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The purpose of this assignment was to learn how to program and use graphics primitives to create images. In particular, we wrote algorithms to draw lines, circles, and ellipses, filled circles, and filled ellipses. We also wrote a flood fill algorithm to fill in empty polygons.
Our goal was to use C programming language to write out the algorithms to generate graphics primitives. We then used these graphics primitives to generate simple images and output them in .ppm format.
The first algorithm we coded was the line_draw() algorithm. This function takes in a Line object, an Image object, and a Pixel object. The line object holds variables indicating the start and end points of the line. The Image object indicates the image that the line is being drawn onto. The pixel object indicates the color of the line.
The algorithm compares the change in x with the change in y for the line. Based on this comparison, it enters one of two loops for drawing the line. If dX (the change in x) is greater, it enters a loop where the x value is incremented in each iteration, and the y value is incremented based on the value of an error term. If dY (the change in y) is greater, it enters a loop where the y value is incremented in each iteration and the x value is incremented based on the value of an error term. At each iteration of the loop, the program draws the current point in the line (indicated by the current x and y values), before moving on to the next iteration. The loop terminates when the either the x value or the y value reaches the value passed into the function. At this point, the line has been completed.
The next algorithm we coded was the Circle_Draw() function. This function takes in a Circle object, an Image object, and a Pixel object. The Circle object holds variables indicating the origin of the circle, and its radius. The Image object indicates the image that the circle is being drawn onto. The Pixel objet indicates the color of the circle.
After initializing the variables that will be used later in the algorithm, the Circle_Draw() function draws the initial 4 points by offsetting the origin of the circle by the radius of the circle. The algorithm then enters a loop, at which point it checks the error variable, which we named f. If the value of f is greater than zero, it decrements y and updates the new error term. The loop then increments x and updates the error term. Finally, it draws 8 points based on the new x and y values. The algorithm makes use of the symmetry of a circle to draw 8 points at every iteration by reflecting a single point over the axes.
The Circle_drawFill() algorithm follows a similar pattern. However, instead of drawing 8 points at each iteration of the loop, it draws 4 horizontal lines between corresponding points. The reason it uses horizontal lines instead of vertical lines is to make use of cache memory, so the program runs faster and more efficiently (instead of having to pull data from main memory, it can pull it from the cache which is much faster). The horizontal lines eventually connect to make an opaque circle.
The Ellipse_Draw() function takes in three variables: an Eclipse object, and Image object, and a Pixel object. The Eclipse object holds variables indicating both of its radii and its origin. The Image object indicates the image that the circle is being drawn onto. The Pixel object indicates the color of the ellipse.
After initializing the necessary variables, the Ellipse_Draw() algorithm draws the first four points by offsetting the origin by the corresponding radius of the ellipse. The algorithm then enters a loop. This loop uses an error term to determine the next point to plot in the ellipse, then utilizes the symmetry of the ellipse to reflect that point to three other points. Unlike the Circle algorithm, the Ellipse_Draw() algorithm is broken into two loops which draw the different quadrants of the ellipse. The first loop iterates until the change in x is less than the change in y. When the change in x is less than the change in y, the initial quadrant has been drawn and the algorithm enters the loop for drawing the next quadrant. The algorithm continues until y = 0, at which point ¼ of the ellipse has already been plotted and reflected onto the remaining segments of the ellipse.
After completing the algorithms, we still needed to generate some sample images. To do this, we each drew a few sketches on graph paper. When we were satisfied with our drawings, we mapped out a coordinate system. We used this coordinate system to determine the input parameters for our code, (i.e. the start and end points of lines, the origins and radii of circles). We then used our code to generate computerized versions of our sketches.
The flood fill algorithm does not relay on the scanline procedure, but rather uses stack recursively invoking itself, with each iteration searching and moving in four directions to check if the boundary or already filled color have been reached. If not, the pixel is colored (here, at the known value for B and G channels and R depending on the depth of the algorithm, increasing at very small ( < 1) intervals per iteration, due to the number of iterations needed.)
The prescribed image.
The benchmark file. Results oscillated between 190 and 230 thousands lines per second while ran on iMac Core 2 Duo in Olin labs.
Result of the flood fill.
The pseudo-3D image. We thought that to celebrate Poland being a host of Euro 2012 championships, a real FOOTBALL player would be perfect.
The change in color represents the spread depth of recursion during the flood fill (the reeder, the deeper the recursion is - and the latter it was filled). Here, it is symmetrical, as the seed is the centre of the circle.
Here, the same technique is applied to fill an irregular object. One can notice that the change occurs traveling clockwise (everything started from the leftmost, uppermost pixel within the frame).
We learned how to implement some of the algorithms we have been talking about in class in C programming language. One useful lesson was how to use the cache and image symmetry to make the program run more efficiently. A problem we ran into was the fact that the coordinate system of the pixels has the origin in the top left. Before we realized this, we were using the standard Cartesian coordinate system with the origin in the bottom left. This led to some confusion before we figured out our mistake.


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Once upon a time, I knew exactly what my life was about. I knew what I could and couldn't be. I knew exactly who I was and exactly what I cared about. And you know what? Deep down, I felt stuck. There was no room to be curious about possibilities, because I had lost my sense of wonder.
It's easy to cling to known outcomes, especially when you suffer from certain types of anxiety. But what if the outcome you know isn't the only possible outcome? What if there are amazing outcomes that you had never imagined, but could very well be your reality – if you'd just open your mind and heart to them.
I started this blog as a hobby. But deep down, in my subconscious, I knew it was something more. For the longest time, I resisted. "I'm not a blogger," I thought, "I'm just someone who blogs." I was a business owner. I was a sustainability consultant for architects and builders. I was a college instructor. I was a working mom and a wife. But a blogger? That was a title reserved for those who had earned it. People who actually had training and talent for writing, and photography, and social media presence. I wasn't a writer. I wasn't a photographer. I wasn't a creative.
Then, through a series of small, yet interesting, events, something inside me clicked. It was six specific things that happened, close together, that just felt like a sign — no, a billboard — directing me to change my path. I wrote down those six things, each one seemingly trivial and relatively meaningless on their own. Perhaps I'll share them with you someday, but I'm not quite ready for that yet.
I'll be honest, I felt like my world had turned upside down. I was both excited and terrified of the possibilities that were entering my mind. Could I really be a real-life full-time blogger? Could I really give up the career I had spent so much time and effort on? That felt like giving up my entire identity. But once I allowed myself to wonder… things actually started to make sense. And I started to feel more like myself than I ever have before in my entire life.
And through that small series of uninteresting events, I started to realize the magic of wonder. It's a powerful thing that can inspire a deeper sense of connection and belonging and purpose. A sense of wonder allows you to sit back at the end of the day and marvel at the small miracles of what may seem like a mundane slice of your weekly routine. It also allows you to look ahead and feel hopeful and optimistic about the future. And it allows you to take delight in the small, simple experiences in daily life, like witnessing the changing autumn leaves or crossing off every item on your day's to-do list or listening to your child learn to read or discovering a love for knitting or breathing in the fresh air on the first warm day of spring.
So I'm learning that, as easy as it is to get bogged down in the daily grind, as easy as it is to become overwhelmed or just plain exhausted trying to keep up with daily demands, and as easy as it is to feel bored with your daily routine, life always has pockets full of wonder, both big and small, if we just keep our minds and hearts open to them.

subset: commoncrawl


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Treating chronic neck and back pain can be frustrating because the original injury may have healed long ago and the pain doesn't respond to conventional therapies. Radiofrequency ablation turns the pain signals off, so you finally feel relief.
Explore The Various Ways Your Spinal And Joint Pain Can Be Eliminated Or Alleviated
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Sham Vengurlekar, MD, at Premier Pain Institute brings nearly four decades of pain management expertise to men and women in Scottsdale, AZ.
At 16, Dr. Vengurlekar started medical school at St. John's Medical College, an internationally recognized, premier medical school in Bangalore, India. Throughout both high school and medical school, Dr. Vengurlekar was at the top of his class, made the Dean's List, and won several academic honors and prizes. He graduated after completing rotations in surgery, medicine, obstetrics-gynecology, orthopedics, and pediatrics.
After medical school, Dr. Vengurlekar advanced his training even further with a surgical residency. As a board-certified surgeon, he became an instructor in general surgery at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, a referral and major medical and teaching center in Pondicherry, India.
Committed to helping his men and women in pain, Dr. Vengurlekar headed to the United States to undergo training in anesthesiology, pain, critical care, and cardiac anesthesia at Loyola University Medical Center of Chicago. During this time, he completed extensive training and residencies in multiple specialties while also gaining experience as an emergency physician in Illinois and Indiana.
As a pain management specialist, Dr. Vengurlekar believes in providing the highest level of care to each of his patients and stays up-to-date on the latest pain management technologies and procedures. He urges his patients to come to see him sooner rather than later so they can treat the cause of their pain, not just mask it with medications or chiropractic care.
In addition to caring for his patients, Dr. Vengurlekar has been instrumental in educating the medical and paramedical community in Phoenix and its surrounding suburbs through numerous presentations and lectures on pain management.
Dr. Vengurlekar is certified in anesthesiology and pain medicine by the American Board of Anesthesiology. He speaks Indian, Spanish, and English.
Tour Our Office!
Treating chronic neck and back pain can be frustrating because the original injury may have healed long ago and the pain doesn't respond to conventional therapies. Radiofrequency ablation turns the pain signals off, so you finally feel relief.
Don't let your joint pain get in the way of your golden years. Regenerative medicine therapy not only provides relief from your pain but may be able to restore function, which is why it's a baby boomer game-changer.
Scottsdale Pain Management Expert Dr. V Shares Tips for Handling Back Pain
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"You owe it to yourself to consult with him before any invasive surgery that is statistically not going to work."
"I feel great after my latest visit at Premier Pain, my neck has always been a problem area and causes tremendous pain. Have not felt relief in years!"


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QMJHL Roundup: Daniel Audette powers Phoenix past Cataractes 7-1NHL.com @NHLdotcom
SHAWINIGAN, Que. - Daniel Audette has found his place on the Sherbrooke Phoenix's power-play unit.
Audette had a hat trick and added an assist as Sherbrooke routed the Shawinigan Cataractes 7-1 on Thursday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action.
All four of Audette's points came on the power play.
Kay Schweri scored twice for the Phoenix (8-4-0), with one of the goals coming on the man advantage. Jeremy Roy and David Storto rounded out the attack.
Alex Bureau made 26 saves for the win.
Sebastien Gauthier was the lone scorer for Shawinigan (6-5-2), while Marvin Cupper stopped 24-of-30 shots he faced as the Cataractes starting goaltender. Antoine Samuel turned aside six of seven shots in relief.
Sherbrooke went 4 for 9 on the power play, while Shawinigan could not score on its two man advantages.
CHICOUTIMI, Que. ? Jan Kostalek had the eventual winner late in the second period as Rimouski edged the Sagueneens.
Anthony DeLuca also scored for the Oceanic (10-3-0).
Alexandre Ranger replied for Chicoutimi (4-7-1).
BAIE-COMEAU, Que. ??? Philippe Cadorette stopped all 18 shots he faced as the Drakkar blanked Quebec.
Maxime St-Cyr, Luca Ciampini, Guillaume Beaudry and Jamie Clavet supplied the offence for Baie-Comeau (7-4-1).
Eric Brassard turned aside 27-of-30 shots for the Remparts (7-4-0).


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What Am I Worth?
By 25/09/2013 21:43:00
The most important question in an individual's life, generally asked, rarely answered. Even if answered, no guarantee whether the answer is correct or not. This is a pure conceptual paper. Simple concepts, that are easy to understand, applicable on every one reading this, applicable on others reading something else, and equally applicable on those who do not read at all.
Click Here to Read the full Article.


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Yesterday, ESPN came out with a top 20 most dominant athlete list in the past 2 decades. You're probably thinking to yourself, now that's a wicked easy piece how could they screw this up right? Well, they did.
First off, how don't they have Michael Phelps on this list? The dude is the definition of dominance in his sport. Literally, nobody has beaten this guy in the Olympics and this idiot didn't even put him on the list. He disses Phelps like that and puts Schumacher at number 7! The man who wrote this needs to be checked out for some sort of mental illness or something because Phelps deserves to be on this list. Anybody who watched Phelps this past year at the Olympics knows how much of a force this guy is. This guy is one of the greatest athletes of all time never mind a top 20 athlete of the past decade.
There is so much wrong with this list I don't even know what to criticize next but since I'm a Boston guy I guess I have to say HOW IS TOM BRADY #20 AND PEYTON MANNING #3! The things that goes through ones mind to put Manning before Brady has to be pretty sick and twisted. How is the greatest quarterback of all time…… no greatest NFL player of all time number 20 on this list. The man has been to 8 Super Bowls and has won five of them. He has done the unthinkable and has beaten Father Time. Even Manning/Favre didn't do that. Brady has done it since 2001, think about that. It's 2018, this guy has been doing it longer than any other Quarterback ever. Brady is in uncharted territory and the only reason he doesn't have a sixth ring is because the defense allowed Nick Foles to beat them. Now I'm not saying Manning shouldn't be on this list but I am saying that Manning and Brady should be switched. Sure Manning was dominant but Brady won the rings and is doing into his 40's. To be completely honest, this looks like another one of ESPN's salty writers who hate Brady for some reason and bumped him at the bottom. ESPN has made themselves a joke ever since deflategate and Lebron's return to Cleveland. That's just facts.
Another thing is how isn't Kobe and Shaq on this list. The Lakers were always in the championship talk solely because they had Kobe. The man was an assassin and he continued to be one later in his career. He destroyed the Celtics in 2010 and he had the consistency late in his career to be on this list. Kobe and Shaq together was deadly to everyone in the NBA. Sure Shaq bounced from team to team but he still won it on other teams. Now he did need another stud like Kobe or D-Wade with him to win it but so did Lebron. Everyone got out his way when he made his way to the rim. Him and Kobe should be on this list and deserve to be on this list possibly in place of Mike Trout. Realistically how long has Trout been doing it, it's not even close to 20 years so, I wish somebody could explain to me why he's on this list over Kobe.
Now there are some guys on here that deserve to be on this list but should be as high up as they are. Like Jimmie Johnson, yes he was one of the best NASCAR drivers of all time but i don't think he should be number 4. The same with Floyd money Mayweather. Yes, he's been dominant but I don't know that he deserves number 8 on this list. I think Lebron, Tiger, Kobe, Brady, Federer, Messi, Williams and Bolt should be above him. Now it's nothing against him it's just that these athletes did things in the sport that nobody thought was possible and that is what you truly need to do to be in the top 5 of this list.
I am not trying to take anything away from any athlete on this list, I am just stating my opinion on this list and how stupid it is. Like I could bring up a bunch of other guys like Drew Brees and hell if they have Trout on there why can't Gronk be on there too. I guess we'll just have to deal with this trash list until another 20 years comes around.
Picture: ESPN.com


text: It is quite true that money can't buy everything, but, of course, there are advantages when you have more money at your disposal. You need to be able to meet your bills and provide the needs of those people who depend on you. Nowadays, handling money efficiently is a question of survival.


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Decals vs Stickers vs Static Cling
Learn the difference between similar products that most customers get confused about. Decals are not the same thing as stickers, though similar they have different properties and should not be used for the same purposes. At the same time clings are not the same thing as a sticker or decal.


text: Lady Betty came home pissed. She was in a bad mood and when she realized that her slave had not done the work she had given her, she knew she had to punish him. She did so using her saliva because she did not feel like beating him up. She smoked and blew the smoke in her face and then she spat on his face and him lick her spit.


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The Chicago based alternative rock band Polarizer formed in late 2011. This prolific group quickly amassed a catalog of songs to be considered for the first album, while planning their first tour to debut the band outside of Chicago in Austin, TX during SXSW 2012. After the tour and a few select local shows, Polarizer entered the studio, working with producer Noam Wallenberg at Rax Trax in Chicago.
The 11-track debut album is due to be released on Machine Dream Records in late summer of 2012!!!
Taylor Brennan (vocals), Ian Palmer (guitar), and Ben Ludwig (drums) began writing together as their former bands took a final bow (ARMA and Echo Son). The band recruited keyboardist and synth player Stan Tencza who has relocated to Chicago from his home in Providence, RI. A new and vicious force of powerful hard Rock, Polarizer combines precise musicianship and dramatic sonic vision to achieve their unique sound.
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12 Jan 2018 07:04
Qualification is a bit different. This indicates you have acquired abilities in a certification program. You have been given time to apply on your personal and below a expert instructor or Divemaster. You have repeatedly carried out the abilities in shallow water, mid drinking water and at depth. (Can you truly be certified to dive to 130 feet if you have never done an alt air ascent from 130 ft?). Then you have put together a exercise regiment to periodically apply and refresh these skills (keep them from rusting). That is qualified. With out the practice element, you can't say you are really certified . simply certified. And, with all the lakes, rivers, or even swimming swimming pools in our backyards, we really have no justification not to apply. These are all fantastic training grounds.Many institutes offer courses which certify scuba diver enthusiast get a degree in order to get a job as a professional diver. padi course IDC is the very best in the field. It is a globe renowned plan and is accessible in nearly all states of the Unites States of The united states. They provide each commercial and recreational diving courses which are acknowledged by all companies and diving companies all more than the world. Given a shot, it can be a really great chance to work as a professional diver.On my final dive, I was because of to buddy up with my newly certified sister. However, one of the Dive Masters suggested that I go with another team to do a more experienced drift dive as it was, in his opinion, the very best dive website in the area. Thank God I did! This was the most magnificent dive I have at any time done. I was fortunate enough to spot a beautiful, 2 metre long bumphead parrot fish. This fish was unbelievably incredible to view, shimmering deep eco-friendly http://tayla41M07435490.Wikidot.Com/ crystal distinct waters. This dive was really the highlight of my whole trip.In February 2010, a group of divers headed out to Twin Lakes (one hour south of Edmonton, Alberta near Winfield) for some ice diving. Yes, that is right, diving beneath the ice. Sounds scary, and truth be informed, I was shaking in my drysuit boots before the initial dive. 6 of us were beginner ice divers and using an ice http://tayla41M07435490.Wikidot.Com/, and a couple of already-licensed ice divers joined in for some fun.The visuals of the spectacular all-natural reefs will pleasantly shock you. The whole area is isolated from pollution of the other cities and hence you can consider in the fresh air at the seaside working day in and day out. You can also go for a brief http://tayla41M07435490.Wikidot.Com/ and get a diver's certification in return. And if you want to go to locations by way of sea then do not neglect to visit Similan Islands as nicely as Hin Muang and Hin Daeng. The boat rides to reach these stunning places don't cost a lot. And the drinking water temperature is just ideal, hovering about 82 levels. The marine lifestyle below the sea will leave you breathless. It is so exotic and peaceful that you will surely have a fantastic time.The Dive college London will deliver you to a different globe exactly where you can suspend disbelief. It is a globe exactly where you can take alongside your family members taking pleasure in what the world has to offer to a new degree of enjoyment. This is why you ought to begin diving with London Diving. The PADI courses London will make your http://tayla41M07435490.Wikidot.Com/ a pleasure rather than a rigid coaching session. They think that in due time you will achieve your goal. There is practically no hurry. It is at your own pace and time.Breaking up is not simple. You may be sensation a little bit low and blue. You may even be crying when you are still left on your personal. There is nothing incorrect with feeling sad as that is natural. However, if you just weep and feel sorry for yourself, your probabilities of obtaining your ex back again might just blow more than. You have to do some thing real quick to get your ex back.The Fantastic White Shark, Carcharodon carcharias, has been feared and worshiped because guy initial laid eyes on this amazing creature. Nevertheless, as we get to know this creature we are learning that the largest predatory fish in the world is more complicated and intelligent than we first believed. This animal is not a mindless killing device, but a curious and social being. If you are a shark lover and want to have an up near and personal encounter with a Great White, then think about preparing a Great White Shark Diving Encounter.Some couples plan romantic get-a-methods with each other to exotic locations. Why go to another, a lot much more expensive place when you can book a romantic hotel/bed & breakfast for the weekend? Pittsburgh has many bed & breakfasts that are recommended by numerous individuals as being great locations for romance. This is yet another purpose why to visit Pittsburgh: there are tons of nice hotels and bed and breakfasts there.If you are currently an skilled diver then spearfishing is a great way to broaden your abilities. Spearfishing is an thrilling pastime that can offer all the thrill of the chase in amazing underwater environments.


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Midget midget web
Willow Age: 27. PSLate nights!If you like, i can visit you now, but you also can come to me and we can have fun here.I like to travel to foreign countries, to see new places, to learn about their cultures and experience their lifestyle.
Midget's Web Page. Domestic Short Hair / Mixed (short coat):: Male (neutered):: Baby:: Small. More Pics Bookmark and Share.
Description: **Midget will be available for adoption at Rosedale Mills, Pennington , NJ, over the July weekend**. Midget appeared at a home after a stormy.
Description:My mom was a VERY pregnant cat who had been loved. I would rather not be homeless. We do not have a facility. I was born in rescue so have not know hard times like mom has. Midget's brother, Fidget adopted can also be seen on our website. Midget's sister, Gidget adopted can also be seen on our website.
Views: 7574 Date: 2018-03-16 Favorited: 8


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Parametric Plot
- To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg47760] Parametric Plot
- From: Ronny Mandal <ronnyma at student.matnat.uio.no>
- Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2004 05:13:34 -0400 (EDT)
- Organization: University of Oslo, Norway
- Sender: owner-wri-mathgroup at wolfram.com
Hi. I'm trying to print the curve x=sin(t), y=cos(t) ,x+y=1 on Mathematica 5, student version. Ican come up with : ParametricPlot[{Sin[t], Cos[t]}, {t, 0, 2*[Pi]}] and this yields what I want. Any suggestions on how I can draw the same curve non-parametric? E.g {(x,y) | 0 => x,y =>1}? Like all points in 2D space that satisfies this equation? Thanks! -Ronny Mandal


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Friday, August 19, 2016
Custom banding made and sold
The time has come to share with the world my talents, cough, cough. Well lets stay humble. I love what I do as an artisan. One of my specialities is making banding. I have made 100's of different banding. Most are period inspired while others are custom. While banding isn't difficult to make there is large learning curve. So why not just order some.
I make many of the banding to order with many are on hand. My goal is to have about 25-30 different banding on hand. If I don't have it on hand than there is a short waiting period and there is a minimum order to justify spending my time making them.
I will posting my banding at first on my Etsy store which I am making currently. I'll write another blog post when the store is open or full. In the near future I will have my own e-commerce store, but right now this is just easier. I have too many irons in the fire currently.
I make many of my banding in 40" inch lengths, which ideal for all projects. The strips are all sawn 1/16" heavy for easy of install, planing, scraping, and future repair. I make them out all domestic and exotic woods. Please note there is a 50% waste factor when making banding. The waste factor is the saw kerf.
Stay tune for there will be a ton of offerings.
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My first thoughts when to some big moments in Laurent's life since the accident. Singing the solo to Betelehemu with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Carnegie Hall in 2015 and again in Europe in 2016 stood out first.
Laurent's 20 NEW Birthday.
On the 4th of July, I posted this picture of us celebrating Laurent's 20th NEW birthday (20 years since his motorcycle accident on July 4, 1998). See my post "A Neu Birthday or a NEW Birthday" to see how and why we decided to celebrate this anniversary.
As I posted the picture, many thoughts swirled around in my head and I felt I wanted to write a bit more about this time. First of all, let me acknowledge to anyone that has a traumatic anniversary that this date still conjures up painful feelings of grief, loss, heartache, and even a bit of discouragement. We will have been married 26 years on the 24th of this month, and 20 of those years a traumatic brain injury (TBI) has also been our companion. Those who have been acquainted with this thief, know how it robs life and steals joy. However, two years ago, I was taught a lesson that has helped me look past the grief and loss and try to focus on gratitude and celebrate the true moments in life that exist, the moments that TBI could not take away from us. In looking back on the incredible journey of the last 20 years, I realized just how many beautiful moments in life we have been able to experience that we would not have had Laurent passed away in that accident.
My first thoughts when to some big moments in Laurent's life since the accident. Singing the solo to Betelehemu with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Carnegie Hall in 2015 and again in Europe in 2016 stood out first.
Or there's the time in 2011 that Laurent got to sing at the 22nd annual Families and Professionals Conference sponsored by the Brain Injury Association of Utah with Michael Ballam. You can watch a video of the performance below by skipping to minute 11 of the video.
And while those are incredible moments and experiences in our life that brought great joy that we will never forget, they are not the experiences in our life since 1998 that matter most. To me the moments we are most grateful for relate to family relationships. Laurent was there to baptize both our son and our daughter. He was able to celebrate their birthdays with them. He played with the kids on family vacations each summer. He teased them with pillow fights and towel fights.. He came to high school and college graduation ceremonies. In looking back over the last 20 years, our life has been filled with a series of "little moments" that fill our life with joy and help to compensate for the sad ones. We have been blessed to have Laurent's smiling face and warm-hearted personality with us!
A Caregiver's Button Box
Today I was invited to share some ideas of how to replenish, recharge, and renew as a caregiver. We talked about how to find joy among the challenges of being a caregiver of a TBI survivor. I'm so grateful for this opportunity as it gave me a chance to reflect back on the last 19 years as well as talk with other caregiver friends for ideas. Although every situation is different, we brainstormed lots of ideas in order to find those things that would work for each one. Here are some ideas we talked about.
Just like my grandmother's button box, we have to find the right button that fits the situation. What may fit with one person, may not fit with another. Don't feel guilty if you try something that other people like to do, but it just doesn't bring you joy. It's okay. I once attended a quilting class that many of my friends love. I see their excitement and love their quilts. However, the first month I went I stressed so much about trying to get my block ready for the next month, that I finally realized this was causing me more stress than joy. For me, it was not the right button. Instead of acting like Cinderella's wicked stepsisters who tried to make the glass slipper fit, we can simply find another shoe. We don't have to fit the shoe in order to find joy and a happy ending, we can find the shoe that fits us and our situations.
Let's talk about some buttons then. First of all, Brenet Brown talks about buttons we have to be careful of. These are the easy buttons or escape buttons that we use to numb and not think about stress. Often they are self-destructive and don't replenish us. We may think they momentarily help us forget or be happy, but in the end they usually don't. For me, one of those is binge watching. I find when I binge watch tv shows I ended up becoming cranky with my family and snippety. The TV shows themselves aren't bad, but what I do with them does not nourish me. So I have to be careful of how often I use those easy buttons.
On the flip side, Brenet Brown talks about reset buttons, or what I called recharge buttons. These are things that we can do to recharge and replenish ourselves. As caregivers these are critical in order to help us be able to continue to give to our loved ones. We talked about the lesson learned from Lightning McQueen in the movie Cars. When he chose to skip his pit stop in the race at the beginning of the movie, he suffered the consequence in the last lap when he blew two tires and ended up at the finish line with his tongue hanging out and his car in sad shape. He had to learn the lesson of working with others and taking time for maintenance. Steven R. Covey calls his his 7th habit of "Sharpening the Saw". As caregivers, we must regularly take time to find joy and renew ourselves.
There are many ways to recharge. Sometimes we can do little things that only take moments like drinking a glass of water, breathing, watching wildlife, enjoying nature, watching a child, or reading a poem or inspiring quote. Other times we carve out a little more time to connect with a friend, take a walk, play a game, read a book, or create something. Periodically, it's also good to plan for some extended time to get away and visit with family, attend a conference, or take a vacation. Some of these things we need to do by ourselves to have a break from caregiving, and other things we can learn to do with our TBI survivor in order to experience joy in our lives. It's important to find a balance in our life because we cannot give from an empty cup.
Over the last 19 years, we have explored many things to see what brings us joy. Some of our explorations were quite successful, like our bike trip to the Hiawatha Trail in Montana. Others were not so successful, like our bike tour of London. In each case, though, we learned something important and kept exploring. Never give up. Just this year we discovered that Laurent loves to listen to audio books and to do puzzles. We didn't figure that out before. Now, we have new ways besides music that bring him joy in his life. Together, we have also discovered that we like to visit places like Thanksgiving Point Gardens and the Living Aquarium. Sometimes it takes a little thought, creativity, and extra planning to be able to do something with your TBI survivor, but in the end it is so worth it.
Wes Stafford, former president and CEO of Compassion International once said, "Joy is a decision, a really brave one, about how you are going to respond to life." Life's hard. Choose joy anyway.
Update on Laurent
As to the soap-opera kind of episode of amnesia for 2 days, we hope that it is indeed an episode that does not return. Laurent saw the neurologist a week after being discharged from the hospital and he was cleared to drive once more. Furthermore the doctor did not have anything else to say about the incident. They do not believe it was a seizure and there wasn't any new damage to his brain that would indicate a stroke. Furthermore, Laurent seems to be back at his baseline before the amnesia. He can rattle off his name and birthday without a thought. As near as we can figure out, his body reacted to the A Fib by reducing blood flow to non-critical parts of the brain to keep his heart beating and lungs breathing... you know little things like that. For other people the reduced blood flow would probably not cause such serious impairments. However, for Laurent with his brain injury damaging key sections of his brain, it meant that probably all of his learning post-accident took place in peripheral zones of his brain. When the body went into red alert, it "rerouted all power from auxiliary functions to the main engines" until he was stabilized. (I'm pretty sure Scotty was in there declaring in his Scottish brogue, "Aye, Captain. I'm givin' her all I got!") We have not seen any lasting effects since the episode and are extremely grateful for that.
Laurent went back to work within a week and was back to choir that Sunday. He has been shaken up a bit and is determined to be healthier. If you need a walking partner or have some yummy healthy recipes to share, we are on the hunt. Other than that, we are so grateful not to be starting Book 2 in such a declined state. We spoke and sang at a fireside shortly afterward and are grateful that his story turned out much differently this time.
We wish to express an immense thank you to so many of you who shared your faith, prayers, and positive thoughts in our behalf. We know it made a difference. We also are grateful once more for the healing power of music. Laurent's favorite t-shirt says "Music saved my life". Once more this has proven to be true. All day Thursday we played music and Friday he "woke up". Combining prayer and music so far has proven to be a life-changing combination for us and we hope to continue to share our music with others in the future. Thank you once more for your love.
Our sincerest gratitude to all.
Laurent and Kerrie
Night and day. It's an expression we often use to illustrate stark contrast. For me I strongly felt this contrast from Thursday night when I left the hospital and Friday morning when I returned. Even my 4:30 a.m. attitude and musings differed vastly from those just 4 hours later when I found Laurent's sitting up at the edge of his hospital bed and he responded to my question of "What are you doing?" with a full sentence, "I eat breakfast." I did not care whether or not it was grammatically correct or if the verb was conjugated accurately for the past tense. I was simply elated that he had indeed completed a sentence! I had not heard a complete sentence for 2 full days from this man! I began to pepper him with questions to see just how far his new-found communication skills extended.
"What did you eat?"
"I eat fruit." Marvelous! Another sentence.
"What else?"
"I eat…." A pause. I waited , holding g my breath. Would this be the end of his speech abilities? I tried a backup strategy that had failed on Wednesday.
"Can you draw a picture of it?" I asked while holding out a pencil and paper I had brought just for this purpose today. He took the pencil, thought for a moment, and drew two triangles for me. I peeked at the menu and saw French Toast and asked him if that was what he ate. He replied affirmatively and repeated, "I eat french toast." We were on a roll!
Next he pointed at a covered bowl and simply said "Yuck" while making a noticeably displeased face. Taking advantage of another skill I wanted to probe today, I picked up the menu and asked him to read it and tell me which item he found to be yucky. Rapidly he began reading out loud each of the items and then iNcoated the oatmeal was yucky. Now I knew he could read for information and he could translate that reading into expressive speech. This was fabulous progress!
I showed him the communication board I had printed off at home with words and pictures of common things he might need to say in a hospital. He read through it and told me several things he needed to do, including take a shower. I wholeheartedly agreed since it had been 3 days since his last shower. I noted his new ability to express personal needs and kept probing. Over the next hour he was able to shower independently and chat with the male nurse assigned to care for him today about his scrubs and Nike shoes. The nurse had read notes in his chart about Laurent's expressive aphasia but was as pleasantly surprised about his speech as we were.
It was if major parts of Laurent's brain had been unplugged for 2 days and we're now reconnected! Those sections involving nouns, initiation, motivation, and even independent movement that lay dormant for. That time suddenly awoke. Like the song Wick from the Secret Garden they must have been waiting for the right time to re-emerge. I felt just as much delight in hearing l speak and seeing his bubbly personality return as I do when I see the first crocus break through the snow in Spring. Amazing!
Night and day. At 4:30 am I had resolved that we were in this for the long haul and I was determined to conquer this once more. I felt somber yet resolute. By 9:00 a.m. I could barely contain my joy and hope! This is how I imagined Abraham felt when asked to sacrifice his only son Isaac. I'm guessing he too was somber and yet resolved to follow God's command and submit his will to a Higher Power. I'm fairly certain I can also feel the joy and relief at finding the ram in the thicket and being told he didn't have to go through with it. In the terms of teenagers today, it was if I was being told, "JK!" (Just kidding). "You don't really have to go through it either."
As I write this at 10:30 p.m., I am so grateful it was a JK. For whatever reason, we were remindeed of the darkness of night and the deficits associated with brain injuries and then gI enjoy
the beautiful gift of relief and renewal. I don't know how his brain was plugged back in. I don't believe the doctors are certain either. Howeve, it just confirms to us the importance of hope and faith.
Laurent is home now. He was discharged this evening. We have several things to watch and follow up on over the next few weeks. However, he is home. We love his smile and cheerful personality. We empathize with those who remain in night a lot longer and pray for the renewing light of dawn for them and their families.. Thank you to all who helped at home and at the hospital. We appreciate your positive thoughts and faith-filled prayers. God bless you for your kindness ad service.
Kerrie and Laurent Neu
The Tag
I am normally not a hash tag user on social media. I'm not opposed to them. I just don't usually use them. This morning, however, as I created an entry on yesterday's events in a journaling app called "Journey", I remembered I could add a tag to group the entries under a similar topic. I began to do so and suddenly halted as I had no idea what to tag this experience. Previous experiences were always labeled "The Accident", and we just knew it referred to anything related to July 4, 1998. However I am stumped as to what to call this one. It's not " The Stroke" or "The Fall". There's no aneurism or car wreck. As I don't have a cause yet to his expressive speech loss and cognitive impairments, I don't have a label.
So then I began to think of other terms I could call this. At first words like "The Setback" came to mind. However, we've been down this road before and I refuse to use a negative term to define us right now. We need something more inspiring to keep us going. "The setback" implies defeat and I need one that will help us overcome. I then scrapped that idea and kept searching.
A vision of the childhood game Chutes and Ladders popped into my head. This certainly was not a ladder, but more of a chute sending us back to a previous state of being. However, calling this whole experience "The Chute" doesn't seem to work. I'll just have to keep thinking.
Next my Sci-Fi brain thought of time travel shows in which the characters live in an alternate time continuum for the episode. Sometimes they are thrown there in a wormhole. "Yes", I thought. We could tag this "The Wormhole". One moment we celebrated New Years Day with family playing games, singing, and laughing - and the next we were transported back to the world of hospitals, medical tests, and therapies. The challenge then would be to find the opening of another wormhole that leads back to the old life and skills. However, I know that wishing for our old lives back is not productive and wastes valuable mental energy. I've been there and done that. It didn't work. What worked was rolling up our sleeves and digging in to make the most of the new situation and trusting in a God who loves me and would help me through this experience. There is no magic wormhole that will take me back and magically end this sci-fi episode in 47 minutes. We are more like the crew of the starship Voyager, who were thrown 75,000 light years from home and had to brave the journey back home with courage, determination, and ingenuity. I could call this "The Voyage" and try to apply the same principles on our own journey, but perhaps only my Trekkie friends would appreciate the tag.
That puts me back at the drawing board looking for a tag for what lies ahead. Brene Brown says there is power in identifying and writing our own story. Each story, she says, has 3 acts. I thought we had made it through the first two acts and were enjoying the experiences of the third. In fact, in my own private writings I've been laying out pieces of his book for our children and calling it "How Can I Keep From Singing?" It chronicles his journey from motorcycle accident to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, culminating with performances in Carnegie Hall and Europe. Maybe we have begun Book 2, "The Sequel" and are sitting now on the edge of a new 3 act story. We are experiencing the opening event and now we get to write the rest. The first book covered 18 years. Who knows how long the second one will take. I only pray I am up to this arduous task. I know I have the help of family and friends. They've been there for me before and are currently by my side again. Most importantly, I believe in a Higher Power, a Divine Author, a loving Heavenly Father and His Son, who do know the end and will guide me through it. I'm sure it will be a tale of heartache and struggle, but probably it will also chronicle personal growth and ultimately victory. It has to.
I've found my tag. We'll call this Book 2 and see where the story takes us.
Deja Vu
Over the years we have heard many jokes and puns on our name. We may be the "neu" family in the neighborhood, or the "neu" kids at school. "What's 'Neu'?" People ask with a chortle and we good-naturedly reply, "We are!" It's not often we hear a "neu" one anymore. Today, though, I found significance in pondering the date and the meaning of the use of these two words "new" and "Neu". As we celebrated the birth of our nation, our friend also celebrated his own birthday. I realized how grateful I was for an opportunity to be joyous and celebrate someone's birth and life rather than mourn the loss of Laurent's former life before the accident. Anniversaries of accidents can typically be sorrowful and somber days filled with anxiety and even a bit of stress. I find myself waiting throughout the day for that phone call or news of something traumatic. Our daughter this year broke down in her car on the way home from visiting her brother in Provo on the 4th and I couldn't help but notice the eery similarities to Laurent's fateful journey home from Provo visiting his brother in Provo 18 years ago. I am truly grateful that for her the outcome was much different and she is safe.
I share this to illustrate the worry and heavy heart that often accompanies the anniversary of the accident. And it is exactly for that reason that I have made a conscious decision to try to create new traditions and mindset for this day. I don't want to be forever held captive by a number and date. In celebrating our friend's birthday, I realized in a way it is also Laurent's birthday. His Neu Birthday (the day he became a Neu and was born into this world) is in the Fall. However, July 4th can now become his New Birthday as we celebrate the day he was given a second chance at life and his new life in essence began. Why not celebrate this New Birthday with happy traditions filled with gratitude for another year of experiences and time with family? Whether we incorporate the traditional cake and candles or not waits to be seen, but I have now vowed to approach this day with a grateful heart rather than a fearful one.
In that spirit, let me celebrate Laurent's 18th New Birthday. In this 18th year we have been blessed to join with family for the marriage of our son to a beautiful bride. We are grateful for the memory of seeing our entire immediate family together as the two were joined together forever and reflecting on our our own wedding and sealing almost 24 years ago. We arethankful for our faith in a God who allows families the opportunity to be joined together for eternity even if not all get to remain together on earth. On this birthday we remember the importance of family in our lives and the source of our greatest joys.
On this New Birthday, we also celebrate Laurent's blessed gift of music. He continues to sing and bring the spirit of music to the hearts of those around him. Around the time of his 18th New Birthday, he fortuitously had the opportunity to share his love of music with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on tour in Europe. In fact, on the day before his New Birthday, he sang the solo part in Betelehemu with that choir in the beautiful and historical Musikverein concert hall in Vienna, Austria. This performance was a favorite of Laurent's for many reasons. His mother was baptized in Vienna back in the 60s and so we had come full circle with the gospel of Jesus Christ in our life. Mostly , though, Laurent reveled in the opportunity to sing that solo in the marvelous concert hall without a microphone. Now those who know Laurent are familiar with his powerful voice. In fact he is quite proud of the volume he can project. Normally, while singing with the choir, he has to pull back to blend with the 300 voices. But at this concert, he got to sing out fully in order to project over those 300 voices and rejoice in the freedom of expression and praise in the music. He loved it! He filled that hall with music! So on this 18th New Birthday, we celebrate that Laurent is here with us and able to experience these moments and memories with us. We gratefully acknowledge the 18 extra years he has been given to live with his family and find joy with others. Happy 18th New Birthday, Laurent. May you celebrate many more joyous occasions in the future and find ways to share your love and light with others.
We recently returned from a visit to Laurent's brother, Jon, and his wife in Minnesota over New Years. We had a wonderful time and I was struck once more with the positive attitude and indomitable spirit of the two. If you haven't had a chance to read their blog, Neu_ology, you will want to do so. Jon was diagnosed with ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease in 2013. On the pages of their blog, you can read their words of wisdom, humorous quips, and unique perspective on life. On my page today, however, I wanted to share some of the stories from our brief week with them that touched me and buoyed my spirit.
Lightning Fast Reactions
The first day we arrived, I got out my camera as usual to take pictures of everyone. Pretty much everyone in the family knows that I'm going to take pictures of our gatherings. I can't help myself. I want to remember as many of the moments as I can, and I love the challenge of trying to capture special memories. I'm definitely an amateur, but gratefully my family puts up with me while I practice. On this particular day I had gotten a new camera recently and was showing it to Jon. While standing next to him, the tiny lens cap on my mirror-less camera fell off and landed on Jon's arm laying on his wheel chair arm rests. Since Jon is unable to move any part of his body except one finger to drive his wheel chair and his head, I reached down to pick up the lens. With a twinkle in his eye, Jon turned his head toward me and laughingly quipped, "Did you see how fast my arm reached out to catch that lens cap?" And then he flashed me one of his famous Jon Neu charming grins! What an example he is of maintaining a positive attitude and sharing his wit and humor with us even in the midst of trials that would sink many of us. I am truly grateful for his example and cheerfulness!
Dynamic Duo
"You made us all cry!"
Perhaps the highlight of the visit was attending the baptism of their daughter, Katie. Her older brother, Jacob, performed the baptism while Jon acted as a witness. Following the baptism, Katie sat on Jon's lap as the men in the circle placed Jon's hands upon her head and held them there while Jon performed the confirmation. I'm pretty sure there wasn't a dry eye in the room as Jon spoke lovingly and pronounced a blessing on her. We are truly grateful to have been in attendance and witness this beautiful experience.
Seventeen Year Miracle
July 4, 2015 will mark seventeen years since Laurent's motorcycle accident and brain injury. While America remembers the birth of our nation and celebrates with family, food, and fireworks, in our little family we are also reminded that life is precious and can change in a split second. Though some years this anniversary day may be difficult, this year we have such an amazing experience, that we can't help but recall just how far Laurent has come in those seventeen years and give thanks to God for sustaining us through this difficult and yet incredible journey to where we are now.
Just exactly where are we now? We are in New York City after Laurent was able to sing the solo in the beautiful Nigerian choral piece, Betelehemu with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir last night in Carnegie Hall! If someone had told us twenty years ago that Laurent would be performing in Carnegie Hall, we wouldn't have believed it. Actually, a few years before the accident we just might have. Back then Laurent was singing with a small professional choir called "Gloriana" in Salt Lake City and it had put them in the path of several opportunities such as playing a small town church choir on the hit show "Touched by an Angel". The director had connections and it would have been plausible that he could have made something happen in regards to Carnegie Hall.
But if someone had told me about Carnegie Hall while sitting somberly in the neuro-intensive care unit in the days following that terrible accident as he lay bruised, swollen, and unconscious with a myriad of machines sustaining his very life and breathing, I'm sure I would not have been able to imagine it at all. When Laurent did wake from his coma and the extent of his speech and cognitive disabilities became apparent, I probably would have doubted even more the possibility of such a dream coming to fruition. In August of 1998 when we saw him take his first steps down the hall of the rehabilitation center, I never would have guessed that so many years later he would be walking on stage. When he was finally weaned off the ventilator and could now breathe on his own, I could not have imagined that those breaths could be carefully controlled and used to sustain his rich and resonating tone in blending with an amazing three hundred voice choir to sing the classical choral pieces of the masters in that hall. As we worked with his memory to be able to recall simple instructions just minutes later or to practice diligently and work on just one song for two months to be able to learn that new piece to be able to perform it, I would have thought it impossible for Laurent to be able to handle the incredibly demanding memorization and performance schedule necessary for the weekly broadcasts and frequent concerts of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I simply would most likely have thought, "It couldn't be done".
Yet here we are in New York City and Laurent indeed did do it. He sang in Carnegie Hall last night. What an incredible experience that was! Tears of joy streamed down my face as I watched him from the audience. I marveled as I contemplated his seventeen year journey to this historic stage and meaningful moment. We are truly humbled and awed for this marvelous opportunity and wish to acknowledge that none of this would be possible without Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. They have truly been the authors of miracles for us in making this incredible dream a reality.
Not coincidentally, the lyrics Laurent sings in the solo for Betelehemu, when translated share this same message of gratitude.
"We are glad that we have a father to trust.
We are glad that we have a father to rely upon."
Aren't those beautiful and appropriate lyrics for Laurent to be singing? He gets to declare in full voice to thousands of listeners how grateful we are to have a Supreme Being in whom we can trust and upon whom we can rely during our most difficult and arduous challenges in life! He not only sustains our life and breath, but provides the strength and ability to cope with life's trials. Not only is He the source of all knowledge and truth, but He will also lovingly takes our hand and with wisdom and foresight, carefully lead us in the paths that will provide us the most good and joy in this life if we will but follow. When we are discouraged, lonely, disappointed, disheartened, or exhausted, we can turn to Him who descended below all things to lift us up, dry our tears, and once again set our feet on the path of peace and joy. In the words of the ancient prophets, we gratefully testify, "Behold, God is my Salvation; I will trust and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song;" (Isaiah 12:2)
We have come to the end of our thirty day thrive challenge.This quote from Maya Angelou seemed to speak to me as a final punctuation mark for our desire to thrive. She said, "My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." My goal was to finish this month a bit better than I was when I started. Oh, I know I've had some ups and downs, as was to be expected. Looking back, though, here are the top ten things I have learned from my focus on and study of thriving.
1. "Think Upward Thoughts"- As a teenager, I once attended a goal-setting workshop. In it, they shared with us an explanation about how the brain will take a goal we've set and then notice things that will help us achieve that goal. I don't recall the science behind it, and so someone who is a neurologist may refute this claim. However, it appears to me through anecdotal evidence that as we focus on something we are more likely to be successful at it. In The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, puts it this way, "When you want something, the whole universe will conspire together to help you get it." In either case, thinking upwards thoughts and reminding myself about thriving every day this month, has indeed helped me to be more successful at it.
2. "God Wants Me to Thrive"- This concept helps me through the particularly rough times when it appears that the universe isn't trying to help me but in fact may be conspiring against me. During those times when things aren't going right, I remind myself that God put me on this earth to learn and to experience joy. Throughout history, incredible people have set examples of how to do more than just survive in adverse situations. Knowing this, I can look for the good in the situation and be determined to find joy and make lemonade out of lemons.
3. ""Thrive With Passion"- Whatever you choose to do in life, attack it with passion and vivaciousness. When we are doing something we really believe in we are able to work at it with all our heart and soul. In our family many of us feel great passion for music. Others love learning languages or helping families work together. Some of you might find great joy in the daily rearing of your children as they grow into capable, compassionate, and contributing adults. Some of you might feel great satisfaction from creating beautiful quilts or cooking a delicious meal. Some of you might enjoy exercising and inspiring others to be healthy and fit. Whatever it is that fans the flames of motivation in your heart, embrace it and derive great joy from doing it well.
4."Compassion is a Key to Thriving"- Laurent reminded us that when we take the time to dig another person out of their troubles, we find a place to bury our own. Showing compassion to others in need can help us focus our attention away from ourselves and put things in perspective as we find ways to ease someone else' burden. Compassion is a key to righting wrongs and improving the lives of those around us.
5. "Thrive Your Own Way"- Maya Angelou says to thrive with some style. What a beautiful world this is because we are each unique and have our own style. Thankfully we do not have to try to be exactly like everyone else. Our differences and personal style create variety in the world. Accentuating our own style and pizazz allows us to be free to thrive and find joy.
6. "We Are Connected"- Whether it's roots or branches, or reaching out to friends and neighbors, we are all connected in some way that helps us thrive and find joy. We were not placed on this earth to live in isolation, but to link arms and make the journey back together. Some days you will be stronger and lift me up, and on other days it might be my turn to take your hand and raise you from the ground. Together, though, we can travel through this journey in life and encourage each other when we are discouraged or feeling despair. Together we are more than we are individually.
7. "Drops of Awesomeness"- I loved the analogy of the drops of awesomeness in my bucket. This little image reminded me that I can celebrate when I do something well, and not to beat myself up when I don't. I remember that each day is fresh with no mistakes in it and so this is my opportunity to fill my bucket with as many drops of awesomeness as I can. At the end of the day I can look back at my bucket, feeling satisfaction in the fantastic things I accomplished, and determination to learn from the mistakes and try again tomorrow.
8. "Breathe and Believe"- Another aspect of thriving I discovered this month is to be able to stop and breathe when necessary, and then continue on believing in the dream I have for myself. Sometimes I have to stop listening to the negative voices around me trying to discourage me from moving. That's when I have to block out the opposition, take a deep breath, and then continue on in my path toward what I want to achieve and accomplish. These are coping skills that help me thrive when events appear to be contrary to my goal. Just breathe, and then believe.
9. "Learn Something Every Day"- My grandfather used to tell me as a child that we should learn something every day. One of the things I did not expect from my thirty day thrive challenge, was that I would be taught or reminded of some little lesson each day. When I started, I did not know what I would post during the next month. In fact, I'm not sure I even thought about the fact that I had started a thirty day posting process until I got into it. I found myself waking up in the morning wondering "What will I learn today?" I was curious just how God would teach me something or what song or comment from a friend would cause my brain to begin thinking and contemplating. Sometimes the lesson was discovered as I looked back over the day, reviewing the events and pondering the thoughts and feelings I experienced in the last twenty four hours. Having experienced this, I am eager to continue this process. By asking "What can I learn today?" I feel I can tap into a previously unexplored well of inspiration and knowledge. Though I most likely won't continue writing about it online, I do want to write about it in my journal or talk about it with family members. I look forward to seeing God's hand in my life guiding me and teaching me.
10. "The Lord is My Strength"- This brings me to the last truth that really is the core of all of the others. Throughout this month, I keep coming back to my faith in God and my belief that He will help me and guide me in my journey on earth. I believe in a loving Heavenly Father who desires the best for me and has created a plan of happiness for me. I also believe that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be my Savior and provide the way for that happiness and to return to live with Him once more. Through the Atonement of Christ and because of His grace, I can find the strength to overcome my weaknesses and continue on when my mortal body and mind may not be able to do so. Through His redeeming love, I can repent and only keep the drops of awesomeness in my bucket of life. Through His teaching, He left a pattern and guidebook that if I follow, I will find joy. He loves me and believes in me, and is the only voice of truth that tells me who I really am and where I need to go. When I think about it, I am truly amazed at His love and care for me, and want to show my love for Him by following Him and doing as He would do if He were living in my house and walking in the shoes of my life. One of my favorite scriptures says, "The Lord is my strength and my song". As a musician, I love the imagery of this statement. The Lord is my strength. He lifts me when I am down and provides the means for me to continue when I otherwise couldn't. He is also my song, which for me is a symbol of rejoicing and beauty. He is the music in my life and I am truly grateful for Him.
Thrive on. Continue with the challenge. As Gordon B. Hinckley said, "Each of us can do a little better than we have been doing. We can be a little more kind. We can be a little more merciful. We can be a little more forgiving. We can put behind us our weaknesses of the past, and go forth with new energy and increased resolution to improve the world about us, in our homes, in our places of employment, in our social activities.We have work to do, you and I, so very much of it. Let us roll up our sleeves and get at it, with a new commitment, putting our trust in the Lord." (April 1995)
July 2018
Laurent and Kerrie Neu love sharing music with others. It's such a blessing to be able to interact with people through music.


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Browsing Electronic & Electrical Eng (Scholarly Publications) by Author "COUPER, COLIN STUART"
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An improved technique for the measurement of the complex susceptibility of magnetic colloids in the microwave region FANNIN, PAUL; COUPER, COLIN STUART (Elsevier, 2010)Measurements by means of the short-circuit (S/C) and open circuit (O/C) transmission line techniques are well established methods for investigating the magnetic and dielectric properties of magnetic colloids, respectively. ...
Microwave absorbent properties of nanosized cobalt ferrite powders prepared by coprecipitation and subjected to different thermal treatments FANNIN, PAUL; COUPER, COLIN STUART (Elsevier, 2011)Cobalt ferrite nanopowders were produced by means of two methods using a common precipitating agent. After precipitation, in the first method the cobalt ferrite was calcined, whilst in the second method the precipitation ...
The resonance decay function method in the determination of the pre-factor of the neel relaxation time of single-domain nanoparticles FANNIN, PAUL; COUPER, COLIN STUART (Elsevier, 2011)In its simple form, the relaxation time of the Neel relaxation process of the magnetic moment of single-domain particles is given by ?N=?0Nexp(?), ? being the ratio of the anisotropy energy to thermal energy. The pre-factor, ...


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Buy My Art T-Shirts
Last year's Buy My Art t-shirt is so last year. So, when putting together this year's edition I wanted the same. I wanted this shirt to look 2018. I really think it does 🙂
The biggest change for this shirt is that there is no annmi.studio printed on the chest, it's now solely printed on the back label. Letting go of the, "I can use this shirt to help support my studio," mindset, I now envision more artists being able to use a t-shirt like this to help support their studio…such as at paint-outs, art fairs, and in-person promos, or for a group of students/interns manning your booths, or at other work events, etc.
Let people know what type of crazy you've got, right up front and with a big smile.
Buy My Art is a t-shirt for both girls and boys. I know the script font seems a little fem for boys, but be strong fellas and make your point crystal clear.
Or, grab last year's t-shirt and just ask me to leave off the annmi.studio on the front. I won't mind, or get offended. I hope you all meet a lot of people and sell a lot of art.
There are regular ring-spun cotton shirts and poly-cotton blend shirts to choose from. The difference is that the poly blend is softer, a little lighter, and more stretchy than the pure cotton shirt, but one isn't a better t-shirt than the other. Both shirt materials are durable, comfortable, and machine washable.
The Money
Same prices this year as last, bulk pricing available for all my t-shirt editions. Shipping worldwide in around a week. Shoot me an email if you've got questions.


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The Furniture Kids Mart
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Parental Feedback on School Calendar
Dear Parent/Carer,
Calendar feedback
We are currently constructing next year's school calendar and would welcome
feedback on any aspect of the calendar for this current session. This will allow us to
make better decisions about the scheduling of events for session 2014/15. Any views
or comments you would like to share should be emailed to:
by midday on Thursday 15 May 2014.
Areas you may wish to comment on include:
- Scheduling of reports
- Scheduling of parents' evenings
- Timing of Trips
- Timing of Prelims and
- Change of timetable
Many thanks in anticipation,
Donald j Macdonald


text: Yes, we have an "who are we" page, but that only tells you about us currently. As our adoring fans, I'm sure you want to know all of the unflattering details that have happened up to this point and to see the pictures that go with it. I'm doing this without Kristen's approval, so she'll just have to suck it up, Buttercup.


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Hi I'm looking for a decent to grade A drivers door panel for my 1970 XR7 convertible. I need a panel with manual windows and with or without a factory speaker cut out. My interior is medium blue but I can dye if needed. If I have to I will take a pair. Also I will take a panel that needs repair as I can customize the door panels myself, but I would like to keep everything original.
Any help would be appreciated. Thank you
70 XR7 drivers door panel
List your parts needs here! Please include your location and contact information.
Post Reply
2 posts • Page 1 of 1
Re: 70 XR7 drivers door panel
Hello Bigben/70, I have a XR7 door panel in Blue. It will need board repair or board replacement. Also, have a good pair of Blue, matching, Left / Right armrests. Not sure about shipping to Nova Scotia?...so, would need some info from you on that topic. FMI, Please email or P/M. Thanks.
Gary Miller
Gary Miller
Post Reply
2 posts • Page 1 of 1


text:
Hannah Rose Platt is graduate of our BA Songwriting degree. Her debut album 'Portraits', recorded in Nashville, has won great critical acclaim, including 5 star reviews from Maverick, Glamour and R2 Magazines, and has had significant radio play, including BBC Introducing, Ralph McClean Country on BBC Radio Ulster, The Front Porch with Baylen Leonard (Amazing Radio) and CMR Nashville.
American songwriter Sid Griffin has said this of Hannah: 'Hannah Rose Platt is a young, north of England Emmylou Harris blossoming before our eyes and ears.'