Favourite Quotes from Nelson Mandela

I have great admiration for those who conquer adversity and fight for what they believe in, no matter the cost. The following are my favourite quotes from one of the world's most inspirational people, Nelson Mandela.

By Michael Steer, Copyright 2012

“I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.” (Long Walk to Freedom)

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” (Autobiography)

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” (Autobiography)

“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” (Autobiography)

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”

"There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires."

"We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right."

"Let there be justice for all. Let there be peace for all. Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all. Let each know that for each the body, the mind and the soul have been freed to fulfill themselves." (Speech, May 10, 1994)

“A good head and good heart are always a formidable combination. But when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something very special."

Sunrise Over Pt. Noarlunga, by Peter Kemp, Copyright 2012

“I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended.”     

“Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.”  

"There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”   

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

Regular payments prevent debt bloom, By Tracey Vale

Recent research from credit reporting and debt collection agency, Dun & Bradstreet, has shown that consumer debt has risen to an all-time high, with Australians facing financial strain despite efforts to improve the economic front. Diana Mathew, of The Money Tree, says a few simple changes can combat the problem.

Dun & Bradstreet says referral debt amounts are at the highest level in almost five years, rising on average to above $1000.

Their research also shows that those with accounts in default, particularly utilities and telecommunications, will face further credit struggles as they default on other types of credit.

The findings show that debt values from utilities and telecommunications accounts referred for debt collection, have increased markedly over the past two years. Utilities debts have risen by 50 percent, while telecommunications debts have risen by 41 percent.

Diana Mathew uses a no-nonsense approach with her system in The Money Tree and espouses that these types of debts will not get out of hand with the adoption of her system.

She says there is a simple solution. “Householders need to put aside amounts for expected expenses and make regular payments. The bigger a debt becomes, the harder it is to pay off.” Mathew recommends paying $100 a month off utility bills, rather than waiting for a quarterly account.

“The philosophy behind regular payments is: should you lag in a particular payment it is better to be $100 behind rather than $300 shy.” She also says that there is a safety benefit to this in that the money is allocated.

“Unallocated cash causes wasted expenditure, which comes back to the old adage—don’t spend what you don’t have.”

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For more information on The Money Tree System, follow this link: http://www.mymoneytree.com.au/

Eco and health-friendly cleaning, By Tracey Vale

Cleaning products often house a menagerie of chemicals hazardous to both human health and to the environment. There are currently no government regulations to force manufacturers to list the ingredients of cleaning products and even ‘eco-friendly’ products can use misleading terminology.

“Across the continent, there are more than 75000 chemicals in use in industry. Yet barely 10 per cent of those ingredients have been fully tested for their health and environmental effects. That means there’s still a lot we don’t know. But where we do know that a toxic chemical ingredient can cause serious health effects, it’s important to take action and make changes.” 1

Among the hazards of many cleaning products, the ingredients have been shown to contain carcinogens and have therefore been linked as a contributing factor to the rise in cancer cases since World War Two. Other ingredients have been found to have a cumulative effect on health, even if the initial and subsequent exposures are minimal, leading to allergies and disease, particularly asthma, liver disease and kidney damage.

Ingredients of these cleaning products have also proven harmful to reproduction, affecting both the female and the male reproductive systems and can affect the unborn foetus, especially during susceptible stages of development.

Such products are contaminants to the environment, contributing to water pollution and ingestion by aquatic life, in turn leading to detrimental effects for the animals feeding off that sea life in an ever-damaging cycle.

Eliminating these products means better health for you and your family as well as improving the environment through the encouragement of cleaner water, cleaner air and a reduction in energy costs through decreased demand for the production of hazardous products.

DIY Cleaning Products

Health and environmentally-conscious cleaning products are easy to make with readily available ingredients and are often just as effective to use. Here are a few options:

Kitchen Bacteria

Pour white vinegar into a spray bottle and use on bench-tops, cupboards, refrigerator, stove and microwave. The acid in the vinegar kills most bacteria, removes and keeps mould at bay and removes odour and stains.

General Kitchen Cleaning

Use a microfibre cloth or mit, with a little water to wipe down bench-tops, cupboards, tiles, glass and whitegoods. Also use to polish taps, sinks and draining boards.

Note: a microfibre cloth or mit can be purchased from a supermarket or related dealer. Alternatively, make your own from relatively dense polar fleece fabric, available from any fabric store, or recycle from an old polar fleece top.

A microfibre mop, used with a spray of water, is effective for kitchen floors and any tiled or hardwood floors.

Grease Cutter

Vinegar cuts grease and is effective when added to dish washing water. Add a quarter of a cup to your sink load.

Oven Door Cleaner

Clean grease from the inside of an oven door by spraying with white vinegar. Leave to soak for 15 minutes. Wipe clean.

Oven Cleaner

Make a thick paste with baking soda, water and a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid or liquid soap. Rub into the oven and clean with a nylon scouring pad. Rinse off with water and sponge.

Microwave Cleaner

Place a bowl containing 2 cups of water and ½ cup of white vinegar into the microwave and heat on High for 4 minutes, or until boiling. Leave the door closed for five minutes to allow the steam to loosen the grime. Open and wipe clean.

Cream Cleanser / Scourer

Combine ¼ cup of baking soda to a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid. Add white vinegar and mix until thick and creamy. Use on bath-tub rings, soap scum, tiles, bench-top stains and more.

Air Freshener

Pour white vinegar into a spray bottle and spray into the air. Both the odours and the vinegar smell will evaporate. Add a few drops of essential oil to the vinegar, if preferred.

Bathroom Mould

Vinegar has been shown to kill over 80 percent of mould. Pour white vinegar into a spray bottle. Scrub mould areas with water and a scrubbing brush. Spray vinegar onto any remaining mould areas. Rub in with a brush, where necessary, and leave to dry. Repeat the process until all the mould is gone.

The vinegar smell will dissipate within a few hours, depending on how much was used. If you can’t tolerate this smell, add a few drops of an essential oil to the spray bottle.

A paste or solution made from salt and white vinegar removes stubborn mould. Scrub offending areas first, then with a clean cloth, dip it in the mixture and rub into the remaining stain.

General Bathroom Cleaning

Use a microfibre cleaning cloth or mit with a little water to remove soap scum from tiles, basin and shower. (See ‘Note’ under ‘General Kitchen Cleaning’ to purchase or make your own.)

This is also effective for mirrors and glass. Follow through with a cotton cloth to avoid streaking.

The bathroom can also be cleaned with a sponge or brush and a little liquid soap diluted in water.

Dusting

Use a dry microfibre cleaning cloth or mit to dust furniture, glass and electronic screens. (See ‘Note’ under ‘General Kitchen Cleaning’ to purchase or make your own.)

Mould and Mildew on Curtains and Fabrics

Place fabric into the washing machine and add two cups of white vinegar, along with your normal detergent. Wash in a full cycle and hang in the sun to dry as heat also kills mould.

Fabric Stain Remover

To make a pre-wash, fabric stain remover, mix 160ml of water in a spray bottle with 20 ml glycerin and 20 ml liquid dishwashing liquid. Spray stains and place in washing machine to wash as normal.

Glass and Mirrors

Use a microfibre cloth, as described under ‘General Bathroom Cleaning’ or use

vinegar. Pour vinegar into a spray bottle, spray windows and wipe over with a cloth.

Wood Heater Glass Door

Remove black stains from glass doors of wood-burning heaters by spraying with a solution of 50/50 vinegar and water. Wipe clean.

Soften Paintbrushes

Soak brushes in hot vinegar. Rinse.

Paint Splatters on Windows

Spray with vinegar to loosen the paint. Wipe down.

Crayon Marks

To remove crayon marks from painted walls, rub with a little toothpaste and a damp cloth.

Scuff Marks

To remove scuff marks on floors and doors, rub with a little toothpaste and a damp cloth.

Carpet Deodoriser

Sprinkle carpet with baking soda. Leave for at least 15 minutes before vacuuming.

Baking soda can also be used to remove odours in fridges, closets and other areas. Place baking soda in a small bowl and leave to absorb the smells.

Resources

http://scorecard.goodguide.com/

An interactive site, listing chemicals and effects. Enter chemical name to search.

http://leas.ca/UsersFiles/File/pdf/Cleaners_Toxins_Guide_2009.pdf

Labour Environmental Alliance Society, Toxic Free Canada Archives

Sources

• Cleaners and Toxins Guide, Toxic Free Canada, Vancouver BC, M. Burrows, S. Griffin, L. Stoffman, cited 10/2/12 at: http://leas.ca/UsersFiles/File/pdf/Cleaners_Toxins_Guide_2009.pdf
• www.videojug.com/film//how-to-clean-your-home-with-vinegar Cited 10/2/12
• www.squidoo.com/whitevinegar Cited 13/2/12
• www.ecologycenter.org/factsheets/cleaning.html#mildew Cited 13/2/12

Women turn to Lady-Comp to prevent weight gain

A desire to avoid weight gain is among the many reasons women are turning to the world's most advanced natural fertility device, Lady-Comp.

“Women are turning to the natural alternative of Lady-Comp in response to weight gain and fluid retention caused by their prior use of oral contraceptives,” said Tracey Vale, spokesperson for Lady-Comp Australia. “Oral contraceptives continue to be at the centre of women’s concerns about weight gain and we are hearing this as a common reason for wanting a natural approach.”

Doctors continue to hear complaints about weight gain associated with the pill and other forms of chemical contraception. While research reveals that former versions of the pill did cause weight gain, the newer formulations have decreased this side-effect.

However, a rigorous study undertaken by the University of Texas Medical Branch, in March 2009, revealed that those prescribed oral contraceptives significantly reduced their normal level of exercise, thereby reducing muscle mass and increasing body fat percentages.

It can therefore be argued that the pill indirectly causes weight gain through increased fat depositions or directly, as is the case with some women, in the form of fluid retention.

Fluid retention is a common complaint among those taking oral contraceptives (OCs) due to high doses of estrogen.

Lady-Comp was developed to promote natural contraception as a means for optimal health. The device offers women a healthy, natural alternative to oral contraceptives and other forms of contraception. OCs are considered to be a burden on the body due to their chemical nature and the fact that they alter the natural status quo of the hormonal system.

“There is no logical reason for a woman to burden her health, or her sex life, with contraceptive measures for a full 28 days, when in fact it is only possible for her to become pregnant on six of these days,” said Vale.

A recent New York Times article, by T. Parker-Hope, posed the question online: “Do you feel like you gained weight after starting the pill or patch?” A resounding number of women responded ‘yes’, in direct opposition to statements made in the article to the contrary. Many of the women gave figures of weight gain while they were on the pill, and from the time their prescription began, as well as dramatic weight decreases when they stopped.

Sources:

LadyComp http://ladycomp.com.au

Dr. Jen Gunter: http://drjengunter.wordpress.com/2011/04/24/fact-or-fiction-does-the-pill-cause-weight-gain/

Women’s Health Resource: http://www.wdxcyber.com/ncontr11.htm

New York Times: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/31/dont-blame-weight-gain-on-the-pill/

Cinnamon--the health elixir, By Tracey Vale

Scientists, nutritionists, natural therapists and health practitioners have long known the health benefits of cinnamon—but studies continue to reveal the spice as a health elixir for a wide range of medicinal uses.

Recent studies have created excitement in the field of diabetic treatment, weight loss, treatment of some cancers and as an anti-inflammatory to combat arthritis and heart disease.

Cinnamon has been used for thousands of years for the treatment of ailments. Chinese medicine, for example, uses the cassia variety to treat colds, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea and menstrual cramping. It is also used to improve circulation and to boost energy and vitality.

In Ancient Egypt, cinnamon was used in the embalming process due to its ability to inhibit bacterial growth and to fight certain bacteria. The Egyptians also used cinnamon for medicinal purposes.

In Ayurveda medicine, cinnamon is used in the treatment of diabetes, colds and indigestion. It is also believed to improve and aid digestion of dairy foods and fruit.

‘True’ Cinnamon

Cinnamon is derived from the bark of the tree Cinnamon Verum, native to Sri Lanka, the former Ceylon. This ‘Ceylon cinnamon’ is known as ‘true’ cinnamon. It is lighter in colour and softer in texture. Ceylon Cinnamon sticks resemble filled cigars, whereas the cheaper version, described below, is more solid and hollow.

Cassia, a related spice also derived from tree bark, is often sold as cinnamon and is the common form found in supermarkets. It is also known as ‘Chinese cinnamon’ and originates from Burma. Cassia is cheaper and less refined, being from a coarser bark, than Ceylon cinnamon. It is also believed to not have the full health benefits of true cinnamon and contains a toxin, coumarin, which, in high doses, causes liver and kidney damage. The point at which coumarin is toxic to humans is unknown. Ceylon cinnamon contains only a minute amount of coumarin by comparison and therefore doesn’t impose a risk.

Cinnamon Therapy

Studies continue to reveal the health benefits of cinnamon. The following are the most common uses and benefits of the spice and are based on studies, research, trials and natural therapy uses.

Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes

Cinnamon regulates blood/sugar levels.

The first cinnamon/diabetes study undertaken on humans, was published in 2003 in the medical journal Diabetes Care. The study involved 60 Type 2 diabetics who consumed daily cinnamon in pill form, with amounts equivalent to ¼ to 1 teaspoon. The group was divided into three, with each group given a different dosage.

Remarkably, the study revealed, after 40 days, a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose levels, ranging from 18 to 29% for the three dosages; a reduction in triglycerides, ranging from 23 to 30%; a reduction in LDL (bad) cholesterol of 7 to 27% and a reduction in total cholesterol of 12 to 26%. HDL, or good cholesterol, was found to not be affected by cinnamon intake.

Anti-inflammatory Agent

Studies from the United States Department of Agriculture reveal that cinnamon prevents inflammation. The antioxidants found in cinnamon have been found to have anti-inflammatory effects, beneficial to arthritis sufferers (see below), and those with cardiovascular disease.

Treatment of Arthritis

Cinnamon has been found to significantly reduce the pain and discomfort associated with arthritis and could prevent arthritis onset.

A study undertaken by Copenhagen University, combined a daily dose of half a teaspoon of cinnamon with 1 tablespoon of honey, to reveal significant pain relief to arthritis sufferers after only one week. Within a month, mobility was vastly improved and the patients could walk without pain.

Treatment of Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease sometimes referred to as ‘Type 3 Diabetes’ due to scientists finding a link between inflammation and insulin function in those with the disease. Studies undertaken at the United States Department of Agriculture are working with this link to determine the effectiveness of cinnamon for Alzheimer’s sufferers. It is believed that cinnamon’s ability to boost insulin function and block inflammation will aid in fighting the disease.

Treatment of Cancer

The U.S Department of Agriculture in Maryland published a study which revealed that cinnamon reduces the rate at which cancer cells multiply in the forms of leukaemia and lymphoma cancers.

The combination of calcium and fibre, found in cinnamon, aids in the removal of bile, thereby assisting in the prevention of colon cancer.

Memory and Cognitive Function

Improvement in memory and cognitive function was revealed in a study where patients were only required to smell the aroma of cinnamon on a daily basis.

Doctors at Atlantic Health in New Jersey believe that cinnamon boosts alertness by increasing blood flow to the brain.

Treatment of Yeast Infections

Studies have shown that consumption of cinnamon can heal medication-resistant forms of yeast infections.

Improvement of Circulation

Cinnamon has an anti-clotting effect on the blood due to its blood-thinning nature. This, in turn, boosts energy and vitality.

Research on cinnamon combined with honey has been found to boost vitality and is especially good for combating afternoon fatigue. Mix a tablespoon of honey in hot water with ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon. Drink this daily at the time fatigue strikes and energy is said to increase within a week. For more remedies combining honey and cinnamon see:

http://www.naturalremediesforbetterhealth.com/honeyandcinnamon.html

Anti-Bacterial

A Kansas University study revealed, by adding trace amounts of cinnamon to unpasteurised juice, that the spice has the ability to fight e-coli. Studies have also revealed that cinnamon acts as a preservative, inhibiting bacterial growth when added to food.

Much earlier, as reported in Food Science journal in 1974, scientists discovered that as little as 20 milligrams of cinnamon per millilitre of a broth made from yeast extract and sucrose, inhibited growth of toxic mould by 97 to 99 per cent.

Nutritional Value

Cinnamon is a high source of calcium, iron, manganese and fibre.

Weight Loss

Cinnamon should be included as an integral part of any weight loss regime due to the following qualities:

• Reduction of blood sugar levels. The maintaining of healthy blood sugar levels is integral to weight loss as increases mean fat conversion for any excess.
• Maintains insulin levels, which goes hand-in-hand with the maintenance of blood sugar levels and in its importance for weight loss. The U.S. Department of Agriculture found that cinnamon’s effect in improving insulin function meant direct improvements in weight and lean body mass.
• Speeds up metabolism through the occurrence of a chemical reaction needed for digestion of cinnamon.

Treatment of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is undertaking research into the effectiveness of cinnamon for women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, a disease caused by insulin resistance and sensitivity. This causes unnatural hormone levels making pregnancy difficult to achieve, as well as a number of other symptoms including severe weight gain.

Cholesterol Levels

Although the diabetic study published in 2003 revealed a reduction in bad cholesterol levels in the blood, other studies have been inconclusive. There are a number of reasons for this including the dosage type and quantity. Also, it is argued that most of these studies used the cheaper form of Cassia cinnamon.

A study presented at Experimental Biology 2006, undertaken by the research team at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, however, backs up the hypothesis that cinnamon does lower cholesterol, as well as triglycerides and glucose.

Cold and Influenza Treatment

Cinnamon has been found to strengthen patients with severe cold and/or influenza symptoms. It is warming and also boosts immunity. Cinnamon has been used in Chinese medicine for the treatment of cold and ‘flu for thousands of years.

Cinnamon improves circulation and boosts vital energy needed to overcome viral ailments such as the common cold. A hot cinnamon drink stimulates circulation, induces sweating and can reduce fever and congestion. Oil of cinnamon is used in herbal medicine and is inhaled to aid healing from chest infections and colds.

Digestive Disorders

Cinnamon aids indigestion and relieves bloating and flatulence.

Other treatments

Cinnamon is used to treat skin conditions such as eczema, acne and other infections of the skin. It is also used in the treatment of asthma and for the relief of anxiety and nervous tension; excessive menstruation; bladder infections; and bad breath. Treatments are often cinnamon mixed with honey, with the properties of each contributing to healing.

How to regularly consume cinnamon

To enjoy the many and varied health benefits of cinnamon, simply sprinkle on your favourite cereal; over fresh cut or canned fruit; in or over reduced fat, healthy varieties of cakes, biscuits, muffins, bars and slices; over yoghurt or low-fat custard; over cholesterol-free, buttered wholegrain toast; over pancakes; and as a flavour enhancer in your favourite coffee, hot chocolate or tea. Also, the common ingredient of Chai tea is cinnamon.

Make Cinnamon Tea by steeping a cinnamon quill, broken up, in a cup of boiling water. Continue adding boiling water to the cup throughout the day, as the cinnamon will continue to infuse flavour.

Important to note

• Seek medical advice before self-medicating with cinnamon if you are currently taking diabetic medication, blood thinners or anti-clotting medication.

• Pregnant women should avoid cinnamon for the duration.

• Be aware of the liver and kidney risk associated with high doses of the commonly found Cassia cinnamon.

Where to purchase Ceylon cinnamon

There are a number of sources for Ceylon cinnamon online. These are two I have chosen for their available products, pricing and information.

http://indusorganics.com/retail/Organic-Spices.html

http://www.druera.com/shopping/index.php?cPath=2_19

And cinnamon supplements, or cinnamon in capsule form,

http://www.druera.com/shopping/product_info.php?products_id=109

It is argued that cinnamon in capsule form is more beneficial as the healing properties go straight to work without being effected by saliva, which can affect the powdered version.

How to differentiate between Ceylon and Cassia Cinnamon

The following site tables the differences between Ceylon and Cassia cinnamon and includes photographs of the quills and powdered forms.

http://www.ceylon-cinnamon.com/Identify-Cinnamon.htm

References

1. http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/10-health-benefits-of-cinnamon.html
2. http://altmedicine.about.com/od/cinnamon/a/cinnamon.htm
3. http://cholesterol.about.com/od/naturalalternatives/a/cinnamon.htm
4. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/41026.php
5. http://www.naturalnews.com/030318_cinnamon_colds.html
6. http://www.herbalremediesinfo.com/CINNAMON.html
7. http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/honey.html

The dawning of grief, By Tracey Vale

On a mild summer’s day, the faded blue-grey Holden station wagon pulled up behind the oval. My three brothers and I stood at the edge of the gravel car-park, set between the Primary and Junior Primary Schools in Belair, waiting for the old blue Volkswagon, with its two big peeling flowers decorating the bonnet, to pull up, Mum at the wheel. But it wasn’t Mum at the wheel and it wasn’t the Volkswagon, or ‘Bonkswagon’ as my little brother, Ricky called it.

Dad leaned his lanky frame over to open the rear door. I slid across the red vinyl seat and waited for an explanation as my brothers settled in also.

I don’t remember the actual telling of my little cousin’s sudden death. I’m not sure if he told us in the car in the school car-park, or if he waited until we got home, or if it was Mum who told us. What I do remember is returning home that day, coming through the back door and standing in the kitchen to hear an unfamiliar sound. Down the passage, in their bedroom, Mum was sobbing.

I had only heard that sound once before—when Grandad died, my father’s father. I recall thinking this, at the sound, and associating it with the event of something terrible. A death. It is with the recollection of this thought, this realisation that something serious was afoot, that I believe we were not told until we were home and Mum could be there as well. I remember seeing her there, sitting hunched on the edge of the bed.

Although I can’t recall the telling, I can recall the details. I can still picture the playing out of events in the same way I’d pictured it then. I saw Jeanie, dressed in a short skirt and white cardigan, socks and brown shoes, as she passed through the gate in the side fence that separated them from their neighbours. I saw my Aunt waving her goodbye, Jeanie’s little sister, Laurie, leaning against her leg.

The next view is of Jeanie sitting behind the front passenger seat, her seatbelt unattached beside her.

In the front seat was a boy, though I can’t recall his name, with a box on his lap. It is his mother who is driving them to kindergarten. It made sense for the neighbours, who were also good friends, to take turns at delivering their same-age children to the centre.

I can see the scenery as Jeanie would have seen it. Country roads and slanting sun through properties studded with stately gums. The road they are on now falls away at the edge. The ground is dry with straw-coloured, long, fine grass and dappled with light filtering easily through the gum trees.

The boy lifts the lid on his box to check on its contents. He had found and caught a frog from the creek and was excited at the prospect of showing it off at kindy. The frog leapt from the box toward the driver. She screamed in fright and waved an arm, agitated and in an attempt to keep it away. As the car hit the edge of the road, she lost control. It rose up on its two side wheels, as though in slow motion, over-balanced and barrelled down the siding.

Jeanie had been thrown from the car at the first force of the roll. I can picture the side window shattering with the impact, the blood on tiny bits of broken glass. Her body landing on the grass, as though she was sleeping on her side, and the car continuing it’s roll over her tiny body.

I understood she was crushed but I didn’t picture her like that. I saw her in that sleeping position on the grass, scratched and a little bruised, her hair messed up with bits of twigs and leaves.

In the background I can see the ambulance crew, a passer-by and the police. The driver and her son have been pulled from the car, unscathed. The boy looks shell-shocked and terrified, believing, perhaps, that this is all his fault. The boy’s mother is screaming and stretching one arm out toward Jeanie’s unmoving body. An ambulance officer has an arm firmly around her bent form, preventing her from moving toward the girl. The other hand is swiping at her face, up and down as she weeps, her mouth malformed in its shock and thoughts of Jeanie’s mother. Thoughts of what this meant. The unreality of it. The finality.

I didn’t cry when Jeanie died. I don’t think I cried when Grandad died either. I was too young. I remember being curious about how it had happened. I was told he’d suffered a heart attack just as he sat down to the evening meal. I remember asking Grandma, visualising the meal of peas, mashed potato and a lamb chop, if his face had landed in the peas. I think now that I could recall that question because I realised afterwards that I shouldn’t have asked it. Mum had gently admonished me as she stood to one side of Grandma’s kitchen door, and Grandma, standing in the doorway, simply looked at me. I can’t recall if she answered.

This is not to say I didn’t care or feel sad. I did feel these things and I understood the sadness and solemnity of death—I was always a very caring, deeply feeling and empathetic child but I was simply too young to fully comprehend. I understood that there was grief and loss and that a gaping hole remained in the lives of those left behind, especially for the parents of a child. But I think deeper feelings of grief and loss come only with an older child.

I was in high school when my Grandmother died. I felt crushed and overwhelmingly grieved. I didn’t know how I would ever get over never being able to see her again. The finality.

As has happened often, at various stages in my life, it brought back Jeanie’s death and how my aunt and uncle must have felt. How deep their grief must have been and continues to be. But still, I didn’t have the complete comprehension of this—and couldn’t have until I was a parent.

I thought of Jeanie when I had my first daughter. I thought of her again when I had my second daughter. I thought about Laurie and what she had missed without her older sister by her side, through the good or the bad.

Mostly, though, I thought about the sadness of that loss for her parents. 

I had a friend who lived in Gould Creek, just near where Jeanie had lived in One Tree Hill. When I visited this friend, I drove past the One Tree Hill Cemetery where Jeanie is laid to rest. I remember the funeral and, later, posing by her grave. My aunt had asked for this symbol of sadness and contemplation—a child considering the loss of another child. The photograph shows me kneeling by the grave, my head bent in solemnity.

With my two daughters safely buckled in to the backseat of my car, I cried then, as I passed those cemetery gates. I can’t imagine picking myself up after the loss of a child. How was it ever possible to cope with that? I recall the newspaper article with a picture of my aunt and uncle, heads bent over the framed pictures of Jeanie’s kindergarten artwork. I have great respect for those who have been forced to overcome such adversity. To get to the other side of great pain and loss and move forward, despite that gaping hole still being there and despite the fact that they can never truly get over such loss.

R.I.P. Jeanie Marie Talbot

Australian cities rank high in Mercer cost of living survey, By Tracey Vale

Recent spiralling housing costs, rate hikes and increased bank rates are just the tip of the iceberg when considering the recent pressures put on Australian families. Diana Mathew, of The Money Tree, says “Re-addressing the household budget to include a savings plan, has become essential to combat these rising costs”.

Australian cities ranked high in the Mercer worldwide cost of living survey in 2010, with the cost of living set to outpace inflation—a major problem for middle-income Australia. In 2011, Australian cities have ranked even higher.

With the major contributor to increased costs coming from housing, other expenses have stemmed from increases in power costs, water, council rates, communication, education, fuel, groceries, transport and entertainment.

“With Australian cities such as Sydney and Melbourne ranking as considerably more expensive than New York, London, Milan and Paris, and with the added housing pressures, it is critical that middle-income Australia can manage their budgets effectively to ease the burden,” said Mathew.

A key to this, she says, is combating inflation. Prepare your budget with a savings plan in mind.

“If you are not saving then you are merely working to pay your bills,” said Mathews. A savings plan of 10 percent of your income, coupled with compound interest, will add up to a considerable nest egg. “With even smarter investing, it could easily be increased tenfold!”

“Smart savers will be asking about the effect of inflation and how they can counteract it,” she said. To do this, keep an eye on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

“If your wage doesn’t increase during an extended period of inflation, you will need to increase your percentage of savings to keep pace with the CPI.”

The 2011 Mercer Cost of Living Survey is the worlds most comprehensive and uses New York as its base, comparative city. While New York is ranked at 32, Sydney has risen 10 places to sit at the fourteenth most expensive city in the world, out of 214 surveyed.

Melbourne has risen to 21, Perth, 30—a rise of 30 places since 2010; Brisbane, 31; and Canberra, 34—a rise of 40.

Adelaide moved up 44 places—the country’s biggest increase—to 46.

“In addition to the strengthening of the currency, a dramatic increase in rental prices has also pushed Australian cities up the ranking, especially in Adelaide where market supply is extremely low,” said Nathalie Constantin-Mĕtral, Senior Researcher at Mercer.