text:
An Unexpected Trip
Travel Stories: Katherine Lonsdorf went to Jordan to broaden her views. An assault by a cab driver changed her perspective forever.
I remember the moment before the first punch. He was looking down on me, his fist clenched, his eyes angry and clouded, his arm pulled back. I was in Amman, Jordan, and the hot desert sun shone behind him to create an eerie silhouette. I screamed, eyes wide in disbelief. I don't remember if I braced for it or not. I don't think it would have mattered.
The rest of the punches all blend together; after the first, 10 more aren't all that distinct. I don't remember pain or blood or the feeling of my face breaking in three separate places. The touching, the grabbing, the clawing, the choking, the screaming: clouded and surreal.
What's vivid is my reaction. It was the first time I have ever proven to myself that I wanted to live, that I valued my existence; the first time I have actively recognized my rights, my complex role as a woman, and the sacred ownership of my body. I took it all for granted before that day. I've thought about it every day since.
This all happened during my junior year of college. I'd gone abroad to challenge my views—and on the 16th day of my life in Jordan, my perspective of myself, of social roles, of the world changed forever.
American women abroad—especially in the Middle East—all seem to find themselves trapped by the same stereotype, at least to some degree: easy, promiscuous, inviting, and naïve. Nearly everywhere I went in Jordan, in Syria, in Egypt, and even in Qatar, the stares, the shouts, the touches all confirmed my unwavering place in society: as an object first, and a person second. It became clear to me that being a white, blonde woman in the Middle East seemed to mean two overarching things to the men around me: easy sex, and the possibility of a green card.
For most foreign women I knew, this was something that sank in slowly. The first weeks were too overwhelmingly exotic for many of the cultural and social norms to make themselves felt. Then began a gradual but gnawing realization that with every blatant stare, rude comment, provoking grab, or lack of acknowledgment, we were different. This wasn't America, and we were nowhere near equal. What's more: The majority of the population seemed to accept this, even expect it.
But my initiation was sudden, fast and painful. There was nothing subtle about it. In the second week of my life abroad, I was abducted by a taxi driver on my way home from the grocery store. It was broad daylight, in the western, trendy Abdoun neighborhood of Amman. But that didn't matter—I didn't know much Arabic and I was obviously foreign. I smiled too much, I laughed too loud, I talked and made eye contact.
As I got into the cab, I gave a sloppy Arabic explanation for where I was headed. He asked where I was from. "Oh, Ameeeeerica." He replied almost theatrically. "Big," he said in English, drawing that word out too. "America, good!" He gave a punctuated two thumbs up. "You, me, friends?" He asked, in English again, his eyes wide in the rear view mirror. I don't remember how I responded, suddenly uncomfortable. I realized I wasn't headed home when it was much too late.
We ended up on a dirt road on the outskirts of Amman, no houses or people in sight. Those same eyes in the rear view mirror suddenly turned cold. "Oops," he said, with terrifying flatness. In one swift motion the driver locked the cab doors and hurdled over the front seat to pin me down in back, and my clothes were ripped and torn. I managed one call on my cell phone before he threw it to the front seat, and we were alone. I screamed, he punched. I kicked, he choked. I bit, he hit.
It probably lasted all of 10 minutes; I blank on most of it. I just remember an intense will to live, coupled with outrage and disgust at the injustice of being so violently objectified. Ultimately, I remember the look of astonishment in his eyes when he realized I would not submit.
Between the Paris Hilton images and the Britney Spears music videos, my individuality had been lost in translation. My personal empowerment, my self-reliance had never been part of his consideration. I was not the easy American woman, the promiscuous American woman, the inviting American woman; I was the enabled, proud, and independent American woman.
Thanks to him, I am also now a much less naïve American woman.
He stopped and I jumped from the cab. I grabbed my groceries. I demanded my phone. He offered to give me a ride home, and I almost laughed between sobs. I looked him straight in the eye as he slammed his door and barreled away.
Three Jordanian young men, driving by soon after, found me bloody, in shock, and crying in the middle of the road. Without realizing it, they offered me the first in a series of second looks at a culture I almost dismissed. They called the police, brought me water and ice, stayed with me for an hour to wait for help. In broken English, they managed to string together one sentence: "No worry, it will be okay."
The next two weeks were spent between hospitals, police stations and Arabic classes. I was contacted by the American embassy, the UN, the royal family. The police were committed to finding the cab driver, and they called me every day. Nothing like this had ever happened in Jordan before, they told me—at least, not to an American. Everywhere I went, with my battered face and my known story, it seemed someone wanted to apologize, to excuse, to sympathize.
An old Bedouin man found me soon after the attack. He took one look at me, shook his head, and said sadly, "There are good men, and there are bad. In the whole world. This man, he was bad. But we, we are not all bad. You understand?"
A woman, her face covered and her head down, came up to my translator as I waited at the police station for a medical exam. She said something in Arabic. My translator turned to me and said flatly, "She wants to know if your husband is beating you too."
Everywhere I went, people stared, and the stares were much different stares than I received before or after my face was healed. The women stared with understanding and pity, the men stared with a mix of shame and anger. I realized that I was in no way the only person caught in this story. While my pain may have been more recent, my situation more extreme, my experience was part of a continuous, daily strain on everyone—man or woman, American or Arab.
Going back to America never really crossed my mind; in fact, three days after the attack, I petitioned my home school to let me stay abroad the full year, instead of the one semester I had planned. I wanted to make sure that awful cab ride was the beginning of my time in Jordan, and not its definition. I consider that one of the best decisions I have ever made. The resulting year was one I'll reflect upon for the rest of my life.
Still, throughout the year, my feelings about being a woman—an American woman—in Jordan only became more distressing. The catcalls, the grabs, the assumed inferiority never stopped. I learned to keep my eyes down, to smile less, to speak to men only in Arabic and only when addressed. As best as I could with my blonde hair and white skin, I tried to assimilate.
It wasn't until about six months in that I began to realize that my assumptions about the average Jordanian woman were just as misplaced as my attacker's perception of me. It took time, but I allowed myself to take another look. What I found in my teachers, my Jordanian classmates, and in my daily life around the city were some of the strongest women I have ever met. From filmmakers fighting harassment to journalists reporting honor killings, health care professionals teaching sexual education and female college students aspiring to study law in America, Jordanian women also proved that social norms and stereotypes did not define them.
One of the women I met in Jordan had recently made a documentary about sexual harassment in Amman. She told me that she worked hard to "humanize" men in her film, to condemn their behavior but "not who they are as people." Since then, both while in Jordan and after I returned home, I've thought about what I could do to help "humanize" American women abroad. Once I was more comfortable in Amman, while other Americans were claiming Canadian citizenship, I refused to excuse my nationality. I strongly believed, and still do, that the only way Americans can shed stereotypes abroad is by traveling with pride, respect and cultural awareness—and making it less likely for Americans to be defined by satellite images and sound bites.
Coming home—first to Wisconsin and then back to school in Los Angeles—I was suddenly surrounded by things that had been taboo—short skirts, tank tops, male friends, individuality, and an expectation that I was an independent woman capable of having a job, a voice, and my own life plan. I felt like I was handed every social freedom for which those women in Jordan fought every day, but for the first time in my life I could fully appreciate them all.
They never found that cab driver, despite the hours I spent looking at lineups, mug shots and impounded taxis. With more than 10,000 registered taxi drivers in Amman, and probably thousands of others unregistered, it's not surprising he disappeared.
I spent a lot of time being angry about what happened. Part of me still is, but a much larger part of me has tried to transform the experience into something meaningful, if not positive. The assault forced me to open my eyes early in my time abroad, and I don't think I would have gained as much insight otherwise. America may provide me independence, but Jordan granted me awareness.
54 Comments for An Unexpected Trip
Lauren Quinn 04.16.10 | 12:18 PM ET
I really appreciate the honesty and bravery it took to write this.
brandy bell 04.16.10 | 12:23 PM ET
"Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react." Congratulations, Katherine. Not only have you been through something that terrifies and often prevents people from traveling to places like Jordan, but you have benefited from it, and turned it into something truly beautiful.
No one can excuse the cab driver, and his actions are now his problem and weight to bear. Living out your life where you want, and how you want is your gift. :)
A million thanks for sharing this story, and I wish you a speedy recovery, fully knowing your scars have healed.
Mary Arulanantham 04.16.10 | 2:54 PM ET
I commend you for the courage it took to stay on and continue to grow and learn in the culture. The word that struck me in your story is "naive." I have never travelled in the Middle East, but I have visited many spots in South Asia. My teenaged daughters scoffed when I warned them to observe some societal norms such as you describe (no eye contact, don't speak unless spoken to—unless you are sure of whom you are talking to; they were annoyed when their male cousins warned them about what could happen. The first time one got a grabbing hand on her ass at a shopping center, or an obscene gesture aimed her way, they began to wise up. I also had the chance to educate my nephews that America is not all Baywatch. It is true that bad things can happen anywhere in the world, but you have shown that we get more out of our travels if we take off our America-colored glasses and look around with a clear understanding of what we take for granted.
Christine B.Osborne 04.16.10 | 3:09 PM ET
I found your story very interesting (and of course also shocking). But it shows me how times have changed - for the worse.
I spent more than seven years working in ALL the countries of the Middle east and the Arab States of the Gulf. Mainly alone, or with male drivers. Only once did I have a problem which I managed to deal with - nothing like as violent as yours - but the humiliation I suffered was very hard to take. And as a result I pulled out and worked elsewhere (I am a freelance photojournalist).
But reading your own account re. attitudes in Jordan, I know for certain that it was never as bad as this for me in the 1970s-80s and I too was a tall, slim, blonde. On her own.
My firm belief is that this degeneration in male behaviour is without question the result of movies, games and web access and today I wouldn`t dream of going to some places and `exposing myself` for the sake of a story.
And it`s not only happening in Muslim countries where men are ready to combust—- there are increasing attacks on women travellers in places like Thailand (which used to be so gentle) and India - all due to the wretched videos and internet games, largely made or devised by men. What about this shocking new video game I read about called Rapeplay (I think that`s the name). I mean its unimaginably sick and selling…
I don`t know what to say except sorry for your frightful experience, good on you for sticking it out and let it be a warning to all women travellers—- never let your guard down and if you visit the Middle East in particular, dress modestly like their own women. Because if you don`t - eyes are watching - and you WILL BE TARGETED.
I am nearly finished a book about my own experiences working in these male dominant societies.
Ali 04.16.10 | 4:20 PM ET
As a guy who lived in amman i would like to apologies on behalf of all the guys in amman for what you have gone through, I currently work as a driver with 2 girls from New York who are doing a report about jordan for the new york times magazine, They get all what you mentioned, The stares, The dirty looks and i always fight back those guys with dirty minds.
Very well written story and it really moved me!
Ali Dahmash 04.16.10 | 4:39 PM ET
Dear Katherine,
Im a Jordanian male living in Amman and Im realy sad and disgusted to what happened to you in Amman. Actualy Im shocked that this happened to you. I do not live in Lala land or soemthing and I have worked with empowering the local ommunities in poor areas in Jordan and sometimes such violence happen but very few incidents because of poverty and social injustice. But I never heard of an incident to happen to westerners. Jordan is a very friendly, open minded country. Women relatively have rights to vote, work, to become ministers and members of Parliament. Jordanian Christians and Muslims live door to door and we dnt have any kind of discimination.
My point is that Jordan is not a bad place and I hope you don't let one crazy evil guy change your view on Arabs and Jordanians in particular.
Al Ajanabi 04.16.10 | 5:03 PM ET
This is a terribly excellent story, told, remarkably, in a dispassionate manner that deserves real respect. I, too, lived in Amman for several years and a few more in the broader Middle East. I was there through 9/11 and the opening salvos of the war next door. They were interesting times and I walked away with a number of tremendously important experiences, as well as a remarkable wife - one of those remarkable Jordanian women you mention.
It's appalling to know things like this occurred there, as a part of me wants there to be an appreciation for all things so often misrepresented about the Middle East. But there are things there that are terrible too. I know all too well and, as you so ably describe, theres a broader view that impacts many. Its a country where a woman is most always given a seat on the bus but cannot pass on citizenship to her children.
Your inclusion of the quote from the Bedu man: There are good men, and there are bad. In the whole world. This man, he was bad. But we, we are not all bad. You understand? is what I want to hang my heart on here because it rings so true to my experience. But there is more to your story than this.
I hope you can find a way to let the anger go - eventually. It's certainly a process and you have a powerful right to own it and do with it as you please. But I hope it propels you, as it seems to have here, to something better for you and your view of your place in this world.
If ever you feel the need to expand upon it or your experience, I'd be glad to indulge you. I'd consider it a privilege.
samia qumri 04.16.10 | 5:11 PM ET
Dear Katherine
Thanks for sharing ur story im Jordanian girl Im shocked yet wont deny that such things might take place n our society and anywhere else in this world…Jordan over the decades has become one of the most open minded multi-ethnic/cultural attracting place as u have noticed and got 2 witness..Women have learned to practice their right, have become most empowering figures in the society and have emerged to the surface to confirm and stress their stand of who they really are and what they are capable to do.coz honestly we have done so much and still we are to change how societ percieves us and Definitely to teach others not to ever objectify us in any way..hope this wont discourage you from visiting again Jordan and the Middle East.
omar jordan 04.16.10 | 5:29 PM ET
As sorry as I am for this to happen to ANYONE, not just an American… Very FEW incidents like this happen here, actually she was very unlucky to run accross a jerk like that. Most women, even Americans, are safer in Jordan than in the US. My wife is American, and no one dares to do anything like that to her. Again, I am very sorry for her and God bless her, but she needs to know that this is not a common thing in Jordan and I wish she would have had a contact to call immediately, if I or any of my family knew her, that driver would not be driving around for many years to come, maybe not even walking.
In the true spirit of Jordan, we protect our people and our guests are like family to us. Let it be known, if any men in the area saw that happen, that driver would have been torn to pieces. God Bless you and be safe.
A note: In the US, there is a much higher chance for that to have happened, and it happens every hour, and the end result is susually rape and/or murder.
omar jordan 04.16.10 | 5:38 PM ET
One more thing…
Not in Jordan or anywhere in the world does a woman need a man's permission to speak, smile, eye contact or where to go. It's these ideas that let these few idiotic men misstreat women like that. Walk with your head high and if you get a bad look, look back with a funny face, you will see the little kittens behind the fake lion faces. There are fantastic people and families in Jordan who will find it a joy to welcome you into their homes. I have spent 18 years of my life around the world, 12 of them in the US, and my wife loves it here more than the US (she was born and raised there)...
katherine 04.16.10 | 6:43 PM ET
While I've been trying not to post on here, I feel compelled to thank everyone for their comments—especially from the Jordanians and those who have lived in Jordan.
I want to clarify that Jordan will ALWAYS be a home for me, and I had so many wonderful, positive, and life-changing experiences during the year I lived there that rest outside of that cab ride. I met amazing people throughout the middle east—men and women—and would visit Jordan again in an instant if I had the chance.
I always speak highly of Jordan and its people, and encourage those I talk with to visit if they have the opportunity. It is a beautiful place. My boyfriend (an American who I met while living in Jordan as he was in the same program) and I often talk about how much we miss our life there.
Plus, the shwarma just isn't the same in America…
Dalin 04.16.10 | 8:45 PM ET
Fantastic story! Thank you for sharing. talk about the transformative power of travel! I'm very proud of you, and it's people like you that make me proud to be an American traveler!
Layali 04.16.10 | 9:12 PM ET
You're a brave wise woman. You are a talented writer as well - I love your style. I hope your writing and sharing of the story is helping you heal the emotional scars that take way longer to heal than the physical ones.
In your story, I particularly like the part where you realize and shed your own misconceptions about Jordanian women as you reflect on and try to reverse the stereotypes that were partially behind the taxi driver's assault. You see, the misconceptions and stereotypes go both ways and the ones who travel and fully experience other cultures are most empowered to right these wrongs.
And for Jordanians and other Arabs writing and apologizing here, maybe the taxi attack is not a common thing, but the looks, touches, grabbing, etc. happen to all women, Arabs and foreigners, and it's a real shame! What is it going to take for all those men to stop thinking of women as objects and start respecting them as human beings?
Thanks, Katherine, and best of luck!
Julia Ross 04.16.10 | 9:43 PM ET
Katherine- thanks for telling your story. And glad you stayed the year.
firstname.lastname@example.com 04.17.10 | 2:14 AM ET
Dear Katherine,
Good day to you and salamat!
Really sorry to hear what happened to you.
I`m from Jordan, and ashamed of this incident.
I hope these words can do you at least some comfort although they are merely words.
Sorry again,
Ali Dahmash 04.17.10 | 2:16 AM ET
Hi Katherine,
Thanks for pointing out about your experiene in Jordan, I also would like to see you write about the positive things you saw and experienced in Jordan and the Middle East.
As for Layali comment, I would like to add that there is some blame that falls on women who agree to promote themselves as Sex objects in Music Video clips, commericals, Hollywood movies, TC, etc… I think we are all to be blamed for this since a country like America has become the society of "Sex sells more". Im 100% agianst degrading of women.
Judy C. 04.17.10 | 4:02 AM ET
Wonderfully written life experience, thank you. I one day hope to visit Jordan and was at first shocked to read the beginning. I am no longer young and have found that there are good and bad people all over the world, it is a human condition, with culture playing a part. After finishing this article, I still want to travel there and meet the wonderful people of Jordan that I have heard so much about. In Virginia where I am from, we had an incident where a young college age woman from Eastern Europe had come to earn money during the summer and was assaulted. Imagine her impression of Americans to have this happen, but the community did rally and we helped her with her hospital bills and a place to stay while she recovered. Thank you again for such a moving article.
Angela 04.17.10 | 4:47 AM ET
What happened to you, Katherine, is very sad, and what is even sadder is that events like this happen all over the world, although not all of them receive proper publicity. Much of the cinema/TV industry, unfortunately, gives the very wrong idea that pornography in Western countries is normal routine, maybe we should start blaming them louder.
kinzi 04.17.10 | 5:01 AM ET
Katherine, so well said. I remember your story well, and it altered the way I use taxis in Jordan. I now ask to see the driver's license, and write down the taxi company each time before I get into a cab. The driver inevitably asks why, and I tell him your story.
Your description of life for a foreign woman was spot-on. I love Jordan, but it is a bitter-sweet love.
If you ever come back to Jordan, look me up!
American expat male living here in Jordan. Amman is without doubt the safest city I've lived in, in America and in the world. Kathrine's story is very saddening. Like she describes, unwanted advances and attention are unfortunately very familiar for female Westerners here, but violence is EXTREMELY rare. Thank you for sharing your story. An American female traveling shouldn't be judged or held responsible for people's warped perception of American society from pop culture & the news anymore than Arabs should be judged that way while visiting the United States. Both are wrong, but unfortunately that's how most people know about cultures besides their own. The objectification of women in music videos really should have nothing to do with anyone's experience.
Naser 04.17.10 | 10:33 AM ET
Hey Kathrine,
I really have mixed feelings here, I feel I should apologize for what happened to you here - I'm a Jordanian who lives here - yet at the same time I don't think you wanna hear "I'm sorry" anymore, either way I'm sorry that you've been through that, but I really admire the way you dealt with it and how you turned it to something meaningful to say the least. :)
You're always welcome to come back, and its because of open minded people like you the image of Americans is also changing.
be well.
Anonymous 04.17.10 | 12:37 PM ET
Katherine, you weren't the first American woman to be assaulted in Jordan. I know this for a fact, because I was, too, eight weeks into what was to be a 12-week stay. The difference is that my attacker was from a prominent family, and so I wasn't offered the concerns of the embassy or the U.N. or the royal family. Wasta prevailed and, in the process, I was thrown under the bus.
I reacted much as you did, though. Instead of fleeing to the comforts of home, I stayed. For years. I wanted to overwrite those God-awful memories and return home with a better view of Jordan and Jordanians. I will never forget the kind face of the emergency room nurse at the hospital that treated me. She just kept holding my hand, sort of patting it, and telling me in halting English that not everyone in Jordan is bad, but I was unlucky to meet people who were. Similarly, I will always have a special fondness for the single, elderly Jordanian woman who took me under her wing and into her heart, wiped my tears, and gave me insights into the family behind my horror.
I wish you the best in your healing process.
hazi 04.17.10 | 3:17 PM ET
First of all.. let me applaud the writer for her fantastic narrative language….you have a very promsing talent. Second… i found so many contrandictions in your story and far from being accepted by me. You say that the whole thing lasted 10 minutes then you say that the driver took you in dirt road on the outskirts of Amman, no houses or people in sight. and the you say that after he realized that you wouldnt submit he got out of the cab and the offered you a drive home????!!!!!! doesnt that sound weird????
then you said "he pinned me down in back, and my clothes were ripped and torn. I managed one call on my cell phone before he threw it to the front seat, and we were alone. I screamed, he punched. I kicked, he choked. I bit, he hit," how did you manage to make a phone call??? and why didnt you get out of the car and run away? then and after he left you say "three Jordanian young men, driving by soon after, found me bloody, in shock, and crying in the middle of the road. Without realizing it, they offered me the first in a series of second looks at a culture I almost dismissed. They called the police, brought me water and ice, stayed with me for an hour to wait for help. In broken English, they managed to string together one sentence: No worry, it will be okay". if they were driving then why didnt you go to the police with them instead of them waiting for more than an hour with u in the middle of no where???? am sorry dear by your story is not convincing…..
Anna 04.17.10 | 9:01 PM ET
Hazi, that is pretty disgusting that you'd imply this was made up. I am not sure I'd want to travel to a Muslim country. I'm sure the people are wonderful if you get to know them, but as an American woman I just wouldn't want to be treated so badly while out in public just because of what I look like or where I am from. Being the object of discrimination is never fun. I was assaulted on a Russian train once so I think it can happen anywhere when you are traveling alone and a vulnerable young woman. I managed to fight the man off and get some help from other passengers, but it was also an eye-opening experience for me and I became more reserved and afraid to talk to strangers when traveling. I think American girls do have this stereotype of being promiscuous, unfortunately.
Douglas Arnold 04.17.10 | 11:56 PM ET
My first visit to the Philippines changed my naive American viewpoint of the world. The poverty and perspective of the Filipino challenged so much of what I thought and believed. The vast majority are wonderful, warm people—but there were several that threatened, coerced and intimidated. It is true of most cultures and peoples. While my experience was not traumatic and physically harrowing as was yours, I was also changed. Good writing of a bad experience. The best to you.
Donald 04.18.10 | 2:20 AM ET
Hazi, are you seriously implying that she should have calmly asked for a ride to the police station after the attempted rape? The girl was almost killed in the back seat of a car in a foreign country, and you find fault in the lack of clarity in her decision making?
It's almost not worth responding to you because of how obviously outrageous it is that you think you know what being in that situation is like and how a person ought to react, but your comment can't stand without reproach. It's callous and absurd.
There is no need for insults, this is not a trial she is on… she shared an experience that happened to her. As a Jordanian who lived in the US for many years, I know that things like this happen every where, and yes it happens sometimes in Jordan. By the way, to make it clear to many people who have no clue what a Jordanian is… we are a country of many backgrounds, many colors, and NO division between Christians and Muslims. I say this as a Christian and out of living with our Muslim brothers hand in hand all of our lives and have never been treated different. So please, before someone comments about being treated different as a Christian, know Jordan and the true people of Jordan first.
As with the whole world, poverty is a disease that usually leads to missconceptions of people, mainly due to ignorance or just simply lack of knowledge. She unfortunatly came by that dog of a person, but rest assured, most people here would have protected her and treated her like family.
kinzi 04.18.10 | 3:13 AM ET
Hazi, attitudes like yours are part of the problem.
3aiyb 3alayk
Naji 04.18.10 | 6:13 AM ET
sorry for ur bad experiece here in jordan kathrene, Im a 28 year jordanian guy, who loves his country. I dont say its crime free, but Im sure its one of the safest countries out there. AN incidnet like this can happen all over the world especially in the US. so lets not stereotype arabs & arab contries by this unfortunate incident. I have sisters & relatives who lives here & I rather live here than any place else in the world cause I feel its much safer than any other place out there.
Jansait 04.18.10 | 8:29 AM ET
Sorry to hear you had a bad experience.. and as one of them told you.. good is everywhere and bad is everywhere.. women are tortured and being taken for granted everywhere on this earth.. there isn't one country that does not have those sick ppl who try to degrade women in every possible way, unfortunately! :\ that doesnt mean it should go without punishment.. at the same time.. there are some good men who really appreciate and respect women,, in Jordan, USA and everywhere..
God bless
Sara 04.18.10 | 4:20 PM ET
It is always upsetting to hear of any woman having to face such an incident regardless of her nationality or the country in which it all took place. But as a Jordanian it is certainly more upsetting to me that a guest of this country had to face this in Amman, a city where I grew up but thankfully neither me nor any of my foreign friends who visit me frequently and use taxis ever had a bad experience of this nature which comforts me that it was an isolated incident and not the norm. As you mentioned in your mail, the Jordanians are kind and helpful people. The regular guys who came to your rescue are the ones who represent the majority and not the twisted cab driver who had the misconception about american girls that they would be happy to oblige. Again this can happen to anyone anywhere but sorry it happended to you here in Amman.
Lama 04.18.10 | 5:06 PM ET
Hazi's attitude is part of the problem, but it is nonetheless quite instructive to the uninitiated who may not be aware that discrediting the account and the victim are common responses to such crimes. If that doesn't work, then an all-out attack on character and credibility is waged. And those who wage such attacks seldom know the actual facts or have seen the physical evidence that typically exists. In other words, complete ignorance does not deter them. Sometimes the motive is pure tribalism or careerism.
It's a shame the taxi driver was never identified and held to account. And it's also surprising, given the small population of Jordan and the extent to which people are interconnected. If there's any silver lining to this, though, it means you've been spared any backlash from the driver's family and tribe. But that is a very small consolation.
Tim Patterson 04.19.10 | 12:19 AM ET
Stunning piece. I may be spending the summer in Jordan, and this feature gave me lots of food for thought. Thanks for sharing your experience. I really admire your courage.
Just to say about your silver lining comment, if the driver was identified and caught, she will need not to worry about any backlash (if you really know Jordan), his own family would have taken care of his beatdown… Honor goes both ways Jordan. Just like they do not expect to let anyone harm their own, they will not their own harm someone, especially a woman.
Come to Jordan, enjoy the beautiful country, Jerash, Petra, Dead Sea, Aqaba, just to mention a few… and know for a fact, that you are safer here than many other countries, even probably your home town. Please carry a cell phone with you (like every one should do), hang around nicer areas, get to know locals and you will always want to come back.
Cecille Soriano 04.19.10 | 8:12 AM ET
Dear katherine ,
What an extraordinary and splendid Story back there. I just want to say that you are such a brave woman and I hope that this will inspire other women as well.
Great job and I appreciate your bravery.
Travel-Writers-Exchange.com 04.19.10 | 8:51 AM ET
It took courage to write this post, thank you for sharing. Women don't know how good they have it in America. Your story will help others, especially women be prepared if they choose to visit the Middle East. It's a different world and culture. Not every man acts like the cab driver, but some still do.
I agree that it's best to stay in safer areas or be with a tour guide at all times. Learn as much as you can before you go and this includes speaking the language. Take classes before and or during your trip. Being able to speak and understand the language is helpful.
Lama 04.19.10 | 1:19 PM ET
@ Omar, that wasn't the case in one of the crimes I'm deeply familiar with. The tribe piled on the victim and made her life an even greater misery.
flip 04.19.10 | 2:23 PM ET
good to know that you're doing ok now…
you're a brave young woman and an open minded one as well… wishing you more travels in the future :-)
There is no country in the world that is 100% free of crime… not what I am trying to say, but for some on here telling everyone that you have to know Arabic, stay in a few areas and tribal law rules here, that is VERRY far fetched!
The tribal issues usually happen in small towns that tourists and most Jordanians don't go to, and the few incidents in Amman, not too ago, a girl was almost raped by a tribal son, when her family told his family, he was lashed and abandond by his own father… tribal laws sometimes are the most effective in such cases, their honor is more respected and kept when they do NOT allow their men to commit such acts bringing shame on them.
For best information, Jordanian law is always supreme, and the punishment for rape is EXTREME, many times punishable by death.
Akila 04.19.10 | 5:04 PM ET
Katherine, This is a wonderful piece, incredibly touching and braving. Thank you for writing it.
Michael Lynch 04.20.10 | 10:49 AM ET
Powerful writing and should be a "must read" for exchange students male and female, everywhere.
Anna 04.20.10 | 8:36 PM ET
What an incredible story; thank you for reminding us to be careful and aware when we travel. It took such bravery to stay there and, even more, to take away such poignant lessons.
May 04.21.10 | 4:01 AM ET
I am a Jordanian female educated in America, and am now a proud American citizen. I had lived in Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar. It is very dissappointing that the middle eastern men have not moved into the 21st century with their way of thinking. Katherine, your experience is so true of how they view females, whether you are a western woman or one of their own. The way they think of women is so low. They sometimes behave well in public, but behind closed doors they mis-treat and abuse their wives. This is for most middle eastern men, not just Jordanian men. I would like to believe their are some decent mid-est men out there….I just haven't met one yet. Growing up in this culture I realize they really are weak men, but have to take it out on the women to prove their manhood. When a woman leader speaks up, they do away with her and have their so called "honor killings". This stems from whom is leading them. Look at who they look to for their leader….he mistreated young girls and hurt them. If they would look to a better and more wholesome leader then these men can began to change their ways. This will be the only way for the middle eastern society to transform…...change whom they reverence.
May… you really do not sound Jordanian what so ever… actually, you are making me laugh!!
I have lived in the US for MANY years, and just moved back to Jordan with my American wife, and I know MANY people around… Jordanian men (i do not know where you lived in Jordan) are known for their kindness and love of family. You NEVER lived in Jordan, so please do not say things you do not know of… you lived in Saudi… so I understand… they treat women like sheep, but before you talk about Jordan and how we are, come and live here, then so insults like that. All of my friends, myself, and most of my family members that are married, and great husbands who spoil their wives, take them to the best places, trips overseas, worship them and are great fathers… tell me how many you know like that in the US? Just a thought?... and I am not going to be like you and say that all American dads are not good, actually I am proud of the new generation, not so much the 30 somethings….
RosiC 04.23.10 | 1:01 PM ET
Dear Katherine:
Thank you for your brutally honest account of what happened to you in Amman, Jordan.
While I found it shocking, I also realized that I was just lucky not to have had a similar
experience. My heart goes out to you for the pain this incident caused in your life. But it
sounds as if you are now a much stronger person a.e. woman.
When I traveled to Jordan more than 20 years ago, I traveled with a large group. I represented
a travel agency that focused on recruiting Christians to visit Israel by way of Jordan. I had a
wonderful experience in Amman. In fact, I often commented on how men seemed to "respect"
me and the other women. So your story really opened my eyes to the real dangers that American women face when alone in some Middle Eastern countries. So while I will return someday to Jordan, I will keep in mind what happened to you.
Katherine, May God bless you and help you continue to heal.
Lizzy 04.23.10 | 5:28 PM ET
Thank you so much for sharing this - as a woman who lived in Cairo for a year and was also assaulted, I am so impressed with how you have dealt with this situation. I recognize myself in your description of how you internalized the social taboos by keeping your head down and more or less avoiding men whenever possible. It is hard to remember who you are when everyone around you perceives you differently, so I am really proud you have been able to do that.
Good luck on all your future adventures and thank you again for sharing.
Jenn Winter 04.24.10 | 2:20 PM ET
Katherine, thank you for voicing so eloquently what so many female travelers have felt. I am passing your powerful words on, I feel that all American women who travel need to hear your story.
Jordanian 04.30.10 | 1:38 AM ET
When my friend read ur article and emailed it to me, she wrote this as well blow the link :
"her article really pissed me off, the way she portrayed jordan, muslim and arab men is disgusting, even her words are soooo stereo-typical, if i didnt live here i would think jordan is a desert filled with animalistic and barbaric men going around raping and insulting women!!
if what she said truly happened to her, then thats too bad, and i wouldnt wish it on anyone…but she shouldnt be talking about rape and kidnaping and the downgrading of women when she is coming from a country that is known for all of the above.
the thought that some people read this and are clouded with a 1000 misconceptions drives me crazy! "
Cbaty 05.14.10 | 3:27 PM ET
The fundamental rights of women are still unfinished business both nationwide and globally. However, your strength and courage are beyond admirable. Your actions after the attack as well as your decision to remain in the country shows the true strength of what it means to be a woman.
Grizzly Bear Mom 05.14.10 | 5:59 PM ET
I don't think that all New Yorkers/Christians/Men/Whites are rapists just because some of them are, any more than I think all Jordanians are rapists because of this story. The setting of the story is incidental.
Hazi' s comments are disgusting though.
axel g 05.15.10 | 3:56 PM ET
Traveling is a wonderful way to learn about life but at the same time it may put you at risk.
I find common sense a great travel companion…
Thanks for sharing your experiences from Jordan!
Hayden Dane 05.16.10 | 4:03 AM ET
You are mature beyond your years, Katherine. Thank you for sharing so candidly such a personal experience. Journalism will surely benefit from your ability to find perspective amid chaos and terror.
Mary 05.16.10 | 9:26 AM ET
This was one of the most compelling and courageous stories I have ever read. Your decision to stay in Jordan, combat stereotypes, and work to "humanize" both Jordanians and Americans is beautiful. Thank you for writing.
Helford River 05.16.10 | 12:48 PM ET
Courage for understanding, Conviction to understanding and being Committed to understanding are some of the many qualities you have. Never loose sight of that.


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Staffing is the integrated staffing solutions suite from Innovsource. Staffing plus includes not just supply of outsourced manpower. We realize that your needs are beyond just provisioning of manpower. They may range from providing infrastructure, operating infrastructure, managing SLAs, taking key result responsibilities, taking up project fulfillment responsibilities and more. As your manpower staffing partner we are poised in an advantageous situation where we understand your processes and are also in a state to provide you extended services.
As a partnership, Innovsource would play a larger role in making your business successful. Our various services that come under this gamut include:
How we work:
And based on the requirement request that a client raises, Innovsource sources the right people, to take on these required roles. Training, induction, and necessary resources, where required, are provided by Innovsource.

subset: commoncrawl


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Watsons Haul: Revlon, Hello Kitty & More. . .
- Revlon Lash Potion - got a free Revlon eyelash curler, yay.
- Hello Kitty Hand Sanitizer - smells bubblegum, likey.
- Toni & Guy Sea Salt Texturising Spray- fine, the sea salt got me. Gives my hair that beachside bliss whenever I use this; lighweight formula too.
- Naturals Argan Oil Body Scrub- walnut and argan oil? why nut? excited to try this one out soon.
- Sake Nori Sheet Mask- packaging design is just cute.. and kei fine, the word sake haha! oooops, revivin' the alcoholic in me <?>
- Nivea Macadamia Nut Oil Hand Cream- Le Mister needed a new hand cream and I took a whiff of this and it's so so gaddaaang gewd! I tried it the moment I got home and it smells really good, not so greasy as well. E gave it a thumbs up too, he liked the smell and its rapid absorption.
- Nivea Whitening Cell Repair Body Milk- another lotion for le hubs. He likes Nivea products as he says they are mild to the skin. Definitely agree on that one. Nivea is one of my fave drugstore brand too. My mom used to love their Body Creme and classic moisturizer (the dark navy blue tub!)
- Bio-oil- most.efficient.multipurpose.oil.of.all.time. Been repurchasing this for like forever and I wun evah stop!
Thanks for reading♡


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Here's a portrait Greg painted of Leroy looking for his sheep...
Saturday, March 19, 2011
meet your farmer!
It's exciting that our dear friends Mary Morse and Leroy d'Entremont are the current stars of Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture's "Meet Your Farmer" -- a way to highlight the wide range of farming activities in Nova Scotia. Here's the link: http://meetyourfarmer.ca/profiles.php?profile=morse-and-dentremontI'm very glad to see that Nova Scotia island sheep are getting the recognition they deserve, and of course the intrepid shepherds! To read everything about sheep and shepherding on McNutt's Island, go to the label "wild island sheep."
Labels: wild island sheep
1 comment:
- Janet said...
Thanks for sharing that coverage Anne, I likely would not have found it on my own. I believe very strongly in the cause of green and sustainable small scale farming and also on the CSA movement to add value to a farmer's products. Consequently I joined a wool CSA in Vermont/New York state. I could not find one nearer - have the D'entremonts considered this as a possibility?
I have more info if they are interested.
Keep warm - just out lugging wood - brrrrr! Janet
- March 19, 2011 at 1:57 PM
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'What I know about design'
Brunswick House Cafe, Vauxhall
Nina Campbell, Interior Designer of international fame.
Sue Crewe, House and Garden editor: 'So, when it comes down to it, I know that I know...that I know – but I can't tell you why.'
William Yeoward, Creative Director and Shop-Keeper
A Mime Artist from Covent Garden...
Wednesday, September 28, 2011 Max | Post a Comment | Email Article


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Zombie Cannibal Asylum!
Hello friends and fellow mystery aficionados!
I promised you all a very special update, and I'm extremely excited to tell you that, after many months of design, our new, full length, horror-based party is finally ready! That's right, just in time for Halloween, Playing With Murder brings you Zombie Cannibal Asylum!
Equal parts mystery, costume party and horror show, Zombie Cannibal Asylum brings you and your guests to a post-apocalyptic world where the dead have risen and zombies stalk the earth! Society has crumbled, and humanity's last hope is hidden away in the ruins of Penderghast Asylum, where Dr. Weiler and his team of scientists perform hideous experiments on the reanimated inmates, hoping to find a cure for the zombie plague.
Accommodating up to thirty-two guests, Zombie Cannibal Asylum provides the framework for an awesome, dramatic and entertaining evening of fun for zombie fans and mystery enthusiasts alike. Whether you are looking for a spectacular and memorable Halloween event, or just a murder mystery that defies common expectations, you'll love this new offering!
Have an awesome and memorable Halloween everyone!


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Alexeyev, Hagel stand out in Rebels' victory; Lamb makes 25 saves in shutout of Cougars
Rebels 4 Cougars 0
PRINCE GEORGE — Two of the Red Deer Rebels' premier skaters were front and centre in a 4-0 Western Hockey League victory over the Prince George Cougars Monday.
And, of course, netminder Riley Lamb also played a key role in the win.
Defenceman Alex Alexeyev notched a goal and helped set up another in his first game since Jan. 20, and forward Brandon Hagel assisted on all four markers.
In the case of the second-year Russian rearguard, it was a much-needed return to action after spending two and a half weeks in his home country following the sudden death of his mother.
"It was a good game to get him back into, it was important to get him going again," said Rebels GM/head coach Brent Sutter. "It was good for him."
Regarding Hagel, the third-year winger made amends for a sub-par outing in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Edmonton Oil Kings, a game he spent 12 minutes watching from the penalty box after being assessed a misconduct.
"He responded after sitting in the box 12 minutes the other day. It was a tight game and we had one of our best forwards sitting in the box with a 10-minute misconduct," said Sutter. "He responded the right way today."
Defenceman Dawson Barteaux provided the only offence the Rebels needed Monday, beating Cougars netminder Taylor Gauthier to the glove side during a Red Deer power play midway through the first period.
Alexeyev added a second Rebels tally with 59 seconds remaining in the middle period, toe-dragging around a Prince George player at the Cougars blueline, skating down the left side and flipping the puck past Gauthier.
Alexeyev returned to the ice for a practice session Sunday in Prince George, the first time he'd skated since Jan. 20. As a result, Sutter decided to break him in slowly Monday, even starting the 18-year-old at forward.
The switch in positions didn't last long.
"We moved him back to defence and he played a regular shift after that," said Sutter. "We used him sparingly on the specialty teams."
Speaking of special teams, the Rebels' were stellar, with the power play going two-for-three and the penalty kill three-for-three.
The visitors' second man-advantage marker was courtesy of Mason McCarty, a right hand shot who broke over the left side of the Prince George blueline and connected with a shot to the high far corner at 1:54 of the third period.
The Rebels closed out the scoring six minutes later when Kristian Reichel cashed in on a nifty give-and-go with Hagel.
"We were solid throughout the lineup today," said Sutter.
The victory, coupled with the Lethbridge Hurricanes' 5-2 win over the host Kootenay Ice, lifted the Rebels to within two points of the Ice for the third and final playoff berth in the Central Division.
While Sutter was appreciative of the out-of-town help, he stressed the need for the Rebels to help themselves through the remainder of the regular season.
"Just do what we have to do," he said. "Take care of our own business."
Notable: Lamb made 25 saves to record his first shutout of the season and fourth in two years. Gauthier turned aside 27 shots at the other end . . . The Rebels continue their four-game road trip through the B.C. Division Wednesday against the Kelowna Rockets. Red Deer visits the Victoria Royals and Vancouver Giants Friday and Sunday. The Rebels' visit the Calgary Hitmen Feb. 21, before returning home for back to back games on Feb. 23 and 24.


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Good Afternoon Friends!
This is my first Blog! It's a little late for a Mother's Day post, but I couldn't think of any better way to start this journey then to share this wooden garden sign my son made for me. The garden is one of my favorite places! Now I have a wonderful sign to look at each time I'm out there weeding and or harvesting!
Thank you Son!


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late passes...airport arrival...noam mover
mini barista...apple eating...orchard house
Love it all!! Babies! Apples! Nephews! Those boots!! Everything but the autocorrect, that gets me all the time!! It is funny though!
I absolutely LOVE (LOVE!!!) the red leaves and those rain boots!
What an array of beauty in your week ~ great shots honoring special moments for you! Happy Weekend!
artmusedog and carol (A Creative Harbor)
Looks like Fall is showing its beauty in your neck of the woods! Wonderful photos!
Oh the leaves!!!! I still have your box you sent me - brings a smile to my face every time I open it.
Beautiful photos, interesting compositions with autumn colors, delightful leaves on the ground!
What a month already.
Cool rain boots! And the red leaves this times of year are magnificent:)
Love your ransoms but especially the boots!!!!
I'm so intrigued by the orchard house! What is it?
love the boots! and the autocorrect made me laugh, I love those.
I LOVE when you do this! It's such a great "trick" to do with the captions - in your creative six word phrases!


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Investigation of initiation and early tissue formation in functionalized scaffold for vavular tissue regeneration
In situ tissue engineering (TE) using a biodegradable synthetic scaffold that recruits endogenous cells from the bloodstream is emerging as a promising technology to create living heart valves inside the human body having the potential to last a life-time. In situ TE is heavily reliable on the wound healing response. The biomaterial intensifies the inflammatory response by inducing a foreign body response, propagated by infiltrating immune cells. However inflammation is not merely a detrimental response to the implanted scaffolds. Rather, it can be considered as a natural agent of tissue remodeling, orchestrated by various cell types and potent signaling molecules. By unraveling the inflammatory response towards the foreign biomaterial and the triggers for pathological outcome, targets may be identified to control the inflammatory response through modifications of the biomaterial.
The inflammatory process starts with the rapid infiltration of the scaffold by monocytes. Monocytes differentiate into macrophages, which in turn attract progenitor cells that differentiate into tissue-producing cells. Macrophages act as primary mediator cells throughout the healing cascade by transiently stimulating inflammation, repair and resolution. Macrophages are highly plastic cells that can attain various reversible polarization states depending on local biochemical environment. During the first stages of the inflammatory process, macrophages activated are typically of the M1 phenotype. Their activation is stimulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines, e.g. IFN-γ and TNF-α. M1 macrophages are crucial in intracellular pathogens killing, matrix destruction and tissue reorganization. Contrariwise alternatively activated macrophages, i.e. M2a and M2b, are involved in wound healing and regulatory process. M2a and M2b are stimulated by the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines as IL-4, IL-10, TGF-β and IL-13 (Fig.1). By promoting the M2 phenotype, either via specific recruitment or local polarization, the inflammatory process may instantly be directed towards healing instead of inflammation.
The goal of the project is to quantitatively understand the role of one of the key regulatory cytokines, i.e. IL-4, in order to predict the outcome of the inflammatory process and to control the delicate balance between fibrotic or functional regenerated ECM production. The effect of the IL-4 boosted natural human host response on early tissue formation will be investigated in vitro. Data will be used to allow the development of an IL-4 loaded synthetic scaffold that selectively activates the wound healing M2 phenotype.
Temporal macrophages phenotypic features and tissue formation over time will be assessed with a mesofluidic setup mimicking the hemodynamic conditions of the natural host response to the implanted scaffold. Moreover, the scaffold will be exposed to mechanical forces to further investigate previous results showing a strain-dependent modulation of macrophages polarization.
Researchers: V. (Valentina) Bonito.
Supervisors: A.I.P.M. (Anthal) Smits, A. (Anita) Driessen-Mol, C.V.C. (Carlijn) Bouten.
Funding by ImaValve (Intelligent materials for in situ heart valve tissue engineering).


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We had such a great experience. Danni was a pleasure to deal with and extremely helpful. The tents were clean an more than we imagined. The additio...
We had such a great experience. Danni was a pleasure to deal with and extremely helpful. The tents were cle...
Luxury Tent Rentals with Flexible Location For Tent Camping near SydneyKingswood, New South Wales (Australia) view map
Verified host
Description of Glamping Units
There are six tent rentals available that are each made of high-quality, waterproof material. Two rental packages are available, and each includes laundered linens, bath towels, side tables, rugs, and a storage chest. They also include a choice of solar or power lighting, as well as outdoor chairs, bottled water, coffee, tea, and sugar.
The Luxury Getaway for Two Package includes one queen-size EuroBed and two wine glasses to allow couples to relax after long days of adventuring. The Family/Group Package includes the options of having two queen-size beds, four single-size beds, or one queen-size bed and two single-size beds to accommodate four guests.
The Family/Group Friendly package includes a choice of queen-size or twin beds, fitted with luxury laundered linens. Also provided are bath towels, side tables, a rug, a storage chest, and a choice of electric or solar-powered lighting. Guests can relax on the outdoor chairs, and the host will even throw in bottled water and a choice of either red or white sparkling wine. Read More
Accommodation Amenities
- Extra bed(s)
- Kitchen equipment
- Linens provided
- Queen-size bed
- Towels provided
- Twin/Single Bed
There are a number of additional amenities which guests can purchase at an extra cost. This includes a kitchenware pack for $20 of bowls, mugs, cutlery, chopping board, saucepan, frypan and picnic blanket.
Additionally, a BBQ Utensil Kit is $7.50, an outdoor table costs $7.50, and a double gas cooker with a gas bottle is $26.50. All prices are in US dollars.
Additionally there is a $100 refundable security deposit that will be held on the guest's card at the time of confirmation and released back to them after check out.
- Barbecue
- Parking
- Shared bathroom
Location + Surroundings
These tent rentals are based in New South Wales, Australia, although they have a flexible location. Guests can choose to have their luxury tent pitched beside mountains, on the beach, or in the forest—this is an opportunity to discover the stunning natural landscape of New South Wales. Guests can be strategic when choosing the flexible location of these tent rentals. If they would like to participate in water sports, then they can choose to stay along the coast, and if they enjoy cycling or hiking, they may prefer glamping in the mountains. Read More
If guests have any special requirements, they can inquire with the hosts upon booking. Guests can inquire about using these flexible tent rentals in New South Wales for special events and purposes such as weddings, festivals, and photo shoots.
- Canoeing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Kayaking
- Scuba diving
- Walking
New South Wales is by far one of the most popular destinations in Australia, and because these tent rentals have a flexible location, guests have the freedom to decide what activities they would like to be near. For example, they can go luxury camping near the Blue Mountains, which are in a national park and have truly breathtaking natural scenery. Here, guests can go on guided bushwalks, as well as go cycling and horseback riding. Another popular destination in New South Wales is the Hunter Region, where guests can enjoy their fair share of world-class wine tasting.
7 Reviews
Cancellation policy
- You will receive a full refund if you cancel at least 7 days prior to check-in.
- You will be charged for one full night's stay plus 50% of the cost of the rest of the stay if you cancel within 7 days of check-in.
Check-In Details
Additional Information
Several optional amenities are available upon request. An additional adult bed is available for $29.42, and an additional child bed is available for $14.71. A portable crib is also available.


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President Obama may have given credence to a relatively new but questionable law enforcement practice that the rest of the developed world is starting to shun: taking and retaining DNA samples from individuals arrested for a crime but not convicted. That is, putting innocent people's DNA in criminal databases.
During an interview with the president last month on the television program "America's Most Wanted," host John Walsh enthusiastically supported the expansion of this practice in the United States, saying, "We now have 18 states who are taking DNA upon arrest. England has done it for years. It's no different than fingerprinting or a booking photo." To which President Obama said, "It's the right thing to do."
But many in the human rights community disagree. For example, the European Court of Human Rights unanimously ruled in 2008 that the United Kingdom's policy of keeping arrestees' genetic samples after their release -- the very practice that Walsh (and by implication Obama) endorses -- violates a right respecting private and family life codified by the European Convention on Human Rights. At the time of the decision, the U.K. database included more than 4.5 million DNA profiles -- more than 5% of its population. One-fifth of these profiles were taken from people without a criminal record.


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Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Bakauke 40-piece Sembei Assortment
In Japan, variety packs are called "asooto" (アソート) which is the Japanized version of "assortment". This Bakauke pack of 40 sembei in 5 flavors has been in my line of sight for some time. I resisted it because of the hassle associated with reviewing such packs (more pictures, more writing, same number of posts), but also because I think it'll take me a very long time to eat all of this myself and my husband doesn't eat sembei.
In the end though, the price and the fact that I could sample a lot of flavors that I've been considering purchasing individually made me take the plunge. I found this at a discount snack shop for 269 yen ($3.12). I'd also seen it for a somewhat higher price at Peacock supermarket, but it's not the sort of thing that tends to show up in just any old market. I think this would be a good thing to have on hand if you tend to have a lot of visitors to your home or have a family and can eat it quicker than the likes of me can consume 40 sembei.
Like all bakauke sembei, these come in a banana shape. The package doesn't offer nutrition information for each flavor, but I'd guess that they are similar to the other flavors I've reviewed and are about 20-35 calories each per cracker. My guess is the black sesame one is higher in calories than the other varieties.
Spicy Soy Sauce:
The strange thing about this soy sauce cracker is that it neither looks nor smells like the typical "shoyu" variety. It's not covered with a semi-sticky veneer of soy sauce. This does small very faintly of soy, but also vinegar. In fact, the predominant taste is a mild vinegar one, not a soy sauce flavor. This reminded me more of a very subdued version of the "Happy Turn 200%" sembei. That's not a bad thing at all, but I think this could have been a bit more intense in flavor. Nonetheless, this was perfectly enjoyable despite its lack of strong spice.
Black Sesame and Soy Sauce:
For some reason, this cracker is wrapped individually while the others come two to a pack. This is the most "fried" one and is bumpy and super crunchy. It smells lightly of sesame and of soy sauce. The exterior is very shiny and quite appealing to look at. These have a mixture of sweet and savory flavors including honey. All of the components come together well to present a multi-layered taste experience with all of the flavors complimenting each other well. I really enjoyed this.
Seaweed and Soy Sauce:
This was the flavor that I had the lowest expectations for because I'm not a huge fan of nori (seaweed). It's not that I can't eat it or find it gross. I can certainly consume it, but if I have a choice, I'd prefer not to have it included in foods that I eat. That being said, this is the sembei for those like me who are indifferent toward nori. The base soy flavor is deep, savory, and complex. The amount of small flakes of nori are enough to make the flavor present, but not overwhelming. The only bad point about this one is that the outside is a bit sticky so you need to eat it with the wrapper on or be prepared to wash your hands after touching it.
Spicy Curry:
This smells lightly of Japanese curry roux blocks, which is to say that the scent is somewhat different from actual curry powder and miles away from real Indian curry. The flavor is mild at first, but builds up a bit on your tongue by the end of a second cracker. There is no heat whatsoever in these and they're mildly salty. I get the sense that these were designed for people who have what is called a "cat's tongue" in Japanese. That is, they are sensitive to foods that are hot in a spicy way. While certainly a nice enough and completely enjoyable cracker, I have more of a "dragon's tongue" (I made that up, it's not Japanese) and would have liked some heat.
I'm going to be a bit lazy on this one and tell you that this is exactly the same as the Bakauke cheese sembei that I reviewed previously. There is no difference between what you get in the bag devoted to "5 cheese" sembei. This is a good thing because I gave those a "happy" rating and thought they were like a higher quality Cheeto cheese flavor.
This was a great value and full of high quality, flavorful, fresh, and crispy rice crackers. If you like sembei, or are going to buy some to send home to people who enjoy it, this is one of the best choices you can make. Despite my initial reservations about buying so much at once, I wouldn't hesitate to buy this assortment again, particularly if I wanted to serve some to guests or keep a stash on hand for late-night T.V. viewing accompaniment.
5 comments:
- sophia said...
Oooohmygoodness, I want those senbei!!!
Occasionally my dad's friends send us gifts from Japan, and one assortment had the curry cracker ~ it's SO good!! And pretty rare ~ I tried looking it up online with no luck, and you can't buy it in America anywhere :( 269 yen is a really good deal! Ahhh.. I miss the hyaku-yen shops!!!
On a side ~ this past weekend I had some Shiroi Koibito cookies from Sapporo, http://bit.ly/dgZCzI. Have you had them before or heard of them? They are AMAZING!! I usually don't like sweet cookies, but these were exceptionally good.
- March 30, 2010 at 12:29 AM
- Orchid64 said...
Hi, Sophia, and thanks so much for taking the time to comment. :-)
I saw these again today at Okashi no Machioka on sale. I was tempted to pick up another bag but was in a big hurry and passed. However, I have time tomorrow!
I've never seen the cookies that you mentioned, but they do look good. They're likely regional, but if they ever turn up around my area, I'll be sure to try them!
- March 30, 2010 at 4:49 AM
- Reikalein said...
Hi there.
I came across your blog today and it inspired me to write my most recent post.
I'm a half Japanese girl living in Switzerland and everytime I go back to Japan I prepare a list of all the snacks I want to stock up on....only to find some are no longer available :( Boooo.
I've added a link to your blog on mine.
Take a peek if you're interested :)
- March 30, 2010 at 6:13 AM
- Nora said...
Thanks for all your reviews. We have a good-sized Japanese expat population here in southeast Michigan (tied to the auto industry), so I'm able to pick up some of your favorites at Japanese stores in the area. (Although I sometimes remember the product and not your rating. I picked up some of the Cocoa Bakauke this weekend, only to check your review afterward and see you actually didn't like them all that much. Oh, well.) You can be sure I'll be trolling the stores on my next visit to Japan in a couple weeks.
Oh, and "cat's tongue" (nekojita) refers only to thermally hot food, not spicy food. I think the word you're looking for is "wuss". ;)
- March 30, 2010 at 7:23 AM
- Orchid64 said...
Reikalein: Hi, and thank you for linking to me on your blog (I'm checking it out now) as well as reading and commenting. I've found that the snacks are cyclical. They're here, then gone, then back again. Of course, if you miss something, it's months before it shows up again!
Nora: Thanks for the correction. :-) I think I picked up that misunderstanding because my former boss used to say it a lot and he neither liked very hot food or very spicy food and I got it confused. (He used it correctly, I remembered it wrong.) I don't live with a Japanese person, so it's not the sort of thing I encounter outside of a specific setting.
You may end up liking the cocoa bakauke more than I did. I didn't think it was bad at all, mind you. I ate the whole bag over the course of a month, but I just wasn't so enthusiastic about it that I'd buy it again.
- March 30, 2010 at 4:36 PM


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Arrival & Departures
Arriving in Bali.
Make sure you don't loose your white immigration card as you will need to produce this when leaving the island.
Airport Tax
To leave from Indonesia to the country of your destination or to local destination via airport, Indonesian Government will apply the airport tax for every flight passenger at cost
- Domestic Airport Tax is Rp. 30.000 per person
International Airport Tax is Rp. 150.000 per person


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Chuck Baldwin: Israel Has Been a Disaster for Mankind
Almost everything about Organized Jewry is a fraud.
Start with the Talmud, the original tirade of hate against the goyim. Move on to the Cabala where they claim to be God. Next, their banking system which charges our government for the use of its own credit. Add their fraudulent claim to the state of Israel. (The Khazars bought the "Jewish" franchise in the Eighth Century.)
What the Khazars did to the Palestinians, they are doing to the whole world. Isn't the USSR proof? Libya? Iraq? Syria? Iran? (coming) 9-11? The murder of JFK? Mass shootings and false flag terror? Feminism? Homosexuality? Migration? Multiculturalism? WW1 and II? Cold War. etc.
However, they couldn't do it without first installing a colonial class of traitorous goy Freemason flunkees, our cultural and political "leaders."
Ordinary Jews were conned into establishing Israel by Zionists who helped bring Hitler to power. The inverse of Israel's independence is the Palestinian "Nakba" or "catastrophe." I support the two-state solution but Zionism isn't about sharing. It's about world conquest. And the average Jew was not consulted. Israel is the major cause of anti-Semitism today.
Below Pastor Chuck Baldwin explains why he isn't celebrating Israel's "independence."
by Chuck Baldwin
Today, May 14, 2018, marks the 70th anniversary of the creation of the Zionist State of Israel. Most Americans--and especially most Christians--labor under the delusion that the modern State of Israel is a fulfillment of a Biblical prophecy of ancient Jews returning to their homeland. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The creation of the Zionist State of Israel has brought turmoil, treachery, death, and destruction that is almost unequaled in modern history. The Rothschild conspiracy to create its own Zionist state has its tentacles in both world wars and in virtually every significant act of war afterward.
I distinctly remember several of my theology professors in college (two different colleges, in fact) telling us ministerial students that "World War I prepared the land for the Jews, and World War II prepared the Jews for the land." And this was stated as if two world wars was a GOOD thing.
One cannot even be true to history and ignore the fact that the Bolshevik Revolution that brought Marxist/Leninist/Stalinist communism to power in Russia was almost exclusively the handiwork of Rothschild's Zionists. For all intents and purposes, communism and Zionism are one. They always have been and always will be.
Christians need to come to grips with this painful truth: It took the deaths of over 115 million people to bring the Zionist State of Israel into existence. (This is "of God"?) And the Zionist state has caused the deaths of millions more since becoming a nation-state, as almost every war that America has fought since 1948 has been on behalf of Rothschild's Israel, and America's so-called war on terror is almost exclusively waged on behalf of the Zionist state.
And as an aside, Trump's decision to withdraw from the Iranian treaty on Tuesday of this week is nothing but political smoke and mirrors. The only reason the U.S. government entered the agreement with Iran in the first place was that it fully expected Iran would break the treaty, thereby giving Israel and the U.S. an excuse to attack the economically rich (and Rothschild bank-free) country. However, since Iran KEPT the treaty (Netanyahu's baseless accusations to the contrary), Trump had to pull out of the agreement so as to find another justification for attacking Iran.
The advent of the Zionist State of Israel in 1948 has created more turmoil, confusion, division, bitterness, contention, and downright hatred and bloodlust among Christian people than anything in 2,000 years of Church history. It has also created more political turmoil, war deaths, and destruction than anything in 2,000 years of Western Civilization.
And lest someone attempts to label me as being "anti-Semitic," let me remind them that there are tens of thousands of Jewish rabbis and Jewish people who are as adamantly opposed to the apartheid Zionist State of Israel as anyone. These same Jewish rabbis actively work for the "speedy and peaceful dismantlement of the State of Israel" (their words, not mine).
Sorry, today May 14, I won't be celebrating.
Ex-Zionist Jew Converts to Catholicism and Warns America


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After the early rush in March, and great weather to go with it, we have had a very quiet month in April and pretty dismal weather to boot..
This week I managed to squeeze in a bit of fieldwork for the CBS (Countryside Bird Survey) in between the downpours and high winds. I had my first Swift of the season, this morning, flying over the house and heading due North.
On the CBS square, down on the Coast near Killoughter, a Grasshopper Warbler gave its weird but distinctive reeling song, not seen of course! A Sedge Warbler was also in song but the most welcome sight was 4 Stonechats, presumably 2 pairs and 2 fledged juveniles.. After a
near disastrous drop in population in 2009 and particularly in 2010, brought about by hard winters ( 2011 figures are not yet published), it was great to locate them back on familiar haunts with young birds too..
|Male Stonechat ( John Fox)
Back in the garden, the Jays are still in the hunt for scraps and peanuts, in fact they are getting more relaxed and skilled on the feeders.. it will be interesting to see if they bring young birds in, later on in the season.


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Whitney Hayne
Education Resources Manager
Whitney joined the Association in 2016 as member of the Education Team. Prior to joining the Association, she worked at the Kentucky Historical Society implementing inquiry based programs for teachers and students. She holds a masters degree in History from the University of Louisville and a BA in History from Transylvania University.


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Book Signings
We will be discussing and signing copies of our book Long Island Oddities at the following dates and locations:
10/23/13 7PM Carle Place, Barnes and Noble
10/24/13 7PM Bay Shore, Barnes and Noble
10/30/13 7PM Lake Grove, Barnes and Noble
This factory was originally built in Sag Harbor during the end of the whaling industry. After a shift in fuel use from blubber to fossil fuels the whaling industry began to shut down. With many men eager for work and some who had money to invest left over from the whaling days, Sag Harbor began to sprout many factories.
Built in 1881, by the son in law of a whaler, it would become the largest factory in Sag Harbor. It was taken over by Bulova in 1936 and it remained open until 100 years after it was originally built. Pollutants found in the courtyard soil have kept it abandoned since. Now with trees growing into the bricks and decay all about, it lies in beauty.
Comments (5)
I like your site and do a radio show on creativity and technology. Would like talk about your interest in the "abandoned" of the world and would consider doing a radio show on it. Please get back to me.
Most of the original structure will stand, but the top floor or two will have to go because they are structural unsound. Also, the roof is made largely of asbestos.
Still there, renovations have begun.
Is this place still standing or is it demolished? I want to take a visit sometime this winter.
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Apr 14th 2011
Dr. Kiki's Science Hour 91
It's A Catastrophe!
The science of catastrophes.
Although the show is no longer in production, you can enjoy episodes from the TWiT Archives.
The science of catastrophes. Guest: Dr. Donald Prothero Download or subscribe to this show at twit.tv/kiki. We invite you to read, add to, and amend our show notes. Thanks to Cachefly for the bandwidth for this show.


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Wealth Management - Sharper Insight. Smarter Investing.https://www.investopedia.com/terms/w/wealthmanagement.asp
Wealth management is a high-level professional service that combines financial and investment advice, accounting and tax services, retirement planning, and legal or estate planning for one set fee ...
WealthManagement.com - Official Sitehttps://www.wealthmanagement.com
The president and CEO told advisors the company's innovations are meant to support them, not replace them.
Wealth management - Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wealth_management
Wealth management is an investment-advisory discipline which incorporates financial planning, investment portfolio management and a number of aggregated financial services offered by a complex mix of asset managers, custodial banks, retail banks, financial planners and others.
What Is Wealth Management? - Forbeshttps://www.forbes.com/.../2014/05/16/what-is-wealth-management
From the financial advisor's perspective, wealth management is the ability of an advisor or advisory team to deliver a full range of financial services and products to an affluent client in a ...
Plan and Invest with a Professional Advisor | Charles Schwabhttps://www.schwab.com/invest-with-us/professional-advice
Wealth management refers to products and services available through the operating subsidiaries of The Charles Schwab Corporation of which there are important differences including, but not limited to, the type of advice and assistance provided, fees charged, and the rights and obligations of the parties.
Wealth Management | U.S. Bank | U.S. Bancorp Investmentshttps://www.usbank.com/wealth-management.html
Where Private Wealth Management branded services are not available, Wealth Management services from U.S. Bank or U.S. Bancorp Investments will be offered to meet the needs of all investors. Return to content, Footnote 2
Wealth Management - Forbeshttps://www.forbes.com/wealth-management
Money Wealth Management. money moves What All High-Net-Worth Couples Need To Do To Avoid A Messy Divorce. Heather L. Locus, Contributor. Investing In His Clients, His Team And Himself.
Wealth Management | Citizens Bankhttps://www.citizensbank.com/wealth-management/whycitizens.aspx
Citizens Bank Wealth Management is comprised of both banking and brokerage affiliated companies. Banking products are offered through Citizens Bank. Citizens Bank is a brand name of Citizens Bank, N.A.. Deposit accounts held at Citizens Bank, N.A. are separately insured, Member FDIC.
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Wealth Management The investing resources of Merrill Lynch and the banking convenience of Bank of America, N.A. When you work with Merrill Lynch, you get access to global research as well as the banking convenience of Bank of America, N.A. — all designed to help you reach your unique goals.
Wealth Management | BMO Harris Bankhttps://wealth.bmoharris.com
BMO Wealth Management is a brand name that refers to BMO Harris Bank, N.A., BMO Family Office, LLC, BMO Harris Financial Advisers, Inc., BMO Delaware Trust Company, BMO Private Bank, and certain affiliates that provide certain investment, investment advisory, trust, banking, securities, insurance and brokerage products and services.


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Site Acquisition Committee
Subcommittee to the Board of Trustees
North Lounge
|Tuesday, May 9, 2006 -- Minutes
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Trustee Elvira Robinson.
Trustees: Deb Smith, Laura Perry
Others in attendance: Steve Kinsella, Jesse Sandow, Student Trustee, Tony Ruiz, Joe Morris, Ruth Erickson, Betsy Avelar
Comments from the Public:
This is a time for the public to address the Committee
Betsy Avelar, ASB President, Gavilan College, read a statement on behalf of the Associated Student Body in support of a full campus in Hollister.
Tony Ruiz, community member, corrected the name of the committee (Smart Growth) to New Urbanism and noted that he is a supporter of community colleges; however, he disagrees with the need for a full campus. Concerns: planning costly to tax payers, need to update primitive guidelines, construction procedures and criteria and laws that govern community colleges, need campus that students can walk and/or ride bikes to, want to facilitate access.
The general plan calls for infill on east side of main street, underutilized space.
Ruth Erickson, community member, reminded the Board about publicizing meeting information, stated concerns about the proximity of a campus to the airport and publicity lacking.
|Update on Status of Site Acquisition
Steve reported that as a result of committee meetings a number of properties have been identified. There are a total of 15 properties identified and are in the process of being reviewed.
|Discussion on Proposal for Joint Meeting with Local Planning Commissions and Government Officials
Steve reported that Joe Morris requested a joint meeting on May 23 with the Board of Supervisors, City Council, and city and county planning staff. The meeting would be hosted by the Board and will follow the Brown Act meeting requirements. Trustee Perry requested that Tim Foley be invited. Trustee Smith requested a third topic to the discussion, ways to work together to utilize library development, partnerships and joint use. Trustee Smith requested that the College get the information to the Hollister Free Lance newspaper with multiple listings.
Joe Morris, community member San Juan Bautista, stated that he was happy to see things moving forward and glad to see ASB students present. Joe stated that he and group members did not see demographics for a full campus, but were not going to get in the way of something that makes sense from the students point of view or Gavilan College. The main interest is access to students and the campus support the life of the community. Joe was glad to see more property possibilities.
Gordon Machado, Urban Committee, stated that he understand the students position. The Committees concern is having a full academic college. As a member of the Hollister Airport Commission, there is a concern about funding and expansion of the airport.
Enrique Luna, community member and Gavilan College staff member, stated a concern about the timeframe for services to be provided in Hollister and would like to see expanded services (library, tutoring, and counseling), which was part of the bond measure.
Tony Ruiz, agreed with Enrique, suggested that the College look into a partnership with the owner of the vacant property adjacent to the Briggs building.
Betsy Avelar, thanked Joe Morris for comments and emphasized accessibility to students by way of full service (health services, athletic programs, etc.).
Ruth Erickson emphasized the need to publicize the Aviation program and requested that the ad in Baler newspaper include the Aviation program.
|Meeting adjourned at 5:32 p.m.
Please help keep Gavilan College a litter-free campus and preserve its park-like
setting. Thank you.


text: Just when I was thinking that it wasn't so bad spending $100 on an AirPrint compatible printer, that I didn't otherwise need, just to get simple, trouble free printing, it stopped working!!!! I have printed one document this morning, then nothing. The printer diagnostics are good and the printer is available for selection on the iPad. When I try to print something, nothing happens, not even an error message. Has anyone else had this problem?


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The real intellectual debate paradigm, in and outside the beltway, should not be over the merits of an untrammeled Wall Street or the unilateral, aggressive, military policies that have characterized the thinking of the GOP the last eight years. They have clearly lost that debate, even if the msm still tries to manufacture one, as the country staggers down the path of deep recession, leftover from the legacies of the Bush years.
But Obama was supposed to be a 'transformational' president not a back, Bush-sliding one. One third of the Obama economic stimulus plan were more of the same Bush perennial tax cuts, that won over exactly three Republican senators and zero GOP Congressman. It is hard to be bipartisan when the other party is insane and ridicules any public infusion of money. And this, after Bush doubled the national debt in his two terms, intervened disastrously and expensively in the Middle East, and then recklessly gave the banks a huge 800 billion dollar bailout with Iraqi-like Provisional Authority, no accountability.
Rather than wipe the slate clean, Obama is doing a Clinton-like triangulation with his own recent national security decisions, just as he did with his economic stimulus plan and the continuation of Tarp 2. What kind of transformative change is this? The only thing that Obama is wiping off is the Bush smirk.
In his first 48 hours in office, Obama started eloquently enough; banning torture and signing an order to close Guantanamo Bay.
During a signing ceremony at the White House, Obama reaffirmed his inauguration pledge that the United States does not have "to continue with a false choice between our safety and our ideals."
The president said he was issuing the order to close the facility in order to "restore the standards of due process and the core constitutional values that have made this country great even in the midst of war, even in dealing with terrorism."
What has happened since? He has pledged to continue 'the state secrets privilege', denying in many cases innocent men due processs who were kidnapped and tortured in extraordinary rendition cases by 'CIA torture travel agents. Read Glenn Greenwald's 'Obama fails his first test on civil liberties and accountability -- resoundingly and disgracefully".
Now in his second big case,
The Obama administration, siding with the Bush White House, contended Friday that detainees in Afghanistan have no constitutional rights.
In a two-sentence court filing, the Justice Department said it agreed that detainees at Bagram Airfield cannot use U.S. courts to challenge their detention. The filing shocked human rights attorneys.
"They've now embraced the Bush policy that you can create prisons outside the law," said Jonathan Hafetz, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union who has represented several detainees.
Why this apparent U turn; this was precisely the Executive secrecy that Obama campaigned.. against?
My feeling is that Obama knows why JFK was murdered? Kennedy turned his back on the anti-Castro CIA Cuban exiles after the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion in January 1961, coupled with Bobby Kennedy's aggressive pursuit of the Mafia (which was then quite powerful) as the then Attorney- General.
Obama will be very careful of alienating both the CIA and Pentagon and their heavy influence in the US political establishment, which is why Robert Gates, ex-Republican Director of the CIA, who was a pivotal figure in Iran Contragate, is still Defense Secretary. And besides, progressive bloggers are not physical threats to him.
As Gore Vidal concluded, "There is only one political party in the US, the property (money) one and two wings- the reactionary wing (the Republicans) and the conservative wing (the Democrats)".
Note: Wizbang Blue is now closed and our authors have moved on. Paul Hooson can now be found at Wizbang Pop!. Please come see him there!


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Friday, January 16, 2015
What am I thinking??
9 comments:
Flamingoes, elephants, frogs, oh my!!! It is going to be a fun year.ReplyDelete
cute! Have fun with the paper piecing.ReplyDelete
I had already down loaded that. I love her patterns but then my name is Patti and I am a paper piece addict.ReplyDelete
Warning . . once you master paper piecing it's is addicting. Wish I was close by to help you. I'm sure there are some youtube videos or craftsy.
Go for it Terry, it is a cute quilt. You will love paper piecing once you get the hang of it.ReplyDelete
Kristy's patterns are fabulous - you'll love them!ReplyDelete
haha, definitely mad :) But I'm sure you'll have funReplyDelete
You will have fun with these, I love paper piecing, pretty much all I do hahahaha. While your doing the animals Im doing a bom with an ocean theme, paper pieced of course ;) Look forward to seeing your Flamingo :)ReplyDelete
Sounds found and love it!!ReplyDelete
Cute...you'll have fun with it and learn something new too! :)ReplyDelete
Thanks so much for visiting my blog and taking the time to leave a comment for me! If you don't have a blog or are a 'no-reply' blogger please leave your email address with your comment so I can reply to you. Enjoy your day! :0)


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Fashion versus RealityIt doesn't matter that a colour is extremely fashionable, if it does not look good on you, you shouldn't wear it.
I think last year's Tangerine Tango rave and this year's Nectarine hullabaloo are very good examples of how you may be tempted to buy and wear a colour that is not flattering for you. In the case of Tangerine Tango, a lovely reddish orange, a deep saturated shade, the only people who look good in it are Autumns and Warm Springs. In the case of Nectarine, a sort of salmon, it's Warm and Soft Autumns, Light Summers, and Warm and Light Springs who look good in it (check the palettes to make sure of your shade). Well, the rest of us, be it mere mortals or models on runway shows (theoretically dressed and madeup by artists, as the photos below prove), should abstain from wearing it anywhere around the face.
There is no power on earth that will make you look good in a colour if it's not in your palette. And bronzer WON'T help, it'll rather make things much worse.
Tangerine NightmareElie Tahari RTW SS2012 Runway show. A classic on how not to do things.
|All of these models (from left to right: Lily Zhi, Svieta Nemkova, Karolina Waz, and Simone Carvalho) look hideous in orange. Through no fault of their own, I must say. The idea of using orange bronzer to hide that fact is completely unsuccessful, not only because it's an ugly product (not all bronzers are evil, but this one is), but because the makeup artists have stopped applying it below the neckline... You can clearly see the line where it stops! (Photos from www.style.com, from left to right: 29, 27, 28, 33).
The maxim
Own you style... and the colours that suit you.MORE?


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Superb Video of Earth, From Orbit
Michael Moyer, at Scientific American, calls this "the best video of Earth from space ever made," and it's hard to disagree. It was fashioned from photographs taken by the crew of the International Space Station from August to October. Michael König "refurbished, smoothed, retimed, denoised, deflickered, cut, etc." — and added a soundtrack.
Highlights include several instances of the Aurora Borealis, as well as the lesser known Aurora Australis. Not to mention, as Moyer puts it, "lightning storms like firecrackers":


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Are you an American living in Canada and filing US tax returns? Legally, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can collect taxes on US citizens no matter where they permanently reside. Even dual citizens or those who have lived in Canada for many years are subject to some IRS rules, some CRA rules, and the Canada-US Tax Treaty. Recently, the IRS has been cracking down and collecting taxes from its citizens who live in foreign countries. Are you trying to comply with US tax laws but don't where to find the answers to your tax questions? Authors Dale Walters, Sally Taylor and David Levine understand the fear and confusion that Americans may experience when confronted by the IRS and the CRA. In his book, Taxation of Americans in Canada, the authors seek to answer your questions and calm your fears so that you can be proactive about your US situation.
This book discusses topics such as:
• The basics of taxation for cross-border workers and other Americans living North of the 49th parallel
• Foreign tax credits
• Issues relating to real estate ownership
'Taxation of Americans in Canada' arms you with the information you need to make responsible decisions as an American living and working part time in Canada.
Additional Info
Additional Info
|Are YOU at risk?
|Publication Date
|Apr 30, 2016
|PDF Preview Download URL
|Operating System
|This eBook is in the EPUB 2.1 format and will work with any reading device (including iPad, Kobo, Nook, and Sony ereaders) or desktop software which supports this format or earlier versions. This includes Apple, Sony, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble ereaders. Learn more about buying and installing ebooks.
|File Size
|Library Sales?
|Not for sale to libraries.
Author Details
Author Details - Dale Walters, CPA, PFS, CFP with Sally Taylor, CPA, PFS, CFP® (US), MSFP, and David Levine, CA, CPA.
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Taxation of Canadians in America (EPUB)CA$12.99
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text:
The Hanover Country Club is a College-owned facility under the direction and supervision of the Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation.
Playing privileges are available to students, faculty, staff, and the public. Annual memberships are available and applications may be obtained through the Pro Shop at the club. Either e-mail email@example.com or call (603)646-2000. Club events are open to all members. Students who purchase a term pass are not considered members and are not eligible to play in Club events unless space is available.
Annual membership at HCC provides:
You must have Adobe Reader to open the applications. Adobe is a free download for any computer.
Last Updated: 10/16/14


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Originally credited to Paul Reinman, but none of his very special wedge shaped heads with eyes far apart and out of line are present. Compare with his signed story in #19. The faces here, with more prominent cheekbones point to Lucey. Art looks like his credited story Madam Satan in #16, and signed story in Crime Does Not Pay #22.
He is credited to this feature by Jerry Bails' Who's Who.
Art similar to Smalle's other signed aviation features, "Wings Johnson of the Air Patrol" in Top-Notch Comics, and "War Eagles" in Zip Comics.


text: The term Vishnu is dissolved as Veveshti Vyaapnoti iti Vishnuh-That which pervades every- where is Vishnu. One who sees the Chaturbhj Mahavishnu Shaligram gets eternal peace. The worshipper gets rid of fear of ghosts, snakes and evil spirits. It is considered most powerful Shaligram and works like a shield and drives evil away. Wherever the Lord Vishnu is present Lakshmi automatically comes to stay there. The beholder remains always free from any legal cases. Mahavishnu Shaligram is one of the very powerful Shaligrama and it should be worshipped with utmost devotion. This Shila is very exotic, powerful, extremely attractive, brilliant, auspicious, emits very high radiance and has an extra ordinarily high energy levels.This Shila brings immense endurance, perseverance and the individual create wealth at a very high pace through innovation, professionalism, creativity and immense good luck. This Shila also increases charisma and attraction tremendously. The Shila is extremely smooth, perfectly shaped, lustrous, small sized, cold to touch, has flawless impressions.