Apologies, everyone.

 

It’s bad enough we have to go into lockdown but I mistakenly upgraded the level.

 

As the Prime Minister instructed, it is Level 3.

 

I suppose the Blues Vs Crusaders game will be cancelled...

 

Cheers

COLLEENT

 Good evening Everyone

 

Here we go again!  As we are going into lockdown level 4 at noon tomorrow, it is prudent of us to cancel this month’s meeting as the current duration is until midday on Saturday - who knows...

 

I hope that the Ministry of Health can track and trace the current Covid-19 case and the lockdown ends on time. 

 

So - stay home, wash your hands, bake plenty and if you must leave home, wear your mask. I guess it’s time to start using those toilet rolls we hoarded last time...

 

Take care and be kind.

 

Cheers

COLLEENT

 

Good evening everyone 

 

You may have wondered where I’ve disappeared to as I haven’t been in touch for quite awhile. 

 

I’ve had such a bad run of plumbing.  I had a water leak from within a second storey brick wall and getting a bricklayer to do such a small job has been difficult.  In the end my builder (who was replacing a deck for me) did the job. He used his grinder and cut away 8 bricks and then the plumber came and replaced the pipes. It was just a pinhead leak but it was so stressful. 

 

But today I went to La Cigale farmers market and got my knives sharpened by Mr Sharp.  If you ever need your knives, scissors or hedge clippers sharpened, he’s there alternate weeks. Today I had 3 small and 1 large knives done and it costed $15.00.

 

The real reason that I’ve been quiet is that I’ve tried to get Judith Collins to come to talk to us.  But I heard back this week that next Saturday is the official launch of the National Party Campaign so she won’t be able to come. That was Plan A.    Helen had a Plan B and has been trying to get someone from the Cookie Project but it’s another no show.

 

Plan C - I shall do a cheat’s barbecue pork bun.  Happy for someone to suggest something else.

 

The Women’s Group charges $2.00 each meeting.  This, and raffle sales, help defray the costs of rent, afternoon tea consumables and any guess speaker kohas. 

 

It has been suggested that members who are rostered to bring a plate should not be required to pay this charge and I’m happy to adopt this suggestion.  I know that bringing a plate and raffle prizes is not just about the cost but it is also time and thoughtfulness.  Thank you to those who bring food even though when they are not rostered. 

 

Helen will be in touch with the rostered team soon.  

 

I hope to see many of you next Saturday.  

 

We’ve had several family birthdays lately. Two of the cakes..

We are excited to announced that the Annual NZCA August Moon Dinner is back this year!

On Saturday 26th September New Zealand Chinese Association Auckland Branch is hosting their annual August Moon Festival Dinner at the Lucky Fortune Restaurant in Three Kings. This will be their first community event since the COVID-19 lockdown.

This event will be a great opportunity to network and meet a lot of the wider Chinese community. There is a set menu (view here), and a raffle to fundraise for the next Annual NZCA Sports and Cultural Easter Tournament which will be held in Auckland next year, 2021.

Future Dragonz is putting together a table or two for this event, so you can mix and mingle with other young Chinese in the community.

Date and time: 6pm, Saturday 26th September 2020
Venue: Lucky fortune restaurant, 532 Mount Albert Road, Three Kings, Auckland
Price: $35 per person, $25 children under 12 years old

BYO wine

Register by Saturday, 12th September 2020

Limited spaces, confirmation only upon receipt of payment and completion of registration form. No refunds unless the minimum number isn't reached. Cost is transferable.


Particulars: August Moon
Code: Full Name
Reference: Mobile Number

Hi everyone 

Well done!  We’ve survived the coronavirus lockdown and are probably now using all the grocery items we’ve hoarded over the last three months.

During lockdown my neighbours from all four sides took great care of me and I got flour and flowers from them.  Far be it for me to tell them that I was not quite 70 yo and able to go to the supermarket - I never thought I that my weekly supermarket visit was such a highlight (I, who hate grocery shopping). 

It was interesting to observe the three youngsters from the back neighbours family. On weekdays, there would a lot of noise (they are aged 9, 8 and 6) in the morning, then there was silence as their father supervise schooling; then at 10.00 am they would streak out and bounce on their trampoline and a mad dash back into the house when dad rings the bell.  The same mad dash at 1.00 and more bouncing and then back to classes.  At 3.00 pm, when school is out, there would be cricket and soccer and I’m kept busy picking up their balls.  What a delight these three blondes are, boy, girl, boy (mum is blonde and a policewoman, dad is dark blonde and an engineer).

I knitted...and knitted...and knitted. I was able to buy wool/yarn online at Level 3. Now that Sofia is nearly one, I’ve started knitting 8 ply for her (so much quicker).

I was able to stock up on face masks - so now I have a cache of disposable, reusable and designer face masks. And disposable gloves as well.  I also have dry hands from the constant hand washing and sanitisers. 

Last week I was tested negative for Covid 19.  I had visited my GP and he suggested I go for a test. So I rocked up to the drive thru testing station at Panmure and had my nose poked into.  A bit disconcerting more than pain.  Within 20 hours I got a text to advise I was negative. 

Thank you to everyone who stayed in touch during the lockdown.  Leota - you can stop sending me all your funny (and sometimes irreverent) emails now.  You also filled my junk box.🤣🤭 I enjoyed swapping recipes and made all sorts of goodies and dropped them at various doors around the neighbourhood.  What did we do before FaceTime and ZOOM?  My granddaughter had all sorts of milestones on FaceTime.

Women’s Group will meet on 18 July, 1.30 pm at ACCC Mangere. We will have Julie Gin demonstrating some of her lovely Chinese nibbles (Alison  - you’ll want to come to this meeting and be pleasantly surprised...). I understand Team Tui will be on roster duty. Get in touch with Helen about who is on.

Take care, use your winter warmth allowance, conserve water.  

Cheers

COLLEENT

P S Mary did the Demo - Thanks Mary

Happy New Year, everyone! ️🧧 

What a busy year it has been so far and it’s already the end of January. 

On Saturday, my family enjoyed a traditional Chinese New Year meal at my place and it was great to see our family has grown with the addition of boyfriends and girlfriends and our granddaughter, Sofia.   Interesting of note, 

many of our red packets were given to us by some large retailers - LEGO, ANZ and Uniqlo (the empty ones, I mean)

This is the year of the Rat and there have been some famous rats: George Bush (the father); Jimmy Carter (the peanut farmer); Pope Francis; The Queen Mother; Prince Charles; Prince Harry; Joshua Wong (the HK activist) and our own Lorde (the almost one-hit wonder). 

Our February Women’s Group outing is a trip to Auckland Botanic Gardens at Manurewa, followed by a visit to the Franklin A & P Show at Pukekohe. I haven’t been to an A &P Show for over 30 years but I have fond memories of the annual visit when I was a child and then as a teenager - it was the biggest gig in town. I remember watching the police dogs going through their paces, the axemen chopping their way down the pole. But most of all, I remember the hotdogs...... A&P stands for agricultural and pastoral. 

The plan is:

Saturday, 15 February 2020

8.30 am - bus leaves stop at Great South Road, Greenlane, by Countdown and McDonald. Late comers will not be on the bus.

9.15 am - arrive at Auckland Botanic Garden at Hill Road, Manurewa.  Free to wander and enjoy summer at the gardens including the sculptures.

11.15 am - reboard bus and head to the Franklin A&P Show at the Pukekohe Showgrounds at 58 Station Road.

Free time to have lunch, see the exhibits, perhaps sit at the stand and watch some demonstrations.

3.30 pm - leave Pukekohe to return to Greenlane. ETA 5.00 pm.

Cost of trip

The bus fare and entry into A&P Show is $25.00 pp. the gardens are free admission. Please bring correct cash in envelope with your name and family contact mobile number.

I’m sure the day will be hot, so be sure to bring a cold drink, hat and sun block.  You should have a morning snack so you don’t faint from starvation by the time you get to the hotdog stand.

Please RSVP by email by 07 February - if not sooner.  Otherwise I will worry that we can’t fill the bus and either make a humangus (is that a word?) loss or have to cancel. You know worry and stress makes me grumpy.

Hi everyone 

I hope you are enjoying the hot weather as it won’t last long. My first bitter melon is ready to be eaten this week. But goodness, they’ve drunk a lot of water.

For the above outing, we have only 13 group members registering their intention to go on the trip.  Although I said RSVP is 07 February, I normally have most of the bus filled in the first week of notice.  Because of the low interest, the above trip is cancelled. I’m not sure of the reason - is it still too early, no interest in the A&P Show or is it the corona virus? Perhaps some feedback to me would be helpful. 

Keep out of the sun...️️️

Cheers

COLLEENT

Hi All,

On again. We’ve hired a 25-seater.  However the cost is now $28.00 pp - although the bus hire has reduced, it is not commensurate with the reduced seats.

We have 5 more seats on offer.  

Just to reiterate - we are going to Auckland Botanical Gardens in Manurewa and then on to Pukekohe.