Six Word Fridays: Routine

Children at play...Ekwendeni, Malawi

The morning time has a routine...

We wake as the cock crows;

We clean house and feed chickens;

We fetch water from the well;

We boil the water and bathe;

We take porridge if its there;

We walk ten miles to school.

The afternoon time has a routine...

We walk ten miles from school;

We gather in the home compound;

We share a meal all together;

We fetch water and feed chickens;

We then play, yes we play!

From things thrown we make toys.

The evening time has a routine...

We come home from play tired;

We clean farming tools for mother;

We help cook, we eat together;

We have a treat today...meat;

We read books by candle light;

Mother cannot help... she cannot read.

The night time has a routine...

We prepare ourselves for bedtime now;

We wonder if father will come;

We think, we wish, we pray;

That there will be food tomorrow;

That father will bring school fees;

That he will not abuse mother...

Six Word Fridays hosted by Making things up.com

Round Robin Photo Challenge: In the window

I wish I could have done more than just look through this window...

Black & White Weekend: On top

The Roof

Rue's Friday Fragments #7

Hi I'm Rue, the artist and voice behind Passion in the Moments / E:thos Photographic. As you may have gathered in looking around the blog,  I think a lot and share those thoughts with all and sundry (that is anyone who will listen!). This weekly posting is essentially an opportunity to share tid-bits, rants and observations that I have made in the course of the week that are not really worth writing a whole article about but are interesting nevertheless. These coupled with that odd picture I have taken that doesn't really fit in anywhere, news about what's going on @ E:thos and a review of something interesting, put together in one post makes up what I call Rue's Friday Fragments. There is humour, righteous indignation, sad truths and a little of me, so something for everyone...enjoy!

The 30 things to do before 30 list has got of to a good start with two tasks completed since the initial posting last week. Click here to see the full list, here for the London Tour and here for the beauty treatment pain!!! and you will be able to see how I got on! 

If you would like your goods or services featured here please get in touch with us at ethosphotographic@gmail.com

10. Picture of the week

On the bread line...

9. Tourist trampled to death by elephant

This is a sad yet bizarre story... A man named Don Hornsby was killed by 'an enraged elephant' when he was on holiday in Zimbabwe and trying to take a picture of the elephant. Why was the elephant enraged? Because the elephant is upset at all the poaching that has been taking place in the neighbourhood lately!?!?! Or so was reported by the New Zimbabwe Newspaper. The paper said that the elephant was traumatised! Really???? I thought. So I read on... Apparently Hornsby's attempts at snapping the animal enraged it and it charged him while he was fishing next to a river. I just don't know about this report but my heart and prayers go out to the family of this poor man.


8. Child labour in The united Kingdom

Seven Romanian children between the ages of 9 and 16 have been found working on a farm in the Malvern Hills District, Worcestershire, England without adequate clothing for warm the BBC reported on Sunday. (Child labour in the first world! Yes you read correctly, do not adjust your monitors). The children, some with their parents were among a group of 50 Romanians that were found on the farm without a license to work in the UK it was reported. The children have been taken into police custody and handed over to social services who are trying to discover the children's identities. It is truly ironic that these children were found working in the UK which has such robust law to protect children that it denies parents their responsibility of disciplining their children and raising them the way they see fit. Even teachers have little authority in their classrooms over pupils yet here in the midst of all this legislation we find child labourers! The mind boggles...


7. The E:thos I-Pad review

The official spiel: 'The iPad is Apple's first tablet computing device and builds upon the success of its iOS platform for iPhone and iPod Touch. Essentially the iPad could be perceived as a large version of the iPod Touch, but bridging the gap between small devices and laptops. The iPad is the portable, lightweight, convenient computing and entertainment device.' 
I got an I-pad about a month ago now and I have got to say that it does everything it says on the tin, its fantastic! This is my first experience of Apple products so a plea sent surprise how flexible it is and the amazing way it shows my images in its gallery application, I am in awe! The best feature for me is the gallery / image display application most definitely! I also love how I can write notes in the note pad and then email them to myself even if I am offline and as soon as I have signal the email goes through! the downside is that everything has to go through I-tunes which really is a bore are you have to be online to add anything to you I-pad and as I have the wireless version instead of 3G, occasionally the simple cut and past of windows is sorely missed. Aside from that it is fantastic, I love it and can see more apple products in my future....So overall I would recommend it, totally!  

6. Keeping hope alive for single women everywhere

This picture is worth a million words!!!

Being a single woman fast approaching 30 myself, this story brings such hope for the future! These first time brides (my twist) are blushing and indeed in style wearing the dresses they bought in their 30's no less in preparation for this their big day! They are excited and reading for that moment they have been waiting for since they were little girls!  So single ladies take heart! It may take a week or a month or forty or fifty years, but if you hold onto your dream, your prince will come!


5. Goodbyes
I was watching Ugly Betty this week and she said something profound which I actually took away from the episode and have applied to my life (yes I have learnt something from junk TV people!) She said (and I paraphrase a little)

Not so Ugly Betty in my book!

"Goodbyes are painful and seem to happen more often than we would like... though we will never forget what we have lost we owe it to ourselves to keep moving forward. What we cant do is live our lives afraid of the next goodbye because chances are, their not going to stop... The trick is to recognise when a goodbye is a good thing...when its a chance to start again..." Wise words.


4. A third sex?

Seriously I saw this symbol this week online. Cant remember where to be honest but I recall pausing, looking at it and wondering what on earth it was?????? I get that people have all sorts of sexual orientation these days but the last time I heart there were still only two basic sexes. Has that changed? Is there really a 'shemale' out there now standing as the third sex?


3. Slovenia elects Peter Bossman as first black mayor
An interesting story out of Eastern EuA Ghana born doctor has been elected the first black mayor in Slovenia and he is thought to be the first in old Yugoslavia as well. Mr Bossman says that he faced no discrimination during the political race and he is delighted to have been elected. [Full story here].


2. Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman sing to Dubai Fountain

 Uncle John and Me :)

Uncle John sent me an email this week on Thursday with this spectacular video presentation of that timeless song ' Time to say goodbye' sang by Andrea Bocelli love him!) and Sarah Brightman sung to the movement of the Dubai Mountain. It is just breathtaking and I couldn't think of a better way to end the week than by sharing this with you...To watch it, click on the web link below the picture of the Dubai Fountain...Enjoy!

http://www.wimp.com/dubaifountain/

1. Music Video of the Week
Song: Bab Yetu compossed by Christopher Tin (Choir unknown to me)
The song for this week is a beautiful rendition of 'The Lord's Prayer' in Swahili called Baba Yetu (which means our Father). I was so taken by the Dubai fountain that it is in our video of the week as well, only this time to the song Bab Yetu (translation below) 

Click here for the link

Baba Yetu Lyrics

CHORUS
Baba yetu, yetu uliye
Mbinguni yetu, yetu, amina!
Baba yetu, yetu, uliye
Jina lako litukuzwe.
(x2)

Utupe leo chakula chetu
Tunachohitaji utusamehe
Makosa yetu, hey!
Kama nasi tunavyowasamehe
Waliotukosea usitutie
Katika majaribu, lakini
Utuokoe, na yule, milelea milele!

CHORUS

Ufalme wako ufike utakalo
Lifanyike duniani kama mbinguni. (Amina)

CHORUS

Utupe leo chakula chetu
Tunachohitaji utusamehe
Makosa yetu, hey!
Kama nasi tunavyowasamehe
Waliotukosea usitutie
Katika majaribu, lakini
Utuokoe, na yule, simovu mwehu (?)

Baba yetu, yetu, uliye
Jina lako litukuzwe.
(x2)

Rough Translation

CHORUS
Our Father, Jesus, who art
in Heaven. Amen!
Our Father, Jesus
Hallowed be thy name.
(x2)

Give us this day our daily bread,
Forgive us of
our trespasses
As we forgive others
Who tresspass against us
Lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from Evil, and you are forever and ever!

CHORUS

Your kingdom come, your will be done
On Earth as it is in Heaven. (Amen)

CHORUS

Give us this day our daily bread,
Forgive us of
our trespasses
As we forgive others
Who tresspass against us
Lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from Evil, and you wake the dead (?)

Our Father, Jesus who art...
Hallowed be thy name.
(x2)

Have a great weekend folks! 

Cage of emotions

Writing Assignment from the Red Dress Club:

Brief: "Think of a person you don't like, and describe what you might say if you had to share an elevator ride together. Then describe what happens when the elevator breaks down. For six hours."

The cage.

'Oh No! Help! help! down here!!!! Please help...hel-p...Oh nooooooo! nooooooo! nooooooo this can't be happening!!! Noooooo....' 

[Silence fell in the tight darkened space. All cries for help echoing through space ascending and descending the elevator shaft...but no voice called back.]

{Well...here we are...alone in this cage that incarcerates us for only God knows how long...I shall not speak of things past, those painful things and the heart ache it brings...No...I cannot..will not even dare to think upon it...no...}

[Three hours pass...the silence is deafening...the undertone of emotions run high... temperatures soared as the dam of emotion broke within her and she could not help but give voice to her heart as it became awash to the point of drowning in its own tears...]

'Suffocated...

Desolate...

Displaced...

Imprisoned....

Rejected...

...yes, that is how you have made me feel all my life! how you make me feel now...

Almost. Yes almost is who I am...who I have always been to you...

Almost present...
Almost worthwhile...
Almost good enough...

Almost worth loving...
Almost worth hearing...

Almost what you want...

Almost worthy of your time...

Almost pretty enough to entice you...

Almost beautiful enough to captivate you...
Almost strong enough to support you...
Almost weak enough to need your strength...

Almost woman enough to hold your attention...

A...l...m...o...s...t... That is all you see when you look at me... 

Almost...is all you hear when the melody of my voice resounds in your ear...

ALMOST

Yet like an optical illusion your lips speak mockingly of my being worthy...what a woman I am...a wife and mother I would make...a partner, a shoulder, a friend... They speak of a place you have reserved just for me, a life you have designed with me in mind...A joy sweeter than the honey comb's first fruits...Then you look away, gazing into the distance...and with no more than a sigh you switch on me and your actions SCREAM...almost!

Why the disguise? The lip service that has no one fooled but foolishness itself? Why the words that are like a westerly wind, blowing my sail high and low turning me over to the point just before I capsize... Know you not that with every whispered word and screamed action, you defer my hope and make my heart sick? I've tried, oh yes I've tried to rationalise why? Yet I come up short and perplexed at how you make me dance through the mine field of emotions you present with a red bow tied around it and call it a gift of love... 

I look within for answers. Question who I am, or at least who I think I am; who the world says I am and try to reconcile it with who you say I am... 

The world says I am;

Beautiful... Intelligent... God fearing... Loving... Woman... Passionate... Kind-hearted... Maternal... Headstrong... Straightforward... Inspirational... Loveable... Compassionate... Driven... Funny... Silly... Demanding... Trusting... Worshipper... Energetic... Enthusiastic... Down-to-earth... Positive... Hopeful... Believing... Charismatic... Flexible...No-nonsense... Focused... Smart... Intuitive... Dreamer... Honest... Influential... Warm... Open minded... Fearless... Zany... Encouraging... Open-book... Friendly... Friend-for-live... 

But the books don't balance every time...Your 'almost' withdrawals are always so much more than any deposits of good will and well wishes the world can give me...


...almost...

[Three more hours pass then suddenly a voice...]

'Hello...hello, this is the rescue services, we are coming to get you. Can you let us know how many people are in the elevator? over'. 

'Hello! hello! please come quickly!!!! How many people?... Oh..th-here is just me...

Round Robin Photo Challenge: For a song...

The brief:

'Pick a song you like, and give us your photographic interpretation of all or part of that song's lyrics.'

The Salvation Army performing in Reading City Centre, United Kingdom

We are travelling in the footsteps

Of those who’ve gone before

But we’ll all be reunited (but if we stand reunited)

On a new and sunlit shore (then a new world is in store)

Oh when the saints go marching in

When the saints go marching in

Oh lord I want to be in that number

When the saints go marching in

And when the sun refuse (begins) to shine

And when the sun refuse (begins) to shine

Oh lord I want to be in that number

When the saints go marching in

When the moon turns red with blood

When the moon turns red with blood

Oh lord I want to be in that number

When the saints go marching in

On that hallelujah day

On that hallelujah day

Oh lord I want to be in that number

When the saints go marching in

Oh when the trumpet sounds the call

Oh when the trumpet sounds the call

Oh lord I want to be in that number

When the saints go marching in

Some say this world of trouble

Is the only one we need

But I’m waiting for that morning

When the new world is revealed

When the revelation (revolution) comes

When the revelation (revolution) comes

Oh lord I want to be in that number

When the saints go marching in

When the rich go out and work

When the rich go out and work

Oh lord I want to be in that number

When the saints go marching in

When the air is pure and clean

When the air is pure and clean

Oh lord I want to be in that number

When the saints go marching in

When we all have food to eat

When we all have food to eat

Oh lord I want to be in that number

When the saints go marching in

When our leaders learn to cry

When our leaders learn to cry

Oh lord I want to be in that number

When the saints go marching in 

Cuisine of the Jamaican kind...

Hungry happy patron

Writing brief: 'Write about a meal you loved.'

The chef

I love food!  All types  of food and its full spectrum of flavours, textures and colours. Having travelled to various parts of the world and met people from every continent;  I have had the opportunity to taste a wide variety of  dishes particularly traditional dishes from all around the world. Of all of those the meal I loved the most was one I helped to cook whilst learning to make Jamaican food from the best Caribbean chef in the world,  Mrs Katherine Planter; affectionately known as Mum.


I met Mum Planter in Bristol, UK during my final year at law school. She was the mother of my pastor and was like a mother / grandmother to us all. She took me under her wing, taught me how to make Caribbean dishes from steam cabbage, fried fish and oxtail, to plantain, aki & salt fish and callaloo. Some of my best memories of Bristol were made right there in her kitchen spending time with her. One never refused an invitation to Sunday lunch at Mum's house! 


On the day of the meal in question, Mum was teaching me how to make steamed cabbage, my very first lesson. I didn't think there would be much to it but boy was I wrong! We fried bacon, onion and tomatoes. Added garlic and spices and then the cabbage...Mmmm it was heavenly and unlike any cabbage I had ever had. I was so excited about sampling the finished product and as I went to set the table, Mum made the rice. 


I must tell you at this point about my then 'hate hate' relationship with kidney beans. I remember my first interaction with kidney beans was as a child in our family home in Mount Pleasant, Harare. My mother used to make a kidney beans stew which involved boiling the beans for hours until the smell fill the house and started to escape into the garden invading my hiding place. I despised the smell and therefore the beans and convinced myself I was allergic. When it was dinner time I would scream and shout and carry on until I was allowed to have rice and milk instead.


Back to Mum's kitchen. When the rice was cooked she served the meal and gave me rice and peas with my steamed cabbage. Now if you know your Caribbean cuisine, you know that rice and peas is not made with peas at all, it is made with kidney beans! I told her that I was allergic to kidney beans and gave her my childhood story. After hearing it she told me to stop being silly, sat me down and ordered me to eat! Lo and behold I wasn't allergic after all! In fact, I couldn't smell the beans and they tasted fantastic in the rice with the spices she used. Coupled with the steamed cabbage it was amazing! I really enjoyed it and had a second helping!  

I took these images in Bristol outside a Jamaican restaurant in St. Pauls.
The aromas coming from the kitchen made your mouth water from the street! 

Black & White Weekend: Oriental Flower

Wall décor

The Round Robin Challenge: Togetherness

Togetherness...it is what you make it...

Togetherness...unto death...

'Together' means to be in or into a unified arrangement.Togetherness means being in or into a single group, mass or place...Therefore my interpretation of this weeks challenge is of a pluralised subject matter that is in unison in whatever they are trying yo achieve, in this case they two are as one, in one place...


The two chaps in the image are friends from church after a theatrical display in which the older played a vicar. I asked them to pose in this manner to create a controversial shot that would provoke thought. The thought being that togetherness does not result in agreement or unity.


It is also designed to be a pictorial representation of what happens to a child's life (that is, it is sucked out of them unto the death of their souls) when it is abused by an authority figure, in this case a priest as the many whose lives have been destroyed by the abuse they suffered at the hands of catholic priests who are now seeking understanding and finding their voice. 


Love, togetherness, unity, oneness...these words can and are interpreted in different ways by different people depending on their personal perspective, group, social situation and often race, creed and gender. This social dynamic results in a false sense of oneness / togetherness where the reality is very much different from what is perceived.

Brenda Photo Challenge: Orange Sunset

Sunset

I-Heart Faces Photo Challenge: Smirk

No! I don't want my picture taken!

 This is a lovely little girl (once she relaxed that is) whose mother hired me to take her pictures and she was having none of it for the longest time, hence the smirk.

See more smirk photos here!

Recycle: Crush Metal [Shutterday Challenge]

Strong man crushes metal

The Weekend in Black & White: A Boat Holiday

A boat holiday

A boat not in use at the end of the summer hence the name.