Another Pair of Flying Visitors

We had another flying couple visiting us right at the minute I was writing about the Rainbow Lorikeets couple - what a coincidence.

I was actually trying to download the Rainbow Lorikeets images I took this morning when a Cockatoo landed where the Lorikeets couple snacked this morning. One second later, another Cockatoo joined the first one - another pair of lovers.

They both looked into the window inquisitively like investigators on duty. They didn't look shy or show any sign of fear at all.

Cockatoos can live up to 60 years and also mate for life;I"m wondering if that visiting couple is newly wed or grandma and grandpa.

Our Flying Visitors Dropped By This Morning

That Rainbow Lorikeets couple came back to visit this morning - well, I'm not exactly sure if they are the same pair as last time, but they seemed to know that food is available here on our window sill.

Curious and expecting, they looked into the window. So I opened the window and handed them some sun flower seeds and sultana. They happily enjoyed the snacks.

Next some amazing thing happened: they began to kiss each other - French kisses. They must have counted "1, 2, 3 start" in their own language because they turned to each other simultaneously and stick each other's tougue into the partner's mouth at the same time. (Maybe there is a more practical reason t: they were sharing food.)

I realized these Lorikeets couple are just like human couples - helping and supporting each other.

When they were resting on the window after the kissing, another pair of Rainbow Lorikeets flew towards the window. Suddenly I could hear warning and cursing noises - the original couple was flapping their wings trying to scare the other couple away, defending their exclusive food territory. The female (I guess) intruder left after a few rounds, standing on neighbor's window watching the battle whilst the male intruder was very persistant, constantly teasing the defedant couple.

I was so amused that I forgot feeding any of them. So after a while the original couple realized that they were fighting for nothing, they suddenly took off. Now the intruder couple were left to enjoy the whole territory. They picked some leftover seeds from the window sill but turned away from the sultana I handed over - they obviously have different taste from their cousins.

I know that King Parrots mate for life, but I'm not sure if Rainbow Lorikeets are the same. They do live in pairs though.

Proof That Our Kids Will Be Good Looking

In this (several years old) article, a professor at UCLA concluded that biracial people are `percieved' to be more attractive than uniracial people.

Its all based on the struggle of the enzymes produced by genes as they compete to dominate. Anyway, it all adds up to the fact that our kids will be more attractive than average, looking at Ying I would already guess that anyway.

Flying Visitors

One of the great things about living in Manly is the fact that we are surrounded by nature. Compared to our time in Shanghai, we feel that we are really again part of the wonderful and beautiful natural world.

This afternoon while sitting looking out the window, a pair of Rainbow Lorikeets flew up and landed on the window sill and started looking in the window. They were very curious about what was going on inside. We just happedned to have a packet of trail mix on the desk, so I stuck my hand out the window and hand fed them some sultanas. Ying then had a go and had them eating off her dainty little fingers.

They are a beautiful bird, and showed absolutely no sign of fear as I opened the window and stuck my hand out towards them.

We love Manly!

PEOPLE COME INTO YOUR LIFE FOR A REASON

A friend sent me this article. It is an interesting read:

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a 

need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a 

difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you 

physically, emotionally or spiritually.

They may seem like a godsend and they are.

They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, 

this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an 

end.

Sometimes they die.

Sometimes they walk away.

Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire 

fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been 

answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has 

come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace 

or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done.

They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.

Believe it,it is real.

But only for a season!

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must 

build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job 

is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned 

to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank you for being a part of my life, whether you were a reason, a 

season or a lifetime.

Love is a Temporary Madness

I love the poem Margie read at our wedding ceremony. It is from "Captain Corellii Mandolin".

"Love is a temporary madness.
It erupts like volcanoes and then subsides.
When it subsides you have to make a decision.
You have to work out whether your roots
are so entwined together that it is inconcievable
that you should ever part. Because this is
what love is.
Any fool can be "in love".
In the beginning love is madness and promises
fuelled by lust and dreams.
Love itself is what is left over when
being "in love" has burned away.
It is the roots that join together
beneath the soil, making the tree solid
after the blossoms have fallen for the reason."

A Full Moon Rising From the Ocean

A large round golden "plate" was rising from the ocean, in front of the window. Today is the 16th of August according to the Chinese lunar calendar. Yesterday was the "mooncake" festival - Mid-Autumn Festival (the official name). So yesterday the moon was supposed to be full. But as the saying goes "the moon is fuller the second day (of the 15th)".

That is why we are having such a surreal moon tonight - spectecular.

Brad bought some mooncakes from China town - they are in a cute tin box. We celebrated the festival by the traditional way - eating mooncakes.

Yesterday of 12 years ago, I was under military training as part of the first-month university entrance training; that night we went to watch some show in the stadium on the campus, but I didn't enjoy the show because I was too homesick. I ended up having a walk on the campus with the girls in my dormitary room - we were all in tears while looking at the full moon - we knew that somewhere at the other end our families were missing us too. I cried quite badly that night.

12 years later, today again further away from hometown, but I don't feel homesick this time because I'm sitting in front of the window of my own home. After 12 years away from home traveling, I have established my own home - with Brad. A week from now we will get married - our individual worlds will be offcially joined together.

So this blog is built to celebrate and record our new life.