Wednesday 28 November 2007
Tuesday 27 November 2007
Fireworks
Not too long ago we had the annual dash for fireworks. Here in New Zealand we can buy fireworks for 5 days leading up to Guy Fawkes (November 5). Along with all the other pyromaniacs we bought our box (or two) and for a couple of nights sent missiles flying into the night sky from our back yard.
At almost the same time as Guy Fawkes, Diwali was being celebrated - so by joining the two celebrations together there was a reason for just about every neighbour we have to join the cacophony of light and sound. It's fun - until they let loud one's off in the early hours of the morning.
On the serious side of the celebrations - the fireworks alwas cause problems. We had a few houses burnt down, a few kids blown up, idiots who unfortunately spoil it for everyone. So the government have their annual debate about banning the fireworks, again.
In the mean time one of the major supermarket chains decides that in the interest of public health and safety they will no longer sell fireworks. "It's not safe for kids, and has the potential to ruin their lives".
I wonder if they have considered that the aisles of alcohol, and cabinets of cigarettes that they sell could perhaps cause more harm to children and families!
At almost the same time as Guy Fawkes, Diwali was being celebrated - so by joining the two celebrations together there was a reason for just about every neighbour we have to join the cacophony of light and sound. It's fun - until they let loud one's off in the early hours of the morning.
On the serious side of the celebrations - the fireworks alwas cause problems. We had a few houses burnt down, a few kids blown up, idiots who unfortunately spoil it for everyone. So the government have their annual debate about banning the fireworks, again.
In the mean time one of the major supermarket chains decides that in the interest of public health and safety they will no longer sell fireworks. "It's not safe for kids, and has the potential to ruin their lives".
I wonder if they have considered that the aisles of alcohol, and cabinets of cigarettes that they sell could perhaps cause more harm to children and families!
Monday 12 November 2007
Diwali
It's the Diwali season. Around our area there are numerous houses decorated with fairy lights and the Indian restaurants and Sari shops are advertising their Diwali specials. This Hindu festival of lights is a celebration of light over darkness, the victory of good over evil, the uplifting of spiritual darkness. (The Sanskrit word Deepavali, literally means "an array of lights": Deepa/Dipa means "lights or lamps", Avali - a row of...)
Having lived and worked in Sri Lanka, Diwali is not new to me and my family. But we were reminded again this weekend of the fact that you cannot out-give a Sri Lankan.
Sandy is the English as a Second Language (ESOL) tutor for a Sri Lankan Tamil lady who has lived through a horrific experience. Physically and emotionally abused as a result of the war in her homeland she, with her husband and four children, have escaped to New Zealand. Here, though desperately poor, she is trying to rebuild her life and provide for her children.
On Saturday Rani and her husband where on their way to buy a new outfit for their daughter as part of the Diwali celebration when they stopped at our place to deliver a very large basket of 'Diwali Treats'. A basket that must have cost them much more than they could afford - and certainly more than they would be spending on themselves and their children.
From their little - they gave much!
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