ANTI Pulp Mill Rally

On Saturday I rushed home from sailing, threw on a rain coat and headed down to a very packed Franklin Square. There was a good crowd despite the drizzle and after some well spoken speeches we marched and chanted our way around the Argyle/Collins/Murray/Macquarie st blocks. The suggested chant of 'We can, We will, Pulp the Mill' was quite catchy - however I was concerned that in order to pulp anything, even a mill, it would require a pulp mill to be built...

Here are some photos Tahnee took on the day...

Tim, Sarah, Tahnee and I - not too soggy.

Amnesty International

Yesterday I was at an Amnesty International meeting for the UTas Amnesty Society for which I somehow became part of the committee at the recent AGM. This is despite the fact the AGM was the first meeting I'd been to. As part of their current China campaigns, they have a link which is supposed to be able to be put into facebook, blogger and many equivalents to highlight some of the many words that you can't type into Google/Yahoo in China due to the insane censorship. For example some guy searched for something relating to Tienanmen Square and was promptly arrested and is doing hard labour. They have cartoon cops that stroll across your screen checking up on what you do - and if they don't approve, you'll have a visit from the real cops. This is in the face of the Chinese Government getting the Olympics and claiming that this will be an opportunity to improve Human Rights in China. There are many facets to the China campaign, but one that seems particularly relevant to a blog is the internet suppression. There are many site you can't access from within China - for example, Amnesty International (unsurprisingly), but also BBC, and even the IOC - International Olympic Committee.

If you like, there is an Amnesty Petition you can sign HERE relating to these matters.

One Hit Wonder

This is an initiative started by some friends of mine - its sounds really great. Its amazing how simple it is to give $1 - its not even a coffee and I wouldn't blink about buying several of those in a week. I'm excited already watching the counter go up - its gone to $28 - from $24 when I contributed half an hour ago. This could be the beginning of something big....

exams exams exams and 21st birthday parties!

Hi to anyone who reads this.. I'm in the midst of exams and studying hard (perhaps making up for lack of work in the semester), but despite this I've managed to have a 21st birthday at Republic last week, and a family birthday party at my cousins house last night. Both were great fun - with a good mix of family and friends making appearances at each.

I will put up some photos at a later date, but of note is the fact that I asked people to give me gifts from the Tear Very Useful Gift Catalogue... so now I have 3 goats, 2 organic vegetable gardens, 5 fresh water supplies, a family health nurse and some school supplies to my name. Lucky for me - they are all in other countries so I don't have to look after them - and they'll be great for other people.

On the more materialistic front, for my other part of birthday (so far - doing well considering my actual birthday is tomorrow!) I have an awesome new camera to play with, along with a gadgety tripod, a handmade knife made by my knifemaker cousin with a wooden board made by my uncle, a painting my grandmother painted on our trip in Spain, a cutlery set, some placemats, a teapot, photo frame, Bible dictionary, earring holder, some necklaces and earrings... all lovely and thoughtful!

Work time for me now... photos will come.

Long lost blogger

Well, for no specific reason other than I've been busy, and life has seemed relatively normal I haven't made time to post anything here for a long time. I still have lots to do, but a very short update is in order.

Today my Mum and her husband Hamish come back from their 3 months stint overseas following their wedding in June. I hope that the house will be considered tidy enough - I think I managed to look after it well enough. It was handy to have some help tidying up and cleaning from Ruth and Claire before they left - it was fun turning the house into a semi-uni-student-house for a while. We even had the obligatory onions sprouting, blown lightbulbs, broken heaters and so-on.

I have lots of uni work to do - my last assignment is due tomorrow which will be a relief (having just done 3 essays as well - thats a lot of assignments for my course!). I got my exam timetable - first one is the day after my 21st birthday on the 27th of October, and the 2nd/last is on the 1st of November. This is handy in terms of finishing early but it does give me less time to study for them - and there is certainly a lot to learn.

When I say that my life hasn't been interesting, that's probably not true. In the past few months I had my voyage on the Young Endeavour, a day ski trip to Ben Lomond, a week ski trip to Mt Hotham and Melbourne with Tim, Jack and Ruth and some other friends Richo and Fi (Richo is another medlet with Jack, Ruth and I), I've met some of Tim's family, had my friend Jac to stay and no doubt other noteworthy events.. if only I could think of them!

I'm currently involved in running an Indonesian Night supporting International Red Cross Blood Services in Bandah Aceh. Here is a little promo video about it, and if you're on facebook there is an event page for it. Or just ask me - its on in a week.