Well here I am. I felt it timely for you all to meet me and my family, see where I live and share some of my interests.
My wife Jackie and baby Boy Brandon.
Notice the two longboards in the background. Jackie and I are both keen surfers, Jackie more so than me. Don't get me wrong I love surfing but I am never happy with my progress. These pictures where taken at what I call, The "Foster Family Dojo" (or garden shed) where I train in a regular basis with a group of friends who share the same goal. That goal is to be the best martial artists that we can be and to reach our goals we must be able to fight in all the ranges of combat. Which are boxing, kickboxing, clinch, takedowns and grappling. Martial arts is my real passion!
Aloha from the "FOSTER Family Dojo" school of martial arts.
WHERE I LIVE:
I live in a small town called Broughshane just outside Ballymena, sometimes called the gateway to Slemish where St. Patrick is said to have herded sheep.
Slemish Mountain near Broughshane
The Thatch Inn. Broughshane main street
Yes as the name denotes doe's have a thatched roof and apparently serves the best Guinness in N. Ireland. Sadly I hate the stuff, but it looks cool. Prince Charles (The future king of England) called the Thatch, "my favorite pub."
So once again. Welcome to my Blog and I hope you enjoy your visit.
Introduction With the impending BEIJING OLYMPICS, I felt it timely to comment on Tibet. I have been interested in the situation in Tibet for many years and only missed out on visiting there, due to the bombing of the airport in Nepal in protest against the Iraq war.
Sometimes throughout all of my Blogs I prompt the reader to "click here" which will take you to another web site. Also everything that is in bold print (or highlighted) can be clicked on, to take you to another link. As I've stated before It is my intention to include as much information as possible and I encourage you ALL to be as interactive as possible on my Blog. So please post a comment if you have just stumbled across my Blog or know me personally.
Although lengthly. I felt it important to include some background information for the reader to better understand the history. If you can better understand history then you will be in a better position to understand current events and be able to put them into context.
The 13th Dali Lama
"From I911 to I950, Tibet successfully avoided undue foreign influence and behaved, in every respect, as a fully independent state. The I3th DALAI LAMA emphasized his country's independent status externally, in formal communications to foreign rulers, and internally, by issuing a proclamation reaffirming Tibet's independence and by strengthening the country's defenses. Tibet remained neutral during the Second World War, despite strong pressure from China and its allies, Britain and the U.S.A. The Tibetan government maintained independent international relations with all neighboring countries, most of whom had diplomatic representatives in Lhasa.
Picture of UN flag
The attitude of most foreign governments with whom Tibet maintained relations implied their recognition of Tibet's independent status. The British government bound itself not to recognize Chinese suzerainty or any other rights over Tibet unless China signed the draft SIMLA CONVENTION of I9I4 with Britain and Tibet, which China never did. Nepal's recognition was confirmed by the Nepalese government in I949, in documents presented to the United Nations CLICK HERE in support of that governments application for membership.
The turning point in Tibet's history came in I949, when the People's Liberation Army of the PRC first crossed into Tibet. After defeating the small Tibetan army, the Chinese government imposed the so-called "17- POINT AGREEMENT for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet" on the Tibetan government in May I951. Because it was signed under duress, the agreement was void under international law. The presence of 40,000 troops in Tibet, the threat of an immediate occupation of Lhasa and the prospect of the total obliteration of the Tibetan state left Tibetans little choice.
"It should be noted that numerous countries made statements in the course of UN General Assembly debates following the invasion of Tibet that reflected their recognition of Tibet's independent status. Thus, for example, the delegate from the Philippines declared: "It is clear that on the eve of the invasion I950, Tibet was not under the rule of any foreign country." The delegate from Thailand reminded the assembly that the majority of states "refute the contention that Tibet is part of China." The US joined most other UN members in condemning the Chinese "aggression" and "invasion" of Tibet."
Whilst initially I was disgusted at the Olympic committee agreeing to hold the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. After some deliberation I concluded the following. It is my opinion that whilst the I.O.C. are in direst violation of the OLYMPIC ETHICAL CHARTER I still think that holding the games in China can turn out to be a good thing. How can this be? I believe that China's human rights violation will be highlighted like never before.
The suffering of China's own people will not be forgotten by me, even though this is a Blog dedicated to Free Tibet. I feel it important to comment that thousands of people are being executed each year, (please watch the video) people are being imprisoned without trial and tortured. It is worthwhile to note that Chinese people where kicked out of their homes to make way for the new Olympic stadium. These poor people where not given an option or alternative accommodation, but kicked out into the streets. If China cannot look after it's own people in a land where there is no free speech, how does the world expect it to look after indigenous Tibetans. Since 1950 the Chinese have been responsible for the deaths of 1.2 million Tibetans. Think about that. This was systematic cultural genocide! The world watched and did nothing. Now the world is watching and the media is managing to get some reports out of Tibet. It has been said that because of this that the Chinese will show some restraint.
This is the Chinese showing restraint?
BBC news Report
Excellent ITN report
Excellent interview with the Dali Lama, CLICK HERE
After watching an interview with Hollywood star Goldie Hawn, I knew I had to check out her foundation.
THE HAWN FOUNDATION - Change the world. One mind at a time.
"Founded in 2003 by award winning actress, director and producer Goldie Hawn, The Hawn Foundation is dedicated to supporting children by advancing mindfulness training in educational, healthcare and community-based settings."
On Buddhism:
"I've been practicing Buddhism for a while. So, I call myself a Jew-Bu, because my tribe is still Jew. But my philosophy and my practice is really Buddhist," says Hawn. "Buddhism is really, one of its main practices is understanding and experiencing compassion, and how that ultimately is a road to happiness."
For those of you who want to know more about Buddhism and how it can change your life, please click HERE
Buddhism is sometimes referred to as, "science of the mind". The techniques employed by the GH Foundation are scientificallyTESTED
MINDFULNESS
Is there not a more deserving person to start mindfulness development than your children? Is not the future of our planet in their hands?
"At The Hawn Foundation, we share the dreams of all teachers and parents to help children achieve excellence, both in and outside of school. When kids learn simple mindfulness-based techniques (also called attention training), they gain critical skills to understand their own thoughts and feelings, and behave in more healthy, responsive ways."
Mindfulness is the awareness of the present moment. The bill boards and T.V. adverts direct our attention to the next must have product. It is very difficult to be mindful when our minds are so full of clutter. Difficult but not impossible. I believe mindfulness to be the by product of meditation (see my other blog on this subject) If everyone was more aware of the present moment and carefully considered their actions, then the world would be a better place. For every positive or negative action, there is an equal reaction.
About Mindful Focused Awareness:
"Mindful focused awareness means being aware of your own mind. When you practice mindfulness, you cultivate more awareness and insight into each day, moment by moment. The better we can understand our own minds (made up of thoughts and feelings), the more aware of and in control we are over our own behavior. Rather than judging and reacting what occurs in our experience, we learn to observe and respond. Mindfulness helps us conduct our lives in a way that is healthy, responsible and joyful."
This is from a recent article from, The INDEPENDENT newspaper:
"A motion to be debated at the ATL's annual conference in Torquay next Tuesday says: "Conference notes with deep concern that many children in our schools appear unhappy and anxious." Over the next two weeks, ATL members will discuss several topics relating to the mental health of primary age children and the pressures they face in modern society. Another motion on the ATL's agenda warns that "social dysfunction and family breakdown are damaging the educational attainment of children and the performance of schools and colleges", while a third speaks of the growing number of pupils being driven to suicide by "academic, social and peer pressure". The recent spate of teenage suicides in Bridgend, South Wales, is symptomatic of the unease felt by today's children, delegates will hear."
1) The next time you are walking from A to B be aware of the present moment. Please be aware of where you are right now. Don't be thinking of your destination (B) before you get there, or about what you will be watching that night on T.V. Instead focus and be mindful of what's going on around and don't miss out on the beauty of the present moment. If you are with someone, then give them your full attention and be mindful of what they are saying.
2) Wash the dishes to wash the dishes! Yes that's right. When you are washing the dishes I want you to try and think about nothing else but washing the dishes and not about the cup of tea that you are going to enjoy when you are finished. This is a difficult exercise and of course this applies to ALL activities.
"Named after the vibrant, Bohemian dockside district of Buenos Aires, La Boca is Belfast's first Argentine style restaurant. Located on Fountain Street it is a 3 minute walk from the front of the City Hall past the Linenhall Library. Its high ceiling and solid beech wood furniture create a stunning fifty seater diningroom."
Jackie and I where very lucky on Monday past as the weather held out and delivered us a fresh crisp winters day. After a delightful days shopping in Belfast City shopping, Jackie and I stumbled across this amazing Argentinian restaurant. This was one of those unique restaurants that transported you to another country and gave you that, "where on vacation" kind of feel. The fish I got was just incredible and Jackie's traditional street vender spicy sandwich was the bees knees!
If you are ever visiting Belfast, be sure to check out this outstanding restaurant and let yourself be transported to Buenos Aires on a warm sunny day. We really felt blessed after our perfect wee day, as by the time we reached home it was snowing, then it rained.
Later I will do another Blob about Belfast city. The past the present and the future on a city which I love. Meantime I hope you enjoyed my review and don't forget to leave a comment.
