Happy New Year to everyone in 2011!!!!!

December 29th: Happy Birthday Sean Ellis

December 26th: Happy Birthday Mary von Sullivan

Merry Christmas

We had a toy drive at work and gave the toys to Po Leung Kuk Orphanage.

In the late 19th Century, abduction and trafficking of women and children were serious crimes in Hong Kong. On 8th November, 1878, a group of local Chinese presented a petition to the Governor, Sir John Pope Hennessy, K.C.M.G., to set up Po Leung Kuk to rescue the kidnapped victims. The “Society for the Protection of Women and Children” was approved by the Hong Kong Governor in May, 1880, but as the petition was submitted on 8th November, 1878, that date was adopted as our founding date.

“Po Leung”, translating literally as protection of the young and the innocent, represents the core vision of our organization. Formally established as the Society for the Protection of Women and Children in 1880, in our long history we have prevented and resolved kidnappings, protected destitute women and children, and assisted the Secretary for Chinese Affairs (under British Rule) as a mediator in complex family and marriage disputes.

In line with the economic development of Hong Kong over the past century, the range of services and coverage we provided to the community constantly expanded as welfare needs evolved. Today, we are Hong Kong’s leading social service organization and fundraiser. Under a modern corporatized management structure, we are able to utilise donation dollars to maximize the returns to our most important stakeholder – the community.

Jack tops name list for 13th year

Jack and Sophie most popular baby names in Scotland
Jack Black and Sophie Raworth Famous Jacks include Jack Black, with Sophie Raworth among the famous Sophies
Continue reading the main story
Related stories

* Jack tops name list for 13th year
* Teachers spot trouble in a name
* Traditional names are 'dying out'

Jack and Sophie have remained the most popular baby names in Scotland for the third year in a row.

Other favourites for babies born in 2010 included Lewis for boys and Olivia for girls.

The details, released by the Registrar General for Scotland, also showed Oliver and Jamie as new entrants in the top 10 for boys, along with Isla and Lily for girls.

Big climbers in the top 100 included Noah, Riley, Lacey and Lilly.

Lewis remained to the number two position for boys for the third year in a row. Jack and Lewis have dominated the top two positions for boys' names for the past 12 years.

James and Logan stayed in the third and forth positions respectively, with Daniel climbing one place to fifth.

For the sixth year, Sophie has remained the most popular girl's name in Scotland, with Olivia climbing one place to second.
Continue reading the main story
Top five Boy's Names

* Jack
* Lewis
* James
* Logan
* Daniel

Ava fell one place to third, while Emily stayed at fourth for a second year and Isla climbed six places to fifth.

Other names to feature in the top 100 were Nieve, which climbed 55 places to 95th and Ollie which jumped 90 places to 85th.

The top 50 boys names accounted for 46% of all those registered, while the figure stood at 42% for girls.

Duncan Macniven, Registrar General for Scotland, said about 27,800 boys and 27,000 girls were registered in 2010.

He said: "More than 7,000 different names were chosen this year and around 1,900 boys and 2,700 girls were given unique (for 2010) names.
Continue reading the main story
Top Five Girl's Names

* Sophie
* Olivia
* Ava
* Emily
* Isla

"Jack remains the most popular name for boys for the third year in a row. Oliver and Jamie are new entrants to the top 10 and Ethan and Harry join the top 20. Noah, Riley, Cole, Jacob and Fraser are new entrants in the top 50 this year."

Kenzie, Gregor and Hamish are among the boys' names to have dropped down the list.

Mr Macniven added: "For girls, Sophie is top for a sixth year and Olivia climbs one place to second place. Isla, Lily and Ellie join the top 10 and Mia and Freya are new entrants in the top 20. Maisie, Sophia, Poppy and Layla are new entrants in the top 50.

"Morgan, Madison, Kirsty and Miley were among those less popular than last year."

Happy Birthday: Blake Sullivan

Thanksgiving

This will be our first thanksgiving in Hong Kong. I was afraid that the turkey would be delivered alive and we would have to pluck and clean it.

We live in Chinatown, you see. People laugh when I say that because they think all of Hong Kong is Chinatown and it is...but we live in the Chinatown of Chinatown.

The other day there as I put on my shoes which match my wallet and belt, of course...I walked out in my tailored suit and shirt. OH and my bag matches too and out onto the marble floors to the elevators, to the Podium level where we have an Olympic size pool and garden. Down to the 2nd level where I walked through the lobby with 30 foot high ceilings and out passed our entry and then CHINATOWN...a man on the street walked by and shot snot out of his nose onto a wall and then from the other nostril and kept walking.

There is a hustle and bustle and an Antelope hanging on a hook with its severed head next to it. I have no idea where one gets an ANTELOPE on such a small island. Was probably someone's pet. Then there is the pork shop where pigs faces are hung from hooks as are every part of a pig you can imagine and they just hang there while people come and shop.

The meat guys are getting in trouble for wiping the meat with Lyme (sp) because it makes the meat more red and though poison, they are not taking the blame, they are saying the guys they are buying the meat from in China are doing it , not them.

I, however, with my Irish linen handkerchief over my nose keep pointing to the hooks and asking, "Do you have Duck l'orange? is there any Foie Gras with blueberry confit on those hooks? How about some gooseberry greek yogurt with organic granola? NO? How about Champagne, is there any booze on the hooks this morning? Booze Darling, BOOZE!"

Jack and Molly Halloween 2010

We have moved and moved in

8 First Street
Level 10, Unit B, Tower 1
Island Cres
San Ying Pun, Hong Kong

http://www.islandcrest.com.hk/en/home/index.html

Living in Hong Kong now

October 26th Happy Birthday to Melissa LeAnne

ELLE MAGAZINE

"Shinji and Tina" photo is going to be in ELLE MAGAZINE.

September 21st, Remembering Colleen's (Mom's) birthday

HONG KONG OR BUST. We are moving to Hong Kong

Happy Birthday Jack William Sullivan, August 31st

Shinji and Tina in London

If you happen to be in London between 11th November and 20th Febuary be sure to drop in to the National Portrait Gallery where 'Shinji & Tina' will be on display .
We didn't get an award but qualfying for the show against the other 5,983 photos is a pretty good result .
After London the exhibition will tour Sunderland and then another venue yet to be confirmed .

August 23rd, Happy Birthday Aunt Karen

August 6th:Happy Anniversary to Aunt Sandy and Uncle Jim; 49 years

Good Golly Miss Molly

Good Morning everyone
Jack and Molly's Proofs are in and online for viewing

-Please go to the below website
-click on "Client Galleries" in the Right lower corner of the site
-click on the portfolio called "Good Golly Miss Molly"

Let me know if you have any problems
http://www.jennymarshphotography.com/

2010 Presidential Citizens Medals

http://www.whitehouse.gov/citizensmedal?utm_source=081010

The Presidential Citizens Medal was established on November 13, 1969, by Executive Order 11494. The medal is awarded by the President of the United States in recognition of U.S. citizens who have performed exemplary deeds of service for our nation. The medal may be bestowed by the President upon any citizen of the United States and may be conferred posthumously.

Carrot, Egg and Coffee

A daughter complained to her father about her life and how things have been so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and she wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed that just as one problem was solved another arose.

Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen, filled three pots with water and placed the fire on high. Soon the three pots came to a boil. In one he placed carrots, in the other he placed eggs, and in the last he placed ground coffee beans. He let them sit and boil, without saying a word.

After a while, the carrots, eggs, and coffee beans were cooked. He removed them from the stove and put each in a bowl. He turned to his daughter and asked her what she saw. She replied, “Carrots, eggs, and coffee”.

He brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. Her face frowned from the strength of the coffee. Humbly, she asked. "What does it mean Father?"

He explained. "Each of them faced the same adversity, 212 degrees of boiling water. However each reacted differently."
"The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. But after going through boiling water, it softened and became weak."
"The egg was fragile. A thin outer shell protected a liquid center. But after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened."
"The coffee beans are unique however. After they were in the boiling water, it became stronger and richer." "Which are you," he asked his daughter.

When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond?

-Are you the carrot that seems hard, but with the smallest amount of pain, adversity, heat you wilt and become soft with no strength?
-Are you the egg, which starts off with a malleable heart? A fluid spirit. But after a death, a breakup, a divorce, a layoff you became hardened and stiff. Your shell looks the same, but you are so bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and heart, internally.
-Or are you like the coffee bean? The bean does not get its peak flavor and robust until it reaches 212 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water gets the hottest, it just gets more robust and “flavorful”.

I love this analogy. I must admit, sometimes I’m the carrot, sometimes the egg, and sometimes the coffee bean. I want to be the coffee bean.

How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean? How will you become the coffee bean?

Summer Matsuri (Festival) time in Japan

Molly and Jack Sullivan took their parents to Napa

SEE Foundation-July 10th Santa Monica Surf Camp

SEE Foundation was able to send enough money to cover the cost of 8 children to attend the Surf Camp.

Shelley Elizabeth Elis Foundation launched

www.shelleyelizabethellisfoundation.com


The SEE Foundation was established and launched in 2010 to help children with CF. One of the events sponsored from funds raised was covering the cost associated with attending the Mauli Ola Surf camps.

From the Mauli Ola

"Thank you very much for the generous donation to help take children with Cystic Fibrosis surfing. We may go ahead and add a second event in Santa Cruz, but looking into logistical costs to get some CF folks down to L.A. … Thanks for the support. James


JAMES DUNLOP

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
622 BLUEBIRD CANYON DR. LAGUNA BEACH CA 92651 / PH: 949 715 1258 / FX: 949 715 1259

jdunlop@mauliola.org www.mauliola.org http://www.vimeo.com/5649691

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

I was lucky enough to see His Holiness the Dalai Lama yesterday. It was the second time but this time was much better. The first time was a discussion about science and religion. This time was about the lack of self and discovery of dependency. How one is truly dependent on everything around us and everything around us is dependent on us.

He talked about the relationship between cause and effect but equally the relationship between effects and cause. He went on to discuss ignorance in two parts: the ignorance of reality and the ignorance of facts. And how we need to realize that everything we do has effects.

He reminded me that most humans have the common experience of being loved and protected by their mothers. And even if one does not have parents, they seek out and in most cases are able to find the substitute for this unconditional love in those who provide, feed and protect us. And that this bond is very real. That those who are lacking this experience, most likely are corrupt people because they do not understand the basic bonding principle for humans.

How trust and respect are the foundations to friendships and love and affection is necessary for your friends and family. That though you may be wanting more from them, you have to bring yourself to a point where the love is unconditional as it was with your mothers or those who raised you.

It is not until you are able to love unconditionally are you able to come to terms with the lack of self and how it does not exist again due to the fact that we are all part of everything.

More photos:http://gallery.me.com/mpclemons#100224

Way passed go...

Best Pig Roast Photo

Before and After Pig Roast

29th Annual Pig Roast

There were close to 150 people at the 29th Annual Pig Roast this year. Beautiful weather and lots and lots of food...

Photos:http://gallery.me.com/mpclemons#100216

Cathy Keyani's new company

www.acmepartybox.com

I wrote to her:

First of all I wanted to tell you how totally proud and happy I am for you to see this from an idea to reality. This is just incredible and the beauty is that it really takes all of the things that you do well and brings them together to help everyone celebrate life which should make you feel really good.

I am going to send this to everyone I know and I hope that you guys have tons of success with this.

I always knew this would be a better idea then the sterling silver bellybutton bowls to hold salt while eating celery in bed. Not sure how many people would have appreciated that idea!

June 9th: Happy Birthday to Manny

Pig Roast is coming June 19th

June 6th: Happy Birthday Uncle Jim and Grant

Calling all Cars

Just a quick news flash, Joe passed his Field Training Officer (FTO) program..Yay!

Lessons from Geese

Lessons from Geese
Fact 1 As each goose flaps its wings it creates an "uplift" for the birds that follow. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.
Lesson 1 People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.


Fact 2 When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front of it.
Lesson 2 If we have as much common sense as a goose, we stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.


Fact 3 When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.
Lesson 3 It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each others' skills, capabilities, and unique arrangements of gifts, talents, or resources.


Fact 4 Geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
Lesson 4 We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, the production is much greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by one's heart or core values and encourage the heart and core of others) is the quality of honking we seek.


Fact 5 When a goose gets sick, wounded, or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation or catch up with the flock.
Lesson 5 If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.

Down 1.3

These are the POST ITs in my entry way of the kilos I have to lose. I take one down each week I lose.

May 21st, Happy Birthday Aunt Sandy

I am flat week on week to give Mary a boost

"Progress lies not in enhancing what is, but in advancing toward what will be."

I read once "Youth is wasted on the young" and that seemed to ring true. When we are young, the possibilities and potential we hold at a younger age seems somehow offset by the insecurities, inexperience and the lack of understanding that aside from your spirit, nothing is infinite. But your spirit exists from all eternity and shall exist until the end of time, for your being has no end.

"Your living is determined not so much by what life
brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what
happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens. Advance, and never halt, for advancing is perfection. Advance and do not fear the thorns or the sharp stones on life's path, for they draw only corrupt blood."

As we grow older and realize the consequences of choices we have made after we leave the home of our parents and can choose freely, it may take another lifetime to learn that "much of your pain is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self"

Perplexity is the beginning of knowledge. Why are my knees starting to hurt?
Why do my feet throb just when I am standing still? What was it like yesterday to move with the grace of the body we were given and be completely at ease with ourselves?

The eye of a human being is a microscope, which makes
the world seem bigger than it really is. And so, we need to bring things back into perspective. To reconcile ourselves with the reality of our lives and point towards the potential and possibilities we have as long as we are breathing. And to love ourselves. Love and doubt have never been on speaking terms. And Doubt is a pain too lonely to know that faith is his twin brother.


All our words are but crumbs that fall down from the
feast of the mind.

Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls;
the most massive characters are seared with scars.

Pain and foolishness lead to great bliss and complete
knowledge, for Eternal Wisdom created nothing under the sun in vain.

And forget not that the earth delights to feel your
bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.

Have a great day!

New Siam Catering service has started

http://www.siamthaicuisinetokyo.com

We started the Siam Thai Catering business with Ross and Chakkri. We have our first event in August which is for the reception of the Living Dreams group which we were able to get $100,000 donated to for the Design Art Academy. Artists and musicians all over Japan volunteer their time to teach children of the orphanage network we work with about art for the week. The buffet at the closing ceremony will be provided by Siam.

Calling all cars

Mary, I just called the switchboard at the Del Norte Country Police department to send a APB over the wire to find Joe to confirm your weigh in number. Sorry! I had her mention the number too, so all the police, sheriff and hillbillies in a 200 mile radius with a Ham Radio know your number now.

Good luck on your bacon and eggs with cheese....

Weight Watchers vs. Atkins

Mary Sullivan and Michael P are having a contest on who loses weight faster. Michael, who will of course, because he is on Weight Watchers as is the rest of the world OR Mary....Dr.Atkins died Mary...of a heart attack....from following his own program!

So, let the race begin. I am not ashamed that I am down to 256 and have lost 8lbs so far this year....and Mary...how much are you weighing now????

May 8th is Joseph John's birthday

Remembering Grandpa Jack Perry's birthday, May 2,1921

Birthdays in May

Joseph John May ape

Aunt Sandy May 21st

Michael P May 31st

Long Lost photo

I was updating ancestry.com when I came across someone who had information about Grandma Perry's parents. The person who posted is Tracey, granddaughter of Grandma's sister Alice (blonde to her left in the photo). Her sister Betty is on her right. I have never seen this photo before.

Footloose and Cancer free

Remembering Uncle Bill's Birthday April 26th

Molly goofing off before Easter Vigil Mass

Jack and Molly in Portland March 2010

Happy Easter

We had a lovely Easter Sunday where a friend from Brazil made us a traditional Sunday lunch.

How about you?

Vote for Domaine Carneros - Best of the Bay List, Best Napa WineryVote for Domaine Carneros - Best of the Bay List, Best Napa Winery

Hello all,

Please VOTE to get our winery onto the 2010 Best of the Bay list. (Spread the word!!) . Voting ends May 28th.

http://baylist.sfgate.com/domaine-carneros-by-taittinger/biz/161879

We are currently in 4th place with current standings as:
1. Schramsberg Vineyards
2. Girard Winery
3. Quintessa
4. Domaine Carneros!

Check standings at:
http://baylist.sfgate.com/standings/best-of-the-baylist/4766/wineries/napa-winery

Thank you!

Stacey Ellis
Production Manager
Domaine Carneros
ship address / mail address
1240 Duhig Rd / P.O. Box 5420
Napa, Ca,94559 / Napa, Ca, 94581
707-257-0101 ext 109
cell 707-304-2621
sellis@domainecarneros.com

Hanami Cherry Blossom Viewing Festival

Had our annual Cherry Blossom Viewing Festival today in Shinjuku Park. It rained all week and luckily the sun came out in intervals enough to have a nice picnic with friends and drink a little Rose Champagne.

In Memory of Grandma Perry

Grandma Perry would have been 87 today.

I accidentally washed my face with toothpaste today and remembered when she brushed her teeth with Ben Gay. I used to laugh until I cried.

Please support my participation in AIDS/LifeCycle

This is my very close co-worker and friend. I am truly proud of him to take this challenge to support a tremendous cause. Anything you can do to help contribute is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Sean

Begin forwarded message:

From: Beau Gutfreund
Date: February 4, 2010 2:03:09 PM PST
To: seanmanny@mac.com
Subject: Please support my participation in AIDS/LifeCycle
Reply-To: Beau Gutfreund


A message from Beau Gutfreund t3rdknee2@yahoo.com.


Dear Friends and Family,

I am excited to announce my commitment to participate in this year’s Aids Life Cycle Event! I have wanted to be a part of this event for the last five years, and have decided to give it all my energy. I feel this event is a great opportunity for me to harness my love of cycling and put it to great use for so many others who need help and support.

From June 6th through June 12th I will be riding 545 miles from San Francisco to Las Angeles to raise awareness and money to battle HIV/AIDS. Your contribution will support the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, www.sfaf.org. Their work gives aid to those who are already living with this disease, helps to prevent new infections, develops new prevention programs and brings tremendous support to those with this challenging disease.

I have already started training and will be working hard to be ready for this upcoming June. I am looking forward to the challenges ahead. I will appreciate your contribution at any level. Every amount counts. Please pass this along to others who would be interested in supporting my efforts for this cause. Thank you so much for giving what you can.

Beau Gutfreund
Participant Number 2391


Click here to visit my personal page.
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://www.tofighthiv.org/site/TR/AIDSLIFECYCLE9/AIDSLifeCycleCenter?px=2333823&pg=personal&fr_id=1210&et=psfSbACrnIMYn3FbWIxf8g..&s_tafId=21160



If you no longer wish to receive email messages sent from your friends on behalf of this organization, please click here or paste this URL into your browser: http://www.tofighthiv.org/site/TellFriendOpt?action=optout&toe=7c9421424182d335b238fb6c55d25aca52869c15ef04f318

Ice Skating by Mount Fuji

We took some kids from an orphanage ice skating on the weekend. I had not been ice skating in 30 years and was quickly reminded that I probably did not even stay up as I got on the ice again....I fell backwards into a melted puddle of ice....I think stayed up for about two hours and I guess with the confidence of that, made my last lap and fell in a huge lake of water in the rink and fell on my left wrist which twisted and I could feel my shoulder about to dis-locate...other then that, it was a lot of fun....

Stacey Ellis' Birthday on March 18th

LORDY LORDY Michael Thomas is 40!

Photos:

http://gallery.me.com/seanmanny#100548