Wednesday, April 21, 2010

March/April Updates

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

shantal

1st March 2010 was the 20th 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...

shantal family

But for the Grace of GOD - New Zealand Update

nz citizenship 5 may 2006 kree

6th 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 18th 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 8th year in Auckland, peaceful, content, no regrets! Aah but this land is beautiful!

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

2nd 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.

thanusha 18 bday

6th 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.

kavi bday 2010

Yours truly,

Kree Raman Vandayar

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Inaugural Speech, President Nelson Mandela

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?

Actually who are you not to be? You are a child of God.

Your playing small, doesn’t serve the world.

There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

mandela

mandela

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Cinnamon and Honey

Here is an interesting and informative email I received from my Aunt Devi-Unnie about the wonders of honey and cinnamon. I have not yet tried and tested them all but am going to start asap. Use at your own risk but do let me know if you have any success. Wishing you good health and happiness in 2010.

honey
| Honey is the only food on the planet that will not spoil or rot. It will do what some call turning to sugar. In reality honey is always honey. However, when left in a cool dark place for a long time it will do what I rather call "crystallizing".   When this happens I loosen the lid, boil some water, and sit the honey container in the hot water, turn off the heat and let it liquefy. It is then as good as it ever was. Never boil honey or put it in a microwave. To do so will kill the enzymes in the honey.

| Cinnamon and Honey
| Bet the drug companies won't like this one getting around.  Facts on Honey and Cinnamon:  It is found that a mixture of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a 'Ram Ban' (very effective) medicine for all kinds of diseases.  Honey can be used without any side effects for any kind of diseases.

| Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients.   Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada , in its issue dated 17 January,1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by honey and cinnamon as researched by western scientists:

| HEART DISEASES:
| Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, instead of jelly and jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack.  Also, those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack.. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat.  In America and Canada , various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as you age, the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and veins.

| ARTHRITIS:
| Arthritis patients may take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week, out of the 200 people so treated, practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain, and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain.

| BLADDER INFECTIONS:
| Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.

| CHOLESTEROL:
| Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours.   As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.

| COLDS:
| Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and clear the sinuses.

| UPSET STOMACH:
| Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root.

| GAS:
| According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that if Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

| IMMUNE SYSTEM:
| Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacterial andviral diseases.


| INDIGESTION:
| Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.

| INFLUENZA:
| A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ' Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

| LONGEVITY:
| Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Take four spoons of honey, one spoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans also increase and even a 100 year old, starts performing the chores of a 20-year-old..

| PIMPLES:
| Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root.

| SKIN INFECTIONS:
| Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.

| WEIGHT LOSS:
| Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. If taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

| CANCER:
| Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month three times a day.

| FATIGUE:
| Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.

| BAD BREATH:
| People of South America, first thing in the morning, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

| HEARING LOSS:
| Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing. Remember when we were kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon sprinkled on it!

Kree’s Reunion with Staff & Students from Kelvin Road School

shar kree 11 dec 09

Mrs Raman met Shar at Otara Market on Saturday 11 December.

kaiya tk family 16 dec 09 

On 16 December, the day Kelvin Road School closed, Kaiya and Te Kawehau (with their mums) met Mrs Raman for coffee in Papakura Town.

kaiya tk kree 16 dec 09

Room 8 made a beautiful frame for Mrs Raman with personalised signatures. Thanks Mr. O’Brien for helping out.

frame from rm 8

 

DSC01559

Mrs Raman gets together with Colleagues at the Coffee Club, Manukau, 22 Dec 2009

DSC01565

Mr. Naude, Mrs Smith, Miss White, Whaea Elaine, Mrs Harris, Mrs Weir

DSC01560

Mrs Weir with Vicky’s gorgeous baby Sabastian

 

SDC10119

Mrs Raman meets colleagues for lunch at Papakura’s new Indian Restaurant, MASALA on Broadway Street on 14 Jan 2010

SDC10116

Mrs Raman’s yummy & spicy vegetarian vindaloo lunch + drink.  Masala’s $10 Lunch special…….YuuuMmmmmmm 

Monday, January 25, 2010

Duke in Kaveshan's bed

Testing goblogger...

Sent using a Sony Ericsson mobile phone

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

National Standards

National Standards Website

national_standards_logo_small

Professional Development

The first introductory National Standards webinar has been held and is available now online as a recording.

The following link will take you to a macromedia breeze streaming presentation: http://www.v6.breezeserver.co.nz/p58427400/

You can download the Powerpoint used in this presentation:

PowerPoint icon. National Standards Powerpoint presentation (PowerPoint, 3 MB)

Friday, October 16, 2009

Happy Diwali 2009

sai deepavali

Wishing all a blessed Diwali - love, light and laughter always.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Langada News

See the Link List alongside for Langada News >>>
I wish to congratulate my cousins Vasu & Pam for the launch of an informative and enlightening newsletter. It is an awesome idea which has brought back some beautiful memories as well as feelings of nostalgia. I really loved it. Langada News is a wonderful diary or journal for us (The Thaver Family), our children and our children's children.


Letter from the editor: 8 October 2009
Good Morning to all,
Attached is the 1st edition of the Langada News. It’s a paper by us, for us, the descendents of Maduray & Minatchi Thaver. I humbly ask that you all be proactive in its future success and sustainability, and that each one of us contribute in some small way, so that it may bring a little nostalgia, a little smile, a little appreciation, a little thankfulness that we come from such a grand dynasty. Granted, everyone has their faults, and our family is no different, but we should rather appreciate the good things about our family and be thankful about that. Our parents, grandparents and pioneering fore-fathers endured a lot of hardships, turmoil and pain so that we may be successful and prosperous. Our parents have fostered unity in all of us, and we have to feed that unity they have fostered by our love for each other, by being open and honest with each other, and learning from the good and the bad from our heritage. Please send your comments to me on this e-mail or my private e-mail at vasudevan.devar@gmail.com or Pam Jagesar at pamjagesar@live.com. To the family in KZN, please print and distribute to the rest of the family. We need constructive comments so that we may provide a better service in future. Your proactive contribution is vital to the continued success of this initiative.


Regards
Vasudevan Devar

Friday, September 18, 2009

52 Character Building Thoughts for Children

By Leah Davies, M.Ed.

The following quotes may be used in a variety of ways by both teachers and counsellors. One idea is for a thought to be posted, read, and discussed at the beginning of each week. It could then be read daily with the students. At the end of the week ask them what they learned or how the thought applied to their lives or activities during the week. Have the children give written or oral examples, or have them draw a picture to illustrate their ideas.
  1. How I look is not as important as how I act.
  2. I treat others the way I want them to treat me.
  3. I am a good sport; I follow the rules, take turns and play fair.
  4. It is okay to laugh at funny things, but not to laugh at others.
  5. I do not gossip; if I cannot say anything helpful, I do not say anything at all.
  6. When I am sad, I help myself feel better by thinking of things that are good in my life.
  7. In order to have friends, I must act in a kind way.
  8. I believe that I am someone who can do important things.
  9. What I say and how I say it tells others the kind of person I am.
  10. I appreciate my family, my teachers, and my school.
  11. I treat everyone with respect.
  12. When I listen, I show others that I care about them.
  13. I am being a good citizen when I volunteer to help others.
  14. I think for myself and make smart choices that are good for me.
  15. Each day offers a new start to do my best.
  16. I try to understand what my friends are feeling.
  17. Everyone makes mistakes, so instead of getting angry with myself, I try to do better.
  18. I do not give up; I keep trying until I can do my work.
  19. Sharing with others makes me feel good and makes them feel good too.
  20. I work out my problems without hurting myself or others.
  21. I am being polite when I wait for my turn and say please and thank you.
  22. When I smile at people, they usually smile back.
  23. I encourage my friends to do their best.
  24. My values guide me to do what is right.
  25. I am honest; I do not cheat or steal.
  26. When I am angry, I use self-control and do not hurt others.
  27. I am being creative when I dance, draw, paint or write a poem or story.
  28. I say, "No!" to things that could hurt my body like tobacco and alcohol.
  29. When I do what I say I will do, I am being responsible.
  30. I am grateful for what I have, so I share with others.
  31. I try to learn something new each day.
  32. When things do not go my way, I stop and think of what I can do to make them better.
  33. I do not make fun of other children because I don't know what their life is like.
  34. I feel successful when I do my best.
  35. Everyone has good and bad feelings.
  36. I take care of myself by eating healthy food, exercising and getting enough rest.
  37. I am being punctual when I am on time and do not keep people waiting.
  38. When I cooperate with others, I get more done.
  39. I follow the rules and try to make my school a better place.
  40. I like to get to know children who are different from me.
  41. Since I tell the truth, my friends trust me.
  42. I look for what is good in others and I say what I like about them.
  43. I buy only what I need and I save my money.
  44. When I use my time wisely, there is usually enough time to do what I want to do.
  45. I think before I act; how I act affects how others treat me.
  46. Using manners helps me keep my friends.
  47. I have courage to stand up for children who are teased.
  48. Before I do something, I ask myself, "Is it safe?"
  49. I am me -- I do not try to be like someone else.
  50. I care about living things on earth so I recycle and do not litter.
  51. When I write down what I think and feel, I learn about myself.
  52. I plan ahead and think about what I want to do when I grow up.
     

For more ideas, see our archived article, Encouraging Thoughts.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Teacher's Farewell Message

11 September 2009
Dear Principal, Board of Trustees, Staff, Students & Parents of Kelvin Road School:
The day has finally arrived...my journey at Kelvin Road School has come to an end.
In my 20 years of teaching this has been only my 2nd school and I would be happy to have stayed here forever! However, there is another exciting challenge awaiting me, so I am off...following my heart. This feels right, like it did when I left South Africa 7 and a half years ago.
I can't THANK YOU all enough for your help and friendship throughout my stay at our cool school. I have learned heaps and Kelvin Road School will be forever engraved in my heart.
If I said or did anything to hurt or upset you, kindly forgive me. I hope that you will remember me with a smile :) All the best.
I am sure that my Cool Kids will continue with their awesome work and I know that they will keep in touch via Gmail, Twitter and Blogger. Remember your "Wish Upon a Star". You CAN achieve your goals and dreams if you work hard, and "Be the BEST that you can be!" Reach for the Stars!!

Love always,
Kree Raman Room 8 Teacher Mobile: 0272967094 Skype: kreeraman Twitter: kreescoolkids Youtube: kree12
Gmail: kree4sai@gmail.com Class Blog: http://mrsramanscoolkids.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

WorldSkills - New Zealand

In the next two weeks a number of young New Zealanders are going to be competing at Calgary in an effort to be recognised as the best in the world at their work skills. There are youth from many different trades competing in their individual areas. Last international competition New Zealanders did the best they have ever done. If you would like to send a message of support the address is toolblacks09@yahoo.co.nz . If you would like to receive daily “official” video clips you can register at http://wsc2009.worldskills.tv/register/  .

www.worldskills.org.nz

WorldSkills New Zealand's mission is to challenge New Zealand to achieve world-class standards by demonstrating excellence through workplace skills competitions for young people.

This has been sent to you recognising that you have an interest in challenging young people to do well and then better. Have a great day.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Book of Daily Thoughts and Prayers

August Sixteenth
God has given us life that we may express joyousness of heart.

My soul is happy with an inexpressible joy since I saw His smiling face turned toward me. I can never forget that radiant smile; wherever I go it haunts me by day and it haunts me by night. When in grim despair of life, it brightens my path with hope and love.

No man can attain his goal without practising the higher principals of life. No man can be truly happy who is selfish. What possible use is outer light if there is darkness inside? Happiness is a quality of the soul. It enters the soul which has tasted God-consciousness. God is ever cheerful. Life is given us to work out our freedom and lasting happiness.

O Thou Giver of all joy, may I not be unworthy of Thy gifts,
But may I radiate happiness and cheer in every hour of my daily life.
Help me to realize that when I am sad, it is because I am separated from Thee. All my sadness and sorrow will vanish when I seek Thee with open heart.

Source:
Book of Daily Thoughts and Prayers
Swami Paramananda
Page 255

Job of my Dreams


Through the Grace of God, the power of Ekadashi and the practice of The Secret, I have been successful in getting the teaching job of my dreams. On Saturday 25th July, I had an interview at a state-of-the-art school, Mission Heights Primary situated at 103 Jeffs Road, Flatbush, Auckland.


This is the link to the TV 1 footage on Close Up which went on air on August 6th.


My resignation date is September 11th but I am still waiting for a teacher to be appointed for my position at Kelvin Road School.


A big THANK YOU to all who had faith in me getting this job, those who prayed for me and those who provided written, verbal or video recommendations. There are too many people to name but God bless you all.


Good things happen to those who pray.

Faith always,

Kree