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No more free lunch - Google Photo

Bad News! Google Photos will no longer offer unlimited free photo storage.  Any photo uploaded after  June 2021 will count towards the 15GB space limit. Does Google obtain enough big data?  Where can we put the mass photos that we generate every day now?  If you can read Chinese, Baidu Photo is offering the same deal now:  https://photo.baidu.com/intro   Please use Q9VAQT to get the unlimited storage.

Is Costco AU taking advantages on Aussies?

Being a loyal Costco customer since it sets its foot in AU, the price has been skyrocketed on many essential goods. I pay special attention to this particular product, Kirkland Signature's tencel unscented baby wipes. This is probably the best baby wipe you can get.  It's extra-large, thick, gentle, and made of 100% plant-based fibres. The price was around $22 at the start.  Over the years, it graduated to #26, $28, $33, $35...  And today, it is at an astounding $45.  Checking the price in US, it is still at this usual USD $20. Are Aussies been rip-off? USD $20  = AUD $29 (US Price)

Free Public Tennis Courts in Melbourne

I didn't know that there are free tennis courts for public in Melbourne.  Recently, cycling around the neighbourhood, I found a free public tennis courts next to a playground.  This is awesome. Here are some of them: Canterbury Gardens, Allambannan Drive, Bayswater North (2 x plex pave multi use courts. Only one of the courts has a net. BBQ, playground and toilets.) Glen Park Reserve, 40 Glen Park Road, Bayswater North (1 court. Playground, shelter, tables, BBQs, water tap, toilets, oval, basketball court, outdoor gym, learners bike track.) Middlefield Reserve, 28-32 Middlefield Road Blackburn North  (1 asphalt court. Next to small play ground and half basketball court.) Boronia Radio Controlled Car Club Track, Cnr Dorset Road and Park Crescent, Boronia (1 court which is not available after 6pm on Wednesday evenings) Koonung Park, 30-34 Ferneaux Grove, Bulleen (there are 3 courts - 2 x hard court, 1 x synthetic grass. Available during daylight hours. The floodlights on

Ballet or Opera

Want to see a ballet or opera during the COVID-19 self-isolation? Both The Australian Ballet and Victorian Opera offers some amazing shows online for free.  Ballet Opera If you enjoy these shows, please support them.

Lake Entrances - fish and prawns

Lake Entrances is not just for catching crabs.   It's good for fish and prawns as well. Pro-tip Spots for fishing and catching prawns. This is the good spot for catching prawns at the night with no full moon.   You will need torch and net.

Free resource for primary and secondary teachers and students

Someone shared with me today about Blake Education which offers over a hundred of books free to download. http://www.blake.com.au/pindex.asp?Page=5 http://www.blake.com.au/pindex.asp?Page=6 Check it out.  Kids will hate it, but parents love it.  :)

Making a Basque Cheesecake

During this COVID-19 isolation period, I feel that the way of our lifestyle advances to the virtual world dramatically.  The creativity is blooming.  Self-learning is at all time high. At this point of time, we got to enjoy the time we have with our family.  We finally have an abundant of time to do things together.  For me, I got a chance to learn a new way to make a special cheesecake with my daughter. Thanks to Molly's detailed instructions .  This Basque Cheesecake is exceptional easy to make and outstandingly  delicious.  If you have a chance, try it out.

Social interaction during the isolation

No outings during the Covid-19 isolation. This is the difficult time for everyone.  My kid is getting bored and a friend of mine shared this with me.  This might help out a lot. Let me know if you have any other suggestions.

Preparing for NAPLAN

Website 1:   https://www.nap.edu.au/ online-assessment/public- demonstration-site This site contains lots of sample exams for each year and each subject.  It can help you practice taking the online exam. Website 2:  https://www.acara.edu.au/ assessment/naplan/past-naplan- papers/naplan-2012-2016-test- papers This site provides the NAPLAN test papers from 2008 ~ 2016.  There is no answer supplied here, but if you like to validate answers, you can visit this site:  https: //www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/p-10/ naplan/test-reporting- analysis/state-reports   The state report provides the analysis of each question with the correct answer.  Website 3:  https://www.qcaa.qld.edu. au/p-10/naplan/test- preparation This site provides the practice tests for each subject and each year.  It is good for doing some practices. Website 4:  http://www.smeebu.com This site provides the practice to do online tests for each subject and each year.  

Coronavirus (COVID-19) screening clinic locations in Melbourne

Box Hill Hospital  Advise patient they MUST NOT present to the Emergency Department  Enter the Screening Clinic via ENTRANCE D on Thames Street, Box Hill through the transit lounge  No appointment or prior phone call is needed, just turn up  Current hours are 10am – 6pm. This is subject to change The Alfred Hospital (City)  Enter via Emergency Department as a separate clinic has been set up there  55 Commercial Road Melbourne  No set times as yet  No appointment or prior phone call is needed, just turn up Monash Medical Centre Clayton  No appointment or prior phone call is needed, just turn up  Clinic is found at 239 Clayton Road, Clayton  Current hours are 10am – 6pm 7 days a week Austin Hospital Heidelberg  Not a drop in service  Will turn away patients that have no symptoms  Must call the Coronavirus Hotline before attending clinic or Call Austin Hospital Coronavirus Hotline before attending clinic 9496 6606 (Austin Hospital Hotline 8am-5pm Monday-F

COVID-19 (conoravirus) - Preparing for the 'day'?

What should you prepare for the bad day? Pantry List Real-Time Global Covid-19 Cases Educate kids about Covid-19

Collateralized Debt Obligation (CDO)

A collateralized debt obligation is a type of structured asset-backed security.  This was the security product that caused the 2009 Global Financial Crisis. Investopedia provides a simple and detailed explanation. Or wiki it and learn more about it.

Inverter - GFCI Fault

Is your Clenergy solar inverter showing a FGCI fault on the screen? GFCI - Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter It means that inverter has detected a ground fault (electricity going where it should not be). I found this issue and there is nothing I could do about it besides calling up the installer/electrician to replace the unit. Good Luck!

Vivofit Junior 2 - Unable to complete request. Verify your connection and try again.

Finally bought my kid the Vivofit Jr.  Up on installing the app, I got this "Unable to complete request.  Verify your connection and try again." error message at the end of setup. Searching the internet for solutions and the closest thing is:  https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/healthandwellness/f/vivofit-jr-series/157523/vivofit-junior-unable-to-complete-request-verify-your-connection-and-try-again At the end, I deleted the family profile and set up everything all over again.  It works.  Lucky me, I guess.  Hope this help anyone out there.

Do your Life Checks

Australians are living longer. That means there’s a lot more life to enjoy. How prepared are you? Take our 10–minute quiz to find out. https://www.lifechecks.gov.au/