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By Todd Johns
This faith journey that we have been on over the last decade has had its many ups and downs that's for sure! As I reflect back, as well as ponder on our present context, I cannot help but think about how life for us in many ways has been like living on the edge of…Yikes! I equate it to being stretched and twisted like a rubber band on one of those thin plywood air planes with the rubber band attached to the propeller, you know the ones I'm talking about? It's like that! Being twisted and pulled back further and further almost to the point of, 'Yikes! Is it going to break or hold together for one more twist?', then at just the right time and when it cannot be twisted and stretched any further with out snapping its LAUNCHED into the greatest flight of it's life, soaring from one end of the launching pad into new and uncharted territory. It lands in a new location and along with all that comes a new season, new surroundings that look and feel different and yet there is so much excitement and anticipation in the air!
I have learned over the years that in order to walk in the "good works" God has called us to for that season of life we must be willing to sit in the tension and enjoy (yes I said enjoy) the twisting and stretching that will ultimately shape and mold us for that next chapter of life. I know your probably thinking 'how can I enjoy, times of twisting and stretching that sound uncomfortable?' Allow me to share with you a couple of top challenges we've faced and some key take-aways from those seasons of life
Expect the Unexpected
I heard someone once say, "all disappointments are a direct result of an unmet expectation" and ever since I heard that I realized just how true that statement really is. Early on out of college, I was faced with my 'unmet expectations' of what I thought ministry and life would look like coming out of the gate. Boy was I wrong! Talk about disappointment. My line of thinking went something like this, 'well God, you delivered me and set me free from addiction, sent me onto Bible college, allowed me to marry and start a family, now I'll be a pastor somewhere, maybe an associate, but pastoring in a church for sure.' When that didn't happen, can I just tell you that was a bit of a challenge for me. Something that I would personally wrestled with for the next couple of years.
As we would learn to trust God and His leading for our lives no matter what it looked like or what it cost, we found we grew so much closer with God during that season of life. It was during this season that I worked full-time with Whirlpool Corporation and helped to plant a church. Little did I know at the time how the Lord was going to use my time, our time, in Michigan to launch us into the ministry. The vision for Revive and the Christian community development work that we would do, all came from this season of trusting God. I learned to be a follower of Christ NO MATTER WHERE I found myself. In other words, follow Jesus right where I'm at, no matter what that season had in store. Love God. Love people. Love like Jesus.
Timing is Everything
We often here this among friends and people feeling the 'call to something' but they just don't know exactly what that is; when they should step out and start the work God is calling them to. During our time in Michigan, over the course of 6 years, God was "impregnating" in us the vision for Revive and what we are doing today. However, at the time we had no clue exactly what it was or what it would look like. We did however, know that God was calling us to something greater than ourselves; we just didn't know what exactly that was or when we would start. What's most important in this 'challenge of time' is to NOT birth the vision God is entrusting you with prematurely. When we have a misfire on timing, it can bring much heartache, pain and potentially the death of something great; all because it was about living in the tension and trusting God for His timing and His ways.
In the story of Abraham we see that, he was given a promise from God to have a family. His wife Sarah, was barren and unable to have children. In a quick decision to "make it happen", they jumped ahead of Gods timing by having Abraham sleep with Sarah's servant, Hagar. Instead of waiting on God's time, Abraham and Sarah rushed a decision that caused a tremendous amount of pain upon their family. Hagar gave birth to Ishmael. God loved them both but it wasn't plan A. Don't birth Ishmael's for your life, wait on the Lord for His promises to be fulfilled for your life. Trust me its worth the wait, the launch is incredible! Remember it's His Story, not ours and His glory, not our own.
So what is the key take-away and secret to contentment during this season of life? JESUS! We need to continue to have child-like faith'. Is Jesus enough? Is He enough for our every day and every moment of our life? Its always God launching us into that next season of greatness; launching us into the good works He has prepared before the foundations of the world. (Eph. 2:10)
Our lives over the last decade have been one amazing ride, that's for sure. Many ups and downs, many twists and turns, but one thing is for sure, God is constant, never shifting, never changing, always with us in the 'thick of it' giving us His comfort and peace unlike anything this world could ever offer. (Hebrews 13:8; John 14:27) In your moments of twisting and stretching, enjoy God and all that He has given you! Because Jesus is what catches us when we step off the edge and embrace all the adventure found within YIKES!
Todd Johns is the Executive Director of Revive Ministry Nicholasville, KY
http://revivetomission.com ,Life House Article, J's Place
Todd has deep passion and conviction to see churches have the greatest impact in their communities and people reaching their full potential and calling in life. He has a very diverse background when it comes to church affiliation, experience and ministry. He has had the exciting honor and privilege of helping to plant three churches over the last decade that spans three different denominations. Todd's diverse background also includes six years working for Whirlpool Corporation in the areas of Supply Chain logistics and analytics as well as Sourcing Specialist within their Procurement department.
He is a 2006 graduate from Valley Forge Christian College, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Pastoral Ministry and Minor in Youth. He is happily married to his beautiful wife Casey and together they have two daughters and a son, Olivia, Madeline and Gabriel. In the summer of 2014 Todd had accepted the position as General Manager of J's place, a community coffeehouse in downtown Nicholasville. Todd also serves as Founder and Executive Director of Revive Ministries, a non-profit focused on Christian Community Development initiatives.


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There are currently no future races for this event.
PLEASE NOTE: Online registration is now closed, but we're welcoming runners to sign up on the day.
Registration will open at 08.30 and will close at 09.45 so please take this into account when planning your arrival time. Please note, registration on the day is cash only, we will not be able to process card payments.
You can find the registration point at the Unity Kitchen Timber Lodge Cafe, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, 1A Honour Lea Ave, London E20 1DY
Please read this article for all the information you will need in advance of the race, including the route, where to access changing facilities and how to get there.
Celebrate British Science Week with a special race event at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, on Saturday March 16, 2019.
Race side by side with your ancestors in this epic journey through time in Run with the Ancestors, an exclusive, chip-timed event organised by the British Science Association in partnership with Eurotunnel.
The 10k race will scale down one million years of Britain's history into a fascinating and unique soundtrack, provided via an immersive new running app created by Six to Start, the team behind Zombies, Run! If you're looking for a shorter race, our 5k race will scale 500k years of the same story.
From the blustery climates of yesteryear dominated by Woolly Mammoths and sabre-toothed cats to the arrival of our first ancestors and their unique traditions, take a step back time and run through Britain's remarkable history.
The 5k race is perfect for families and less seasoned runners while the 10k is best for more confident runners.
Wondering what to expect? Check out pictures from our previous races: Run the Solar System and Run to the Deep.
Please note: For the full, immersive experience we are encouraging all runners with a smart phone to download the accompanying Run with the Ancestors app, which will be available to download for free during British Science Week. If you purchase a race ticket, we will send you instructions about how to access the app nearer the time.
Follow the British Science Association on Twitter and Facebook for regular race updates.
Run with the Ancestors is organised by the British Science Association in partnership with Eurotunnel.
With thanks to...
BEPPS and itsu for donating post-race snacks for our goody bags.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Daily What recently had a posting about a unique drone advertisement from 3D Robotics. After recently posting about animal vs. drone violence, this article seemed a bit ironic.
In the spot called the "Dawn of the Aerial Age," a bunch of monkeys are running around on some rocks. One of them has a briefcase with ancient monkey writings on the side, which contains a black drone and a remote control pad.
The other monkeys are clearly in aw of this technology, which we don't actually see in action.
There's also a spaceman at the end with text that reads "Life After Gravity."
It's unclear what exactly makes this new drone so special, but whatever it is, it's apparently so easy to use that even a monkey can use it.
3DR – Dawn of the Aerial Age
Teaser of the Day: Monkeys Discover Drone in Mysterious New Ad
Apparently monkeys are cool with drones, just keep them away from your chimpanzees and kangaroos.


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Consumer Law CPD - Course Overview
Consumer Law is concerned with protecting consumer rights when they buy a product or service. Lawyers practising in consumer law need to be able to advise their clients as to whether their rights as a consumer have actually been violated with reference to any type of product including whether they have been mis-sold a product such as PPI (Payment Protection Insurance). Lawyers not only need to be aware of recent Office of Fair Trading rulings but of a wide range of consumer related legislation.
CPD training for consumer law practitioners is an essential part of keeping them up to date with the latest developments and a necessity for all qualified solicitors and barristers. A list of CPD accredited courses has been provided to help lawyers find the most suitable course for their area of practise in consumer law. Further courses can be found by registering for our free automated course update service.
Consumer Law CPD training does not have to be classroom-based but can be in the form of conferences, seminars and even online with webinar or podcasts. Check through a range of consumer law CPD training courses and make your necessary CPD training more relevant and enjoyable.
CPD Accredited Training
Consumer Law Update – Live Venue – CPD hours 6
The Trade Descriptions Act 1968, the rules on misleading pricing, and the Misleading Advertising Regulation, have all been replaced by the EC Directive on Unfair Commercial Practices. Developments such as these are covered on this CPD course as well as the improvements to consumers' rights when buying defective goods.
This seminar takes a close look at unfair commercial practices and the scope of the new law in terms of criminal offences and enforcement, and the worst of unfair practices. It also looks at what the 'average user' is and how to recognise them and hat it means to withhold 'material information'.
It also examines the supply of goods and services, statutory implied terms and how consumer contracts are affected by unfair terms. Both consumer and non-consumer customers are considered as well as various exclusions and limitations of liability.
The concept of distance selling is also covered by highlighting what distance selling is as well as consumers' rights under a distance selling scenario. The area of civil remedies is also addressed such as breaches of contract which can attract damages as well as consumers' remedies covered by the Sale & Supply of Goods to Consumers Regulations 2002.
It touches on the extended warranties and liability for free guarantees and enforcement orders.
Consumer Credit - The Latest Developments – Seminar – CPD hours 3
Consumer Credit Law has become more complicated since the Consumer Credit Act 2006 and a number of new or amended laws being introduced. Lawyers need to be consistently updated on the latest consumer protection legislation.
This seminar earns lawyers three CPD hours and provides an overview of the CCA 1974 framework and outlines when the Act applies. It looks at:
• recent changes to the definition on an individual under the new Act
• financial limits
• categories of exemption, and
• the remedies it provides to consumers and creditors as well as the role the Courts play in providing them
It also discusses the many grounds upon which consumers can challenge hire and credit agreements as well as recent judicial decisions.
Effective Consumer Protection for Accidents Abroad – Webinar – CPD hours 1
Holidays are a complex item purchased by families and individuals throughout the UK and lawyers representing consumers that have been involved in accidents abroad need to be constantly kept abreast of current legislation.
It looks at what to do if a client is injured abroad or if a travel firm collapses. It also looks into the new "Flight – Plus" 2012 ATOL Regulations and explores the standards that hotels overseas must comply with as well as when a claim can be made and for what? It looks at the necessary proof required to make a successful claim.


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Commercial Vehicle Decals
Please note: The Province of BC will end the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Program on December 31, 2019. The City of Abbotsford will therefore not be selling municipal licence decals for 2020.
Commercial Vehicle Decal Licensing Program
The City of Abbotsford participates in the Provincial Commercial Vehicle Licensing Program.
The program requires that any commercial vehicles used or operated on a highway in the participating municipalities must display a municipal licence decal. The licence year is January 1 to December 31, and the decals are available beginning November 1 for the upcoming year
A commercial vehicle is:
- Defined under the commercial transport act, or
- A vehicle which isn't licensed under the commercial transport act, but is used for the collection and/or delivery of merchandise or other commodity in the ordinary course of a business undertaking.
Visit the Cashiers Department at City Hall, and show your current motor vehicle registration, to purchase the decal. When purchasing decals for a fleet of vehicles, please complete this Commercial Vehicle Decal Request Form.
Current Licence Fees
|Not exceeding 2,800 kg gross vehicle weight (GVW)
|Exceeding 2,801 kg, but not exceeding 11,800 kg (GVW)
|Exceeding 11,801 kg, but not exceeding 20,000 kg (GVW)
|Exceeding 20,001 kg (GVW)
|Vehicles licensed under Section 10 of the Commercial Transport Act
|Transfer fee
|Fine for vehicles without the decal
(if paid within 14 days)


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For provider groups that have been able to secure delegated credentialing agreements, Newport has a delegated credentialing team who's sole task is to manage the delegated credentialing process. By utilizing the CAREdelegation software module, the Newport team is able to create and format payer specific delegated rosters and to automatically populate each of these rosters directly from CARE. The Newport team then works directly with your payers to reconcile rosters each month.
- Eliminate multiple spreadsheets to satisfy each payer's unique requirements, Newport will format, create, and maintain rosters for all payers.
- Validated provider data stored in CARE populates each of the payer specific rosters.
- Newport's QA team reviews payer specific rosters for accuracy.
- The Delegation Team submits payer specific rosters to the payers.
- The Delegation team conducts regular and rigorous follow up on all payer specific rosters.
- Once Newport receives all payer specific rosters, the Delegation Team reconciles them based on submitted information.
- All updated delegated information is recorded into CARE for future management.
Newport's Value
Interactive approaches to corporate strategy foster collaborative thinking to further the overall value proposition.
Newport's Value
Interactive approaches to corporate strategy foster collaborative thinking to further the overall value proposition.
Delegated Credentialing
Delegated credentialing is the process insurance payers go through to delegate the Primary Source Verification process to a provider/hospital group in exchange for expediting the credentialing timeframe. The contract is an agreement that the facility validates all their providers' demographic/credentialing information, which streamlines and speeds up the enrollment process. The facility must also meet annual delegated credentialing audit requirements.
Large groups exceeding 100 providers often set up delegated contracts with health plans in order to ease the burden of submitting hundreds of provider applications which include spreadsheets with the applicable provider data needed for enrollment. Entering into and successfully running a Delegated Credentialing Contract program is a significant undertaking. It requires highly knowledgeable credentialing staff with expert negotiating skills.
Newport's cloud-based credentialing and provider enrollment platform, CARE, makes managing data and delegated contracts significantly easier. CAREdelegation was designed to allow users to easily create and populate payer specific delegated credentialing rosters. CAREdelegation allows users to develop customized delegated credentialing rosters to meet the delegated credentialing roster requirements of each insurance payer. The following benefits come from using CAREdelegation:
- Click, drag, and drop creation of payer specific delegated rosters.
- Develop and store payer specific delegated credentialing rosters.
- Store delegated credentialing rosters for repeated use.
- Auto-populate delegated credentialing rosters with all payer specific required data elements.
Newport's highly knowledgeable credentialing specialists will work on our client's behalf to individually negotiate each contract including the service level agreements / requirements that the provider group and payer(s) need to follow. Our specialists will closely monitor submission status to ensure the payer(s) have processed all requests correctly. In the event a delegated credentialing roster is returned, our team will work to ensure timely reconciliation. Newport's credentialing specialists will also work to ensure policies and procedures are accurately maintained an all work is completed which is necessary to pass yearly audits performed by the payer(s).
A Credentialing Contract program is a significant undertaking. When successfully managed, the benefits can significantly improve an organization's efficiency, patient satisfaction scores, and profitability. Newport's CAREdelegation software and highly experience credentialing specialists can make this otherwise tedious process significantly more manageable.


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digits: PayPal, Google Face Off in Mobile Payments
PayPal is suing Google over unknown trade secrets, but it's known that both companies have been racing to build next-generation payments systems with a strong mobile phone component. AllThingsD's Tricia Duryee joins digits to discuss.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... let's go now Western Tricia ... Duryee A whose covering a story about the school sent to ... tells about a school so what do you think it's about I know it's hard to tell because it involves trade secrets ... yes the rate they say it is today ... and in what was interesting yesterday with the tiny ... Google is riding high in the morning after announcing that he wants to achieve a lot of people to use their own ... to buy purchases at the ... register and then later that afternoon ... PayPal ... on the Dow lost its ... claim that stuck to her former employees ... on the words on ... it now ... an instant mobile specifically the Kobo brand in the division so ... what is being the ... big one is allegedly ... helping to treat the ... yen higher and the other is is is that the state secrets Act and that of the key phrase in your story misappropriated trade ... secrets and seems a pretty damning but there are a lot of ... of ... land in a non Seacor related ... lawsuits in Silicon Valley ... to have any clue as to whether this one might be successful ... I know I'm definitely no legal expert says the stock to buy ... it here ... somebody and ... you have left the PayPal just in January ... was definitely their friend technology leader in mobile payments and is now ... the EPO ... payments that could also ... use onstage yesterday morning China whose new products and state how about some ... of their own products to meet them later this year so be interesting seat ... other similar difference due to having a very interesting to see the site to hear what he what he Michael this is the isthe is for business as usual and hence I can't ... let economies ... due to the Anacortes is a business activity and yet still Intel plans to buy about it but you know ultimately it's pretty hard to win a case like this and ... I'm ... when people are a team who you know and so unless they can prove ... they took it to meet secrets even if these things are planning some likeable and mobile payments up ... so we'll see how plays out in the past you know Mike Scrafton ... on who will not done these battles and yet everyone is ... fighting the Taliban and endorse when that Ana was planning to slow the are all Oposition down and this Isaly tells us something ... Treschow about how important immobile payments are expected to be calm in the future ... no great job and for now but expected to become quite hit on my right ... yet definitely ... not the only one previous ... all the credit card companies ... he was part of the massacre ... of the deal that the announced yesterday ... there's others start-ups in in in Silicon Valley area are competing as well so ... um what were seen everyone trying their hands the reins as it seems like cash is definitely ... on ... Wednesday the sixteenth to twenty ... two and I'm just waiting ... Mohammed is less than that and more often than not call ... anytime soon ... I'm sorry what was then dropped to one of the twentieth antisense I use the can of the second problem with these mobile payments to thank ... I don't know it in if I if there's a couple things that people are whispering updates to ... the battery life in the sun sign a proven stuck into me ... he ... it's ... the sooner you send me bring up a little bit but ... thank you and then dancing like a bit from the Tasman to me and I mean that the sun on talk cools especially in line with all the Bresnan memories on the


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Saturday, July 31, 2010
2nd Annual Korean BBQ Cook-Off : Saturday, August 7th3 comments Posted by Kat at 10:45 PM
Come join all the good eats and fun! I think I am signed up for the AYCE challenge... Bring it baby! I have been training all my life for this, not really but it sure seems like it! lol
Saturday, August 7th
Location :
3600 Wilshire building parking lot
Los Angeles, CA, 90010
Parking is NOT available at the 3600 Wilshire basement parking lot, but there is parking lot at the structure across the street, at 672 Kingsley Dr, $5.
Website :
Ticket Price :
All plates are $5 each, Vendor Tickets will be sold at the entrance. Vendor tickets must be purchased as restaurants will not be taking cash
Description :
Los Angeles's Second Annual Korean BBQ Cook-off will showcase some of the best dishes by the top Korean BBQ restaurants. Presented by the Korean American Coalition – Los Angeles (KAC) on Saturday, August 7, 2010.
Judges confirmed:
Jonathan Gold, a well-respected and longtime food critic for L.A. Weekly. He has previously written for the Los Angeles Times and Gourmet magazine, among many others. In 2007, he became the first food critic to win the Pulitzer Prize.
Ludo Lefebvre, chef of the wildly popular restaurant event, LudoBites, has been named one of the World's 50 Greatest Chefs by Relais & Chateaux and was nominated by the James Beard Foundation for a Rising Star Chef Award. Chef Ludo has also been seen on such shows as Top Chef Masters, Iron Chef America and The Today Show.
Sandra Oh, accomplished actress and Golden Globe winner for her role as Dr. Cristina Yang in the series Grey's Anatomy. She also played notable roles in the feature films Under the Tuscan Sun and Sideways, and had a supporting role on the HBO original series Arli$$.
CONFIRMED RESTAURANTS AND VENDORS (With more rolling in daily):
- BCD Tofu House: Sizzling LA galbi, cut across the bone.
- Cherry on Top: Frozen yogurt. Your way.
- Chuncheon Dakgalbi: Chicken galbi, grilled to perfection.
- Coolhaus: The best ice cream sandwiches in L.A., some say. We agree.
- Ham Ji Park: Mouth-watering pork ribs, the best in town.
- Hansong: Beefy deliciousness.
- Kalbi Burger: Burgers, KoreanAmericanized.
- O Dae San: Pork belly. Oh glorious pork belly…
- Olympic Cheonggukjang: Pork bulgogi, thin-sliced meat in a savory-sweet sauce.
- Park's BBQ: The One. The Only.
- Scoops: Unique, utterly delicious ice creams.
- Seoul Sausage Company: Kalbi? Inside a sausage? With slaw on top? This new company has something really interesting going on.
- Soowon Galbi: One of the best and most-highly rated Korean BBQ restaurants in Ktown.
Saturday, August 7, 2010 from 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
- 2:00 pm – All-You-Can-Eat contest with mystery ingredient
- 3:30 pm – Soju Mix-Off, sponsored by Sauce LA
- 5:00 pm – Cook-Off competition
- 6:15 pm – Awards ceremony
Labels: Barbecue, BBQ, Food Events, Korean, Los Angeles
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Barcelona On The Go - Food Truck Extravaganza In OC!0 comments Posted by Kat at 10:03 PM
Yesterday was the first and hopefully beginning of many Food Truck Extravaganza. I have been meaning to try out the hottest food trucks in OC but I get lazy about driving and monitoring where they are located. So this was the best solution ever! Five of the most popular trucks in the area met at 18678 Teller in Irvine, CA 92612 from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM. This was a last minute event but many people caught wind of this awesome event to come out and join the fun.
My partner in crime for the day was Anita. It's great to share food with friends because it allows us to try more things and save room for the next truck. The first truck I lined up for was the Barcelona On The Go Truck. It's been a while since I've had their delectable Spanish cuisine. Esteban was there with a smile and ready to work. Everyone recommended the Serrano Ham Sandwich. The bread was grilled to perfection with that crisp buttery crunch. Normally I disdain red bell peppers but the ham was so delicious that I could ignore the healthy factor. O=D This was great there and just as wonderful when I toasted the other half at home.
The Chicken Empanadas were the other must have that all the fellow foodies recommended. They were very fresh and juicy. The crust was thin and crisp. There were plenty of fresh filling oozing out. I like empanadas where the crust the doesn't overpower everything. This one had the perfect balance of crust and filling.
Sharing is the best part because I got to try out a lot more of the menu. Others got the Manchego and Fig. I thought the figs were fabulous, perfectly ripe. It went great with the Manchego cheese and Balsamic reduction. Simple, tasty, and healthy.
Carolyn got the Sausage on a bed of greens versus the bread. It's nice to know you have a healthier option. The sausage was flavorful and well paired. I just wished it was grilled slightly longer. Other than that it was nice and plump.
All in all I like this truck and this is the only one I have been to twice down here. Esteban is always very nice and listens to his customers. He still remembered me from High Times, which is pretty good memory. =D The Lime Truck was also great and I will post about them next. It was a great event and I hope they have tons more like this where I can be a food truck monger and eat everything at once! lol Here is a funny video I took of Jeff and Carolyn demonstrating what a Gorilla Burpee is. Keep in mind that these crazy people did it on a full stomach! Awesome! =D
Labels: food event, Food Trucks, Irvine, Orange County, Spanish
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
WoodSpoon : I ♥ Pot Pie!!3 comments Posted by Kat at 1:48 AM
One word, YUM! Thanks to Holly's suggestion and temptation! We ventured over to WoodSpoon right before our reservation at LudoBites 5.0, where we ate the menu. =D There really wasn't that much time so we walked on over for a quick bite. WoodSpoon is said to have the BEST Pot Pie around and I had to check it out for myself, even if this is pre-dinner I had to make space!
I have to say I love this place! The cozy and intimate ambiance really amazed me. Was it anything fancy? Nah, but I loved the simplistic cuteness. The settings had a nice touch and I loved the fresh vibrant flowers. There's an array of pillows spread out on the seats. Everything just worked for me. What's also very intriguing is that they add a nice stick of cinnamon inside the carafe of water, which adds this wonderful fragrant spice to each sip.
Holly highly recommended the WoodSpoon Sangria. Tsk tsk she gave up on ordering food, but she couldn't pass up the drink. ^_~ Their Sangria had a wonderful fruit flavor that emanated in every sip and there was no bite from the red wine. The drink was very smooth, sweet, and refreshing.
For me, I decided to give their Brazilian Coffee a taste. This took the longest to come out and we were really short on time. I really wished I had more time to enjoy and sip this freshly brewed coffee. Boy was it hot hot hot! I singed my tongue trying to gulp it down since it was the last to arrive. Still, the coffee was very aromatic and strong, not super strong but just right.
Of course I had to have the Brazilian Chicken Pot Pie! Encrusted inside was Hearts of Palm, Olives, and Roasted Corn. I actually abhor olives and to tell you the truth I couldn't taste it anywhere. The crust was simply divine. It's not your normal pie crust. Instead it's a delicate and flavorful crust that melts in your mouth. I'm sure it's loaded with buttery goodness. Let's not forget the wonderful filling. There's plenty of chicken embedded with little bites of corn. Don't forget to add the spicy sauce for that extra kick. I'm still thinking about this pie!
All in all I really enjoyed this place. The people were super friendly and I loved the whole vibe. Would it be bad of me for trying to add another pre-dinner before LudoBites 5.0? It's just such a far drive for me that I must pack everything in together on one trip. I definitely have to come back to try their other delectable creations. So many things on the menu looked sumptuous!
107 W 9th St
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 629-1765
Labels: Brazilian, Downtown, Los Angeles, Pot Pie, Sangria
Thursday, July 22, 2010
LudoBites 5.0 @ Gram & Papa's : Two Hungry Asian Girls Ate The Menu!8 comments Posted by Kat at 5:38 AM
Last night was the reprise of LudoBites 4.0 at Gram & Papa's in Downtown L.A. Chef Ludo Lefebvre has taken a short breather and come back in full force! His new menu takes us all on a journey across Asia with the vibrant flavors and new twists to old favorites. If you thought LudoBites 4.0 was hard to get a reservation for, then you have a few hurdles set out for you. Last time the reservations ran out within 9 hours, but for LudoBites 5.0 there were over 3,000 people simultaneously trying to score a reservation crashed the system within 15 mins! Be sure to brush up those video game controller skills on your mouse in an attempt to get a reservation. It might be an unachievable quest, but well worth the journey.
As tradition states, BYOB! This was a monumental first for me as I was the one who provided the bottle of wine. It's a new favorite of Holly and I, the Stella Rossa we sampled at the LA Wine Festival from the San Antonio Winery. So dangerously sweet and smooth that we could drink a few bottles without feeling anything. I need to stock up more for any future reservation opportunities or on a hot summer night!
A must have for the evening is the Steamed Duck beautifully topped with Lemon Verbena, Crispy Skin Purée, and Radish. Next to the duck was a succulent White Peach drizzled with a Balsamic reduction. Together they were the perfect combination of sweet/savory, juicy/crunchy, and fragrant flavor & texture explosion. Alone, the duck was cooked just right where the pieces would melt in your mouth added with a tasty crunch from the bits of skin. The radish on top enhanced the sweetness of the duck and the crisp bite was refreshing. What could further add to this dish? The white peach and balsamic reduction brought the dish to a whole other level. First slice a nice thick piece of the duck topped with lemon verbena, crispy skin, and radish then finished off with a luscious slice of white peach drenched with the balsamic reduction... Mmmm... as the loaded fork breaches the entrance of my mouth a Pavlovian response is triggered... my molars sink down and the ambrosian juices of the peach trickle down. Everything just melds into a party in my mouth.
The Santa Barbara Prawns with Poached Eggs and Potato Mousseline topped off with a Chorizo Purée was to die for. Hidden inside were priceless gems. The prawns were raw and delectably sweet. In my opinion the best way for consumption! As I stuck my spoon breaking the barrier and causing the yolk to ooze out like an explosive lava, I delve deep in search of the buried treasure. I really love Chef Ludo's potato mousseline. It's full of cream, butter, and potato that's so smooth and savory. The natural sweetness of the prawns complimented the savory flavors flawlessly.
Even the pouring of the Goat Cheese Soup was a work of art. The perfect sweet shot was obtained as the soup slowly drizzled across the plate. Inside was pieces of Bacon, Tofu, Green Apple, and a Frisée Salad finished off with Lardo. The subtle flavors of the goat cheese ruminated through each spoonful. I am sure I just inhaled a few thousand calories, but well worth every last drop. The soup is delightfully refreshing and light in taste. Each spoonful I was trying to find more bacon or lardo that just made me smile silently.
I decided that today was a special day and I should reward myself. After all, I passed my exam with flying colors. A well deserved Cheese Cupcake topped with Chicken Liver & Ham Mousse and Cornichons. Below was a smooth Kumquat purée to compliment the savory dish atop. With the ever persisting trend of cupcakes, Chef Ludo has reinvented a classic in his own image. The mousse was mind numbingly scrumptious. I was tempted to pick up the plate and lick it clean when nobody was looking.
In fact, I started to dip the Vadouvan Naan Bread accompanied with Salted Coconut Butter on the leftover mousse. Couldn't let any of that go to waste! =D Although to do the naan justice, you definitely have to layer the salted coconut butter on top. The savory flavors of the naan actually brought out the slight sweetness of the coconut. I thought the butter was whipped to perfection. It glides on smoothly and melts in your mouth.
One of Holly's favorite of the night was the Confit Pork Belly, Raw Choucroute Thai Style, Guiness, and Emulsion. There were two generous pieces of pork belly under the pile of wonderfully sliced and pickled vegetables. To my surprise I loved the tangy flavors of the vegetables on top mixed with the savory pieces of pork belly. They really lightened the heaviness of pork belly and gave each bite a delectable crunch.
The Grilled Squid on top an Heirloom Tomato Salad, Black Rice, and Yuzu Red Onions complimented with the Unami Broth and Seaweed Tartar. I loved the oceanic flavors. The squid was nicely grilled and smooth. It might have been the broth or the seaweed that gave the dish that wonderful salty sea taste. From the first bite, I felt like I was in some nice beach enjoying the wonders of the sea. All the complex flavors came together in a simply memorable flavor.
What really caught my eye was the Raw Wagyu Beef with Dried Miso, Somen Noodle, Candied Watermelon, and Mint topped off with a Peanut Vinaigrette. If my eyes were closed, I'd swear that I was in a Vietnamese restaurant. Chef Ludo captured the true essence and taste of Vietnamese cuisine, but with his own twist. I've always loved the refreshing combination of watermelon and mint. The sweetness of the watermelon only added to the Wagyu.
The Grilled Octopus, Oregano, Grilled Hazelnut Polenta, Pineapple Aioli, and Piment D'Espelette Gelée came highly recommended. Alone, the octopus was nicely charred, smoky, and full of flavor. I tried all the components separately and they were very interesting, but they work splendidly together.
When we arrived I took note of the Day Boat Cod with Torched Uni on top paired with Red Bell Pepper Pickles, Ratatouille, and Black Curry. In Ms. Lin's absence, I had to consume the uni in her place! The cod was very light by itself but when paired with the uni and black curry the flavor changes drastically. All the components on the plate were meant to enhance the cod.
By this time we were pretty stuffed and satisfied, but our quest to eat the menu kept us going. After all, there is always room for dessert! I always say there is a second stomach saved just for that reason. LudoBites 4.0 had a great chocolate soufflé so how could they top that? Well for 5.0 they have created a Caramel Soufflé paired with Fleur De Sel Ice Cream and Blanco Grapefruit. It's my own salted caramel paradise! The fleur de sel ice cream toned down the sweetness of the caramel. Maybe I have been studying too much physics lately, but it is like two "in-phase" waves that come together to create constructive interference. The end result is a greater wave. That's how I feel about this dessert. =D
I have to admit that I actually had my doubts about the Campfire Smoked S'mores with Guacamole Sorbet. In my opinion, s'more tend to be overly sweet and overpowering. Not in this case! Instead of the typical Hershey bar, they used a Chipotle Orange Ganache that had the perfect combination of spicy and sweet. The "graham" cracker they made was delicious. I tried the guacamole sorbet by itself and tastes just as it sounds. The smooth buttery flavor of avocado added to the s'mores cut down the sweetness even more and brought out all the subtle flavors. Not only was it delectable, it was fun to play with. Breaking off the cracker and slowly putting all the components on top made me feel like I was at a bonfire with friends, very nostalgic.
We were pacing ourselves throughout the whole meal. The table was only meant for two people and not for two hungry, ravenous really, women. Holly and I are already strategizing for the next trip if we can get a reservation and how to get a bigger table! We thought about caving in a few times as we tastefully devoured the night away and filling our stomachs to the brim. Luckily our gluttony and desire for more of Chef Ludo's fabulous creations kept us going. Towards the end of the meal I was summoning the last of my will power to continue. I kept chanting, "Must eat! Yummy food can never be wasted!" It was a wonderful evening of food and fun. Holly and I really complimented each other well! Thanks for the invite! I came opening night for LudoBites 4.0 last time and now for 5.0, I must say that even though 4.0 was great but for 5.0 Chef Ludo has outdone himself. A definite must!
LudoBites @ Gram & Papa's
227 E 9th St
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 624-7272
Labels: French, Los Angeles, New American
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Quick Word...2 comments Posted by Kat at 1:07 AM
I am thinking about changing my reviews. I will be shortening them since they tend to get long. Even though I love being detailed, I am not sure if it's too long for my readers and it does take a lot of time for me to write. There's always a lot of information stored up in my noggin and I am one opinionated woman! So if any of my readers want to know more or pick my brain, just ask. =D Otherwise, I am going to attempt to shorten my posts. I just might put more pictures up because I just love photos!
Thanks for listening and reading as always!
Stay tuned because I am going to start taking over Ms. Lin Guide's blog a little and force her to update as well as be the first guest blogger to open the path for other bloggers who want to guest blog!
Have a wonderful week!
♥ ♥ ♥ Kat ♥ ♥ ♥
Monday, July 19, 2010
Harry's Deli : Craving More Sammies!0 comments Posted by Kat at 5:34 AM
Finally able to try Harry's Deli, the talk of the town! Even better, I went with a seasoned veteran, Anita. I've been wanting to check out what all the fuss is about. It has been super hot these days but inside Harry's Deli it was nice and cool with a welcoming atmosphere. I had a difficult time finding this place, guess you can call them a true "hidden" gem? =) It's on the corner of Sky Park N. and Sky Park Circle. Don't be fooled by the exterior, contrary to belief they are not solely a business complex. There are tons of eateries embedded here.
They have a great selection of hot sandwiches. The one that stood out the most for me was the Chicken di Giorgio, which was what Anita recommended too. It's made with a juicy escalope of chicken, buffalo mozzarella, tomato basil sauce, and Parmesan inside a ciabatta bread. I can't stop drooling when I look at the picture of the mozzarella perfectly melted atop the chicken. The chicken was perfectly crusted and cooked to perfection. I reveled at each and every crunchy bite. Mmm! The tomato basil had a refreshing amount of garlic that really added to the savory flavor. Everything came together superbly.
What can make the meal better? Even though it has been really hot these days, I still wanted to try their Creamy Tomato Soup. Everything is made there fresh and you can taste the chunky vegetables in each bite. The soup compliments the sandwiches perfectly. Chew chew chew then sip sip sip and then ahhhh. =D
I have something to confess, I have been thinking about the Chicken di Giorgio sandwich for days now. The best part is that their prices are very reasonable. Harry needs to move down more South so that I may visit him more often! I promise to come 2-3 times a week if you are closer! lol Next on my list to try is Ribeye Steak Sandwich. For me, the hot sandwiches and signature creations are the way to go. Will have to keep coming until I try them all!
Harry's Deli
17881 Sky Park Cir Ste A
Irvine, CA 92614
(949) 261-2116
Labels: Irvine, Lunch, Sandwiches
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Mark Your Calendars! Angeleno's Chefs Night Out & More!1 comments Posted by Kat at 5:48 AM
8th Annual Restaurant Awards & Angeleno's Chefs Night Out Event
Sunday, August 1st
VIP 4:30pm | Main Event 5:30pm
Location :
Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows
101 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica
Opportunity to taste food from LA's best chefs while supporting a great cause
Website :
Ticket Price :
VIP $150 includes intimate reception with LA's top chefs, presentation of Angeleno's Restaurant Awards and exclusive spirits tasting.
MAIN EVENT $95 enjoy chefs cooking presentations paired with award-winning wines and spirits
Description :
400 guests, including chefs, restaurateurs & bon vivants. Past attendees have included David Myers of Sona and CommeCa, Susan Goin of AOC, David Lentz of Hungry Cat, Hiroyuki Urasawa of Urasawa, Josiah Citrin from Melisse, Susan Feniger from Street, Anthony Zappola from Craft, Brian Moyers from BLT Steak and Ray Garcia from FIG
Date :
July 24 · 5:30pm - 9:00pm
Location :
Rose Bowl - Pasadena, CA
Website : www.LAstreetfoodfest.com
Ticket Price :
All inclusive tickets - General Admission is $45 VIP is $65
Description :
They're back with an all-inclusive tasting event, which means pay once, eat/drink from all! Enjoy street inspired samples from over 60 of LA's best restaurants, hot gourmet food trucks, old school carts and stands, and celeb chefs - all serving from beautiful tents on the field of the world famous Rose Bowl! Plus stay hydrated 'n happy with our hosted (er, meaning free) Singha beer gardens, tequila tasting tent, delicious cocktails, juices and cold beverages. To top it all off, you'll rock out with a concert from two of LA's coolest new bands for one affordable, all-inclusive ticket price benefiting St Vincent Meals on Wheels & Woolly School Gardens!
Cupcake Camp OC
August 1, 2010 Sunday 3:00-6:00 PM
Location :
Atrium Hotel -- 18700 MacArthur Blvd, Irvine, CA 92612
Website :
Ticket Price :
Open to anyone (Suggested Donation $10 entrance)
Description :
To raise funds and awareness towards human trafficking. This is a charity event where everything is provided by volunteers and donations. There are many ways to participate. You can bring your own cupcakes to donate or just buy some. Come out to support the cause and pick up some sweet treats along the way!
Saturday, August 28th 2010 from 11:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Location :
The Honda Center in Anaheim
2695 East Katella Avenue
Anaheim, CA 92806
Website :
Ticket Price :
Adult - $12.00 VIP - $50.00
Child Under 12 - $6.00 Child 3 & Under – Free
Description :
Orange County's first gourmet food truck event. Get ready for 50 of the hottest trucks around town all in one place. Special portioned treats will be served at a special price range of $1-$5. Plenty of wonderful performances scheduled. Don't miss out! Proceeds to benefit St. Vincent Meals on Wheels, Pretend City Children's Museum & Child S.H.A.R.E.
Labels: charity, cupcakes, Festival, Food Events, Food Trucks, Los Angeles, Orange County
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Four Leaf - Tea & Crêpes : Saved The Day...4 comments Posted by Kat at 6:23 AM
PK and I really needed something to wash down all the salty food we had at the Wurstküche (will review soon). I had a long drive ahead back down to OC and I wanted a nice pick me up. Since PK's car was near Four Leaf and we passed by them earlier in the day, it only made sense to com here for an after dinner treat. Four Leaf just had their Grand Opening.
There's outside seating on the patio and tables inside. I really enjoyed their light shade so I took pics. The interior had a nice feeling. It's a lot more classy than your everyday milk tea joint. If it wasn't late, I would've enjoyed sitting there munching on my crêpe and enjoying a cool drink. The staff was nice but they messed up my simple order, which I can forgive since they just opened. I ordered a large drink and they gave me a regular. The annoying part was he denied that I ordered a large... I stuck with the regular because I had already paid and didn't want to bother changing the drink. At least PK heard me, but somehow he didn't... oh well.
The drink somehow took a little longer than I imagined. I ordered the Milk Green Tea, which was sweet and flavorful. They must use Ten-Ren or something similar to it. The green tea was aromatic and not overpowering.
I forgive them for their mistake because the crêpe was actually pretty good. The batter they use was very flavorful and it was cooked to perfection. Normally I like my crêpe to be crispy but I decided to just let them make it the way they want and it was just the right chewiness. I'm a little bit weird about my crêpes to be simple and all I wanted in it that night was condensed milk. The prices are very reasonable so I decided to try the crêpe. It's $2.50 for just the crêpe and you can add items to build your own. Since I only had one thing my crêpe was super cheap and well worth it! I wish I knew how good it was to begin with because I would've order 2 or 3 more for home! =D
Funny thing that happened in the car... I ate the crêpe while driving home. Not the best idea by the way! Little did I know that the paper was very thin and did not keep the condensed milk from seeping out. As I was biting into my yummy crêpe, sticky drops of condensed milk began to run down my chin and onto my clothing. Then I suddenly realized that it was dripping from the bottom too! When I got home I was covered in sticky white droplets. You can paint the picture and run wild with it. This did not look good nor very innocent. =P lol Still, the crêpe was delicious and I don't regret it. You know something is good when it gets all over you and you're willing to let that slide.
Four Leaf - Tea & Crêpes
318A E. 2nd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(877) 797-4532
Labels: crêpes, desserts, Drinks, Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, Tea
H Mart Weekend Deals!0 comments Posted by Kat at 2:17 AM
I normally don't look at the newspaper or ads that often, but I happened to come across this weekend's flier. H Mart has some really awesome sales for the weekend that you should check out. I swear my house is going to become a garden *that's already harvested*. =D 10lbs of Green Cabbage for 99 cents! How can you say no? Don't know what we will be cooking or pickling but for that price... who cares! lol The Corn is also 6 pieces for only 99 cents! 3lbs of Mexican Papaya for 99 cents! Tons of great deals you should check out! Check for the closest location and get your shop on! The Korean markets have the best deals on the weekend, so don't miss out!
H Mart
2600-2100 Alton Pkwy
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 833-0111
Labels: Deal, Irvine, Korean, Supermarket
Friday, July 16, 2010
Bhan Kanom Thai (BKT) : Mango Sticky Rice Goodness0 comments Posted by Kat at 12:20 PM
Feeling like a Thai dessert? Well look no further. BKT, Bhan Kanom Thai, is right around the corner. I wanted to get Mango Sticky Rice at Red Corner Asia but Hellobear talked me out of it because she believes the dessert is much better at BKT. Might as well listen to the expert in this neck of the woods. She convinced me by saying it would be cheaper and better than ordering at the restaurant. I willingly agreed because I was curious what other Thai desserts are available and what else I could write about! =D
From the outside it might look a little dinky, but inside is very nice and clean. The staff were very friendly and answered all my questions since I was in unfamiliar territory. They have a few hot snacks and deserts in the case that looked very tempting. If I wasn't so full from lunch and had dinner plans in less than an hour, I'd be all over the various treats. I was surprised to see they offered shaved ice so similar to the Taiwanese style. There were a few more selections of toppings than what I am use to, one being Pandan. I'm very curious to try their Pandan flavored desserts, but maybe next time.
At first I was really disappointed because there wasn't any Mango Sticky Rice to be found anywhere. I surveyed the entire store looking for my favorite dessert and when I finally reached where I started, they brought out stacks of Mango Sticky Rice! WOOHOO! The mango looked super ripe and delicious. It took all the power I had not to grab the entire stack for home. I controlled the urge and only bought two packs that I carefully picked out. O=) The mangoes were ripe and sweet. I found the sticky rice to be a bit on the drier and chewier side, but overall tasted fine. They include a small container of coconut milk, which wasn't that sweet. Overall it was a solid dessert because the mangoes were really good and it was only $5 for the box, which is not bad.
There were a bunch of tempting treats by the register to get you at your purchase. I admit that I was caught in their tempting web. They were all very colorful and cutely crafted. How can you say no to miniature sized treats? lol I asked what was in each treat and decided to go with the Mochi with Black Sugar and shredded Coconut on top. Not really sure what its real name is but it looked good. The texture was soft and chewy. To me, it was a little too sweet so I let my Aunt devour the entire thing. In reality, I woke up the next day they were all gone... lol
All in all it was a nice little treat and there's so much more for me to explore. I am not sure if it is the best dessert in Thai Town, but it's definitely worth a try. They have so many packaged items that sounded good. I wish I could have took everything home with me but then I will need to be rolled home. If you are in the area and looking for a sweet treat, I recommend stopping by to check it out. They are in the same plaza as Red Corner Asia so you can park for free in the day time too. I'll definitely be back for the Mango Sticky Rice.
Bhan Kanom Thai (BKT)
5271 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 871-8030
Labels: desserts, Los Angeles, Thai, Thai Town


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Today, we are excited to share an exclusive interview with Shanon Mari Mills of the 1st National Tour of WICKED. Ms. Mills is in the ensemble and an understudy for Glinda. Previously, Ms. Mills toured with PETER PAN, playing Curly and covering the roles of Peter Pan, Mrs. Darling, Mermaid and grown-up Wendy. She has performed in regional productions of DAMES AT SEA, THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS, SINGIN' IN THE RAIN and ANNIE GET YOUR GUN. Check out her thoughts below!
Tell us a little about yourself outside of performing – what kind of hobbies do you have; where did you grow up, etc.
I grew up in Torrance, California with my parents and my younger brother. I currently live in Yorba Linda, CA, have been married for 2 1/2 years and have 2 dogs and a cat. Growing up I loved any sort of arts and crafts. That hasn't changed much. I have tons of craft supplies that take up most of our free space at home. I also love baking, and eating what I bake!
What made you decide you wanted to pursue performing as a career?
As cliché as it may sound, I started performing at such a young age, that it just seemed natural that this was what I would do for a living. I toyed around with the idea of going to college for other things but nothing ever seemed to fit right.
What was your first professional acting job and what did you learn from the experience?
My first professional job (not working for gas cards) was in the ensemble of Annie Get Your Gun with CLOSBC (Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities). I learned that you actually CAN put together a full production in 3 weeks or less.
What was your experience touring with PETER PAN and covering the title role (among others) like?
Touring with Peter Pan was wonderful. I had never traveled anywhere so, that was exciting. I got to visit some great places and I made some life long friendships.
Running around like a boy is a blast! No pretty make-up, rough-housing and only one costume was fantastic!
As for covering Cathy Rigby and Kim Crosby; honestly that was pretty stressful. Cathy is an icon when it comes to Peter so, that in it self was intimidating. I did get to learn all the cool tricks of the trade though. I got to fly again for the first time in 10 years AND with Paul Ruben who was the first person who ever flew me when I was around 9 or 10 years old. I learned to sword fight too!
As for Kim Crosby she is well, Kim Crosby! How would you feel understudying the original Cinderella from Into the Woods!?
The two roles were really different, so sometimes in understudy rehearsals I felt a bit like Cybil. It was a lot of fun though.
How would you compare touring with PETER PAN to touring with WICKED?
The main difference is how long we sit down in a city. On Pan we didn't stay in cities as long. Sometimes we would perform in two different cities in one week. With Wicked, I get to actually LIVE in a city!
You've done quite a lot of regional theatre…do you have any roles or productionsthat stand out to you as being particularly memorable?
Spelling Bee will always be a standout show for me. Although adults playing children is comedic and most of the characters in the show have funny songs, the base of everything is incredibly real andheartfelt. It is a wonderful ensemble piece and our cast was incredible. Olive is probably one of the closest roles to me as a kid and an adult. I was a very awkward kid and quite shy, which surprisingly to some I still am and I think the hardest roles to do are always the ones that make you tap into your real self.
How did you come to audition for WICKED?
My first audition was about 6 months after graduating from college and my agent called and told me I had an appointment for the Glinda cover in Wicked. Which was kinda crazy because, I had never even gone to the open call.
What was the process like?
It was pretty much the same as other auditions. I got my sides and prepared them and the day of I went in, sang, read and worked on some stuff. They asked me to come to the dance call, andafter the group dance call I was asked to stay for lifts and then we called it a day.
What was your initial reaction when you first got the news that you would be joining WICKED?
Shock. I had been auditioning since 2006, eventually you get to a point where you sort of think to yourself, "okay, I'm just not right for this. I was fine with that and I had decided this was most likely my last year going in.
Who was the first person you told about it, and how did they react?
I was on my way to the aquarium with my friend, her mom and my Godson. After I got the call, I hung up and said, " I think I just got the national tour of Wicked." My friend has been there since the auditioning started, so she immediately started screaming and crying. I usually only cry when other people do, so then I started crying and in turn so did her mom. It was just a car full of women, screaming and crying and a very confused little boy! After we calmed down, I called to tell my husband; I needed to make sure he was on board with me touring again. Thank goodness he was!!
What was your rehearsal process for your ensemble track in WICKED like?
Crazy! I had about 18 days of rehearsal (which is longer than most). I learned all my music on my first day and then started staging the next. Shanna, ourdance captain at the time had been putting people into the show for years and it is a science. It's kinda like what I would imagine a big chess game to be; only everyone is moving at the same time! You find your place, get out of the way and then make another move!
What about for Glinda?
Glinda was pretty much the same except now, I had to put everything I had already learned on the back burner and learn a whole new game with all new moves.
What was your first performance in the ensemble of WICKED like?
Stressful, crazy, fun, exciting, nerve-racking, along with many other things. We have such a wonderfully kind company though and they were there to shove with love and help me get through it. If I had to put it into one simple word- I would say it was, exhilarating.
What about as Glinda?
Glinda was even more stressful, crazy, fun, exciting and nerve-racking but, again exhilarating.
It was incredible to finally get to play with our fabulous principle company. There were some word flubs and I almost fell backwards in the "bubble dress" but, I made it though.
Do you have a favorite part of the show to perform in the ensemble or as Glinda?
My favorite ensemble moment is probably when I get my first glimpse of the audience in the opening. I am all the way downstage and it's really great to see everyone's reactions to what they are hearing and seeing.
My favorite Glinda moment is when Chistery speaks for the first time! That's actually my favorite moment in general.
What do you find to be the advantages/disadvantages of touring?
One of the obvious advantages of touring is being able to travel to places that I most likely wouldn't travel to on my own, which is great. One big disadvantage, for me, is being away from my friends and family. I really miss my husband and my furry little children. It seems like one of my girlfriends is getting married yearly and I LOVE weddings, so missing those isn't fun. I also have two young nieces, a Godson and friends little tykes who are growing up faster than I could ever imagine, so not being home for holidays and birthdays is really hard as well. Thank goodness for technology because FaceTime and Skype are total life savers.
Do you have any favorite cities you've visited with WICKED or PETER PAN?
During Pan we went to Greenville, South Carolina. It was so quaint with lots of independent shops and a great little coffee place, called Coffee Underground. I love towns like that!
Do you have any bloopers that have occurred during your time in WICKED or other shows that you'd like to share?
During one of my first couple performances, I fell during the entrance to the Witch Hunters number. I did a slow half split and then popped back up- that was pretty funny. It was good to find out later that most people have done the same thing at that point in the show.
What advice would you give to aspiring performers?
What we do isn't easy and you usually learn that the hard way. I believe you should be a realist, but a dreamer-have a thick skin, but a soft heart.
You will get turned down WAY more than you will book and most of the time it has nothing to do with your talent.
Stay grounded: You need to have confidence that you are great at what you do but, you don't need to tell the world just how great you are. I don't mean to be overly humble and not show the world what you are made of but do it in a professional manner; no one needs to hear your resume in the holding room.
Be kind… to EVERYONE…. you never know who knows whom. As harsh as it may sound, people want to work with kind people, not mean people. Most importantly: when you stop loving it, stop doing it.


text:
Free Vocabulary Cards with translations for ELL students
28th February, 2010 - Posted by Teacher - No Comments
Free science picture cards link for download
Developing a scientific vocabulary is important for literacy development for students. This free download was developed by teachers as a resource to use in the classroom. The cards can be downloaded with images and translations for english as a second language learners. They are a wonderful addition to a constantly changing word wall, vocabulary enrichment center, and more. Download the vocabulary cards and laminate them to use in your classroom. I am curious to see the creative ways that you can use this fabulous resource with your students. Please submit them below and enjoy!
Tags: cards, download, ELL, free resource, literacy development, science, translations, vocabulary, word wall
Posted on: February 28, 2010
Filed under: Uncategorized
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text:
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Great drawer dividers
Very easy for this 71 year old lady to install in kitchen drawers, yet sturdy and stay in place securely to facilitate organization in drawer of small items, kitchen utensils. Attractive in appearance. I love them. Price did seem just a little high; but these are quality made items.
Works for a temporary fix, not a permenant one!
This is not an item I would buy again! It doesn't stay in place. If you even gently touch it you need to re-adjust it. it moves side to side and the top tips over very easily! Rubber grips on the end is not sticky enough to hold it!
Description is not accurate. Wood is not sealed. Very rough and cheap. Not even sanded smooth. Terrible. Very disappointed.
I really am pleased with these new dividers.
I replaced the drawer dividers with these new ones and they make it so much easier to store the really long handled kitchen utensils. I can store so much more in the drawer using these new dividers.
Drawer dividers
I'm using them in the kitchen drawers to get them a little more organized.
Kitchen drawer. Adequate!
this is a wonderful orgainizer
A terrific drawer organizer. I will purchase more in the future !
No more messy drawers.
These dividers have made my kitchen drawer where I keep so many utensils so much more organized. Before installing the dividers, every time I opened the drawer, all the utensils slid around. Now, they all stay neatly in place.
Great idea at a high cost
Item is a great idea for organized drawers. The quality is not the best, I didn't think; therefore, the cost was way too high. I'm happy I got 1 set, but won't be getting anymore solely due to cost.
Oh , Well!
Dividers too large for drawers .. Would not allow drawer to shutOh ,well
Junk drawer is organized
I can find things in my organized junk drawer now unlike before where there was a huge mess
I would buy this product again and again
Made my drawers neater. Saves time looking foe items
I like them so well that I will order more in March
They fit wonderfully well. Wish they could be in white.
A must have
This is a great house warming gift. Now I do not have to shuffle through my drawers, everything is so neatly organized. Love them
Drawer divider
The dividers are much better than I expected! That pretty much says it all.
One of my Best buys
Putting these in my kitchen drawers was the best thing I could do. My drawers are so organized now. Very easy to find things. Be careful when installing them, they are spring loaded & a piece of mine came apart when I pulled it out to move it.
Great Drawer Dividers
Using in kitchen drawer to separate measuring spoons, peelers, scoops for fruit and ice cream and miscellaneous kitchen items They are great and easy to use to keep things separate as well as not to block the drawer from opening with items that may catch in the drawer after closing
Love it.
Great organizational tool.
Great organizer
I recently had my kitchen renovated. Used two of these dividers in the drawer that holds office supplies and tools. This is 19.5 inches from front to back. The dividers are sturdy, well-designed, very easy to install and look like they are part of the drawer. I was disappointed that I couldn't use them in the drawers that are 17 inches from front to back. The dividers won't compress enough to fit into anything less than 18 inches.
Easy to install and keep my large kitchen drawer organized.
Great product - highly recommend
Great product - delivery was prompt - highly recommend
Loved them if they were not expensive I would purchase more
I would have ordered two more sets if they were not so expensive. I wanted the ones they showed for bureau draws that they advertised in the book and they did not have them.
I have struggled with finding a utensil caddy and never have been satisfied. Too short, not enough spaces, doesn't fit the drawer. I love being able to adjust to the drawer and using the entire space. The idea of sorting and keeping things in order is so helpful. I love this product!
excellent took a disaster drawer and easily organized it
your drawer dividers are efficient and easy to use
Great idea
What a great idea. I have a large drawer that was total disaster i had a hard time finding anything in the drawer. With the dividers i can adjust the space to my usage. I bought 2 sets one intended for our vacation home. The second was for my current home. The only con is that why didn't i discover these a long time ago. I hate clutter and these took care of the problem. : ). Thank you.
good idea
worked as I expected. Organized the drawer.
Drawer dividers
By dividing a kitchen drawer I was able to put the knives in the drawer and get a large wooden block off my counter. I like the quality of this product and will be ordering more to use in more spaces.
4427 Set /2 Drawer Dividers
I will be ordering more as they are perfect for my jumbled up kitchen drawers. I can now find what I am looking for.
I like the product
Great for organizing
An easy solution
I was able to empty out several drawers by dividing off one big drawer in my bedroom with socks, panties & bra's. The divider helped me save a lot of space. I also used one of the dividers in my kitchen to organize cooking utensils. I plan to order some more very soon.
Just what I was looking for
Works perfectly for my purposes, so much that I'm ordering more for other drawers. Snug fit in my large kitchen drawers and doesn't move around. Happens to match the color of the wood inside my drawers so kind of looks built in.
Great Dividers
Works great in any drawer. I used mine in the kitchen like most do, but I'm ordering more to use in my bedroom dresser drawers & also in my bathroom drawers. You can use these in any drawer you want organized.
Great Product!
Just bought a new home with very large kitchen drawers. These dividers work really well and are very easy to install. Although pricy, I'm buying more. We bought a different kind at a retail store and they did not fit these drawers. They have a good look also.
Great Product!
Just bought a new home and bought several of these dividers. They are ideal because you can set them for any distance you want.
Instant Organization
I have extra wide drawers in my kitchen that were a complete jumble. These dividers keep the utensils lined up, easy to spot, and easy to remove.
Good idea
These fit well in my drawer and made the area look more organized and neater. The wood is cheap, but what do you expect for the price.
This is a great product for organization
I bought some for my kitchen utensil drawer. I also bought some for a friend.
Great idea!
Used to organize drawers with many utensils. Much better than premolded drawer organizers--can make drawer space as large or small as needed to accommodate items. Also good for organizing junk drawers.
These worked fantastically to help divide our large cooking utensils drawer in our kitchen. Now it feels like 3 reasonably sized drawers rather than one gigantic drawer where the tools are perpetually lost.
Classy & Solid
My daughter owns a 90 year old house. None of the kitchen drawers are standard size. So you can imagine how disorganized and messy the utensil drawer had become. When I saw these wooden adjustable dividers, I knew they would be perfect for her kitchen. And they are! She loves them, especially with how very solid and classy looking they are.
Perfect product
Used in kitchen cabinet drawers for better organization of utensils. Easy install, sturdy. Nothing wrong with item
Work Great
These dividers make keeping the big utensil drawer organized. Love them.
Drawer Dividers
Keeps our rough and tumble drawer as organized as is possible.
Nice product...serves its purpose
Nice drawer divider.
great organizer for drawers
unclutter drawers
Great for organizing drawer clutter!
These dividers are great for organizing the clutter in kitchen drawers and are super easy to install.
Excellent Product
I have unusually long flatware that doesn't fit a normal silverware tray. These worked beautifully and gave me extra room in the drawer for other utensils. I bought three sets ON SALE. Although the product is of excellent quality and I expect it to last a long time, it's still way too much money to use in all drawers - which I'd love to do.
Great for organizing drawers!
These are very easy to install and great to straighten out disorganized drawers. I just wish they were lower priced so I could buy lots of them.
Quick Solution to problem area
I purchased this product after we moved into an older home. Cupboards were homemade and boy have I missed my "modern" cupboard bonus. The utencil drawer was large, but contained no dividers. After struggling a year to find what would fit, I ordered this product and held my breath that it would solve my problem area...IT FIT PERFECTLY!!! It took a few seconds to install...problem solved!!! THANK YOU!!!
drawer divides
i use these in my kitchen "stuff" drawer and they are awesome. you know the drawer that has pens, pencils, scratch pads etc. they are great at keeping everything findable! the other set i use in a drawer for takeout menus and such paper items. definitely a great value
"Am ordering more of these...GREAT use!!
I ordered these, got them in, and LOVE them. They give you more room and keeps the drawers neat. Am ordering 2 more sets.


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Yakushima, a subtropical island inhabited by millenary trees off the Southern coast of Kyushu offers heavenly natural landscapes. Relax and become one with nature while enjoying a luxurious stay at Sankara Hotel & Spa.
- 5 day tour package of Yakushima island
- Valid dates: 6 Nov to 16 Mar (excluding 9 Jan to 2 Feb 2018)
- Get acquainted with millenary cedar trees and friendly deer at an ancient rainforest
- Enjoy walking in nature, hiking, rock-climbing and finish your day at the spa
- Get away from it all, and spend a luxurious vacation at the unique Sankara Hotel & Spa
- A butler will take care of your every need as you are busy enjoying nature
- Treat yourself to especially-made delicacies from the earth and the ocean
Only 4 packages available
Enjoy a luxurious 5-day stay at Sankara Hotel & Spa in Yakushima island in your own villa for two people visiting the island's best natural spots.
Yakushima is a subtropical island blessed with an ancient cedar tree forest, some of which are older than 1000 years old. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1993 due to its biodiversity and natural landscapes. Visitors come to this paradise on earth to walk among its millenary trees, hike its mountain trails, have close encounters with friendly deer, shower under its waterfalls and swim in the rivers. This means Yakushima is the perfect place to reconnect with nature and spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life to enjoy a truly soul-repairing time in nature.
Now imagine if, after a long day of rigorous hiking or rock-climbing, you came back to your luxurious suite and got pampered with a massage at the spa, while a butler takes care of your every need, and end up an unforgettable day enjoying fine dining with an ocean view. Well, Sankara Hotel & Spa offers just that, the ideal combination of a retreat in a unique natural paradise, while enjoying the luxury of exquisitely designed suites or villas, top-class spa facilities, delicious cuisine and unparalleled service.
Tour Itinerary
Day One
- Pick-up at the airport or pier in private car
- Check-in at 3pm
- Dinner at Okas French restaurant at the hotel
Day Two
- Jomon Sugi trekking with a guide (the oldest and largest cryptomeria trees on Yakushima, estimated to be between 2,170 and 7,200 years old).
- Mountain entrance fees and gear included
- Bento lunch
- Round-trip transportation from/to the hotel
- Dinner at Ayana restaurant at the hotel (casual French)
Day Three
- Private island tour visiting waterfalls and visiting natural World Heritage Sites with a guide
- Round-trip transportation from/to the hotel
- Power spot tour *Power spots are unique places in Japan believed to give visitors healing or special energy.
- Dinner on your own (suggested: order room service or eat out at a sushi restaurant, including pick-up and drop off if the restaurant is not more than 20 min away from the hotel)
Day Four
- Private tour around Shiratani Yunizu Gorge with guide
- Bento lunch
- Round-trip transportation from/to the hotel
- Dinner at Ayana restaurant at the hotel (casual French)
Day Five
Free day
Choose from a wide variety of activities to enjoy on your last day (extra fee):
- private morning yoga class, river kayaking, sea kayaking, diving, SUP (stand-up paddle boarding), snorkeling, hot springs, cruising, etc.
- Workshops to make your own aromatherapy, bath salts, chopsticks, ceramics, accessories, etc.
- Going shopping with the chef for vegetables or fishing
- Spa treatment (120 min per person) is included
- Dinner at Okas French restaurant at the hotel (French course), lunch not included.
Day Six
Drop off at the airport or pier in a private car
Check-out at 1pm
Pamper yourself and discover all the natural treasures of Yakushima that have inspired creators such as Hayako Miyazaki, the famous Ghibli director who was enchanted by the magical forest of the island. Or simply just spend some 'me' time by the pool, admiring the ocean or the endless cedar trees, and getting rejuvenating treatments at the spa.
No guests under the age of 13
Package Price
JPY1,687,500 per package before tax (Price includes 2 persons based on double occupancy)
Optional: Roundtrip by Cessna aircraft for 2 persons (between Kagoshima Airport and Yakushima Airport) JPY537,500 including tax
To book, please email firstname.lastname@example.com or call us on our country toll free numbers. The reservation team is available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All emails are monitored Monday to Friday only. If you require urgent assistance, especially during weekends and public holidays when the office is closed, we suggest you to contact our reservation team using our toll free numbers for an immediate response.


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Every week -- often with your help -- Food52's Senior Editor Kristen Miglore is unearthing recipes that are nothing short of genius.
Today: How to coax the most flavor out of sweet summer beans.
You're probably thinking: those look like sautéed green beans -- I don't need a Genius Recipe for that! But their secret is tucked away inside, in parsing the fine details. You just have to do the opposite of what you've been doing.See, green beans have a whole lot more potential than we realize. Their natural state can be severe, squeaky -- our goal is to break through that, but we're going about it all wrong.
We tend to blanch them first thing, washing away some of their character -- even if we're going to sauté them. (I'm not sure why we do that, other than impatience, or an abstract desire for brighter color.) Or we throw them into salads as a vehicle for dressing, a willing but silent sidekick to Niçoise's tuna and olives.
Even if we skipped blanching, we'd probably absently sauté some shallot or garlic, then add the beans -- so they end up tasting like sautéed shallot or garlic. None of this leads to bad green beans. But they could be even better.
This technique, which comes from cookbook author Penelope Casas by way of Food52er creamtea -- looks embarrassingly simple, and it is. But it shakes up our habits, and with 4 ingredients, lets green beans become their best selves.
More: Another 4-ingredient wonder -- Zucchini Butter.
Here's how:You throw raw green beans into a hot pan with butter and nothing else, and sear them over an irresponsibly high flame.
When they start to get some brown splotches, cover the pan and turn down the heat. Resist the temptation to add liquid. They'll stew in their own juices, and their flavor will be completely undiluted.
Then, just when they're looking a little saggy and soft and they taste sweet (roughly 15 minutes later), you take them off the heat and add ingredients 3 and 4: salt and pulverized garlic.
You could leave the garlic out, but its pushy sting will soften a little on the warmth of the beans. It frames our focus.
Which, of course, is those green beans, sweet and singed and alive, with none of their goodness overwritten or left behind.
Penelope Casas' Garlic Green Beans (Judias Verdes con Ajo)Adapted slightly from The Foods and Wines of Spain (Knopf, 1982)
Serves 4
3/4 pounds fresh green beans1 tablespoon butter1 clove garlic, crushedCoarse salt
See the full recipe (and save and print it) here.
Photos by James Ransom
The Genius Desserts cookbook is here! With more than 100 of the most beloved and talked-about desserts of our time (and the hidden gems soon to join their ranks) this book will make you a local legend, and a smarter baker to boot.
See what other Food52 readers are saying.


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When children leave Collingham we always ask them what they thought about staying here. Here are some of the things they have said:
"Making new friends"
"Computers, free time, food, pool"
"Being taken seriously about my problems and getting a lot of help"
"They helped me control my anger"
"Classroom activities and swimming"
"My key nurses, making friends, art and pottery sessions"
"The fun trips we went on in the minibus"
"Staff were kind, school trips and lessons like pottery"
"There were children here with similar problems"
"It helped me a lot"
"Making new friends, skateboarding, making videos, DT, and choosing time"
"Sleeping here and the bedtimes"
"Not enough activities"
You don't have personal space when you are annoyed"
"Some of the meals"
"Not being allowed to bring in a phone"
"Some of the rules"
An advocate listens to your wishes and feelings. At Collingham we have an advocate who comes to visit children both in the classroom and in free time. Their job is to listen to your views, wishes and worries and help you speak up for yourself. They can also speak to Collingham staff for you to tell them anything you find difficult to say or sort out any issues you are having at the centre.
Children can also talk to their parents, carers or any member of staff if they are worried about anything. Another option is to speak to Childline on 0800 1111.
If you are unhappy about anything at Collingham, you can speak to a member of staff or to the manager who will listen to you and try to help.
If after talking about it, you are still unhappy, you have the right to make a complaint. We can give you or your family a leaflet which explains how to do this.


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The 6 athletes competing in heat 4 were as follows:
Nick Best
Warrick Brant
Louis-Philippe Jean
Agris Kazelniks
Zydrunas Savickas
Laurence Shahlaei
Nick Best is someone I'd heard about, especially in the Arnold Strongman Classic, but never seen perform – this was about to be rectified. In fact, he set the fastest time in the Giant Farmers Walk of the 3 people in his race.
Of course when reigning champion Zydrunas Saviacks is around no lead is guaranteed to stay for long as he blasted his way to victory, beating Best's time by over 8 seconds, with Englishman Laurence Shahlaei coming in a close second. This was similar to the same event on last year's final where Savickas and Shahlaei finished 1st and 2nd then too.
The second event was the Squat Lift and it was interesting to see that Savickas had some strapping on his left thigh. According to Shahlaei this group contained the 6 best squatters in the world so for him to retain his unbeaten record in this event was going to be difficult. In fact Best, Brant and Kazekniks all managed 10 reps, only to be beaten by The Big Z who got 11.
Shahlaei was last to go and while he managed to remain unbeaten he couldn't beat Savickas and scored 11 reps too to share first place with the current World's Strongest Man.
Savickas now led the group, but only by one point to his nearest rival Shahlaei, who in turn was a handy 3.5 points ahead of Best. Somewhat surprising was Canada's Strongest Man, Jean, and a finalist in last year's World's Strongest Man, being in last place.
The Africa Stone proved to be a nightmare event for Laurence Shahlaei as he only managed 54.2 metres. It looked like he never got his hands properly linked and therefore his grip was always weak and at risk of allowing the stone to slip, which it eventually did.
It was Nick Best who up ended winning this event with a great distance of 79.4 metres. A distance that made second place Savickas look short with only 62.1, though I think he may have been playing the strategic game and only trying to get past Jean to grab second place and valuable points. Savickas, nothing if not always consistent.
After three events Savickas was clearly in the lead but Best was breathing down Shahlaei's neck for the runner up spot and the second qualifying place – just half a point separated them.
The 4th event was the Overhead Lift and an event that may have Laurence Shahlaei kicking himself for the next 12 months. After managing 5 lifts he said he'd had enough, though it looked like he could have done more.
Enter Savickas and an almost effortless 8 reps, most of them using just his arms alone. With Jean getting 7 reps it meant Shahlaei had to share the points for 3rd place with Brant, where as if he'd got that 6th rep he'd have secured all the points for 3rd place for himself. The shocker was Nick Best, who couldn't manage one single lift.
Savickas now had an almost unsaleable lead and there was a handy 4 point gap from Shahlaei down to Best. Things were looking very good for these guys to qualify for the final once again.
The Deadlift hold proved t be the turning point of this heat as the athletes had to hold up a car for the longest time possible. Shahlaei managed to hold on for just over a minutes before letting the car go, visually frustrated that he hadn't got a better time.
Nick Best proved his worth again by holding on for a phenomenal time of 1 minute and 18 seconds – in fact he had to be told that he'd won before he'd let go! Thanks to a great performance from Jean, Savickas was pushed down to 3rd place.
Savickas had now done enough to qualify for the final and defend his crown, but the battle for second place was hotting up as Best trailed Shahlaei by just a single point. Shahlaei would have to get an equal or better performance than Best because if Best beat him, even by just one place, then thanks to a track back and Best's two victories, it would be the American that would take the second qualifying spot.
In the showdown between Shahlaei and Best it was Shahlaei who went off the quicker of the two but he was soon caught by Best who loaded the 3rd barrel quicker than Shahlaei. This would end up being the deciding factor as neither managed the 4th barrel. These two ended up as the 1st and 2nd place athletes in this event, with Best taking the honours.
In a cruel twist of fate Shahlaei and Best did end up the same points with Best qualifying thanks to his two previous victories compared to Shahlaei's one. If Shahlaei had have got that 6th lift in the Overhead Lift he'd have been in second alone, and gone through to the final. Savuickas won the group, as everyone would have expected him to do.
Savickas did look to be a little troubled by his quad injury, but enough to stop him winning the group comfortably. He seemed to hold back on some events, but like the mighty Mariusz Pudzianowski he is known to save some energy for the final, and that's where he puts in 110%. Shahlaei was bitterly disappointed not to make it through but he's young enough to come back for a good few years yet. Best on the other hand is the oldest competitor at 40 and did very well to qualify for the final in his first World's Strongest Man appearence.


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Mobile WAN optimization: Adoption still slow, some barriers lifted
Although vendors are attempting to remove barriers to adoption of mobile WAN optimization, uptake remains slow and limited to special use cases or specific vertical markets.
The mobile workforce is growing, but wide area network (WAN) managers aren't buying mobile WAN optimization software licenses. They say the investment isn't worthwhile for enterprises with armies of knowledge workers who occasionally use remote access for email and Web-based applications.
Although vendors are attempting to remove barriers to adoption and add some sparkle to this new market niche, uptake remains slow and limited to special use cases or specific vertical markets, such as mobile sales personnel or engineering firms.
"If you're remote, what do you access? Probably your email. And a lot of email is Web-based, so it's already optimized for wide-area type of access," said Mattias Machowinski, directing analyst at Infonetics. "I'm not saying there's no use for [mobile WAN optimization] -- almost every vendor offers this capability, and they should. But whether it's going to be this huge standalone [technology]? I don't think that's going to be the case."
Although Machowinski has not tracked the number of units shipped, he said some WAN optimization vendors, including Blue Coat Systems, don't even bother trying to sell mobile WAN optimization software. Instead, Blue Coat includes the technology as a free feature in its hardware. Riverbed Technology, which recently announced an update to its Steelhead Mobile product, sells its Steelhead Mobile Controller at list price of $12,995. Software licenses are sold in increments of 30 concurrent sessions.
"I'm surprised they're still talking about it. They used to call it out on their [quarterly earnings] conference calls, and then they stopped doing it," Machowinski said, noting that the last mention came in the third quarter of 2009, when Riverbed reported that its mobile product accounted for 3% of revenue.
Vendors are trying to drum up interest for their mobile WAN optimization software products with expanded capabilities that touch on industry-wide trends. With its version 3.1 update, Riverbed will support optimization for Citrix virtual desktops on mobile clients. Other updates include additional acceleration for Microsoft SharePoint through the elimination of redundant authentication requests.
Earlier this summer, Cisco Systems played up the cloud computing angle when it announced a batch of upgrades to its Wide Area Application Services (WAAS) product line, including WAAS Mobile 3.5. The latest version of Cisco's mobile WAN optimization software targets acceleration of traffic between mobile users and public cloud computing servers and applications.
Mobile WAN optimization could grow in relevance as enterprises continue to adapt to a down economy and adopt more WAN-intensive applications around collaboration, remote training and virtual desktops, according to Andre Kindness, senior analyst at Forrester Research.
"We're starting to see [that companies] aren't hiring everybody back as permanent employees. We're seeing a lot more temporary employees being brought back, and we're seeing they're being asked to work at home … and have their own hardware," Kindness said. "It's at the infancy stage right now, but the trend is for organizations to continuously grow year over year from now on into a more mobile workforce."
Removing barriers to mobile WAN optimization adoption
Mobile WAN optimization software would have been a natural fit for Loomis Group, a San Francisco-based marketing firm with branch offices in Boston and Paris. About 60% of the firm's 105 users regularly work from home or a client's location, according to Eric Mayer, Loomis' director of technology.
[Lack of Macintosh support] was actually one of the reasons we didn't implement Steelhead Mobile as quickly as possible.
Eric Mayer
Director of Technology, Loomis Group
Collaboration among creative teams accounts for a significant portion of the firm's WAN traffic -- including catalogues of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator graphics files, each toting about several hundred megabytes -- in addition to the constant flow of PDF andPowerPoint files for client presentations.
Mayer deployed Riverbed's traditional Steelhead appliances in the three offices about a year and a half ago. At the time, he also bought Riverbed's Steelhead Mobile Controller, the appliance that manages its mobile WAN optimization software.
But the mobile WAN optimization controller became "shelfware," he said. Other projects took priority; but, more notably, the deployment was held up because Riverbed's mobile WAN optimization software at the time did not support Apple Macintosh clients, which account for about 50% of Loomis' users.
"That was actually one of the reasons we didn't implement Steelhead Mobile as quickly as possible," Mayer said. "We implement things that are going to bring the greatest benefit to our entire workforce … but the people who are going to use it the most, the creative teams, [weren't supported]."
That adoption barrier came down when Mayer was invited to beta test Riverbed's latest version of Steelhead Mobile, which will support Apple's Leopard and Snow Leopard operating systems. He expects to deploy mobile WAN optimization company-wide, after a few months of testing, with 35 consecutive session licenses.
"It would be hard to justify licenses for 80% of our workforce if they're only going to use it occasionally," Mayer said.
One of his test users, a creative manager at Loomis, works remotely twice a week and often continues to work from home after leaving the office, he said. Her job required her to create and edit large Photoshop and Illustrator files, but saving and transferring edits across the WAN was unbearably slow for her.
Before using mobile WAN optimization, she would spend an hour or two downloading to her local hard drive all the files she would need to work on that night. Once she was finished with her work, she would do a batch upload that took two to three hours on average, Mayer said.
"She'd start the transfer and go make dinner, do laundry, put the kids to bed, whatever the case was, and come back to make sure it wasn't timing out, because she'd get a lot of timeouts on the upload side and have to restart the process," he said. "Inevitably, she would get to work the next day and say, 'Oh, I forgot this file and there's a deadline,' so she'd have to recreate [the changes] from memory or they'd push the deadline."
With the compression and data deduplication capabilities of the mobile WAN optimization client from Riverbed, her uploads now take 30 minutes, Mayer said.
"We already had a good idea of … the benefits … we'd derive from the product, but we wanted to see it in action," he said. "It wasn't life-altering … [but] her workflow has changed quite a bit."
Let us know what you think about the story; email: Jessica Scarpati, News Writer.