This is it! It is around 5.55PM, and I have officially finished my Live Below the Line semi-fast, and from here on in, am back to regular eating. I officially finished at 5PM, but I am stuck at work and cannot get food >_<
So, a big shout out and thanks to everyone who has donated and supported myself and the cause throughout this week, and to all the offers of food :D I feel most loved!
Last chance to donate, and get good karma ;) --- http://www.everydayhero.com.au/phillipa_edmiston
Until next post...
|| pip ||
vendredi 20 août 2010
jeudi 19 août 2010
four down, one to go....
So, as I sit here, nearly at the end of this semi starvation ordeal, I'm thinking "Awesome! Only 24 hours more, and I get to eat!!!"
What a wonderful thought to entertain that even though I may be feeling rather food deprived and as if I could devour a whole zebra, there will actually be food, and plentiful amounts of it, waiting for me at the finish line, in a sort of "end of starvation" feast. Quite ironic, don't you think?
So food consumed today has been the same as the other days:
- Oatbran for breakfast (I had a touch of honey with it today)
- Plentiful amounts of green tea
- Rice
- And rice is waiting for me at home for din dins :)
I won't go on another massive rant, but I will give you again the web address (http://www.everydayhero.com.au/phillipa_edmiston)to sponsor my week of self imposed starvation, with the knowledge that by donation, you will be contributing towards a better life for someone else around the globe, and hopefully prevent them from having to suffer from poverty, and the inextricable constant hunger that is generally attached to it.
Chat tomorrow, at the finish line :)
|| pip ||
mercredi 18 août 2010
so whose life on the line?...
End of day three... Food consumed:
- More oatbran for breakfast (slowly getting used to the taste...)
- Green tea :D
- More rice and lentils for dinner
- Aaaaand who couldn't finish the day with some more green tea to help me feel fuller, and to help me get myself motivated to study... (have been studying muscles at the moment, which can be slightly.... very tedious).
I was talking to a friend today, and the topic of Gap Minder came up (http://www.gapminder.org/) --- brilliant concept. It maps out different variables, like average life expectancy, GDP per capita, prevalence of HIV/AIDS, etc, on a graph, comparitive to other countries, over time!!! Wow... a mouthful there... But seriously, go check it out, and you will see what I mean. It definitely puts life in perspective for the developed world, seeing how the developing world is lagging in comparison!
For those of you who have never heard of TED before, it is simply amazing! There are TED conferences in different places around the world a couple of times a year, where people gather to hear short speeches by people who are experts in their field, talks that incorporate technology, entertainment and design (hence the TED, etc). Anyway, all of the talks are available on ted.com and most of them are really good and worth listening to (this is teh website which reels in my procrastinatory hours...). Anyway, Hans Rosling, the guy who came up with the concept of Gap Minder, gave a talk at a TED conference, and I have added the video below for you to watch :)
So really, when we talk about living below a line, who is it living below the line? And whose life is "on the line"?
I want to share a story - I spent last December (2009) in Kolkata, in the state of West Bengal in India. Kolkata is one of the poorest and congested cities you will ever see (over 25 million people crammed into one city), with beggers on most street corners, and people living in makeshift slums on the side of the road, even on the foot path... Wherever there is a small amount of space to qualify their "non existant" existence. These people survive off the petty income they receive, doing any jobs they can - rickshaw drivers, offering to direct you around places, carry your bags (not the best idea...), etc. Many of them have no job. There is a small village South of Kolkata called Dhaki, a village on a water way, where many people earn an existence through fishing. One of my favourite photos from my India trip was taken in this village - a little boy boarding a boat carrying his suitcase:
.jpg)
Anyway, one Saturday at the Dhaki medical clinic where I was volunteering, a distraught parent bought her 2 year old son in, Suraj. Suraj was in an appalling condition, a condition you would NEVER see in the developed world, but in this tiny, poverty stricken corner of India, here it was. He had a retinoblastoma - a cancer of the eye, on top of which was a secondary infection. His right eye was so infected that it was protruding out of his eye socket. We knew that he needed immediate attention, so we sent him and his family in our mobile clinic (a converted bus) to Kolkata - a four hour journey.
On Monday, we raced around various hospitals in the Kolkata metro area, trying to get Suraj admitted, but no one would take him, as most hospitals were not advanced enough to treat his condition. Finally, after four hospitals and five hours, we managed to get him into the paediatrics department at Kolkata Medical Hospital. By this time, Suraj was listless - we was so sick that he couldn't move, couldn't talk, not even whimper or cry out in pain. Nothing.
Over the next couple of days, we visited him, paid for his treatment, took him for x-rays and CT scans, and provided support for the family. We couldn't communicate with Suraj's mum, as we didn't speak the language competently enough, but somehow we managed. The hospital was jam packed with sick people, and sick children. I was approached by a mum, whose young bub (under one year) was in intensive care, alongside Suraj. She told me that the doctors said that there was nothing more they could do for her baby, and that it would soon die. The bluntness with which she told me broke my heart - she had obviously cried and been distraught til she could cry no more. She looked at me with resigned eyes, and I had to leave the intensive care unit to cry.
When I went to see Suraj the day after Christmas, I was told that he had been discharged. Appalled that he should be discharged in such condition, I hassled the intensive care doctor. Suraj had been sent home to die. There was nothing more that could be done. I talked to the coordinator of my project a couple of days later, and he informed me that around the date of December 28th, Suraj had died back in Dhaki. Only two years old, and practically destined to die because of poverty. And the sad thing is - this is one case out of millions more - thousands of children (and adults) die everyday from diseases and illness that could be prevented, and would be if they lived in a developed country, or were not living in poverty.
The attitude of the affluent is appalling. I was speaking to one of my friends that I made in India, Shashank, and he couldn't care less about the poor and dying. It is an attitude shared among the upper class in India - it is as if the poor deserve to be poor and live in poverty, as if they are lazy, etc. The poor are by no means lazy - I have seen them work harder than anyone to sustain their families, doing all the jobs that no one else wants to do.
So it is Suraj, and the millions of other children represented by Suraj, that we are Living Below the Line, and raising money so that other children can get an education, and get out of poverty, and not have to suffer the harsh consequences of poverty like Suraj did.
Uber long post, enough said. Talk tomorrow :)
|| pip ||
- More oatbran for breakfast (slowly getting used to the taste...)
- Green tea :D
- More rice and lentils for dinner
- Aaaaand who couldn't finish the day with some more green tea to help me feel fuller, and to help me get myself motivated to study... (have been studying muscles at the moment, which can be slightly.... very tedious).
I was talking to a friend today, and the topic of Gap Minder came up (http://www.gapminder.org/) --- brilliant concept. It maps out different variables, like average life expectancy, GDP per capita, prevalence of HIV/AIDS, etc, on a graph, comparitive to other countries, over time!!! Wow... a mouthful there... But seriously, go check it out, and you will see what I mean. It definitely puts life in perspective for the developed world, seeing how the developing world is lagging in comparison!
For those of you who have never heard of TED before, it is simply amazing! There are TED conferences in different places around the world a couple of times a year, where people gather to hear short speeches by people who are experts in their field, talks that incorporate technology, entertainment and design (hence the TED, etc). Anyway, all of the talks are available on ted.com and most of them are really good and worth listening to (this is teh website which reels in my procrastinatory hours...). Anyway, Hans Rosling, the guy who came up with the concept of Gap Minder, gave a talk at a TED conference, and I have added the video below for you to watch :)
So really, when we talk about living below a line, who is it living below the line? And whose life is "on the line"?
I want to share a story - I spent last December (2009) in Kolkata, in the state of West Bengal in India. Kolkata is one of the poorest and congested cities you will ever see (over 25 million people crammed into one city), with beggers on most street corners, and people living in makeshift slums on the side of the road, even on the foot path... Wherever there is a small amount of space to qualify their "non existant" existence. These people survive off the petty income they receive, doing any jobs they can - rickshaw drivers, offering to direct you around places, carry your bags (not the best idea...), etc. Many of them have no job. There is a small village South of Kolkata called Dhaki, a village on a water way, where many people earn an existence through fishing. One of my favourite photos from my India trip was taken in this village - a little boy boarding a boat carrying his suitcase:
.jpg)
Anyway, one Saturday at the Dhaki medical clinic where I was volunteering, a distraught parent bought her 2 year old son in, Suraj. Suraj was in an appalling condition, a condition you would NEVER see in the developed world, but in this tiny, poverty stricken corner of India, here it was. He had a retinoblastoma - a cancer of the eye, on top of which was a secondary infection. His right eye was so infected that it was protruding out of his eye socket. We knew that he needed immediate attention, so we sent him and his family in our mobile clinic (a converted bus) to Kolkata - a four hour journey.
On Monday, we raced around various hospitals in the Kolkata metro area, trying to get Suraj admitted, but no one would take him, as most hospitals were not advanced enough to treat his condition. Finally, after four hospitals and five hours, we managed to get him into the paediatrics department at Kolkata Medical Hospital. By this time, Suraj was listless - we was so sick that he couldn't move, couldn't talk, not even whimper or cry out in pain. Nothing.
Over the next couple of days, we visited him, paid for his treatment, took him for x-rays and CT scans, and provided support for the family. We couldn't communicate with Suraj's mum, as we didn't speak the language competently enough, but somehow we managed. The hospital was jam packed with sick people, and sick children. I was approached by a mum, whose young bub (under one year) was in intensive care, alongside Suraj. She told me that the doctors said that there was nothing more they could do for her baby, and that it would soon die. The bluntness with which she told me broke my heart - she had obviously cried and been distraught til she could cry no more. She looked at me with resigned eyes, and I had to leave the intensive care unit to cry.
When I went to see Suraj the day after Christmas, I was told that he had been discharged. Appalled that he should be discharged in such condition, I hassled the intensive care doctor. Suraj had been sent home to die. There was nothing more that could be done. I talked to the coordinator of my project a couple of days later, and he informed me that around the date of December 28th, Suraj had died back in Dhaki. Only two years old, and practically destined to die because of poverty. And the sad thing is - this is one case out of millions more - thousands of children (and adults) die everyday from diseases and illness that could be prevented, and would be if they lived in a developed country, or were not living in poverty.
The attitude of the affluent is appalling. I was speaking to one of my friends that I made in India, Shashank, and he couldn't care less about the poor and dying. It is an attitude shared among the upper class in India - it is as if the poor deserve to be poor and live in poverty, as if they are lazy, etc. The poor are by no means lazy - I have seen them work harder than anyone to sustain their families, doing all the jobs that no one else wants to do.
So it is Suraj, and the millions of other children represented by Suraj, that we are Living Below the Line, and raising money so that other children can get an education, and get out of poverty, and not have to suffer the harsh consequences of poverty like Suraj did.
Uber long post, enough said. Talk tomorrow :)
|| pip ||
being robyn...
This is one of my favourite songs (and version of this song) by Robyn. She sings with such feeling - it is amazing :)
|| pip ||
|| pip ||
mardi 17 août 2010
definately living below some line...
So, I've survived through day two of live below the line.
Total food consumed consisted of:
- Oatbran for breakfast
- Green tea
- More green tea
- Rice and lentils for dinner
- More tea (tea is the most amazing appetite suppressant, by the way ;) )
I have definitely been feeling the pinch of hunger, and it definitely is making me grumpier and less tolerant, but I somehow think that this in no way compares to what others in developing countries, living off under US$1.25 a day are going through.
For one, their US$1.25 has to cover everything - food, clothes, shelter, education, medical supplies/treatment, transport , etc.
My scant per day costings are only going towards my food - I am still able to transport myself around in my lovely non-carbon neutral car, I still have money to pay for books for my education (the French book I bought the other day cost me $50 - go figure), if I need medication or to go to the doctor, I am still able to do that. For these people, this is little more than a dream.
So, if you're feeling guilty yet at my lack of food, and the necessary poverty of others, donate at http://www.everydayhero.com.au/phillipa_edmiston . Or alternatively, if you wanted, go educate yourself on the issues of the developing world, and get into it - volunteer with an organisation (I volunteer for Oxfam - awesome developmental agency - they have offices in most major cities, etc; there is the Red Cross; Oaktree, if you are a young Australian :) ; and dozens more) - find one that does something for you, or stands for what you believe in.
Enough talk for now - I'll catch you tomorrow for another "starvation update" ;)
|| pip ||
Total food consumed consisted of:
- Oatbran for breakfast
- Green tea
- More green tea
- Rice and lentils for dinner
- More tea (tea is the most amazing appetite suppressant, by the way ;) )
I have definitely been feeling the pinch of hunger, and it definitely is making me grumpier and less tolerant, but I somehow think that this in no way compares to what others in developing countries, living off under US$1.25 a day are going through.
For one, their US$1.25 has to cover everything - food, clothes, shelter, education, medical supplies/treatment, transport , etc.
My scant per day costings are only going towards my food - I am still able to transport myself around in my lovely non-carbon neutral car, I still have money to pay for books for my education (the French book I bought the other day cost me $50 - go figure), if I need medication or to go to the doctor, I am still able to do that. For these people, this is little more than a dream.
So, if you're feeling guilty yet at my lack of food, and the necessary poverty of others, donate at http://www.everydayhero.com.au/phillipa_edmiston . Or alternatively, if you wanted, go educate yourself on the issues of the developing world, and get into it - volunteer with an organisation (I volunteer for Oxfam - awesome developmental agency - they have offices in most major cities, etc; there is the Red Cross; Oaktree, if you are a young Australian :) ; and dozens more) - find one that does something for you, or stands for what you believe in.
Enough talk for now - I'll catch you tomorrow for another "starvation update" ;)
|| pip ||
knee-high to a grasshopper....
I had to share this photo. No doubt about it that I was destined to dip my career toes into the health sector.
Nanna and me (6 years): Gee nanna, I wonder who has the highest blood pressure? Nanna, what is blood pressure?
Bless. My childhood self always makes me smile - that sincere innocence is just so radiant and pure.
|| pip ||
lundi 16 août 2010
teapots and tid-bits...
This is a post dedicated to one of my best friends, Lisa, who constantly craftspires me :)
Upon seeing my rather new blog (I don't believe 'a whimsical life' was even 24 hours when Lisa contacted me with "I'm lame and I copy you - here is aforementioned copied blog idea" [note: artistic licence was exercised here, those were not, quote on quote, her actual words... Well, the "I'm lame and I copy you" were].
So huzzah for Tea and Craft, undoubtedly the sister site to this one :) --- crafts, photography and general musings, such as how amazing ebay is (and vintage polariods!!!!)
So cheers! Raise your teapot, and be jolly! The owl teapot is definately my (and probably Lisa's) favourite.
.JPG)
Upon seeing my rather new blog (I don't believe 'a whimsical life' was even 24 hours when Lisa contacted me with "I'm lame and I copy you - here is aforementioned copied blog idea" [note: artistic licence was exercised here, those were not, quote on quote, her actual words... Well, the "I'm lame and I copy you" were].
So huzzah for Tea and Craft, undoubtedly the sister site to this one :) --- crafts, photography and general musings, such as how amazing ebay is (and vintage polariods!!!!)
So cheers! Raise your teapot, and be jolly! The owl teapot is definately my (and probably Lisa's) favourite.
Welcome to blogspot Lisa :)
.JPG)
|| pip ||
learning to live below the line...
So I'm part of this movement of young people who think that poverty really isn't the coolest kid on the block, and has to go - the Oaktree Foundation.
Oaktree came up with this fantastic idea to "Live below the line" - get people to sponsor us to live below the poverty line for a week (ie: spend NO MORE than $2 AUD on food per day), and put the funds raised towards our Cambodia schools initiative. It is a pretty awesome idea.
Oaktree came up with this fantastic idea to "Live below the line" - get people to sponsor us to live below the poverty line for a week (ie: spend NO MORE than $2 AUD on food per day), and put the funds raised towards our Cambodia schools initiative. It is a pretty awesome idea.
Anyway, this week, I am Living Below the Line – no more than $2AUD per day on food.
So today was the first day of starvation.
Total food count today stands as such:
- - Tea
- - Rice crackers
- - Rice for dinner
- - More tea
Suprisingly, it wasn’t that bad, although I do miss things that do not taste like cardboard – seriously guys, flavor is so underrated.
I’d love to thank everyone who has suppprted myself and the cause (Cambodian schools initiative) – it all makes a difference (how awesome am I at corny and cliché?).
To everyone else, myself and the team would love your support, even if it is simply words of encouragement :) If you want to do a tad more (ie: donate), check out http://www.everydayhero.com.au/phillipa.edmiston
I’ll be blogging my starvation journey throughout the week, so I’ll keep you posted :)
|| pip ||
craftspiration
I have recently fallen in love with Elsie Flannigan's blog A Beautiful Mess. Her eclectic vintage combinations always makes me want to run down to the store like a little girl and spend all my pocket money on crafty items to recreate her creations! I am especially in love with her crocheted Snow Hat which I am in the process of creating - will keep you updated. Also check out her 4 simple goals project - something to consider?
|| pip ||
a whimsical life...
First post on the blog. Sunday night/Monday morning, and should probably be catching zzz's, but instead, I thought I'd share a few short musings about myself.
I am a medical/french student from Australia. As you will pick up on, I love photography, polaroids (just bought a delightful vintage spectra today on ebay :D) and have just recently discovered the joy of crocheting (not just for nannas!).
I can't cook without adult supervision, I love black blazers and own one too many berets.
My best friend, Dani, has been fashion blogging, and we had a fashion/photography collision afternoon, and here are said results :) Enjoy
|| pip ||
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