The Little Refugee Part 1

Taken by Coast Magazine

This is about a little person. Little in stature, not ability, nor strength of spirit. This person is tenacious, clever, wise and funny. He had a life in a country far from ours. But war, distress, hunger and the burning of villages by Burmese soldiers caused him to leave his country, and settle in a Thai border refugee camp (Mae La), along with thousands of other displaced people.

Opportunites to learn in the camp were minimal for those who had passed school age. Food was rice and fish paste, supplemented with whatever could be grown, gathered or caught nearby, because people  had no work permits to allow them to work legally. The drums rolled often, to mark the demise of people, often children. Parasites and disease were common.
One day someone offered him a chance. They offered to pay the costs of bringing him to Australia, to shepherd a small group of stressed but optimistic Karen, ready to brave the unknown to give their families a better life. They were coming to a small country town, because life there would be simpler than in the city, and people would be friendlier. There were English classes, and a group of interested people ready to help them to settle. Training had been provided for volunteers.

But the reality of dropping people into a foreign culture was brutal. Town traffic with busy streets, shops with strange foods and alien smells, people who talked a language they didn't know, and a house with unfamiliar gadgets everywhere.
It would take courage to embrace this new life. On arrival in the town, after a two hour car trip from Melbourne airport, the quiet monk was given a meal. It had been cooked by a local lady familiar with cooking spicy Thai food, as a welcome gesture. It was eaten at a low table in the centre where his English classes would be held; - the hub where many learning and training options would occur. His face was calm, with a degree of bewilderment, but curiosity rather than fear registered. We took him to his temporary accommodation - a week's stay... with a male, as his religion dictated.
The first week, a native speaker of their language came to help the group shop for food and essentials, and to explain living arrangements and answer their questions.  They were so overwhelmed a lot of his advice went right over their head. He himself was still learning to come to terms with our customs and language.The weary travellers were faced immediately with the battery of health tests and government forms to ensure access to benefits until they could earn their own money. It was neither quick nor easy to get electricity connected, leases signed, phones connected, bank accounts opened and tax file numbers given. Telephone interpreters assisted, but because of the small numbers of people who speak their language we often had to muddle through with limited interpreting. This became an ongoing issue as doctors could not guarantee an interpreter at the time of consultation, and explanations of medicines and how often to take them were baffling to people used to limited access to any form of healthcare.
Behind the scenes, the system rolled along- the government provision of basic household goods  arrived, and furnished the newly-leased properties. The part-time settlement worker struggled to provide essential services- but someone was really needed oncall 24 hrs a day in those first weeks. Without kindly volunteers the whole process would have been too hard for all concerned. And the volunteers were kind - from making beautiful patchwork quilts to chopping wood, the tasks were many and varied.  All through this early process, the monk supported the families, and though only in his early twenties, he provided the anchor they needed to survive the early challenges.

Family photos

This was taken in the days when photos were a big deal- expensive to buy, and dress code definitely applied. In this case the men are wearing bow ties- a present brought back from America by the grandparents in the mid back of the group. My Dad is on the far right, and Mum is 4 th from the left,next to Grandma.

The photo was given to me by Cousin Carol, who lives in Ireland (standing in the dark coat in the middle). Happy little Alan at the front has the brightest blue eyes you ever saw...

It would have to have been taken 53-54, going on the size of my eldest brother ( far right), and cousin Anne(second left).

Some more captured moments...

Brother Brian with Sharon, and children Sophie and John. Sophie is currently at school in America (California). John is in his final year at school in Melbourne.

And here is my friend, Luci's little boy. He is visiting family in Brazil.What happy times they are having! It is great to see these photos almost in real time, as it expresses moments in a holiday more vividly than a postcard or letter can. I hope grandparents and family have lovely days with him.

My friend Lindy has a birthday today. Happy Birthday! She brought some chocolate muffins the other day, and they were so tasty I asked her to share the recipe. I assure you that the slightly weird mix of ingredients work really well together! I would include a picture but we ate them all...

Chocolate Cake with Ganache
(Choc-ganache muffins)
Ingredients: Ganache:
1 1/2 cups spelt flour 100g dark chocolate
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 cup soy or almond milk
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
Pinch sea salt
120g silken tofu
3/4 cup soy milk
3/4 cup agave syrup
1/2 cup sunflower oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
Method:
For the ganache, place a metal bowl over a pot of simmering water. Allow it to get hot
then turn the heat off and place the chocolate in the bowl. Allow it to melt, then beat in
the soy milk. Refrigerate until firm. This can take at least an hour, so prep in advance.
In a bowl sift the flour, cocoa, baking powder and soda together with the salt. Mix well.
In a food processor, blend the tofu, soy milk, agave syrup, oil and vanilla.
Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix to combine. Half-fill 12 greased muffin moulds (or use
paper patty pans), then place 1 tablespoon of the firm ganache on top. Top with more mixture
to almost fill the mould.
Bake at 180c (160ff) for 15 to 20 until they are firm to touch.



The recipe is from Janella Purcell's Good Chef Bad Chef T.V. Program.

Quake and other snippets

You'd never think this calm spot (The Foreshore) experienced an earth tremor last night. The epicenter of the 5.3 quake was in Moe, not that far from here. There was certainly a fair shake which lasted a bit too long for comfort. Interesting what people initially thought was happening... A possum in the roof...someone breaking out of the boss's office...a truck rumbling past...

A few stragglers were fishing as I walked past at around 5pm. tonight.

The tide was nearly in, and there were shorebirds fishing also, but I scared them off accidentally.

The birds of Australia are so much more vibrant than those readily seen in Europe, in my experience. These galahs are everywhere at the moment. They can be a real pest in the garden, but they do look harmless here.

As I got closer they retreated to the wires...

In the garden, I really need to prune the vines. Will do it in the school holidays, which are only a week away. They look very wild, but it's too cold to go and photograph them!




Well I attended book club last night. Interesting evening! The book wasn't really my cup of tea, though a few threads resonated. However, the chat was wide-ranging, and it was enjoyable to talk with kindred spirits, many of whom showed an erudition not typical of the island... I look forward to the next one!

This week Mum was chatty. She had a few concerns which we tried to address, including one that we not bury her in Mornington Cemetery (where Dad is) because it's noisy so near the road...

We tried to explain a few family relationships she was struggling to remember, and she loved seeing G2, her little great-granddaughter. These moments are very special for all of us- except the babies, who just enjoy the moment for whatever reason!

We (Mum's 3 children living in Australia) are trying to coordinate things for her - so her Doctor can give her the best possible care. It can be tricky with us all involved in different ways- one appointed the doctor, another takes Mum to appointments, and the other does the paperwork around payment! It works surprisingly well considering that....

And a cartoon to finish. Ali sent this to me. Not sure where it's from...

 

Time

How come it flies in the day but at 3.30 in the morning it passes so slowly? There is something horrible about lying in bed with the person next to you snoring happily, while you just can't get off to sleep again. And you can't put the light on for fear of wakening them, and even the iPad will disturb them...We stayed last night in a hotel in Melbourne, after going to a play with Noni Hazelhurst in it (The Heretic- not a very gripping storyline in my humble opinion, though she is an accomplished actor). However, it is really nice to do something different, and we did enjoy a good meal in China town beforehand.

But time to spend with grandchildren is so lovely. Here is G2 starting to move.Don't you love the little look when she gets to her Mum at the corner?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBqxge9DZx8

There is a really an old- fashioned toy shop in Carlton. We had a look this morning and got these pinwheels. They have no sharp bits. Both grandkids love them, and so do I!

It's really hard to find ones with a short handle and safe edges.

This week is book club. The book is The Red House by Mark Haddon, which I have only started so I had better get into in to finish it by Tues. I wonder what sort of other odd bods go to a book club? This one is run through the Independent Bookshop on Phillip Island, though I got the book,which is a recently published one, from the Book Depository. This book club is run on a weeknight, after work, so it will be interesting to see who comes along. It is many years since I last went to a book club...

The book appears to have family themes which gives lots of scope for an interesting narrative. Am going to see Mum tomorrow so will report on that next time.

Haven' t been in the garden much- only to pick a few greens now and again. It is damp and un inviting at the moment. Time to spend with friends, which is always pleasant.

Sunset

The inlet was beautiful last night...there were lots of wallabies, but they were just too quick to get photos of!

Wish I knew something about photos 'cos it was a spectacular evening. The light was stunning!

 

Blogographies

Am working on putting mini life stories of people I know on this blog in the winter when the garden is un exciting. But I have to get permission from the prospective subjects, and spend some time with them to get the detail for the blog. The first one should be ready in a week or so so revisit the blog then. Apologies that I haven't blogged recently. Having a few family issues! There, has that got you curious?

And a little snippet from G2- who stayed with us over the holiday weekend. She is 9 months old now, and crawls around quietly, exploring and playing. We have put up a stair gate to stop her hurtling downstairs. Unfortunately, it was fairly cold and uninviting outside, so we spent a lot of time indoors.

She slept very well, both in the day and at night. Could be due to the purchase of a proper cot- so the babies feel more at home, and hopefully sleep better.

Here she is,happily playing in her pj's.

It is still really a big pleasure to get to know them better- they are such a delight!

Exercise and all that...

Isn't it great to know that for 10% of people exercise appears to be harmful! According to well-regarded American studies some people get worse on exercise programs, on measures of 5 potential heart risk factors. And the results have been duplicated in other studies. And the major one had 1600+ participants. If you ever need an excuse to stay in bed with the iPad... Wonder if I'm in that 10%?

Kew shops had some specials this week. I got a cami each for our girls. One of them hasn't been given her's yet. So this Is your surprise, A!!

Look at these cute shoes. I used to be able to buy off the shelf and be comfortable, but am increasingly finding it hard to source comfortable shoes. It's not a price issue- in fact more expensive shoes are rarely more comfortable on my feet. Let's hope these are a good buy...

You can't see the detail very well- they have a

cute frill in black leather, and a patent toe which is good with trousers or a skirt...Might need to stick with sneakers on the unmade roads here though.

G2is 9 months now, and making lots of noises. I can hardly wait to see her next weekend.

Here is G1 in his new garden. Looks like he's enjoying himself. His mum has planted lots of herbs and some winter veggies. Good fun as he is now more mobile so he can get into things!

There are baby items you wouldn't dream of. Do you know you can buy a plastic toilet seat insert that is padded?So not only will baby not fall in, but they will expect a level of comfort not yet available (at least in mainstream circles no pun intended!) in adult facilities of a similar nature.

We had shriekingly good fun at swimming this week. G1 loved me pouring water all over him at the start of the lesson. They provide little plastic watering cans, to help accustom the kids to the water splashing on their faces. He is currently besotted with clocks. So I got out the fabric paint and did a very amateur job of a clock face. It can be a gardening over shirt for his outdoor pursuits...

The New Zealand Christmas bush by the front door has survived the constant rain of the last few weeks remarkably well. Which is more than can be said for the avocado tree at the back door- the leaves on it are brown at the edges and looking decidedly unhealthy. The few avocados on it are nearly ready for eating though. Perhaps it will survive.

I spoke with Mum on the phone yesterday. She told me to enjoy spending as much time as I can with the grandkids. Think I'm taking her advice already...