One in Ten New Zealand Women and girls affects this common disease called Endometriosis.

Endometriosis (pronounced: 'end-oh-me-tree-oh-sis') occurs when tissue very similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium) is found in places outside the uterus where it shouldn’t be.

Some of the associated symptoms include extreme pain, diarrhoea with a period, boating, painful intercourse, lower back pain, tiredness and low energy, mood disturbances and bladder pain.

Inline with the 25th Birthday celebration of Endometriosis New Zealand (ENZ) and  Endometriosis Awareness Month(1-31 March )will be running a fundraiser on sella.co.nz called The Big Hug, auctioning such items as a 2009 SmartCar with a $1 reserve, designer clothing packages and celebrity experiences.

So, join The Big Hug and promote awareness of endometriosis to help all women and girls in your home, school, work and community to overcome this silent epidemic! and the Style of Life supporting this kind of campaign.

For more information, go to their website at nzendo.co.nz or sella.co.nz for the auction.

The other day I was busy doing my weekend job cleaning the bathroom and then suddenly my daughter shouted:

“Porcupine!!! Porcupine!!”

So, immediately went outside  and check my daughter and yes, she right its a Porcupine.

As precautions, I wear a protective  gloves and put the Porcupine to a plastic container and then we went to the nearest SPCA office to take care of the Animal.

According to Wikipeadia, Porcupines are rodents with a coat of sharp spines, or quills, that defend them from predators.

They are indigenous in both the Old Worldand the New World. Porcupines are the third largest of the rodents, behind the capybara and the beaver.

Most porcupines are about 25–36 in (63–91 cm) long, with an 8–10 in (20–25 cm) long tail. Weighing between 12–35 lb (5.4–16 kg), they are rounded, large and slow.

A market by the Sea!! Music in the Park ,Wandering performers  and buskers and a boat rides around the Island.

That’s what happened last Sunday during the Island Bay Festival . It was pretty Good sunny day and my kids loved the event.

More than 50 stalls line up along Esplanade. The section of the roadway  between Derwent Street  and Trent St. are closed to traffic and crowded  with market stalls – from local art and crafts, fresh food , clothing ,jewelry, and ethnic goods.

On the other hand, the Marine Education Centre is a big hits, as people  are line outside  to learn about the ocean environment .

The Children love the touch pools which they can gently touch some of marine animals at the centre.

One of the exciting programme is the Big Dig.

The annual big dig has become etched in the memories of countless local children. Children dig for buried treasure (in the form of numbered tokens) in the sands of Island Bay beach.

Island Bay Playcentre runs this vibrant event, with support from the Island Bay New World Supermarket.

Tokens are buried in the sand at the crack of dawn after a team of volunteers clears and rakes a 100 square meter area of sand near the surf club. As children dig up the tokens, they then exchange the token for the corresponding prize.

Thanks Island Bay, see you next year for another fun-filled event

Over the weekend,a different Valentine’s Day celebration. Instead of the usually Dinner date for two.

We spend time making Banana Muffin and Bread using local products from New World Market and from family little garden.

Banana Muffin Recipe

3 or 4 Large bananas, mashed

1/2 cup white sugar

1 slightly beaten egg

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups flours

Directions:

Mix the mashed banana, sugar, egg and margarine together. Set aside. In a separate bowl, mix together baking soda. baking powder, salt and flour.

Mix wet and dry ingredients all together. Pour into greased muffin tins, and bake in 350 degrees F oven for approximately 20 minutes.

Bread Recipe 

2 packages( 1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast

1/4 cup sugar

4 tablespoons butter, melted, plus more for pan and brushing

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

6 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for shaping dough.

Directions:

Pour warm water into a large bowl; sprinkle with yeast, and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.

Add sugar, butter, eggs, and salt; whisk to combine. Add flour; mix until incorporated and a sticky dough form.

Brush top of dough with butter; cover bowl with plastic wrap, and set aside in a warm place until dough has double in bulk, about 1 hour.

Turn dough out onto a well-floured work surface. With floured hands, roll dough into a thick log.

Cut into 18 equal pieces (halve log, cut each half in thirds, then cut each piece into thirds again).

Brush a 9-by-13 inch baking pan with butter. One at a time, flatten each piece of dough. then fold edges toward the center, pressing to secure, until a smooth ball forms.

Place dough balls in prepared plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, 30 to 40 minutes ( Alternatively, refrigerate, at least 4 hours and up to 1 day).

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Remove plastic wrap; bush rolls with butter. Bake until golden and rolls sound hollow when tapped on bottom, 35 to 40 minutes (ten with aluminum foil if browning too quickly). Pull rolls apart, and serve warm.

After 3 months, my family little garden are growing fast, Thanks to the efforts of my wife and my two kids .

 As the New year will be celebrating in New Zealand first , 8 hours to go its 2010. Above the tomato while below is my daughter favorite Broccoli.

Happy New Year to ALL

I was busy editing my Thorndon Fair video for my Video Blog TheSidestrip on Monday afternoon.

When my  four years old daughter tap me on my left shoulder and she said:

"Daddy I'm Beautiful?"

I was surprised with her outfit – sunglass, necklace, bracelet and a fairy costume.

I was laughing and I said to myself this is what happen when my child got bored.

Oh! know!

My daughter is a fashionista?

Her top is from the online shop "Trelise Cooper" and she loved it.

By the way if you need outfits for your kids ,you can check the KidsfashioNZ

For my weekly date with my family,We went to Thorndon Fair noted as being Wellington's Oldest, biggest,brightest and best street fair.

The Thorndon Fair is traditionally an excellent opportunity for people to come along and purchase gifts for Christmas.

The fair runs along Tinakori Road from Bowen Street to Harriet Street, and up Hill Street as far as Selwyn Terrace wit more than 250 stalls.

This fair provides ample opportunities to local crafts people, and those from further afield to make substantial returns on the day and to network and improve the effectiveness of their businesses.

My kids loved the event from food, Arts, Craft up to jewellery. Check this photos  out. or vids from TheSidestrip

After the fair , We went to World of Festival Magic at TSB Arena presented by the Lions Club of Wellington to watch the magic show headed by  internationally renowned Australian illusionist,Michael Boyd and Award-winning Canadian magician James Dimmare.

Unfortunately, the  above photo is  the only picture I captured while Michael Boyd is performing on stage because Ms. Betth Dawson of International Entertainment Ltd. just deleted some my photos and videos saying It is Illegal to take some videos even for News gathering purposes and for my blog.

She said that's a violation of Intellectual property. WHAT?

I don't know how this Ms. Dawson become Tour Manager and she doesn't have no manners in dealing Bloggers or Media. Its a great opportunities  for them to promote their show but Ms. Dawson just made a bad impression regarding their company .

Just one Question: If taking videos or photos are Illegal for the purporse of  news gathering or entertainment?  Why Michael Boyd is in Youtube. What happen to your Intellectual property Ms. Dawson?

Below is Michael Boyd

On the other hand, we Thank you  Lion Club of Wellington for bringing  the World of festival Magic to Wellington City and more power.

Over the weekend, I'm very excited because my eldest son received a advance math skills Award  from Kumon New Zealand for his achievement in Kumon programme.

The awarding was held at Student Union Building  of the Victoria University in Kelburn with other Kumon Students from different Centres in Wellington region.

The event starts around 2:30 PM and finished about 3pm.

I never imagined that all the sacrifice I made with the help of my loving wife to give my kids  a better education are making the way.

I almost cry when my son received his award and I said to myself  I'm proud to be father.

I'm thankful to my parents specially to my grandfather and grandmother who though  me the values of good parenting and why is Family are important.

Just a quick  post, here now my family little vegetable garden after three weeks. As you can see Spring Season is the best time to start to plant.