Post Christmas, New Year looming.

Well now, how many of you have pukus (see previous blog, Maori word for tummy) which are as large as footballs? We eat? And we eat. I myself had Christmas lunch of 6 different roast meat, prawn cocktail and six salads. Could not stay for the dessert. Then though, had another roast dinner, this time at home with the traditional Kiwi one of roast lamb, spring potatoes and peas with roast kumaras and flaming pudding with brandy and cream. The meal went on till past 11.30 pm. Okay it's now time to rest for a whole year and nurse one's guilt.

But now, I must try to philosophise as the new year looms. There is this old Chinese saying, (Note, all Chinese sayings are old, more than 2000 years old). Today's is BINDING YOUR FEET TO PREVENT YOUR OWN PROGRESS. Now  we all know about the Chinese foot binding of tradition when little girls (at the age of three) had to succumb to having their little feet crushed and tightly wrapped to prevent growth. The cock-eyed idea was that it showed class- that she came from a family wealthy enough to have her not work either in the house or in the fields - to enhance her marriage prospects. Those guys must be thick as planks, because what was the use of a woman who couldn't work? So this meant she would marry a man wealthy enough to support her. Thereby the entire practise was just to promote satus. In my mind a dirty word.

So this is obvious to you readers of this blogspot, (be enlightened week by week). But in today's terms around the world, can you see the many, many practises of that? Governments - bi-partisanship that prevents real good to be done for all. At present for e.g. that of Republicans and Democrats in the US. One camp delibrately stands to obstruct the other, but in so doing, is binding itself and the country to a standstill. And many other examples, but I try not to be political.
I weep.

Apart from the one day of feasting, I am now onboard to putting the final touches to my second novel. This is called The Ming Admiral about the euncuch ZhengHe of the Ming Dynasty, who sailed his treasure ships to many parts of the world. According to his own words, to 3,000 countries, large and small. I am editing it to tighten the syntax. Most people in the west would not have heard of him if not for Gavin Menzies' 1421, published over ten years ago of his voyages. But to many Asians, he is regarded as a saint, and there are temples to him all over South East Asia. where he visited and promoted good. Well, watch out for The Ming Admiral next year. I am seriously thinking of putting it out on e-books while I scour the world for a brave agent/publisher.

Also happening in January is the launching of Memories in the Bone, my first novel set in 19th. Century China in the time of the Taiping Rebellion - the greatest peasant rebellion in the history of China led by a peasant who thought himself God's Chinese Son and Jesus' Younger Brother. It lasted 20 years and killed over 20 million people -at least. This historical novel follows Zhou Yu, the only surviving son of landed scholar family out into the new world of Australia and New Zealand.
For you US folks, watch for it in the book stores, ask for it in your libraries. You will not be disappointed. It has 4 stars reviews . Obtainable from IUniverse.com and other e-sites.

Till next time,
Adios amigos, may 2013 bring you joy and fulfillment and love.

Christmas Giving

In New Zealand, Christmas comes in summer. Therefore no snow, no toasted chestnuts on the fire and Xmas puddings are not served widely, I mean who would want a flaming dessert on a hot day after a meal that stretches your PUKU (Maori word for stomach) so tight that it can almost circumnavigate the village? So quite a few people opt for a picnic on the beach if it doesn't rain.

But Christmas is a time for giving. Unfortunately to most, it means material giving. Too many unnecessary presents which are the end result of too much panic. I remember my husband darting into a shop on the Eve to buy me a classical cd and handing it to me in its plastic bag. Now that was taking it too far. Or the guy who put a shiny new metal rubbish bin tied with a red bow under the tree for his wife who had mentioned they needed a new bin. He was too thick to understand the shriek that greeted himChristmas morning. Then there is my son who has given me the sobriquet of "Sock and Jock Mum".
SO since last year, I have decided to give to good causes instead. Like an eye operation for someone under the Fred Hollows Foundation, or a goat for some family in South America or Africa. I calulated that if by the end of my remaining years, I have given 25 or 30 pairs of eyesight and similar in goats, I might, just might get past the Pearly Gates without having to confess the rest of my sins.

Merry Christmas everyone, and may next year be a great one for you.

Meemee

WHAT IS UP CAN BE DOWN


Well now, it's Tuesday 4th December in Auckland. The weather has been cool and rather wet, but hey, the garden loves it even if the beach bunnies don't. It just goes to show, not everything is negative. For example, our NZ dollar is at an almighty high which is bad for our exporters. But great for us ordinary folks as we can buy imported stuff much cheaper. When I was a young bride which is too long ago to be comfortable, our stainless steel pots and one pan cost us my husband's salary for a month. Granted, he was a only junior lecturer at university, but still - just imagine having to fork our an entire month's salary to buy some pots. Nowadays? Bless China/India/Vietnam, a six piece set costs $200 - less than half a week's salary after tax for the average worker. See what I mean?

I was in seventh heaven last weekend. The Manukau Symphony Orchestra in which I play, were practising the Rachmaninov 3 piano. Concert this Saturday 8th. at the Telstra Event Centre, Manukau. Now, I am sure many have seen that David Hefgott (hope I got that right) movie Shine. That wonderful concerto was the theme for it.It is the hardest to play and the most passionate of Rachmaninov's four. I am sure, after this weekend's practice that DH could not have played it masterfully after twenty odd years in an institution. Must see that movie again. Take it out on DVD cheap hire on Tuesdays. Being an orchestral violinist can be hell for one's shoulders, neck and arms. I live in a permanent ache. Hence the acupuncturist -- and the gym.

As to my main occupation of writer. Well, have done four chapters of the sequel to my first book MEMORIES IN THE BONE. Here I tackle the problems of mixed race in the 19th Century-- how these people belonged to neither and many were shunned by both. The folks who slipped through the gap. Watch this space. I shall from now on start putting some excerpts in - starting from MEMORIES.

Till next week, be well, be good, be fabulous.

The Miracle of Life

The Miracle of Life
Well, the four baby blackbirds under my eaves have grown BIG in just ten days! Their eyes are open and the down on them are thickening. Both Dad and Mum are diligent care-providers but from their reaction to my approach, they probably look on me as Granny with more goodies as grannies tend to bring. Tough. No worms in my beak.
Had my monthly writers' group meet yesterday afternoon. We call ourselves the Sunday Scribes.
What do we Scribes do, you might ask. Well, we critique each other's current submission, share news and ideas and it works mightily as we do improve a lot. My first book MEMORIES IN THE BONE a historical novel, is out on all e-book sites and in Barnes &Noble and other bookstore sites, notably in IUniverse.com. My 4-year sojourn in China gave me a return to my roots during which time I got engrossed in her history. MEMORIES IN THE BONE tells about the Taiping Rebellion, which killed over 20 million people over as many years, besides producing famine across most of south China. Imagine 20 million died? For some countries that would be the entire population. For New Zealand, that would be 5 times the population! The Chinese sure can do things in a big way.
But wait, there is hope. Our hero Zhou Yu snucks out of Shanghai into the goldfields of Australia, looking for a new life, but who is that ugly scarred fellow on his trail, so near yet so elusive? Want to know more?
Oh heck, my tummy is rumbling, time for morning tea. Talk soon.

back to the nitty gritty

Well now, it's back to the nitty gritty, to the things that can go wrong with one's old jalopy, to a mother blackbird who doesn't seem to be taking her nest sitting as a full time job, and to correcting my recent manuscript of the second historical novel, The Ming Admiral.
Number one is the old Toyota Camry estate needs something done to the back brakes and as it has been at the mechanic's since 9.30 this morning, it harbingers bad news. It needs not just a grind but a new part. And that means $$$$!

Number two is Mother Blackbird is too often not on the job. I check on her each morning to give encouragement but the nest sits forlorn with a blue egg covered by some straw. Father BB checks it more often than she does, though he doesn't sit. I am blessed that for the second consecutive summer, a bird decides to build a nest under the eaves of my covered patio three feet from where I am sitting. Last year it was a fantail, a most gorgeous little bird with tail feathers that fan out, hence the name. It's nest was beautiful, made with a lot of love and lined with spider webs. So perfect that it is now under a glass dome at Tristan's house as part of nature's exhibits.

Number three. The Ming Admiral has returned from assessment by one of NZ's literary leading lights and he has found few problems with it. He thinks the battle scenes terrific amongst other positive comments. So it means some work re-adjusting parts, etc before it is ready for the next stage. The question is to hunt down and be rejected by dozens of mainline publishers and agents or to self publish as I did with the first historic novel, MEMORIES IN THE BONE, bearing all the costs but having instant printing and total control. I have spent the price of two years' holidays on the marketing which will see the book launched in the USA in January 2013 nationwide though it is now available on all book websites. So look into that , please, fans! It's on Nook, Kindle, Kobo, Sony, Powells -- every website in every bookstore across the US. I believe it is also on Kindle UK.

So it is down as I said up top, to the nitty gritty of writing. Tonight I shall do a reading in INSIDE OUT in a cafe in the yuppie part of Auckland. I shall read from MEMORIES IN THE BONE. Think I shall do the chapter on the fall of Nanjing and the death of Hong XiuQuan who thought himself God's Chinese Son and Jesus' Younger Brother, who started the Taiping Rebellion which killed over 20 million people. Pretty meaty. Hope I don't get too many butterflies. There will also be music from NZ bands.

Will post next week on this event. Do give comments on how you like my blog and pass on to your mates.
Adios, amigos.

TE Wai  Pounamu

This was the old Maori name for the south Island before it became part of Aotearoa, which includes the North Island of New Zealand. Te Wai Pounamu means waters of the greenstone (nephrite), a sacred stone for Maoris and to be found in difficult-to access places on the West Coast. And there is water aplenty in the South Island - I know,  'cos I have just been down to Dunedin, South Otago.
For those not in the know, the Scots were the first Europeans to settle here and proceeded to build a city that was once called the Edinburgh of the South and everywhere in this small city, one sees the evidence in the old banks, old churches and warehouses, etc. I love it. It's hilly, reminiscent of Wellington, windy, ditto. And the two days I was there, the wind was straight out of Antartica and was not a respecter of persons.
Now my first book Memories in the Bone featured Dunedin in the New Zealand part of the tale - that plus the gold fields of Central Otago, east of the city. Oamaru, a gracious small town further north is also featured in the story, in that Pita Hohepa's marae was situated north of it, by the banks of the beautiful Waitaki river. The main part of Memories' New Zealand story is played out here. And well satisfied I am too, that I set Memories in the Bone in these gracious, gorgeous part of New Zealand.
Kapai!

Bird Kill!
There I was in the United Airlines plane, sitting contentedly with all the other passengers, having a great conversation with my seat mate, chin-wagging about her wonderful experiences and her parents' in New Zealand when we were told by cabin staff that maintenance crew is working on cleaning out the engine. A pesky member of the avian class had flown in and committed kamikaze suicide when the plane was landing  for our pick-up.!
Blast and all that, and the wait went on and on and on. We were dehydrating, water was served. Waiting,waiting and then after an hour and a half, we were de-planed. And that was when hell broke loose. We had all missed our connecting flights. And all flights were full for the day.
Anyone ever been in that sort of frustrating situation? End result was I missed my flight out of San Francisco for New Zealand and now am re-booked for the earliest available one -- next Wednesday at an extra cost of $500! Thank goodness for insurance. So I am now going to fly to SF on Tuesday, giving myself a day's leeway before flying out the next evening. And will go on to Christchurch, unfortunate earthquake city, to spend time with Tim (ex-hubby) and gorgeous ZhuZhu, (present little dog on loan to the ex) and we shall take it from there. Thank goodness for friends in the right places -- in the town and near the airport.
Friend Ray who picked me up also took me to the monthly do at the Art Gallery. What a turnout! Fabulous smorgasboard of desert and fruit  (and wine) and the place was full of people. A painting competition has just been judged, with all the exhibits hung. More than the Art Gallery in Big Auckland could ever hope to muster on a similar occasion. We get blasé in big cities. We get spoilt with too many of everything. Like young people who don't appreciate their youth and natural beauty. In small towns like Grand Junction, people are so much more enthusiastic and so grateful for what they have. I like it here.
Adios till next time. It will be from New Zealand then.