BELATED GREETINGS : Chinese Lantern Festival 2009: Mon 9 Feb 2009

good evening:

again, late since i was very busy at work and at home. it takes time to settle in a new home. i hope that i find a permanent home soon. 8-) anyway, a belated Happy Chinese Lantern Festival 2009.

Happy Chinese Lantern Festival 2009
http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/LanternFestival2009.htm
http://www.chineselanternfestival.ca/english/index.html

Lanterns in the street
http://china.chinaa2z.com/china/html/history%20and20culture/2008/20081110/20081110133220290161/20081110133344129494.html










Pagodas during the Lantern Festival
http://www.attractionsontario.ca/index.cfm?DSP=Section&ID=27









Reimar Gaertner: Windmill in Toronto
http://www.worldofstock.com/image_closeup.php?m=similar&sb=recent&sv=&svstr=Images%20Similar%20to%20ASC3552&pg=2&cu=ASC3552&rw=









Reimar Gaertner: Lantern parade crossing the BRIDGE
http://www.worldofstock.com/image_closeup.php?m=similar&sb=recent&sv=&svstr=Images%20Similar%20to%20ASC3552&pg=2&cu=ASC3552&rw=










Reimar Gaertner: The lantern lit pagodas
http://www.worldofstock.com/image_closeup.php?m=similar&sb=recent&sv=&svstr=Images%20Similar%20to%20ASC3552&pg=1&cu=ASC3552&rw=









Reimar Gaertner: Impressed Canadian
http://www.worldofstock.com/image_closeup.php?m=similar&sb=recent&sv=&svstr=Images%20Similar%20to%20ASC3552&pg=2&cu=ASC3552&rw=













Pagoda gate lit with lanterns
http://ckkellymartin.blogspot.com/2006_09_01_archive.html











Pandas welcoming new guests
http://gocanada.about.com/od/eventsfestivalsholiday1/ss/chinese_lantern_4.htm











have a marvellous Sunday evening,

Aaron
--

BELATED GREETINGS : Happy New Chinese Year 2009: The Year of the Ox

good evening:

i was very busy and so could not send these greetings before. that's why i am sending these now. Please see this card fullscreen.

Happy Chinese New Year 2009 The Year of the Ox

have a marvellous day,

Aaron
--

GREETINGS : Pt 2: Happy New Year 2009 from Carrigtwohill, Ireland

Good evening:

Around Christmas 2008, the attacks by Israel on Gaza started. the atacks are continuing until today. Many people have been killed or injured. While we sit in cosy homes and enjoy the Christmas and New Year holidays, so many are injured and dying in Gaza. It seems that Israel was provoked by Hamas rocket attacks and there are reports that Israel is serious about quashing any kind of threat from Gaza.

I was astonished by the initial reports of the attacks. I felt bad for what was happening and decided to create Part 2 of the Christmas / New Year story card for Gaza. If you extend the story, you can also think of why these two neighbours are at each other's throats for so long. I mean, we have Halal and we have Kosher and both are similar. Yet, they have some serious differences. I am sure that the differences extend right into the Bible and before that.

You know, it seems that these attacks are the most severe since the Six Day War in 1967. In the 6-year WWII, we had 6 million Jews killed. Then, later, we had the 6 day war. Interesting, isn't it? Its 6-6-6, the Number of the Beast ^?.

Please note that I am not against Israelis or Americans or Palestinians. I have good friends from Palestine, America, and Israel. I am an observer who wonders WHY and WHO really is responsible for this insanity^?

You may forward this story card to anyone. The images are taken from the Internet. You may also use these images as you see fit.

---

The Door into your homeland. Will I knock on the door and wait to be welcomed in? Or will I try to seize control of the trade routes and strategic region in the name of a crusade? And what if I do let you enter? Will you end up owning banks and controlling my stock market?













I dont own a home like you do. I live behind barbed wire. From where I am, I can see your magnificient home. I also am a human like you. I also want what you have.










Israel is given independence. There is unrest among the Arab nations.













The 40th anniversary of the Six Day War is marked.














Har Homa in disputed territory. Jewish settlements. Bones of contention.








Map of Jewish settlements in Gaza














I dont want to live in a camp. I want my own country.









There is an armed struggle by the Palestinians









The Israelis respond with force.









Finally, there is peace and Palestine gets independence










Gaza - the area of dispute.














Gaza children looking for food in garbage.









The Hamas is active and has an armed struggle against Israel.










Rockets are to be used against Israel from Gaza.











Hamas is now active in Gaza













Hamas comes to power













Israel holds a siege against Gaza. The people of Gaza are upset.









There are protests against the Israeli siege in Gaza.









Protests are held against Israel all over the world.









Rockets continue being fired from Gaza against Israel.









Israel cannot keep quiet any longer. They have to respond. The aircraft get ready on the runway for their mission to deal severely with Hamas.










Israeli helicopter gunships get ready for take off to attack.









An Israeli fighter shoots off a rocket against a Hamas target.










Bombs from the air rain destruction.










The people of Gaza run protecting themselves against the bombs.









A man carries his child, dead in his arms.








A Hamas gunman stands guard while a jeep burns.








An old mother sits among the ruins of her home. There is a tear on her eye.









There are many bodies in the morgue.











The women of Gaza scream in pain. They want something to be done.








Hamas watch from the top of a destructed building.









A simple, young girl is tended by elders. Does she want this war? What is it all for? When will she find peace? As Dr. Zhivago said, "Some day my love, there will be songs to sing..."








Aaron

--

GREETINGS : Pt 1: Happy New Year 2009 from Carrigtwohill, Ireland

Hi:

I hope that you and your family had a wonderful Christmas, whether you celebrate it or not. Now the Old Man has left and the New Year 2009 is being welcomed in all over the world.

This is a greeting story card from me to you and your family, to wish you a Happy New Year 2009. May the new year find you bettter than ever before.

Please also take time to pray for the people and families of Gaza, for there is too much pain and suffering there now, God knows why?

In the card below, the years have deliberately not been changed. Its to show something of the years gone by.

A card because I cannot forget my friends who are more than my family.



















Happy New Year 2009 from the Old Man and the Young Girl









The many new years from the past, from the eyes of Norman Rockwell














The DJ crafts his music to make people happy














The Japanese woman plays music and all are thrilled among the Arts









In the past, an Indian woman sits pensively on a canoe










A man's child is hurt and bleeding...










Christmas is over, the tree has to be removed.










Santa says that its time to ring in the New Year!














The unemployed, frustrated youth protest. But even they say the same thing. There is hope...
Aaah, never mind the past, lets welcome the New Year














Some prefer a more sophisticated and sober and quiet celebration with their loved one. smooch!














Its time to prepare for the celebrations














Preparations for the Parsi New Year.









Hope in Farsi for the New Year. The Persian religion is one of the oldest in the world.














Aaah the New Year celebrations start...

A sophisticated dinner for the socialites














People come from all over to join the celebrations in Times Square in 2009









The officials prepare the Times Square ball for the New Year









The revellers are happy and gay in Times Square










Elsewhere, the city is lit.










Yeah, there is a buildup. The party is to start soon











Countdown to extinction?














Hey, its the New Year!














Hey, check out the celebrations in Times Square










Yaaay, celebrations in the neon of the city














Celebrations in the snow














In Times Square, the celebrations continue














Happy New Year from China








Time to go home, the party's over









Lets leave with our loved ones














The drinking continues...











While the sensible woman is asleep














Its hangover the next day. he he. worth it.














The next day, time to check the cards
Happy New Year 1903









The city awakes to a new year










I hope you like this story card. you can forward it to anyone you like, as long as you ensure that the card's original format remains. Also, you are welcome to use the images as you like. They are all from the Internet, through someone else's kindness.

Happy New Year 2009 once again,

Aaron