text:
Reads ingredients: 60% meat. Nope, I guess not.
I suppose somewhere in some specialized food store or perhaps up in Paris, it might be possible to find vegetarian foods and restaurants. Down here in Provence, good luck. The Provence guidebook states:
Uniquely vegetarian restaurants are hard to find, as this concept has yet to filter down to the carnivorous South. Most establishments will offer salads, omelets or soup, or dishes from the entrée (side note: Appetizer!) menu. Some can rustle up a concoction of Provençal vegetables if given enough warning.When invited for a meal at someone's home, you had better anticipate that it will have meat of some kind, fowl, or seafood. Or slithering things. (But I prefer not to think about those and would rather not be told what it is I am eating.) If you are a strict vegetarian, it is best to warn the hostess ahead of time. They will think you are a crazy American though.
If you are vegan, it will be extremely difficult to find meals, as there are many many dishes made with cheeses, milk, cream. And they love love love yogurt here. They have entire food aisles devoted to it. One thing the french find strange about the US is that you can buy yogurt in packs of one. Not so here. The smallest I have seen is a four pack. And yogurt is not just a breakfast thing either. It is often eaten in the evening as a snack or dessert.
La Vieille Charité is a beautiful old building in the oldest part of the city, behind the Vieux Port. Everything is Vieux or Vieille here (old, masculine and feminine). It was begun in 1671. It was originally built as a workhouse for rural migrants, and housed widows and orphans. In the middle is a chapel with oval dome. There are three levels with arches. Later it was used as a hospice, then uninhabited. In 1951 it was classified as a historic building and restored. It is now used as an art museum as well as scientific and cultural activities such as the audiovisual national institute, high education in social sciences, CNRS research library, and mediterranean archeology museum.
The first time we went there, it was to see an exhibition "The Provencal Light" and was a collection of paintings from the 18th century, all painted here in Provence. When mom and dad were here we went but it is closed on Mondays. We were able to walk around the building though, and it was neat with no one there and silent. Well, lots of cats like to hang out there.
Yesterday, Alain and I took the Metro to the old part of the city, walked past the mini Arc d'Triomphe and some old Roman wall, and went to the Vieille Charité's new exhibition Sketchs by Artists in Italy. Lots of sketchs as preliminary studies for paintings of figures and landscapes. One was by Michelangelo Anselmi, which I got excited about, but now realize is not the REAL Michelangelo that we all know and love. Then we took the Metro again to the other side of town to visit Alain's mother, who is in the hospital with her hip replaced, then came home and had hot chocolate. A nice day.
The permanent collection is of African, American, Australien, Oceanic, etc. native art. We have not seen it yet. There is a cute little cafe and an interesting bookstore, with books all in French bien sûr about art, sociology, archeology, etc. It is wonderfully cheap to go to, 3 euros for adults, 1.50 for students and could be free for seniors, not sure. That is the nice thing about Marseille museums- they are cheap to go into, change their exhibitions regularly, and are not so big so that you can visit them without spending an entire day. So I guess there are some nice parts about living in a city.
For more information, check out the American Embassy website, Marriage Requirements in France. http://www.amb-usa.fr/consul/acs/guide/default.htm
Here is a brief summary. First, you will need from the US Embassy a notarized paper stating that you are free to marry in France, either that you were married and were widowed/divorced, or that you have never been married. You will also need a Certificat de Coutume, which basically explains US marriage laws, and that the US citizen is free to marry in France and that the marriage will be recognized in the US. For these statements, you basically show your passport, fill out some forms, and swear on your honor you are telling the truth.
Next, you need your birth certificate. It must be issued within three months of the scheduled wedding, translated into French (officially, you can't do it yourself even though anyone with French 101 could do it). The Embassy/Consulate Section will not do this, but will give you a list of official translators.
Next is the medical exam and blood test. This must be completed as close to 2 months before the wedding as possible. This must be completed before the banns will be published. If you are coming from the US, you can have it done in the US by a doctor recognized by the French Embassy. The certificate must be in French or with an official translation and is only valid for two months. The entire file must be turned in 2 months before the date.
You also need to fill out a list of witness, one or two witnesses per spouse.
*If at least one of your witnesses does not show up on the day of the wedding, you CANNOT get married. So choose carefully, maybe someone that is already in country.
Proof of Domicile- You will need at least two proofs of where you are living to present to the City Hall. Usually French couples get married in the area where the woman is from. You must get married in the area where one of you lives. You cannot both live in Paris and decide to get married in Nice for example. The banns will be published at the city hall where you are living, or both city halls if you live in different cities, or even different arrondisements of the same city.
One of the two partners must reside in France for 40 days prior to the wedding. The banns will be published ten days before the wedding to see if there are any objections, then returned to the city hall where the marriage is taking place. The ceremony is performed by the mayor or their representative, wearing the tricolor sash in a big room in the city hall. It seems to be a rather quick ceremony, with no readings or anything like that. The witnesses sign the papers, Abracadabra you are married.
Get to my school, which opens at 8:45. Class officially starts at 9, but usually a few minutes later than that as people straggle in. Sit until about 11 when we have a ten minute break. Some students leave, some come, some stay. Me, I am there always. Taking the maximum number of hours of French per week. I feel my brain dribbling out my ears at times. At 1, everyone gets kicked out to go eat lunch. If I have afternoon class, I grab a sandwich or bring my own, and wander around on the streets for awhile, looking at shops, exploring new streets. There are some quite fancy shops here, like Louis Vuitton, and Nocibé, which is french for "really expensive slips of nothing". Also typical stores that you would find in the US, like Nike, Body Shop, H&M, etc.
A little before 2, I head back and prepare for another 2 hours. I hate sitting for such a long time. I take the Metro home, play around on the computer and watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer in French. Alain comes home usually around 6:30 or later.
(Mom took this picture, suprising us while doing the dishes. VMI alums- notice anything? Also, notice the Rum, Swedish chef mugs, and Nutella on the table. Fabulous)
We eat dinner, do the dishes, watch TV or a movie, and go to bed. Sometimes we go to karate, or go out, but not too much during the week. And as it is dark by 6:30 now, there isn't much to do. Next morning, 7 am repeat with feeling.
Here is picture of the Shamrock Pub nearby Lanhourneau. All the buildings are made out of grey stones.
Alain and his grandmother in front of her house.
Alain on the rocky rocky beach, walking barefoot, ouch!
Small church by the sea
Alain, his mother, her Aunt, and his father, on a bridge near Brest.
Standing stones.
The patron saint of the area is Saint Hervé.
Catholic Online states that
Feastday: June 17
Welsh bard who was is a popular patron in Brittany, France. Herve, sometimes called Harvey or Hervues, was the son of the bard Hyvarnion, and was born blind. Raised by his uncles because his mother was a hermitess, he was taken to Brittany. There he built an abbey at Lanhourneau, and he was venerated as a miracle worker and bard. He is invoked against eye trouble, and he is depicted with a wolf. Tales and legends associated Herve with a wolf.
Every year there is a festival June 17th at the spring and people who have eye problems can splash some of the water on their face. Looking at the water, it looks more likely to CAUSE problems than CURE them.
A son was born blind, and in their sorrow, his parents called him Hervé, which means bitterness. When he was two years old, his father died, and the mother, Rivanon, and child were left poor and friendless. In her grief she sang to him and he grew up to love poetry and music. When Hervé was seven, Rivanon gave him into the care of a holy man named Arthian and she became a hermit. The child wandered about the countryside singing and begging, led by a white dog which he held on a string. To this day the Bretons sing a ballad of the blind child, led by his dog, singing as he shivered in the wind and the rain, with no shoes on his bare feet, his teeth chattering with the cold.
At age 14, with his mother's approval, he sought out an uncle who was a hermit and kept a monastic school in the forest at Plouvien. His uncle welcomed him, and soon Hervé excelled in
knowledge beyond all his other pupils. On his uncle's death, he became abbot. Every morning the children gathered to be taught by their blind master, and every evening they left "like a swarm of bees issuing from a hollow oak." He instructed them in music and poetry, and, above all, in the Christian way of life.
In addition to teaching, Hervé worked the fields near the school. He was venerated for his holiness and his miracles. The most extravagant of which relates that one day a wolf ate the donkey with which he was plowing the fields. The young child who was Hervé's guide cried out in fear, but at Hervé's prayers, the wolf put himself into the donkey's harness and finished the work to be done.
Later he decided to move the community to León. There the bishop wanted to ordain him priest, but Hervé humbly declined. Thus, although he was never a priest, Hervé is said to have participated in the solemn anathematizing of the tyrannical ruler Conomor, c. 550. From León the holy group travelled west. Beside the road to Lesneven is the fountain of Saint Hervé, which he is said to have caused to flow to satisfy the thirst of his companions. Finally, they settled and Hervé built a monastery at Lanhouarneau in Finistère, which earned a great reputation.
From his monastery, where he lived for the rest of his life, Hervé would travel forth periodically to preach or act as exorcist.
He was no longer led by a white dog, but by his little niece, Kristine, who lived near him in a cottage of thatch and wattle built for her by the monks, and who, gay as a fairy, sang to him as she gathered flowers for the altar. When he came to die, he said to her: "Tina, my dear, make my bed ready, but make it not as is wont. Make it on the heard earth, before the altar, at the feet of Jesus. Place a stone for my bolster, and strew my bed with ashes." Weeping, she carried out his wish, and said: "May I follow in due course, as the boat follows the ship." As his monks watched at his deathbed, they were said to have heard the music of the heavenly choirs welcoming him to heaven. So died the blind Breton saint, who had taught in the school in the forest, and who all his life, despite his blindness, had given glory to God. Until the French Revolution, a chapel (now destroyed) near Cleder in Finistère possessed a most unusual relics: the cradle in which Saint Hervé had been rocked (Attwater, Benedictines, Delaney, Encyclopedia, Gill, White).
In art, Saint Herveus is a blind abbot telling frogs to be quiet or being led by a wolf (Roeder) or his child guide. He is invoked against eye problems (Delaney). Breton mothers threatened their
mischievous children with his wolf (White).
At the end of August, Alain and I drove up to Bretagne (Brittany), northwestern area of France, to visit his grandmother for a week. It took about 14 hours of driving along the autoroutes. Most of the autoroutes were toll routes, and not cheap but well maintained with frequent rest areas. The toilets in the rest areas were for some reason Turkish toilets. Whoever thought it would be a good idea to install these awful things rather than regular toilets should be shot. Basically, you squat over the hole as best as you can, (me, I did not want to put my shoes on those dirty platforms). When you flush, you had better be launching yourself out the door at the same time because the entire area is flooded with water.
For example picture (third down), please click
Anyway, back to Bretagne.
His mother is from Bretagne and most of her family still lives up there. This was the first time that I met all of them.
From the guidebook
"A long, jagged coastline is the region's great attraction. Magnificent beaches line its northern shore, swept clean by huge tides and interspersed with well-established seaside resorts, seasoned fishing ports and abundant oyster beds. "We walked along the coastline several times. The tide is quite large, going out for half a mile or so. The water was too cold to go in. At least for me. But then, I like my oceans pool-like. A lot of people were out with rakes, scraping the sands for oysters. Alain's father said that 30 years ago it was very easy to find oysters, that you didn't have to look very long before finding a lot. I guess something has changed because we saw few people with oysters.
The area has a Celtic heritage, as well standing stone sites. The Breton language/dialect still exists and a lot of the signs have both languages.
The difference in architecture between Provence and Bretagne is amazing. Alain's mother is from Lanhouarneau, and his grandmother still lives there.
The regional specialty is crepes. We had them every day. Sweet ones are great with butter, jelly, whipped cream, chocolate, ice cream, fruit, caramel, etc. The salty ones are usually served with ham, cheese, and egg inside. The most popular drink is cider.
Alain and I have managed to get lost in several metro stations of the world. Paris, (where we went in the completely opposite direction, got off, took the train back, then spent about 10 minutes looking for the train in the train for the correct direction) New York, (where we bought a ticket and then couldn't manage to even get through the turnstiles) and Washington D.C. Gotta love those times when you think "Okay, one of us has a PhD, the other their Master's, we should be able to figure this out between the two of us." We haven't tried London yet, I am sure it will be an adventure.
The Marseille Metro system is amazingly simple and straightforwarded, even for those who are Metroly Challenged.
As Peter Mayle states in his book Encore Provence:
My record with underground transit systems is one of almost unbroken failure. I can, and do, get lost in the bowels of London, New York, or Paris as quickly as most people buy a ticket. But the Marseille system, even to someone who has a useless void where his sense of direction ought to be, is delightfully compact and straightforward. Fifteen minutes after leaving the station, we were on the south side of the Vieux Port, walking along the Corniche in the general direction of lunch.
Yes, the Marseille system is quite convenient. There are two lines, one blue, one red, that intersect at two stations and have about 13 stops each. There is only one caveat: the workers need to not be on strike.
Back in October, on National Strike Day, all public services were on strike, as well as some workers from other companies. They were marching in the streets, holding signs and making noise. Okay great. Back to work the next day. Except for the Metro and Bus drivers. They decide to strike. And the strike went on. And on. They were apparently striking over pay, hours, and the fact that the trolley is being built with city money, then the city plans to sell it to a private company to run. Or something like that. One thing that I want my strikes to be is predictable. This one was not. You would go somewhere (such as school or doctor's appointments) thinking that the lines would still be running when you wanted to, oh say, return home. Yeah, have a nice walk. Or you would check the current status online right before leaving the house for the two minute walk to the station to find out when you got there that they are closed.
Luckily, we live about 30 minutes at a fast pace of walking away from my school. But many students live a lot farther out than that and missed a lot of classes. One of the Universities is on the very edge of town, and there was a lot of hitchhiking. As October dragged into November and the strike crept close to December, the merchants downtown were getting mad- less people coming to shop. The strike finally abated with threats that it would start again sometime. Thankfully, it hasn't yet. Though there was the time that I got on the train to go home, it got halfway there, then said everyone off, we have a technical problem. So as the metro line doesn't go straight as the crow flies from home to school, it was a long hike home.
The city is putting in a trolley line, which is quite amusing considering they tore up the old lines a long time ago, feeling that they were a thing of the past. Cars are the way of the future! Wait a minute, there are way too many cars now! Let's put some trolley lines back in, creating a general citywide disturbance for an indefinite amount of time, and make the traffic even worse with less room for cars! Great idea.
I would ride a bike but they terrify me. Plus, I can't figure out how the gear things work and don't want to die, run over by a bus or crazy Marseillais driver.
So basically, walk or take the Metro. Walking is calming right? It should be a nice leisurely stroll, enjoying the fresh air. Well, not when you have to watch every step you take for fear of dog bombs while squeezing between the parked cars and buildings on the sidewalks built for one.
If I had a car, I could drive to school. But the only place to find parking would be back at home. Thankfully the metro and bus system is fairly extensive and cheap. I was able to buy a one year pass for 260 euros I think it was. Yay for pulic transportation!
Numbers 1-16 are pretty simple, except I can't tell the difference between 2 (deux) and 12 (doze).
17-19 are dix-sept (ten seven), dix-huit (ten eight), dix-neuf (ten nine)
I used to pronounce 9 like noove, which Alain thought was funny. Apparently, it rhymes with snuff.
20-69 are pretty normal, but after 69 it gets tricky.
70= soixante dix (sixty ten)
71= soixante et onze (sixty eleven)
72= soixante et doze (sixty twelve)
77= soixante dix sept (sixty ten seven)
etc til 80
80= quatre vingt (four twenties)
81=quatre vingt un (four twenties one)
90=quatre vingt dix
97=quatre vingt dix sept (four twenties ten seven)
til 100.
At least in English it is just Seventy Seven, Eighty Seven, etc. Not four twenties, a five, a two plus a seven, minus a four.
The alphabet is pretty regular, all the same letters. Except e is pronouned euh, i is eee, g is jay, and j is gee.
There are the accent marks too
é è ê ë à ç etc.
I need to make a Spreadsheet with store names and operating hours for each day of the week for quick reference.
Salon is a town nearby Lancon. The guidebook states that it is known for olives and soap. It is dominated by the castellated Château de l'Empéri, which was once home of the archbishops of Arles. Rebuilt in the 13th century, this medieval fortress is today in perfect condition as it has been restored and maintained with the utmost care and is now a museum, containing a large collection of military items from Louis 14th to WWI.
The french Air Force officer's college, La Patrouille Aérienne de France, is also right outside Salon. (So I went from one Air Force Academy to another. )
In the northern section of the old town is where the French physician and astronomer Michel de Nostredame is buried, otherwise known as Nostradamus. He is the most famous citizen of Salon, and it is where he wrote his book of predictions. His house is in the old district and it is now a museum which details his life and unique personality.
In July there is a four day Gospel music festival with concerts in the château, street performances, and song workshops.
The center of town is a walking-only area with small shops and restaurants. There are also many fountains scattered throughout the town.
Sites to visit:
18th century porte de l'horloge. (clock tower gate)
17th century town hall.
18th century Moussue fountain.
13th century St Michel church.
18th century Collégiale St Laurent.
The house of Nostradamus. Grévin de Provence museum.
L'école des bergers (domaine du Merle) (school of shepherds)
And, for something different... the Coca-Cola Museum
(museum of publicity merchandise).
Most people who have been to Europe are amazed by the small size of the cars. Well, if you have ever tried to park or had to fill up a gas tank, you will understand why small cars are preferrable, compared to say a HUMMER.
For good or bad, the french car company Renault came out with a Mégane car in 2000 ?. Now, everyone knows my name. "Oh, comme la voiture?" The french version, obviously, has the accent and extra e (may-gahne), which makes it a feminine name in French. Megan is unfortunately masculine. I have started to pronounce my own name differently, as above, compared to how I used to pronounce it (may-gihn). I would love to buy a Mégane eventually, but perhaps one of the older models. Another adorable car is the Smart car, as shown. Excellent for parking, not so great for hauling anything other than yourself around, and extremely expensive.
Introducing SMART, the car that redefines mobility. ZAP is proud to soon offer one of the most fuel-efficient, gas-powered cars on the planet. This new car has been designed as the car of the future with many "smart" features that address today's crowded urban traffic and rising energy prices. Don't be fooledAssuming that one day I have a car, I guess I will have to take the plunge and drive here in France. The fact that I can't parallel park for the life of me is a bit of a hinderance. Where in the US do you have to parallel park in spaces that are half a foot bigger than the length of your car on a daily basis?
by its charming, futuristic look, the SMART will surprise you with its handling, its stylish, roomy interior for 2 passengers, and its innovative design. After taking Europe by storm, ZAP is bringing the Americanized version that is a U.S. Compliant direct import automobile.
For Christmas this year, we decided to get a fake tree (I don't really like real ones- besides the pine needles everywhere, I don't like that a tree died in order to sit in my apartment for two weeks before being tossed in the trash. But that is just me. I have nothing against other people having real ones. Moving on.)
If you are going to have a fake small tree, it might as well be obviously fake, so we got a half size white plastic one. We bought gold balls, goldy-orange and blue garlands, blue lights, and a blue star on top. Woohoo! Total cost of Christmas decorations- approximately 20 dollars.
I gave Alain the start of our creche, or nativity scene. Joseph, Mary, and Jesus santon figurines. We will add to each year. Mom and Dad gave Alain a stocking from LLBean? Land's End? to match my stocking. Incidentally, they don't do stockings here, at least not to put stuff inside. They sometimes hang them up for decorations. Some people do a tradition of leaving shoes (wooden or regular) by the fireplace. I think huge stockings are definetely preferrable.
Merry (late) Christmas!
Joyeux Noël!
On Christmas Eve, we ate at Alain's parent's house (see previous entry, le 13 Desserts). At around 11:30, we walked to the village church, where we will be getting married. Alain, his sister Lucie, her husband Nicholas, their daughter Manon, my parents, and I all went. The church was gorgeous inside with the lighting. When we arrived the church was not too full, but eventually it filled up. In previous years, I guess they had a living nativity scene, complete with sheep and the traditional fife and drum players, but not anymore.
I thought it would be a fairly short ceremony, but obviously I know nothing about the Catholic Church. They read the story of the Nativity, first in French (which I can barely understand), then in Provençal (not at all, not even most of the French people understand it). After each passage, we were regaled by a lively rendition from five adolescent accordion players. We also sang some songs, Dad singing the same version in English. :)
Here is the french version of "Angels We Have Heard on High"
Les anges dans nos campagnes ont entonné l'hymne des cieux
et l'echo de nos montagnes redit ce chant mélodieux:
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Ils annoncent la naissance du libérateur d'Israël
et, pleins de reconnaissance, chantent en ce jour solennel:
Cherchons tous l'heureux village qui l'a vu naître sous ses toits;
offrons-lui le tendre hommage et de nos coeurs et de nos voix:
Dans l'humilité profonde ou vous paraissez à nos yeux,
pour vous louer, Dieu du monde, nour redirons ce chant joyeux:
Bergers, quittez vos retraites, unissez-vous à leurs concerts,
et que vos tendres musettes fassent retentir dans les airs:At midnight the baby was put in the nativity, people took communion, and we left
around 12:30 (to go back and eat the 13 desserts.)
Today is Epiphany, a tradition celebrated here in France. The term comes from the greek term signifying apparition. It is by varying accounts, the day when Jesus was presented to the three kings or wise men (Melchior, Gaspard, and Balthazar), the date of the baptism of Christ, the day of the first miracle (turning water into wine at the wedding) and the Eastern Orthodox christmas.
The galette differed according to the regions: for example it was made of puff pastry in Paris, but made of brioche and shaped as a crown in Provence. Under Louis XIV, the Church considered this festival as a pagan celebration and as an excuse for indulgence, and it was subsequently banned. To get around this ban, it became la fête du bon voisinage (literally, 'neighbourly relations day'). This culinary tradition even survived the French Revolution when it became the 'Gâteau de l'Êgalité (the equality cake), as Kings were not very popular in those years!
The galette de rois (or cake of kings) comes from the 14th century and is supposedly cut into as many portions as there are guests, plus one. This extra piece is given to the first poor person that they come across and is called the "part de Bon Dieu" or "part de la Vierge". Inside the cake is hidden a bean (une fève) signifying fertility, or a small object, such as a Santon, see previous entry. The person who has this piece in their portion is the King or Queen of the day and wears a crown - like the cardboard Burger King Crowns. It used to be that the person who found it had to buy a round of drinks, pay for that cake, or pay for the cake next year.
This sometimes resulted in stingy behaviour and to avoid buying a round of drinks, the potential King or Queen very often swallowed the bean! This is why towards the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries, the lucky charm started being made of china.
The youngest person in the room (usually a child) hides under the table and shouts out which guest each slice of cake should be given to. The person who finds the fève in their slice of galette becomes the King or Queen and is given a golden paper crown. The King or Queen then has to choose his Queen or her King, by dropping the lucky charm in their glass.
A tradition in Provence is the eating of 13 desserts at Christmas. These symbolize Christ and the 12 Apostles. What the 13 desserts actually are depend on family and region but they are typically:
dried fruit: called les quatre mendiants (the four beggars), by analogy with the habits of the mendicant orders: raisins for the Dominicans, dried figs for the Franciscans, nuts for the Augustines, and almonds for the Carmelites;
the pompe à huile (pastry made with olive oil);
light and dark nougat;
fresh fruit, such as apples, pears, tangerines
dates, calissons (almond paste) from Aix or marzipan.
In December, at our montly Provencal food tasting at my school, we had
a sample of the 13 desserts (above picture).
We had Christmas Eve at Alain's parents house. We had a relatively light supper, then walked to the midnight mass (more on that next entry). When we returned we had the 13 desserts, then drove back to Marseille. Christmas Day we went to his Aunt Lydia's house. There we had a huge meal consisting of:
In Provence, the season actually starts on December 4th, St. Barbe's day. Children wrap wheat or lentil seeds in a damp cloth so that they germinate. The tiny seedlings are transplanted and then placed in a sunny window to grow. The plants portend prosperity for the family during the coming year and are used to decorate the crèche as well as the table for Christmas Eve supper. On Christmas Eve, before leaving for Midnight Mass, the family gathers for the gros souper which celebrates all the things the family is thankful for, yet maintains a religious symbolism. It is composed of seven meatless meals, which represent the seven sorrows of the Virgin Mother. The
table itself is set with 3 white tablecloths and 3 candles, representing the Trinity. The St. Barbe's wheat also decorates the table. Before sitting down to the table, the oldest member and the youngest member of the family walk around the table 3 times carrying a fruitwood log. It is blessed with some of the vin cuit and then placed in the fireplace. After the supper, the Treize Desserts (13 Desserts) are served. This also has a religious meaning, representing all those present at the Last Supper. Before leaving for Midnight mass, the thirteen desserts are set on a clean tablecloth at another table ready for neighbors, beggars or the souls of the ancestors to taste while everyone is at church. The leftover wine is poured on the fire, the log removed, wrapped and put away until next Christmas.
After the mass, the family returns for the "Repas Gras". For this feast, assorted game, a variety of roasts and many different wines from the region are served. On Christmas day, a roast turkey or capon is served and for dessert a bûche de Noël, usually purchased from the local pâtissier is served along with the 13 desserts. After two full days of feasting, a simple bowl of l'aigo bouido - garlic soup - is served for Christmas dinner.
apperitif and hors d'oeuvres
gambas- huge shrimp with homemade mayonaisse
escargot- enough said
sausage and smoked salmon, fish eggs on bread- very salty
homemade ravioli, made by Alain and his cousin Jerome the day before at his grandparent's- a five hour operation
lamb and mushrooms
cheese and fruit
buche de noel (2 types made by Alain's mom)
more 13 desserts
I saw the wheat germs germinating, but no 3 white tableclothes or the parading of the log around the table. All in all, it was a ton of food and we sat at the table for about 6 hours minimum. A good time was had by all.
About Me
Blog Archive
- ► 2013 (19)
- ► 2012 (40)
- ► 2011 (82)
- ► 2010 (70)
- ► 2009 (76)
- ► 2008 (105)
- ► 2007 (124)
- France: the land of the 60% meat Veggie Burger
- La Vieille Charité
- Getting Married in France, part 1
- A Day in the Life of Me
- Bretagne (part 3, random pictures)
- Bretagne (part 2 Saint Hervé)
- Bretagne (part 1)
- Metroly Challenged
- Lunch Break, aka Why aren't the restaurants open d...
- Salon-de-Provence
- Yes, I am named after a car
- Could you be, the most beautiful tree in the world?
- Messe de minuit
- Galette de Rois
- The 13 Desserts
- ▼ janvier (16)
- 101 (13)
- Aix en Provence (13)
- Alain (22)
- Baby (11)
- Bureaucracy (14)
- Cooking (14)
- Daily Life (31)
- Dealing with the French (33)
- Entertainment (1)
- Ex-patness (14)
- Family (37)
- Food (1)
- French Customs (40)
- French Language (20)
- Friends (10)
- Fromage (14)
- Health (21)
- Hobbies (4)
- Holidays (29)
- Homesick (11)
- Jobs (10)
- July 22 (5)
- Marriage (1)
- Marseille (10)
- Me (3)
- Memories (3)
- Misc (40)
- Mishaps (16)
- Motorcycle (5)
- Music (2)
- Nationalité (3)
- Our Apartment (45)
- Overheard (2)
- parenting (2)
- Patents (24)
- Pictures (25)
- Provence (32)
- Ramblings (21)
- Random (1)
- Rants (30)
- Restaurants (1)
- Rugrats (7)
- Scientific Stuff (4)
- Social Awkwardness (1)
- Sports (1)
- Strasbourg (13)
- Trips (52)
- Wedding (24)
- Wine (2)
- Wordless Wednesday (3)
Favorite Posts
I picked up my French passport this morning. It has been ready for awhile, I received the text message saying it was available for pick-u...
The above cartoon for kids to color, cut out, and fold into a cube shape. Then the cube is to be placed in the center of the table for remi...
One thing that you learn very quickly when starting to learn french is that absolutely everything has a gender. And you had better know it, ...
Got back from Strasbourg just fine. My wallet however, did not. After my long train trip back home, and being called "sale race" ...
you buy something from Sephora and get "premiér rides" (first wrinkles cream) samples. Sigh. Today is my birthday. The big 3-0. Su...
(all pictures from previous owner) We have three bedrooms, small, medium, and large. The smallest has blue wallpaper, a window over the ba...
What is this? you may ask. A modernist painting? A new Chinese board game? No my friends, it is the Nespresso capsule wall holder at my ...
It has finally happened. I am in desperate need of clothes. And I am not just saying this in the average woman way. I don't really lik...
In a desperate attempt to find something, anything to talk about, I have been going through my unpublished blog posts, trying to find someth...
I am a champion napper. I fully credit military school for honing my ability to sleep anytime, anywhere. Seriously, I firmly believe there...


text:
Audit Scotland's second major comparison of public sector databases has identified 36 per cent less fraud than its first attempt.
The 2006-07 National Fraud Initiative, which started in October 2006 and involved 74 organisations, found £9.7m of fraud, compared with £15.1m identified by the same exercise in 2004-05, according to a report (pdf) from Audit Scotland on 15 May 2008.
The report said 2004-05 was the first time Scottish local authorities had been involved in the initiative, so it spotted fraud which had been going on for years, while the 2006-07 exercise found fraud starting only in the last two years.
The work included analysis of local authority staff lists, to see if people are lying about their levels of income when making benefit and pension claims, and checking claimants against a register of deaths.
The information was compared by the Audit Commission on behalf of Audit Scotland, and data matches were made available for further investigation from January 2007. The results include 186 pensions and 969 disability blue badges stopped as the eligible individual had died, and the identification of 2,224 overpayments of benefits and pensions to public sector employees and pensioners.
Audit Scotland said that data for these exercises must now be uploaded by public sector bodies to a secure website set up in autumn 2007, rather than sent by disc.
A similar exercise by the Wales Audit Office, also reported on 15 May, identified £4.5m of fraud in 2006-07, up 73 per cent on the £2.6m found in 2004-05. The more recent initiative, involving 70 public sector organisations, was the first time that council tax single person discounts were compared with the electoral register. Wales has also moved to secure electronic transfer of personal data.
The National Fraud Initiative is run by each UK country's auditor every other year.
This article was originally published at Kablenet.
Kablenet's GC weekly is a free email newsletter covering the latest news and analysis of public sector technology. To register click here.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 1
- 2
- 3
Customer Fit Report
Shopping for a ½ size? Order up to the next largest whole size.
Kids' Crocs Fun Lab Disney Frozen ClogItem #205013
Real Fun Shoes For Real Fun Kids
Anna and Elsa share top billing on this new edition from the Crocs Fun Lab. Featuring raised graphics up front where kids can see and touch them, and oversized snowflake detailing integrated into the pivoting heel straps. These are a colorful, comfortable, magical pair that will keep her dancing and singing all summer long.
Kids' Crocs Fun Lab Disney Frozen Clog Details:
- Frozen's Anna and Elsa share top billing on this new Fun Lab clog edition
- Featuring raised graphics where kids can easily see and touch them
- Pivoting heel strap for a more secure fit
- Iconic Crocs Comfort™: Lightweight. Flexible. 360-degree comfort.
© Disney
Legendary Croslite™ foam cushioning offers all-day comfort and support.
Our most generous, roomy fit.
Officially licensed by © Disney


text:
Follow RFF News on your cell phone. Text follow rff to 40404 you will receive txt messages with RFF News
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Quote from: ZBC Company on January 23, 2012, 10:52:19 AMis team going reavled todayMy guess has been possibly this week or maybe next week, but I'd be very surprised if CBS waits that long.
is team going reavled today
New promo but nothing new for him to be verbally abusing her and that's her usual reaction
Challenges on Season 20 include skydiving in Argentina, training with Masai warriors in Tanzani and a race through Africa's "Garden of Eden." The competitors will also face a food challenge in Italy and search King Ludwig's quarters in the German castle that was the inspiration for the castle in "Sleeping Beauty."
Page created in 0.069 seconds with 34 queries.


text: Seaside Spray 8-1/2" x 11" Cardstock is perfect for cards and other papercrafting projects.The best projects start with the best products. Start your projects with our high-quality, colored cardstock formulated especially for discerning crafters. The ultrasmooth surface is ideal for stamping, so you get clean, crisp images. And it's dyed with pure color all the way through, so there's no white core.* 8-1/2" x 11" * 24 sheets* Seaside Spray* Acid-free* Lignin free


text:
nail polish is on. Ponytail is in.
Intriguing, eh? Thoughts, anyone?
Posted in clothing, expanding gender notions, gender funneling, gender roles, gender stereotypes, social norms, stereotypes, transcending boundaries, tagged expanding gender notions, gender, gender funneling, gender norms, gender roles, gender stereotypes, gendered norms, girls and boys, labels, stereotypes on June 30, 2010| 15 Comments »
nail polish is on. Ponytail is in.
Intriguing, eh? Thoughts, anyone?
Posted in beyond labels, clothing, community, equality, expanding gender notions, gender funneling, gender roles, gender stereotypes, queer, resistance, social norms, stereotypes, support, transcending boundaries, tagged blogging for LGBT families, breaking stereotypes, family, gender norms, gender stereotypes, lgbt, queer families, why blog on June 1, 2010| 18 Comments »
Today is "Blogging for LGBT Families Day." Wonderfully and graciously hosted by Dana, over at mombian. In considering what I'd blog about, on this day to make our families more known, to bring the intricacies, complexities, and beauty of the queer community of families out into the light, I figured, of course, that I'd write about my own family.
And hence the announcement. Long overdue announcement. We're having a baby. My wife is pregnant. VERY pregnant, in fact. Due in just about a month's time.
This expecting a baby has been quite interesting (long-awaited, and so very cherished) in the domains related to this blog. You see, we're expecting a girl. And it's just been so interesting, from this side of things where I stand, to think about that, to hear folks' reactions, and to think about bringing a young girl into our family.
And for us, a family where gender identity, and, in particular, clothing, is contested territory, it's been quite the ride. Contrary to what one might expect, I've found myself utterly fine with pink (as you can see in the drawers above — yes, those are our drawers). Had Q been a girl, I would have asked for no pink — no boxing in, no stereotyping, etc. But what I've learned from this journey with him is that clothing, in the beginning, is really not much more than utilitarian. Of course, people will assume a baby's sex based on the clothes she wears, but beyond that, the clothing is not programming her. In spite of what we thought were our best efforts (and they were, at the time — no regrets), Q wore very "boy" clothes for his first few years. Then he let us know that wasn't "his style." (Alas, today, SO much is not his style — the particularities of my child!). So this new babe, she'll wear pink. And blue. And orange. And white. And many other colors. That's what we've been given by amazingly generous friends as we reap the benefit of hand-me-downs. And I'll admit that some of those "girl clothes" are deliciously cute.
Where I think I've come over these 7 years of being a queer family of three so far is to a point of cherishing my son for who he is and wanting our family to be known for who we are — for the love we share, the individuals we are, the things we do for fun, the jokes we find funny. All of that, for me, transcends labels and binaries and boundaries. And I'm thrilled to bring another person into this world who will get to be a part of all of that — in whatever way she chooses to express it. And for today, I'm thrilled to share this celebration of ourselves with so many in this blogging community.


text:
Roman festival was held in honor of Ops, the Earth Mother, who was also considered the Great Mother of the …
Roman festival was held in honor of Ops, the Earth Mother, who was also considered the Great Mother of the …
An ancient Roman festival in honor of Vulcan, the god of both beneficial and destructive fire. He was invoked as …
Lughnasadh marked the beginning of the harvest season and was therefore a festival of celebrating Mother Earth and the abundance …
In the Roman calendar, March was sacred to Mars. On the 21st the "jumping priests," or Salii began the festival …
"Once, I can't remember, I was long ago, someone strange. I was innocent and wise, and full of pain. Now that I'm a woman, everything has changed. Once, when I was searching, somewhere out of reach, far away, in a place I could not find, or heart obey. Now that I'm a woman, everything is strange." – Amalthea from The Last Unicorn.
A Journey into Literary Schizophrenia
A fantasy Author with too much free time on his hands that likes to Support Indie Authors.
C.A.S.P.I.R. Paranormal Team
Raise mental illness awareness. Stop the stigma. Save a life.
Life from Southern California, mostly San Diego County
My Online Diary. Read at your own risk.
Mike Culpepper's blog about stuff that interests him.
Mes adresses de restaurants originaux
The Art and Craft of Blogging
My name is Horacio, but everybody calls me Tati. I live in Adrogué, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Last year I discovered photography and it soon became a passion engraved in my daily life. I've learnt to see things from a different angle; things which used to go unnoticed now look different to me. I focus them with my camera and imagine them hanging on a wall. I hope some day I can look at my pictures in amazement as now I do when I look at pictures through the eyes of other photographers.
Amazing faces on the rise and the creative minds behind them.
Roland Clarke shares his thoughts as he fights MonSters to turn his words into cliffhangers.
Beyond The Known


text:
We're Hiring!
Filling chef positions and server positions.
Please email resumes to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Layered W/ A Cream Cheese Whipped Topping
Using Boursin & American Cheese on Texas Toast W/ A Drizzle Of Honey
2 (Green) Waffle Sandwiches W/ Eggs, American Cheese, Sausage, & Candied Bacon Drizzled W/ Maple Syrup
Diced Candided Bacon Sprinkled Inside The Waffles Layered W/ Peanut Butter & Bananas W/ A Chocolate & Caramel Syrup
Layered W/ Pineapple Rings & A Pineapple Compote
2 (Red) Waffle Sandwiches W/ Fried Chicken, Candied Bacon, Over Medium Eggs, American & Pepperjack Cheese Topped W/ Honey Drizzle & Maple Syrup
5 Naked Wings On Top Of A Waffle Drizzled W/ Maple Syrup & Powdered Sugar
W/ Peanut Butter Layered Between Each Cake
Layered W/ Lemon Butter Cream Whipped Topping
Sausage, Candied Bacon, Eggs, Cheese, Spinach, Mornay Sauce & Tomatoes
Flavors Including: Buffalo, Mango BBQ, Sweet Chili, or Naked & Fries
Cinnamon Sugar waffles W/ A caramel syrup dusted with cinnamon toast crunch flakes
Grilled Chicken, Corn Black Bean Mix, Chipotle Cream Sauce & PepperJack Cheese
Filling chef positions and server positions.
Please email resumes to firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
Town leader rejects film on Sandy Hook
RIDGEFIELD -- Jonathan Bucari wants to shoot a movie here, with themes that link it to the Dec. 14 shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.
There's a problem with this plan. Bucari hasn't asked the town for permission.
There's another problem: Town leaders hate the idea.
"I will do everything in my power to prevent this," First Selectman Rudy Marconi said Monday.
"It's bad idea," Marconi said. "If you were to poll the residents in town, they'd be overwhelmingly against it."
Bucari, who lives in Brewster, N.Y., where his company Demian Productions is based, said Monday he wanted to use the town to shoot a film called "Illness."
Rather than being directly about the Newtown shootings, Bucari said on a Facebook posting, the nonprofit film would be about a teenager with a mental illness and the "ever-growing fear" of his parents in the wake of the events of Dec. 14.
"We are not making a movie about what happened in Newtown and never will do so," Bucari said in the posting. He was not available for comment Monday.
But Marconi said the emotional wounds the shootings caused have not closed in Newtown, in neighboring towns, the state and the entire country.
"It's wrong," he said of Bucari's plans.
Marconi said that if anyone wants to make a movie in town, they have to follow a set procedure, including applying for a permit with Allison Stockel, executive director of the Ridgefield Playhouse.
Bucari hasn't done this yet, Marconi said.
"If you are interested in the process, start there," Marconi said.
firstname.lastname@example.com; 203-731-3345


text:
As everyone expected, the Supreme Court has rejected a court of appeals decision upholding the racial preference regime used by the University of Texas in college admissions. In Fisher v. University of Texas, the Court held that the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals applied the incorrect standard. Thus, it sent the case back for further review under the appropriate standard.
Under the appropriate standard, the Supreme Court said, a university must prove that the means it chooses to attain racial diversity are narrowly tailored to that goal. This means that a reviewing court must verify that it is "necessary" for a university to use race to achieve the educational benefits of diversity. The court must carefully inquire whether a university could achieve sufficient diversity without using racial classifications. And the university receives no deference on that question.
The decision was 7-1, with only Justice Ginsburg dissenting. Justice Kennedy wrote the opinion. Justice Kagan recused herself.
I had hoped, but not expected, that the Court would strike down or "gut" the Grutter decision, which held that universities can use race to some extent to achieve a "critical mass" of diversity that supposedly benefits students. Instead, the Court reaffirmed Grutter[note: the Court stated that it wasn't going to consider the correctness of Grutter because the petitioner didn't challenge it]. Only Justice Thomas and Scalia expressed the view that Grutter should be overturned (Scalia noted that the petitioner did not ask the Court to overturn Grutter). Justice Kennedy had dissented in Grutter, but he wrote the opinion preserving it.
Thus, once again the Court has failed to pull the trigger on racial discrimination in college admissions. But has the Court at least reined in such discrimination?
I'll reserve judgment on that until I have had more time to consider the opinion. I'm skeptical that liberal Justices Breyer and Sotomayor would sign on to an opinion that meaningfully cuts back on discrimination by colleges in favor of minority group members. It's possible, however, that they did so as the only way to preserve Grutter.
The majority emphasized that the strict scrutiny that applies in reviewing the use of racial preferences by a university "must not be strict in theory but feeble in fact." As formulated (see the second paragraph of this post), I think the standard articulated today in Fisher has the potential to be more strict than feeble.
In the end, however, the impact of today's ruling depends on how courts of appeals apply the Supreme Court's "appropriate" strict standard. In other words, it looks like the can has been kicked down the road. But as I said, I'm reserving judgment.


text:
BENEFITING: The Nature Conservancy
EVENT: Run with Team Nature
EVENT DATE: Jun 30, 2012
LIVE UPDATE FROM KENYA: Team Nature runs in one of world's toughest races -- Avoids Lions, Cheetahs to Finish Safaricom Marathon. Check it out here
Do you appreciate Africa's majestic wildlife? Do you care about the well-being of people who, for thousands of years, have sought to live in harmony with their lands?
Ultrarunner Scott Jurek and our other Team Nature runners care enough to go the extra mile—26.2 or 13.1 of them to be exact. You can make a real differencefor Kenya's wildlife and people by supporting any of our runners taking on the grueling Safaricom Marathon and Half Marathon.
Scott will join Nature Conservancy CEO Mark Tercek, Africa program staffers and volunteer runners who will represent Team Nature at the13th Annual Safaricom Marathon and Half Marathon on June 30, 2012.
Does our team have what it takes to tackle one of the world's toughest marathons? As if running under the African sun weren't challenging enough, our team must share the ground with lions, cheetahs, elephants and many other wild animals on a mile-high course located entirely within the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.
Our team members are committed to test their mettle. Now all they need is you.
All funds raised by Team Nature members will support urgent conservation and community-development projects that bring tangible benefits to local people and wildlife in this special region of Africa.
Examples of projects funded by previous marathons:
- Support for 13 schools servicing more than 5,000 children
- Support for four district hospitals
- Medical care for 300+ people injured by wildlife
- Establishment of four community forestry programs
- Support for game scouts and dog-tracking teams that protect endangered rhinos
- Equipment for Kenya Wildlife Service scouts
- Support for Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Northern Rangelands Trust, and Meru National Park
Your gift of any amount to sponsor a Team Nature runner will make a lasting difference for Kenya's wildlife and people. And for additional incentives and updates, be sure to "Like" our TNC Africa Facebook page.
Meet our team below, and make your donation today!


text:
In his first post-election press conference, Obama was a man in a hurry as he faces a year-end fiscal showdown with Republicans and anticipates the ebbing power that afflicts all second term presidents.
During his first four years, Obama, though Washington's dominant player, often came across as an almost passive observer of his own presidency.
Not so on Wednesday as the president ditched his former professorial pose to hit the same point over and over again.
"I've got one mandate. I've got a mandate to help middle-class families and families that are working hard to try to get into the middle class," Obama said, in front of a flowing golden curtain in the East Room of the White House.
"That's what the American people said."
This was not the drained figure who trudged through the last year before putting in a listless convention speech and sleepwalking to disaster in his first debate against Republican foe Mitt Romney.
More focus, resolve
Since that debacle in Denver, Obama has pioneered a more concise style of argument, seeking to express focus and resolve.
With his job in peril, this no-nonsense Obama showed up when he directed the relief effort as superstorm Sandy pummelled New York and New Jersey.
The president used the murderous storm as a metaphor for the activist government he fought for in his campaign, and wants to see in his second term, which begins with his second inaugural at the end of January.
He described the federal relief effort as "aggressive and strong and fast and robust, and a lot of people have been helped because of it."
"That's a pretty good metaphor for how I want the federal government to operate generally," Obama added.
The president, who foes deride as arrogant, took pains to avoid hubris, despite being clearly energised by his election win.
"I'm more than familiar with all the literature about presidential overreach in second terms. We are very cautious about that," he said.
Accepting voters' verdict
Obama may have been thinking about former president George W. Bush's ill-considered declaration that he had won a "mandate" despite squeaking to re-election in 2004.
As he spoke, Obama gripped the lectern bearing the presidential seal with his left hand, and gesticulated with his right – a pose he often assumes at his most engaged.
He looked reporters clustered around him below a small stage directly in the eye, and pushed at the air with an outstretched hand, sparking flutters of shutters as news photographers raced to capture a freeze frame of action.
At times in his first term, and in some press conferences, Obama was windy and even boring, straying away from a cogent message.
But his opening statement topped out at 740 words – compared to the 1 242-word lecture before his inaugural press conference as president in February 2009.
His message was simple and oft-repeated: Republicans must accept the verdict of voters and allow tax cuts for the rich, passed by Bush, to expire to permit deficit reductions that do not hammer the middle class.
Obama's demeanor suggested that unlike his first term, which began with massive expectations and an almost messianic zeal to forge "change," his second four years will be characterised by action, on a few big things.
'Seize the moment'
But Washington awaits proof for the effectiveness of the new Obama tone.
If Obama is as punchy, passionate and nimble after another year waging war with Republicans in the gridlocked US capital, he will confound his critics.
The president signaled that after a hoped for deal to avert the "fiscal cliff" spending and debt showdown with Republican – mostly on his terms – he would proceed quickly to immigration reform.
"We need to seize the moment," Obama said.
Freed from the need to tread carefully with an election a few weeks away, Obama also responded furiously to attacks by Republicans on UN envoy Susan Rice and her role in the fallout of the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi.
"They should go after me," Obama declared, his eyes flashing fury.
Lower expectations, more focus
Often in the past, Obama has raised expectations of action across multiple fronts, on sweeping and historic reform – some of which passed, and some of which foundered, causing disappointment.
But the new Obama took care to lower expectations on one huge issue – global warming, following predictions he would take another shot at passing comprehensive legislation limiting carbon emissions.
He spoke vaguely about framing a coalition to tackle climate change and highlighted energy efficiency moves taken in his first term.
But he made clear that if tackling climate change distracted from his central purpose, he was not on board.
"If the message is somehow we're going to ignore jobs and growth simply to address climate change, I don't think anybody is going to go for that. I won't go for that," Obama said. – Sapa-AFP


text:
Does President Obama have a cameo in History Channel's miniseries The Bible? Nope, but the character of Satan sure looks like him.
The Prince of Darkness is actually portrayed by Mohamen Mehdi Ouazanni, who bears a striking resemblance to the commander-in-chief, thanks to makeup and some digital effects. The similarity was first publicized by none other than noted Obama denouncer Glenn Beck. The commentator, who refuses to refer to the president by name, tweeted Saturday: "Anyone else think the Devil in #TheBible Sunday on HIstory Channel looks exactly like That Guy?"
Fall TV Scorecard: What's renewed? What's canceled?
It's an interesting point, and one that's not totally unfounded. But is it a mere coincidence, or are the show's creators trying to imply something? The History Channel released a statement Monday dismissing the notion. "HISTORY channel has the highest respect for President Obama," the network said. "The series was produced with an international and diverse cast of respected actors. It's unfortunate that anyone made this false connection. HISTORY's 'The Bible' is meant to enlighten people on its rich stories and deep history."
The Bible is produced by husband-and-wife team Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, both of whom appeared on Beck's cable show earlier this year. Burnett, however, also donated to Obama's presidential campaign in 2008, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Spring TV Preview: Must-watch new shows
Burnett and Downey also released a statement saying they have "nothing but respect and love" for Obama, "a fellow Christian."
"This is utter nonsense," their statement reads. "The actor who played Satan, Mehdi Ouzaani, is a highly acclaimed Moroccan actor. He has previously played parts in several Biblical epics— including Satanic characters long before Barack Obama was elected as our President."
What do you think? Is the resemblance purely accidental, or do you think it's offensive?


text:
Flames finish in top four at eight-team tournament at UNC
November 17, 2013 | Chapel Hill, N.C.
Liberty University's racquetball team had an excellent weekend of competition at the Nov. 15-17 Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Racquetball Conference tournament hosted by at the University of North Carolina.
The event featured 60 collegiate players from Appalachian State University, Duke University, Liberty, University of Maryland, UNC, North Carolina State University, University of Virginia, and Virginia Military Institute.
"This was a very good tournament for Liberty, with all players earning individual points and adding to the overall team (standings)," Flames Head Coach Danny Rodriguez said. "Each player finished fourth or better with many playing in the finals in their respective divisions."
In the men's collegiate doubles Level 2 Gold Division, Liberty seniors Joel Denney and Ryan Evans placed second, as junior David Schreck and sophomore Eric Piering did in the Level 3 Gold Division and senior D.J. Judd and Sophomore Sean Mackey did in the Level 4 Gold Division.
Denney also placed second and Evans fourth in the men's collegiate singles Level 2 Gold Division, with Piering taking third in the Level 3 Gold Division, Schreck winning the Level 3 Blue Division, and Judd and sophomore Blake Peterson placing first and second, respectively, in Level 4 Blue.
The Lady Flames had three tandems place in women's collegiate doubles — freshman Abigail Lindsey and senior Brooke Morley (second); senior Courtney Sharp and sophomore Meredith Blake (third); and Kathryn Aylett and Monica Elder (fourth).
Lindsey and Morley also teamed up to win Level 2 doubles as Sharpe and Blake did at Leveand Aylett and Elder did at Level 4.
Morley and Lindsey placed second and fourth, respectively, in women's collegiate singles Level 1 and 2 combined and first and second in Level 2. Sharp, Elder, and Blake placed second, third, and fourth, respectively in Level 3 and 4 Gold combined singles and Aylett win the Level 3 and 4 Red combined division.
Liberty's next scheduled MACRC tournament is Jan. 30 through Feb. 2 at N.C. State.


text:
Is your iPad looking a bit 2010-ish? Do you envy all those people who stood in line to get an iPad 2 with its fancy pants Smart Cover? Well if so, here's a simple hack that lets you add a new smart cover to your hideously old and outdated iPad 1.
The hack holds the Smart Cover onto your iPad using magnets just like on the iPad 2, and you can even use it as a somewhat shaky looking stand. Of course it won't give you the automatic power up feature, and under your fancy new cover you'll still have an old school iPad.
Surely, it's only a matter of time before some after-market company comes up with a knockoff Smart Cover made specifically for older iPads. Then you won't have to fiddle around with gluing on those little magnets.
U.S. & World
Via Unplgged
Copyright DVICE - DVICE


text: Stunningly transformed "Everlasting" rivals the toniest East Coast estates, yet is privately situated on 12 acres in Princeton, accessible from 5 airports. Under the eye of architect/designer Michael La Rocca, skilled artisans used materials of the highest caliber to expand, open and visually elevate the brick manor house and its grounds. Inherently a welcoming refuge, Everlasting also functions superbly as an entertaining venue with bluestone terraces that extend rooms and highlight the poolscape and spring-fed pond. Oversized bronze windows enhance light, most notably in the pavilion dining room, where pearlescent plaster and antiqued glass shimmer above an intricate walnut floor. The sleek central kitchen was cleverly planned with double islands to serve a single chef or a team of caterers. Graceful metalwork curls along staircases, even to the lower level, replete with screening room. Four sumptuous suites include the master with his and hers baths. A guest cottage offer as much autonomy as desired.


text:
Easy Hair Loss Solutions (Vegan or Not)
I decided to write this post on female hair loss because a) I get e-mails about this occasionally from vegan readers (and it's important to point out that if you're eating a well-balanced diet, veganism is not to blame) and b) I had a hair loss-y sitch a couple years ago (after having been vegan for 7 years) and was able to pull through after doing a bit of research.
First off, the cause of hair loss in ladies can be due to: genetics, stress, hormones, seasonal changes (we "shed" more hair in the spring and summer), or underlying medical conditions.
Secondly, most people lose anywhere from 50 to 100 strands of hair each day—totally normal (our hair grows in cycles, ya know).
Tips for keepin' your hairsies lush and plentiful
- Take prenatal vitamins like the ones from Trader Joe's (they're vegan—YAY!) – You don't need to be preggers to take these; they just have extra iron, folic acid, and B Vitamins which work wonders for your hair and nails.
- Wash your hair less frequently (every other day or a couple times a week is fine).
- Go easy on the styling and hair products (duh, right?)
- Make sure you're getting your essential fatty acids (found in foods like walnuts, canola oil, flax seeds, soy, etc.)
- Chill out on your alcohol intake, de-stress, and try to avoid junk food (←I know, big womp). Also, up your water intake, fools!
- Opt for a wide toothed comb over a gnarly brush.
- Massage your scalp to increase blood flow to your hair follicles (this will also helps you de-stress and relax).
Do you have any other tips? If so, please share!
About Sunny (Sunny's Profile)Longtime vegan, hardcore compassionate beauty junkie, serious cake aficionado, and lover of all things floofy and sparkly! If there's something in particular you'd like me to review, drop me a line at firstname.lastname@example.com. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Google +.
Filed in: vegan hair care
Comments (14)
Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed
Hi. I've become a vegetarian in march, and 3 months later my hair started falling out really bad. It hasnt stopped till today, I have half of the hair that I used to have. Its very depressing. I used to have thickest hair in my family. Ive checked my B12 (it was kind of low, so Ive been taking B12 supplement for 2 months already), checked my hormones, thyroid and everything else seems to be fine. I tried hair loss shampoos, treatments, I also take zinc everyday and I make sure I get enough of protein since I got my blood/other health issues checked…I dont know what else to do.
RE: PCOS (Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome) I was diagnosed with PCOS at 19 and told that I could only conceive with medical technologies. Fast-forward…I went vegetarian, then organic vegetarian, then organic vegan, and added yoga to my daily routine.
Within a few months of going vegan, I was menstruating (textbook perfect), within a year I was pregnant (a BIG surprise). I mention this because PCOS is not a side effect of a vegan diet. It's usually more to do with insulin levels and hormone regulation – something that can occur on ANY diet. A great resource for the benefits of a vegan diet for diabetes (similar issues to PCOS) is the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
What in the world is PCOS?
I was going to agree with Tracey – PCOS can lead to massive hair loss, and I'm dealing with it right now. There's really nothing you can do for hair loss except to treat the underlying condition, but with PCOS hair loss can be corrected. Since I am in treatment for my PCOS and hair regrowth is possible, I've been using some rosemary essential oil that is put in jojoba oil and I apply it over the areas where my hair has thinned.
And Christy – that's not gross! Olive oil is a great scalp (and hair!) conditioner.
Sunny, are there certain prenatals that one should not take if NOT pregnant. Like, are you saying only the TJ's ones are okay for non preggers? I don't have a TJ near me but I do want to try some for healthier hair.
I just went through a super explosion of stress and ended up with eczema on my scalp and now I not only have red bumps on my scalp, but I'm shedding more than I ever have (and I shed A LOT, normally!), so I'm going to pick up some of those prenatal multi's and see how they effect me. Might help with my normal shedding, so once this eczema has cleared up I'm better than normal =)
Also could be a sign of PCOS which seems to be common with my vegan friends and I have it, too. Comes with all sorts of other issues but this is a symptom and it can be helped by good care from a naturopathic doc.
If you have hair loss that is abnormal in volume, be sure to get your b12 checked, ESPECIALLY if you're vegan. Fixing it is as simple as a daily b12 sublingual!
Kinda gross, but I heard rubbing olive oil on scalp can help and it did when I was having trouble with hair loss.


text:
as far as (someone or something) is concerned(redirected from as far as they is concerned)
as far as (someone or something) is concerned
1. Regarding a certain person or situation. As far as Aunt Elaine is concerned, we still need to get a Christmas gift for her. As far as dinner is concerned, it's been pushed to 8:00, so no need to rush.
2. In one's view or opinion. As far as I'm concerned, I don't feel safe in this neighborhood anymore. Grandma doesn't care if you bring your boyfriend to Thanksgiving dinner. As far as she's concerned, the more, the merrier!
as far as someone is concernedand so far as someone is concerned
from the point of view of someone. Bob: Isn't this cake good? Alice: Yes, indeed. This is the best cake I have ever eaten as far as I'm concerned. As far as we are concerned, anything at all would be fine for dinner.
as far as something is concernedand so far as something is concerned
having to do with something; pertaining to something; as for something. This bill? As far as that's concerned, the committee will have to take care of it. As far as the roof's concerned, it will just have to last another year.


text:
Viswanathan Anand draws with Peter Leko in ninth round, stays second
The other Indian in the fray, P Harikrishna enjoyed a good position as black against Sergey Karjakin.
World champion Viswanathan Anand played out an easy draw with Grandmaster Peter Leko of Hungary to remain second after the ninth round of the Tata Steel Chess tournament here.
Playing the black side of a Sicilian Najdorf, the Indian ace had little difficulty in maintaining the balance in an age-old variation and drew rather easily to take his tally to six points out of a possible nine.
Norwegian world number one Magnus Carlsen defeated Yifan Hou of China to increase his lead by a full point lead over Anand.
The lead position remained unchanged as the only other decisive result came in the all-Dutch duel between Ivan Sokolov and Loek Van Wely wherein the latter attested his supremacy.
Levon Aronian of Armenia and Hikaru Nakamura remained in joint third spot on 5.5 points following draws with Dutchmen Erwin L'Ami and Anish Giri respectively.
Grandmaster P Harikrishna remained on course for his best performance ever after drawing with Sergey Karjakin of Russia and the Indian shares the fifth spot along with the Russian on five points.
Leko, Fabiano Caruana of Italy and Van Wely are jointly on sixth spot on five points, a half point ahead of Wang Hao.
Giri is 10th on 3.5 and L'Ami is on his toes with three points. With just four rounds to come, there seems little chance for recovery for Hou and Sokolov who both are tied last on 2.5 points apiece.
Anand and Leko battled it out in a variation that both have employed with for many years in the past. If Leko had an idea he did not get the opportunity to show it as Anand was well armed and blitzed out the opening moves in quick time.
When the middle game arrived Anand went for a thematic pawn sacrifice that was promptly declined and when Leko finally captured the pawn the position was just equal offering little chances to either player.
The peace was signed in just 25 moves and this game was first to end in the day.
Magnus Carlsen defeated former women's world champion Yifan Hou. The Chinese girl decided to give Carlsen a taste of his own medicine as she went for the Ponziani opening but her efforts to go for wild complexities only proved dubious as Carlsen emerged with an extra pawn after the dust settled.
A shocker on move 33 left Hou to defend a very unpleasant endgame and it was all over in 66 moves.
The other Indian in the fray, P Harikrishna enjoyed a good position as black against Sergey Karjakin.
It was strange choice by Karjakin in the Berlin defense as white and only Harikrishna was pressing for more. In the end the Russian had to come up with some precise defense to hold his position together.
Harikrishna is playing above his current rating and is set to become the third Indian to enter the 2700 ELO rating club ever after Anand and Krishnan Sasiiran.
Results round 9: Peter Leko (Hun, 4.5) drew with V Anand (Ind, 6); Yifan Hou (Chn, 2.5) lost to Magnus Carlsen (Nor, 7); Sergey Karjakin (Rus, 5) drew with P Harikrishna (Ind, 5); Ivan Sokolov (Ned, 2.5) lost to Loek Van Wely (Ned, 4.5); Erwin L'Ami (Ned, 3) drew with Levon Aronian (Arm, 5.5); Hikaru Nakamura (Usa, 5.5) drew with Anish Giri (Ned, 3.5); Wang Hao (Chn, 4) drew with Fabiano Caruana (Ita, 4.5).
The moves: Peter Leko - V Anand
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 Ng4 7. Bc1 Nf6 8. f3 e5 9. Nb3 Be6 10. Be3 Be7 11. Qd2 O-O 12. O-O-O Nbd7 13. g4 b5 14. Rg1 Nb6 15. Na5 Rc8 16. g5 Nh5 17. Kb1 Nf4 18. a3 Qc7 19. Bxf4 exf4 20. Nd5 Bxd5 21. exd5 Qc5 22. Rg4 Rfe8 23. h4 Bf8 24. Rxf4 Nxd5 25. Nb3 game drawn.


text:
AT&T users can now snap up the AT&T USBConnect Quicksilver, one of the smallest 3G HSPA-capable devices out there. The tiny little hub weighs 1.2 ounces and uses the new Icera Livanto chipset, which handles GSM/GPRS/EDGE/3G data. That'll give you 70 to 135kpbs downloads on an EDGE network, and 700kbps to 1.7 Mbps downloads on HSPA. Best of all, it's free (if you get it with a two year contract and mail in the $100 rebate). [CrunchGear]
More from Gizmodo
How much per month?


text:
They got a little rain in Southeast Texas this week, but hardly enough to provide relief for rice farmers who are grappling with a third year of drought conditions and water constraints.
"I am very concerned about the long-term viability of our rice industry," rice farmer Ron Gertson said.
According to Gertson, the industry contributes more than $1 billion annually to the state economy, and supports more than 3,000 jobs in east Texas. But, they are being left high and dry by water officials.


text:
Staybridge Suites ANAHEIM-RESORT AREA3
1855 South Manchester Avenue, Anaheim, 92802
1855 South Manchester Avenue, Anaheim, 92802
Guests Love Anaheim, CA Hotel's Great LocationWhen you stay in this hotel's suites near Disneyland® Resort in Anaheim, you don't have to sacrifice resort-quality atmosphere for an affordable price. The Staybridge Suites® Anaheim - Resort Area hotel provides easy access to area attractions and is only one mile from Angel Stadium, home of the L. A.
Angels. The hotel's location near Disneyland® Resort in Anaheim is ideal for leisure travelers. Take advantage of the Anaheim Resort Transit, which stops by the hotel every 20 minutes, for convenient and affordable travel to Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland® Resort and more. Business guests visiting for job training or relocation can enjoy the extended stay at this hotel, which is just a few miles from the Disneyland® Resort. Hotel guests in Anaheim can meet clients at the Honda Center to catch a Ducks hockey game and unwind after a long day of meetings. The hotel's central location just two miles from the Anaheim Convention Center makes corporate travel in the area convenient and stress-free. Whether you are relaxing under the shade of a palm tree by the outdoor pool and seating area or working up a sweat in the on-site Fitness Center, this Disneyland® Resort area hotel in Anaheim has something for everyone. Book your reservation with us today and count on a fun and exciting trip!As to Disney photos, logos, properties: ©Disney.
Read MoreLess
Our reviews are from genuine LateRooms.com customers. We verify that the customer has stayed before leaving a review.
would recommend it to a friend
Customer service
Food quality
Room quality