Tarapeke: Our Kiwi

I had recently received an update about the kiwi bird my group from New Zealand had adopted. Tarapeke was born in April '10 at Rainbow Springs Kiwi Encounter and we got to visit her back in August. Tarapeke means in Maori – “Ants in Pants” because she was a very ancy and wiggly chick.

These nocturnal creatures are very unique because although it is a bird it has more characteristics of a mammal.

-It has tiny wings, almost like nubs, but cannot fly

-It has feathers that are more like fur

-It is the only bird in the world with nostrils at the end of its beak

-Its sense of smell is second to none

-It has no tail feathers, but does have whiskers, like a cat

-It has marrow in its bones, just like a human

-Very unusually, females have two ovaries, most birds have only one.
Kiwi's are the national bird of New Zealand and are endangered because they are such helpless animals that are easy targets to their predators. However, since the formation of conservation habitats such as Rainbow Springs, the number of kiwi birds have been increasing due to their incredible works.

A little bit of history of Tarapeke is that after birth, she stayed in an incubator for two days before moved to a brooder (an artifical habitat).  In the brooder she had the chance to stretch her legs and probe around in soil while she learned to eat the artificial diet.  Since the kiwi chicks hatch with such a large belly full of yolk, they feed off this for about a week before they need to start foraging for themselves.  Kiwi’s don’t need to be taught to probe for food in the ground by their parents as all of their behavior is instinctive, but usually are in need of some guidance to learn to eat the artificial diet! Tarapeke has been a pretty good chick thoughout her time being raised as she learned to eat the food relatively quickly.  She was in good condition at the regular five day health check.  Tara has been active in the brooder and is walking/standing well. It has been decided that she is ready to be released out in her natural habitat of the New Zealand bush where she can live the normal life of a kiwi.

Tarapeke

 Rainbow Springs Kiwi Encounter

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Leia Mais…

We Three Kings

Happy Christmas Eve to all! The lights and decorations are up, the carolers are out spreading holiday cheer and the overwhelming amount of cookies are filling my stomach... it is certainly putting me in the good Christmas spirit!

On Wednesday, I had the great pleasure of performing on stage with the 'Handel's Messiah Rocks' tour group at the Hershey Theatre. Although it is a rock show much like the Tran-Siberian Orchestra, this rendition of Handel's Messiah cantata was incredible! I could not believe the power in the music, singing and feeling of connection that I experienced. My favorite moment during the show was when we sang the Hallelujah Chorus and the entire audience was up and moving around feeding off of the energy that was in the theatre. I do recommend seeing it next year if you get the chance!

On another note, throughout this month, I have been taking a more in depth look at 'Christmas', not only at what it's all about, but how everything wraps together through various celebrations and traditions. With this, I have been asking friends how they commemorate the occasion and it's been fun sharing stories and what not.

Aside from this, I came across this really interesting article about the three wise men. We all know they are kings that came bearing gifts but this video discusses the mystery of who they were. Check it out!

>>The Mystery of the Magi 

Also, just for kicks:

>>Santa's Time Machine 

Have a Merry Christmas!

Leia Mais…

Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noel, Feliz Navidad, Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto

The holidays are right around the corner and most Americans are busily preparing to enjoy their favorite Christmas traditions. Our country is so rich in various cultures and religions that no two households celebrate the holiday in the exact same way.
Although there are many cultures/religions that do not celebrate Christmas, it seems the entire world finds something to celebrate around this time of year. Some interesting facts that most of our traditional holiday celebrating originates is from ancient pagan (pre-Christian) rituals and feasts to honor the rebirth of the Sun during the Winter Solstice. The holiday was called "Yule" and modern advocates still use some of the ancient customs with modern traditions during the Christmas season.
Also, the Roman pagans celebrated the solstice by starting with a holiday called 'Saturnalia' on December 17, to honor their God, Saturn. This festival lasted until December 24. Brumalia was then celebrated on December 25, in honor of the Sun, and completed the solstice festivities.
 I'm just going to take a look at a few other holiday traditions from around the world:
Traditional celebrations throughout the British Isles are very similar to the American style of Christmas. Although, it is interesting to note that gift giving was done in Britain on New Year's Day up until the 19th century. At that point, gift giving was switched to Christmas Day.
The day after Christmas is known as the Feast of St. Stephen or Boxing Day in Britain, Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It is almost more popular than Christmas. It is a holiday which started in medieval times when the lord and lady of an estate would give their workers their annual distribution of clothing, tools and a small money donation. Today, employers still traditionally give their employees gifts of turkeys and money. Distributing funds to the poor is also an important theme of the day.
In the past, gift giving and card sending was observed on New Year's Day in France. Today, gifts are given to children by Pere Noel (the gift giver) on St. Nicholas Eve (December 6) and baby Jesus on Christmas (December 25). However, adults wait to exchange gifts on New Year's Day. Few homes in France will decorate a tree, infact, the focus in the household is the nativity scene or 'creche'. Epiphany or Twelfth Night is another French celebration. The twelfth day after Christmas is marked as when the wise men or 'magi' arrived to give Jesus his gifts.
In Italy, St. Francis of Assisi is renowned with the popular 'Nativity Scene'. He asked Giovanni Vellita of the village of Greccio to make a manger scene as a backdrop to his ceremonies for Mass. This dramatic scene of the Nativity produced so much interest and devotion in Italy that the creation of the figurines or pastori has become a traditional folk art.
A strict fast is observed for 24 hours before Christmas Eve. The fast ends with a celebration feast that includes a Milanese cake called 'panettone'. Gift giving is done on January 6, to honor the Feast of the Epiphany.
Christmas in Egypt is celebrated through the Coptic Church. In the Orthodox Church and in the Coptic Church Christmas is celebrated on the 7th January. Advent is observed for forty days and during this period people are expected to fast eating no meat, poultry or dairy products. Some people only do this during the last week of Advent.
On the Eve of Christmas everyone goes to church wearing a completely new outfit. The Christmas service ends at midnight with the ringing of church bells, then people go home to eat a special Christmas meal known as 'fata', which consists of bread, rice, garlic and boiled meat.
On Christmas morning people in Egypt visit friends and neighbors. They take with them 'kaik' which is a type of shortbread, which they take with them to give to the people they visit and eaten with a drink known as 'shortbat', I think I'd enjoy that =)
I've never gotten the chance to experience any other traditions besides my own yet, but it seems like something that would be a lot of fun doing.
Cheers!

Leia Mais…

Tis the Season

Happy first day of December! that means the true countdown to Christmas begins! I have many fun things to share with you through out the holiday season but for now I want to show something that I've always loved to see around this time. A part of my holiday tradition as we build up to Christmas day is to wonder throughout the communities and look at the all of the Christmas lights that everyone has displayed. It is really cool to see some of the creativity that people put forth and it really gets you in the holiday spirit! I stumbled upon a few really cool videos that highlight some pretty outrageous lights. I one day hope to do this when I have my own home.
more links>>>

         Coca Cola Christmas

                                                 I gotta feeling  

                                                                              Carol of the Bells 

Leia Mais…