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As a parent, it's natural to want to capture every little detail of your child's life – from the first tilt of the head to each little yawn waiting to escape that tiny mouth. The first week of a baby's life is especially significant, as it is replete with a number of firsts – the first nap, the first bath, and even the first tears. Here are five photos in a baby's first week that absolutely need to be taken.
The first time the parents lay eyes on the baby
The first time the mother holds the tiny bundle swathed in blankets and the first time the father sees his little boy or girl is always a beautiful image to keep going back to. Babies change quickly and that first contact is the foundation of everything that follows – you can make sure you capture it by asking a nurse or a family member to help take the photos.
Pictures of the napping infant
Since infants spend most of their first week napping, this is probably the easiest photo to capture. However, as most parents go on to discover, there can never be enough snapshots of their kids taking a snooze; with every new nap comes a new level of cuteness. So it's always best to capture as many photos of the new kid's naptime as possible; in a different light and at different times of day for different colors and different tones in the picture.
Macro shots of the micro fingers and toes
It's next to impossible to look at the itsy-bitsy fingers and toes of a newborn and not fall in love. And these are features that need to be caught on film as quickly as possible, because they change with each passing day. Details such as the earlobes, the chubby knees, and the hair on the baby's head are shots that capture the tiny, tactile memories of early parenthood.
Shots when the baby is awake
As adorable as photos of the baby sleeping are, shots of the kid wide awake are equally (if not more) captivating. Any parent who has tried to record these moments knows well enough that they are hard to capture. However, it's worth noting that since the eyes change quickly in appearance as babies grow, photos taken when the little one is awake are wonderful as a catalogue of changes. Try the burst setting on your camera to make it more likely that you'll capture a photo that captures the reality!
Funny faces never go out of style
If there's one thing that there's never going to be a lack of over the course of the first week of a baby's life, it's the staggeringly large number of different expressions that flit across an infant's face. Everything around them, from the first draft of cool air to the first time they hear various sounds, triggers some kind of reaction (like eyes that open wide in wonder, or a tongue that cutely pops out of the kid's mouth). Capture them now; enjoy them later!


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Do you need to know the best ways to get abs and muscles? Then read this post and ensure you are not making any of these errors. Are you losing your time training like a body home builder?
So when is the very best time to take Creatine? Personally, I believe the most efficient time to take Creatine for myself is fifteen minutes before and after a workout-- in addition to a whey protein shake and carbs of simple sugars.
They take part in unhealthy habits daily, taking in pounds of meat, tipping the scale at unhealthy body weights, and pressing the limits of the cardiovascular systems with using anabolic steroids. It is not a healthy lifestyle, despite the reality that many individuals at first get in the world of workout and fitness with the objective of living longer and better health!
The entire point of going to the health club is to make our bodies stronger and look better, for our own personal reasons. Muscle advancement is the secret here. Although you might see a massive increase in muscle advancement throughout the first couple of months of your workout regimen, these results might begin to dry.
There are numerous variations in terms of items within the broader protein muslce builder classification, however the whey protein based items have actually long considering that shown to be one of the most popular, in addition to one of the most reliable.
Ok so grandmother made you a lots of your favorite chocolate chip cookies like she constantly has in years past. She loves you and this is among the ways she prefers to show it. How can you navigate this one? Preparation!!! Yes preparation is the key to not providing into peer pressure. Let your loved ones understand how important it is to you to keep with your objectives and that if they wish to make you anything yummy provide them some recipes to try. Inform them that you would love to eat that sort of food for your vacation season. This is a fantastic start for you to Beat Vacation Food Temptation. If you are going to indulge, ensure you keep up on your muscle buildng supplements!
Next is your bodybuilding diet plan. This type of program is subjective according to your weight. Your trainer or advisor will be the one to recommend exactly what type of diet program that why not try these out will best matched for you. Typically the fundamental requirements are whey protein diet, for amateurs it is recommended to begin with the basic steps and program. It is essential to trim your fat initially prior to building up muscle. The diet program will play the vital function as you start your exercise program. You can start using the finest body structure supplement when whatever is tone down.
One of the very best times to drink your weight health and fitness gaining shake is after your exercise. You can include more calories and have a greater fat consumption. Your body will gradually absorb the shake so you get the nutrients to the muscles over a longer time period.
Budget Supplement Prepare For Structure Muscle
Do you need to know the best ways to get abs and muscles? Then read this post and ensure you are not making any of these errors. Are you losing your time training like a body home builder?

subset: commoncrawl


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text:
Can I launch a application using a license which says that you can distribute modified versions of it under the GPL but you can't distribute the initial alone underneath the GPL? (#ReleaseNotOriginal)
Does the GPL require that resource code of modified versions be posted to the public? (#GPLRequireSourcePostedPublic)
A business is operating a modified Variation of a GPL'ed plan with a Website. Does the GPL say they have to release their modified resources? (#UnreleasedMods)
May be the developer of a GPL-included method certain through the GPL? Could the developer's actions ever be considered a violation of the GPL?
I wold like to obtain your advice if words and phrases like "having in thing to consider… or citing little ones… "
Could it be a smart idea to make use of a license saying that a particular method may be used only less than the most recent Variation from the GNU GPL? (#OnlyLatestVersion)
Other people just let you work it all out. All the ordeal is usually a demo by fire of course, nevertheless it may also be an exceedingly high priced, humbling and aggravating experience.
Child progress professionals advise that these little bits of 'Particular Time' will insert up to an elevated believe in and psychological/relational bond that could enable them to feel protected and less likely to act out negatively for notice.
Does the GPL have to have me to offer supply code that could be built to match the precise hash with the binary I am distributing?
If you are trying to dam that route, by stating explicitly in the license that I'm not permitted to breed a little something similar to Model A beneath the GPL by deleting Those people lines from Model B, in effect the license now says that I am unable to absolutely use Model B in all the ways that the GPL permits.
How am i able to be sure Just about every person who downloads the binaries also gets the source? (#HowCanIMakeSureEachDownloadGetsSource)
2) If there is a created-in hold off between an infection and execution then using a week hold off in between backups the ransom-ware infestation may additionally get backed up.
Conduct the backup. Disconnect the generate. Etc. Soon after you've got a month or two of backups you're unquestionably likely to have a backup of your program from ahead of the infection took maintain.
Reply Liz suggests: January eight, 2018 at 5:08 pm If you try to bend The subject as a way to use professional medical terminology, you wouldn't get a superb rating for vocabulary. It is rather uncomplicated for that examiner to view each time a pupil is attempting To do that. All vocabulary needs to be related to The subject given – clinical terminology Home Page or scientific language is hardly ever wanted.


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This Thanksgiving holiday had my first two games of frostgrave. The first with my Brother, and the second with my friend Chris. Most of my wargaming for the past several years has taken place during the holidays.
Scenario 1: Mausoleum
My Wizard: Fimbar the Clumsy (I gave him his moniker before the game, sealing his destiny with a permanent -1 health). Fimbar is an enchanter. My Brother took a Summoner. We also took nearly identical warbands. We both took an apprentice, archer, archer, infantrymen, warhound, treasure hunter, and the differences were, my two thugs one thief, vs, his two thieves one thug. Unbelievable!
My Warband's Right:
Right to Left
Archer, Thief, Treasure Hunter, Thus, and Fimbar is behind the buttress.
My Warband's Left:
Left to Right
Archer, Felix the warcat, Jerome the Apprentice, Thug, and Infantrymen.
My Brothers Warband: (already on the move)
The summoner is in the back right, his warbat to his rear, skeletal archer to the left. There must be two thieves lurking around stealthily somewhere.
The Left side: Left to Right
Apprentice, thug, Treasure Hunter, Infantrymen, and archer behind the infantrymen.
I won the initiative for several turns. I also killed his apprentice with my archer on the second soldier phase. He summoned an imp at some point with his Wizard. The Imp and the Warbat came cruising towards my right flank, while my dwarf thief picked up treasure and my Treasurehunter got shot with an arrow.
To the left his thug takes on a skeleton in the fountain.
After some arrow fire and a skeletol attack my thief is vanquished.
My thug comes under attack from a skeleton
my treasure hunter hugs the tree line to avoid further archer fire. A moment of relief occurs after he dispatches the imp and warbat.
Fimbar is down for the count. After taking an arrow, and losing health to get a spell off, Fimbar is finished of by a spell from the summoner that removes his final three health. I wish I remebered to cast his familiar spell before the game that wouldve given him +2 health, oh well. He survived, but his wounds left him with a permanent -1 health for the rest of the campaign. The Clumsy bastard. I scored some sweet treasure, and my brother got some serious XP for taking down my wizard with his wizard. The game was a draw, with three treasures picked up for both sides.The Game was loads of fun and action packed!


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Today has not been a good day, so humor me while I gripe. Daddy had a change of mind and wants to do things his way - which means he is moving the wall, but wants to put the fixtures back pretty much where they were originally which in turn means:
1. I have two dead corners in the bathroom with no use - one of them being the closet we took out to have more space.
2. Your knees will touch the vanity when you use the toilet.
3. I can only have a 36" vanity (vs a 48") so basically no countertop space.
4. The toilet will set out almost a foot from the wall (from the back) which just looks ridiculous.
5. The toilet is too close to the wall on the left-hand side, so you're kinda squeezed in there.
He's wanting to do all of this because he doesn't want to move the cast iron plumbing which I fully acknowledge will be a pain; however, this means everything up to this point has been pointless. The only thing I gain from this layout is a bathtub instead of a shower and I could have done that without taking out the closet or moving the wall. I love my Dad and I hate to turn down free labor, but this just isn't going to work at all.
Since Daddy is working tomorrow, I'm sneaking in a plumber at noon tomorrow to give me a quote. If it's reasonable and I accept, the guy said he will move the plumbing this weekend. Daddy shouldn't be back until Monday and everything will be in place for him to do the finishing work. He's going to have a fit, but I just had the feeling yesterday that he was going to do something like this.
I just want everything done right instead of "what is easiest" since I'm the one who has to sit on the toilet for the next 30 years or more. Know what I mean?


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At one of my two schools we are working on a Square 1 Art fundraiser to help out the PTA. The project I did with my kinders was this super cute hand print goldfish. I was really nervous about letting kinders paint their hands, I had visions of them getting covered head to toe in orange paint. However they all did a great job with it!
First they created painted paper using cool colors for one 30 minute class period.
The next class I showed them how to paint just the palm of their hand orange and press it down to make a print. Some didn't paint fast enough and we had to go back over spots that already started to dry.
Then they used brown paint and brushes to paint stones/pebbles at the bottom of their fish bowl. And green paint for seaweed.
Then they sued old spools and plastic caps to print on bubbles with white paint.
The last step to finish off during the next class while they were working on another project was to call them over a few at a time to use sharpies to draw on faces and fins.
I LOVE how they turned out! Bonus was that this lesson hit a lot of art standards!
Thanks to Walking by the Way for my inspiration!


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Our pharmacist has been running the community pharmacy for a year now. After some early tough experiences, the business is performing well. In fact, the performance is such that the business is ranked top of her area. Her area manager, however, never seems happy. He continues to criticise in public and in private. Her ambition for the business and for the development of the business has not been realised. He repeatedly withholds praise in favour of trying to motivate our pharmacist to bigger and better things. The new customer experience initiative means that nothing less than constant step change is acceptable.
Taking this step in the dilemma on its own do you feel our pharmacist is being bullied?
Yes 86%
No 14%
Now considering all steps in the dilemma do you feel overall this pharmacist is being bullied?
Yes 93%
No 7%


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tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6781490348552167892019-04-10T18:06:26.001+02:00Deqlan Ross HigginsDeqlanhttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-678149034855216789.post-50840737414772659222010-05-24T16:11:00.001+02:002010-05-24T16:13:00.673+02:00we have moved!for Deqlans prayer army that still follows this site and relies on getting updates from this site, we have moved to our new blog as our space ran out on this one! so come and visit us at
www.deqlanhigginsblog.blogspot.comDeqlanhttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-678149034855216789.post-25815860620772127772010-05-06T15:57:00.001+02:002010-05-06T15:57:24.864+02:00THIS IS ITHi All, got all the glitches sorted out so i am sorry to ask you to move to yet another blog, but this is it, all set up on www.deqlanhigginsblog.blogspot.comDeqlanhttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-678149034855216789.post-41214115873138429892010-05-03T17:37:00.002+02:002010-05-03T17:39:53.110+02:00COME AND FOLLOW US
Hi Deqlans prayer army

I cant believe we have reached our limit for the blog -thats right, we only have 1% space lift! Soooo...that means we are starting our second blog at www.deqlanhiggins2.blogspot.com

So please continue to follow our beautiful Deqlans journey, please remain part of his prayer army and please continue to celebrate all he excels in each day!

its still a work in progress, alot i would still like to do, but happy with the start of it!

On the new blog page, you will see a new followers link, please click on follow to follow our new blog !

So see you there! Lots of love!! Mark Samm Deqlan Logan
Deqlanhttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-678149034855216789.post-81114097717976093892010-05-03T17:19:00.001+02:002010-05-03T17:20:25.043+02:005 things you can do to help families with AutismWRITTEN BY LISA FOX

It's hard not to hear about autism in the media these days. With the ongoing controversy surrounding autism and vaccinations, to missing children who have autism, to hearing about a child who has recovered from autism, there are many different angles for news agencies to report on this topic. With 1 in 91 children being affected, the general public has gotten decent at recognizing the signs of autism. But what the general public doesn't know is how to help those individuals and their families who are battling this disorder. So let's turn Autism Awareness Month into Autism Action Month. Here's five things you can do now to help these families:

1. LOOK BEYOND THE LABEL TO SEE THE CHILD. Many times over kids are ostracized, ridiculed or bullied in school and the community because of their differences. If you look beyond the odd behaviors, unusual speech or awkward social skills, you'll notice that our kids are just like any other child. They have their likes and dislikes, they enjoy video games too, and they like to be involved in their communities. Having a child with autism can be isolating for a family if the child has many sensory issues (such as with loud noises or crowded, tight surroundings). Families want to be able to provide their child with a social outlet and sometimes require special accommodations to make it possible. If you are arranging an event for your local community, talk to disability organizations to find ways to include those with special needs. If you are having a birthday party, please invite the child with autism. Talk to the parents regarding any special requirements or ask that the parent stay for the duration of the party in case a situation arises.

2. SHOW COMPASSION RATHER THAN JUDGEMENT. I've heard countless stories of rude stares, harsh comments and unwanted advice regarding parenting skills. Becuase there are no tell-tale physical signs of autism, often the general public can't "see" the disorder and will put the blame on the parents for not raising the child properly. There is still so much we don't know about autism. These parents are doing the best they can given a very difficult situation. Think twice before you pass judgment. That unruly, screaming, tantrumming child in the grocery store or library may have autism.

3. OFFER HELP. If you see a parent struggling in the store, ask if there is anything you can do to help the parent. If you are at the playground and a child is having a meltdown, ask if you can help carry items to the car (if they have any). If you have a neighbor who has a child with autism, offer to help the parent as much as you are comfortable with. For some people that might mean watching the child while the parent runs errands or just playing with the child in the backyard while mom cleans the house. It could be something as simple as offering to run an errand for the parent to ease the burden of tasks. The divorce rate among autism families is reported to be near 80%. More often than not, single moms do not have a support system in place to help provide for respite care. Just recently, the state of Indiana eliminated the respite care program for special needs families, which leaves some families with 100% of the task of taking care of the child and the house. Please offer assistance if you are able.

4. GET INVOLVED. Get involved with an autism organization of your choice. There are several organizations that represent autism families and all of them could use your help in organizing fundraisers or utilizing any special knowledge you might have (such as legal, financial, education or recreation) to help their cause. The National Autism Association of Northwest Indiana is currently seeking a person to fill the Secretary position. Please contact Lisa Fox at
for more information. You can also get involved by showing your support with by attending fundraising events or organizing a fundraiser for the organization. 5. HELP STOP RESTRAINTS & SECLUSION IN SCHOOLS. Currently there is proposed federal legislation (bill S.2860) that will prevent the use of restraints on students with autism as well as prohibit seclusion of the student who is enrolled in a public school. In 2009, there was an alarming number of students with autism who were tasered, handcuffed, smacked, locked in closets -- and we only heard about the ones who made the headlines. One case of using restraints ended with the student dying. This is not acceptable for the general student population and the special needs student population should be no different. Please visit the National Autism Association's web site (link: http://naa.kintera.org/actioncenter) and fill out the form to contact your Senator to ask them to co-sponsor this bill. Lisa Fox is the President of the National Autism Association of Northwest Indiana, which represents all families affected by autism in Lake and Porter counties. For more information, please visit www.northwestindianaautism.com Deqlanhttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-678149034855216789.post-59150976139248948302010-05-03T16:29:00.000+02:002010-05-03T16:30:38.722+02:00KEATON UPDATEHello Everyone

All went very well with Keaton today. The ENT got lots of yucky stuff out his sinuses and has mentioned that Keatons adenoids were also very enlarged. He was such a superstar before going in and had as laughing most of the time ( alot due to the pre med to relax him before theatre!). He wasn't the same happy boy when he woke up though, but had a good rest and then some needed physio, before going home around lunch time. Doctor did some more blood tests as Keatons allergy score is 'tremendously high' – should be under 5, Keatons is 69!!!!! He is also going to be off dairy for a while as Doc thinks that is where the allergy is lying. Please continue to pray for Keaton to feel lots better and that he stays healthy and strong, especially in this freezing cold weather, and he has to be 100% ready for the arrival of his baby sister in a few days!

God Bless and thank you for all your prayers
Samm & FamilyDeqlanhttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-678149034855216789.post-54040486255126377172010-05-02T20:02:00.001+02:002010-05-02T20:04:14.687+02:00PRAYERS FOR KEATONHello Deqlans prayer army

Hope you all had a great weekend? Please can we ask you to pray for Keaton tomorrow morning – he will be going into theatre to have his sinuses washed out and antibiotics placed directly into them – please pray with us that the anesthetist does a fantastic job and that the doctor does a perfect wash out, that Keaton is comfortable and happy and that this finally solves the puzzle and that he gets better from the moment he wakes up.

Please pray for Conrad and Megs that they are calm and rested and ready to help Keaton feel better. Please Lord fill them with Your peace and trust

Thank you all, love Samm and family
SACRED HEART OF JESUS WE PLACE OUR TRUST IN THEE ALL FOR THEE OH LORD OH MY JESUS ALL FOR THEEDeqlanhttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-678149034855216789.post-88611635267160286172010-05-01T19:47:00.001+02:002010-05-01T19:50:09.177+02:00ANGEL - DAXTON BLANFORDPlease pray for little Daxton who was called home to his heavenly home last night. Only a few months old, Daxton fought a very hard fight against neuroblastoma. Please pray for this little soul and for his heartbroken family - that Our Lord carries thems and guides them and strengthens them. Rest well beautiful DaxtonDeqlanhttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-678149034855216789.post-44043119216844604522010-05-01T10:44:00.002+02:002010-05-01T10:47:45.051+02:00ANGEL IMOGEN HOLMESI was so sad to check my updates this morning to learn that gorgeous Imogen, in Australia, became and angel today. Immie fought neuroblastoma for many many years, but through her fight remained so courageous, so full of life - her smile and beautiful eyes spoke a thousand stories.

Dear Holmes family, we are so very sorry that your beautiful Immie is no longer physically with you but her spirit will most certainly live on in all of you, until you meet again. Our prayers and support sent to you from across the sea, God Bless, Mark Samm Deqlan LoganDeqlanhttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-678149034855216789.post-77216975631376340942010-04-30T09:43:00.002+02:002010-05-01T10:43:20.040+02:00SCREENING KIDS FOR AUTISMAs Autism Awareness month draws to an end , i would like to share another clip with you with some of the basic red flags that could be cause for concern.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arWw7dQSy5o&feature=related

I would like to thank you all for your continued support for our precious Deqlan and his conquers autism one day at a time, each day bringing him closer to reaching his full potential, which is to 'INFINITY AND BEYOND!'

Please continue to create awareness, to support and to love all those affected by Autism, i can promise you they are among the most loving, creative, intelligent, caring , giving, delightful people you will ever meet!

God Bless, lots of love
Mark Samm Deqlan Logan
BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GODDeqlanhttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-678149034855216789.post-73807942151240085462010-04-28T16:51:00.003+02:002010-04-30T09:34:59.956+02:00WE ARE READY

Wow, am i behind again....

First things first, HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL OUR VERY SPECIAL FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS, I PRAY I HAVE REMEMBERED YOU ALL

CONNOR HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY ! STAY THE GORGEOUS GUY YOU ARE

IMOGEN - HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY IMMIE! SENDING YOU LOTS OF LOVE AND HUGS AND PRAYERS AND SMILES ALL THE WAY FROM SOUTH AFRICA

UNCLE BILL - WE HOPE YOU HAD A STUNNING DAY AND GREAT YEAR AHEAD

JERAN - MY DEAR COUSIN, HOPE THE CELEBRATIONS WHERE AWESOME AND THE YEAR AHEAD IS FANTASTIC!

JELENKA - WISHING YOU A WONDERFUL YEAR AHEAD, MAY ALL YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE!

GRAHAM - HOPE IT WAS AN AWESOME DAY ( PROBABALY SPENT ON THE GOLF COURSE HEY?)

SAM - HOPE YOU HAD A LOVELY DAY WITH ALL YOUR LOVED ONES AND FRIENDS DEAR SAM

ALSO A VERY BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO SAM AND DON ON YOUR 10TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY, MAY THERE BE MANY MANY MORE!

CONGRATS TO PIERRE AND DESIRE ON YOUR WEDDING, IT WAS SUCH A LOVELY CELEBRATION! WISHING YOU CONGRATS FOR YOUR SECOND WEDDING CELEBRATION IN FRANCE TOMMOROW!

Its with great sorrow, we heard yesterday that CARTER CUMMINGS passed away after fighting such a courageous fight against neuroblastoma. Please pray for this precious soul and his family and friends

As you can see from the pic today, we have our tickets for the FIFA WORLD CUP!!!!!!!! We are so excited and Deqlan was also rather chuffed to come with to the ticketing centre - so exciting - you know whats so sad, its seems like our little family are the only ones that are so excited about it being here - ok, us and Deqlans school Little Leaps. The teachers are in full support with Football friday and next week Friday is Grandparents day. This is when all the grandparents come and watch their grandkids sing some songs they have practised very hard ! Unfortunately its not for parents, which many are so sad about , but thankfully i have found the way to be there - i am hosting a table so will be able to be there, i cant wait , i am so proud , i am thrilled just thinking about Deqlan and his buddies singing together on stage ! Thank You Lord

Deqlan has been eating better since his teeth have been fixed. We even tried new things from an awesome place called O Crumbs . We heard about it loonnnggg ago and Elriza also told us about it, so we eventually decided to make the journey to go and check it out! We are so happy we did - bread, biscuits, cereals, ready made meals, sauces, bread and scone and biscuit mixes - you name it - they have it ALL GLUTEN FREE! Most of the items are also CASIEN SUGAR YEAST AND SOYA FREE - so we came home with a nice selection of things to try. First up was the bread - wow , Deqlan couldnt get enough of it and ate four slices ! Unfortunately his tummy didnt agree and he got sick that night - so smaller amounts definitely better. Yesterday we tried a carrot muffin for little lunch at school and he wouldnt even try it - it took the entire day for him to accidentally put a crumb in his mouth, and then realised, hey this is good, very good and finished the entire muffin. Then we tried spagetthi bolognaise last night- Deqlan was just not having it . He really is against anything new, he wont even try it. After crying for about half an hour , i managed to get a sliver of spagetthi in, and so we carried on for another half an hour and eventually Deqlan was taking entire mouth fulls - he loved it - the food is so delicious you wouldnt know the difference!

He is as cute as a button at the moment , actually he has started saying ' I AM GORGEOUS'

Deqlan also loves telling us about the new Woolies soup add, even adding in "13.95 each" at the end

But the most memorable was waiting in line at Macdonalds , Deqlan looks at us and says' MY NAME IS DEQLAN MACDONALDS' Boy did we laugh!

Deqlan still continues to enjoy school, at the moment, they focusing on colours and shapes, which Deqlan is loving!

We off to Declan Day tommorow , in honor of angel Declan Du Toit - so come along if you feel like a lovely afternoon out with the family and at the same time supporting this amazing cause. All Hands on Dec Friends look after all the warriors and their families in every way they can!

Hi EveryonePlease dont forget about Declan Day tomorrow...Please come and support us, even for just an hour, at our annual Declan Day to be held on Saturday 1 May from 12.30 till 5pm at Chuckleberrys in Linden, corner or Road Number 3 and Rustenberg Road, Victory Park.It is a perfect venue for the kids and we have lots to keep them busy - a jumping castle, face painting, games, a sandpit, swings, trampolines and a jungle gym and slide PLUS we have arranged some lovely ladies to watch them so that you can relax.For the adults, we have great entertainment lined up - bands, a drumming circle, fire dancers, dancing displays, wine tasting, raffles, an auction and lucky draws with awesome prizes like weekends away, and to satisfy your stomachs, food will be on sale and a cash bar with wine, beer and cold drinks available. Bring a picnic blanket and come and enjoy some good music and entertainment in the sun. Winter is a coming and soon the days will be too cold. You will also be supporting a very worthy cause. All Hands on Dec Friends (AHODF) was set up in memory of Declan Du Toit who died from cancer when he was just 8 months old. The charity aims to help families whose children are fighting the cancer monster, by assisting with the payment of medical bills. For more on the charity visit www.allhandsondecfriends.org Please invite your friends and enjoy a family day of fun in the sun while supporting a worthy cause.Thank youAll Hands On Dec Friendswww.allhandsondecfriends.org

Have a lovely weekend everyone

God Bless love Mark Samm Deqlan Logan

SACRED HEART OF JESUS WE PLACE OUR TRUST IN THEE ALL FOR THEE OH LORD, OH MY JESUS ALL FOR THEE

Deqlanhttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-678149034855216789.post-57686667548311152862010-04-28T15:58:00.003+02:002010-04-28T16:13:56.554+02:00Autistic Surfer Clay Marzo Masters Waves but Struggles on LandBy JOHN DONVAN and CAREN ZUCKER
April 26, 2010 When pro-surfer Clay Marzo rides the waves off Maui's coast, it's hard to imagine that a man so gifted in the water could struggle so much on land.

An autistic boy who struggles on land conquers the waves with his surfboard.
Beyond a few words, Marzo, 20, finds it hard to hold a conversation. Ask him a question, and finding an answer seems to cause him pain. Chat with him for half an hour, and the words never never flow any easier, because Marzo has autism.
He has a milder form known as Asperger's syndrome.Labeled a disability, Asperger's may help to explain why Marzo is so good on a surfboard.
Since he was a little boy, when his difficulty in communicating became evident, Marzo zeroed in on water. He wanted to be near the water, to be in it -- a focus so intense that it was actually obsessive, according to his mother, Jill Marzo. Obsession is part of Asperger's.

Surfing Obsession Leads to Stardom
In the water, "he was comfortable in his skin," said Jill Marzo. "Out of the water, he is not comfortable, even today. In the water, it's like he can breathe."
Marzo spends hours a day in the ocean, year after year. Some Asperger's obsessions, such as fixating on train schedules or "Star Wars" or lightbulbs, can disrupt. But Marzo's water obsession evolved into surfing, where obsession is required to succeed.
Marzo's obsession has made him a star surfer. He's a favorite with surfing magazines, is sponsored by Quicksilver apparel and earns an income that reaches into the six figures.
Surfing Fame Leads to Struggle
But on dry land, says his mom, Marzo's a fish out of water, unable to process easily anything that takes quick thinking. He struggles in getting around, meeting strangers and answering questions. It's too much too fast for his brain to take in, and the attention that accompanies his surfing fame makes for an uncomfortable experience.
"It's got to be more simple," said Marzo. "You know? Simple. Surf and eat and sleep, you know? My three top things."
That might sound simple enough, but it's never simple to live with Asperger's.
For Marzo, though, it just happened to work out: He needed the water, and the sea was there to catch him.

watch the awesome video clip here: http://abcnews.go.com/WN/autistic-surfer-clay-marzo-masters-waves-struggles-land/story?id=10477337&page=1Deqlanhttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-678149034855216789.post-5083462349184875392010-04-27T15:23:00.001+02:002010-04-27T15:23:54.556+02:00AUTISM AND ITS EFFECTS ON SIBLINGS AND FAMILY MEMBERSAutism and its effects on siblings, family members and the community
April 25, 2010 10:03 PM
By Pamela Gross Downing/Special to The Herald
"Tommy" walked down the aisle at his favorite store, Target.

He spotted what he was after, a small toy elephant. Tommy loves elephants. He turned to his parents and his sister "Jenny".

"Do you see the elephant, mom?" His sister groaned; she knew what was about to happen. Her brother not only loved to talk about elephants, he was fixated on them. He knew everything about them.

Tommy took a deep breath and said, "Did you know that there are two types of elephants, Jenny? There is the African elephant and there is the Indian elephant." Tommy continued with his one-sided conversation.

"The African elephant is almost hairless. Their ears are very big and look like fans. The African elephant has two little fingers on the tip of its trunk. They really aren't fingers, though. They just look like them. Indian elephants only have one finger.

"Jenny," the boy said, "guess what?" He was getting more excited. "Jenny, Jenny, did you know that elephants are herbivores. That means …"

Tommy's parents and his sister had always been very proud of him. He was a gifted child diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome. His family understood that meant that Tommy was on the autism spectrum. He would have to face many of the same challenges that other children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) had to go through.

Tommy's constant fixation had become difficult for Jenny to deal with, especially since he was now 18 years old. As a sibling, Jenny was going through her own challenges of having a brother with ASD.

Having a brother or sister with autism face can create challenges within the family. Constant communication about the issues facing siblings of ASD children is extremely important. For example, 6-year-old "Jack" often would hit his sisters and brothers. The siblings were afraid to challenge Jack because they thought he couldn't help himself.

If a behavior is unacceptable for the siblings, it is unacceptable for Jack, too. In Jack's case, an individual behavior plan was set in place for him. The family learned to have open discussions on questions they had, not just about Jack but autism in general.

When children are very young, begin talking with them about a brother or sister who has autism.

Ideally, a family will be open and discuss what to expect as the ASD child grows older. When friends come over to play, consider including them and their parents in discussions about autism. Never be afraid to talk to friends and families about what autism spectrum disorders are and their impact on your specific child and family.

Sadly, even today, it is not uncommon for parents of children with autism to sometimes have other family members, including medical professionals, blame them for the child's diagnosis.

This misinformation only emphasizes the need to educate and explain what autism is to everyone in our community, beginning with those in our own home.

Playtime is an important time for siblings to be with their own friends. There will be times when it is appropriate for the child with autism to be included in playtimes, especially when the siblings are younger.

"Annie," just 5, is extremely close to her brother "Eli." When her friends come over, she has chosen to include her brother in their play. Her friends have learned to accept Eli into their activities. This has helped him learn how to interact more appropriately with his peers.

In Annie's case, her parents and Eli's teacher have worked with her to help Annie feel confident about her own abilities and her brother's.

However, it also is important that brothers and sisters of special children have their own time, not only with friends, but with their parents as well. This may not always be easy or even possible. Yet, with assistance from friends and family, a special time for the siblings and their parents can be built into a weekly schedule.

Brothers and sisters also provide wonderful role models for language development and social peer growth. As the children grow older, a variety of different issues will occur.

Today, there are many websites, such as http://austimspeaks.org, to help siblings and families with questions on a variety of situations.

Pamela Gross Downing, a special education teacher, can be contacted at email@example.com://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-678149034855216789.post-33849625323285380812010-04-27T15:14:00.000+02:002010-04-27T15:16:14.428+02:00AN INSPIRATIONAL STORYTAKEN FROM 5 MINUTES FOR SPECIAL NEEDS

Mother of Quadruplets, one with autism, tells her story.
Posted: 23 Apr 2010 06:00 AM PDT
I have made some of the greatest friends because of Matthew, and I have learned a lot from them. Robin Hausman Morris is one of those friends and she has a most unusual perspective, so unusual that I've been trying to convince her to write a book.
Robin started her career as an actress in daytime soaps, commercials and off Broadway plays.
Life works in mysterious ways.
Her "Oscars" – Sabrina, Jesse, Tyler and Paul – were delivered in 1987 when she and her husband Danny became the proud parents of quadruplets. Her personal drama was soon to begin. A multiple birth was easy. Premature infants were a snap. But nothing could have prepared her for the struggle and journey that faced her.
"Autism entered my world without permission and stole my peace. Conceivably, the tenaciousness I once pursued as an actor was my shield, as I left no stone unturned to help our son."
She and her husband Danny were pioneers back then, traveling throughout the country and Canada to investigate interventions. Robin became an "ordained expert" from the schools of hands-on autism and hard knocks.
This is her story.
****
It was December 1987. Our quadruplets were six months old. We were on a routine visit to the pediatrician and Paul's skin was tinged with gray.
Suddenly he was gone.
I screamed for help and amidst the frenzy of mouth to mouth and shocking with paddles, there was silence. Someone brought me his clothes and as I held the tiny blue stretchy to my heart, I was paralyzed by the number three.
But Paulie, defied the odds. A doctor came in and said: "Well, he is certainly a fighter, we had to sedate him to get him breathing again".
Little did I know that our struggle would just begin.
If I had a dollar for every person who said "I don't know how you do it…", I could probably fund all of Autism Speaks. Paul's autism is a way of life. It is my career. It is my passion. It is my pain. It is my armor. It is my love. It is for my baby boy who fought so hard to live.
When our children were born, play groups were rare for us. I always felt as if I was looking into the candy store from the outside. Appointments with therapists and doctors across the country were our play dates. Saving Paul was my mission and I knew in my heart, as he thrived, so would our family.
Perhaps I sacrificed myself along the way, because people who don't know me well, are hard pressed to figure who Robin is. I am not a warrior and I do care if I am regarded as "tough".
Nevertheless, when I review the last 22 years with Paul, my role as mother was often transformed into therapist, behaviorist, and rule maker. I had to simulate what the professionals taught me, day after day, year after year. Although I held Paulie to the highest standard, in the end, I was always his protector.
Autism is a chameleon. Paul's strengths were only confounded by his weaknesses and I always tried to build on the first, while encouraging the latter. However, it was I that dealt with his tears of absent play dates, it was I that fought for mainstreaming, it was I that confronted the high school senior who mimicked him at play practice. Without Danny, Sabrina, Jesse and Tyler's help, I would have crumbled.
Robin and Paul
So what has all of this got to do with now? Suddenly it is 2010. It is not only about Paul. More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than AIDS, diabetes and cancer combined. The battle will not end until the perils of autism are faced. Research is vital, and awareness is paramount. My prayer is that the community will embrace those with autism while pursuing a cure.
Paul is blessed with his family: Sabrina's feisty spirit, Jesse's embracing humor, Tyler's tender heart and Danny's unconditional adoring love. Will our devotion be enough to cushion his falls and insulate him for the future? No. We need your help to make that difference.LauraDeqlanhttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-678149034855216789.post-84104356032264992702010-04-22T14:47:00.015+02:002010-04-22T16:21:35.988+02:00OUR HOLIDAY !
 the breathtaking view from our unit, its truly beautiful - the photos dont really do it justice!
 Our gorgeous, gorgeous Deqlan Ross

 the sun setting against the mountains and cosmos flowers

 i actually said to my mom when we were taking these photos that i am sure this is the way God intended the entire world to look - untouched, unspoilt, just perfect
 there were so many new horses at saddle and trout this time, lots of babies, to precious to see!

 Deqlan Loved this picture of the bunny, reminded him of his favorite progamme Hopla!

 how grown up does Deqlan look here!

 Enjoying sitting on the bales of hay for the horses

 the horse stables

 checking Nanna's glasses out

 Deqlan doing a bit of abseiling at the junction, he loved it! we were keeping a careful eye, the wall was very high!

 Mom and Dee enjoying creme soda made in the midlands, we love drinking it here in gauteng cause it reminds us so much of the midlands, we can pretend we back there whilst drinking it!

 Eating some fries and watching a dvd all tucked up warm next to Grandpa

 Deqlan and I on the beach - i think if we could build a little house right on the beach that would be awesome, even if we lived like robinson crusoe, as long as we at the beach, our most favorite place in the world - Deqlan spent about 3 hours running up and down the beach in and out the sea - we were only 1 day in Durban, hopefully next time we can stay a whoollee lot longer at the sea

 how i treasure these moments of bliss, in the sea with my boy

 Deqlan LOVED the feel of the dry sand to!

 We got to see Marks Dad and step mom while we were in Durban for the day, they were really taken at how well Deqlan is doing! This was such a cool place, Moyo, right on the beach, an african style restaurant, with african music to, it was so awesome, could have stayed there the entire day!
 How gorgeous is this photo of Mark and Deqlan?

 Cheryl, Oupa Chris and Deqlan

 The World Cup soccer stadium from the beach - i think this is the most spectacular out of all our stadiums - mark will be going to watch the brazil vs portugal game here - can you imagine how awesome thats going to be!

 my beautiful, beautiful Gambit

 Gambit, how majestic and beautiful he continues to be

 Deqlan was an absolute star watching the dolphin show - it was the first time he ever sat through the entire show!!! the previous 3 times were very overwhelming for him - i was so thrilled!

 part of the show , tells the story of Shaka - well, Deqlan thought this was the best thing ever and kept on saying "shaka' and laughing and getting so excited each time his picture came up! He continued saying Shaka for many days after

 One of my most favorite places in the world is ushaka watching my dolphins, and to be there with Deqlan on my lap enjoying them as much as i do, couldnt help have tears of joy and gratefulness

 my amazing mom sat infront of us so she could capture deqlans face - thanks mom you did an awesome job - i love this photo!

 Deqlan LOVED this display -a spinning wheel, full of colours and creatures of the sea- if we could have taken it home , we wouldve!

 Deqlan LOVED this giant size mumble!

 Wow! Imagine having this in your lounge at home?

 what a joy to watch Deqlan having such a great time - you shouldve seen the size of the great white sharks behind him, massive but stunningly beautiful

 Nanna and Grandpa enjoying the fish!

 a magnificent sting ray - deqlan also started saying MANTA RAY - he loves them to!

 This turtle was massive!

 I think we should move into this aquarium - the peace and happiness and beauty is just breathtaking

 Deqlan and Dada saying the colours of all the fish

 Deqlan loved the Nemo display - for the first time ever he paid attention to each window he stopped at instead of just running around , he was interested in the fish and other creatures!

 Our view on a beautiful morning in the midlands

 We went for lunch at Lords of the Manor, the hotel we had my 30th at - such a special place in all our hearts and Deqlan was such a superstar sitting at the table! Its so nice to go back there, they always remember us - Deqlan even ran to the room where Mom and Dee stayed for my 30th! He remembered exactly where it was!

 Dada and Deqlan

 Deqlan seems to love The Lords of the Manor as much as I do!

 Grandpa and Deqlan waiting to be called to our table

 1,2,3, cheese! Deqlan still loves me taking self portraits of us!
 Whose this guy Mama?

Its a fine day for a guiness with Dada! Juice for you my boy!

 Lovely photo of Mom and Dee

 Deqlan and his Nanna

 we couldnt get Deqlan out this puddle of mud, he loved the squishy mud in his toes, fingers, hair, everywhere! I love it when he gets so dirty!

 peek a boo!

 should i , shouldnt i???

 Deqlan singing for us ' THE PENGUIN BOP"

I LOVE YOU GRANDPA

 Walking around the lake

 I SEE A HORSE!

 3, 2,1, BLASTOFF!

HIGHER HIGHER , AGAIN AGAIN DADA

 LOVE YOU DADA

 Deqlan loved the gate at the main entrance and we spent a good half an hour here, opening and closing !

 My boys ( staight after i took this pic, Deqlan through his juice bottle into the lake, it took Mark a good 20 minutes to get it out!!)

Deqlanhttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-678149034855216789.post-31149638435984058792010-04-22T10:31:00.004+02:002010-04-22T14:45:59.638+02:00Nice to see you!
 Logan and Mia!
 Liam and Keaton

 The boys playing so nicely together, even if it was only for 1 minute, im glad i could capture it!

 Liam and Deqlan - Thomas fans!!!

 Liam exploring big Thomas

 Megs, Yolandie and me

 Happy Birthday Ivan!!!

 Keaton helping Ivan blow his candles out

 gorgeous boys

We had a very busy weekend thats just gone! Friday started having the most delicious braai ever at Megs, Conrad and Keaton to celebrate Ivans Birthday!

Saturday , angel Ruan's mommy, Yolandie come to visit! She stays all the way in Vereeniging so it was so awesome to see her after such a long time! She is doing so well ! please do continue the prayers for her!

Saturday afternoon we popped passed Ivan again and then all came home to enjoy some takeaways!

Sunday morning started off with early Mass, then we very eagerly awaited the vist from Sam,Liam and Mia! It was AWESOME to see them to say the least - they have been staying in Plymouth in the UK for 10 years and are finally back to see if they are going to remain back in South Africa permanently. Poor little Liam had a bad tummy bug and was so uncomfortable but he did have some moments of enjoyment, especially enjoying Deqlans collection of Thomas and friends ! He even enjoyed playing with Deqlan and a balloon very a little while! Logan and Mia also had a great time painting and listening to music and watching Jonas brothers together and Keaton loved playing with everyone. It was lovely to have a house full of kids laughing and running around and a tear here and there, but on the whole a stunning time was had by all, cant wait to see you guys again! Your kids are beautiful Sam & Don!!!

Deqlanhttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-678149034855216789.post-54975240572733271112010-04-21T12:13:00.002+02:002010-04-21T12:44:43.030+02:00WE HOME!Hi Deqlans Prayer army

thanks so much for your prayers ans messages for Deqlan today. We are home and Deqlan is happy!

He was such a star not being able to drink, he did ask for milk 4 or 5 times and i just said ' MAMA SO SILLY I FORGOT IT AT HOME! WILL GET SOME FOR YOU NOW NOW' and he seemed ok with that....

We did loads more reading last night and discovered how bad nitrous oxide can be for kids with autism- he hampers methylation - the bodies way of getting rid of toxins. I made contact with 3 families use kids regressed ( lost all the skills they gained) after having anesthetic! My Mom even called Debbie and Jeff in Canada to get their opinion, Jeff runs his own dental practise . He doesnt even keep it in his practise - he also advised how neuro toxic it can be! Thank you guys for helping us in our decision for today!

So there was no way Mark and I were willing to chance this happening. We were not evens sure if we were going to go ahead this morning . We kept asking God for a sign that we were doing the right thing

Off we went, Dada, Mama, Nanna and Deqlan to Protea Netcare , very bright and early this morning and were so amazed by the very caring understanding staff. It was really a refreshing experience. We had a very in depth chat with the anethetist who was very understanding about all our concerns and was more then willing not to use nitrous oxide but another gas called sevoflurane! BINGO! My first confirmation from God this was all going to be ok - the other autism moms suggested using this one as the body is able to git rid of it easier!

Then it was time for Deqlan to go into theatre and brave Dada was the one as always, to take Deqlan in. Of course Mama had a few tears , but then Nanna quickly brought me back on track to continue having Faith in Our Lords plans for Deqlan NOT TO HARM HIM!!

Mark told me that Deqlan was given a sticker in theater and guess what sticker it was? A FROG! Thank You Lord for another sign of re assurance

After about an hour and a half our little superstar was wheeled out - not happy at all, and coughing a very raspy sounding cough. He was very upset and we tried hard to calm him, eventually after some juice and watching some Thomas, and cuddly with me, he calmed and fell asleep again. When Deqlan woke up we got him some Macdonalds chips and he wolfed them down!He is now playing and watching his dvds singing and talking and laughing, THANK YOU LORD!!

Dr Nicky and her mom, who is also her assistant came to say hi before we left. Luckily we didnt leave this any longer, an abcess has started on the left molar! So Deqlan on antibiotics for that - luckily we have another round of diflucan due to start Monday , so that will help him cope with that. She took at the nerves of two molars and filled them, also had to take the nerves out of the front two teeth, which she also filled and cleaned - they look beautiful!!! What an amazing dentist , with such a passion for children, i would recommened her to everyone! Thank you Dr Nicky for making this as stress free as possible for us, you are amazing!

Thank You Nanna for all your hard work in making sure we made the right decisions for Deqlan. Thank You My love for putting up with me when i am very stressed and for helping us to make the right decision. Thank You Deqlan for being our beautiful , brave, courageous, clever, cute, gorgeous boy - thank You for bringing me through today, we love you more then life itself! Thank You Lord for always answering our prayers as we pray for them, for guiding us in the right directions, for healing Deqlan, we love and worship and praise and honor You each moment of every day!

Thank you all for your loving prayers and support, we love you Deqlans prayer army, he sends you all a biggg hug !

God Bless, all our love
Mark Samm Deqlan Logan
REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS AND AGAIN I SAY REJOICEDeqlanhttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-678149034855216789.post-24635877756223614752010-04-20T16:43:00.002+02:002010-04-20T16:52:04.826+02:00Prayers for Deqlan for tommorow pleaseHello Deqlans prayer army

I know i am very very behind with our blog, but promise to update on all i cant to update on as soon as i can. More importantly, please can I ask you to say extra special prayers for Deqlan tommorow as he goes into theatre to have his teeth fixed.

We have to be there at 7am, Dr Nicky will do what she does best to repair Deqlans teeth , his molars and front teeth at 8am. It should take an hour and then as soon as Deqlan is awake and happy we can come home!

We are going to a day clinic in Krugersdorp as that is where Dr Nicky has her theatre space as well as the aneathetist she works with. So its going to be a VERY early start for us tommorow morning.

I have already chatted to them both, with close on 1 hundred questions each, included what is going to be used to put Deqlan under anaesthetic - we found some literature that suggests nitrous oxide can be harmful in kids with autism and can cause them to regress!!!!!!!!!!! So He has agreed to use different gases just in case. We will still want to have another final chat with him when we see him in the morning to be 111000000000% sure , but the best surity we have is that Our Lord will be taking the very best care of Deqlan as He always has,and as He always will.

Please pray that Deqlan doesn't get to upset by not being able to drink and eat
Please pray he doesn't get frightened and scared by the new environment of the day clinic and new faces
Please pray that the anaesthetist does the best job he has ever done and that the gases he uses has no negative effects on Deqlan
Please Lord will you work through Dr Nicky's hands and let her be able to fix Deqlans teeth quickly and properly
Please Lord let Deqlan wake up feeling ok and still in fantastic health and let this resolve all his teeth problems that have been bothering him
Please pray for Mark and Me and Nanna as we wait for Deqlan that we continue to put all our trust and faith into Gods hands knowing He is taking the very best care of Deqlan always

Promise to update soon as I can

Thank you so much, God Bless and love
Mark Samm Deqlan Logan

P.S - LOTS OF NEUROBLASTOMA FIGHTERS NEEDING EXTRA SPECIAL PRAYERS RIGHT NOW
CARTER
IMOGEN
DAXTON
MELINA
NICK
QUINCY
YLARIA

'FOR I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU ', DECLARES THE LORD.' PLANS TO PROSPER YOU AND NOT TO HARM YOU, PLANS TO GIVE YOU HOPE AND A FUTURE' JEREMIAH 29;11Deqlanhttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-678149034855216789.post-9040767609109005072010-04-20T16:41:00.001+02:002010-04-20T16:43:40.636+02:00A HAIR DRYER KID IN A TOASTER BRAINED WORLDWanted to share this with you all, thanks Loren for sending on from the blog of MOM - NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED

Saturday, March 13, 2010

A hair-dryer kid in a toaster-brained world
Okay, so: the presentation.First, I should tell you that we orchestrated it with the stealth of CIA operatives. We didn't want Bud to see me in the building, because we knew that my presence would be difficult for him. (Mom does not belong in school. Mom should only be here when she has come to take me home.) We all synchronized our watches, and as lunchtime approached, Mrs. Nee walked Bud to the lunchroom, where he was meeting another staff member, and Ms. Walker readied the classroom, while a student, Noelle, helped me slip in the side door and up the back staircase.While we waited for a few students to return to the class with their hot lunches, Ms. Walker let me know that they'd told the children a little bit about my blog, read them a few excerpts, and let them know that people all over the world read about their classroom. The kids were delighted to know that they had fans, and even more delighted by the idea that they'd been given pseudonyms when I wrote about them. It seems they'd had some fun trying to figure out who was who.Then, the children returned with their lunches and settled at their desks, which had been arranged in a circle. I sat down to join them, and it was time to begin.I started by thanking them for inviting me to their class. "I hope you know," I said, "that you are really, really important people to Bud. He doesn't always show friendship the way other people do, but believe me - you are important to him. He talks about you all the time. He tells me all about his buddies. And he loves having buddies."They grinned their response."I also want to thank you for asking such great questions." I held up their index cards. "Your questions were fantastic, and they tell me that you really pay attention to Bud."Dan raised his hand. "I wasn't here the day they wrote cards," he said. "But I do have some questions.""That's great, " I told him. "How about if I answer the questions that other people have asked first, and then if I haven't answered your questions, you can ask me more about them."Dan agreed, and I turned to the rest of the class. "You can all ask more questions. Sometimes when something seems different, people can get nervous about asking questions, but I want you to know that I want you to ask questions. It's the best way to learn about things you don't understand."My intro was over and it was time to get into my answers to the questions they'd written. I'd prepared ten pages of notes. I wanted to help the kids understand Bud's differences, but I didn't want to present him as "other," as though he were an alien living among them, as though there were something wrong with him, so I'd developed some analogies - some things that I hoped would help them relate Bud's experience to their own.The first one felt the riskiest. It was my make-or-break analogy - the one on which the rest of the presentation hinged. If it didn't resonate with them - or, worse, if it seemed lame - I was afraid I'd lose them. I knew that one ill-placed snarky comment from one of the kids could make the whole thing unravel.So I took a breath, and I started talking."The first question that lots and lots of you asked is: What is autism?"Autism is something that people are born with – you either have autism or you don't have it. You can't catch it."Having autism means that your brain is put together differently. Your brain still works perfectly well. It just does things differently from other people's brains."Let's think about the brain as a machine. You know that your brain controls everything you do. You use your brain to think about things and to make your body do things. Your brain also controls things that you don't even think about. You don't have to remember to breathe, because your brain does it automatically for you. You don't have to remember to blink, because your brain does it. So, sometimes you USE your brain to do things and sometimes your brain just does things because that's what it's wired to do."The same thing is true in autism. Bud uses his brain for everything, too. But because there are differences in the way his brain is connected, there are differences in the way his brain reacts to things."Now, we all know that your brain is a machine that's made of tissue and neurons and nerve cells. But let's pretend it was a more simple machine. Let's pretend your brain wasn't made of tissue and neurons and nerve cells, but instead, it was made of metal and plastic and electrical wires. And let's pretend that when you put that metal and plastic and electrical wire together, it turned into a toaster."Here, the class laughed - the good kind of laughter. I carried on. They were with me."And let's pretend that MOST of us had toaster brains. Some of us might make white toast and some wheat toast or rye toast, and some of us might make light toast and some of us dark toast. Some of us might only toast bagels, and sometimes we might even burn the toast, but for the most part, all of our brains would be able to do the same thing: make toast."Now, think about the pretend world that we have just created. In our world, MOST people have toaster brains. So, when we make the rules for our world and decide how we want to spend our time, what do you think we'll decide is the MOST important thing a person can do?"Nora raised her hand. "Always try hard and do our very best?""Yes!" I said. "And WHEN we do our very best, we will be doing a great job making...""Toast!" they responded in unison."Yes! Because we have brains that are really GOOD at making toast - so we will want to have a world where it's REALLY important and REALLY valuable to make toast. Right?"Heads nodded around the room."Now let's pretend that Bud's brain is ALSO made of metal and plastic and electrical wires, just like our brains, except that when HIS metal and plastic and electrical wires get put together, they turn into a totally different kind of machine. Instead of being a TOASTER, Bud's metal and plastic and electrical wires turn into a HAIR DRYER."I swear, I heard gasps."Now, there's nothing WRONG with a hair dryer, right? Hair dryers are great! There are some things that hair dryers are really good for. There are some things that a hair dryer can do even BETTER than a toaster. But it is REALLY, REALLY hard to make toast with a hair dryer."They laughed again, and nodded, and totally, completely got it."So, in our pretend world, even though Bud has a perfectly wonderful hair dryer brain, it's going to be hard for him, because we toaster-brained people have decided that the most important thing that people do in our world is make toast. And Bud probably can make toast with his hair dryer, right? But he is going to have to work a lot harder to make toast with his hair-dryer brain than we will with our toaster brains. It will probably take him a lot longer to make his toast. And no matter how hard he works, his hair-dryer toast will probably always look different from our toaster toast."The room filled with murmurs of understanding."But, on the other hand - think about THIS! When we toaster-brain people have wet hair? We are REALLY going to hope that Bud and his hair-dryer brain are around."Nathan piped in. "Because we could get ZAPPED if we tried to use our toasters!""Exactly," I continued. "And the same thing is true in the real world with our real brains, that are made of tissue and neurons and grey matter and, uh...""And important stuff," offered Travis."Yeah, and important stuff," I said. "Because for most of us, when that important stuff gets put together, we have a certain type of brain. And we have created a society that says the most important things are the things that most of our brains are really good at - things like:"Talking and communicating with people;"Making friends and spending time with people;"Doing lots of different kinds of things, having lots of different kinds of interests, and trying new things."Because our brains are really GOOD at those things, we try to spend most of our time doing them. But those are all things that, because of his autism, Bud's brain has a really hard time doing."Language is difficult for him and he doesn't talk the same way as other people."Being social and knowing how to interact with people is difficult."Changing his routine and trying new things is difficult."The classroom resonated with affirmation. Bud's classmates knew exactly what I was talking about. They knew, without me explaining any further, what kinds of behaviors I was talking about. I could see the understanding in their faces."But, remember how there were some things that the hair-dryer brains could do better than the toaster brains? There are ALSO things that Bud's brain is really GOOD at doing. There are things that HIS brain can do better than a lot of our brains can do."I bet you can guess what some of those things are. Can you?"Hands flew up all over the room, and without my prompting, they recreated the list I had written in the notes in front of me."He's really great on the computer. He's better at it than LOTS of people.""He has great hearing.""He can remember lots of lots of things.""He can remember all the words to TV shows.""And he can remember the words to songs.""He is very musical.""He's a great speller, too," I added. "Once he learns a word, he usually remembers how to spell it.""If I had a brain like that," said Nathan. "I'd read the whole dictionary and learn all the words.""That would be a great thing to do," I said. "And it reminds me that Bud is also a really good reader."Molly raised her hand. "And he has a great sense of humor, too.""He does have a great sense of humor," I said. "And that's one of the ways that his brain is a lot like other people's. What are some of the other ways that Bud is just like everyone else?"Again, the hands flew up."He can see just like everyone else.""He looks just like everyone else.""He's human.""Yes! He's human - which means that he has all the same feelings that everyone else does. And he loves the people in his life. And he likes to play and have fun. He likes to laugh, he likes to swim, he likes to eat pizza. In lots of ways, Bud is just a regular kid."I looked around the room at the smiling faces of Bud's classmates - his friends, with their toaster-brains firing."But a lot of your questions were about some of the ways that Bud is different from you and about the things that are harder for him than they are for a lot of other toaster-brained people. So, let's talk about some of those questions."Deqlanhttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-678149034855216789.post-53909334315942244002010-04-19T11:50:00.003+02:002010-04-19T11:52:24.771+02:00PLEASE SUPPORT DECLAN DAY

Deqlanhttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-678149034855216789.post-24106189891601012532010-04-19T11:28:00.000+02:002010-04-19T11:29:29.479+02:00An interesting discussion with people from all corners of the earthhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b78pG5zoS-Q&feature=channelDeqlanhttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-678149034855216789.post-49793741581927487132010-04-19T11:09:00.002+02:002010-04-19T11:10:34.936+02:00A day in the life of autismPlease take a few minutes of your time to watch the following clip ...to get a taste of whats is like for those affected by autism...please create awareness and please support all the drives you can to help us help recover our kids!

http://www.theautismnews.com/2010/04/17/a-day-in-the-life-autism/Deqlanhttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-678149034855216789.post-24376880732714522782010-04-16T10:08:00.001+02:002010-04-16T10:15:34.529+02:00A beautiful postBy Bob Allen ABP
CINCINNATI – Now a nationally recognized author and speaker in the field of disability ministry, Kathleen Deyer Bolduc says she was unprepared to parent a special-needs child before the birth of her third son. Now 24, Joel has autism, intellectual disabilities and an anxiety disorder. She tells the story of their life together in Autism & Alleluias, a new book by Judson Press.
"There is a lot of pain involved in parenting a child with autism," Bolduc said in an April webcast scheduled during Autism Awareness Month to promote her new book. "There's a lot of joy, but I think we're kidding ourselves if we don't look at the grief that's involved."
"I can also say at the same time that living with autism, more than anything else in my life, has brought me to a closer relationship with God," she said. "It really has brought me to a gut-level understanding of the Lord's words to Paul in Second Corinthians, when he said that 'My grace is sufficient for you. My power is made perfect in weakness.'"
"Once I came to an acceptance of that truth, once I figured out that I couldn't do it all on my own, that I needed God's power to gift me with the strength I needed to parent Joel, Joel became one of the most spiritual teachers in my life," she said.
In one of the stories told in the book, Bolduc describes a particularly harrowing morning that started with Joel rushing out of the house barefoot and in his pajamas with the temperature in the 30s. It escalated into an emotional meltdown for Joel and reduced her to tears. Approaching her and reaching a hand toward her, instead of grabbing for her glasses as he sometimes does when he is anxious, Joel patted her face. "We need Jesus," he said.
"We do need Jesus," Bolduc said in the webcast. "And Jesus is with Joel no matter how difficult things get."
Bolduc said the most important spiritual lesson her son has taught her is that God's love is unconditional.
"God loves me just as I am. I don't have to try so hard," she said. "And God loves Joel just the way he is. I don't have to fix Joel. God loves him just as he is. Such a huge burden lifted with that realization."
Bolduc said parents of children with disabilities long for a church where their sons and daughters are loved and accepted just as they are, regardless of their behavior or their ability to achieve. Those that do, she said, receive a lot in return.
When Joel was about 8 or 9, she says in the book, his behavior caused Bolduc and her husband to give up on sending him to Sunday school. They learned that if they sat on the front row, where he could not kick the pew in front of him, they could usually make it at least through the congregational singing.
During communion, she said Joel would typically act out in ways so that it "was not really a spiritual experience, to say the least." One particular Sunday, however, the pastor raised the plate in the air and recited, "This is the body of Christ, broken for you" and then the cup, saying "and this is the blood of Christ, poured out that you might live."
Joel stood up and clapped his hands to his chest and said: "For me! For me!" He turned around and said the same thing to the people behind him.
"Joel gave a gift to the whole church that day, when he turned around," Bolduc recalled. "He was announcing to everybody: 'Wake up! Open up your eyes and look at the sacrament with brand new eyes. This is for you and this is for me. This is for all of us together.' I think it was just an amazing lesson that my son had to teach the congregation that day."
Another teachable moment came when Bolduc's family had made a commitment to attend an African-American congregation honoring Martin Luther King Jr. During the music, Joel did what he usually did in their Presbyterian church. He worshiped with his whole body, bouncing and dancing in the aisle. This time, though, others were doing it, too.
"A proverbial light bulb went on in my head," she said. "I thought, 'You know, you just can't fit a square peg into a round hole.' All of these years of trying to make Joel fit into our worship service, it's craziness."
That created a dilemma for the family. "Do we leave a church that we love, or do we try to help the church see what Joel has to bring?" They chose the latter.
"I'm glad to say that our church has changed," Bolduc said. "And I like to think that it's changed partially because of Joel — and Peter and Jeremy and Matt, who are three other guys with developmental disabilities — and what they've brought to us.
"We have a contemporary service now that is much more relaxed," she said. "Matt walks around and greets people. He doesn't care what part of the service it is; if he sees you and he hasn't said 'hi' yet, he's coming on up. Peter dances during the worship songs.
"Joel stands up when everyone else is sitting down, if he wants to, and people are telling me, quite often, how much joy they get out of worshiping with Joel, Peter, Matt and Jeremy. There are some real gifts if we open up our eyes to them."
"Joel has changed me, and Joel has changed our church," Bolduc said. "If you open up your hands and your hearts and your minds and your attitudes, and you open up your church doors to those with disability, transformation will take place."
Kathleen Bolduc
Autism & Alleluias
* Paperback: 144 pages* Publisher: Judson Pr; Original edition (February 15, 2010)* Language: English* ISBN-10: 081701568X* ISBN-13: 978-0817015688* Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 5 x 0.5 inches
Source: http://www.abpnews.com/content/view/5050/53/
Please share this news with friends, family and also with your contact list on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.Deqlanhttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-678149034855216789.post-80981615315130900632010-04-15T10:18:00.002+02:002010-04-16T09:09:01.040+02:00Deqlans first visit to the dentist!This event was one that i was dreading -knowing how much Deqlan dislikes sitting still in a chair with someone trying to make him keep his mouth open while they poked and proded, while i try to hold him still....well my friends, my vision of what it would be like was the furthest from what actually happened!!!!!!

The offices were so lovely and inviting and the kiddies area a definite winner for Deqlan - check one
Nicolette and her mom so friendly and welcoming and understanding to Deqlan - check two ( we even shared a few moments of tears and gratefullness when finding out how they to followed Deqlans journey and praying for him)
Nicolette has other patients on the autism spectrum so she was so understanding of Deqlans needs and what she should avoid doing to upset him - A BIG CHECK THREE ( do you know if an other dentists like this???)
Deqlan was allowed to run around the rooms, climbing on and off the chair , allowed to become familiar with the new enviroment - check four
Nicolette let Deqlan sit on my lap reading his magazine, and she very gently, without making a big deal at all, took her little mirror, and checked Deqlans teeth without him having to open his mouth as wide as a hippo! She managed to get a good idea of what needs work - and unfortunately there is quite a bit of work to be done - check five

Deqlan was so chuffed with the whole experience he gladly waved goodbye and gave high fives!!! WOW - i can recommend Nicolette to anyone, but especially to those of you looking for a fantastic dentist for your kids - you can see she is so passionate about them and so understanding! What a wonderful experience!

Now ...for the what work needs to be done part...Deqlans molars look terrible - the 2, second last from the back at each side have massive cavities. The left side is definitely worse for wear with the gum also being affected. The front teeth also have a little cavity she is going to try and repair and then when Deqlan is in theatre she can have a good look a good clean and repair anything else all at the same time

This will probably be done Wednesday next week - under anaesthetic , there is now way we could ever think of putting Deqlan, or any other little one, through that amount of trauma and holding him down , etc, no way - so this is the kindest and best way to do this .....will keep you all posted...

Deqlan is definitely in pain - he is holding his cheek and his ear time to time, bouts of moaning and crying, brushing teeth is very painful and causes the gum to bleed, and he is not eating. anything. he tries to, he maybe has one or two bites then pushes the rest away - no matter what i do to try and get him to eat - not happening. Going to try and make him a smoothie tonight and see if he will drink it ...dont know how great a gluten casein sugar yeast soya free smoothie will go down...but we haev to give it a go

Otherwise Deqlan continues to thrive and develop fantastically - he is really into songs and singing at the moment- he loves to sing all the Praise Baby songs, Old Macdonald is a big hit at the moment, even complete with E I E I O! Deqlan is also singing bits and pieces of Nkosi Sikileli ( our national anthem). The boys are learning so many new songs at school for Grandparents day on the 7th of May. Three new boys joined Little Leaps this week so now they are officially full at 16 boys! They are all GORGEOUS and they all have a massive place in my heart, every single one of them. I love dropping Deqlan off in the morning and getting kisses blown at me, or getting pulled to the trampoline to jump, or helping someone climb up a jungle gym, or one of the boys playing with my car keys or looking at my chain, or asking HOW ARE YOU? I just love them all dearly ! And when Ash tells me about something new they are doing, i celebrate their accomplishments just as i do with Deqlan. I really fell a calling to this area and who knows where the road will take me, but i just feel so called to do something to help kids with Autism!

I will be updating the blog with our Easter holiday pics next, we have been back a week already!!!! Cant believe it! Deqlan still asks for the ' Hippo Gate' at Saddle and Trout, as well as the beach and "SHAKA" ( UShaka Marine world) and the Dolphins....cant wait to go back...

Hope you all have a lovely weekend, we are so excited as we are going to see Sam and Mia and Liam again and Logan is with us, so we are sure all the kids are going to love being together!

Happy Birthday Ivan for today, 16 April! Hope its a stunning day and that the year ahead opens many doors and oppurtunities for you! Hope you enjoy all the celebrations!

P.S - Deqlan is 27 months NED today, thank You Lord, we trust that it is Your will to keep Deqlan NED forever and always - please always continue the prayers Deqlans prayer army!

God Bless lots of love
Mark Samm Deqlan Logan
BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GODDeqlanhttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-678149034855216789.post-75997571909124641112010-04-15T10:08:00.002+02:002010-04-15T10:10:51.670+02:00How BeautifulOur friend Loren suggested we go and visit this site for something very touching-wow, how absolutely beautiful i wanted to pass it on for you all to enjoy it as much as i did- the most beautiful music, beautiful pics and beautiful precious kids - i still have goosebumps and a smile on my face!

http://cheryl-rubyslife.blogspot.com/2010/04/beautiful.htmlDeqlanhttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-678149034855216789.post-40799775772348109352010-04-14T10:07:00.004+02:002010-04-14T21:17:32.481+02:00KEJE SETS SAIL AGAIN
 A Very Proud Dad and Keje
 Me, Dee, Keje and Mom

 Denise, Keje and Jeran

 Mom and Keje

 The three cousins- boy i wish i could post photos from when we were younger and what we three used to get up to...from fashion shows to "radio broadcasts" straight out of our bedroom ' in touch in tune and independant' I KNOW YOU LAUGHING MEGS AND KEJE!

 Keje cuddling Deqlan

 Just LOVE this photo of Nan - she lent Jerans cap , so cute!

 Grandpa, Keje and Nan

 Deqlan tending to Uncle Ken and Aunty Jennis flowers - Keaton broke them off and Deqlan was trying to put them back on! He he he

 My mom and her wonderful brother Ken - my uncle and godfather to!!

 Keje, Deqlan and Me!

 What a delicous lunch it was, what a stunning day with our wonderful family, thank you all for having us

 Keje and Megs

 A gorgeous photo of Keaton and Deqlan! Go Brazil and Go Bafana Bafana!!

We had a lovely Sunday afternoon lunch at Uncle Ken - Aunty Jenni is away in Germany at the mo, but we got to catch up with Jeran and Denise and Kejenne , who was visiting home for 2 weeks! Keje has been away for over a year now, sailing around the beautiful and gorgeous seas of Europe! She is mostly between France and Italy and we loved seeing her for the afternoon catching up and hearing all her very entertaining stories and adventures!

I am so proud of you Keje that you are living out your dreams and learning so much on this journey of life! You are looking absolutely fantastic, so happy and content and as always, so full of wisdom and wonderful words of advise. I wish you many happy travels, many extraordinary adventures,many life changing moments, many happy and healthy days as you travel the sea's of the world! Remember what i told you, each time you see dolphins, you will know we are thinking of you and sailing with you in spirit!

So proud of you Keje, God Bless and keep you safely and bring you back safely home when the wind blows this way again! We love you! Bon Voyage

Mark Samm Deqlan Logan

Deqlanhttp://email@example.com


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Tony's Health Food SupermarketBrooklyn, New York City
Brooklyn, NY 11216
vegan-friendly supermarket
General Store
Tony's is a small but well-stocked health food store that has all the staples, including canned, boxed, frozen, and fresh foods and prepared items. They have vegan cheese, ice cream, faux meats, tofu, and more. They also have big bags of various types of faux meats (mostly TVP-based). They have some bulk items like nuts, vitamins, loose herbs, and "body building products".
Added by Cass Danger on Oct 2 09 (last updated May 2 12)
Mark this place closed (permanently).
Most Recent Reviews
This place is great!!!! I stumbled upon it when I was working in the area and was surprised at their huge selection of vegan items, most notably their big jars of Veganaise, which are hard to come by in NYC (everyone sells the only the small jars). They have pretty much anything you would want from a health food store and their prices are pretty reasonable. The staff is also really nice.
A, C to Nostrand
- Eclectic (Varied)
This entry has 3 more images.


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M.Video-Eldorado Grp closes acquisition of Media Markt in Russia
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text: Ideal for little green thumbs! Use pieces from the 11002 LEGO® Classic Basic Brick Set and help your kids put together a beautiful flower with these free building instructions. This flower has colorful petals and a blue and purple flower pot. Encourage your little botanists to add pieces from their own LEGO collection and create an amazing garden only they can dream of!


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News analysis
Seizing shipments alone will not stop wildlife and forest crime
UN, environment agencies want govts to use anti-corruption laws
Enforcers fighting a surge in environmental crime greased by the wheels of corruption need to go beyond simply seizing shipments to worldwide investigations using more technology and legal tools, experts say.
Shipments of illegal timber, hazardous waste, ivory and other items seized globally have spiralled, and environmental crime has moved up the policy agenda. But successful prosecutions are few and the trade continues unabated.
In South-east Asia, environmental crime accounts for 25 per cent of the total value of criminal activity, the UN Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimates. But "if you go to any given jail in this region, you will probably find about 80 per cent of people are in jail for drug-related offences, and about zero per cent for environmental crime-related offences", says Mr Giovanni Broussard, the Bangkok-based regional coordinator of UNODC's programme on combating wildlife and forest crime.
Instead of relying on relatively weak environmental laws, enforcement experts and UNODC want governments to use tough anti-corruption laws to crack down on the illegal trade.
More vigilance at transhipment points has seen more seizures of contraband. But this is not enough, said experts at a UN-organised meeting in Bangkok on Jan 26-27.
"We have more and more seizures... but the trade keeps coming and coming," said Mr Justin Gosling, an independent consultant and former Interpol environmental crime officer, on the sidelines of the meeting, which gathered around 50 experts on environmental crime.
The UN estimates environmental crime is worth up to US$213 billion (S$299 billion) a year globally. It ranges from illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing to the slaughter of rhinoceroses and elephants in Africa, plunder of timber in Laos and Myanmar, and illegal export and dumping of hazardous waste.
In 2013, the US State Department said wildlife trafficking in particular had "evolved from a conservation issue to an acute security threat".
Globally environmental crime is estimated by the UN to be worth up to US$213 billion (S$299 billion) a year. It ranges from illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing to the slaughter of rhinoceroses and elephants in Africa, the plunder of timber in Laos and Myanmar, and the illegal export and dumping of hazardous waste.
Last October, Asean put trafficking of wildlife and timber on its list of transnational crimes regarded as threats. Just days ago, it launched in Jakarta a 500-page legal toolkit on fighting environmental crime.
South-east Asia is a particular hot spot: It is both a source of tropical timber and wildlife, and a transit point on the Africa-China route.
The trade is facilitated by endemic corruption. Last week Transparency International's annual corruption perception index rated Cambodia the worst in South-east Asia. At No. 150, the country was in the bottom fifth of 167 countries listed.
A September report by Cambodia Daily concluded that nearly one-third of forest cover lost in Cambodia in 2014 had disappeared from inside areas that are officially protected. Ranked just above Cambodia were Myanmar at 147 and Laos at 139.
Independent investigators in 2014 filmed Chinese businessmen as far afield as Zanzibar, off Tanzania, involved in smuggling ivory. The storied port is one of the main conduits for ivory from Tanzania, where the elephant population has plunged from 110,000 five years ago to 43,000 today.
"Port officials get about US$70 per kilo of ivory to turn away," says Mr Julian Newman, an investigator from the British-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA). The EIA learnt that the seizure by Customs authorities of one container in 20 of ivory was an acceptable cost of doing business for the syndicates in Zanzibar.
Myanmar and Laos ban the export of raw or round logs. Yet investigators from EIA and other agencies have photographed lorries laden with them moving across borders, with officials and militias along the route paid off.
Mr Newman showed journalists photos of a Chinese businessman in a small town on the Vietnam-China border who quoted US$2 a kg to get timber across the border - refundable if the shipment was seized. "The frustration is, very few seizures in Asia lead to effective prosecutions," he said.
"It is not only South-east Asia," Mr Broussard said.
In South Africa, 1,215 rhinos werepoached in 2014. A year later despite millions being pledged and spent by various organisations, the number came down by around 40.
"There is much more money being spent now than in the past, but... The illegal trade has not dramatically reduced," Mr Broussard told The Straits Times.
"Laws are inadequate. Penalties are too low... Penalties for corruption are higher than those
for environmental crime.
"Seizures are good news to some extent because they show that law enforcement and government institutions at least care. But that is not enough."


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Search engine optimization saw some pretty big changes in 2012. Sure, Google's official blogs may claim that SEO 2012 was just a refinement of what they've been shooting for all along. But webmasters and site owners know that there has been a big shake-up during the past few months! Unfortunately, a lot of businesses are still in the dark as to what to do about it.
Even if you were one of the well-prepared or fortunate few whose site didn't tank in 2012, it's important to review what has changed in the past several months and what you need to keep focusing on.
The Google Panda Update
Google updated its "Panda" algorithm this year. Originally released early in 2011, Panda was intended to penalize sites that have poor or spammy content. One thing that many site owners don't know, however, is that this update wasn't just about written content.
Panda also looks at a site's HTML tags. This includes the "Description" meta tag that many SEOs have long maintained have no effect on rankings. It also includes the Title Tag. It's important to make sure that your inbound marketing strategies include a review of your meta tags to be sure they are unique across your site.
Overall, Google Panda was designed to make sure you have useful, relevant, non-spammy content on your site. Even well-intentioned content may take a hit in the future if it's not well-written. Inbound marketing strategies, such as blogging on a regular basis and providing user-centered content on your website, will help your business weather the inevitable next wave of Panda.
The Google Penguin Update
Google also rolled out the first wave of the "Penguin" update this year. Penguin cracked down on many link-building practices that had become standard fare for most Online Marketing and Search Engine Optimization firms. Several sites that had enjoyed first-page dominance for years through suspicious link building practices finally had their legs taken out from under them because of Penguin.
You can bet that, just like with Panda, Google will update the Penguin section of its algorithm again and again. You don't want to be caught with links from "bad neighborhoods" like shady blog networks, content farms, or out-of-date social bookmarking sites.
The answer to the Penguin problem is value-added inbound marketing strategies. If you aren't already, you'll want to make extra effort to get links from sites relevant to your industry. Press releases to online news and review sites are one great way to do this. Another time-honored way to build links back to your site is to trade links with others in your industry--just don't do it too heavily!
Social Media and Social Signals
"Social Signals" have become bigger with Google this year, according to search head Matt Cutts. That is basically a way of saying that everyone's favorite search engine will take note if you're heavily discussed on Facebook, Twitter and (especially) Google+. Strategic inbound marketing through social media should be a bigger part of your approach in the last quarter of 2012 and into 2013.
But perhaps the best way to get relevant links pointing back to your site is to generate interesting and exciting content that your customers and colleagues will want to link to! This isn't just good for acquiring more backlinks and social signals. It is, ultimately, the best kind of marketing on any platform, in any medium!


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Travel Team
Departure information
Responsible tourism
Responsible tourism: Bird watching short break to Hungary
The bird watching hotel is locally owned and employees are local people. We employ local birding guides and work closely with the national parks and visit their wildlife exhibitions for which there is an entrance fee.
On this birding holiday, we also use locally owned restaurants and give visitors the option of visiting various charging attractions in the area.
Almost 50% of the bird watching tour cost goes in to the local community (hotel, restaurants etc.) Guests are taught some key word in Hungarian at the start of the trip.
We encourage landowners to view local wildlife & take up European grant aid, available for sensitive land management schemes where specific wildlife occur. All walks respect landowners and wildlife conservation. We work closely with the Bukk national Park and private forestry companies to ensure habitat protection for the White Backed Woodpecker and in the past 5 years we have seen a population increase. Recycling and composting are both carried out by the bird watching hotel. Heating is turned off when office is not being used & we take great care not to waste water. We use public transport & car share.
1 Reviews of Bird watching short break to Hungary
Reviewed on 22 May 2009 by Joyce Varley
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing so many wonderful birds so close.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Go for it and make sure you pack some sum tan lotion and sun glasses.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Air travel will always have an impact on the environment but this was kept to a minimum. I hope and expect the holiday helped the local economy in a small way.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent. A lovely location, super hotel, well thought out and planned by Roy Adams. Efficiently delivered and professionally run in a very gentle and caring way. I would happily repeat the holiday. It was very, very good with excellent company. Thank you.
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So hump day is here at last. For those of you who are not familiar with the term, it means Wednesday. You have to visualise the week as a HUGE HILL when you get to Wednesday, you are standing on top of the hill having done the uphill struggle that is the Monday blues and the Tuesday time to get some work done, then it's a downward walk or run (if your week has been really bad) towards drinks on a Thursday and maybe even a Friday. Check out the definition of hump day on the Urban Dictionary.
So my journey to hump day has been pretty drama free. As an early celebration of having the weekend in sight I intend to have a glass of wine this evening and catch up with a friend. This bestie happens to be the one who suggested I started a blog because I have a lot to say about EVERYTHING. She is mad about fashion, crazy about boys and knows how to bust a pretty good groove. As a celebration to hump day I have decided it would be fun to do a weekly hump day interview with someone crazy I know, the crazies they know and any other fun loving crazies I meet along the way.
Here is this weeks hump day chat…………with a crazy
How has your journey to hump day gone this week?
My week has been busy and stressful.
Whats's your favourite part of London?
Kingston as it is slightly in the country and I have a great balance. I have Richmond park and the river.
What was the last play/exhibition you saw in London?
National Portrait- the Lucien Freud exhibition.
What restaurant would you recommend for a dirty Friday date night?
Kazan in Victoria. It has a great atmosphere, brilliant food and excellent service.
Where do you go to to let loose with your girls?
If we didn't have a budget Mustique.
What would you recommend a tourist do in their last 24 hours in London?
Get some junk food and go to Trafalgar Square and sit down on the steps and chill out. I have tried it out with my boyfriend.
What is your favourite item in your wardrobe?
I love everything in my wardrobe including the wardrobe itself.
Have you had any recent fashion splurge or bargain find?
I bought a bargain priced jumper from ASOS.
Where have you recently gone on holiday to escape the big smoke of London?
My bedroom. I haven't gone anywhere this year.
What's your life philosophy?
Take everyday as it comes. Cool runnings style.