"Come home late again and your dinner will be over the fence!"
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Australian Saving Means a Change in the Retail Structure
Why is Australia in such a bad way? The country is exporting at record levels. China is paying up front for these exports. Interest rates are not too high. Remember the Keating days of 14 per cent? We do have a "dual" economy with manufacturing doing it tough due to the high dollar, but Australia never has been a strong exporter of manufactured goods.
Retailers are saying people aren't spending. You would think that people can only spend what they earn and no more. However, due to the multiplier effect, according to economic theory, when a person spends a dollar that one dollars turns over about five times. In other words the money supply, the real paper dollars out there, is actually only about a fifth of the money on the books in an economy. So what happens when a consumer saves? Think about it. The money in circulation "shrinks" by four more dollars. This is what is happening in Australia. We all envied Japan in its good years when they had very high rates of saving per head of population. Now Australians are adopting this way of living.
Retailers are saying people aren't spending. You would think that people can only spend what they earn and no more. However, due to the multiplier effect, according to economic theory, when a person spends a dollar that one dollars turns over about five times. In other words the money supply, the real paper dollars out there, is actually only about a fifth of the money on the books in an economy. So what happens when a consumer saves? Think about it. The money in circulation "shrinks" by four more dollars. This is what is happening in Australia. We all envied Japan in its good years when they had very high rates of saving per head of population. Now Australians are adopting this way of living.
Australians are doing the right thing and being told by retailers that they are doing the wrong thing. You can't have your cake and eat it too. You either spend now or you don't. The real problem of course is that there are far too many retailers in Australia. Particularly today where many shops sell broad lines of goods. Years ago shops really specialised. Each town had one grocer, one greengrocer, a chemist shop, fish shop selling fresh and fried fish, butcher, Garage and so on. When you are in a shopping centre today you pass several shops selling the same thing while walking.
Australians were in personal debt for decades. Many warned about the lingering debt levels. It is a good thing that people are changing their ways. Unfortunately, the whole retail structure must change as well. This will only occur reluctantly and with great hardship. Many buy businesses and think their future is made. The reality is different. Owning a business is now very tough. Not only do you have local rivals, many Australians buy from oversees on the Internet. Gerry Harvey of Harvey Norman may be calling for GST to be placed on Internet purchases. What he really wants is a ban on buying in this way. Things will change. More businesses will go bankrupt.
Australia's future lies in commodity exports. It always has; it always will. Manufacturing motor vehicles in this country was a mistake. Sell iron ore and coal then buy cheaper imports. This has always been the way to go. The main question for us all now is whether we should abandon food production and import most of it? Australia is a major exporter of wheat. This is a commodity. Perhaps Australia should continue. Growing food generally, however, is an important issue for the future. We cannot keep out cheap, high quality food imports from New Zealand for ever with questionable import barriers. Just why Australians still bother producing poor quality sheep is a mystery. The wool is good. The meat is inedible.
Australians were in personal debt for decades. Many warned about the lingering debt levels. It is a good thing that people are changing their ways. Unfortunately, the whole retail structure must change as well. This will only occur reluctantly and with great hardship. Many buy businesses and think their future is made. The reality is different. Owning a business is now very tough. Not only do you have local rivals, many Australians buy from oversees on the Internet. Gerry Harvey of Harvey Norman may be calling for GST to be placed on Internet purchases. What he really wants is a ban on buying in this way. Things will change. More businesses will go bankrupt.
Australia's future lies in commodity exports. It always has; it always will. Manufacturing motor vehicles in this country was a mistake. Sell iron ore and coal then buy cheaper imports. This has always been the way to go. The main question for us all now is whether we should abandon food production and import most of it? Australia is a major exporter of wheat. This is a commodity. Perhaps Australia should continue. Growing food generally, however, is an important issue for the future. We cannot keep out cheap, high quality food imports from New Zealand for ever with questionable import barriers. Just why Australians still bother producing poor quality sheep is a mystery. The wool is good. The meat is inedible.
http://www.adventure--australia.blogspot.com/http://www.tysaustralia.blogspot.com/
http://www.feeds.feedburner.com/AdventureAustralia
http://www.technorati.com/blogs/
http://adventure--australia.blogspot.com
Economics
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
Fuel From Enzymes Feeding on Plant Waste
There is hope yet that people will reduce their use of fossil fuel. CSIRO is working with universities to make biofuels from enzyme interaction with plant waste. The product will be low-emission. It will not divert resources from food production because only unwanted plant material will be used.
The mere growing of food crops will balance out the carbon dioxide pushed into the environment by using such fuels. Growing plants absorb carbon dioxide thus keeping it out of the atmosphere. More profit for the farmer from this by-product is a good thing because it will encourage planting of more crops.
With oil running out it is paramount to find other ways of creating fuel. Enzymes that will do this have been identified by CSIRO. The research body's target sector is transport, freight movers. Trucking causes a third of the toxic gases emitted into the environment.
The mere growing of food crops will balance out the carbon dioxide pushed into the environment by using such fuels. Growing plants absorb carbon dioxide thus keeping it out of the atmosphere. More profit for the farmer from this by-product is a good thing because it will encourage planting of more crops.
With oil running out it is paramount to find other ways of creating fuel. Enzymes that will do this have been identified by CSIRO. The research body's target sector is transport, freight movers. Trucking causes a third of the toxic gases emitted into the environment.
http://www.adventure--australia.blogspot.com/http://www.tysaustralia.blogspot.com/
http://www.feeds.feedburner.com/AdventureAustralia
http://www.technorati.com/blogs/http://adventure--australia.blogspot.com
~~~~~Science~~~~~
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Dearest Nao, please be safe.
I was awake from 4am doing my report until around 8am when I saw the horrible news online.
Had a panic attack that morning knowing the area in Japan where the tsunami attacked was Sendai, where Nao's hometown is.
Nao, was one of closest friend in Aberdeen during my 1st university year, sadly, she was a one-year exchange student. We met again in Japan a year after that and explored Tokyo together with Jeri. She became a really busy person ever since she got her job.
I sent her text and emails straight away when I heard about the disaster.
But till now I haven't heard a news from her :( I'm really worried.
I pray hoping Nao, her family and her cats are fine. Ya Allah, semoga dorang selamat, amin.
But till now I haven't heard a news from her :( I'm really worried.
I pray hoping Nao, her family and her cats are fine. Ya Allah, semoga dorang selamat, amin.
My deepest condolence to all the victims in Japan who are affected by the earthquake and tsunami, I pray for their quick recovery from this unfortunate event. |
Nippon Connections had another Onigiri sale today,
but this time, all the proceeds of our sale will go to the Japan earthquake and tsunami Appeal.
We even set up 3 donation piggies.
I was busy with my computer practical today but Jeri told me many people came in just to donate.
We've collected 200pounds just from the piggies themselves ;) and that doesn't include the profits from our onigiri sale.
I would like to thank you to all the people who made the donation!
* * * * * *
Let me post up the draft I made from last week
Graze box
I am currently receiving nibble box from Graze 2 times a week and I look forward every time!
The first box was a free gift from O2 surprises, and since it was free, I thought to give it a try.
I fell in love ever since I opened neat package.
I also receive emails what's going to be in my next package, upon receiving them, they will ask me to rate the food they sent.
I especially love the dried food (mango♥) and nuts!
It was free for the 1st box, then half price for the 2nd. From then on it's 3.49pound every box, but I don't want them to stop coming! Tuesday and Thursday, that's when my healthy food arrives every week ^^
Graze, you make me feel like a rodent, but I am still loving you.
* * * * * *
Still can't stop thinking of you,
dearest Nao, please be safe.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
So Exhausted!
Here's the latest photo of me taken in Queen's Mother Library last night.
Yea~... this semester sucks.
Jeri got his new ipad just a week ago, and I tried drawing on it (using Art Studio app).
Even my drawings are.....
...well...
....stressed
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Setting that aside,
I am currently addicted to one of Jeri's ipad games.
Do you know Jubeat?
It's a series of arcade music video games and it was somewhat new to me last summer when I went to Hongkong (photo below).
I don't remember seeing one in japan eventhough it was released 2 years ago.
.So anyway,
IT IS NOW AVAILABLE ON IPAD! XD
And I've been playing with it during my whole free time :P I mean come on, they even have Studio Ghibli's song! (Totoro~ ♫ Totoro~♪♬)
Have you ever played Jubeat? Love it?
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Moving on
The macaron I ordered from Macaronique (12 for 22pounds) arrived last night. ^^
The flavours are Madagascan Vanilla, Heavenly Dark Chocolate (my fav), Rose & Lychee, Milk Chocolate & Passion Fruit, Simply Pistachio (good very good keluar janggut) and Piquant Lemon.
Aaahhh colourful macarons, you make me happy.
But it does still makes me wonder..
Why are macarons that expensive ah?
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Bahhh
It's been a long time I haven't post what-i-did-in-Uni-today photos.
Today..
We went to the Oceanlab.
And each group have to create a mini deep sea lander..
full stop.
I do not wish to lose my readers.
Nyeh = =
Need to go do my report now,
I'll see you guys again next time lah ah.
Bye.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
MIlan Part 2
1st of all,
I would love to thank Jeri for the lovely roses he has given to me during v-day.
I love flowers ^^ and I guess my favoarite would be the Sunflower (huh?).
Jeri bought me roses because I told him that roses are romantic hohoho.
Now the entire room smell like roses :)
Okay moving on.
Let's continue the second part of Milan post!
So if you could remember, we were searching for a place to eat lunch that time.
See during that time also, I was actually already traumatised by the forceful African dudes. The new place there was again, filled with them, this time, carrying books (they carried friendship bracelets in Duomo). Again a number of them approached us and so I ran away from them into a cafe, where we, ended up having our late lunch.
This was my lunch that day.
Didn't take any good photos there.
The weather was dull and freezing. And there were many of those crazy dudes around so I didn't want to take out my camera or I'll be their target point (= =) (arrgghhh I hate it!!!)
From the castle, we walked straight to Sempione Park that led us to the Arch of Peace.
The weather was such a mood killer that time.
Fortunately, they sold delicious roasted chestnuts.
And guess what?
That was our dinner :P
We walked straight back to our hostel after that - too tired to go for a proper dinner.
zzZZZ~...
That's the end of Day 1 in Milan.
To be continue...
Monday, February 14, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Milan Part 1
My 1st post for 2011!! ╰( ≥ ∀ ≤ )╯ Happy new year everyone!
As promised, here's my 1st post about my trip to Milan.
I didn't prepare much for Milan cause I somehow left everything to Jeri. Gladly enough, I had atleast downloaded one useful application in my iphone before I go. And that's 'Basic Italian for Dummies'.
Laugh as much as you can, I seriously don't know anything about Italian!
Although the app wasn't really that good but it had proven useful because some people I encountered in Milan does NOT understand English at all!!
Let me begin our story.
Due to the snow in uk, our flight was delayed for nearly 4 hours! So when we reached Milan it was already late at night.
Took a taxi to Hostel Greco Milan where we stayed for 2 nights. It was 10.30pm by the time we finally settled, the only restaurant open that time was a Pizzeria. So Margherita pizza was my first food in Milan!
Next morning,
this is what we had for breakfast.
Afterward our 1st day adventure in Milan began.
We got lost at 1st and ended up in China town (lol), luckily a chinese woman helped us with our journey. We purchased 24 hour tickets and went on a tram to the City Centre, Doumo.
Reaching Doumo, the woman warned us about thieves. Even though we were aware of that, our money were still STOLEN!
Some African guys TRICKED us by being too nice and tied a stupid friendship bracelet around our wrist (even though i told him NO), then he FORCED us to pay 10euro each! I knew it from the start it was a trick but we couldn't run away that time, we were surrounded by big mean scary African dudes!
So Jeri paid for me too with a total of 20euro, but then the other guy forced ME to pay out 20euro as well! Like wtf??!
I didn't pay (and lied that I didn't have any money), but we managed to escape anyway.
Running away from the thieves, we went inside the Milan Cathedral.
The inside was pretty huge and amazing. It is said that this cathedral is the largest gothic cathedral in the world taking five centuries to complete!
We put our strength together to go back outside. We walked around the glass-domed arcade of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
After some walk, we saw a Christmas market!
There were various types of things you can see being sold there, especially food. We noticed a stall full of people buying Arancini and we had no idea what it is!! There were many choice and one of them labelled 'Salmone', like doesn't that mean Salmon filled?!
So we gave it a try.
And omg, it was beyond delicious! Inside was a hot rice filled with melting mozzarella cheese.
After enjoying some bit, to my horror, we found out there were ham toward the bottom of the arancini (and I can't eat ham!). I didn't get a taste of it though, Jeri realised it before I tried it.
I was then in a bad mood because I couldn't get to eat it anymore. So we looked around for more food to eat.
After some walking distance, we found ourselves in another new shopping area.
Maybe a good restaurant could be found around this place.
Wondering what kind of lunch did I have that day?
Wait till my next post!
Hehe.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Where I did I Go
I haven’t updated my blog for exactly two weeks! ╭(◉Д◉;)╮
I also want to apologise for not being able to visit and comment your blog for a while.. ╭(⫪Д⫪;)╮and wont be able to do so for another week!
I was busy trying to finish my honours project╰(◉▂◉)╯after that I went away for a vacation!
Guess where did I came back from yesterday?
Basically i went there for food!
So~.. any idea?
The photos don’t really give a good clue huh? ╭(￣▭￣;)╮
If I post up a photo with the landmark, you would figure it out lol.
The answer will be revealed on the next post.
Til then!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
