Ethnic Expo '08

China is the host country for this year's Ethnic Expo. Their float was inspired by one of the Seven Wonders of the World ---- The Great Wall of China.

When we speak of China, some things are always expected to be unique in their culture and traditions.......

the food....

the lion dance.....

the fan dance....

....the Cultural dances

....the QiPao dresses (can you spot Cim in there?)

.... last but not the least, acrobatics has always been a popular Chinese entertainment. I hope no one missed this incredible performance by the Peking Acrobats. The stunts were just unbelievable!

(Click to enlarge)

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P O L A N D (represented by Gracious Baugher)

Capital: WARSAW
Major Religion: ROMAN CATHOLIC
Currency: ZLOTY

*** While giving out flyers for the Polish food booth, Gracious recommended the famous Pierogi, which is dumpling stuffed with mashed potato and cheese.

N I G E R (represented by Allal Aboubakar

Capital: NIAMEY
Major Religion: MUSLIM
Currency: CFA FRANC

*** There are several languages used in Niger, but Allal noted that French language is the one that unites everyone. We also found out that a big part of Niger (nee-jair) sits in the Sahara Desert.

J A P A N (represented by Keiko Toyota on far left)

Capital: TOKYO

Major Religion: SHINTO and BUDDHISM coexist
Currency: YEN

*** The Kimono dress is the universal symbol of Japan. Also, it is interesting to know that almost all women from the older generation in Japan have their names ending in KO. According to Keiko, this is because KO means child, and every woman usually has their child/children to take care of.

C H I N A (represented by Fashion Show Team)

Capital: BEIJING

Religion: BUDDHISM

Currency: RMB (Renminbi)

*** China is the 4th largest country in the world and is officially the most populated one.

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Emperor Jonathan and Empress Cim, together with Prince Iynigo, thank everyone and wish to bid farewell for now.

Meet Mr. G

Walk For a Cause

Early Saturday morning, and Columbus downtown was filled with motivated racers ready to hit it on the starting line for the Mayor's walk. Even Mr. Armstrong had his #502 clearly posted on his chest, showing his total support. (I wonder if this is why they called it "Mayor's" Walk? hehe)

What's interesting to note too is that parents also brought their kids in their strollers and partipated. One couple even had a stereo playing at the back of the stroller while doing the walk. Great strategy I must say! That's a great tip for other runners next year.

We went to our volunteer post. The work officially started for us as we saw the lead bike and the first runner......

All traffic volunteers are like eyes and ears, plus fuel (if that's the right term for it in the context of motivation and moral support) for the exhausted participants. So that's what we did......

.......down to the very last runner with the trail bike.

Then off we go to Mill Race for a post-race celebration. Visitor's Welcome and Rayann (who also raced) joined the fun.

I wonder how Mayor Armstrong did in HIS walk? hehe. Nonethess, a big CONGRATULATIONS to everyone who participated. Cheers (as the Local Drafts would say) for a good and healthy living!

Iron Pour 101

After attending the meeting for the Mayor's Walk, the Damsels and Tri-TANs decided to check out the Driftwood Valley Music Festival together.

Had a good time chatting with them while listening to a live band.....






We also watched intently how different art forms can be created using iron to pour into molds.


We never really asked anyone how this procedure goes nor the different equipment used but let's see if our interpretation of it makes any sense at all.


So ladies and gentlemen, presenting, the Iron Pour......





Prepare the moulds first.

(of course, or else our products would look all the same.. duh!) Feel free to let your imagination roll.








Pour the iron into the thingy.




















Turn the furnace on for the melting of the iron.











... and when that's ready......














.....the hot molten metal can be poured into your desired mold.














Pretty simple explanation from a spectator's point of view. That wasn't too bad, if I'd say so myself. I just hope I did not misinform anyone of anything. =P So to continue, these are only a few of the examples of what the final product may look like. TA-DA!!!


You'd be surprised on how expensive these artworks are....but nah.... don't fret 'coz with my lecture at Iron Pour 101, you can simply whip up babies like these at your backyard!....... uh right??