November 2 meetup: BarCamp Adelaide 2010 preparations

Organizers and interested parties in organizing BarCamp Adelaide 2010 will be having a coffee and chat meet on November 2nd.

Agenda for the upcoming meetup will be about potential sponsors to approach and and setting a date in 2010.

Details of the meetup as follows:

Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Location: The Exeter Hotel, 246 Rundle Street, Adelaide, Australia

You can RSVP at the Facebook event page. To get a feel of the community, you can also join the BarCamp Adelaide group page.

High school bullying

Last May, I was in Manila when Jas relayed to me the news that Jan got beaten up by a schoolmate's (AF) gang while she were in a nearby grocery with a friend. They teased her of being a lesbian and Jan snapped back by calling AF a fat ass.

AF started threatening that prompted Jan to report to school authorities. They were talked to by the assistant principal and its seems all is ok after. Then Jan with her friend went to a nearby grocery and as they got outside, AF was with her friends (around 10 to 11 persons and some are adults already). They beat her up (and her friend). Jan passed out and the last she recalled was being kicked repeatedly on the head.

As a parent, I was freaked out upon hearing the news and all I could think of was have her sent home to Manila. My husband then told me that the student was already expelled and a case will be filed by the police. They are expecting a call soon. At least, that is what he was told.

I insisted for Jan to be properly diagnosed as her eyes got really hurt. Glad that there were no permanent damage physically to her although emotionally, it is a different story. Although I'm fortunate to have a daughter who handles herself pretty well.

Around July, Jan told me the news that Afr will be returning back to school and it seems the case that was promised to be filed did not happen after all. We decided to transfer her from Findon High School to another school.

As I just got back for a short visit, this is one concern that I wanted to be clarified on and will be meeting the school authorities soon. I will also want to meet the student and her parents or guardian as this is one matter that I don't think can just be forgotten without anyone being responsible or neither ask for an apology for what they have done.

We'll see...

Bottle wine openers

One thing that Australia is well known for is its wide-array of wines. I got to try a wide variety during the Adelaide bloggers Christmas get-together last year. In the Philippines, wine is one token I get to receive all year round as well.

My dilemma though when it comes to drinking wine is the opening the bottle part which I have not developed my expertise to date.

I hope that one day, when we really get settled at home, we will have our own wine rack and a special estate wine opener since having a glass or two a day is something I would love to have.

Lunch at The Startup Club Adelaide

If there is one group in Adelaide that any aspiring startup should join, that would be The Startup Club Adelaide. The group has get-together activities almost every month fostering networking, camaraderie, and collaboration. How you could use it for your own benefit will depend on how creative and engaging you'll be in building connections.

The last meeting I attended was March 20 at the Richmond Hotel Adelaide. I think to grow in the community, one must also try to attend as much as you can as that will allow you to get to the members better.

I hope that I'll get the chance to join one of the meetings again while I'm here in Adelaide for less than a month. If networking with entrepreneurs and startups is your cup of tea, join its Facebook group and start building relationships.

Congratulations to Geoffrey Kwitko, Chris Hooper, and James Govan for making this group a success!