Special Calendar Dates

An array of interesting dates come with the new millenium.

The start of the new millennium began the introduction of interesting dates depending on its date order format. Many find that calendar dates such as repeating dates, palindrome (reversible) dates, repetitive dates and sequential dates all have a significant characteristic that makes them unique and interesting, and even hold a deeper meaning.

However, the world has many date order formats that are used to write down the numerical form of calendar dates that can cause confusion when used in international correspondence, especially when the year is abbreviated into its final two digits. Some of the common formats are:

• Month/Day/Year - MM/DD/YYYY - Mostly used in North America.
• Day/Month/Year - DD/MM/YYYY - Mostly used in the European languages.
• Year/Month/Day - YYYY/MM/DD - Mostly used in the Chinese language.

It is also important to note that the two-digit number for the day and month can be represented by a single one-digit number if it is between the numbers one (1) and nine (9). Moreover, the four-digit number for the year may be represented by a two-digit number.

In general, the years 2000 - 2012 have many interesting patterns in the calendar date, unlike the 1990s that didn’t have many options because minutes and seconds end at 59, the calendar day ends at 28 and 31, and the calendar month ends at 12.

We had one sequential date this year (11 October but written as 10.11.12 in USA.  Australia has their sequential date today. And a repetitive date is 12 December (written as 12.12.12). So are you a believer in being lucky to do something special on these special calendar days?  Have you done or planning to celebrate something more formal in December?  My daughter has her Graduation night in December (12.12.12)

Queen's Birthday

The Queen's Birthday is a public holiday in Australia. The holiday used to be held in June for Queensland but only this year the day and month has been changed to October because there is too many public holidays during semester one.

 

Do you believe we should have Queen's Birthday as a public holiday? Some Australians have a day off work because most businesses aren't opened. For many, it is a chance to do something with their family, friends or attend to some event over three days. There is only a couple of times in the last two decades I had the long weekend away but most of the time I just hanged around locally.

 

Why have Queen's Birthday? Australia is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and the official head of state is the Monarch of the Realms. This is currently Queen Elizabeth II. She is also the head of state of many other countries and territories, including Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Canada and New Zealand. She was born on April 21, 1926, although her official birthday is celebrated on a range of dates in the different countries of the Commonwealth of Nations. Most of the states in Australia still have the public holiday in June but only Western Australia and now Queensland has different dates in semester two.

 

The Monarch's Birthday was first celebrated in Australia in 1788. In that year, King George III was the Monarch and Governor Arthur Phillip declared a holiday to mark his birthday. Originally, the Monarch's birthday was celebrated on the anniversary of the actual date of birth of the King or Queen. However, after the death of King George V in 1936, the date remained close to his birthday, which was June 3.  Should it be known as an anniversary not a birthday?

But why a public holiday???  Do normal people have a public holiday because it's their birthday??

NAPLAN

To all the parents with school age children been educated in Australia, you should of seen your child/ren NAPLAN results this week. 

To readers and/or followers who might not have kids or live overseas, you might not know what NAPLAN is. NAPLAN is a three day test that was introduce in Australia in 2008 for all students to be tested in literacy and numeracy in years 3, 5, 7, and 9 in all Australian schools in both the public and private sector. For further information if you are interested to read, go to www.naplan.equ.au

There might be different stories you hear why NAPLAN is here but personally I feel this test is done to see if teachers are doing their job properly.  Most students aren't happy with them so why do them!  It's not like they will improve in their learning in a hurry. 

At a recent school event I heard a parent commenting to a teacher that is the teacher's responsibility to make sure all students are up to the target of learning.  Actually I do agree with this parent!  Just seeing the teacher's face was priceless! She was kinda lost for words after that comment. I don't think anyone was ready for that one! 

I mean this problem dealing with slow learners was even around when I was at school.  Teachers just don't have the time for slow learners back then and they still don't have the time for them in this century.  Teachers expect the parent to be more the teacher at home.  Why send the kids to school if they aren't going to be educated right at school? I believe if the child is keen to learn, they will do the work.  Also I learnt the more you push the child to learn, the more stubborn the child gets.  

Majority of today's kids don't like going to school because of this reason. It's either the teacher who is the problem, the class who is too restless or bullying happening in the school grounds. 

Koala

Have you ever had to rescue a wildlife animal?  If so, how did you deal with the situation?    After bowling last night was more a memorable moment in our books because of an incident that happened. 

 

Koalas only just became listed as an endangered species for the past month. The number of koala population is declining due to ongoing large-scale destruction of bushland for housing and other urban developments, increased dog attacks and traffic movement, as well as disease and climate change. This is causing a huge number of koala deaths in the wild, leading to koalas being listed, by the Australian Federal Government, as a threatened species.

 

After we had maccies for dinner and walked towards the car, I spotted a young koala crossing the road over and over, repeatively. I was more concern about this little guy because it isn't very common to see a koala in that area on Mt Gravatt-Capalaba Road.  He looked so disoriented!! He would of been just old enough to leave his mum and survive on his own. He was at one stage had a very close call of been hit by a vehicle who left the maccies carpark in such a hurry. BOY!  That made my heart jumped out!  The last thing I wanted to see was a dead koala on the road so I was trying to guide the young one towards the fence on our side of the road.  But being so scared because of the noisy traffic, the animal was confused and didn't know where to go. 

 

Another family stopped too to help us!  The other mum tried to contact our wildlife services to see if they could come and transferred the animal back to where he's suppose to be.  All the kids and I stayed at this tree so the koala wouldn't come down during the busy road period for two hours.

 

After two hours of no show from any of the animal rescue centres, the other mum re-contact them a couple of times and then we found out they weren't planning on coming because the animal wasn't injuried.  What's the point of advertising a 24hr animal rescue service if they don't intend to call out to do their rescue.  Don't they really care about the safety welfare of our wildlife these days?  They except us to the be the babysitters all night. They should of been more honest in the first place and not gave us beat around the bush routine..   

 

After 11pm the traffic quieten down and we moved away from that tree in hoping the koala would come down. The plan worked!!  We guided the young koala to a side street where it was alot quieter and there was more trees around.

 

After school drop offs this morning, I drove back to the same area morning to see what trees are around. I don't know why the little guy came to this area because there are no gum trees there.  By the looks of it this koala may have came from the a local park or the creek further down the road (about 1-2 kms).towards the Gateway Motorway  All I hope the little guy (which we named him Spotty because of its markings on its back) didn't go back to the main road again before sunrise.

 

Can you undersand why I wasn't happy on the way the welfare service didn't take any note of our concerns to the safely on his young one? I sent a midnight email to my local radio station in hoping to create a story for the moring talk show this week.  It was just to inform the listeners to be aware what's on the road and how to handle a wildlife situation if you had to do it yourself.

Spring Cleaning

It's now the fifth day of our spring season in Australia. Generally its time to start spring cleaning around the home before summer hits.  I have came across some interesting tips on ways on cleaning your home without harming your health and it's alot cheaper to buy.  The best product to use is white vinegar!! 

20 uses for vinegar
1. Clear dirt off PCs and electronics
Your computer, printer, fax machine, and other home office gear will work better if you keep them clean and dust-free. Turn off your machine and wash with a mix of equal parts white vinegar and water. Wash with a cloth, not a spray bottle. You can use cotton swabs for tight spaces.
2. Get rid of smoke odor
If you have recently burned a steak or cant get rid of that cigarette smell, remove the lingering smoky odor by placing a shallow bowl about three-quarters full of white or cider vinegar in the room where the scent is strongest. To get the smell out of the air, moisten a cloth and wave it in the air.
3. Wipe away mildew
Use undiluted vinegar to wipe away heavy mildew stains. Mix it with water to clean light mildew stains. You can even use a vinegar mist in a spray bottle to prevent mildew stains from forming in rugs and carpets.
4. Clean chrome and stainless steel
To clean chrome and stainless steel fixtures around your home, apply a light misting of undiluted white vinegar from a recycled spray bottle. Buff with a soft cloth to bring out the brightness.
5. Unglue stickers, decals, and price tags
Dont you hate when you peel a sticker off of your new furniture or product and its still sticky from the glue? Worry no more! Use full-strength white vinegar and gently scrape it off the product. Use an expired credit card to scrape. You can also uses this solution to get glue off of glass, plastic and walls.
6. Brighten up brickwork
Have dingy bricks around your fireplace? Use 1 cup of white vinegar mixed with 1 gallon of warm water to scrub the area. Your bricks will be looking shiny and nice!
7. Revitalize wood paneling
You can also use vinegar to shine up your dull wood paneling. Mix 1 pint warm water with 4 tablespoons white or apple cider vinegar and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Let the mixture soak for a few minutes and then polish.
8. Remove carpet stains
You can lift out many stains from your carpet with vinegar:

• For light stains, mix 2 tablespoons salt with ½ cup white vinegar. Rub into the stain, let try and vacuum.
• For tough, ground-in dirt and other stains, make a paste of 1 tablespoon vinegar with 1 tablespoon cornstarch, and rub it into the stain using a dry cloth. Let it set for two days, then vacuum.

9. Keep car windows frost-free
Vinegar is a great way to keep frost from forming on your car windows. Spray the outside of your windows with a mixture of 3 parts white vinegar to 1 part water.
10. Refresh your refrigerator
Have you ever smelled a refrigerator that hasnt been used for a long time? Its gross! You can freshen up your fridge with a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water. You can use the solution to wash the interior and exterior of the fridge.
11. Steam-clean your microwave
Fill a bowl with 1 cup water and ¼ cup vinegar. Set the bowl in the microwave and cook on high for 5 minutes. Once the bowl cools down, use the solution to wipe off the walls of the microwave.
12. Disinfect cutting boards
Use full-strength white vinegar to clean wood cutting boards or butcher block countertops. This is a great alternative to dishwasher detergent because it can weaken surfaces and wood fiber. It disinfects against E.coli, salmonellsa and staphylococcus.
13. Clean china, crystal, and glassware
Have soap spots and dingy spots on your dishes after you put them in the dishwasher? Simply add a few ounces of vinegar to your dishwasher. It will prevent those hard-water stains from showing up.
14. Trap fruit flies
Did you bring home fruit flies from the market? You can make traps for them that can be used anywhere around your house by filling an old jar about halfway with apple cider vinegar. Punch a few holes in the lid, screw it back on, and you are good to go.
15. Tenderize and purify meats and seafood
Soaking a lean or inexpensive cut of red meat in a couple of cups of vinegar breaks down tough fibers to make it more tender. You can also use vinegar to tenderize seafood steaks. Let the meat or fish soak in full-strength vinegar overnight.
16. Control your dandruff
Cant wear those black shirts because your dandruff will show? Vinegar to the rescue! After shampooing, rinse your hair with a mixture of 2 cups apple cider vinegar and 2 cups cold water.
17. Ease sunburn and itching
Gently rub a sunburn or rash with cotton balls or a soft cloth soaked with white or cider vinegar. Try to apply this before the sunburn begins to sting. You can use this to help treat insect bites or rashes from poison ivy or poison oak.
18. Clean your eyeglasses
When its more difficult to see with your glasses on than it is with them off, its a clear indication that they are in need of a good cleaning. Applying a few drops of white vinegar to your glass lenses and wiping them with a soft cloth will easily remove dirt, sweat, and fingerprints, and leave them spotless. Dont use vinegar on plastic lenses, however
19. Stop reds from running
Unless you have a fondness for pink-tinted clothing, take one simple precaution to prevent red washable clothes from ruining your wash loads. Soak your new clothes in a few cups of undiluted white vinegar for 10-15 minutes before their first washing. You'll never have to worry about running colours again! This also works with other bright colors that you worry might run.
20. Speed germination of flower seed
You can get woody seeds, such as moonflower, passionflower, morning glory, and gourds, off to a healthier start by lightly rubbing them between a couple of sheets of fine sandpaper-and soaking them overnight in a solution of 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar and 1 pint warm water. Next morning, remove the seeds from the solution, rinse them off, and plant them.

If you have other good cleaning remedies you know about, feel free to share on your blog or facebook.

The Olympic Games

Four years have passed quickly and it is that time for the summer olympics hosted from London to be viewed on many televisions around the world. 

Only 12 hours ago it was the start of the opening ceremony which was awesome to watch on my TV screen at sunrise. 

Only 15 minutes away will be the start of day one of events. What is your favourite sporting event? Most water events, cycling and track events are my favourite.  Swimming heats will be starting up on day one.

While I was waiting for the games to begin, I thought I would goggle more information about how the olympics games started and so on.  Here's the website link for you to enjoy viewing: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Games

What is wrong with this society?

At present time I am dealing with a rebellious teenager who thinks she knows what the real world is like but she will be in for a real shock when she knocks some of her senses out to herself.

I am hoping I'm not on this waiting game for too long.  It's starting to drive me crazy now and it's only been four days since she walked out of this household. 

But the question is when you asked for assistance from any of the state government services, do you get help!  NO!!! They don't seem to bother doing their job or help the community anymore. How is the parent suppose to cope with the issue by themselves when these services are aren't provided the right care or advise for the parent?

I asked the school, the police and DOCS for advice and assistance but they feel they don't want this added responsibilities to their list of duties.  They said as long she isn't in any form of danger, she will be fine.  I feel I have lost a day on asking for help from these people.  Consider all the mixed emotions about the case, I think I am more angry with the government departments for not doing their job.  Why have these services if they don't intend to support all cases.

I am thankful to a couple of friends who have been supportive by either being there in person or by communication of some form.  It's nice to know there are people out there who still care about others. Because they are parents and experience similar situations with teens, it was easier to receive interesting advice. 

Prostate Cancer

I hope all males go to their GP annually to have health checks as it seems prostate cancer is on the rise.  I heard afew cases in the media but when it comes to hearing from family or friends, it is hard to deal with.  Only last week I heard the forth relative on my father's side has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.  Luckily for him, he might be lucky to caught it early as he is coming to the capital city of Queensland to have surgery shortly.  My Dad had it two years ago, surgerically removed and suffering the affects after surgery.

I wouldn't wish it on the worse enemy on having this cancer or any of others. Cancer is mean and hurtful to the patient as well as their love ones. Now I feel I should get involved with some foundation and learn more about it. And help the victim's family cope with the time of being ill, recovery or lost.

A judgemental world

How many of you watched the show called "THE CIRCLE" on Channel ten?  I don't watch it but I am assume it's another current affair kind of show filmed in Australia. 

Only last night at the scrap workshop and it has been mentioned online news today about the latest episode screened recently.  It was an interview with an Australian soldier.  Two of the journalists from the show interviewed this soldier and asked many questions about his occupation and so on but it was the most personal question on air had got everyone roaring. 

Going by what I heard and read, I feel it is the most inappropriate manner for any journalist to make any judgemental comments about a person's sex life. These journalists should be sacked or the show should be axed. 

An apology from these journalists were said this morning but some people feel these apologies aren't genuine. I am not going to make any judgements about the apology as I didn't see it but I do really feel sorry for the person who was interviewed.

If I was in that soldier's shoes and had a journalist or two made a judgemental comment about my private life, I would of just stormed out of their studio and said "seeya in court".  I would sue for compensation from these journalists and the show producers for inappropriate behaviour of being bias.

It seems we live in a judgemental world.  There is some people you can't really trust. Luckily for me I haven't released alot of information about my life because I know many people who would be the typical smart ass and be judgemental with their comments about the choices I make in my life. I am the kind of person who intends to stay reserved by keeping parts of my life as private as I can. 

A true friend is a person who doesn't judge or backstab about your secrets. There is only one person I know I can really trust and have said some things that no one else knows and it will intend to stay that way too for the rest of my life. And it is vice versa with the same person as they said some things to me that no one else knows. 

So, how well do you really know your friends and family?  Do you share all of your secrets and thoughts with them? Are their comments judgemental or compassionate about your lifestyle choices?

RIP Whitney Houston

Only about an hour ago the DJ on my local radio station announced Whitney Houston has passed away.  Not all details has been said but I am sure within the next 24 hours it will said in all forms of media to the world what cause her to be born to eternal life so young. 

Already facebook is busy with their sad annoucements from groups and friends.  I am sure tweeter and other media devices will be busy too.  It's amazing how quickly the news can spread throughout the world. 

It was abit of a shock for me to hear another well liked celebrity has gone to eternal life. It just a shame she wasted her talent by the lifestyle she had lived since her career started. She was quite well known in the 90's after her big hit movie "THE BODYGUARD" was released in 1992.

New Year Resolutions

Who believes in making New Year resolutions?  Normally over the years I don't intend to make any because I know my opportunity in achieving my resolutions don't intend to work but this year I thought it is about time I stick to at least one resolution. 

My goal for 2012 is to lose weight as I am tired of seeing what I don't like to see myself in photos.  After Christmas weekend I decided it was the best time to change my ways by changing my eating habits and take up walking again while my kids were away on holidays.  My walking distances were short kms at start but now I am making some further progress of walking more kms each week. 

Today I went to the department store to do some school shopping but I came across the AB circle pro at Big W.  It might look simple to use but it isn't and it sures works where you think it doesn't normally work.  It's quite challenge to get the movement of both legs together, side to side for three minutes.  When you remove the holding pin, you will be able to do both the left and right crawls and then the butt and thigh movement (that's when your legs go apart to each side and go up). Be warn!  You will know this movement will hurt at first but you will get used to in time.

Turntables and vinyls

Remember the old record player you or your past generations (who are still alive) put out for the hard garbage around two decades ago? You’re not alone!

Well, things have turned the full circle and what many assumed was "dead" technology has been rediscovered by both the oldies and the new emerging generation of young music fans. Vinyl, as it is now affectionately referred to by advocates, will probably never completely die and the people who love them are rabidly enthusiastic - including us - about the medium. Just you need to know where to shop for vinyls.

Surprisingly, vinyl records offer the potential for sound quality that's far superior to what many are now hearing from their CD collection or MP3 player.

Thanks to my friend who made me discover there is a music store who still sells vinyls. Only three days ago I was at this store purchasing some past vinyls to add to my collection I have got.  But I realised I needed a turntable to play our collection so I went out this afternoon and purchased one.  It looks very retro but the system can play and record to CDs or MP3 players.  

Guess you will know what I will be up to later on as I am home alone this weekend.  Play those vinyls that I haven't played in such a long time. YEP!  It will be like the good old days that will bring back some memories.   

First Anniversary

This week marks the first anniversary of the Queensland Floods that hit Toowoomba, country towns in the Locker Valley, Ipswich and Brisbane. While we had weeks of rain last summer, this week we are experiencing a heatwave with temperatures scorched to mid-late 30's for afew days.  

Normally I can handle summer days with temperatures up to around 32 degrees, but once the temperature gauge hits past our normal body temperature, it becomes unbearable and generally nightime is the hardest time to have a good sleep pattern.

This was the wrong week to have a heatwave as I planned on spring cleaning downstairs. Except for today I basically stayed upstairs in the comfort of my air conditioner in the main living room for quieter times here at my office table. 

This evening I thought about going for a swim but I was quite surprise to discovered the pool water was very cold when I added my feet in for 10-15 minutes.  The pool is under ground so it might be the reason why the water can stay cold for days after days of hot days. My feet still feel like a block of ice, half an hour or more later. 

Haven't barely consume alot of foods this week as it is too hot to eat.  But I have lost count on how many litres of cold liquids I consumed through. Hot summer days like this, ice-cream, cold fruit and salads are generally the best thing to consume. While I was out for lunch with a friend today, I consumed a nice club sandwich, freshly made with a filling of green salad and chicken. Don't know what to have for dinner as yet.

How about you?  How do you cope with a heatwave over summer?

Storm warnings

Inspite our country is now half way into our summer season, some areas of the country have been issued severe storm warnings like in the Northern Rivers of NSW right now.  Most of the warnings generally state damaging winds, large hailstones and flash flooding and going by the latest on radar I am sure there will be some good rainfalls happening in this area as listed this afternoon.  

SE QLD has been forecast possible storms later on today.  I wouldn't be surprised if we get a good storm later on because the clouds have started to form and we had a hot day.  Not sure what Brisbane city and bayside temperatures would of had been up to but where I live it reached 36 degrees and further west from Ipswich and beyond I heard they had their temperature max to 38.  Only now the temperature is starting to drop since the winds have picked up here.  But if this rain or storm does come, the temperature will drop even faster for tonight which would be good to have some real sleep as it was very humid here last night.

But just a friendly reminder for all, if you have a severe storm warning issued in your town of Australia, please take note what our officials say what to do:

* Move your car immediately to an undercover area and away from trees.
* Secure or put away loose items around your property (including baloncies).
* Keep clear of fallen power lines. Make sure your kids get that clear message!
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains. Make sure your kids know to not swim here.
* Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through any flood waters.
* If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
* Unplug all computers and electrical appliances.
* Avoid using the phone during the storm.
* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring SES on 132 500

Here's Summer

As I sit here typing away on my blog, the currrent temperature outside is 33 degrees and it even morning tea hours yet. I love hot summer days! I love to dress with limited amount of clothing on freely at home and do water fun activities in the pool or visit the waterpark. 

We were warned a couple of days ago we might experience a heatwave this week.  Really.. define what a heatwave means because I live in a sub tropical state.  All the years I can remember living here it's normal to have hot and humid days and nights but I think in the last couple of years we had more unaveraged temperatures and residents have forgotten what a true summer is really about.  Further out west would be about 5-10 degrees hotter then the coastal areas. It's really them who get the heatwave more then coastal towns.

Around this time last year, Locker Valley experienced their inland tsunami and about 24 hours later, Ipswich and Brisbane was unindated with floods.  The last time this happened was back in 1974 which I was abit too young to really remember what the experience was like for us residents. 

I don't know what the insurance companies (that's if they existed in 1974) was like back then but I did hear last year alot of people had serious dramas with their insurance companies.  Most of the companies didn't wanted to pay these people their claims because they believe the floods was invented by man.

Realistically, this weather pattern known as La Nina or whatever you call it, is just part of the life cycle.  If everyone reads more about the history of the weather pattern, this weather change was due to happened after such a long draught for many years. 

Unfortunately our great Grandparents aren't alive anymore to share their experience of their weather patterns they experienced. I am sure they had experience similar wild weather patterns over summer too.

But you got to remember population has increased over the years so more housing estates are up and it means more drainage is required and so on. Could bad drainage could be the main issue too??

Tonight on Channel seven news will have a report about what happened to residents twelve months on.  It will be interesting to watch to see if these residents have really moved on with their lifestyle or still having dramas with rebuilding their properties. From what I heard it could take a couple of years before these residents really get back to normal on their feet. And the last thing on their mind is more wild weather to hit this summer.