Did you know?

I was very reliably informed by a close friend of mine (who loves Manly almost as much as I do!) that approximately 6 million people (per year) walk the amazing Manly to Shelly Beach walkway!

And why on earth wouldn't you?  It's our little piece of Positano-style Paradise right off our own back porch.   Here's some of my amazing shots.  So, why not treat yourself this weekend - step outside your front door and experience the spectacular walk that millions of people pay a fortune to travel to our beautiful backyard, each and every year to do...  And remember just how lucky we are to live here :)

Love,
Miss Manly x

One Day Without Shoes

Can you go without shoes on April 5?  It's an international day set aside to raise awareness of the impact a pair of shoes can have on a child's life, by taking off our own.

In many parts of the developing world, shoes are seen as a status symbol and can change a child's life.  By donating 1 pair of shoes to a child in need in the third world for every pair purchased, TOMS shoes really knows how to make a difference.  TOMS Shoes is the company behind One Day Without Shoes.

In many countries, children walk barefoot for miles to get to school, collect food or to seek medical help and millions of children are at risk or injury, disease or infection from soil-transmitted diseases.  Most cannot afford medical treatment or prevention.  This in turn impacts a child's ability to attend school and gain an education - which is a critical determinant of future success.  In developing countries, healthy educated children can mean the difference between the survival or disappearance of an entire community.

The TOMS story is a pretty amazing and inspiring one, so I thought I'd share it with you:

One for One

TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we're all about. The TOMS mission transforms our customers into benefactors, which allows us to grow a truly sustainable business rather than depending on fundraising for support.

Giving Is Catching On...

The TOMS mission of giving shoes has attracted other brands, resulting in unique and successful collaborations. Ralph Lauren sold co-branded Polo Rugby TOMS, giving a matched pair with every pair sold. Element Skateboards has issued limited edition TOMS + Element shoes as well as a One for One skateboard. With every skateboard purchased, one will be given to a child at the Indigo Skate Camp in Durban, South Africa. It is TOMS’ hope that as our One for One movement continues to grow, more and more companies will look to incorporate giving into what they do.

The TOMS Story

In 2006, American traveler Blake Mycoskie befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS Shoes, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff later that year with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by TOMS customers. 

As of September 2010, TOMS has given over one million pairs of new shoes to children in need through Giving Partners around the world.

In this day and age, it's ultra-refreshing to see a company who cares about people less fortunate than themselves, as much as they care about the bottom-line.  Do you know of any other companies with such a positive social conscience?

Love,

Miss Manly x

Never Let Me Go

Last night, I saw a very interesting film, which certainly provided food for thought.  Never Let Me Go was based on the novel by the same name, written by British-born Japanese author Kazuo Ishiguro.

It follows the lives of 3 children - Ruth, Kathy and Tommy, who at first glance appear to be normal children residing at an up-market boarding school in the idyllic English countryside.  It is later revealed that these 3 children, along with their fellow students at Hailsham and countless others across the UK were bred for the sole purpose of organ donation, as part of the National Donor Program in the UK in the '70s and '80s.  For me, the most tormenting part of the film was the final line, stated by Kathy as she contemplates the ruins of her childhood and considers whether her fate is really any different from the people who will receive her organs after all: "We all complete. Maybe none of us really understand what we've lived through or feel we've had enough time."

To my surprise, some of my girlfriends seemed to struggle with the idea that it was a real film, lacking the big budget, Hollywood-style drama, computer-generated animation, sound effects and action scenes, cheesy love story or crass humour which too frequently pollutes our cinema experiences today.  For me, the real struggle lay in the ethical issues surrounding the breeding of children for this purpose. 


In the movie, most of the donors 'completed' prior to reaching the age of 30, after their third or fourth donation (usually being the donation of their heart).  The fact that these thousands of children were so institutionalised that they were unable to be independent or informed in their decision making or in everyday life, meant that they believed that their sole purpose in life was nothing more than to donate their vital organs.  As such, they became the victims of an archaic and monstrous National health system, completely lacking the ability to argue against this purpose, or to state their wishes, hopes and dreams for their own lives.

Don't get me wrong.  Having a gorgeous aunty (whom I am very, very close to) whose life was saved in 1990 by the selfless gift from a grieving family - their 16 year old daughter's heart (after being tragically killed in a motor accident), I am a huge advocate of organ donation.  In fact, I myself am an organ donor and think that this is the greatest gift you could give anyone who is suffering and so desperately in need.  


Australia has one of the lowest rates of organ donation in the developed world, but I am completely and utterly opposed to the concept of people being bred and groomed throughout their childhood and teenage years for this specific purpose, only to 'complete' prior to reaching 30.  The fact that countless life-saving organs are effectively wasted when someone is buried or cremated, means that they could be better used to save the dying - if only people registered as donors and expressed their wish to donate, to their loved ones. This is crucial as they will ultimately have the final say and must consent to your organs being used for transplant to save the life of another human being. 


Here's some very sad stats about organ donation in Australia:

Did you know?

• One organ and tissue donor can save the lives of up to ten people and significantly improve the lives of dozens more.
• Around 1700 people are on Australian organ transplant waiting lists at any one time.
• On average, people on the transplant list must wait between 6 months and 4 years.
• In 2010, 309 organ donors gave 931 Australians a new chance in life.
• In 2008, 1096 people donated their corneas. As a result, 1696 people had their sight restored.

To find out more about organ donation and to register your wishes to donate (and notify your loved ones of these wishes by sending a cool, personalised video clip), click here http://www.donatelife.gov.au/

What better way to save the life of one person (or several) who are so desperately in need, as well as preserving the memory of a loved one?  In fact, it gives a whole new meaning to Never Let Me Go.


Love,
Miss Manly x

It's the little things...

After witnessing the heartbreak, pride and strength of Sydney's Japanese population in Manly on Saturday, I was walking home and noticed this small token of beauty and hope.  It's amazing how it's the littlest things that can sometimes add a ray of sunshine to an otherwise stormy, grey day.

Love,
Miss Manly x

The Thousand Paper Cranes

Many of you may fondly remember the tragic story of Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes from your childhood.  It's a non-fiction children's book, published in 1977 and written by American author Eleanor Coerr.  Sadako Sasaki lived in Hiroshima, Japan at the time of the nuclear bombing by the United States of America.  As a result of the radiation she was exposed to after the bombing, Sadako developed leukaemia and required care in a nursing home.  Here, she whiled away the long, painful hours folding origami paper cranes - now a global symbol of peace and hope.  Sadako dreamt that she would eventually fold 1,000 paper cranes, but tragically, she died before she was able to fold all 1,000 cranes and make her wish (as per ancient Japanese folklore).  Touchingly, Sadako's one wish was to live.  In the short time she had left, Sadako folded an amazing 644 cranes before she became too ill and weak to fold any more.  She died shortly after.  In her honour, Sadako's family and friends carried on, folding the remaining 356 delicate, brightly coloured paper cranes and the thousand paper cranes were buried with little Sadako.

Tragically, Japan is again being confronted with a disaster on an unprecedented scale, as a result of the devastating earthquake and tsunami, killing 10,000 (with another 17,500 still missing) 2 weeks ago.  We are now witnessing yet another potential radiation threat to millions of people, as the Fukushima reactor spews its radiation into the earth's atmosphere.  It has been said that this is the second greatest nuclear threat after Chernobyl in 1986. Millions are left without shelter, food, water and basic necessities.  Sadly, it seems that in the coming years, there will be many more victims, just like little Sadako.

Yesterday, the proud, stoic Australian-Japanese people came from all parts of Sydney, to Manly's beautiful Corso, dressed in traditional kimono, to sing, dance, hold stalls and collect money on behalf of the Red Cross to aid their countrymen, women and children, who are suffering so much at the moment.  Here are just a few photos I took of these beautiful, heartbroken and peaceful people, all doing their little bit for their beloved homeland.

My love and thoughts go out to all those who are suffering and who have lost so much as a result of this horrific series of disasters in Japan.  Please give what you can.  Here are a few little things you can do to help:

http://www.redcross.org.au/japan2011.htm

You can also buy 'Songs for Japan', a compilation of 38 songs by some of the world's greatest musos, including Madonna, the Kings of Leon, Bob Dylan, U2, Bruce Springsteen, the late John Lennon, the Foo Fighters, R.E.M, Bon Jovi and Pink.  All proceeds from the album will go to the Japanese Red Cross Society, as all the artists have waived royalties and proceeds from the recordings.  Download the benefit album from iTunes now.


Love,
Miss Manly x

Switch off the lights!

Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change. Only a year later and Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries/territories participating. Global landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, CN Tower in Toronto, Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s Colosseum, all stood in darkness, as symbols of hope for a cause that grows more urgent by the hour.

Earth Hour is organized by WWF. With almost 5 million supporters and a global network in over 100 countries/territories, it’s one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and build a future where people live in harmony with nature.

So, get your soy or beeswax candles ready, the countdown is on!  With only 2 and a bit hours to go until 8.30pm - Earth Hour, will you be switching off your lights tonight?


Love,
Miss Manly x

This made me smile today...

What a lovely day indeed!  A perfectly blue Sydney sky, warm sunshine and a divine, fiery red sunset.  I hope your day was just as lovely!

Love,

Miss Manly x