching a picture of him and his collegues he showed me and said

"these were my collegues in Benue cement then",

i collected it and looked closely at the aged picture and standing very close to the old man before me, is the younger verson of the same man, and my Uncle Dan in his beard still jet black.

"Oh my God, this is my uncle, this is my uncle" i said, so shocked .

"its a small world, the others around sighed, smiling politely at my dazed expression. We exchanged adresses and it turns out they live very close to me, (which in Srilanka is a major determinant for socialization).

Crime and Punishment...Death and Resurection

2008-05-24T08:57:00.000-07:00

Just finished reading Crime and punishment, yes! its ancient and every book lover over thirty has already read it.... well am not quite thirty yet so i guess i can be excused.

I've always thought that timeless books, like music continue to remain relevant no matter how long ago they were written. Dostoyevsky's incredible insight into the human mind is delightful, his ability to express the thoughts and feeling of his charaters, no matter how inconsistent or radical they might be, show great courage for a writer.

I can totally relate to the theme of "rebirth" and regeneration, "gradual transition from one world to another". The torment that comes with realizing the folly of our preconceptions....the work is from the 18th century yet still ever so vibrant.

For me crime and punishment is more of an unconventional romance story, than a crime fiction, which most critics have choosen to classify it as. Rodion's love for his mother and sister, and the eventual companionship he finds in the young prostitute Sonia, reflect the hope that can only come from embracing life in its simplicity. Instead of high faluting ideals that often amount to nothing.

No matter how rich or intelligent, poor or dumb we might be, we simply can not live with out Faith, Hope and Love...and the greatest of these, its always been said is Love. Love conquers all may be cliche,but only the lucky ones get to fully realize the truth in these words, only the lucky few enjoy the bliss and torture of unconditional love, living the cliche not just qouting it.
This summary below comes from Fydor Dostoyevsky website.....

Crime and Punishment was serialized in Ruskii vestnik (The Russian Messenger) from January through December 1866 and appeared in a book form next year. On one level the novel belongs to the genre of detective fiction, but Dostoevsky's interest lies on the criminal - the sinner. The story is set in St. Petersburg, which Dostoevsky called the "most fantastic city in the world". The city, with its mythology, also becomes the accomplice of the protagonist, Raskolnikov, a young resentful student. An assiduous readers of newspapers, Dostoevsky saw in the crime reports symbolic meanings, signs of the hidden ills of the whole society.
Raskolnikov kills a pawnbroker, a greedy old woman, and her half-witted stepsister as well. He attempts to justify the murder in terms of its advantageous social consequences. He argues that each age gives birth to a few superior beings who are not constrained by ordinary morality - and he is one of such beings. Under the influence of the meek, Christian prostitute Sonia, he confronts the hollowness of his thoughts, which eventually leads to confession and redemption. Raskolnikov's nemesis is Porfiry Petrovich, a police investigator, who knows his guilt. In the demonic Svidrigailov, who commits suicide, Raskolnikov sees his own picture. "You know," confesses Svidrigailov to Raskolnikov, "from the very beginning I always thought it was a pity that your sister had not chanced to be born in the second or third century of our era, as the daughter of a ruling prince somewhere, or some governor or proconsul in Asia minor. She would doubtless have been one of those who suffered martyrdom, and she would, of course, have smiled when they burned her breast with red-hot pinchers. She would have deliberately brought it on herself." In his agony Raskolnikov realizes, that in murdering he has killed the essentially human in himself. Raskolnikov goes to Siberia for seven years. Sonia follows him to his imprisonment. - The novel has been filmed several times

Vesak

2008-05-19T04:38:00.000-07:00

Vesak or Visakha Puja

The most important day in the Buddhist calendar around the world, celebrates the birth, enlightenment and passing away of Gautam Buddha. Its significance lies in it being associated with the Buddha and His universal message of peace. Though festivals were celebrated since long around the time around which Vesak is celebrated today, yet, the formal decision to mark it as the Buddha Day was taken at the first Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists (W.F.B.).

This conference was held at Sri Lanka in 1950 and the resolution adopted here read,"That this Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, while recording its appreciation of the gracious act of His Majesty, the Maharaja of Nepal in making the full-moon day of Vesak a Public Holiday in Nepal, earnestly requests the Heads of Governments of all countries in which large or small number of Buddhists are to be found, to take steps to make the full-moon day in the month of May a Public Holiday in honour of the Buddha, who is universally acclaimed as one of the greatest benefactors of Humanity."

The Name Vesak - In India & Other Countries

The 2nd month in Hindu calendar is known as 'Vaisakha' and it is from here that Vesak draws its name. Vesak, itself, is a Sinhalese word for Pali 'Visakha'.Vesak is known by different names in different countries. In India, Bangladesh and Nepal, it is Visakah Puja or Buddha Purnima while in Thailand, it is called Visakha Bucha. Buddhist in Vietnam celebrate it as Phat Dan while those in Indonesia call it Waisak. Sri Lankan and Malaysian Buddhist term it as Vesak (Wesak) and Tibetan Buddhist as Saga Dawa. In Laos and Myanmar, the festival is known as Vixakha Bouxa and Ka-sone respectively.

Sun Sets in Souless City

2008-05-15T08:24:00.000-07:00

THE MOON

when the moon hits your eyes like a big pizza pie thats amoure'

When the sun seems to shine like you've had too much wine thats amoure'

From Niger with Love

2008-05-15T06:24:00.000-07:00

The plains of the semi-arid desert of northen Nigeria, The encroaching desert is near!

Flowered tree
Traditional Weaving loom

More Sights From Northern Nigeria

2008-05-15T04:31:00.000-07:00

A Fulani Normad, thin as rail, graceful in his untiring quest to find fresh grass for his cows.

Camels still a favourite mode of transport in the far north of Nigeria, they are very few of them, but very useful in the undeveloped rural parts of the country.

Temporary hut of fulani normads.

Gwari Woman selling "firewood", chopped up pieces of wood used for fuel in rural Nigeria. Yes! it contibutes to deforestation. But tell that to this Gwari woman who needs the money to eat.

More nostalgic pics

2008-05-13T01:07:00.000-07:00

An Old Tiv man displaying a hand woven cloth he made himself

Local architecture

The hard life of Gwari village women in outskirts of Abuja

2008-05-12T23:34:00.000-07:00

These old women pick stones from a freshly dug ditch to sell to masons

Gwari women are the only ones in Nigeria who carry heavy loads on their neck. The head is too 'sacred' to place things on, but it only applies to women not the men. Unfutunately women are the ones who do most of the carrying in the domestic front.

Fashion sense of fulani herders....

2008-05-12T23:18:00.000-07:00

Nostalgic journey....images from Nigeria

2008-05-12T23:04:00.000-07:00

Cows Sharing the road with cars....

Another Night, Another Blast

2008-04-25T20:13:00.000-07:00

Unprecedented insomnia persists, as news of one of the worst civilian casualty in recent bomb blast filters in.
Its on the radio, on the television! Only this time I can’t listen and watch with disinterested shock, or tutt at the inhumanity of suicide bombers…
This time I cringe at the thought of the bus ride I had earlier in the day from the British council library...
Its dark out, I ignore the thought for a while and listen to the howling of the neighbors' numerous dogs; perhaps they can smell the blood...perharps they see the ghosts of the restless spirits so suddenly torn from their bodies.
Morbid thoughts continue!

Bombblast @Piliyandala, a suburbarn town twelve Kilometers from the capital city of Srilanka...16 dead over 40 injured the news says...
But listen closely and you'll hear the husband crippled, the son killed...listen a little closer and you'll hear the wailing for a daughter lost, or a mother gone!
The bomb is planted on a bus, set to explode in the busiest hour of traffick, about 7pm. A time of day when tired bodies packed in slow buses shuttle home from the day's labor.

Daylight slowly dawns, Yasunari Kabawata's poignant tale of love and loss begin my day, words dance in my head as he paints a melancholic picture of Beauty and Sadness. The true life tale of the tragic end of this 1968 Nobel Prize Winner For literature stated bluntly..."Kabawata was found dead,by his own hand,in 1972"....awaken a primal fear in me.

Its morning, little cherubs stir in rumpled sheets,the sounds of a child's laughter echo so loudly as he climbs down the stairs, the sound seems sureal, his passing by my door step!

Dudu Radio!

2008-04-20T07:03:00.000-07:00

Have i ever said how much i Love....Love.. the internet?

Am saying it now, i am in Loooveeee with this technology...
guess what i found online?
Nigerian music i can listen to whenever i feel home sick!
What can be cooler than that?
www.Dudu Radio.com

Though i must warn you the sounds don't come out as well as other sites like www.deezer.com
I had this incredible urge to hear Smokey Robinson's voice, with little effort i found his song cruzing on deezer.
"Music is made for love...cruzing is made for love, i love it when we're cruzing together......."

i was rather pissed to find the so called www.freenapster.com website claiming to "only be avialable in the U.S". What's up with that...haven't they heard the word global village?

Determination is my Motto!

2008-04-19T00:27:00.000-07:00

“When your determination changes, everything will begin to move in the direction you desire. The moment you resolve to be victorious, every nerve and fiber in your being will immediately orient itself toward your success. On the other hand, if you think, “This is never going to work out,” then at that instant every cell in your being will be deflated and give up the fight. Then everything really will move in the direction of failure.”

Daisaku Ikeda, Faith into Action, page 108

After reading this i felt truely inspired, i remember one of the repetitive songs they made us sing in primary school while we marched to the class room.

"Detaminasion is my mottor, determinasion!"

Of course we sang and marched our skinny legs on the dusty ground to classes, relived the boring "assembly" was over, but dreading the begining of math lessons, especially the recitation of the multipliction table.

But the saddest thing of all, for me at least, is i grew up a chronic pessimist, always giving up before i even tried. None of the repetitive chanting prepared me for the blows life could deal, niether did the dreaded math lessons improve my qauntitative abilities, instead as i grew older i withdrew to the comfortable shell of the literary world, my love for words growing in magnitude as i grew older. And the poignant realization that academic education does very little to prepare one for real life!

Of Temples and Blessings!

2008-04-15T00:20:00.000-07:00

Another tradition that is significant to the celebration of New year by Srilankan Buddhist is the visit to the temple. Here families come to pay their respects to the head monk and the Buddha.

A white thread tied on the right wrist is a symbolic representation of blessing.

Hindu gods still permeate Buddhist religous rituals. Belivers or not, the artistic appeal is undeniable.

Ayuveda traditions!

2008-04-14T23:49:00.000-07:00

On the night before the new year at about 7pm, families gather to light the hearth, the nationally televised event is performed on a schedule and with a great deal of respect to tradition.

A small pot of milk is placed on the fire and as it boils over, we all make a silent wish, the belief is that the wish will come true!

The most elderly in the family feeds all younger members of the house hold with morsels of Kiribath (rice cooked with coconut milk), then we all sit to eat, a simple meal of milk rice and Katta Sambal ( chilli paste), and lots of painstakingly prepared sweets.

We pay our respects to the elderly, a unique style of greeting, showing absolute humility hands held together as if in prayer, head bowed and on bended knees.

Galle Forte Rampart

2008-04-14T23:19:00.001-07:00

The Spectacular view of the rampart, the Galle International Cricket Stadium and the clock tower.

Ayuveda, New year and Second Chances!

2008-04-14T06:58:00.001-07:00

Marking the end of the first rice harvest of the year, the dawn of a new year is celebrated nation wide in Sri lanka,

following generations of tradition albeit in modified versions.

The new planting season begins, based on the astrological predictions that mark the commencement of Sinhalese and Tamil New Year.

The first day of the year begins at 6.29am on the 12th of April, but this went mostly unexceptional, the moment when the fire crackers explode noisily was 12 noon on the 13th, a bit odd if like me, you are used to celebrating New Year’s Eve under a dark sky.
This is a very important moment especially between 12 noon and 1pm which is the time for prayer and rest. I began this first hour letting go of emotional baggage, and grateful for the chance to begin the year again.
A stroll with the boys along the rampart of Galle forte in the early evening, was a breathtaking experience, not my first, but still just as apealling. After watching the the sun disappear behind the evening clouds, we rushed home to the rest of the family.

Tantrums and Tolstoy

2008-04-04T20:09:00.000-07:00

For the next one month i will be stuck with a tantrum full two year old an eight year old who happens to be a tv/Play station addict.

I have gradually dragged my self away from the anxiety of job hunting to a mood of He Sera sera, accepting the thrill of being here for them 24/7. One wore his shoes correctly all by him self for the first time, the other just had his first kiss and thinks his in love and is planning the wedding. Both were cause for true celebration.

Thats all in a days work of child care and wondering if i will ever get the chance to be something more glamourous and most importantly income generating than this.

But then comes an uneven toothed smile from one and a tinny toothed grin from the other and my heart melts away. Then i cant imagine being any where else or doing anything else.

My thoughts sway like a pendallum clock from gratefulness for blessings such as these, to fear that what if i never get to do all the other stuff i dream of doing?

The dread gets stuck in my throat like an unpleasant morsel of food and follows me around nagging the joy out of daily living.

Then i decide to enjoy the moment, living each day, grateful for all blessings as i face the routine challenge of feeding two food haters, and reducing Tv and play station time to reading and writing as i ignore the contempt on their faces.

And best of all, thanks to a secondhand bookshop/library, i finally get to read those classics i have been searching for, so inbetween toilet training and nap times, i have the company of Lev Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, Doris Lessings's Mara and Darn, Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace, Fyodor Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment......and many more. For the moment at least, i am in literary heaven, and i can ignore the fact that i havent done any writing of my own for weeks.

So i look forward to at least four weeks of tantrums and Tolstoy!

Eight years and counting

2008-03-17T19:45:00.000-07:00

He will be eight years old next week! So from now on, when I think of the question, where will I be ten years from now? The answer would include, being the mother of an adult son!
As I watch him grow, I’m thrilled and terrified all at once. He has completely lost all the baby charm, and is now this “thinking” being that pries into my eyes and looks into my heart, unsettling me with the revelations of my true feelings, using simplistic but precise terms.

I will miss this period of his self discovery, when he is trying to understand the world around him. He has always being my favorite comedian. The innocent questions he asks often send me reeling with laughter.

Easter is around the corner, and as he tries to explain what he understands of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection he says “Mama, soon Buddha’s friend will be hanged and they will but nails on his hand, and he will die, and then wake up again”. I asked him “do you know who Buddha friend is, it is Jesus Christ”, then he replies “No! Jesus can’t be Buddha’s friend, then how come Buddha can’t speak English”. I continue to get him ready for school, then he asks again, so Buddha will also be killed this Easter, I reply “no, Buddha wasn’t killed, he died an old man”. His emphatic reply was “No! Buddha didn’t die an old man; he died as a statue, why do you think his statues are everywhere?” at this point I don’t bother explaining further, I am too busy laughing.

My favorite conversation was once when he asked, “Mama can we go to the beach later?” I answer and say, “yes if you are a good boy we will go”, then he starts to bit his fingers, feigning nervousness, “ahhh! but that’s too hard, which means we will never go to the beach”.

As he grows older, he is much more fun to be with; he can help out with chores like taking out the trash, and doing the dishes if he is in the mood. Even little errands around the house like getting me a pen, or a glass of water make me feel so elated. He was just a baby, full of needs and wants, but now, we can actually have conversations, interact, and more importantly, I can learn from him.
And the most important lesson I have learnt so far is, everybody needs to be reassured. He is in constant need of physical and verbal reassurance that he is loved, I often thought this reassurance reduced as they grow older, but it actually increases.
It is a very important factor we parents,( especially African parents) tend to take for granted, it’s easy to kiss and cuddle a cute baby, but as they grow older, the physical reassurance reduces, and the verbal one is mostly none existent. I have learnt is actually the other way round, the older children get, the more they need to be reassured they are loved and respected.
And the best part of it all ,is that, both love and respect are highly reciprocal.