The national anthem of Saudi Arabia is The Chant of the Saudi Nation it was first adopted in 1950 by King Abdulaziz without the lyrics, to be the official royal salute. Which was played at Saudi official ceremonies to salute royal families and diplomats.
The piece was a gift from Egypt King Farouq in 1947 when King Abdul Aziz visited Egypt.
The composer Abdul Rahman Khateeb himself played the music on the trumpet at the official welcoming ceremony held for king Abdulaziz at that time.
In the 80’s the Saudi poet Ibrahim Khafaja was ordered to add words to the royal Salute piece, so it becomes the official Royal anthem of the Kingdom.
The first time Saudi’s heard their national anthem was on the first day of Eid Al Fitr in 1984, as it was played on the national TV and radio.
The National Anthem is commonly known among Saudis as Sari’i, the opening word of the anthem, meaning to Hasten.
Today we are looking at a condition called, rejection sensitive dysphoria or RSD, this is a condition that my eldest daughter has been diagnosed with along with ADHD. This condition isn’t something I have ever heard of till now.
It is a condition that causes intense emotional pain when someone feels rejected, criticized, or fails.
People with RSD may avoid situations where they might fail or be rejected it can affect children, teens, and adults.
RSD is not an official medical diagnosis, but there are treatments that can help
Symptoms of Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria
Rejection can, and often does, provoke an emotional response in all of us. What marks RSD is that this response is inappropriate for the circumstance and can last for days or longer after the rejection. Symptoms of Rejection Sensitive dysphoria can vary from person to person, but some common symptoms include:
Chronically low self-esteem
Inability or trouble containing emotions after being rejected – such as fits of anger or tears
Sudden drops into depression or anxiety, such as those typically hallmarked by bipolar
Avoidance of tasks, big or small, that could end in failure
People pleasing behaviour
Fear or apprehension of authority figures
Perfectionism or overcompensation for internal feelings of shortcomings
Isolating behaviours
Stage fright, fear of public speaking or social awkwardness even around friends and family
RSD can impact many aspects of life, including relationships, academics, and professional endeavours. It can also lead to anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts or behaviours.
Causes
Differences in brain structure that make it harder to regulate emotions and behaviours related to rejection
A deep-seated fear of negative judgment
A sense of falling short, failing to meet one’s own high standards or others’ expectations
Treatment is a combination of medications, therapies, and lifestyle changes. A big part is learning how to manage and cope with RSD can help people live fulfilling lives.
Today, we are looking at a bit of the history of Newcastle in New South Wales, the town was named after the famous coal port in England, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The city was originally called Coal River and then Kingstown.
In 1797, Lieutenant John Shortland discovered the Hunter River estuary while searching for escaped convicts. Then in 1801, Governor King authorized a group of convicts and soldiers to settle in Newcastle to mine coal. This settlement was short-lived and closed in 1802 but was re-established in 1804.
After the settlement was re-established, it was named Newcastle to imitate the English coal port. The city’s link to Newcastle-upon-Tyne is still evident in some of its place names, such as Jesmond, Hexham, Wickham, Wallsend, and Gateshead.
The coal mined from the area was the colony of NSW first export. Newcastle gained a reputation as a “hellhole” as it was where the most dangerous convicts were sent to dig in the coal mines as punishment.
Newcastle remained a penal settlement until 1822, when the settlement was opened up to farming. Military rule ended in 1823, and prisoner numbers were reduced to 100 while the remaining 900 were sent to Port Macquarie. Port Macquarie is 245km or 153 miles.
After the town was freed from the influence of penal law it began to acquire the aspect of a typical pioneer settlement, and free settlers soon poured into the hinterland.
Today, the Port of Newcastle remains the economic and trade centre for the resource rich Hunter Valley. It is the world’s largest coal export port and Australia’s oldest and second largest tonnage throughput port.
The population of Newcastle, New South Wales in 2024 is around 174,529. This is based on a forecast prepared by population experts on behalf of the City of Newcastle.
Lake Macquarie’s estimated resident population is around 220,000 people, making it the third largest regional city in NSW.
This week we are looking at the Sierra Nevada red fox.
Then we have the Sierra Nevada red fox which is found in the mountainous regions of California’s Sierra Nevada, it is also considered endangered. It is threatened by unpredictable events like wildfire and drought, competition with coyotes, and hybridization with non-native foxes, as well as habitat loss from logging and livestock grazing, disturbance by recreational vehicles, and climate change.
The Sonora Pass population of the Sierra Nevada red fox may be one of the most endangered species in the U.S. When FWS listed this population as endangered in 2021, the agency estimated that as few as 39 individuals may remain in the wild.
They appear to be opportunistic predators and foragers, with a diet primarily composed of small rodents. Their favorite foods are hares and gophers, but they also eat manzanita berries and deer carrion, particularly in winter and spring.
They have a small, slender body and legs; long, pointed ears; an elongated snout; and a long, white-tipped tail. They’re typically smaller than lowland red fox subspecies, with males weighing up to 9.2 pounds and measuring up to 3.4 feet long and females up to 7.7 pounds and 3.2 feet.
The biggest difference between it and the Red Fox is the Sierra Nevada red fox’s specialized adaptations for cold and snow. They have well-furred paws as part of their winter coat, longer hind legs and are slightly smaller.
They mate between December and March, with most mating occurring in January and February. They are believed to be monogamous.
They are sexually mature at 10 months they have a gestation period of 52–54 days, they can give birth to litters of 1–12 kits, with an average of 3–6 kits they are born in early to mid-April the pups move outside the den by June and are dependent on parents for 6 months.
They prepare multiple dens after mating and may share a burrow with another pair.
A conservation strategy is being developed to help recover the Sierra Nevada red fox. The strategy includes translocations and introducing other alpine foxes to support breeding.
The Forest Service, Park Service, and Department of Defence have resource management plans to minimize forest fragmentation.
Ok this week we are looking at Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a country in West Asia. Located in the centre of the Middle East, it covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula and has a land area of about.
The country was established in 1932 by King Abdulaziz Al-Saud, its transformation has been astonishing. In a few short decades, the Kingdom has turned itself from a desert nation to a modern, sophisticated state and a major player on the international stage.
In 1932, the two kingdoms of the Hejaz and Najd were united as the “Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”. Boundaries with Transjordan, Mandatory Iraq, and Kuwait were established by a series of treaties negotiated in the 1920s, with two “neutral zones” created, one with Iraq and the other with Kuwait.
The capital is Riyadh and is the main financial hub, it is on a desert plateau in the country’s centre. The business district landmarks include the 302m-high Kingdom Centre, with a sky bridge connecting 2 towers, and 267m-high Al Faisaliah Centre, with a glass-globe summit.
The currency is the Saudi Riyal and has been since the country was first established.
The flag is green with a white Arabic inscription and a sword. The inscription is the Islamic creed, or shahada, which translates to “There is no deity but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God”. The current design has been used since 1973.
The colour of Islam is green, the sword represents the strictness in applying justice and the shahada is the central symbolic design of the flag. The flag must always be represented so that the inscription reads correctly on both sides. The flag is never to be flown vertically or at half-mast due to its religious symbolism.
The inscription is the Islamic creed, or shahada: “There is no deity but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God”. The current design has been used by the government of Saudi Arabia since 15 March 1973.
As of February 2025, the population of Saudi Arabia is 37.47 million.
The official language is Arabic. The three main regional variants spoken by Saudis are: Najdi Arabic – about 14.6 million speakers. Hejazi Arabic – also known as Hijazi Arabic & West Arabian Arabic – about 10.3 million speakers.
The official religion of Saudi Arabia is Islam, and the country is considered an Islamic state. The majority of Saudi citizens are Sunni Muslim, with a Shia minority.
When it comes to religious freedom there isn’t any, the Saudi government does not provide for freedom of religion under the law. However, the government generally permits Shia religious gatherings and non-Muslim private religious practices.
The country’s constitution is the Quran and Sunna, which are traditions and practices based on the life of the Prophet Muhammad.
The legal system is based on sharia, which is Islamic law.
The government does not allow public worship of any religion other than Islam.
The government does not allow public display of non-Islamic religious symbols.
The government criminalizes proselytizing by non-Muslims.
Shia Muslims make up about 10–12% of the citizen population.
The majority of remaining Shia are Sulaimani Ismailis, also known as “Seveners”.
Pockets of Zaydis, another branch of Shia Islam, live in the provinces of Jizan and Najran.
Saudi Arabia has made progress in improving women’s rights, but discrimination still exists.
Recent improvements are the following, women can apply for passports, travel abroad, and register marriages and divorces without a male guardian’s permission.
Women can register as co-heads of households and live independently from their husbands
Women can join the senior ranks of the military
Women can change their personal data without a guardian’s permission
Women can register to perform the Hajj without being accompanied by a mahram
Women can vote and run in municipal elections
Female athletes can participate in the Olympics
There are still other challenges to overcome such as.
Women still face discrimination in law and practice, including in matters of marriage, divorce, child custody, and inheritance
The Personal Status Law (PSL) codifies male guardianship, which can prevent women from fully consenting to marriage
Many Saudi women still cover their faces or hair in public even though they are not required to wear a hijab or abaya in public. However, the government does encourage modest dress for both men and women.
When it comes to visiting the country both Australia and The States advise reconsidering travel to Saudi Arabia due to the threat of missile and drone attacks. Also, the country is a target for radical Islamic terror groups. There are also human rights abuses, cultural sensitivities, and government surveillance concerns.
I slept well woke only once to pee, a cool morning we are in for another hot day, with a top of 29C, it is currently 6am and 23C.
Tim took the car in for its first service, I noticed after he left that he forgot his phone, that would be annoying as who doesn’t scroll through Facebook while waiting. Those who left their phone at home that’s who.
I changed the sheets and by the time I was done I was dripping sweat and felt exhausted. So I turned the air con on.
I have answered 6 letters today.
Tim went and cashed in cans and bottles.
Steps:11,150s
It was midnight before I fully settle last night, at 5am I got up and took my meds then went back to bed for an hour.
Around 10am Tim and I went to Sue’s so he could change her flat tyre, however, he wasn’t able to get the lug nuts off as the tool he had was too big as was the one Sue had. Although the one Sue had, come with the car so you would have thought it would fit.
We called into the shops so I could get the scrips and some bread before coming home.
I have been tired on and off all day and it has been stinking hot.
Steps: 6,085
I had a much better night, last night, felt a little heavy headed when I first got up, but I am doing better now.
I made myself an egg and cheese roll for breakie but only managed to eat half of it.
Tim went to Sue’s after his morning school run to change her tyre, but he wasn’t able to do it as he couldn’t get the lug nuts off as they were on too tight.
This afternoon Dawson called in to see me and make sure I knew had another car.
Been raining this afternoon.
Steps: 9,822
Another good night, I can’t have my morning egg flip as we have no milk till the groceries are delivered and I have no bread, but I did have a stale bread roll which I have used to make a grilled cheese.
So, I managed to only eat half of the bread roll, nothing wrong with it just no appetite.
I had a wagon wheel hot cross bun for lunch, but it was too rich for me, in future I will only have half at a time.
It started out cool but warmed up by 11am.
By 5.45pm I was falling asleep, I will stay up till 7.30pm.
Steps:7,947
Another good night, I slept straight through waking only when my alarm went off.
I have both front and back sliding doors opened and it is nice just a slight breeze.
It started raining while I was wait for Sam this afternoon.
Tasha drove Blain’s girlfriend’s car to Tafe and on her way home the car stopped, and she couldn’t get it going and was in a state. Tim was able to go and help her turned out it was a flat battery.
Kathy rang Tim via Facebook as she does every Wednesday just to see him and have a short chat.
Steps:9,999
Another good night, I slept straight through waking only when my alarm went off.
I had a shower after Tim left for work, then I vacuumed before making breakie.
Sue rang the mobile tyre place, she had to buy a new tyre as they wouldn’t put the spare on in place of the flat one, well the guy turned up he was a friend of Ed and Les, she got the number of the mobile tyre mob from Sandy. Anyway, he told her for only $20 more she could have got two tyres as they would waive the call out fee.
It started to rain here around 1.45pm it didn’t last long maybe 10-minutes. It then started raining again at 3.30pm.
Steps:12,201
Had a reasonable night’s sleep, although when the alarm went off, I didn’t want to get up.
This morning I was sitting here reading blogs when I heard a loud squark and I jumped, when I turned round there was a cockatoo standing a foot away from me, I said what do you want, it walked over to bird seed and looked at me, so I feed it and all the others out the front.
It has been a nice day, haven’t done much not much motivation today. I started to feel real tied by 6pm.
It is 8.30pm and I am off to bed.
Steps: 5,945
I had a good night, woke at 5am with the alarm but after taking my meds I went back to bed for another 40-minutes.
It is raining this morning; it looks like it will be a wet day.
This week we are looking at Iraq’ national anthem it is titled Mawtini which in English mean My Homeland, it is a poem written by the Palestinian poet Ibrahim Tugan and is a popular patriotic song amongst the Arab people as well as being the official national anthem of Iraq.
It was adopted as the country’s anthem in 2004, the song formerly served as an unofficial anthem of Palestinians and other people of the Middle East during much of the 20th century. In 1996, Palestine formally adopted it as their official anthem. Even though it has since been superseded by something else, many Palestinians still identify strongly with it and consider it the unofficial national anthem of their country.
It has been described as a reflection of the shared experiences and struggles of Arab peoples, evoking strong emotions tied to national pride, hardship, and the aspiration for freedom. It is regarded as a symbol of resistance and a representation of the collective longing for liberation during periods of occupation and oppression. The anthem conveys emotions such as sorrow, anger, and hope, fostering a sense of renewal and solidarity among those who have endured similar adversities. Its lyrics express a deep love for the homeland, a commitment to its liberation, and a vision of a united and free nation. This message resonates widely across the Arab world, reflecting the shared struggles for independence, identity, and sovereignty.
The national anthem of Iraq between 2003 and 2004 was “Mawtini”, an instrumental composition composed by Iraqi Assyrian musician Louis Zanbaka.
Also, the “Arḍu l-Furātayni”, also known as the “Land of The Two Rivers”, was the national anthem of Iraq from 1981 to 2003, during the Ba’athist regime of Saddam Hussein.
My homeland, my homeland, Glory and beauty, sublimity and splendour Are in your hills, are in your hills. Life and deliverance, pleasure and hope Are in your air, are in your air. Will I see you, will I see you? Safely comforted and victoriously honoured. Safely comforted and victoriously honoured. Will I see you on your eminence? Reaching to the stars, reaching to the stars My homeland, my homeland.
My homeland, my homeland, The youth will not tire Their goal is your independence. Or they die, or they die. We will drink from death, and this will not be our enemies. Like slaves, like slaves. We do not want, we do not want An eternal humiliation, or a miserable life. An eternal humiliation, or a miserable life. We do not want to, but we will take it back. Our storied glory, our storied glory. My homeland, my homeland.
My homeland, my homeland, The sword and the pen, not talk nor the quarrel Are our symbols, are our symbols. Our glory and our covenant, and a faithful duty Moves us, moves us. Our glory, our glory, It is an honourable cause and a waving flag. It is an honourable cause and a waving flag. O, behold you, on your eminence, Victorious over your enemies, victorious over your enemies. My homeland, my homeland!
This week we will look be looking when the USA invaded Australia during WW11. Kinda…
In my area of Australia there was the Joint Overseas Operations Training Services.
The Port Stephens area was the centre of much activity during 1943-44, 20,000 US servicemen and 2,000 Australian servicemen trained for beach landings.
A country club became headquarters for amphibious warfare training area know as JOOTS (Joint Overseas Operations Training Services).
Port Stephens an area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia, it is just north of Newcastle.
This came about due to Australia asking for help from the States to dissuade the Japanese from trying to invade and it worked.
For America, Australia was a natural springboard for a major counterattack against Japan and the Newcastle area saw plenty of evidence of the American commitment.
HMAS Assault was a naval training centre established by General Douglas MacArthur. The base was chosen because it was a safe haven from Japanese submarines and was a small, isolated fishing village. The HMAS Assault was used to train landing craft crews, beach parties, and signal teams.
Tomaree Head was a critical part of Australia’s defence of the east. It includes a curved concrete wall with a gun that protected Newcastle and the Williamtown airbase.
You can take a guided tour of the historic gun emplacements at Tomaree Head in Tomaree National Park.
In total nearly one million US troops passed through Australia during World War II. The first US troops arrived in Brisbane in December 1941.
By 1943, there were 250,000 Americans stationed in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
The US Army used Australia as a base of operations to support US forces in the Philippines.
Their main role in north Queensland was to provide services and supplies, and there was a large presence in Queensland mostly around Brisbane, Rockhampton, and Townsville.
The US Army also had a joint command with the British, Dutch, and Australian forces in the Pacific.
They had a substantial impact on the local economy and influenced fashion, consumerism, and domestic technology.
Of course, at times there were tensions with some Australians, which sometimes erupted into fighting.
There was also a large social impact on Australia, including many Australian women marrying US servicemen.
The US Army’s presence in Australia was part of a larger US deployment to combat zones overseas during World War II.
This week we are looking at the Sechuran fox, also called the Peruvian desert fox or the Sechuran zorro, is a small South American species of canid closely related to other South American “false” foxes or zorro. It gets its name for being found in the Sechura Desert in northwestern Peru.
It has sandy-coloured fur and distinctive facial markings, this fox species is adapted to the harsh and arid conditions of its habitat, where it plays a crucial role as a predator and scavenger.
The Sechuran fox is nocturnal and spends the daylight hours in a den dug into the ground. It is generally solitary, although occasionally seen travelling in pairs. Pups are born in October and November, although little else is known of its reproductive behavior.
When conditions allow, Sechuran foxes are omnivores, but can also survive on a completely herbivorous diet when necessary. They can eat seed pods and fruit of Cordia and mito plants. More commonly, however, they also eat insects, rodents, bird eggs, and carrion. It is thought that they can survive for long periods without drinking, receiving the water in their food.
Jo-AnneRamplings 