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Newsletter #1 January 2011
New Year's Resolution: ForgivenessThe holiday season is filled with numerous celebrations with family and friends. These days are followed by a list of reforms we make for ourselves affectionately called "new Year's Resolutions" to lose weight, live a more healthy life or to save more money.
This year, let us add a much more meaningful resolution tour list – a willingness to forgive. Grudges, resentments, self-defeating habits and negative feelings are barriers to a healthy, productive life. Positive thoughts like joy, happiness, achievement, worthiness and fulfillment have positive results like enthusiasm, well-being, energy and love.
On the other hand, when we have the negative thoughts of judgment, unworthiness, mistrust, resentment or fear, we produce negative results like tension, anxiety, alienation, anger and fatigue. Our thoughts and our feelings result in our behaviors. When we change our thoughts, we change our behaviors. It is good to remember that the word anger is just one letter short of danger.
The majority of patients who are in a hospital today are there due to personal life choices. People with a positive outlook on life live healthier lives. You can make yourself sick or well by the habitual thoughts you think. Negative thoughts of hatred, bitterness, criticism and revenge drain the body and mind of the energy needed to succeed.
They are like a parasite sucking our own blood and livelihood.
For example, a good way to send your blood pressure and heart rate soaring is to talk about a person who betrayed you. Research is confirming what many have suspected for a long time. One way to improve our health is by our willingness to forgive.
Many people find it hard to forgive others because they were taught erroneous messages about forgiveness. Forgiveness is not forgetting, is not condoning or excusing someone. Forgiveness is not the same as smothering conflict or tolerance. We can still hold someone responsible for their actions and we can still fell angry.
Forgiveness is personal empowerment and spiritual healing. At some point in our life, we reach the decision that life could be better. We realize that what we have done in the past is not making us any happier, healthier, or more successful. We decide to make a conscious choice to heal ourselves by examining the hurts in our lives and learning how to let go.
I enjoy facilitating retreats on "The Joy of Forgiveness" which are mini journeys to healing wholeness. I have dealt with just about every issue possible over the years. People who have been hurt as a result of divorce, incest, abuse, addictions, or discrimination can learn how to "let go" and forgive as a gift of personal empowerment to themselves.
During these retreats, the participants proceed through six stages of forgiveness with a variety of activities. Keeping a journal of their thoughts and feelings each step of the way adds to the success. Each person discovers how everything that happens is a new beginning. If you really want something to happen, it is not too late to set new goals.
For many people the hardest person to forgive is one's self. Our society is really good at putting guilt trips on us. We fill our thoughts with "if only" or "I should have" statements. Learning how to accept and forgive one's self is a key to happiness and contentment.
Not forgiving is like a cancer that eats away at your own body. The whole idea of forgiveness is putting yourself back in the driver's seat and not allowing someone who hurt you to live rent free in your head. In other words, if you do not forgive, you hurt yourself more than the person who hurt you. You forgive as a gift to yourself.
This year, make a New Year's resolution to make peace with your past, so you can go on with your life. Remember" Forgiveness is good medicine.
Newsletter # 2 February 2011
Learning to Forgive Oneself
Most of us have grown up hearing the Scripture "Love your neighbor as yourself." While the majority of people have been taught to put the emphasis on how we should treat others, the last two words seem to be often omitted from the whole concept. One big question is what happens if we treat others the same way we treat ourselves but do not like ourselves.
Lots of problems could develop if we don't treat ourselves very nicely. If we are full of bitterness, jealousy, resentment or lack confidence, this attitude is what others see and feel when they are around us. We need to love ourselves as God loves us.
The same concept is true when we look at the subject of forgiveness and see it as a two-way street. For too many people, the hardest person to forgive is one's self. Our society is really super good at putting guilt trips on us. For children, shame is one of the most destructive emotions according to psychologists. Children who live in positive, caring environments have a better chance of feeling good about themselves as they mature. Adults who heard a lot of criticism in the absence of unconditional love have a more difficult time with acceptance and forgiveness. They have a harder time accepting an apology from others and believing that God can truly love them for who they are.
Scriptures speak of God's willingness to forgive us. Therefore, it is paramount for us to learn to accept His forgiveness and to forgive ourselves. Since we are human, we are bound to make a number of mistakes. One thing each person can do is to process his/her thoughts and actions in order to learn something from the experiences. There are a number of actions one can chose to take that can help develop the inner peace and freedom from past hurts. Learning to forgive yourself is a first step.
In next month's article, I will share a number of ideas on how one can learn to forgive his or her self.
Newsletter #3 March 2011
Ways to Forgive Yourself
Since we are human beings, we are bound to make a number of mistakes over the years. Yes, some of them are more serious than others. All of us have learned that nothing can change the past. The time wasted drinking, doing drugs, gambling, engaging in risky behavior , over spending the credit limit, or caught up in a lousy marriage can not be gained back. The one thing each person can do is to process his/her thoughts and actions in order to learn something from the experience. Then you can promise yourself a better tomorrow.
There are a number of actions you can choose to take that can help you develop the inner peace and freedom from past hurts that you are longing for and learning to forgive yourself is a first step.
You need to continually remind yourself that you did the best you could with what you had at the time. Maybe you didn't have the finances needed or the perfect job. Maybe you couldn't spend as much time and energy on a project as you would have liked. Maybe you had a personality conflict with someone at work or in school. Perhaps you missed a golden opportunity because you were too shy or fearful to go for it at that time.
Recognize that it is time to get off of your "pity pot" and put aside your self righteous resentment. The expression "pity pot" comes from the 12 step program of Alcoholics Anonymous. The expression refers to someone who sees himself as a helpless person who has no power at all. Everyone experiences misfortunes of some type. Accept the fact and get on with life. Stand on your own two feet and begin to take responsibility for your actions.
Be willing to take more risks. The fact that you have been hurt before doesn't mean that everyone is out to get you. There are more good people in the world than lousy. Allow yourself to open up and love others.
Take care of yourself: physically exercise at least 4 times a week, eat nutritional meals, get plenty of sleep, and practice some R & R weekly; mentally -use it or lose it -- read, play games that require thinking; emotionally practice some sort of meditation, yoga , or tai chi to listen to your inner self.
Think positive thoughts and fill your mind with healthy living habits. No one would choose to live in a latrine or garbage bin yet millions choose to fill their minds with junk watching trash on TV or in movies. Only when you choose to eliminate negative, destructive thoughts from your mind will you be able to truly practice self love. When we dwell on the negative, we send out bad vibes to those around us.
Accept the support others offer you. Allow them to encourage and help you. If you don't have someone close you can trust, find one of the many support groups who can relate to your situation. Someday, when you feel strong again, you will be able to reach out and support someone else in return.
Recognize and celebrate your strengths. Learn to accept compliments. Take pride in yourself and know that you are of value. God made you! Use your strengths to help wipe out any feelings of jealousy you may be harboring. The first classmate I ever envied was the first one to die - a suicide. As time passes on and I continued to make comparisons I realized that life in the long run hasn't always been as bad as imagined.
Read biographies - learn how others have coped with various life situations.
Count your blessings!
Last but not least, develop a firm foundation with a strong faith. There are numerous different religions. Find one that will allow you to connect to a Higher Power. Accept God's grace.
An unwillingness to forgive keeps us living in the past and cheats us out of a more beautiful tomorrow. It is time for you to stop putting a guilt trip on yourself and start accepting the fact that you are human so that you can begin to enjoy life. Start to practice healthy choices.
Newsletter #4 April 2011
The Days are Long but the Years are Short
There are days when we can feel like pulling our hair or screaming because nothing seems to be going right. The kids are driving us nuts and we think it will be a miracle if we make it through the day. Then, before we realize it, we stand back and observe as one of them starts Kindergarten, then high school, celebrates another birthday or some other momentous occasion and we think, "Where did the years go? My baby is growing up."
Any attempt to avenge a wrong, whether real or perceived, is one of the leading causes of violence in today's society. At home or in a school setting, when the act of forgiveness is taught and practiced , a welcoming environment ensures the safety of our children. Until all of our children are safe, none of them are truly safe. We can teach children to realize that the power to forgive is within themselves. One of the best gifts they can give themselves is to learn to forgive those that have hurt them.
A retreat participant shared these thoughts on forgiveness: "It reflects to me what forgiveness is. From the rush of feelings that a person experiences when he/she has been hurt, to the relief and happiness that same person experiences when he/she realizes that he/she has the power to forgive the person who hurt him/her."
Newsletter #5 May 2011
Oxygen Masks (Filling your own bucket)
Sacrifice is a significant word in our vocabularies. One of the biggest challenges for many people is how to take time for personal leisure and relaxation without feelings of guilt. We live in a workaholic world with multiple stresses. Too frequently, even our children are not even allowed to be carefree kids anymore but are continually being taxied from one activity to another. We are expected to please others without any regard to our own health and happiness. In order to meet the demands of family, work, and community expectations, we keep dipping into our personal buckets to dish out love and support and encouragement to all of those around us. The problem is that our bucket only holds so much. Therefore, every time we dip into our own bucket to dish out something to meet someone else's need, our bucket becomes one cup less. If we continually dip out of our bucket without taking the time to refill it, the bucket soon runs dry and empty. Then there is nothing left to give. In order for us to keep filling the buckets of others, we must be able to replenish our own bucket.
Anyone who has ever flown knows the mandatory speech by heart. The stewardess is required to tell us about the emergency procedures like locating the exits and what will happen if the plane loses its air pressure. The most crucial line is what to do if we are traveling with children or someone who is elderly or handicapped. You are to put on your own oxygen mask before trying to help someone else apply theirs. Anyone who does not follow these direct instructions runs the risk of passing out before he/she has been able to help anyone else. It is crucial that you tend to your own needs or else you will be useless to anyone else.
Taking time to refill your own bucket is the same concept! You must take care of yourself before you can effectively take care of anyone else. The healthier we are, the better equipped we are to love and support those around us. Taking care of yourself is good advice for everyone!
Newsletter #6 June 2011
Can you remember how you first experienced a loss of trust? The realization that not everyone or everything is always open and above board? As a parent, I can vividly remember the first time our son gave us "the look." Like other kids, Gregg loved video games. The first video game was a guy known as Pac Man. Gregg was just a pre-schooler at the time. It seems like overnight, there machines popped up everywhere. Whenever we walked into a place that had a Pac Man machine, Gregg's eyes would light up and he'd rush up to the machine and start playing with the levers. All sorts of lights would be flashing and there would be weird and fascinating sounds. As he twisted and turned the knobs, Gregg thought he was making all of those actions happen.
Neither Rick or I came from a family flush with money. Like many other parents with young children, we didn't have extra money to be spent on playing video games. So, out of economic necessity, we just let Gregg fool around having fun with the dials. One day that all changed. As he stood there, manipulating the controls, a teenager walked up to the machine. Guess what! This teenager did the most amazing thing imaginable. He stuck his hand into his jeans pocket, pulled out a quarter, and he inserted it into the Pac Man machine. All of a sudden, the machine started doing actions that Gregg had never before seen. His eyes grew as big as saucers. Then, as he stood there watching, Rick and I could actually observe his little mind to into high drive. We could see the wheels turning as the brain cells started to process what was happening. Then the light bulb lit up like a Christmas tree. He looked over at his dad, back at the machine, over to me, and back to the machine. Everything fell into place as he put it all together. He knew that we knew Pac Man could do all this stuff but hadn't told him. Years ago in the movies, the late James Cagney was noted for the infamous line, "You dirty rat!" And that is exactly the look that we were getting. Although Rick and I had been saving a lot of quarters, life was never quite the same after that day.
All of us have experienced the feelings of trust and distrust. Sometimes peple deliberately do something to hurt us. There are other times when it can happen quite innocently. Are you harboring ill feelings toward someone right now? Is there someone you don't think you can trust any more? Try to stop and process their motives. Where were they coming from and why did they do what hurt you? Was it deliberate, or could it have been unintentional? What about the times you have said or done something that caused others to lose their trust in you? Maybe it's time to consider giving them a second chance. Ultimately, try striving to reach the goal of reconciliation.
Newsletter # 7 July 2011
Somebody Hurt You
Somebody hurt you and you cannot forget it. You did not deserve the hurt and it went deep enough to lodge itself in your memory. Most of us find that the pains of our past keep rolling through our memories and continue to resurface from time to time.
Forgiving is love's toughest work and love's biggest risk. Our sense of fairness tells us people should pay for the wrong they do, but forgiving is love's power to break nature's rule. Hurts are often very personal and can go deep. When you feel this kind of pain, you have a wound that can be healed only by forgiving the one/s who wounded you. Hate eventually needs healing. Hate is a malignancy that hurts the hater more than it hurts the hated. Hate is like a parasite sucking our own blood, not theirs. Hate is a sign that we are sick and need to be heatled so we can be well. The longer we hate, the harder it is to heal us. Thee acan be no inner peace as long as we are filled with hate. Forgiving is the ony way to be fair to ourselves. forgiving stops the reeuns of pain and heals the memory.
In my next article, I will address how and why people hurt us.
Newsletter # 8 August 2011
Why do People Hurt Us
Many of us can get our feelings hurt fairly easily. When that happens, human nature can take over to protect us from further harm. Too often our defenses can stop us from asking hre important question, "Why did the person choose such an action?" There are many reasons why people may end up hurting us. In this newsletter and in next month's, I will mention a few them.
Sometimes it can merely be by accident or totally unintentional. When my mother died, I received a number of beautiful sympathy cards. Unfortunatly, one of them was signed with only a first name and had no return address on the envelope. Since I knew more than one person with this common first name I could not respond with a thank you. To do so would have been running the risk of an uncomfortable or embarrassing situation. Have you ever experienced a situation similar to this? Stop and think! Is there a time when you could not properly respond to someone or might have hurt someone unintentionally due to the lack of information?
Sometimes people hurt us because they think we deserve it. Maybe they think you aren't doing your share of the job or project or that you are taking too much credit for the amount you have done. If you are getting your feelings hurt while on the job or find yourself in an uncomfortable situation while working on a project, stop and take a look at your performance and your input. How might others be responding to what you are or are not doing.
Too often, people hurt us with what they consider their good intentions. Sometimes we may say something to someone with the idea of "helping" them when in the long run the words are taken in a different way and the message back fires. Many find it difficult to choose the correct words when someone is experiencing a rough time. For example, when a woman has a miscarriage, she is experiencing a real death. But sometimes instead of offering sympathy, someone might respond with something like "You are young and can still have another baby" or "It was for the baby's good" or "It was in God's plan." What she (or couple) really need to hear are words of comfort. Anytime someone loses a loved one, he/she needs compassion and support.
Sometimes a person has no choice because rules or guidelines must be followed. Over the past several years, I have served as a local or state officer of various organizations. While serving as the president, I have personally found myself in situations of being forced to take a position or a particular action because I had to follow the rules. Several people have gotten very upset with my at various times because he/she wanted me to say or do something that I was not aloud to do. Have you been in a situation where you had to follow a path you didn't like? Have you gotten angry and hurt with someone who had no choice in the action taken?
In my next article, I will continue to describe various ways people can hurt us and try to help you look at the other side of the coin.
Newsletter # 9 September 2011
How People Hurt Us
There are many reasons why others may hurt us. In this article I will continue to list some more of these reasons.
Remember that childhood game of "telephone" played at parties? Everyone would sit around in a circle, one person would whisper something in the ear of the person next to him/her and the message would go whispering around the circle. How often did the message at the end sound exactly like the one at the beginning? Rarely!! Communication is a big, really big factor in our relationships. More often, than not, it can be a matter of miscommunication or a lack of communication. Someone did not get invited to an event; another did not get included in a project. Who was suppose to contact who was not clearly defined and the line of communication fell short.
Years ago, close friends of mine managed church camps. Everyone who attended a camp or retreat at their location were impressed with their care and attention. One week-end, however, noone spoke to them or said anything to anyone. For a couple of days, my friends were confused about what was happening. It wasn't until Sunday, when the Bishop realized he had failed to let them know that the intent of this week-end's camp experience was to be a week-end of silence and meditation, that they understood. As all of the participants were leaving on Sunday afternoon, everyone was very generous with their compliments about the food, the accommodations, etc. A few words from the embarrassed Bishop would have saved the day!
As a result of our being verbal people, too often we don't take the time to read, study, and listen to the whole story before putting in our two cents worth. When someone only hears and interprets part of the information, lots of damage can occur. Our national Media too often presents only part of a story or their version of the story. As a result, false stories get passed around so much that the wrong story ends up becoming reality for many. Stop and think about the time/s when you have forgotten to pass on the correct message or have accidently left someone out of the loop.
The domino effect often can result in hurting people who do not deserve it. Because we are human and nobody is perfect, mistakes do happen. When someone bungles a job, others are affected. Personal problems are a dramatic example of spill-over and easily hurt friends and family. When someone gets hooked on alcohol, drugs, gambling or any other addiction, everyone close to that individual suffers. An addict inflicts pain on everyone who loves him/her and there is litttle anyone can do until the person hits rock bottom and is ready to leave denial.
One of the most painful hurts is when people develop different goals or relationships that result in their going different directions. When someone outgrows another person or stops having the same interest, changes occur. Marriages, careers, moves to a new location will effect our contact time with others. Almost always, at least one person is left behind feeling lost and lonely while the other person is moving on to new adventures and opportunities.
Every coin has two sides and every situation always has at least two sides. When you think over the times and the ways your feelings have been hurt, try and see what the other side might look like and where the other party was thinking at the time. If you still feel you were wrongly hurt, it is time for the act of forgiveness to take place. The topic of forgiveness will continue as months go by.
Newsletter # 10 October 2011
Words Have Meaning
In one of the earlier articles I mentioned the childhood game of "Telephone" and how our messages can result in miscommunication. Another important lesson we all need to learn and practice is the fact that our non-verbals can carry a deeper meaning than our actual words. The way we speak, the sound of our voice, and our body language speak louder than the words we are speaking. For several years, I was a member of the Ames International Partner Cities Association. Rick and I have also been volunteers with IRIS (Iowa Resources for International Service). We have hosted both students and adults from several foreign countries. The meanings of words and gestures often carry totally different messages in different cultures. When we travel to another country, we listen carefully to our tour guides who will direct us things to say or not say to avoid potential embarrassing situations.
I grew up in a church that taught lots of Bible study. As one requirement of Confirmation, each one of us had to memorize the books of the Bible and their order. As an adult, I regularly attended a Monday evening Bible study for several years. Deacon John knew Hebrew, Arabic, and Greek languages. It is amazing what I not only learned but had to relearn about the content and messages of the scriptures. The definitions of numerous words have totally different meanings when you learn what they really were in the original language. One of the main reasons why so many people today have such varied and different points of view in religion is because too many people are thinking and applying our modern day interruption of words instead of getting the correct meaning for the time and language in which they written.
Our words can be positive and uplifting or they can be negative, hurtful, even insulting. If all of us would take time to speak in positive messages, we would all be a little bit happier. What message is your voice sending?
Newsletter # 11 November 2011
Life is Not Always Fair
While sitting on top of the world, a new principal - young, inexperienced and insecure - was hired. I had struggled long and hard to put myself through college and worked to get a good teaching job. I became a topnotch popular teacher and was an active member of the community. I brought innovative new ideas to the system, started a great summer school program, and promoted arts and recreation for the young. But the new principal ended all of my success because I was an active member of the NEA (National Teacher's Association). Filled with bitterness, I left the district, finished my master's degree and discovered a new promising cateeer. As a result, I discovered a whole new exciting adventure. The Chinese symbol for crisis has two partswhich stand for danger and opportunity. Today I am fulfilling my passion by helping others learn how to forgive their past hurts in order to live a better tomorrow. Each time life slams the door in our face, God opens a window for a new adventure. Remember: Everything that happens is a new beginning.
Newsletter #12 December 2011
If only
There are numerous reasons why the word life has the big/little word "if" in the middle. As we go through our lives our experiences give us opportunities to make many choices. As we age we are pleased with a lot of these choices we have made. On the other hand, few people can look back on the years without having some second thoughts. After all, we know that hind sight is better than fore-sight. Right? God gave each one of the right to have free will. Unfortunately, we sometimes have regrets over some of the choices we have made. Then we catch ourselves living in the "If only" stage of life. If only I had been richer, prettier, smarter, had a better job, a different car! If only I had exercised more, eaten more nutritionally, quit smoking! The list goes on and on.
The first cousin to "if only" is "I should have." I should have spoken up and said more or I should have kept my mouth shut. I should have listened better. I should have seen it coming. I should have worked harder. Another list goes on and on. Stop and think about the decisions you have made or chosen not to make over the years. Take out two pieces of paper and at the top of one write the words "If only" and at the top of the other piece write "I should have." Then take a few minutes to write down a list of the statements you have made over the years in each column.
Life presents us with many choices and opportunities. Some of them we will like and others will leave us feeling sorry for ourselves. But as mentioned in an earlier article about forgiving ourselves, we need to learn to acknowledge that we are human and everyone makes mistakes. I started this year writing an article about New Year's Resolutions. A good way for us to end the year is to decide to replace the negative language of "if only" and/or "I should have" with a positive statement. The next time you catch yourself starting to say one of these negatives, choose to start your thoughts with "Even if ______." For example, instead of saying "If only my best friend hadn't moved away" you can say something like "Even if my friend moved away we can still visit each other, write or e-mail each other to stay in touch." People who don't enjoy their jobs can ustain themselves with thoughts like "Even if this isn't the best job, I can do my best and work to develop a good reputation that will help me get a better job."
Identify your biggest negative thought and think over how you can replace it with a positive statement. A good way to end this year is to put aside negative thoughts so that you can begin the new year with positive thoughts and feelings that will result in positive behaviors. Replace the "if" in your life with a great resolution for a better year ahead.
Newsletter #13 January 2012
Another New Year
As we begin another year I wonder how all of you did with last year's resolutions. Did you accomplish what you planned? Do you feel better off now than you did a year ago? When I began writing a monthly newsletter for my web page, I hoped the articles would reach out to many others and would help them look at the whole topic of forgiveness in a new and different light. I asked everyone to access where they are now and where they would rather be on the journey to wholeness. This month I want to encourage each one of you to do two things. First of all, go back over the twelve newsletters I have written and take the time to think over what "rang a bell" as you read them. Then think about what changes you tried as a result of pondering the concepts.
The second thing I want to ask you to do is do a friend or a relative a favor and tell them about my web page. Lots of other people are dealing with an issue or hurt they are feeling. Hopefully the articles will also help them to accomplish the goals they have set for themselves for this new year.
Newsletter # 14 February 2012
Is a Hurt Resurfacing this Holiday?
Recently we finished a season of several holidays - Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve. Were these happy occasions for you or did some old uncomfortable feelings resurface? Now we are about to celebrate Valentine's Day, a time when we are to think of those whom we love. Unfortunately, the holidays are a time when many people have to face other people or situations that remind them of a hurt they may still be feeling. Just because these feelings are ignored most of the year doesn't mean there is healing. One of my favorite quotations is from John Powell who wrote "When you bury feelings, you bury them alive." Maybe one of these suggestions may offer you some help for those times when you find yourself in situations where there are unresloved hurts.
Try to look at the situation from the other person's point of view. We are human and all of us make mistakes.
Communicate with the other person and let him/her know you were hurt.
Consider the possibility that the person who said or did something hurtful might need help. Depression, alcoholism, and other problems can strike any family.
If you are the person who did the hurting, think about how you can go about asking the other person to forgive you. And remember that sometimes the hardest person to forgive is yourself.
Newsletter # 15 March 2012
Leap Year Celebrations
Growing up I had a neighbor who liked to joke about how she was older than her grandmother. Some people celebrate the fact that they were born on this special day while others find it a real hassle. Updating their personal files in this age of computer data recording has caused some of them problems. How we approach any particular day is a matter of our attitude. Our attitudes and our feelings result in our behaviors. We have the power to choose how we want the day to go.
That is also true regarding how we approach the whole topic of forgiveness. Forgiveness is personal empowerment. If we want to be in control of our own lives and our own destinies we must learn how to let go and forgive. Not forgiving is like a cancer to our own body. For millions of people, this month is a time of Lent. Lent can be viewed like a journey that is 40 days long. Journeys can experience different ups and downs, smooth highways and detours, varying weather conditions, and various destinations. But we can prepare for whatever happens along the way. What do you think your life would be like if you chose to go on a journey to wholeness? Many people think of Lent as a time to give up something as a sacrifice. Instead of "giving up" chocolate or some other thing you enjoy, this year try letting go of some bitter and resentful feelings and giving up a grudge you have been holding for a long time. This Lenten season, celebrate the gift of giving and receiving forgiveness. If we are really lucky maybe while we are forgiving someone else, somebody will be willing to forgive us too.
Newsletter # 16 April 2012
Spring Cleaning
For many people, spring is a time for an annual house cleaning. For years, I have had the habit of cleaning every square inch of our house from top to bottom. Since we moved to this "new" and different house last September, I am not sure how this annual project will get accomplished. There is a big difference between everyday straightening up the place and those times of heavy-duty cleaning when I move the furniture around. Years ago when we had a live Christmas tree, I seemed to be able to still find pine needles in April!
Spring brings with it a sense of renewal. Spring is a time for cleaning out and throwing away or donating items we discover we no longer need or clothes that no longer fit. At the same time, we can view it as a time for getting rid of old habits that do not serve as well and putting on new ways of thinking. Many of us have just experienced another season of Lent and Easter or Passover. Lent was a time when we were able to realign our thoughts and our actions. We can choose to see things differently; to take another look at our we are living our lives.
Perhaps one of the most significant ways we can change our thoughts and actions is in the way we approach the topic of forgiveness. Our lack of insight and/or communication can result in our becoming critical, intolerant, and unforgiving. Our faith says that we are bound to forgive. Passover is a time when Jews remember how God saved them. For Christians, Good Friday was the day Jesus forgave those who hung him on the cross. As you are spending time doing some spring cleaning this year, take time to express our faith by including a little forgiveness - of others and yourself.
Newsletter #17 May 2013 Butterflies
May 2013 Newsletter
One of the ways that I celebrated Lent this year was by participating in a CEW (Christian Experience Week-end). When we arrived at the campsite, each participant was given a nametag with her name and a sticker of a caterpillar placed in a corner.
From Friday evening through Sunday afternoon, we heard from a number of Christian women who gave talks on a veriety of topics. Each talk was followed by discussion and a related activity. It was a wonderful time to get in touch with one's spiritual side and to be challenged on how well we were living our lives as we are meant to live.
On Sunday, we viewed a video showing th life cycle of the butterfly, a process knon as metamorphosis. Each egg becomes a caterpillar which spins a chrysalis. In time lapse automation, we watch as the butterfly emerged from the chrysalis after a long struggle. An interesting fact is that if someone decided it would be a humantiarian thing to help it along by cutting the chrysalis so that the butterfly could emerge more quickly, their "kind" act would actually mean sure death for it. You see it is that long, slow struggle that results in the butterfly having the strength to fly.
This is the second time that I've seen this video and each time visions of our son have appeared in my mind. What kind of school experiences did you have? Several unfair events happened in his secondary days. As a kid who started out as ranked #1 in his class, he barely made it through high school graduation as a result of these unjust events. Consequently, he chose to skip college and enter the military. While I, as a mother, wasn't too thrilled with his dicision, it turned out to be a real positive, After his Army years, he became a 4.0 Honor Society member in college and today is a very successful young man. He has a great job, is happily married, and last week, presented us with our third grandchild.
At the end of the conference, each of us was presented with a new nametag; This one with a picture of a butterfly replacing the caterpillar. While it was terrible having to watch our son go through these awful experiences, I can now realize that like the struggle the caterpillar must experience to emerge as the beautiful butterfly, it was these earlier struggles that Gregg had that helped him to become the man he is today.
As you observe the butterflies this spring, recall their life cycles. Then see if you can relate in some way how some past experience may have helped you become the person you are today.
Newsletter # 18 June 2013
Few songs have been recorded and sung by more artists than Amazing Grace. It is one of those hymns that the majority of people actually know well enough to sing during a church service. If you like to Google, you can read two very interesting verisions of the story behind its writing.
What is your first thought or image when you hear the word Grace? My mind immediately pictures a dear friend named Grace. Some people's names just seem to describe them perfectly. Everyone who knows her would agree that no other name could ever do her justice. Her beatiful smile lights up any room she enters. Her marvelous sense of humor and positive approach to life wins friends everywhere. But her "grace" and composure hide the political and racial discrimination she experienced as a young women. Born a Japanese-American, her world changed with the bombing of Pearl Harbor when Pres. Roosevelt authorized the incarceration of more than 110,000 citizens. Today, at the age of 92, she keeps a schedule that puts me to shame! In mid-May she came to Winterset to tell her story: it was her 7th program that week. She is upbeat and positive. Many are amazed that she holds no bitterness. One of the chapters in the book I wrote tells about Grace and how she is totally forgiving.
St. Paul began many of his letters with the words: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Simply put, my friend Grace is a living example of how grace is God's personal gift to us to help us. There is nothing we have to do to earn it but we must embrace it. This month, try to focus on how you can add more grace to your life by forgiving someone (or yourself) and accepting God's gift to increase your feelings of peace.
Newsletter #19 July 2013
Les Mis
As mentioned previously, Rick and I enjoy musicals. Our favorite is Les Miserables which is based on the book by Victor Hugo. We've seen several versions of both the movie and stage productions. It is probably the only major musical which I've paid to see multiple times. Although I have poor eyesight and am a slow reader, I spent weeks reading the whole book. Les Mis is the story of ex-convict Jean Valjean and his valiant struggle to redeem his past. Unjustly sent to prison for stealing a loaf of bread to help feed his starving sister and her family, he is finally released an angry man out to get even with the world. Labled an ex-convict and finding work hard to obtain, he eventually spends one night in the home of the bishop whose act of charity brings back to life his dead soul. This is the beginning of his metamorphosis into an honorable cititzen.
But he is constantly pursued by the officer Jovert who incarnates the very essence of moral conformity. He is the blind defense of established social norms. Most of the story evolves around his meeting with a woman named Fantine and becoming the guardian of her daughter, Cosette, after Fantine's death. Cosette had been living with the Thenardiers who were wicked people taking advantage of the poor Fantine. The whole book describes his constant struggles escaping these foes.
Les Mis is the magnificent story of how escaped convict Jean Valean becomes hero and saint. It is a story of redemption and sacrifice. It is the ultimate story of forgiveness and how he learned to forgive everyone. His message was there is scarely anthing else in the world but that to love one another. We must forgive everyone. God knows better than we do what we need. Because things are unpleasant, that is no reason for being unjust toward God.
This month's message is to encourage you to think about someone who has been a nemesis of yours in life and to focus on how forgiving that person might help bring love and redemption into your life.
Newsletter #21
Looking for something to give up for Lent?
Give up resentment and become more forgiving.
Give up hatred and return good for evil.
Give up complaining and be more grateful.
Give up pessimism and become more hopeful.
Give up worry and become more trusting.
Give up anger and become more patient.
Give up pettiness and become more joyful.
Give up gloom and become more joyful.
Give up doubt and turn to God.
Summer 2014
For many people, summer is a time for vacations. Since my husband likes to drive, most of our vacations have been by car since he retired. This gives us more flexibility seeing things off the beaten path and saves us the hassle of flying. In late July, however, we are going on a trip that requires airline travel. This means we will need to check in with the airline about the new regulations regarding our baggage. The cost of each suitcase and number we can take seems to vary with the airlines. It pays in more than one way to travel light!
This can also be an advantageous tip when it comes to thinking about how we deal with our daily living. Too many of us go around carrying another type of baggage . Take a piece of plain paper and draw the outline of a large suitcase. Too often we continue to carry the pain of something that happened in our past and it stays with us in the present. More often than not, this pain can be the cause of other kinds of problems. Our relationships with others are usually affected by our past experiences with people and how we feel we've been treated. The size of the hurt does not matter. What does matter is that you were hurt and felt the pain in some way. Take out the suitcase you have drawn and write inside it a list of all the past hurts you've experienced. Name the people who have caused you pain. List all of them, past and present. Think about the feelings of bitterness, abuse, deception, rejection, and hostility. Fill the suitcase with all of the pains you've been carrying around with you.
Don't forget the institutions along with the people. How we feel we've been treated by others in the various systems (the courts, banks, schools, churches, government, organizations) also will effect our relationships. Unfortunately, this baggage can weigh us down and result in giving us a negative view of life. We can end up wasting too much time, money, and energy carrying this heavy suitcase around. In my next article, I will address ways to learn how to "let go" of this excess baggage in order to live a more productive life.
By the way, maybe it might be interesting to think about who are the people in your life who would want to put you inside their suitcase.
P.S. Most of the retreats that I have been facilitating lately have been for a particular group. I am now in the process of lining up my retreats for the coming months. I have also received requests from a few who would like to attend one but haven't had one close to them. I'm planning on holding one here in Winterset close to my home. If you are interested in attending a retreat, please send me your name, address, phone and send to me (email@example.com). Please put RETREAT in the subject line.
One Little Letter
As Christmas draws closer, most of us are busy, busy sending Christmas cards and buying those special gifts. Some of the cards we receive are from some people from our past and it is our annual way to get caught up on what is happening in their lives. Rick and I have moved around several times in our lives so our list of "old" friends seems to get longer as many of them have also relocated. I grew up in a home that was decorated in every room with Christmas so it is natural for me to do the same. For several years, we have collected numerous items that say "JOY" and they can be found all over the house. There are even a few big ones outside. Our house is easily the easiest one to recognize in Winterset. If you are ever in our area, feel welcome to knock on the door and get the tour. The collection, of course, started as a result of my retreats and writing my book The Joy of Forgiveness.
The letters J O Y have a much deeper meaning: "J" is for Jesus, "O" is for others, and "Y" is for yourself. With all the hype going on about the holiday and the material side, it is important for us to remember the true meaning of Christmas. The season of Advent can help us prepare our minds to accept that God's Son came to us. The difficulties of life can make us bitter or better. What a huge difference that one little vowel can make on how we appoach life and choose to live. As we celebrate the Advent season this year, let us prepare our hearts to accept God's forgiveness, and to change our ways. We can choose to receive God's healing grace and bring JOY to our lives. MERRY CHRISTMAS! Have a JOYFUL holiday!
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Collaborative projects
The research activities of CK-CARE are expected to answer essential unanswered questions in the field of allergies and directly improve the quality of life of patients. We are particularly keen to embed our research work in a strong collaborative network on an international level. In line with the objectives of CK-CARE, our highest priority is the clinical relevance of our research results. Consequently, we are concentrating on the translation of biomedical knowledge gained by research into practical, medical benefits with the aim of developing new methods of prevention and treatment. In addition, this research program will make a major contribution towards building up the central facility of CK-CARE, the biobank and associated patient database.
Responsible CK-CARE Director: Prof. Dr. med. Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann
For furhter information please contact our head-quarter: firstname.lastname@example.com

subset: commoncrawl


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Debt Consolidation in Campbell River, BC - Objective Non-Profit Options & Advice Beyond What Most Consolidation Companies Offer
Have you tried to get a debt consolidation loan in Campbell River, BC but the bank and the consolidation companies you spoke to weren't able to help? Don't let stress and worry get you down. We can help you.
We'll Help You Find the Right Option - Solutions for Problems with Debt Consolidation Loans, Credit Cards or Bad Credit
You can have one of our experienced, professionally certified Counsellors walk you through all of your options and help you find the right solution that will work best for you regardless of whether bruised credit, bad credit, maxed out credit cards or other issues have prevented you from getting a debt consolidation loan. As a charitable, non-profit service, it is very import to us that we provide you with debt consolidation advice that is objective and completely focused around your specific financial situation, your priorities, and helping you find the options that will suit your situation the best.
We Can Help You Save Money, Manage Finances and Pay Off Debt
Our Counsellors can assist you right now by helping you put together a plan to:
- Figure out what all of your debt consolidation options are and which option will work out the best for you
- Consolidate your debts into one payment that's affordable for you
- Save thousands of dollars in monthly interest payments
- Create a spending plan and effectively manage your bills and regular living expenses
Get Started
Get started today by calling to make a free appointment to talk to one of our Credit Counsellors. We're happy to share our expertise with you, and all of our appointments are free, completely confidential and non-judgmental.
Global TV and CTV News Interview Our Clients
Occasionally, the news media will speak with one or two of our clients who are comfortable to publicly share what they've experienced. Below you can see a couple of these stories.
Global News interviews Julia Fletcher after she consolidates and eliminates her debt with help from the Credit Counselling Society. Watch News Clip
CTV News reveals how Dan Robinson consolidated and paid off $30,000 in debt with no interest with help from the Credit Counselling Society. Watch the News Story
Providing Campbell River's Best Non-Profit Consumer Debt Consolidation Programs, Credit Counseling Services, and Interest Relief
As a non-profit service, the Credit Counselling Society has been helping people consolidate their debt payments and learn how to manage their finance more effectively since 1996. Our organization has helped hundreds of thousands of Canadians, and we have grown to become Canada's largest credit and debt counselling service with local Counsellors located in offices across much of Canada. During this time we have earned the Better Business Bureau's highest rating of accountability, won a lot of awards for outstanding service and now 98% of our clients surveyed report they would recommend us to others.
Feel free to call us today to learn more or to make an appointment to speak with one of our Counsellors. Our appointments are completely free and confidential and non-judgmental. Call us today at 1-888-527-8999.
"I had just come to the point where I had given up hope – that there's no way I could ever repay my debt. A friend of mine suggested I reach out, and I thought I'd get some condescending person on the phone lecture me about money, but my counsellor was the most compassionate, caring person who became sort of my own personal cheerleader."
- Charis, Actual Client
Learn More About Different Debt Consolidation Options that are Available
If you would like to look into this some more before you talk to anyone, feel free to check out the 8 most common ways to consolidate debt in Canada.When you are ready to speak with someone about your consolidated credit and payment options in Campbell River, connect with us by phone, email, online chat, or in person at our office nearest you.
For individuals who believe they may need to file for bankruptcy, we help them look into all bankruptcy alternatives and relevant information that's available in Campbell River, BC.
Need Some Help?
If you have some questions about your situation or want to know what options might be available for someone with your specific set of circumstances, feel free to give us a call or chat with us online. We're here to help.


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Microsystems Annual Research Conference (MARC) is an annual conference celebrating the research achievements of students and staff using MTL's facilities and services in their varied electronics and material research. It brings together students, postdocs, faculty, and industrial partners of MTL at MIT.
This year, MARC is part of the MTL EXPO 2017, a week-long set of exciting events happening at MTL. Specifically, the MARC2017 experience will include research showcases with pitches, posters, demos and featured talks from MTL researchers, presentations by Microsystems Industrial Group (MIG) members and networking opportunities.
MARC2017 will take place from Jan. 31-Feb. 1 at the Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, NH. The first day of the conference is dedicated to winter and social activities such as skiing, snowshoeing, historic hotel tour, the "Escape the Lab" game, and so on, as per MARC tradition! The technical conference on day two will highlight the state-of-art research accomplishments of MTL researchers.
With the contributions of the student presenters, conference staff, the exuberance of our industry guests, and the beauty of this serene, elegant location, we aim to make this MARC the most intriguing and synergistic yet!
Please explore the website for more details on the conference agenda, speakers, and of course all of the most pertinent deadlines that you will need to know.


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By Hannah Schenker
In not too long, we in the southern hemisphere are going to be enjoying summer and everything that comes with it: long evenings, barbecues, swimming in our ocean and rivers, picnicking with visiting friends and relatives. Some will be taking off to favourite holiday spots – campgrounds and baches and the lawns of friends lucky enough to live in beautiful places. We've rounded up a few summer essentials for you and your little ones that will keep you chemical-free, confident and ready for anything.
Sun protection. If you are toting around an eager little baby, you know that you need something that works but that won't load them up with nasty sulphates, petrochemicals, parabens, artificial preservatives and fragrances. WOTNOT 30+ Baby Sunscreen is a winner all round – literally! They've won the Nature & Health awards for Best Sunscreen in 2013, so you know you're onto something here. Their GMO-free baby sunscreen uses zinc oxide to protect the skin from getting zapped by the UV-A and UV-B rays by reflecting them back to that blue, blue sky. Yes, you should shelter your little one in the shade and with protective clothing as much as possible, but this is ideal for when they just need to run around, naked as the day they were born.
What to wear? Have your kids' togs gone all saggy in the bottom from endless summer fun times? Maybe it's time for an upgrade, or maybe you're looking for your bubba's very first piece of swimwear. There is a lot of gender-divided, mass-produced, sweatshop swimwear out there which maybe you now want to avoid as you embark on a more natural lifestyle. Freedom Kids are a NZ-based clothing company, sourcing their collection from small businesses with heart. It is all ethically made, gender neutral and allows children to play freely – which is really what we want for our kiddos.
Swimming. Is your little one ready to jump in the deep end? Fantastic! Swimming is an important life skill and a fun part of growing up, particularly if you are like us in New Zealand – surrounded by the deep blue! SwimFin is a revolutionary swimming aid that's been proven to speed up learning to swim by up to 30%, and let's face it – who wouldn't want to swim around with a shark fin on their back? The smart design means they can frolic arms-free and easily stay vertical until they start kicking and paddling – then the buoyancy helps to align them to the right swimming position and they become more horizontal. You won't be able to get them out of the water.
Drying off. Dreading those wet, drippy hugs from your little rascals fresh out of the water? Have your tired old faded towels that have seen better days? Like the sound of a towel that they can wander off wearing? Check out the Bizzy Bubs Breganwood Organics Hooded Towels. Cute, bright and made from certified organic cotton terry toweling, you know you're wrapping your loved ones in the good stuff. Each one has its own animal motif on the hood, so you can always know whose is whose down at the beach.
Something to sit on. Your wee ones will enjoy rolling around on this Portable Activity Blanket while you picnic with your pals. You can take it anywhere, actually, thanks to its water resistant backing and a nice hardwearing canvas top which is padded for comfort. It's easy to carry around thanks to its nice carry bag with a big old strap – with extra room in there for your other essentials too. Throw it over your shoulder or strap it to your pushchair, the only accessory you'll need to remember is your baby! Just kidding.
Dive in.
Hannah Schenker is a freelance writer, editor and regular contributor to The Natural Parent Magazine. She lives with a touch of magic in Golden Bay, New Zealand.


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In January 2011, transport minister Norman Baker barked an order at his civil servants that no doubt would have made his cost-cutting Government proud: he instructed workers to avail more of teleconferencing and less of travel.
Ignoring the irony of Department for Transport civil servants being told to use public transport less frequently (a command that was probably well received given the state of Britain's road and rail network), the instruction conveyed a deeper sentiment to save money.
Seemingly unaware of Ouspensky's theory of six dimensions, Mr Baker said: "I want 'communication' to be seen as the fifth dimension. Communicating in smarter ways takes away the need to actually travel in the first place… I've written to all policy officials to encourage them to use teleconferencing more".
Although it may seem bizarre for a transport minister to argue against transport, Mr Baker was right in asserting that teleconferencing can, to a certain extent at least, replace travel in the public sector.
Teleconferencing saves money directly by reducing travel expenses. Nobody is suggesting the Prime Minister ought not to catch a flight to Brussels the next time Euro bigwigs gather to debate the shape of a fruit, but teleconferencing can, for instance, bridge the physical distance between public sector workers when it comes to making everyday decisions.
Conducting more meetings via teleconferencing not only reduces travel expenses, but it can also save time. Quick decision-making can save money, make David Cameron smile and impress the electorate; few people would fail to appreciate the benefits of a quick-thinking, quick-acting public sector.
Teleconferencing works by offering a low-cost solution that covers local, national and international telephone calls. The service enables a number of people located in different parts of the world to access the same conversation at the same time – a conversation that can be recorded for good measure.
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Sunday, June 29, 2014
Justina Speaks to Gov. Mike Huckabee - Video
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Eric Cantor Out as Majority Leader
A simply stunning outcome last night in Virginia. A house majority leader loses in his party's primary. Something that has never happened in the history of our country. I personally thought that Cantor didn't take the race seriously enough but would still win out in the end. I was wrong. He lost by more than ten points.
But I will say that people who don't understand the ins and outs of Virginia politics are getting some things wrong. On the national stage they are talking about how Brat won on the amnesty issue. There may be some of that in there, but it certainly wasn't the entire reason. Cantor's view on immigration is exactly like Lindsay Graham's and he won easily.
In Virginia there is no party registration. As such whenever there is a primary anyone can vote. It is very easy for people in the other party to show up at the polls and place a vote for a candidate that is most likely to lose to their candidate of choice. As such, there is great deal of back and forth about conventions vs. primaries within the local political debate. Cantor firmly falls on the primary side of the debate. An issue that I agree with him on. I personally feel that primaries are the most inclusive and that conventions put some voters into the position of not getting their voices heard. But even that isn't all of the story. There is a parliamentary rule in Virginia called slating. In slating when you get 50% of your district to agree to use this rule only a certain amount of people are allowed to vote in a convention or committee meeting. So if you don't happen to fall into the chosen few, even if you are willing to travel the convention you can't vote.
Many in Virginia have very strong feelings about slating. Most of which are highly negative. I personally believe that this is the rule and those who know the rules of the game best win. So I am not going to put people who like this practice down. They are following the rules of the game. If you don't like the rules, get yourself into position within the local committee to change them. Complaining and calling others cheaters doesn't solve anything. My main point here is that Cantor and his camp really upset many people by using these rules. At least that is the impression that many have. Heaven knows that, especially in politics, perception is reality.
David Brat had no money. He spent somewhere around $200,000 total on his campaign, whereas Cantor spent more than that on one dinner for his supporters. But what he did have was very dedicated volunteers that literally knocked on every door in that district that was marked as a republican. Again, there is no party registration in the state, but voting habits get you listed as a D or an R. Brat also did get some much needed help from two conservative radio talk show hosts. Mark Levin, who lives in Virginia, and Laura Ingraham, who lives in D.C. Both of them had him on their show and Ingraham did at least one rally with him. Both have large audiences and it seems it had at least a little bit of an effect.
There also was the issue that many in his district felt that he didn't listen to them. That he was no longer representing them, but looking towards being the Speaker of the House when Boehner decides to step down. He was next in line. I have heard many in his district say that they didn't get return calls or letters when they would contact his office. They felt he lost touch with what his job was supposed to be; representing them not worrying about consolidating his own power. He rarely spent time in his own district. Another big difference between he and Lindsay Graham. Graham is very well known for being excellent on being there to listen to his voters. His staff is actually larger in his state than in D.C..
For those in the media that are saying he (Brat) is some sort of right winged lunatic it is going to be difficult to get that to stick. Cantor labeled him as the liberal in the race. Cantor campaigned on being the true conservative. His policies are simply basic republican fare. He campaigned on giving power back to the states, the amnesty issue and the rule of law, reducing our national debt, and reigning in out of control government. There is nothing extreme about those views. That is what the GOP is supposed to be for.
Another very interesting part of this story is how Brat campaigned. He actually stood up and talked policies instead of platitudes. He never made personal attacks on Cantor. Many in the media called him a joke based on this alone.
I think that Brat has shown that people are hungry to be talked to like adults. They can understand policy issues and they aren't all that interested in the personal ugly side of politics. That of course isn't going to go away anytime soon because they do work. But a small shift is happening.
I had no dog in this fight. I see both sides of Cantor staying and Cantor going. Politics is much like a marriage; a series of compromises. But when those compromises almost always walk away from the basic tenets of what the party is supposed to stand for, it may be time for a change in leadership. Cantor went after the tea party quite publicly. While no national Tea Party "group" gave Brat the time of day, the local activists took notice and put the work in to show him that they are still there and are expecting results.
The district is pretty conservative and I personally find it a good thing that dems are going to pour money into that district. It is less they can use on other races. It isn't impossible for a dem to win in that district, but it seems this is lining up to be a republican wave year much like 2010 and it isn't likely that dems can take advantage of Cantor's demise.
Friday, June 6, 2014
Bergdahl Classification Isn't What Matters - Don't Miss the Larger Picture
All over the media there is horror and consternation in regards to the Bergdahl return. He is being called a traitor and I have seen many calls for the death penalty floating about. You are missing the bigger picture here. First and foremost, the military never classified Bergdahl as a deserter. That makes a huge difference in how the military should behave in trying to find and free him. The military had an obligation to do so. Secondly, the bigger picture seems to be getting missed here. President Obama broke the law in order to get his return. It doesn't matter what the standing of the soldier is. The law would be broken even if there were not serious questions about Bergdahl's actions.
Now from the media reports I have read the sequence of events in this "trade" is that a video was made in December of 2013. The White House was made aware of the video the following month. In this very short video (I believe it is under three minutes) it reportedly shows Bergdahl in bad health. In the statements made by the administration, as well as the president himself, the narrative that they are using is that they saw that his health was deteriorating and knew something had to be done. Does that make sense to you?
If his health was so dire why did they wait close to five months to do something about it? If his health was the reason for the "prisoner swap" wouldn't they have done it in late January or early February? This is one among many questions that must be answered.
Another one of the narratives that the White House is laying out there is the need for absolute secrecy. Everyone knows that there are leaks coming out of Capitol Hill. That can't be denied. But this is also the same institution that knew about the bin Laden raid months in advance. Nothing of that leaked. One would like to think that members of congress take national security seriously. There are many who look at Bergdahl as a traitor, some of those people are members of Capitol Hill. But that doesn't mean that they would voluntarily risk the life of that man by leaking the information. This is just a ginned up excuse that the administration is floating to direct attention away from the fact that he has clearly broken the law. A law, I might add, that he signed. It isn't like he wasn't aware that the law existed. It seems like the touted Constitutional law professor has left those ideals behind.
This administration has emboldened the Taliban to take additional Americans hostages. Not to mention many other rogue nations across the world such as North Korea, Iran, and a whole host of others. We are now known for negotiating with terrorists. We have crossed that line and there will be no going back.
Conservatives need to do themselves a favor and let the military justice system do what needs to be done and let them handle Bergdahl, we have much bigger fish to fry.
Impeachment must be discussed in this context. I have never called for that before during the Obama administration because I don't think incompetence is grounds for impeachment. But this is a situation where multiple laws were broken, our national security has been endangered, and our troops all over the world have had a target put on their backs forever more. That should not be allowed to stand. This is the fight we should be waging. Bergdahl is only a small cog in the wheel. Let the Department of Defense handle him.
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Landing Page › Forums › Managing a Business › Late Filing › Reply To: Late Filing
November 13, 2012 at 12:35 pm #5651
For GST/HST, the penalty calculation sounds a little complicated but it is essentially 4% of the GST/HST you owe. The technical calculation is 1% plus 25% of that 1% multiplied by the number of months you are late, to a maximum of 12 months. If you receive a demand to file, there is a flat rate penalty of $250.


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Oluwatobi Bolashodun
Dr Goodluck Diigbo, president, Ogoni Central Indigenous Authority (OCIA), a leading civil society group says the group is determined to partner with security agencies to clamp down on violence in the forthcoming general elections.
There was tight security in and around the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Onitsha, Anambra, open ground venue of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rally by President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday January 24.
A Federal High Court in Lagos state, on Thursday, January 24, convicted two former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials over Nigeria's former petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke's deal.
The president Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar III,urged politicians to practice the game of politics according to the law.He added that they should not politics as war.
Former Niger-Delta agitators have lambasted their colleagues for not crediting Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari for the Presidential Amnesty Programme Oil and Gas Basic Skills Vocational Training Centre recently inaugurated.
Niran Adedokun in this piece speaks on presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, who shunned the debate after he got to the venue in Abuja, saw that President Buhari was not in attendance, and left.
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Looking at theses pictures, I know I am lucky. I gotta say when you got a good thing just right by your side, you have to hold on to it like a firefly. Not too loose coz it might fly away and not too tight coz you might squeeze it to death.
photo credits: Joe Lim


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Pink Sapphire 14k Rose gold Multi Stone Ring Gold Gemstone Engagement Ring Raw 2140
Raw Pink Sapphire 14k Rose gold Ring Gold Gemstone Engagement Ring Raw gemstone Jewelry byAngeline
I hand carved this ring in wax and cast it in solid Rose gold using the lost wax casting process. This one of a kind ring is a size 7 and it can be sized down. The stones measure about 5mm. The band is about 4mm Wide
Throughout all time and history in every tribe and culture all around the world crystals, minerals and gemstones have used for healing, luck, divination, adornment vibrational medicine and so much more. Sapphire is a stone for mental clarity and helps with making decisions. It is a stone of royalty, meditation, and creativity.


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Scottish Land & Estates Spring Conference -
25th May 2016, Edinburgh
The Scottish Land & Estates annual Spring Conference will
take place on Wednesday 25th May at the Assembly Rooms in
Edinburgh. The Spring Conference offers delegates a unique
opportunity to engage with Scottish landowners, representatives of
land based business, rural professionals, politicians, policy
decision makers and academics. The Conference is designed to
stimulate debate, introduce new ideas and approaches, explore
challenges and identify potential solutions. For more details
and bookings click here.
Event Organiser: Scottish Land & Estates


text: NinoScholz 17 Posted September 3, 2013 Ive searched all over for this and found nothing useful. Has anyone successfully replaced their rj45 foot controller cable with a wireless solution? In other words, i want a wireless fbv shortboard. Is there a simple solution? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


text: Allergies...arghhhh. I am definitely going to an Acupuncturist this year. Last weeks film list- Casino Royale (interesting new direction and actor for Bond), In The Mirror Of Maya Deren (fantastic- Maya's a big influence on my Film Style), Black Flag Live (not so good audio), Double Vision Presents Cabaret Voltaire (I kept this from last week), Lord Of The Flies (Original B&W -"Piggy!!!") Marie Antoinette (excellent).


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|Programme Structure
Course fee* includes the evaluation interview, all sessions, notes and 2 double CD sets or MP3's. Please enquire about our current fee structure - see contact details at the back of our brochure or above.
* Partial medical-aid remuneration is available through some medical insurance schemes.
Practicing mindfulness has been discovery of an inner security blanket - only sometimes accessible but always there... a consequence of stopping, experiencing the prickle of adrenalin, choosing a different response. Life is richer, not easier.


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Paleo Vegan Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies (Keto)
An easy recipe for soft and chewy paleo vegan chocolate chip cookies with coconut! Made without eggs and without dairy, these toasted coconut chocolate chip cookies are a game changer!
We love our cookie recipes around here. Some of our favorites include these strawberry chocolate chip cookies, coconut flour chocolate chip cookies, and these toasted coconut chocolate chip cookies!
When I'm looking for an easy dessert option, I always turn to cookies. They are quick, easy and secretly healthy, and a great way to mix and match different ingredients. These chocolate chip coconut cookies feature toasted coconut flakes, and when paired with the chocolate chips, are a game-changer!
How to make coconut chocolate chip cookies
First, you'll preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper or, a Silpat cookie sheet.
Then, you'll organize your ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, add your dry ingredients and mix well. In a separate small bowl, add your wet ingredients and mix well until combined. You'll then combine the wet and dry ingredients together.
Using a rubber spatula, fold through half your chocolate chips and toasted coconut flakes in. The other half will be used to place on top of the cookies!
Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, form 12 balls of cookie dough. Place on the lined tray (or Silpat mat) and press each ball gently into a cookie shape. Top with extra chocolate chips and coconut flakes.
Next, you'll bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are just golden brown, and just cooked. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the tray completely.
Tips and Tricks for PERFECT Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Sift your coconut flour and almond flour first, to ensure there are no clumps.
- Do not overbake the cookies- They will continue to cook as they cool down. Overbaking them will see the coconut flour burning very easily
- The cookies will not spread much, so ensure you press down on each one to a cookie shape.
- Avoid adding too many chocolate chips or coconut flakes, or the cookies may fall apart.
The best coconut flakes to add to cookie dough
There are several types of shredded coconut on the market. The best kind is toasted unsweetened coconut flakes. They have a delicious and light coconut flavor and gives the cookies a slight crunchy texture throughout.
Avoid using shredded coconut or finely shredded coconut, as it will burn very easily.
Storing Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies
These chocolate chip cookies with coconut can keep well at room temperature, in a sealed container or covered in plastic wrap, for up to 5 days.
Coconut chocolate chip cookies can also be stored in the fridge and will keep fresh for up to 2 weeks.
Can you freeze coconut chocolate chip cookies
These cookies are freezer friendly and can be frozen to enjoy later.
Wrap the cookies in parchment paper and place in a ziplock bag or shallow container. Frozen cookies will keep fresh for up to 6 months.
To enjoy cookies from the freezer, allow thawing at room temperature.
More healthy Cookie Recipes
- Raspberry Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Flourless Chocolate Brownie Cookies
- 3 Ingredient Sugar-Free Flourless Cookies
Paleo Vegan Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies
- 1 1/2 cups blanched almond flour
- 3 tbsp coconut flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 cup coconut oil melted and cooled
- 1/4 cup keto maple syrup can substitute for agave nectar or maple syrup
- 2 tbsp unsweetened applesauce * See notes
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup keto chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup toasted coconut flakes
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or prepare a Silpat cookie sheet.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine your dry ingredients and mix well. In a separate small bowl, add your wet ingredients and mix until combined.
- Combine your wet and dry ingredients and mix until just combined. If the batter is crumbly, add extra applesauce (or a small amount of milk). Fold through your chocolate chips and toasted coconut flakes.
- Using your hands, form 12 small balls of dough and place on the cookie sheet. Press into a cookie shape and top with extra chocolate chips and coconut flakes. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until just golden brown.
- Allow cookies to cool on the tray completely.


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Payment can be made to us as follows:-
Malayan Banking Berhad (Maybank)
Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kuching under
Account Number: 011038421609
Standard Chartered Bank
Wisma Bukit Mata, Kuching under
Account Number: 420118129358
Please fax the deposit slip to us at +6082 418588 or email to us at firstname.lastname@example.com .
All remittance must be free from any commission or bank charges imposed by bank. All Bank transaction fees will be borne by the guest.


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Former high-school sweethearts Jim and Amanda have been out of touch for more than 20 years - but by sheer coincidence, they run into each other at a grocery store back in their alpine hometown of Crestline, California. Jim's mother has died and he's here to put her house on the market. Amanda is visiting her pregnant sister. They get to talking, first over coffee, then over beer and jellybeans. Before they know it they're at Jim's mother's house, where everything sends them spiralling back into the past. Jim and Amanda's lives have taken different directions, yet here they are, reconnecting like nothing has changed.
Director: Alex Lehmann
Writer: Alex Lehmann
Producer: Mel Eslyn and Xan Aranda
Cast: Mark Duplass and Sarah Paulson
Sorry there are no upcoming showtimes for Blue Jay


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Taxation in Japan
The Japanese NTA (Tax Agency) has announced a new strategic policy put in place by July 15th to promote and improve the environment for people and companies to spontaneously declare their virtual currency income tax returns.
New government data shows a surge in tax revenue in fiscal 2017, to ¥58.7 trillion, the result of strong economic growth. Yet with tax rises on the horizon, increased revenues could be under threat as history has shown that tax hauls are especially vulnerable to economic conditions, a fact that makes some experts wary.
Japan's tax revenue for the fiscal year that ended in March reached its highest level in 26 years, on the back of an economic recovery.
A new taxation rule on virtual currency transaction is currently being proposed by the Japanese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Taro Aso. The new rule will change the current tax rate to a flat rate of around 20%, similar to stocks and forex trade taxes.
Chinese and Indian gamblers may have to pay income tax on their winnings at casinos in Japan, while those from the United States and South Korea could get a "free pass" here. And anyone who enters a Japanese casino could be strictly monitored to prevent money laundering.


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The January 2017 issue can now have its contents page accessed via this link.
The articles contained in this issue include "Approach to the Complicated Alcohol Withdrawal Patient", "Insulin and the Brain: A Sweet Relationship With Intensive Care" and "Improving Caregivers' Perceptions Regarding Patient Goals of Care/End-of-Life Issues for the Multidisciplinary Critical Care Team".
To access the full text of this issue direct from the journal's own homepage you require a personal subscription to the journal (although certain articles may have been made freely available). Individual articles can be ordered via the Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust Library and Knowledge Service. Registered members of the library can request individual articles online via this link.


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Wisconsin warehouse feels Halloween rush early
A Wisconsin company is feeling the rush of Halloween -- on Oct. 3.
BuyCostumes.com has its warehouse in New Berlin. Managers said 3,000-5,000 orders a day are coming in, and even more are now being shipped.
"Monday alone we sent out 23,000 orders," said Joe Plassmeyer, senior operations manager at the company. "That was about 24,000 packages."
Plassmeyer said it takes about 500 people to staff the 310,000 square-foot warehouse at this time of the year.
The facility houses more than 1 million different costumes. Workers sort them, find them, and ship them from Internet orders.
The most popular costume this year is Elsa from "Frozen." Superheroes like Captain America are also popular.
Villains, like Darth Vader and Malificent, may also show up on doorsteps later this month.
To see their Top 10 list of costumes, click here.


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A proposed Consent Order has been filed in the CFPB's enforcement action against Frederick J. Hanna Associates. This was the first enforcement action by the CFPB directly against a collection law firm and was the subject of a vigorous defense by Hanna and much comment in the trade press. Hanna lost its motion to dismiss in July 2015, made an unsuccessful motion for an interlocutory appeal and discovery was ordered to proceed.
The case attracted a lot of attention: from the Wall Street Journal to trade publication InsideARM which said that "[t]he case should be front and center for all law firms practicing in this space". In light of the excitement about the case, the bottom line of the Consent Order is, rather disappointing: Hanna is to pay $3.1 million in penalties to the CFPB and agrees to injunctive relief(all without admitting any of the CFPB's allegations). There is no relief for consumers targeted by Hanna – that is presumably left to private law suits.
The Consent Order's injunction amounts to requiring a basic standard of proof before initiating or threatening a collection suit. Hanna must have:
- Original Account Level Documentation (i.e. documents for this account of a specific consumer from the original creditor) showing the consumer's name last 4 digits of the account number, the amount claimed and (if suing on breach of contract theory) the terms and conditions of the contract.
- A chronological list of all previous owners of the debt.
- An authenticated copy of each bill of sale showing the transfer from each owner in the chain of title to the next including "a specific reference to the particular Debt being collected upon." And
- Either (a) something signed by the consumer to open the account (most likely a contract or credit card application) or (b) Original Account Level Documentation showing payment, purchase or other actual use by the consumer.
Those are the substantive requirements. The order adds some procedural requirements that gives a more detailed insight into the CFPB's case against Hanna. In particular, Hanna is not allowed to sue where:
- It's attorney has not even logged in to the consumer's account in its collection software.
- It's attorney hasn't reviewed the documents Hanna now requires to bring or threaten suit.
- It's attorney hasn't "confirmed based upon methods or means proven to be historically reliable and accurate" that the statute of limitations has not run, the debt wasn't subject to bankruptcy and that Hanna has got the right person.
- It's attorney has to certify in writing, that the suit complies with the Order.
Another section deals with the deceptive use of affidavits in fundamentally the same as similar orders dealing with debt buyers: affidavits have to be truthful.
CFPB Standards For Attorneys?
One reason the Hanna case attracted so much attention was that it was seen as a bellwether for the CFPB's treatment of attorneys. Some hoped to avoid all CFPB regulation of attorneys – that was the goal of Hanna's motion to dismiss. Clearly that hasn't happened. Instead, the substantive and procedural provisions of the Order indicate best practices for collection attorneys (and behavior consumer lawyers should look out for). Ultimately, the Order requires Hanna to do some things all collection attorneys should do anyway:
- Look at the evidence they have before filing a lawsuit.
- Check that they are suing the right person.
- Check that the person they are suing isn't bankrupt and that the debt isn't past the statute of limitations.
- Check that they have enough evidence to file a lawsuit before filing (or threatening to file).
- Make a note that that is what they did.


text: asperity 827 Posted June 16, 2018 Report Share Posted June 16, 2018 "When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years." ― Mark Twain N.B. Although this quote is attributed to Mark Twain, the fact that his father died when he was 11 puts some doubt in the picture. But it does have some truth in it's meaning . Quote Link to post Share on other sites


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Earn points toward FREE PIZZA with Piece of the Pie Rewards
More About Domino's Near Terrytown
Pizza Near Terrytown: Tasty & Fresh From the Oven!
When your stomach starts talkin' and your tastebuds start tinglin' for a classic slice of meaty, cheesy goodness, we know you're not craving any old pizza near Terrytown You're looking for a delectable pizza with freshly made tomato sauce, perfectly sliced chunks of pepperoni, generous piles of mozzarella and parmesan, and a hand-tossed crust that's been baked by experts. You want a slice of the perfect pizza. You want Domino's.
At Domino's near Terrytown, it's never been easier to get the fast and fresh pizza you want. Order your pizza over the phone or online, or visit a Domino's near you to place a carryout order.
Start by choosing from one of our handmade crusts, including a fluffy hand-tossed crust loaded with buttery flavor, a pan crust featuring two whopping layers of cheese, a crunchy thin crust, or even a gluten-free pizza crust! Then, choose your sauce and your favorite pizza toppings. Pick as many as you want! Whether you're a serious fan of mushrooms and spinach or love spicy pepperoni and tangy asiago cheese, you can be sure your nearest Domino's has it all.
With over 34 million different ways to make a single Domino's pizza, you can be sure we've got a slice for any taste. From its sauce to its size, build your own pizza or choose from one of our famous specialty pizzas, like the popular Spinach and Feta, Cali Chicken Bacon Ranch, or MeatZZa™, and have it delivered to your doorstep, today!
Like A Butler, But For Pizza: Pizza Delivery Near Terrytown
Order from Domino's near Terrytown and you'll see—we're pretty serious folks when it comes to pizza delivery. In fact, we guarantee your pizza will arrive hot and fresh, right from our oven to your door. Can't wait for your pie to arrive? Use our patented Pizza TrackerⓇ system and follow your pizza order as it's prepped, baked, and headed out the door for delivery... and try not to drool on your phone or computer in the meantime.
Wings, Sandwiches, Desserts & Pizza Takeout Near Terrytown
Sure, we deliver pizza, but we're also experts when it comes to fast pizza takeout near Terrytown. You can order from our pizza menu or step outside the pizza box and try something different (but equally delicious). Give everyone exactly what they want with a flavorsome pasta, order of breadsticks, a crisp garden salad, boneless chicken wings, and a dangerously sweet helping of dessert. You can't go wrong with an order of Domino's Marbled Cookie Brownie™, Cinna StixⓇ, or Chocolate Lava Crunch Cake.
With more than 12,000 stores in 80 plus countries, we know quality and customer service. It's our goal to be the best pizza delivery company in the world, not only in Louisiana, and everything from our money-saving pizza coupons to our considerate delivery drivers reflects this commitment. Use your mobile phone to place an order via our free app, order online, or call your local Domino's restaurant near Terrytown for quick and delicious pizza delivery and carryout today! We may have been around since 1960, but we aren't just any old pizza restaurant. We're your number one pizza place near Terrytown!


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The starting point of this trip to Hawaii was a celebration for Tracy's 50th birthday. And what better way to celebrate than a helicopter ride over the volcanoes. The experience was dazzling!
As we took off, the shadow of the helicopter was very clear on the ground. We saw our shadow frequently throughout the ride, as the sun was out most of the time.
As we took off, the shadow of the helicopter was very clear on the ground. We saw our shadow frequently throughout the ride, as the sun was out most of the time.
Soon after leaving the airport, we flew over large macadamia farms. The fields of trees are surrounded by tall firs to break the trade winds and protect the nut trees. (We saw a similar thing in New Zealand on the kiwi farms.)
We flew down to the coast, not too far from where we had driven the day before. The blue of the water is striking against the cliffs.
Our pilot flew back and forth across the dark lava looking for a breakout. The spots change daily, even hourly, so he never knows for sure where one might be. We really lucked out, finding this small crater with three flows of lava. We could actually see it move. He circled the crater in both directions so everyone could see well.
Some distance away we could see Mauna Kea poking above the clouds. There are a number of international telescopes at the summit.
After leaving the lava fields, we flew over an area with multiple waterfalls. Beautiful!
Here is Dan, just off the helicopter. We had life vests in a small pack around our waists. Fortunately, we didn't need them!
We had a lunch reservation at the Hilo Bay Cafe, but got there quite early. Some walked around the nearby Japanese garden; I found a bench (slightly wet!) and watched the bay and the people.
The restaurant was fabulous. Here is the birthday girl enjoying her drink.
After lunch we stopped for a bit of shopping and eventually headed home. What a great day!


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Sweet almond milk is an extract of the fruits of Prunus amygdalus (L.) Batsch var. dulcis, which contains their lipids, proteins and sugar as an emulsion.
It improves wound healing and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Assyrians were the first to use sweet almond oil, in centuries XII to VII B.C., to prepare a "Magical Potion" by mixing it with animal fat, olive oil and flower essences.
Galen was the first physician to prepare an emulsion with rose water, bee-wax and sweet almond oil, which later spread world-wide under the name of cold cream.
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Bettina Rust
Put on your tennis socks
In films and novels from Alfred Döblin to Tom Tykwer, Berlin – that overpowering city – devours its inhabitants. Bettina Rust, by contrast, presents the capital as a cosy living room in which she sits on a flowered armchair and spills the beans.
By Regine Hader
As a passionate Berliner by choice, Bettina Rust presents the city on the basis of its characteristic neighbourhoods. She writes her profession of love for Berlin in 60 short episodes that can be read on an underground train ride – each one portraying one of her favourite places, which provide the title. The author takes her readers to cafés and jazz clubs, urban gardening projects, unknown museums and well-known graffiti. Instead of navigating between the television tower and Museum Island, she sends her readers to places that in backpacker slang are called "the real Berlin".
Wie eine Bloggerin bricht sie mit der Leserschaft zu alltäglichen Orte auf, um den Zeitgeist des heutigen Berlins zu atmen. Diese Mikrokosmen der Stadt werden im Gegensatz zum Fernsehturm oder dem Gropius Bau vielleicht bald wieder verschwinden, nostalgisch betrauert als legendäre Konzentrate der 2020er-Jahre. unktioniert wie eine Verkleidungskiste: Das Buch bietet alle Requisiten und Regieanweisungen, um eine zufällig ausgewählte Touristin auf 232 Seiten in eine Neuberlinerin zu verwandeln. Like a blogger, she sets out with her readers to everyday places to breathe the zeitgeist of today's Berlin. In contrast to the television tower or the Gropius Bau, these microcosms of the city may soon disappear once again, nostalgically mourned as legendary epitomes of the 2020s. Berlin – Lieblingsorte (i.e. f avourite places in Berlin) works like a dress-up box: The book offers all the props and stage directions needed to turn a randomly selected tourist into a new Berliner in 232 pages.
An anecdotal strollRust's approach is also very much inspired by blogging: she writes from a first-person perspective, introducing each place with a more or less fitting anecdote, linking each piece of information with a amusing experience, an unexpected acquaintance or a childhood memory. "My first real boyfriend was a bit funny" she starts her chapter about the Botanical Garden or "My girlfriend Miranda rents out fincas on Mallorca". She writes with affection and closeness, almost as if an aunt or neighbour were giving you some tips for your holiday. Perhaps this everyday language style is owed to her profession as a radio presenter. In the long run, however, the chatty tone and forced effort to package every tip as a funny story artificially inflate her recommendations.
Rust breaks with authorial invisibility and makes her personal gaze the strength of the book. In some places, however, these openings take too long, so that a really interesting place only follows a two-page description of life as a dog owner in the city. When she introduces a café, she tells with much pathos about the courage of the founders and invokes narratives of the American Dream. Her favourite Austrian restaurant is introduced to her friend Miranda (right, the one with the fincas!) via a laborious digression. The punch line: Like the restaurant, she got a bad rating on the Internet! The treatise on rating systems on the Internet takes up just as much space as the description of the apricot dumplings that are the actual subject.
Archaeology of the zeitgeistIn between all these personal stories lurk truly original details. Bettina Rust tells us, for example, that in bygone times particularly large cactus spines from the Botanical Garden brought music to Berlin's living rooms and bars as gramophone needles. She situates historically some seemingly profane places, such as the Tempelhofer Feld, and shows why they are so important for Berliners today.
Apart from her personal memoirs, the author searches like an archaeologist for the stories and urban legends of today's scene locations in Berlin. She not only arouses the desire to visit Berlin, but also to live there. In keeping with her personal concept, she takes all the photos herself on her expeditions through the city. Visually, the book is also a little gem thanks to the lovely illustrations on the cover and between the chapters.
Although Lieblingsorte is no literary revolution, the city on the horizon suddenly no longer seems so threatening and voracious - but somehow quite familiar.
Rust, Bettina: Berlin – Lieblingsorte
Berlin: Insel, 2018. 236 S.
You can find this title in our Onleihe.