Anzac Day 25 April 2010

 

April 25th is the anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs) at Gallipoli in 1915. Over 7000 New Zealand soldiers were wounded at Gallipoli and 2721 were killed. The Australian army also suffered heavy casualties: 26,111 were injured and 8,141 were killed.
The first Anzac Day took place on 25 April 1916. As time went on, the ceremony of remembrance was extended to the soldiers of the Second World War. It now honours all New Zealanders and Australians who have served in a military campaign.  Source: TKI Hot Topics

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

 

 

Anzac Cookies

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Baking Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup plain flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup dessicated coconut
• 125g butter
• 1 to 2 tbsp golden syrup
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1 tsp vanilla essence

Preparation:

Preheat oven at 180°C.

[Where a variable quantity is indicated, this depends on the type of consistency required.]

Combine the oats, flour, sugar and coconut in a bowl. Cut the butter into small pieces, place with the golden syrup and vanilla essence in a saucepan and melt together, stirring. Then remove from heat.

Combine bicarbonate of soda with 2 tablespoons of water and blend in with the syrup and butter mixture. Gradually mix in with dry ingredients, until you have a consistent texture,, and drop teaspoons of the mixture on a greased oven tray or tray lined with oven paper.

Bake in the center of the oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

Let cool….then enjoy with a cup of tea!

March/April Updates

Twentieth Memorial - Shantal Govender (28 Aug 1982 – 1 Mar 1990)

1^st March 2010 was the 20^th memorial of our beloved niece Shantal Yugeshini Govender who passed away at the age of seven. Shantal passed away in 1990 from an un-diagnosed illness just a month after our Aiyah Meenatchi passed away. This year 28 August 2010 Shantal would have turned 28 years old. Sadly in that same year Big-Uppa passed away a day after Shantal’s birthday on 29 August 1990. We cannot imagine what fun you all are having up there in heaven. Shantal was the daughter of Tom & Julie Govender, sister of Prabashini & Sarveshini, grand-daughter of Big-Amma (Sundrum Raman Thaver) and Big-Uppa (the late Johnnie Raman Thaver) and niece of Les, Kree & Cindy. Shantal and her twin brother Daniel, were born pre-maturely (7 months) on 28 August 1982. At 6am, after delivering the baby boy (later named Daniel), the gynae went off unaware that Julie was having twins. Also to Julie’s surprise, the second baby, Shantal was born at 6:10am delivered by the midwife. On hearing about the unexpected twin births, Big-Uppa and Big-Amma excitedly rushed off to Clairwood to buy prem-baby clothes only to later hear that Daniel had passed away within a few hours, around 9:30am. Shantal, weighing around 1kg, spent some time in hospital before being allowed home. Julie was the first in the Thaver family to give birth to twins. From the start, there was something special and radiant about Shantal and only after she had passed away, did we realise how much like an angel she was. She had a distinct black ‘beauty spot’ in her left eye and a smile as bright as the sun. Shantal, we are remembering the love, smiles and treasured memories you left behind which will live in our hearts...till we meet again. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti...

But for the Grace of GOD - New Zealand Update

6^th March 2010 – It is 8 years since our arrival in New Zealand. In February 2001, when Kanthan suggested immigrating to New Zealand, my cunning answer was “If you can quit smoking, we’ll move to New Zealand!” Kanthan’s desire to start a new life here was so great that he set a deadline of 18^th March 2001 as the day he would have his last cigarette. To this date he has kept to his word...so here we are... our 8^th year in Auckland, peaceful, content, no regrets! Aah but this land is beautiful!

31^st March 2010 - 19^th Wedding Anniversary of Kanthan and Kree. Through good times and bad, happy and sad, we will stick by each other and always be glad.

2^nd April 2010 – Thanusha turns 18!! Eighteen is regarded as an ‘adult’ in NZ – free to do as they please...(you wish!!). Thanusha celebrated her 18th birthday party with her friends at home. They partied till 3am in our backyard and had a sleep-over. Happy birthday Darling.

6^th April 2010 – Kaveshan turns 15!! This is the legal age to start work and earn his own income. All the best with your job-hunting son.

Yours truly,

Kree Raman Vandayar