Exams are around the corner so don't expect any brilliant posts from me about the state of the world, although if I get particularly excited about a topic I may just write a short blog entry about it. Mass entitlement failure is my current train of thought and while fascinating, I'm not sure I have time to write about it now. Anyway, thought you might want to see the latest picture of me . . . proof of existence and all that . . . plus I had a pretty haircut and I think they did a good job.

Nothing like an inflammatory title to attract attention. Archbishop Desmond Tutu has told Africa's Anglicans to end an "obsession" with gay priests and same-sex unions. My respect for this man grows on an almost daily basis.

I could be totally wrong about this but the New Zealand Christian community (I am in no way singling out Anglicans on this, coming from Anglican churches currently myself) seems to have become inflammed over the issue of smacking children. It's a debate I refuse to wade into because I've missed almost all of it but I was wondering whether this press release could be edited just a small amount to include an 'obsession' with Section 59, when there are so many bigger issues. I do realise that Zimbabwe, Darfur, DRC aren't New Zealand's neighbours but for goodness sake people, while smacking is part of homelife and therefore in everyone's minds, methinks there are somewhat bigger issues. Why can the mass Christian public get this involved over New Zealand's piffling aid budget, the kids that aren't getting food every day (New Zealand has chronic child poverty), the situation in Fiji, even Darfur? What is it going to take to get Christians united and passionate about others' rights?

Archbishop Desmond Tutu has called on Africa's Anglican church to overcome its "obsession" with the issue of gay priests and same-sex marriages.

He said they should spend time on more pressing issues in the region.

Speaking to the BBC World Service, the South African bishop said Zimbabwe, HIV/Aids and the crisis in Darfur were not getting sufficient attention.

Zimbabwe's Anglican church also lacked courage to stand up to President Robert Mugabe's regime, he said.

'So many issues'

This was the 76-year-old Nobel peace laureate touching raw nerves for the Anglican church in Africa on very sensitive subjects.

In his usual forthright manner, Archbishop Tutu told the BBC that the Anglican communion was spending too much of its time and energy on debating differences over gay priests and same sex marriages - a subject, he said, that had now become "an extraordinary obsession".

He said: "We've, it seems to me, been fiddling whilst as it were our Rome was burning. At a time when our continent has been groaning under the burden of HIV/Aids, of corruption.

The church had "kow-towed" to Mr Mugabe's regime, he said

"There are so many issues crying out for concern and application by the church of its resources, and here we are, I mean, with this kind of extraordinary obsession."

For Archbishop Tutu, the crisis in Zimbabwe was one such issue that had been eclipsed by the sexuality debate.

He said he was saddened by the muted response other African governments had shown to the Mugabe regime.

Growing tensions

But he also said that leaders of his own Anglican Church in Zimbabwe had failed to show more courage in dealing with the Zimbabwean president.

"One seems to have to say they have kow-towed to President Mugabe. Certainly there's not been anything like the same kind of standing up to the evil and exercising the prophetic ministry that one would have expected from the church, and that has been very distressing."

There are growing tensions within the worldwide Anglican communion - pitching liberals against conservatives - mainly over the issue of sexuality.

But as Archbishop Tutu recognised, there are other points of contention that need to be resolved and other issues that the church, especially in Africa, needs to turn its attention to.

Hat tip: BBC

The New Zealand Memorial in London's Hyde Park Corner commemorates the enduring bonds between New Zealand and the United Kingdom, and our shared sacrifice during times of war. It is a symbol both of our common heritage and of New Zealand's distinct identity. I was unable to make the dedication in November or the ANZAC day commemorations but found my way there a couple of days later. It reminded my homesick-self of home and was a beautiful place to spend an hour.

Designed by architect John Hardwick-Smith and sculptor Paul Dibble the memorial consists of 16 cross-shaped vertical bronze 'standards' set out in formation on a grassy slope. Each standard is adorned with text, patterns and small sculptures. "Through the words and images, any New Zealander visiting the memorial will recognise home, and British people may learn something of the relationship between our two countries," explains Paul Dibble.

The memorial, was dedicated on 11 November 2006 and is expected to become a particular focus for Anzac Day commemorations in London each year.

I've uploaded some photos from my visit to the memorial.  Here's a preview -

Click here to find out more about the memorial.

I've also uploaded a couple more photos to my "London - Out and About" album so go look at those :o)

For those who know what I'm talking about and are looking for more information or my response or anything I have one thing to say - I am completely and totally devastated. I guess 8 months is a long time to be away but to have so much change . . .

This is not how this works. This is not how it's supposed to work. I respected you. What the hell is going on? Why does this feel like family are splitting apart? 

I turned 23 yesterday and it was delightfully fun. I was well over-spoiled yesterday and I had a delightful day with a
scattering of mundane activities like washing and bed-making. Mum and Dad got me lots of yummy New Zealand lollies, which I can never have enough of, and books and shower gel while Katie got me a wonderful "Kiwi Girl" t-shirt.

I got The Princess Bride on DVD, memory for my laptop, a beautiful All Blacks Silver Fern pendant, a novel, and a gorgeous frame with a photo of all my Passfield friends from everyone here so I'm feeling very loved and far far too spoiled!!

I took yesterday off study and relaxed with friends for most of the day. Cooked a yummy steak, mash, fried mushrooms and asparagus dinner (much nicer than relying on Passfield food) and then had amazing choclate cake and a berry roulade with friends. All in all a delightful day!

We're going off to the bowling place that is just over the road on Friday night for a combined birthday celebration (it's Verena's birthday on Thursday). We're not planning on bowling but it's a reasonable venue with nice drinks and pool and foosball tables and a live band so should be good! I'll try and take photos and send you them :o)

In my first proper day as a 23-year-old I applied for a rather large bank loan so that I can actually live while I write my dissertation. This is rather scary because if I don't get it, I'm going to stop living in 7 weeks (well actually less but in 7 weeks I'm going to have to pay rent with my current no dollars). Frankly, I'm freaked.

Dinner time - the one meal I've already paid for 7 weeks in advance.