Read more: How to Add Meta Tags to a Blogger Blog | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4432068_add-meta-tags-blogger-blog.html#ixzz1dedpEYPR - Capital on the Edge -: November 2011

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

POST by RENZY: Onomatopoeia

So last Monday when we were in our homeschooling time, I could not think of anything to write about. I was trying really hard to think of something spectacular to write about but I just could not think of anything. That was when Billy inspired me. What he did was not fantastic but at least it is something.

It started when I was thinking of something to write about and Billy was in lala land drawing a picture. Every two minutes he would stop and say to me “Lala look. Look lala.”(Lala is what Billy calls me). When he was finished, he showed Francesca and I. Then he went to show my dad but he showed him the back of the paper. Dad did not realise because he was too busy with his work on the computer.  He realised it was the wrong way when Francesca said “Billy it is the wrong way. Dad cannot see the picture.” We all started laughing, even Billy. Then we went back to work.

A few minutes later Sezni yelled “BOOM!” and then Francesca said “Do you know what that is called? It is called onomatopoeia.” Then she sang a song from Winnie the Pooh that has the word onomatopoeia in it. Billy heard what she was singing and started to sing it too.

He sang it for the rest of the day. When mum got home from work, Billy was still singing the onomatopoeia song. When mum heard it she was shocked. She started to laugh and said “Who showed him that song?” then we all started laughing again.  


Social: A Beaut Outcome for the People of Rocky Point

Culture: Proof that These Kids have Music in Their Blood...

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

POST by LIZ: Self-Indulgence

I´ve always thought of myself as someone who gives unconditionally to my family, who would lay down my life for my kids, but even I have been shocked by my selfishness and deceitful ways during these three and a half years that I´ve lived in a developing country, away from my comforts.

From the moment I became pregnant I became subordinate.  I gave up my body to store my precious babies, embracing the stretch marks; viewing them as an antonym of the word ´ugly´, because they represented the ´life´ occurring beneath them.

I became conscience of what I ate and drank – perhaps this was largely due to my first gynecologist, who broke the news of my first pregnancy by grabbing my size 10 waist and saying, in her ´I´m-a-doctor-listen-to-me´ tone of voice, “remember  - you still eat for one okay – only one, you hear!” and then came the sleepless nights – OH! Those sleepless nights need I say more?  


As my precious ones grew, I found myself changing my life for them.  Instead of saying yes to the wild party ways one experiences in college, I found myself attending five-year old birthday parties - which would definitely fit into the “wild” party category, and would take days for me to recover from due to sheer physical exhaustion!  I would give up my half-eaten-warm-butter-melted-lightly- covered-in-Vegemite toast for a blurry eyed child who just awoke to a new day.  

A family movie often resulted in huge sacrifices: giving up the luxury of spreading out on the lounge in order to make room for little elbows and toes, and losing the rights to snuggle under the blanket with my beloved watching a chick-flick (Jed´s choice of course!).  Instead I allowed my offspring to have enough blanket while they watch an age-appropriate movie such as Bambi.

Just at the part where Bambi softly says, “I´m awfully hungry mother.” I´d blindly reach into the popcorn bowl to find only kernels left. Then I´d look over to see my children´s cheeks stuffed like they belonged to a hamster and the mother´s day choccies devoured before my very eyes.    

Did this bother me? Not really – YES, they were sacrifices but after all, I had the local shops just a mere two minute walk away to restock my comforts.

But now the rubber has hit the road!  I am in a country where Vegemite, Cadbury´s and anything that can be classed as decent chocolate, does not exist.  Okay, so there is Hershey´s, but seriously, I cannot bring myself to the place where this substance, which tastes like someone has vomited in my mouth, could be classed as chocolate!  Needless to say, it´s sufficient for my kids and even my husband for that matter, but for me there is just one chocolate and that is CADBURY´S.  

I am constantly surprised at my reaction when some loving soul brings it upon themself to send a “care packet” my way which contains a block of Cadbury´s – “what type?” it doesn´t matter what type – any Cadbury´s is Cadbury´s! 



When I first received this sacred package I realised it had been 3 months since the last time I had tasted real chocolate!  I proudly presented the DHL pack to my family proclaiming that the Lord had placed us on the hearts of another and was blessing us for our efforts so far.  

We were so excited to receive anything from the outside world - we opened the paper vessel in awe like it was some treasure chest containing gold, and I shared out the block piece by piece, watching as my kids and husband swallowed  it down like baby birds devouring a worm offered by their mother.   

In less than 5 seconds, and only personally consuming 2 pieces of the 500gram packet, it was all over, though I tried to savor the taste for hours after by not eating or drinking anything which would contaminate my taste buds´ memory of the chocolate.

The next package arrived 4 months, 1 week, 3 days, 7 hours, 29 minutes and 44 seconds after the first.   This time I wised up and opened it when Jed left for the gym and after I had confirmed that the children had entered that unconscious level of sleep. (I checked their sleep levels by banging Sezni´s bass drum and observing for any reaction).

I carefully, and s l o w l y , unwrapped the purple foil. Not wishing to make a sound.  Sweat forming across my brow, fear surrounding me. Knowing full well that the slightest sound of the wrapper would awaken the four chocolate monsters from their slumber.   

Safe!  I allowed the chocolate to slide down into my digestive system like it was velvet.  The taste was divine.  It was like the world stopped spinning.  I should save some for the kids – for Jed.

JED… suddenly I could see the lights from his motorbike reflect on the window.. HIDE IT.. argh – sheer panic stuck my body – I knew Jed would gulp down this edible gold like it was just chocolate! 

I wrapped it up the best I could, given the time constraint, and threw it into my undies draw.   I had no time to take a breath before Jed bounded in, swooped me up and kissed me. 

Uh oh.. there had been no time to brush the evidence away! “CADBURY´S!!!” he excitedly said like a Labrador puppy wagging his tail. “where is it?” his eyes glistening…  and like a sniffer dog used to detect illegal drugs at the airport, he found the half wrapped substance within seconds.

“Noooooooo” I shrieked and my arms and legs moved in slow motion towards him,   but it was too late, I had already lost two pieces.  Suddenly, 1, 2, 3, 4 heads popped into view… the monsters had stirred, and were ready for action. 

“Mum!” – well, actually it was more like “Mom!” – “how could you?” they cried. I did feel ashamed of myself!  How could I? but I could and I did – or attempted to anyways! 

I´d like to say that the next time I received some Cadbury´s I was changed, but alas, I cannot lie. I could continue telling you of my shameful acts of keeping treasured comforts sent from afar for my sole purpose, but I fear you´d judge me too harshly.

I´m learning that I am selfish, and not just when it comes to chocolate. I´m seeing that when I had Cadbury´s available at my finger-tips, I took it for granted like many other comforts and luxuries I once classed as basic necessities.  

Living here in this poverty stricken country, I am constantly confronted with the haves and the have nots.     Not having totally sucks! Excuse the coarse language, but it´s true.  

Seeing those who are deprived of education, food and proper health is just overwhelming – but how do you eat an elephant? One mouthful at a time.  My daily prayer is that I will push my selfish desires to the side and do my utmost to share what I have with others – even if that means sharing my Cadbury´s. 

Political: Sexual Violence in Nicaragua

With Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega doing so much for the poor, it is difficult to comprehend that he has molested his step-daughter for over twenty years. However, he has axed spending on social reforms that benefit female victims of domestic violence, has abandoned processes that aided women in making complaints about sexually violent crimes, and was made immune from prosecution by Sandanista judges.

CLICK here to read more

Social: La Fem Working with Rural Women in Nicaragua

La Fem, a non-government organisation, is working with rural women in Nicaragua, and assisting them to be proactive about their future. Activities they are involved in include education, loans, training, healthcare and more.

CLICK here to learn more

Tourism: Flora and Fauna

Nicaragua is arguably one of the MOST beautiful countries in the World. This video shows some of the natural beauty of Nicaragua's Flora and Fauna.

CLICK here to watch video

POST by FRAN: An Ode to My G-String

Last year after 7th grade exams was summer, obviously, but before summer I had to fill in a white piece of paper that said what alternative classes I would like to be in when I got to 8th grade. I picked intro guitar for the first semester and choir for the second semester.

It had been my dream to learn to play the guitar and my point is that I’ve learned and have been playing for at least four months, and I’m still playing, and I love it. It is exciting , but it’s difficult! I’m dedicated to play with my family and friends at church or at youth group.

My instrument is an ordinary nylon guitar, a very cheap nylon guitar! It has three metal strings and three plastic, six strings in total.

As I already said: guitar is exciting, but difficult; most of the hard part is tuning this funny shaped piece of wood! I just can’t hear if the guitar sounds the same as the piano. I try really hard to get it right, I even change the piano setting to a nylon guitar setting and I still can’t get it!

Last week I was trying my hardest to get the instrument tuned to practice a song called la bamba. I got so frustrated that my Mum snatched the guitar out of my hands and said “oh, let me!” (My Mum is working on exams for school in the same room, and she couldn’t take it much longer) 

“Play E, Fran” she muttered as she played the first string to the top of the guitar. She gasped as a beautiful E sound came from the piano and a rather horrid B-miner sound came from the guitar, it was disgusting!

Mum managed to get the top three metal strings tuned and was going to do the other three plastic strings. She played the middle string and at that second as she turned the pin once: “PING!” Oh, that onomatopoeic sound made my heart skip five beats!

Mum yelled “OUCH!!!” and almost dropped the stubborn, wooden instrument! The third plastic string up, G, had snapped! I knew I would never love another guitar again… until the string was replaced.

RIP G string, you made my music sound good!   

Monday, November 28, 2011

Political: Nicaragua Pointing Fingers at Costa Rica again

Daniel Ortega is once again stirring the pot with Costa Rica. This time it´s over a 130km road that is being built on Costa Rican soil, by the Rio San Juan (owned by Nicaragua, but with navigational rights for Costa Ricans).

CLICK here to read article

Political: 900 Firearms Bound for Nicaragua Confiscated in Mexico

There´s one thing that Nicaragua doesn´t need - guns. It´s a good thing that a ship bound for Nicaragua, with hidden firearms aboard, was stopped in Mexico, with hidden items confiscated.

CLICK here to read article

Economic:Nicaraguan Government Working on Supply of Food for Citizens

The Nicaraguan Government is unveiling a host of economic policies aimed at reducing poverty and malnutrition for its citizens. A Russian ship has recently arrived with tones of wheat, enough to supply the country with bread for 3 months. Millions of dollars from the private and public sector are being funneled into effective agricultural practices on the land. And now the government is importing chicken, to place downward pressure on prices.


CLICK here to read article

Sunday, November 27, 2011

POST by JED: A Tongue of Praise...


On Thursday we partook of thanksgiving with our Nica “families”, celebrating a ritual that holds little significance for our immediate family. We zipped from Gringo folk at the rich end of town, to Gringo folk at the poor end of town. Nicaragua worked, played and slept, unknowingly, through the entire, glutinous, lethargic affair.

Though our tongues are firmly pressed against our cheeks, we really are grateful to the Gringo community. For they have pulled us into their family affairs and make us feel special during moments which should make us feel far from home (even though for us, this was NOT one of those occasions…).

On Friday we had the youth group over for dinner, which was a HOOT and a half. The pool and basketball area received quite the workout. Whilst eating dinner and chatting with the youth group leaders, the power went off, and on, and off, and on, and off, and on and off again (VIVA Nicaragua!). Again, God has put some terrific people around us, and we feel very blessed.  

On Saturday our family helped the Church folk clean and paint their building (this project involved washing plastic chairs, cleaning the rust off of the bars that act as windows in the Church´s building, and then paining the “windows” black).

For me this was a tumultuous affair. On the outside I was simply shining Jesus everywhere… On the inside I was giving myself quite the what-for (I demanded TOTAL submission from my body: Clean faster! Work harder! Get that rust off now! Look at the 84 year old pastor, she´s finished 2 windows by herself and YOU´VE ONLY DONE ONE BAR!!! My stubborn self: But couldn´t I just pop over to town and relax over a latte for 25 minutes? My slave-master self: You heathen, wretched, frump of a man!!! Pull yourself up, (stubborn self) I´M UP, (slave-master self) suck your stomach in, (stubborn self) TOO HARD, (slave-master) now WORK IT SISTER, WOOOORK IIIIIIIIT!!! )!

Then in the evening we enjoyed a service in our nice, clean Church building. I sat by my three bars and admired them for the ENTIRE service.

On Sunday, today, we practiced our instruments and rehearsed our singing. Our pastor had requested on Saturday night that we sing tonight in Church. Our pastor, this dear old lady, will retire at the end of the year. She’s pooped.

Today went fast. Elizabeth and I both had mountains of work to do. The kids enjoyed taking time-out after so many days of eating, playing, conversing, late nights, too much fun, etc.

We drove to Church along the old dusty road. People were out in the cool of the evening, getting somewhere, though taking their time in arriving. The kids sat on the roof of the car as we drove, ducking the trees’ branches and greeting the people as we passed. Every now and then we’d pick up one of our fellow brethren, who was also heading to Church.

When we arrive, the Church members are smiling. We are the only Church folk who arrive on “wheels”. I think our transportation is peculiar to them. Perhaps it´s the kids on the roof? They always smile at us through furrowed brows. It’s like they’re happy to have us, but wonder why we´re unable to walk the 3 kms each way (Not 10 meters of the distance is flat. It´s not the getting there that is difficult, it´s the return. Who wants to walk a long distance, at night, after 3 - 4 hours of Church, with five tired children, over hills, on a bumpy dirt/mud road…).

We grab our instruments and head on in. We have a practice, which turns into the opening number. Liz and I are furiously trying to iron out the wrinkles of our songs, when we realise that the Church is full, and people´s furrowed brows, must now be permanently indented on their faces, they are THAT obvious to us. We take our seats.

In time, we get up to sing again, and what a marvelous time we have. Liz opens and does quite the trick. We all join in and belt out our heart-felt praise to God, and then again, take our seats. The congregation clearly love us, they´re only human, as they praise our efforts and furiously thank us for contributing to the worship of God in Heaven above, through this our local Church.

They also ask Sez to return to the drum-set, something we´re all quite unprepared for (furrowed brows returning, though this time they´re gracing our faces…). They start up with their particular brand of praise and worship songs, and we all join in. I´m clapping madly and enjoying the moment, when I look over to Sez and abruptly realize that it´s back… THE TONGUE!!!

I´m not talking about the Pentecostal tongue. I´m talking about the tongue of the mouth! That wobbly, slimy thing that we all share in common, though don´t too commonly share. It´s out and about like a loose cannon, though with no object of intention, it´s flipping and flopping, back-and-forth, over and under, like the tongue of a great horse. My heart stops it´s beating.

I remember as a child, my great-grandmother would greet me with such a thing. I´d be so excited to see “Nana”, I loved her Darth Vader impersonations! She´d talk ever-so-slowly and breathe like Darth. Her tongue would go out so far, that I dreamt she was part frog. The warm embrace upon arrival, would always involve a dog-like kiss (plenty of tongue, which is scary for any 5 year old) and to this day I don´t know why she breathed the way she did. BUT, I loved her all-the-more for her personality and the way she´d relate, via her retractable tongue.

My father continued the legacy. It used to repulse me and yet I couldn´t look away. He´d be playing squash, or a similar manly sport, and that TONGUE! It never gave up!! Why did it have to humiliate us all so!!!? There were many occasions whence the tongue would grace it´s presence. From driving the car, to preaching, to fixing things, and completing repetitive tasks. It always arrived to say hello and whilst I never learned to love my Dad´s tongue, I have since come to grow accustomed to it.

For me, the first humiliating experience arrived as I was sawing a piece of wood. I was 11 or 12 years old at the time. My good friend Andrew was with me. As I was sawing away he made a joke about my tongue, and then I realised. I had the same hideous beast of a tongue, as my father and great grand-mother. At that time, right there and then, I dropped to my knees and begged the God of Heaven, if he really existed, not to allow this human deficiency to be passed on to my offspring.

Well God does exist, but he doesn´t always answer our prayers in the way we might expect.

For there, right before me, was that same insidious tongue given to me. Sez, with all the concentration he could muster, was beating out a rhythm, courtesy of that rhythmic assistant, Sez´s mouth muscle.

But, it wasn´t as cruel and hideous as in previous generations. This tongue was handsome, strong and gifted. And though it made him look part-goose, it also made him endearing. Upon reflection, it added, rather than detracted, from the mighty beat that Sez was omitting. And it made my heart praise our God all-the-more. “My tongue will proclaim your righteousness, your praises all day long.” (Psalm 35:28) I like to think that the Brien family takes the scriptures VERY seriously…




Political: US provides financial support for destabilisation in Nicaragua

The US, a fairly capitalistic democratic society, has long taken political issue with Nicaragua for its arguably less than democratic communistic/socialistic values and political system. However, the US has a long history of imposing it´s value systems on others, and this is no less the case in Nicaragua. From mining Nicaragua´s harbour, to funding a decade long civil war, to sponsoring destabilisation plans, the US continues to interfere with the political framework of Nicaragua.

CLICK here to learn more

Social: Women´s Health in Nicaragua

In Nicaraguan society, a myriad of problems exist in relation to healthcare for women. In many cases women do not choose when they have children, or how many. Girls as young as 9 years old give birth to babies, as incest and rape are prevalent. Some organisations, from Nicaragua and abroad, are taking action. However, not enough is being done.

CLICK here to learn more

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Tourism: Volcano Boarding

Check out what it´s like to board on the World´s most active volcano. Invented by an Aussie, volcano boarding is apparently heaps of fun...

Friday, November 25, 2011

Political: Massive Election Protest on December 3

Nicaragua´s opposition party is mobilising 80,000 people, on December 3, to send a message to President Daniel Ortega, and the World, that they want free and fair elections in Nicaragua. The government will more than likely try to inhibit efforts.

To read article CLICK here

Political: The World in Economic Meltdown, leftist Latin Countries Moving Ahead

An interesting article/blog about the benefits of fair trade, cooperation and solidarity between leftist Latin American countries, breaking ties with powerful debt ladened countries such as the USA, UK and Germany, and creating synergies and alliances for the betterment of Latin Americans.

To read this article CLICK here

Political: Nicaragua Seeks Friends in Asia

Whilst most of the World is turning their back on the new/old Nicarguan Government, some are extending a welcoming hand. Who´s the latest? Good ol´ Vietnam.

To read this article CLICK here

POST by SEZ: Thanksgiving Dinner in Nicaragua



Hi its Sezni. Im going to tell you a story about a thanksgiving dinner I had.

One day I went to the Kolbs house for a Thanksgiving dinner. When we got there I was playing hide and seek, then I was tired of playing hide and seek so I went on their D.S.

I got characters for Raymond on star wars. I know how to win all the levels, but not level five. I played on the D.S.I for just a while and in a while I got Dark Vader.
I needed more characters, General Grievous cost 8,000 coins, but I got his guards. I was on the D.S.I for an hour and we still didn’t have almost all the characters, we only had a hundred more characters left.

I had played levels one, two, three, four, and six, but not level five it’s very hard to play, and no one has ever won it.

I ate turkey, bread, Ice cream, and all those types of food, but I didn’t just eat three foods at the thanksgiving dinner.  

Now that is how I spent my thanksgiving.



POST by RAF, A Day in the Tree



Rafael is talking again. You know Rafael Brien. This Friday and The next Friday I am going to tell you a story. So sit back and enjoy. Here we go.
Another exiting day Lorenzy, Sezni, Fran and I were playing on a tree that was super-duper big,  But the tree needs more things added to it, like a name, more decorations, a thing to get up like a ladder, maybe you can read in it, And we can look inside our stockings at Christmas, and maybe fairy lights. Anyway let´s go back to our story. Shall we? Okay.
So we did all the things I just told you about the tree. All of the things, except I didn´t go on the tree so much. But we enjoyed it. So we named it the fun tree. And we made swings and lorenzy did things to get up like a ladder or a rope with my brother sezni.
And I looked if it looked fun. The end. Now I am going to tell you a Bible Verse that I invented Psalms 1 thru 20. The Lord is so good that he made us in he´s hands. He is also warm in heaven and
Not painful so if you know the lord you know he´s word and the bad angles attack and the good protect so you not be painful to if your in the good sid. Thanks for reading good bye.

Social: Keeping Crime Off the Streets

In Nicaragua, the crime rate is steadily increasing. Drugs are transported from South America to North America via Nicaragua. However, Nicaragua is fighting a battle to reduce the number of gangs on the streets and to keep crime rates low.

To watch this report CLICK here

Political: Nicaragua Heading for a Power Struggle

In this latest article, it is argued by former comrades that Nicaragua´s President, Daniel Ortega, will become just like Nicaragua´s previous dictators, the Samoza family, and will eventually be ousted in an ugly power struggle.  

Click Here to Read Article

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Social: A Man is Arrested in Granada for Crimes against Children

Unfortunately, Granada, the oldest city in Latin America and a picturesque place in Nicaragua´s south, is also home to many of the World’s pedophiles. Most go undetected, as Granada is a cheap place to live and pedophiles are able to prey on the poor and the innocent. 

However, at times there are arrests, as in the following article details. Please pray for Nicaraguan children, that the government would pool greater resources to combat these filthy crimes against their country’s weakest and most vulnerable. 

Social: Check out These Kids

Watch the following 2 videos. These kids have to be some of the cutest and most talented kids I´ ve ever seen. They need support and love, the right kind of love. Check out the videos and note how these kids have clearly been exposed to adult concepts at too early an age. Pray for the kids of Central America!

POST by RENZY


Hey, it’s me again. Today I am going to tell you about something extraordinary that happened to Francesca, my mum, Sezni, some local people, their horse, and me.

Last Saturday My Mum, Sezni, Fran and I were all taking a walk because it felt like a good day so we wanted to be outdoors. We were walking down our street. Our street is a dirt road with lots of hills and bumps.  

Something you might need to know is that down our street we have a lot of really big steep hills. Now because of that, it is hard for a skinny horse to take a big cart full of wood up a really steep hill. I know because I’ve walked up and down it a million times.

Ok, now I shall tell you my story. So we were on our way home from taking a walk and we were going up a big, steep hill. Halfway up the hill we saw that some local people’s cart AND horse had fallen over because it was such a big hill and the horse was such a small horse with a lot of wood in the cart.

All the wood had fallen out of the cart and onto the ground but some were still tied to the cart. So we offered to help them. They needed to get all the wood off of the ground and off of the cart and then lift the cart up and then put the wood back onto the cart.

So we helped them and it was sort of fun because I like helping people and lifting the cart was fun just because it was. When we got the cart up right, we started to put the wood on. The man said to us “I think we should take two trips to make it easier for us and the horse. We should do it also so that the cart will not fall over again.”  I think that it was a very wise thing to do.

The man said that we should put the rest of the wood to the side so that people will be able to pass if they are in a car or a truck. That also was a wise thing to do. When we got enough wood to go on top of the cart and put it on, we saw two other people with carts. They were coming our way and when they got to us, they offered to help. That way they did not need to make any more trips. 

So the wood we had put to one side we put on the other carts. It was funny but nice that they offered to help. It seems like everyone knows almost everyone in Cedro Galan (where I live) because it is sort of small town.  I like it. And now my friends, this is the ending of my extraordinary journey.

POST by FRAN

Well, as you probably know already from reading my dear daddy’s post that my dog, Lucky, passed away on Monday 21st at 2:50… how do I know this you might be asking… well, I will tell you.

It was not a good day for me on that particular Monday; you know Mondays are always stressful! I was sick with a stomachache, I had a weird rash all over my arms and face and I was about to receive the biggest shock of my life… death.

I had read at least two entire hours of Wrinkle in Time, a book about a girl whose father has gone missing, but that’s not the point!!! I had fallen asleep on my bed and I was woken with a soft voice “Emmm… Francesca…”it was my empleada. I wearily opened my eyes and she continued “Emm… La Perra se murio…” (TRANSLATION: The dog has died)
I was thinking ‘she probably means a dog on the street’ so I follow her outside and my heart skipped at least four beats when I realized that the dog she was talking about was MY dog… LUCKY!

There she was lying there, getting stiffer and stiffer by the second. I walked over to her, I wanted to touch her, but she was covered in flies. Blood was coming from her mouth… I don’t know what she died of but I know that she lived a good life.


I remember when my dad had to carry her home on his bike when we first got her, because she was recovering from surgery. I remember that I got in trouble because she had wondered off and I went after her. I remember when the gate was left open and she had ventured out and was waiting by a trash can until we came looking for her. I remember how she always felt like she was a human baby. And how we won 2nd place in the pet show! She was amazing!!!
Rest in peace my old and faithful friend! I loved her so much! Now I’m crying!

But the happy thing is that we found a man who gave a husky puppy to us… I called him Cody. He is a beautiful creature, he is two months old and he is a pretty good shoefiller for Lucky. He has two different coloured eyes! One eye is a light blue and the other brown. Well, See you next week!




Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Political: Another Report on Election Fraud

From the United Kingdom, yet another report indicating a fraudulent election process in Nicaragua, with commentary from the European Union. This article points to the probability of a self-imposed dictatorship, similar to that of Venezuela´s Hugo Chavez. Folks, please fasten your seatbelt cause we´re in for a bumpy ride... 

To see this Open Democracy Report, please click on this link

POST by LIZ: Billyboy knows best

Billy, repeat after me: eye -- eye, ear -- ear, eyebrow --eye bow, chin -- in, belly button -- billy button... no... b-ELL-y button, b-ILL-y button, b-ELL - b-ILL, BELL - BILL, B-E-L-L- no, it BILLYBUTTON Mom.

Political: Election Reporting in Nicaragua

A recent article published in the Christian Science Monitor talks specifically  about the voting irregularities in Nicaragua´s 2011 elections and the deception that most likely occurred in the process. There were several problems in the electoral process:

1. The stalling of official documentation for election observers, resulting in their delayed admission to polling stations, especially those which historically voted for the liberals (opposition party);

2. International and local observers being denied access at key polling stations, even though these observers possessed appropriate documentation;

3. The non-existence of government reporting data on official results.

Click here for Christian Science Monitor´s Article on Nicaragua´s 2011 Election Results

Social: Abortion in Nicaragua

Abortion is an extremely difficult topic to front, and it is no easier a task in Nicaragua. The issue has everybody divided. I´m not an advocate for abortion and I´m certainly not standing up for the conservatives. It´s a tough one.

In Nicaragua all forms of abortion are illegal, no matter what the circumstances - there are no exceptions. This puts doctors in a tricky  spot.

The following video highlights the inhumanity of anit-abortion legislation, yet it seems that Nicaraguan women use abortion, for the most part, as a solution to rape and family planning. Why aren´t all the left-wing protesters from around the World, featured in this video, here in Nicaragua protesting rape and educating men in appropriate family planning practices?  Why aren´t right-wing conservatives from the USA praising socialist, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, for his stand on pro-life issues?

POST by JED



Today´s post is a hard one for me. As a parent, to a beautiful young lady, who is always working so diligently for the cause to which we´ve committed, it is difficult to broach the subject of loss. 

Francesca is a special girl, with a big heart. I know she is a pretty lass, people always tell me that. Yet I am more focused on what makes her tick. After all, our looks come-and-go with such force, that it is no wonder to me we become wrinkled in old age (beauty really is only skin deep). As my Gran says “it takes 18 years to get to 18, 5 years to get to 30, and 5 minutes to get to 100”.

I love Francesca´s compassion for those around her, which is evidenced to me by the way in which she prays. She is committed to Christ, and values his efforts for humanity, when he gave himself on the cross so that those he loved, us, could be reunited with him forever, in eternity.

Living on the other-side-of-the-World is no easy task for a 14 year old and presents multiple challenges. Some of you may have experienced the effort and struggle that loving from-a-distance takes. It can be hard at times.

Franesca has family members in Bristol (UK), Rochester (New York, USA), Brisbane and Canberra (Australia). She rarely gets to visit with them, to drop-in and say hello, to plan dinner dates, have people come for special occasions, and so-forth.
In some ways it is easier for Rafael. He doesn´t remember having access to extended family members. But Francesca does, and it is a factor of life that can be heartbreaking at times to discuss with a teenage daughter, who is so often filled with emotions that I never knew existed (or thought possible! I mean, even Liz is speechless at times! And that really is something!!!).

To ease the burden, when we arrived in Guadalajara, Mexico, (some three and a half years ago) we bought Francesca a puppy. Francesca is a glass half-full kind of girl (my brother always says, cheeky rat-bag that he is, that he “didn´t ask for a glass of anything, (he) I asked for something to eat…”), who just loves living life. And so, she called her puppy, “Lucky”.

The name was completely her choice, and trust me, she had all sorts of suggestions. Lorenzy wanted to call the dog “Betsy”. Rafael wanted to call the dog “Spot” (the dear dog didn´t even have one, but there is the brain of a 4 year old). Sezni wanted to call the dog “Dinner”. I usually lovingly referred to her as “bitch” (for she was one, and everybody knew it).

Francesca felt completely lucky to have this gorgeous beast of a new family member (if you´ve ever seen a Basset Hound, you´ll know that they´re not known for their “good lookingness”, but rather for their loyalty). The dog really was the one who was Lucky, because Francesca was the best owner a dog could ever desire. She transferred all of her love, affection and devotion onto that dear little puppy, ugly as she was (just my opinion), and it was all returned, and then some.  

We immediately knew that we had a “Brien” on our hands (no, not because she was ugly). Lucky would cry as soon as we left the house for school in the morning and would still be crying (howling) when we returned in the evening.

Basset Hounds become clinically depressed when separated from their family and Lucky was no exception. Our neighbours became clinically psychotic (not something new for us, you only had to have visited us in our house in Australia to know this) and would often throw hot water on Lucky, or hard objects at her, just to shut the dear up. It never worked… (much like trying to stop Liz from talking at times... NOTHING WORKS!!!)

We had hundreds of beautiful moments with Lucky. We went for many walks together in the park. We took her regularly to buy grocery items at the shops. We flew with the poppit from Mexico City, to Miami and then on to Managua. (Which is an adventure for yet another post, but LET ME TELL YOU!!! I was the one stuck with Lucky throughout this voyage. We spent the night together in Miami International Airport and I wanted to drive my foot lovingly up her behind – for she whined ALL NIGHT LOOOOOONG!!!)

I think Fran will agree with me when I say that the most beautiful time together was when Lucky had pups. (though not the conception part… That was not beautiful… That time involved me, a big overweight Mexican man, his drooling dog, the rooftop, and 20 minutes of holding Lucky down whilst she was being “serviced”. And the face she gave me, OH THE FACE!!! Think “Basset Hound”… Trust me, I´m still having therapy…)


We arrived home to one of the pups already having been born. The house flew into a commotion, with the female teachers from next-door racing in to help. Out the pups popped, one after the other. I think there were five in total. Black and white little balls of fluff! There´s nothing more special than a wee-little pup… Though one must put emphasis on the wee part. For wee they did. The kids had promised me they´d keep mopping the floor, but you know who always ends up holding the mop!

And so, Lucky... We have been so very lucky… We shared a beautiful life together. 

From the outset lucky had not been overly strong. She was the runt of the pack. The smallest dog. She had needed surgery at only a couple of months old for a hernia. Lucky was always tired, always skinny. She had been very sick as a pup and never really seemed to fully pull through…

Today Francesca found Lucky dead. At just three and a half years old Lucky was unable to keep going. She had no puff left. She was exhausted and sick and tired. And so, she just had to go…
There are just no words that can be said for this kind of a moment. No paternal words of wisdom. Anything I try to conjure up just seems fake. Oh sure, the tears flow and there is an acceptance of what has happened. But what can you say? You can´t say anything. Fran is completely heart broken, not ever really having experienced such a loss. 

And so today we mourn the loss of our best friend, Lucky. She is more than just a beautiful dog, she is a part of our family. 

PS.. And no Liz, you cannot replace man´s best friend, with dog´s worst enemy. We HAVE to get another dog...


Click here to view a video of Lucky with her Family...



Monday, November 21, 2011

Social: Amazingly Gifted Kid

Check this kid out and tell me that he shouldn´t be bound for the Olympics!!! I´m going to hunt him down and recruit him for our "Watoto Choir"...

Social: The Miskito Coast (Billy´s people)

Watch the following documentaries to learn a little about where Billy comes from and the problems that his people are currently facing.