text:
In Mom's own words about the Sunday evening photo shoot:
"First 15 minutes went well….smiles…laughter…winking…second 15 minutes went marginally less well…closed mouth smiles…eyes that look longingly just over our shoulders…joyless laughter…third 15 minutes was exponentially worse…writhing…frowning…flailing…wailing…and I think, the best photos we got that day." [Editor's note: Now this is MY kind of Mom!!]
(Thanks to Jeanine H. for the photo and story. You can see more of Jeanine's adorable kiddos on her family blog.)


text:
I started seeing the same D-list people and some no-list people getting into every event. (where they friends of the promoter or party crashers?) I resisted my curiosity at first to talking with them and finding out their story. I focused on networking with agents, managers and the promoters as well as the press. (the only real reason for a publicist to attend without any clients, is to become friendly with the reporters and photographers for later benefit)
Find out more about the Author of this blog at his website Rob Tencer pr.

subset: commoncrawl


text: Kellie hosted an Easter brunch and egg hunt at her house today. There where three "little" girls and two "big" girls. They had a lot of fun playing together and searching for the eggs that were hidden around the perimeter of the house. It was so nice to see Grace playing and laughing with other children her own age. I know she gets this type of peer interaction all day during the week at school, but when I hear her at home on the weekends playing alone and narrating her play to herself, I feel sad that she doesn't have a sibling or close neighborhood friends to play with all the time. It is so different than when I grew up - we just went outside and there were kids everywhere to play with! I remember my parents saying to come home when the street lights went on. Things are sure different now!


text:
.12 ct. t.w. CZ Layered Butterfly Necklace in Tri-Colored Sterling Silver. 16"
Item#: 877502
Sweeten your look with this charming array of butterflies. With .12 ct. t.w. of CZs, the necklace layers three rows of sterling silver and 18kt yellow and rose gold over sterling silver. Includes a 2" extender and a lobster clasp. Layered CZ butterfly necklace. CZ weights are diamond equivalents.
Product Details (for .12 ct. t.w. CZ Layered Butterfly Necklace in Tri-Colored Sterling Silver. 16")
Necklace Drop close DROP: A dangling or stationary detail which "drops" from a bale, strand or earring backing. Length:
1/4 inch
Necklace Drop Width:
1/4 inch
Sterling close STERLING SILVER: Also known as "Standard Silver," sterling silver is silver alloyed with other metals to increase the hardness and durability. Generally, sterling is 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals. Some sterling silver jewelry is plated with 14kt-18kt close 18KT: Karat (abbreviated kt or K) is a unit that indicates the purity of gold in the metal. 18kt is 75% gold. In Europe, 18K yellow gold is most favored and used in jewelry. gold and referred to as "vermeil," or "gold over sterling." Silver and 18kt Gold Over Sterling close GOLD OVER STERLING: Sometimes referred to as "vermeil," this metal is gold-plated sterling silver. It is one of the most desirable gold-plated metals and can come in 14kt-24kt yellow, white, or rose. Silver
Polished close POLISHED: A buffed-out finish used to produce a mirror-like shine.
Cable close CABLE: One of the most popular and classic of chain styles, created from interlocking oval links unvarying in size.
Chain Size:
1.2 mm
Lobster close LOBSTER CLASP: named after the pinching style of the hook, this clasp is often shaped like a lobster's claw. Use your finger to work the lever to open the clasp.
Gemstone 1:
Cubic Zirconia close CUBIC ZIRCONIA: once called the poor cousin to the diamond, CZs have since become a fashion statement in their own right. Perfect for travel and a little extra bling, CZ Jewelry is one of man's flawless creations. (Color: Colorless, Quantity: 12, Shape & Cutting Style: Round Single-Cut close SINGLE-CUT: A gemstone cutting technique that dates back to the 1300s. Still used today, the single-cut usually features 18 facets that go in one direction without crossing each other. , Weight: 0.12 ct. t.w., Size: 1.25 mm)
All weights and measures are approximate.
Ross-Simons Presentation Box Your purchase includes an elegant Ross-Simons presentation box.
100% Moneyback Guarantee every item, every order, every day
Free Shipping on orders $250 or more
Only $7.95 Flat Rate for any order under $250
24/7 Live Help toll free at 1-800-835-0919
100% Secure Checkout verified by Norton Security
Recently Viewed Items:
Learn More About CZs Gold Over Sterling Sterling Silver Cable Chain


text:
This year I will actually spend a portion of the Advent season in Israel and more specifically a day in Bethlehem. I am especially looking forward to that moment. I realize there is nothing similar about modern Bethlehem to Mary and Josephs visit but it will be neat to think about Micah 5:2-5 while there. I plan on blogging a little of my travels even if they are only a few simple sentences. So if you interested check back often the second week of Advent to follow the journey with me.
There is something different about this year that a friend pointed out to me. This will be the first time in a decade when I am not on a church staff walking with a congregation through Advent. This season is filled with special events, musicals, and celebrations in the life of a church. My new role allows me to engage it differently for the first time in a while. He encourage me to engage in renewing activities with family and friends. I plan on doing my best to apply his advice for there are few "down times" in the ministry setting I am now in.
If you are looking for some Advent advice or would like to learn what it is all about use some of the links below. Blessings.
- Mark Roberts has a good blog post on Advent. It covers all the reasons he enjoys it and what it is all about.
- Dennis Bracher from Christian Resource Network provides another basic overview of Advent.
- Textweek.com is always a great resource for those who desire to follow the Revised Common Lectionary.
- If you enjoy daily devotionals here is one that follows the RCL
- Ministry Matters has 1,100 different videos, illustrations, worship resources, and other things all centered around Advent.


text:
2011: the year in review
JANUARY: Went to Little Tokyo with G and C and was thrilled to find my beloved jyaga bata potato chips. During my eye doctor appointment, I started feeling really shitty, and by the time I got home I had a full-blown nasty cold. I called in sick the next day and alternated between dozing fitfully on the couch and laughing myself into hacking fits while watching Wildboyz. Read 2 novels, 3 nonfiction books, 9 volumes of manga, and 21 graphic novels; saw 15 movies.
FEBRUARY: On the first day of the month, it took me 30 minutes to drive 3 1/2 miles to work because somebody called 911 to report a fuming bucket on the freeway, and they shut the whole thing down. Fortunately, several other people were late to work too and management didn't dock us for it. Watched the Super Bowl. G and I went to California Pizza Kitchen for dinner and shared a piece of warm butter cake, which was just as good as it sounds and had us moaning like porn stars. Celebrated Valentine's Day with my sweetie. Finished Dead Space 2. California got whomped by rain. Finished Professor Layton and the Unwound Future, which G and I had been playing off and on for the past several months. Watched the Oscars, which were underwhelming this year. Read 3 novels, 3 nonfiction books, 8 graphic novels, and 6 volumes of manga; saw 10 movies.
MARCH: I received a respite from the incessant and inane chatter of Debbie the Temp when she was out for two days. Got food poisoning, though thankfully it was pretty short-lived. Reluctantly retired my favorite jeans because they were wearing too thin in the butt to risk wearing out in public anymore. Japan was hit by a devastating earthquake and tsunami. Looking at the news footage broke my heart; mostly because of the loss of life and property, of course, but also because my 2003 trip to Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo is the best trip I've ever taken in my life, and I hold a special place in my heart and soul for Japan. G, C, and I went to Little Tokyo the day after the earthquake; we almost postponed it, fearing the mood would be somber, but it was pretty much the same as always. We had a delicious curry lunch and I bought the usual treasure trove of magazines and snacks (though we couldn't find my beloved jyaga bata potato chips). I also bought a custard-filled obanyaki at a food stall. Celebrated M's birthday at a lovely tea room in Montrose. The heavy rain that whomped SoCal in February came back for a return visit, and was followed by gorgeous weather that started to inch towards the 80's by the end of the month. Finally got my hair cut after literally months of procrastinating. A massive pipe break at my apartment complex caused the water to be shut off for over 12 hours; I had to resort to heating bottled water in my microwave for my morning ablutions. Read 5 novels, 4 nonfiction books, 7 volumes of manga, and 7 graphic novels; saw 11 movies.
APRIL: Finished 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors. G went to Florida for Passover; thanks to my company's shitty vacation policy, I was unable to join him. I spent the vast majority of the weekend sprawled out on my couch, reading three books cover to cover, paring down my Netflix instant watch queue, and getting far more sleep than is reasonably or medically necessary. Needless to say, our reunion the next weekend was a joyous one. Pined for a gorgeous British shorthair that was up for adoption at the local Petsmart and seriously considered violating my lease so I could take her home. Finished the adventure mode of Plants Vs. Zombies. Administrative Assistant's Day was the usual fiasco, filled as it was with mediocre food, lack of presents, and spilled OJ courtesy of Boss #2's young daughter. Read 5 novels, 3 nonfiction books, 7 graphic novels, and 7 volumes of manga; saw 8 movies.
MAY: Finished Limbo. The US finally tracked down and killed Osama bin Laden. Got my eyebrows threaded for the first time, which felt (and sounded) really weird. Finished CSI: Unsolved. (So I guess it's, um, solved.) Accidentally lit my hair on fire. Got a jury duty summons for the week of my birthday, but managed to get it postponed. Ran into Phil Margera of Jackass fame at the grocery store; I introduced myself and said I was a fan, and he was really nice. Finished L.A. Noire. Went hiking in the Santa Monica mountains and spent the next day bemoaning my sore thighs and calves. Read 4 novels, 5 nonfiction books, 5 graphic novels, and 10 volumes of manga; saw 13 movies.
JUNE: Dropped my cell phone in the toilet at work. G's smoke detector went off at 4AM and scared the living piss out of us, but fortunately it was a glitch and not an actual emergency. A douchecanoe at Barnes & Noble spilled iced coffee on me and then, when I said "Hey, accidents happen", proceeded to tell me that I didn't have to be a bitch about it. Still not sure how I was being a bitch, but I've gotten over it. (Mostly.) G's nephews came for a weekend visit, and we took them to Little Tokyo and then corrupted them by showing them Kick-Ass. Being the cool aunt rules! On the 14th anniversary of my mom's death, I heard one of her favorite songs on the radio when driving home. Tech upgrades at work led to all sorts of system problems that had me banging my head against my cube wall. Read 4 novels, 1 nonfiction book, 9 volumes of manga, and 3 graphic novels; saw 7 movies.
JULY: Finished Shadows of the Damned and Deadly Premonition over the 4th of July weekend. Daddy-O sent me a beautiful bouquet of roses at work as an early birthday present. G, C, and I went to Las Vegas for an awesome joint birthday celebration. We stayed at the Luxor, ate tons of food, had dinner with my friend Spock, watched Big Elvis perform, and saw a titty revue (Fantasy) and the Tournament of Kings. I also came home substantially ahead, which was a nice change of pace! Bought a Kindle, which I will never like as much as a "real" book, but I figured it would be handy for trips so I don't have to fill my suitcase with heavy books that need to be lugged back home again. Left for New Mexico. Read 3 novels, 1 nonfiction book, 15 volumes of manga, and three graphic novels; saw 8 movies.
AUGUST: Spent the first week of the month in New Mexico with G and his family. I saw three operas, went hiking, played endless rounds of Every Word on my Kindle, visited the holy dirt shrine (and took some as a souvenir, which is allowed) and several art galleries, gorged myself on Madre's sublime cooking, and slept a lot. Had a shitty evening in which I spilled chocolate coconut water all over my kitchen floor and managed to injure myself with a 12-pack of Coke Zero. Finished Catherine. My 3-year-old car's odometer finally hit 10,000 miles. G and I celebrated seven wonderful years together. Read 3 novels, 3 nonfiction books, and 7 volumes of manga; saw 8 movies.
SEPTEMBER: Went back to Minnesota to see my dad and brother and went to the state fair, Mall of America, and two zoos in addition to eating lots of delicious food, including my beloved old-fashioned sugar cream pie. Astoundingly enough, I actually lost weight while I was there. Got a haircut at a chi-chi salon, and despite the fact that it cost 3 times more than I usually pay, it didn't look any better. (Sure loved the scalp massage, though!) Tried Secretions Magnifiques, a perfume notorious for being one of the foulest on earth, thanks to its notes of blood, semen, adrenaline, and milk; I can confidently state that its reputation is well deserved. Finished Alice: Madness Returns. Read 5 novels, 2 nonfiction books, 1 graphic novel, and 12 volumes of manga; saw 6 movies.
OCTOBER: Much to our relief, the garage band that lived across from G packed up and moved. Went to Little Tokyo. They filmed another episode of The Office at my workplace, which meant having to get up earlier than usual because I had to park in Buttfuck, Egypt. I didn't see anybody I recognized, though one of my coworkers managed to snap a blurry cell phone picture of Rainn Wilson. Finished The Mysterious Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Dead Rising 2: Off the Record. Was absolutely astonished when a foulmouthed teenage boy not only held a door open for me, but sassed the friend who mocked him for doing so. Read 6 novels, 2 nonfiction books, 8 volumes of manga, and 4 graphic novels; saw 9 movies.
NOVEMBER: I "enjoyed" one of the most frustrating months at work ever, thanks to assorted annoying coworkers, greatly increased phone calls, and endless computer woes. I also had a headache that lasted for 3 days straight, and I'm sure that was no coincidence. G and I went disco bowling, and although I'm one of the worst bowlers ever, it was a lot of fun! Took a personal day off, and it wound up being the perfect combination of fun and productive. Spent a lovely Thanksgiving weekend with G eating, napping, watching lots of movies and TV, and playing Red Dead Redemption. Read 2 novels, 2 nonfiction books, 7 volumes of manga, and 5 graphic novels; saw 8 movies.
DECEMBER: My hopes that December would be a less frustrating month at work were promptly shattered. Went to Little Tokyo with G and C, where my sadness at not finding our beloved jyaga bata chips was tempered somewhat by scoring a Maru calendar. My workplace hired two gourmet food trucks to bring us lunch; I had a gloriously fat cheeseburger and a scoop of candied bacon and brown butter ice cream, which was just kind of weird. G's nephew I. got accepted to Yale. Read 3 novels, 2 nonfiction books, 6 volumes of manga, and 2 graphic novels; saw 9 movies. Went to England (details forthcoming) and returned to the US on New Year's Eve. G and I were wilting on the vine, but we managed to stay up long enough to finish Red Dead Redemption and watch the clock count down. At midnight, we toasted the new year with kisses and Nyquil, and then we staggered upstairs to bed.


text:
Volunteer Day: Mulholland Middle School [9/19/16] By Elaine Ho, General Member
This past Monday, September 19th was UCLA's annual Volunteer Day. As task captains, we were assigned to a school and trained to help the new student volunteers lead various activities in different classrooms. Unlike the usual Volunteer Day tasks such as repainting signs or planting trees, I spent my day at Mulholland Middle School doing activities with the students there. These activities ranged from being creative and thinking of songs with a certain lyric or simply introducing themselves. CKI's purpose in these activities was to improve the middle schoolers' communication, interaction, and public speaking skills — while teaching the incoming UCLA students leadership.
I had an amazing experience at this year's Volunteer Day because although it started off on a rough note, we eventually broke down the students' walls and had them interact with one another. There was a strict schedule we had to adhere to in order to allow sufficient time for each activity. However, as we spent more time with the students, we realized that they were very closed off and timid, so we allocated more time to interacting with them, rather than having them do something that would be out of their comfort zone to give them a more personable environment. We had a short period where the students could ask us questions and I was awed at the goals some of the kids had. From being ultrasound technicians to dancers to just simply continuing their education, I felt like we eased their minds on entering high school and tackling college.
Although we didn't follow the schedule to the dot, I feel like having the middle schoolers break out of their shell and having the UCLA students observe, understand, and adjust to a situation is a gain in itself. I definitely recommend going to events similar to this as you not only help others, but you learn a lot yourself.


text:
Last updated : 7th October, 2016 The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation's apex decision making body – Central Board of Trustees (CBT) – met on Monday to decide on the PF interest rate for this fiscal. Labour and employment minister Oscar Fernandes said – Retirement fund body EPFO on Monday raised the PF interest rate from 8.5 percent to 8.75 per cent for 2013-14. The EPFO's Central Board of Trustees met on Monday and approved the interest rate that will now be forwarded to the finance ministry for notification. The EPFO, which is estimated to have an income of Rs 20,796.96 ... Read More »
Form 15CA & 15CB – Revised rules – NRI / Non-resident Payments
Last updated : 9th April, 2014 As per the revised rule, Form 15CA/CB is APPLICABLE only if a person responsible for paying to a non-resident, any interest or salary or any other sum chargeable to tax under the provisions of the Act. It means, NO CA Certificate in Form 15CB and NO furnishing of Form 15CA to the Income Tax department for any payment or money transfer out of India that is NOT Taxable. As a result, Form 15CA/CB may not be required for the transfer from NRO to NRE or for outward remittance from NRO funds. 2. For the nature ... Read More »
Last date for filing income tax returns ITR for AY 2013-2014 extended to August 5 2013
Last updated : 8th April, 2014 The government has today extended the last date for filing of income tax returns by 5 days to August 5 2013. The due date, which was today, has been extended in wake of "unprecedented surge" in number of I-T returns being filed electronically. "As a measure of taxpayers convenience, it has been decided to extend the due date of filing of returns from July 31, 2013 to August 5, 2013," the finance ministry said. This year till July 30, about 92 lakh returns have been electronically filed, which is 46.8% higher than the returns ... Read More »
Income Tax Return (ITR) filing compulsory even for salaried employees earning upto Rs 5 lakhs (AY 2013-2014)
Last updated : 8th April, 2014 Unlike the past two years, salaried persons earning up to Rs 5 lakh annually will have to file income tax returns, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said today. For assessment year 2011-12 and 2012-13, CBDT had exempted salaried employees having total income of up to Rs 5 lakh including income from other sources up to Rs 10,000 from the requirement of filing income tax return. CBDT said that in last years exemption was given to reduce the paper filing of returns and their processing through manual entry on system. But now, electronic filing ... Read More »
New PF contribution rule may reduce your take home salary
Last updated : 7th October, 2016 Update: In case you are looking for the new EPFO notification about threshold increment from Rs 6500 to Rs 15000, please go to the post below : June 2014 – EPF threshold raised from Rs 6500 to Rs 15000 – New EPFO Notification http://wealth18.com/epf-threshold-raised-from-rs-6500-to-rs-15000/ —————————————————————————————————————————- This post if related to impact on take-home salary if the PF dept decides to include allowances under the ambit of PF deduction. Did you know that the latest drive of the Provident fund authorities may reduce your take home salary? Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) is all set ... Read More »
Apply online for PF transfer and withdrawals from July 1 2013 : EPFO
Last updated : 7th October, 2016 EPFO is launching an online facility to apply for EPF Transfers & withdrawals on July 1 2013. EPFO's Central Provident Fund Commissioner Anil Swarup told reporters at PHD conference – "We have decided to set up a central clearance house which will be operational on July 1. This will enable subscribers to apply online for settlement of the withdrawal and transfer of funds claims," "The biggest problem faced by the subscribers is transferring their accounts on change of job. This central clearance facility will expedite the process", he added. "The onus of getting the ... Read More »
Interest Rate cut on small savings scheme – PPF, NSC, PO MIS interest rates revised
Last updated : 23rd April, 2014 Government has cut interest rates on small savings scheme marginally by 0.10% for 2013-2014. The revised interest rates will be applicable with effect from April 1, 2013. The decision is in line with the recommendations of Shyamala Gopinath Committee, which had suggested that returns should be in sync with market rates determined by the returns offered by other securities. 1) The interest rate on Public Provident Fund (PPF) has been reduced from 8.8% to 8.7%. 2) The interest rate on National savings certificates (NSC) having maturity of 5 and 10 years has been reduced ... Read More »
E-filing of Income tax return mandatory if income exceeds Rs 5 lakhs
Last updated : 8th April, 2014 The government has now made electronic filing of returns mandatory for taxpayers with a taxable income above Rs 5 lakh. Taxpayers with annual income of over 5 lakh will now have to file their returns in electronic form online. Last year government has made the e-filing of returns compulsory for taxpayers with a taxable income above Rs 10 lakh. DON't PANIC Electronic e-filing of returns is easy. For filing the return online, having Digital Signature is NOT Compulsory. Returns can be filed with or without digital signature. In case the returns are filed with ... Read More »
Highlights of Indian Union Budget 2013-2014 (Quick Summary )
Last updated : 23rd April, 2014 Highlights of Union Budget 2013 – 2014 Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram presented Budget 2013-14 in the Lok Sabha today on 28-Feb. He said that India will become USD 5 trillion economy, and among top five in the world by 2025. I have quickly summarised the major highlights of this budget on one page for your quick read. Major Highlights of this Budget are : Fiscal deficit seen at 5.2 point of GDP in 2012/13 Fiscal deficit seen at 4.8 point of GDP in 2013/14 No Change in Income Tax Slabs Tax credit of ... Read More »
Soon, you may have Reliance Bank, L&T Bank, Birla Bank
Last updated : 28th April, 2014 Soon you may have Reliance Bank, L&T Bank, LIC Bank, Birla Bank. After almost ten years, RBI is set to issue fresh banking licenses. Last licenses were issued to Kotak Mahindra Bank & Yes Bank in 2003-2004. RBI has now issued final guidelines for new bank licenses which will allow corporate & business groups with sound credentials to enter into banking business. Corporate houses like Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group, Larsen & Toubro, Tatas, Mahindra and Mahindra, Life Insurance Corporation, Aditya Birla Group and NBFCs Shriram Transport, Religare, SREI, Reliance capital have shown interest to ... Read More »


text:
Friday, January 30, 2009
Swimming... in a Pool of Books.
Hey everyone, sorry it's been forever since I posted something, (It's really not Friday, it's actually Saturday, Feb. 7) So I'm here to update y'all on my surprisingly busy life now.
If you look around my blog, somewhere I posted that I was going to read Jennifer Anne Kogler's The Otherworldlies, unfortunately, I STILL haven't finished reading it. I'm currently on a ridiculous page 68. That's right, I was only capable of reading a mere 68 pages in 2 weeks. (More?) So I have to get on that.
I'm reading a whopping 5 books all at once, which include Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (page 184) The previously mentioned the Otherworldlies (68), my homework, Scott Westerfeld's Uglies, which I haven't yet started, but I have to read a hundred pages of by Monday, then at school, I'm rereading New Moon (382), which is seriously depressing, and I can't bring myself to read any more, even though I know what's going to happen, and John Green, Lauren Myracle, and Maureen Johnson's creative compilation of somewhat love stories all set in the same town during the winter. Although I'm only 5 pages in, it's pretty good, and I've had a couple of people recommend it to me, followed by them saying "You have to read it NOW, it's amazing." Which adds on to the current book jam, and I can't even find time for the poor Chris McCandless in John Krauker's Into the Wild. I promise you readers this: I will finish all of the books within the next few weeks, have some patience, please.
But I have had time for music! I recently got my copy of Hank Green's So Jokes, which is specifically intended for nerdfighters, partially because it includes numerous inside jokes, which several normal people would certainly NOT get. But if you are a nerdfighter, this CD is golden!
*the picture featured was taken by me, please note: I am NOT a photographer.*
The biggest news in the music world at the moment is revolving around pop artist Kelly Clarkson, who has a talent for sucking you into every song she sings, even if it sounds just like her other one that you remember ever so vividly because you had been sucked into it as well.
I understand your pain. In the American Idol winner's recent album, My Life Would Suck Without You, the singer/*cough* clone *cough*, let's her vocal chords reign, and I eventually quit. Breakaway was great, Since U Been Gone was okay, My Life Would Suck Without You is boring. I mean, Kelly can sing, her voice just gets old. Fast. But if you enjoy listening to repeats of the same sound, you'll love it. I don't, so I pulled my brain out from the upbeat pop song, and moved on.
On the Alternative side, here are a few songs to consider as always:
I'm Outta Time- Oasis
Wonderwall- Oasis
Skinny Love- Bon Iver
Crack the Shutters- Snow Patrol
Brandy Alexander- Feist
My Beloved Monsters- The Eels
How to Save A Life- The Fray
Fast and Full:
Troublemaker- Weezer
Sweater- Weezer
Where It's At- Beck
Once In A Lifetime- Talking Heads
Somebody Told Me- The Killers
Sex On Fire- Kings Of Leon
We Didn't Start the Fire- Billy Joel (Heck. Yes.)
Let It Die- Foo Fighters
Vertigo- U2
My Girls- Animal Collective
What I'm Listening to While Doing Homework:
Phantom Limb- The Shins
Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, Illinois- Sufjan Stevens
Piano Man- Billy Joel
The Scientist- Coldplay
Lost- Coldplay
Let's Dance- David Bowie (Cause for Celebration)
I've mostly been listening to random playlists, so I don't really have much else to share with my readers in this post, but I do have one radio recommendation. Enjoy, and I'll post soon!
If you have itunes, and it includes the radio feature, I recommend you try out KRock2 under the Alternative tab. The New York station includes songs mentioned here, and many more that relate to the bands listed in several other posts.
*Sign up for my e-mail list! Get the latest post notifications fast! E-mail thealternativegirl@yahoo for your subscription today! Just include your name and e-mail, and you'll be added!*
Posted by The Alternative Girl at 8:55 PM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Let's make this clear. This isn't a choice between renewables and natural gas. LLE are as Green as anyone else. We live in London, love our air, our water and our children just like you. We want what you want.
We think the energy transition includes renewables, efficiency, smart meters, nuclear – and natural gas, especially in heat.
We don't like coal. Not in the UK, not in the US, not in Germany, not in Poland, not in China, not in India – not anywhere. Using the gas under our feet releases gas for sale to people not as fortunate as we are.
We're already lucky enough to be citizens of the greatest city on earth. Our own natural gas resources make us luckier still.
This isn't a competition between energy sources. Renewables, efficiency and natural gas; It's a recipe. Not a menu. We have to eat the whole thing.
Different strokes for different folks. 100% renewables where that works. Efficiency is great but we're going to hit the floor at some point. You don't go on a low-carb diet by starving to death.
Zero Carbon Electricity by 2030? Sounds good to us. We want to have 40% lower carbon heat TODAY!


text:
STARZ Addresses Leaked 'Power' Season 4 Episodes
Cable network STARZ is the victim a recent episode leak for the hit show Power. Several the remaining episodes recently found their way online along with spoiler-ridden screenshots from the drama-filled and highly anticipated fourth season finale.
The final three episodes Power were said to have leaked from someone's cracked iPhone, who recorded the episodes from the Starz press site. The culprit then posted the videos he filmed onto a Facebook page and may have accidentally revealed his identity, since he was talking in several the clips. To worsen the situation, viewers the leaked episodes began posting screenshots those episodes, providing massive spoilers for how the rest the season plays out.
"This seems to be a case password sharing that resulted in homemade videos the episodes which were taped f a TV screen and posted online. STARZ has begun forensic investigations and will take legal action against the responsible parties," said a spokesperson.
This seems to be the year leaks and hacks as HBO recently suffered from a similar situation when Ballers, a Game Thrones episode, and several scripts were leaked because a server hack.
Power Producer/Actor Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson has yet to release a statement with his thoughts on the leak.
The show airs on STARZ every Sunday at 9pm ET.
Watch the Trailer for Power Season 4, Episode 8:
to TheBoombox on


text:
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Zaid Hamid with Rana Mubashir on News One 17th Sep 2013
This is our powerful azaan on talks with Khawarij and the policies of PTI and NS government. The war against army and the most sinister role of Judiciary, parliament and government. Must be watched by all Pakistan concerned about talks with Khawarij.
Posted by Tayyaba Zaid at 9:31 PM
Labels: Analysis/warnings, News and Updates, News Desk, Videos
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text: Realist painter Jamie Wyeth is the son of Andrew Wyeth and the grandson of N.C. Wyeth. Though many of his works depict the Maine coast, animals, and wildlife, Jamie Wyeth has also painted portraits of political and entertainment figures, including the likes of President John F. Kennedy, Rudolf Nureyev, Andy Warhol, and Arnold Schwarzenegger; made charcoal drawings that documented the unfolding drama of the Senate Watergate hearings in the 1970s; and made paintings for Stephen King's ABC-TV miniseries Kingdom Hospital. His style is notable for its bold contract and lush, almost tactile surfaces.


text:
true love is the love of God. we should not love someone more than our love for God. often we forget what God has given us, for example, we are still given age can increase the reward for us, thanks to the grace of god, still can see our parents, still see the beautiful world. but we must not forget, the world is beautiful, but if we do good and are always grateful, always remember God, the Hereafter will be more beautiful. what we do not get in the world, God willing we get in the next.
we often forget as busy by the affairs of our world, so we forget allah.sibuk work, busy studying, busy with children and are oblivious to our obligation to pray, to be grateful for the gift of the gods. the affairs of our world are not going well or not achieved our goal. God will grant the request of people who are pious. if we want something, then we pray to God. Prayer is divided into 3:
1. prayer will in turn down by the gods, but waiting for the right time
usually turn down prayer in the gods is a noble prayer, which is good. for example: request given more sustenance to dispatch pilgrimage of parents, asking for graduation after the attempt, etc.
2. prayer replaced by a better
prayer which was replaced by the gods, for example: if we have a crush on someone and pray to god for an arranged marriage with a person, god will be replaced with someone better than those we estimate, because the great god knows everything
3. prayer that the gods refused
usually aimed evil prayer, for example: he prayed accidents, etc.


text:
A blog primarily about angling. Because I don't do a lot else. I will describe my fishing adventures and write some reviews of tackle etc. I will probably also include reviews of bands and other things that I encounter. But mainly fishing. Because fishing is the new rock and roll. If not that then its the new hip-hop. Now with added German.
Saturday, 25 May 2013
Tuesday, 7 May 2013
Lure Anglers Society event. Newport Pagnell. May 5th.
In which my talent for catching small pike is rewarded with glittering prizes from the land of the rising sun.
|A smug D.Heaps relaxes over a few tench
wearing runner-up Sunline cap.
Not much to report here for me since the end of the river season. I've tried luring for perch a bit in the canal and secret gravel pit with a couple small pike to show for it. I've also got off the mark for tench with a couple from Newlands Angling Club.
Today I have just returned from a splendid event. The Lure Anglers Society event at Newport Pagnell Fishing Association's Sherington Lakes. There were competitions sponsored by Major Craft and Sunline with predator fish caught being judged on the basis of length rather than weight. There were prizes of Major Craft (smart Japanese Tackle) rods for longest pike and perch and an overall total length competition with prizes of Sunline braid/hats/trophies up for grabs.
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)


text:
you shouldn't dismiss the open up entryways it provides you. In case you're an involved gamer with constrained time and energy to. deliver for the most adored recreation. it could pick up sense to. quicken your floor with a couple greatly picked buys.
When you are a watchman. don't confine PC العاب سيارات ميزو absolutely from your tyke's life. Honestly. some PC العاب سيارات ميزو contain information that may be academic in your tyke.
'I discovered myself racing in the chapters. It's got a lot of twists and turns, with more than enough red herrings to keep the reader captivated into the final webpage, It can be addictive, compulsive and even more.' The E book Review Caf_
But because they're drawn right into a network of corruption, lies and exploitation, each individual step delivers them nearer to grim insider secrets concealed at the heart of their Group.
$4.99 During this thoroughly animated, all-new tackle the Smurfs, a mysterious map sets Smurfette and her most effective mates Brainy, Clumsy and Significant on an enjoyable and thrilling race with the Forbidden Forest crammed with magical creatures to locate a mysterious missing village ahead of the evil wizard Gargamel does.
A book provides a starting. Kevin Hart's life uniquely qualifies him to jot down this ebook by also having a commencing.
Relating to this reserve: I'll never truly feel entirely safe being residence by yourself soon after I noticed a shadow person for the first time.
When Beca potential customers this a cappella singing group out of their standard preparations and excellent harmonies into all-new mash-ups, they fight to climb their method to the very best of higher education tunes competitions.
Connors. The discovery of his father's key will finally shape his Future of getting "Spider-Guy" and produce him nose to nose with Connors' villainous alter ego, the Lizard.
Damn obtained prevalent important acclaim and debuted at number 1 over the Billboard two hundred, earning Lamar his 3rd consecutive number one album in check here the United States.
A 50 percent hour investigative comedy in which comic host Adam Conover provides an onslaught of thoughts blowing info that shatter your illusions about the planet to hilarious influence.
But you will discover massive changes brewing in Gotham, and when he desires to help save the town in the Joker's (Zach Galifianakis) hostile takeover, Batman can have to drop the lone vigilante matter, attempt to operate with Other individuals and maybe, just possibly, learn how to loosen up.
'An intriguing Website of lies, techniques and suspense. I really liked attending to know DCI Foster and am now searching forward to the following e book.' Mel Sherratt
"Not just do you have to pick the way you interpret Just about every chapter, but your interpretation writes another chapter," he suggests. "So why not choose the interpretation that serves your life the very best?"
- 347 Visitors


text: Hello Tom, I don't think this is the explanation. As I stated in my orginal post, the steady-state/idle voltage is virtually identical at both the jump post and the battery directly. Therefore, no voltage drop due to a failed/high resistance splice. It may simply be the belt - or its tension - but it just seems very odd that it occurred almost instantaneously. I'm suspicious of the alternator itself... Chris Hemberger


text:
Did we miss out on your preferred brand or product on this record? Use a suggestion for anything fully unique? We'd like to listen to from you in the opinions underneath! Or should you didn't locate Anything you were being in search of in this list, consider Best Water Bottles 2017, Best Water Bottles 2016 as well as Best Water Bottles 2015 to have some far more Suggestions.
This is a superb cost-effective selection Together with the best function staying the distinctive style of a standard bottle form, which has a broader base and slender major.
A take care of is helpful for toting all over around the side within your bag or with your finger In case you are cruising all around without a bag. Some handles will likely be flexible and attached to the bottle and Other individuals will not be hooked up. This can be an component to contemplate in case you are inclined to get rid of your bottle caps!
We sense assured that anyone on the lookout for an insulated bottle might be pleased with any with the choices we've identified in the following paragraphs. Just take a while to select the bottle which best satisfies your preferences and everyday Life style.
On this planet of water bottles, the phrase "insulated" tends to get thrown about quite a lot, adequate to confuse people about precisely what it means. The phrase "insulation" technically refers to any content which aids reduce warmth reduction or transfer, so by this incredibly liberal definition, each individual water bottle has some kind of insulation.
Stainless Steel – Stainless-steel can be a extremely popular substance for insulated water bottles. They are getting in reputation as a consequence of issues about plastic bottles.
The Fifty/Fifty Vacuum Insulated Water Bottle is the very first example of one of several bottles we might have appreciated to are able to incorporate inside the insulation examination, but sadly we've been no longer in possession of any Fifty/Fifty bottles, not less than not for the time being.
In this article, we'll very a fantastic read first take a look at a little bit about how the kind of insulation, how the best insulated bottles perform their magic, and afterwards Have a look at some unique models and versions to weigh in a little bit on the best purchasing selections.
Probably the best rationale to select an insulated bottle is its capability to keep beverages at the specified temperature. (Verify price ranges in this article)
Interested by the bottle's skills to keep their contents heat, we recurring exactly the same check, this time with one hundred fifty diploma water.
Once the spout will not be in use, the created-in spout protect retains it thoroughly clean. The ergonomic tackle gives a cushty grip. It's been stated that improved hydration will increase efficiency.
Stainless steel is The perfect materials for insulated water bottles. Insert a powder coating on the surface and you next page have an ideal blend to resist dents and scratches. In addition you can get some included grip with a rather tough powder coat.
Stainless steel is robust, durable and will handle remaining outdoors Whilst you hike, bicycle, swim or mountain climb. You received't have to worry about the bottle perspiring mainly because of my company the double-wall construction these bottles are generally produced with.
– will you be utilizing your bottle on-the go? If hiking or in transit then redirected here you almost certainly choose to go More Help the inbuilt sipper type straw for convenience instead of a screw top.
A Simple Key For Best Insulated Water Bottles Unveiled
Did we miss out on your preferred brand or product on this record? Use a suggestion for anything fully unique? We'd like to listen to from you in the opinions underneath! Or should you didn't locate Anything you were being in search of in this list, consider Best Water Bottles 2017, Best Water Bottles 2016 as well as Best Water Bottles 2015 to have some far more Suggestions.


text:
For every snowflake created,
PopularFront.com will increase
it's donation to the Salvation Army.
Here's mine!
|Click on the image below to go make your own.
Stay warm on this Winter Solstice Day!
21 December 2006
Make your own snowflake for a good cause!
No comments:
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Monday, May 28, 2007
Underwater dragon.
5 comments:
I would really like your post ,it would really explain each and every point clearly well thanks for sharing.ReplyDelete
Saab 9-2x Turbo
Expressive! original!ReplyDelete
nice posting... Thanks for this posting....ReplyDelete
Woah this blog is magnificent i love reading your articles. Obat ApendisitisReplyDelete
Keep up the great work! You understand, many individuals are looking round for this information, you could aid them greatly. Cara Meredakan Gejala Menopause
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
For the second year running, Rhyl and the rest of the Welsh Premier League have been featured in the annual Price of Football Survey. Point FM's sports editor Gareth Joy takes a look the findings.
The most fundamental shift in thinking at Belle Vue over the past twelve months has been the club's stated desire to hand over the ownership to its fans. There was also a close shave with relegation from the Welsh top flight, averted only by the politics of domestic licences.
One year since the BBC first surveyed the Welsh Premier as part of its Price of Football investigation, there's been relatively little movement in the price of the matchday experience for Lillywhites. A ticket still costs £8, along with £2 for a pie and £1 for a cup of tea. The programme is now a little cheaper, down 50p to £2.
The biggest change in pricing has come from season tickets – last season, a diehard supporter could have expected to pay anywhere between £60 and £140 – the most expensive fee in the league. Now, the cheapest possible debenture is at least £95 but the club only charges a fiver more for the dearest option. Noticeably, it's still one of the more expensive options in the WPL – The New Saints charge as much as £110 while it's as little as £50 at Newtown.
Wearing the club's colours still costs £28 for a junior shirt, while an adult shirt is up to £40 (up from £37 last year) – the second highest in the league.
Overall, the price of a matchday ticket at Belle Vue comes as standard at TNS and Llandudno with Aberystwyth, Bala and Cardiff Met offering £6 tickets – the cheapest in the league.
If you're a visiting fan, you can pay as little as £3 to watch your team at the Deeside Stadium (Gap Connah's Quay) but it's fixed prices for everyone at all but one other club (tickets as little as £4 at Llandudno). Programmes range from £1 for the students in the Welsh capital to £3 for the league champions.
At the refreshments stand, all twelve clubs agree on charging a quid for a cuppa – but the pies set you back as little as £1.50 at Carmarthen, Cefn Druids and Gap Connah's Quay and as much as £2.50 at Aberystwyth and Bangor City.
As for the wardrobe, the cheapest shirts are available at Newtown (£27 adults, £22 junior). The dearest adult shirts – at Aberystwyth – cost even more than at Bournemouth or Burnley.
All told, there's little difference in a £13 matchday experience at Belle Vue than there was from last year. It still forms part of the most affordable of figurehead leagues in the UK – with average matchday entry prices down just slightly – and notably more uniform prices for season tickets.
It remains to be seen whether the Lillywhites press forward with giving the club back to the community – and what affect it has on what the fan pays for their football. Just like this stage last season, whether they survive another WPL season may prove imperative.
Join Gareth Joy for the North Wales Coast's sports programme, MatchPoint Live, every Saturday from 2-6pm on Point FM 103.1.


text:
Xbox One – Day One Edition available for pre-order on Amazon and other retailers for $499.96
Hello everyone.
E3 2013 is now finished, and after all the news we heard at the event, about Next-Gen consoles and new games, Microsoft revealed the real price of the Xbox One and it's already available for pre-order at several online retailers, which are Amazon, GameStop, Best Buy, ShopTo and GAME.
So you can pre-order right now the new Microsoft Next-Gen console for $499,96.
The Xbox One – Day One Edition include the following features:
- The Day One console includes a commemorative controller, token code to unlock an exclusive Day One achievement, and premium packaging at no additional cost
- Kinect is included with every Xbox One. Completely reengineered to be more precise, responsive and intuitive with unparalleled voice, vision and motion technology
- The console is driven by a powerful combination of 8 Cores CPU, GPU and 8GB of RAM, governed by an innovative OS architecture, to deliver power, speed and agility
- Only Xbox One unleashes the vast and scalable power of the cloud for your games, entertainment and apps with Xbox Live
- With Xbox One, you can quickly jump from TV to movies to music to a game
We remember that Xbox One will be released on November 29, 2013.
Share this post!
Follow RSS Feeds and Forums:Subscribe for free to our feed RSS to stay updated on latest news!
Start to discuss about Gaming and Tech on our forums!


text:
Good questions, Sky. We have set with each other an entire article on our blog called, "Which yeast to implement," which explains the variations in between the commonest kinds of yeast. It need to assistance answer your yeast questions.
I prepare it to the "dough" setting in my bread machine, then clear away, knead briefly, condition, and Enable it rise inside the buttered pan for 1 hour. It bakes from the oven at 350 levels for 23 minutes and it's ideal each time. Many thanks for this fantastic, no-fail recipe!
The immediately after sales support from T-Fal is just not remaining appreciated by many purchasers who are presently making use of this merchandise.
They're effectively included. In addition, Cuisinart developed this machine so as to get rid of the kneading blade and avoid it baking into your bread. This will help make the loaves even more gorgeous! Having said that, we were really delighted with the overall operate and style of the machine.
Freshly produced dwelling baked bread has its personal style and texture. While some like baking, it may also turn into a difficult endeavor for Other folks. Nonetheless, Together with the creation of bread machines, this process has also become a pretty simplified job.
This item is an internet Exceptional. It is possible to pay for it online and then decide it up at your chosen shop.
Choose inquiry a baking machine which will meet your useful baking requirements though elevating your kitchen's inside structure and screaming your very good style and style.
This lets the bread Prepare dinner more evenly because the warmth is healthier reflected back again on to the dough therefore you gained't end up getting loaves of bread which can be dense, thick, and about 50 percent the size they should be.
The quality of the heating aspect. Among the very first matters to go inside of a bread machine is the heating component that cooks the bread. Seek out a top quality device that will assist you to bake Many loaves without having fear.
The Panasonic Bread Maker with Yeast Dispenser is intended to meet up with the requires of a modern family which has a occupied Life style. Whichever your will need for baking bread, this machine is not going to disappoint.
Want The most cost effective superior breadmaker? The Russell Hobbs 18036 Breadmaker has you covered. There's absolutely nothing specifically fancy home about it, nevertheless it has every one of the bits you actually need.
With this particular pre-programmable bread maker, you can easily opt for the different selection available for baking to get the perfect crust and color. The convection function of this bread maker permits the air to flow into, which will help to attain that fantastic crust and crunch.
Panasonic bread maker has an automatic yeast dispenser attached to it. Hence, you do not need to bother with incorporating yeast on your bread at the proper instant. Panasonic machine usually takes treatment of your complete baking process of the bread.
Rather than needing to combine up best bread machine your bread dough by hand and on a regular basis knead it after time to assist the yeast inside of it rise, a bread machine does most of the be just right for you. At the time enough time has elapsed and also the dough has risen adequate, the bread machine may even bake the bread in your case.
Top Guidelines Of buy bread maker
Good questions, Sky. We have set with each other an entire article on our blog called, "Which yeast to implement," which explains the variations in between the commonest kinds of yeast. It need to assistance answer your yeast questions.


text:
Good morning, everyone~My name is Xie Yun and my English name is Yasmine. I am a shy traditional Chinese girl from Beijing. Everyone says I am slow to get started, but I'll try my best to join into the team. I major in chemistry as a sophomore and will become a junior student after this summer vacation. I am interested in organic chemistry so I take part in Xumu Zhang's (a professor graduated from Stanford University and now work in College of Chemistry and Molecular Science of Wuhan University. The main research direction of him is chiral catalyst) group to do some experiments. It's my great honor to join this group and I have studied a lot from professor Zhang and my senior fellow apprentice.
A learning, sharing & travel blog to help build bridges between the United States and China.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Self introduction from Yasmine/Xie Yun
2 comments:
Jasmine, did you post the whole thing with Android? Yes that takes too long. Thank you for your effort and really nice to know more about you. Please just know we will go back to library and spend time in computer lab so everyone can have time to write, and until then, let's share laptops! I will bring mine up so you all can use it. Nice to see more of you on the blog now!ReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks for your boost~You are so thoughtful^^~But my name is Yasmine...Delete
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
I said to the Lord, "I am a liar and a fool. The only good I have is imagined honor. Imagination is not food.
But you Holy Father, in Christ your Holy Son, are righteousness and purity forever. In your wisdom you created mercy. In your Holiness you created justice."
Then I said, "Let me own my sins. Let justice rain on my soul. Let the condemnation of my doings come and cast me to the ground. Let me see the damage I do so easily. Let me understand the murder I inflict.
It is then that I will seek mercy. It is then that I will cry out to you. It is then that you will offer your gracious hand of love. It is then that you will forgive my sins, allowing no punishment to come to anyone else because of me.
Let the matter be finished in the blood of your Holy Son. Let my legs find strength to stand. Let my folly be replaced with wisdom and restraint. Let me bring you honor by believing your Holy Word; your promise to bring life through forgiveness of sins."
And so begins another day. And so the next morning will hear these words again.
By His Grace.


text:
Here is the skirt part of the dress:
I started on the overlay. Here is the front part. The godlets are going to look so great. There are seven all together. The sides have not been attached but you get the idea:
I finished the lining and attached it to the bodice. I put the trim on the bodice but can't finish it until I put the zipper on. The trim is very pretty and simple. It does not overpower the dress. I haven't decided if I'm going to use it on the sleeves but it will trim the waistline.


text:
Fulani Cows Invade Church In Benue Capital, Disrupt Service [PHOTO]
There was a mild drama in Makurdi, the Benue State capital on Sunday after some cattle led by Fulani herdsmen invaded and disrupted church service.
Despite the anti-open grazing law of Governor Ortom's administration,Fulani herdsmen still goes about causing havoc and tension in Benue state.
The herdsmen and their cows reportedly invaded the Holy Ghost Catholic Parish, Makurdi, thereby causing palpable tension and apprehension.
The herders have continue to violate anti-grazing law in the state with the claim that they founded Benue State.
Few days ago, cows belonging to Fulani herdsmen invaded and disrupted ongoing mid-term examinations at Nwafor Orizu College of Education Demonstration Nursery, Primary and Secondary School Abata Nsugbe in Anambra state.
Also recall that a similar drama occurred in Ohovbe Primary School, Ikpoba-Okha local government area of Edo State where cattle chased students out of their classrooms.


text:
This year for history I decided to use Train Up A Child's: World History Course. This world history course is a literature base course. Luckily for me most of the books needed can be borrowed from my library. Currently we are studying Ancient Egypt and working our way through the book: Temples Tombs, & Hieroglyphs.
This is a bit of a slow read for us, slower then I would like, but we are making progress and working our way through it. In the course of reading we learned a little bit about James Henry Breasted. Breasted is one of the first American Egyptian Archaeologist that made a lasting impression on Egyptology, his work is still used today.
Web-princess took a special interest because she learned he was born here. I learned Thursday night that his remains were actually buried here too. So Friday morning we took an impromptu trip to the cemetery to hunt down Breasted's grave marker. -- what makes his grave marker even more unique is that it's made from a block of granite from Egypt. I think this is the closet she'll or even I will get from touching something from Egypt.
|Smiling and standing next to Breasted's headstone.
It's always nice when a bit of what you are talking about can come "alive". Sure it was just a tombstone. However, it connected us personally to this archaeologist that we are talking about and his discoveries and work.
|Under this granite block from Assuan, Egypt lie the ashes of James Henry Breasted
How has your homeschooling going? Any impromptu trips? impromptu activities?


text:
Tonight, I made my first meal using ingredients from my garden. Because my fruits and veggies are still in the newborn stage, I decided to use some of my herbs to create one of my favorite dishes.
Using this recipe, I created homemade pesto. This was my first attempt at pesto, and I hope to get better at making it as I create it more often. It was delicious, but it could certainly be even better.
Using this recipe, I created one of my favorite chicken pasta dishes. However, my sister-in-law shared some left over flank steak, so I substituted it for the chicken. It was wonderful, and the best part is I have tons of leftovers in the fridge.
Also, I used my grandmother's mixing bowls. Unfortunately, the picture doesn't do them justice. They are beautiful.
Linking to:


text:
Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk & Fun Run
Since 1998, the Cancer Association of Havasu has held the popular Breast Cancer Awareness Walk.. The event is held, not only to raise awareness regarding breast cancer, but also to honor our Bosom Buddies Support Group members and local breast cancer survivors.
The event includes commemorative T-shirts .
The walk and fun run is held in conjunction with the Community Health Fair, participants generally finish with a stroll through the booths of the fair (held in the community rooms at the Aquatic Center).
Individuals and business owners alike are invited to be a sponsor of this event. Use the form below, or contact Havasu Community Health Foundation office for more information. Come back in August 2018 for current registrations forms.
Download Walker Registration Brochure Download Donation Collection Form
Download Event Flyer Download Sponsor Form
Download Event Flyer Download Sponsor Form
2017 Online registrations have closed. Please check back in August 2018 for the next Breast Cancer Awareness Walk & Fun Run.


text:
By JOHN DeMERS
It is a great truth of the theater – and of all other art forms, in one way or the other – that what was once "revolutionary" becomes "classic" if it's good enough to stick around. And then, for the rest of its life on any stage, the piece surprises us, going as we are to see a "classic," with bits and pieces of how "revolutionary" it actually is.
Certainly Anton Chekhov is the poster child for such notions, the Russian author active at the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in his four great plays for a wildly avant garde troupe called the Moscow Art Theater. Today, his comedy-drama The Seagull (now on display in Houston courtesy of the Alley Theatre) has all the costumes and mindsets of an earlier day. Yet it can still surprise us with how contemporary it is, still shake us up when it wants to.
If modern plays of this sort, for a variety of reasons starting with financial, tend to have only two or three characters, Chekhov paints with a broader brush. His plays, and The Seagull in particular, are set among larger groups. What's more, in ways we don't always understand, these larger groups reflect several layers of pre-revolutionary Russian society, from serfs and servants up to a forming professional class, with room for students and other "radicals" along the way. At times, you almost expect Lenin himself to stroll in, even if he'd be a 14-year-old. The voices are right, the attitudes are right, the dynamics are right in these groups – at least as best we non-Russians can tell.
The Seagull is almost entirely about love, but (with apologies to Valentine's Day) the portrait isn't pretty. At no point, and in no relationship, is anyone particularly happy unless they're stupid or self-deluded, and seldom is anyone actually with the one they wish they were. There are echoes here of Chekhov's most masterful short story, usually translated as "The Lady with the Pet Dog," about a bored and boring family man's life-affirming fling with a younger woman at a resort town on the Black Sea.
For this production, on the Alley's intimate Neuhaus Stage, costumes and furniture are in place – but not the typical leafy backdrops that make some Chekhov productions feel luminous, even when they're about loss, alcoholism, social upheaval and suicide. As such, this production feels stark, at times almost post-apocalyptic. It's like a period piece caught on film, but with all the natural backgrounds painted out. It makes things tighter, more claustrophobic.
As directed with finesse and sensitivity for the brilliant language by Alley artistic director Gregory Boyd, the cast can be divided into two basic groups. The older characters are played by company stalwarts, and played with all the style and grace they've taught us to expect. James Black is perfect as famous writer Trigorin, whose careless infidelity with a sensitive younger woman dreaming of life beyond this countryside drives what plot there is, as are Jeffrey Bean as the blustery old Sorin, Josie de Guzman as Trigorin's wife Arkadina, and Todd Waite as the local doctor named Dorn. Even when little is going on, the conversations among these characters start and stop with disconnects that prefigure Becket and Ionesco, and they are worth the price of your ticket.
And while the skill level simply isn't as high or as uniform, there's very much a younger generation in The Seagull, and Chekhov gives them a lot of the water to carry. These actors mostly seem up to the task: Erica Lutz as Nina who comes to identify with the title's senselessly killed seagull, Karl Glusman as the doomed young writer Konstantin, and Rachael Tice as black-clad Masha (whom Chekhov gives one of his funniest lines ever, "I'm in mourning for my life!").
You might take that line and argue that it's true for many Chekhov characters, in both his plays and his short stories. Yet in this sterling Alley production, as surely in all the best ones going back to Moscow Art, these tales of "mourning" are etched with fascinating detail, clear-eyed sympathy for the human condition and plenty of raucous humor. And that will always strike us as more than a little "revolutionary."
Photo by T. Charles Erickson: The Alley "Seagull" cast, with only one member of the younger generation.


text:
The city of Waterville will continue to collect leaves that are in loose piles at the curb through mid-November. Piles must not contain sticks, corn stalks, garden waste, rocks, grass clippings, or weeds, according to the Public Works Department.
Crews picked up leaves from city properties east of the TLEW Bluebird railroad tracks in late October and this week and west of the tracks last week and will pick up from that area on Monday next week.
Residents can take leaves to the Clean Wood Recycling Facility at 6730 Anthony Wayne Trail until Nov. 30.
Guidelines: Please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Comments that violate these standards, or our privacy statement or visitor's agreement, are subject to being removed and commenters are subject to being banned. To post comments, you must be a registered user on toledoblade.com. To find out more, please visit the FAQ.


text:
And don't forget the sweet stuff at the end of your meal! Px and chocolate? To die for!
Rye (Secale cereale) is a grass grown extensively as a grain and forage crop. It is a member of the wheat tribe (Triticeae) and is closely related to barley and wheat. Rye grain is used for flour, rye bread, rye beer, vodka and great whiskeys. Here is to a life filled with love, alcohol and clothes on the floor!
Thursday, November 05, 2015
Sherry Galore!
I am so proud to work at a restaurant with a great Sherry selection. This wine is taylor made to go with food. And our food is ideal for Sherry too! Try the conch crocettes with a Manzanilla. Or an oloroso with our steak tartar. Our curried goat with sweet potato gnocchi is crying out for an Amontillado.
No comments:
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Document Type
Publication Date
In this white paper we describe interviewees' perceptions of the implementation process for Utah's Care About Childcare (CAC). White paper #1 outlined the research methods used and the components of implementation science that were under investigation. This white paper summarizes interviewees' observations on the implementation components of source, destination, communication link, feedback loop, and sphere of influence.
Recommended Citation
Fronk, Alexander; Gurko, Krista; and Austin, Ann Marie Berghout, "White Paper #2: Structure of Care About Childcare" (2013). Family, Consumer, and Human Development Faculty Publications. Paper 672.


text:
Insuring that your candidate is not a bankruptcy candidate is a critical factor in your analysis. Different financial health tests are required depending on whether your candidate is a low- or high-debt firm. Many growth candidates are younger companies that haven't been in business long enough to acquire much debt, and thus qualify for the quick Busted Cash Burner test. High-debt firms require the Detailed Fiscal Fitness Exam.
Use the total liabilities/equity ratio (TL/E) to determine the appropriate financial test. The TL/E ratio results from dividing a firm's total liabilities by shareholders equity. The ratio is not calculated on any financial site, but both figures can be found near the bottom of the most recent balance sheet on either MSN Money or Multex Investor.


text:
When you visit the Grand Canyon you expect to see vast sweeping views of colored stratified rock revealing eons of geologic history, interesting rock formations protruding upward from the canyon floor and maybe even a glimpse of the serpentine ribbon of water wearing an even deeper groove into the Earth. All I can see this morning though is the oval beam of my headlamp as I run down the South Kaibab Trail, the wind pushing against my body. I camped last night at the Mather Campground with some of my running buddies and three of us left bright and early at 4am while a faster group of five runners left after us.
(Click on photos for larger view)
|First light on the S. Kaibab Trail


text:
A Toledo man pleaded no contest Monday to robbery for holding up a Dollar General store.
Kevin Donelson, 22, of 5747 Talmadge Rd. had been indicted for aggravated robbery but entered a plea to the amended charge. Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Linda Jennings found him guilty and scheduled sentencing for April 2.
Lindsay Navarre, an assistant Lucas County prosecutor, told the court Donelson walked into Dollar General, 3020 Cherry St., Dec. 21, stuck what a store employee took to be a gun in her lower back, and demanded she open the cash drawer. When she did, he grabbed the money.
He faces up to three years in prison.
Guidelines: Please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Comments that violate these standards, or our privacy statement or visitor's agreement, are subject to being removed and commenters are subject to being banned. To post comments, you must be a registered user on toledoblade.com. To find out more, please visit the FAQ.


text:
Our Creative Wales Awards are to support artists' development and are made in all artforms. Artists can now apply for the 2017/18 Creative Wales Awards.
They're intended to give space and time for an artist who's already had career achievements, to undertake creative experimentation and research to inform their future practice, but not necessarily to deliver defined and predetermined outcomes.
Creative Wales puts a premium on artists with innovative new approaches and understandings. It allows an individual artist's vision to be explored, tested and re-imagined without the need to create a 'final' performance or exhibition, but recipients will have nevertheless shown how their exploration will make a contribution to the development of the arts in Wales.
View all of the previous winners of Creative Wales Awards here.
The Creative Wales Fellowship will allow us to support individuals to develop practice in a specific field in a specific place with the support and guidance of mentors and experts already working in this arena.
Creative Wales–British School at Rome Fellowship 2018/19 The Creative Wales–British School at Rome Fellowship will provide a valuable opportunity for an artist at a significant juncture of their career, who lives in Wales, to undertake a three-month residency in Rome.
The Fellowship is open to exceptional, ambitious and imaginative creative individuals, working within the visual arts artform. It will provide an exceptional opportunity for career development for the artists selected, increase Wales's artistic profile internationally, and make an invaluable contribution to creative Wales.
Further information upon the Fellowship and details of how to apply can be found on the BSR website.
The closing date for applications for the 2018–19 Fellowship (tenable October–December 2017) is Friday 13 October 2017.
All the previous winners
Registered Charity Number 1034245


text:
Are Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Eating Disorders Related?
By Angela Grassi, MS, RD, LDN
Today's Dietitian
Vol. 8 No. 10 P. 32
Life the age-old chicken and egg debate, what comes first: the eating disorder or PCOS? Resarchers theorize that disordered eating could lead to PCOS and vice versa.
The first time I heard of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) was in 1999 while working for an eating disorder treatment facility. A patient named Sarah, age 27, tearfully explained the symptoms she was experiencing: severe acne and hair growth on her face, absent periods, thinning hair, and her weight had been increasing nearly 2 pounds per month for the past year. She hated her body and believed it was out of control. She had been diagnosed with PCOS three weeks prior and her doctor recommended that she try the Atkins diet to manage her insulin and lose weight. Through the tears, Sarah admitted that she had tried to follow the diet but just kept bingeing on carbohydrates and felt so guilty afterward that she purged to get rid of them. Sarah also had a long history of bulimia nervosa (BN).
What Is PCOS?
PCOS is perhaps the most complex endocrine disorder, affecting 5% to 10% of reproductive-age women, and is the No. 1 cause of infertility.1 It is characterized by high levels of androgens (male hormones such as testosterone) from the ovaries as well as elevated follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and low levels of luteinizing hormone (LH). Tiny cysts, hence, "polycysts," usually, but not always, surround the ovaries, appearing on ultrasound as a strand of pearls. The cysts are a result of hormonal imbalances, not the cause of them.
An estimated 50% to 70% of women with PCOS are also insulin resistant and experience weight gain in the abdominal area, difficulty losing weight, hypoglycemic episodes, and intense cravings for carbohydrates.2,3 In addition, many women with PCOS are overweight or obese and are at risk for developing diabetes and heart disease. Other signs and symptoms of PCOS may vary among individuals both in intensity and type and include excessive hair growth on the face and body (hirsutism), alopecia, acne, skin problems, and irregular or absent periods. Because most of these signs and symptoms have a direct effect on body image, not to mention struggles with weight and intense carbohydrate cravings, many researchers have questioned the theory that a relationship exists between PCOS and eating disorders.
Menstrual Disturbances
It is widely accepted that women with eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, BN, or a combination of several symptoms of eating disorders commonly referred to as eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS), have menstrual disturbances.4-6 And much like with PCOS, these menstrual disturbances include anovulation and oligomenorrhea (menstrual cycles longer than 40 days).7
In a recent study, researchers examined the hormonal dysfunctions associated with improper eating habits among 14 subjects with BN and 22 subjects with EDNOS.7 They found decreased levels of FSH and LH among both groups, and the EDNOS group had the lowest levels of the two hormones as well as higher amounts of testosterone than subjects in the control group. The researchers suggest that a reason why many women with BN and EDNOS may have menstrual disturbances is related to low levels of LH, which is a sensitive variant affected by dramatic changes in eating habits.7 Thus, crash dieting or restricting—common behaviors for individuals with BN and compulsive eating habits—may cause low levels of LH, resulting in an insufficient luteal phase and producing oligomenorrhea or anovulation.
The Emotional Toll
Like my patient Sarah, the symptoms many women with PCOS endure can have a direct effect on their body image and self-esteem and may lead to the development of distorted eating habits or eating disorders.8 Although there does seem to be a genetic component to PCOS development, with studies indicating that some girls are even born with cysts on their ovaries, most symptoms do not appear until the onset of puberty—another factor in common with eating disorders.9
For example, at a time when a young woman's self-esteem is vulnerable, she may start to experience acne, excessive hair growth on her face and other parts of her body, and weight gain in her midsection—setting her apart from her peers. Not knowing she has PCOS or why her body is reacting the way it is, she may begin to blame herself and hate her body. Struggling with these issues at such a vulnerable time can lead many young women to deal with emotional distress through unhealthy dieting practices such as taking laxatives and diet pills, fasting, and engaging in excessive exercise and vomiting—all of which could set the stage for a lifetime of eating issues and body hatred.
Researchers have investigated the relationship between monozygotic and dizygotic twins with PCOS and BN by using the BITE (Bulimia Investigation Test, Edinburgh) questionnaire, a self-rating scale used to diagnose BN that includes 30 questions about dieting and binge behaviors such as, "Does your pattern of eating severely disrupt your life?" "Do you ever experience overpowering urges to eat and eat?" and "Do you ever fast for a whole day?"10
They found that 76% of twins with PCOS had elevated scores on the BITE, suggesting that a relationship does exist between BN and PCOS. Other studies conducted using the BITE questionnaire support a relationship between PCOS and binge eating, with one third of women with PCOS in one study having binge eating behavior.11
Jessica Setnick, MS, RD, LD, creator of Eating Disorders Boot Camp and a specialist in eating disorder treatment, has noted the connection between binge eating and PCOS. She says, "Many women with PCOS are so frustrated with their diagnosis. They feel immense pressure because they really want to lose weight and improve their symptoms, so they'll restrict carbohydrates in order to lose weight." But, she adds, "sometimes they eat such little amounts of food and, combined with their carbohydrate cravings, they end up bingeing and feeling even more horrible about themselves." Thus, a vicious cycle ensues.
In addition, women with PCOS, because of their hormonal imbalances, may be more prone to mood swings and depression than women without PCOS. Elevated testosterone may make women with PCOS more aggressive, angry, anxious, and depressed, but many women with PCOS may also have mood disturbances from dealing with the symptoms associated with their diagnosis.12 Codiagnosis of other mental health problems is common among people with eating disorders.
The Insulin Effect
It is understandable that women with PCOS may become more susceptible to developing an eating disorder and suffer from body image disturbances, but can women with eating disorders develop PCOS?
Researchers have proposed that insulin may have an appetite-stimulating effect and can perpetuate binge behavior.4 For example, during an eating binge when large quantities of food are consumed over a relatively short amount of time, there is a surge of excess insulin—much more than experienced during a normal meal. Constant bingeing could, therefore, result in a chronic state of elevated insulin and when insulin levels become elevated, androgen levels can become elevated as well.4 As a result, women with PCOS who engage in binge eating will further increase insulin levels and cause a worsening of their PCOS symptoms.
Researchers have investigated whether women with BN are insulin resistant and examined the relationship between insulin and androgen levels, ovarian morphology, and severity of bulimic behavior.4 Although their study did not find that women with BN had insulin resistance, they did find that they were chronically hyperinsulinemic, with 10 of 12 normal weight subjects having polycystic ovaries.4 This leads researchers to speculate that hyperinsulinemia may be one reason why BN and PCOS are connected, with the bulimic pattern of bingeing followed by starvation and/or vomiting perpetuating the insulin response and leading to the development of polycystic ovaries.4 It may also suggest why some women who are overweight or obese develop PCOS through overfeeding.
There is some encouraging news: It appears that when women with PCOS and BN can return to normalized eating patterns with treatment involving cognitive behavioral therapy, it can result in improved ovarian morphology.6 Thus, chronic bingeing can worsen the appearance of polycystic ovaries, but ovarian morphology does seem to resolve when bingeing ceases and normal eating patterns are established.
The Cholecystokinin Connection
New research suggests that women with PCOS also have impaired secretion of the hormone cholecystokinin (CCK), resulting in a reduced feeling of satiety.3 CCK is released from the small intestine in response to the presence of food and plays an important role in regulating appetite. It was previously believed that women with BN also have impaired CCK secretion, which could also explain the tendencies of women with PCOS, BN, or EDNOS to crave sweets, binge eat, or be overweight because of their impaired ability to feel full.13 It is not known why women with PCOS have impaired CCK secretion following meals, but researchers have suggested that like individuals with BN and diabetes, women with PCOS may have delayed gastric emptying.3
Nutrition and Lifestyle Management
Although studies are lacking on the best dietary and lifestyle treatments for PCOS, the most commonly agreed upon recommendations to improve insulin levels and other symptoms in PCOS are to consume a diet low to moderate in carbohydrates with an emphasis on low-glycemic index foods and to engage in regular exercise.2 However, because women with PCOS may be more prone to binge eating, it is imperative that dietitians screen patients with PCOS for eating disorders first before recommending dieting or changes in eating behavior. Effective questions to ask during the initial assessment include the following:
• "How do you feel about your weight?"
• "Do you ever feel out of control with food?"
• "Are you able to tell when you are physically satisfied with food or full?"
• "How do you feel about eating foods containing carbohydrates?"
• "Have you ever dieted, vomited, or taken laxatives or diuretics to control your weight?"
If you suspect the client may have an eating disorder, your first focus should be to help her normalize eating patterns to control insulin levels and prevent bingeing and weight gain. Even without weight loss, ovarian morphology and insulin levels may improve by the restoration of normal eating patterns.6 Clients need to be educated on the importance of eating regular meals and snacks throughout the day to stabilize blood sugar levels and prevent cravings and hypoglycemic episodes. This may include eating every three to five hours with the addition of at least one to two protein exchanges with meals and snacks.2 In addition, I have noticed that many clients with PCOS who take insulin-lowering medications such as Metformin or Avandia report little or no hypoglycemic episodes, less carbohydrate cravings, and reduced interest in food overall.
"Dieting is a losing battle with PCOS," says Setnick, "as patients have to cut back drastically in comparison to their peers in order to achieve any weight loss." And because of their struggles in maintaining weight through dieting, many women with PCOS may have lost their internal ability to regulate food. For example, they may not be able to effectively distinguish when they are hungry, which could result in unnecessary eating or waiting long periods to eat. Or, if they do use food to cope with emotions, perhaps they are unable to distinguish when they are physically satisfied with food, leading them to eat more than they need.
Part of establishing lifelong normalized eating patterns should involve education on self-care and mindful eating. The use of food logs to rate hunger and satisfaction levels before and after meals can be an effective technique for promoting self-awareness in addition to conscious eating exercises used with clients in nutrition sessions and at home.
Most of all, women struggling with PCOS and eating disorders need to learn effective ways to deal with their emotions without abusing food. Dietitians can help clients identify possible alternative coping skills other than food and should support clients to apply these new skills in their life.
For example, I encourage my clients to make a list of things they can do when they have urges to binge, such as walking, reading, writing in a journal, calling a friend, surfing the Internet, or taking a bath. Clients are encouraged to apply some of the activities on the list to overcome urges and find the ones that work best for them. In addition, working with a psychotherapist may help individuals identify their emotional triggers and encourage mindfulness and behavior change.
Once normalized eating patterns have been established and clients are able to respond to internal cues of hunger and satiety without using eating disorder symptoms, further recommendations on diet and exercise may be advised with caution and should focus more on continuing to improve metabolic fitness rather than weight loss.14,15
— Angela Grassi, MS, RD, LDN, is a speaker, an author, and a consultant in Haverford, Pa. She specializes in polycystic ovary syndrome and eating disorders and is currently working on her first book, The Dietitian's Guide to PCOS. Visit her Web site at www.pcosnutrition.com.
1. Azziz R, Woods KS, Reyna R, et al. The prevalence and features of polycystic ovary syndrome in an unselected population. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004;89(6):2745-2749.
2. Marsh K, Brand-Miller J. The optimal diet for women with polycystic ovary syndrome? Br J Nutr. 2005;94(2):154-165.
3. Hirschberg AL, Nassen S, Stridsberg M, et al. Impaired cholecystokinin secretion and disturbed appetite regulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2004;19(2):79-87.
4. Raphael FJ, Rodin DA, Peattie A, et al. Ovarian morphology and insulin sensitivity in women with bulimia nervosa. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 1995;43(4):451-455.
5. Michelmore KF, Balen AH, Dunger DB. Polycystic ovaries and eating disorders: Are they related? Hum Reprod. 2001;16(4):765-769.
6. Morgan J, McCluskey SE, Brunton JN, et al. Polycystic ovarian morphology and bulimia nervosa: A 9-year follow-up study. Fertil and Steril. 2002;77(5):928-931.
7. Resch M, Szendei G, Haasz P. Bulimia from a gynecological view: Hormonal changes. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2004;24(8):907-910.
8. McCluskey S, Evans C, Lacey JH, et al. Polycystic ovary syndrome and bulimia. Fertil Steril. 1991;55(2):287-291.
9. Bridges, NA, Cooke A, Healy MJ, et al. Standards for ovarian volume in childhood and puberty. Fertil Steril. 1993;60(3):456-460.
10. Jahanfar S, Eden JA, Nguyent TV. Bulimia nervosa and polycystic ovary syndrome. Gynecol Endocrinol. 1995;9(2):113-117.
11. McCluskey S, Lacey JH, Pearce JM. Binge-eating and polycystic ovaries. Lancet. 1992;340(8821):723.
12. Weiner CL, Primeau M, Ehrmann DA. Androgens and mood dysfunction in women: Comparison of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome to healthy controls. Psychosom Med. 2004;66(3):356-362.
13. Geraciotti TD Jr, Liddle RA. Impaired cholecystokinin secretion in bulimia nervosa. N Engl J Med. 1988;319(11):683-688.
14. Morgan JF. Bulimic eating patterns should be stabilised in polycystic ovarian syndrome. BMJ. 1999;318(7179):328.
15. Moran L, Norman RJ. Understanding and managing disturbances in insulin metabolism and body weight in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2004;18(5):719-736.
If you don't believe in miracles, stay here. I have the most amazing story to tell.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Thank you, Fitbit!
My Fitbit Charge HR broke. I took it off and it just ... broke. I got in contact with FitBit customer service and even though my...
Apparently, sugar is evil. (DUH) From the article: EATING ANY KIND OF SUGAR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO REDUCE YOUR BODY'S DEFENS...
I am super excited to go to my weight watchers meeting tonight. They're going to be telling us about the Smarts Points with Freesty...


text:
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2009 - ? [Gone for a little while]-
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Friday, January 1-Sunday, January 3, 2009 [Combo 7]-
Here in Japan, New Year's is a celebration called お正月-Oshogatsu. It is three days of rest, family, religion, and tradition. I have never seen a country quite literally "close down" like Japan does during the New Year's. In my area, stores and cities are all closed up so that everyone can start the next 365 days off to a peaceful and focused start.
The first sunrise of the New Year is a special one for "the land of the rising sun" so in honor of the holiday I woke up at 6:30, climbed up onto our roof, and watched the sun climb over the hills to the East. I was all alone, it was freezing, and yet what took my breath away wasn't the cold, but instead the realization that it was already 2010! I was almost halfway done with my exchange year, I will turn TWENTY this year (an age that feels far too old to call myself), I have come so far here on exchange and can now speak Japanese, and on top of that I was about to see one of Japan's most treasured moments: the first few rays of sun of a new year. It was a profound moment of self-insight that I wasn't ready for at six something in the morning on a frigid Japanese rooftop. I know that I will carry that moment and the image of a soft, golden New Year's sunrise with me for the rest of my life.After falling back asleep for another couple hours I woke up in time for an early lunch of "Osechi ryouri" or traditional New Year's cooking. Everything was prepared in fancy lacquer boxes meant to last the three days of Oshogatsu so that women wouldn't have to cook for that time. The vast spread was somewhat different from regular Japanese cooking because everything needed to keep for several days, meaning that nearly every dish contained vinegar, sake or some sort of preservative. I did enjoy the tasty large prawns cooked in sake and soy sauce, boiled black beans, roasted walnuts, broiled fish cakes called Kamaboko, bitter young mandarin oranges, Zouni mochi rice cake soup, and even herring roe. Each dish has a different meaning: shrimp having a long curved back are supposed to represent reaching such an old age that your back bends, black beans are meant to bring health, the mandarin oranges are called Daidai in Japanese which also happens to mean "generation after generation" implying that they will bring you many descendant, the same idea goes for the herring roe, because there are so many tiny fish eggs the hope is that you will have just as many children. It was actually a very enjoyable lunch with my host parents as I think they had missed having children in the house with whom to celebrate. I was reminded that even though they're at home doesn't mean that they're surrounded by family either. I am very lucky to have relatives back home who are so connected and loving.
During the afternoon we made the traditional visit to local shrines called Hatsumode. The shrines are primed and polished for this, their most auspicious of days. I was impressed by the influence of tradition that Oshogatsu brings with it. I know for a fact that many Japanese people do not have very "professing" types of faith. Yet today they were out in the hundreds. Still, in my four months here I have yet to be invited to take part in real religious ceremonies (just once at the Sato's visit to their family grave) and no one has tried to teach me about Buddhism or Shintoism. I know that that is not the case back in Minnesota where many exchange students are at least invited to local churches in an attempt to show them our Christian faith. I'm not complaining, I'm simply saying that it plays a role on overall culture when your religion is more of a tradition than a belief. Who knows, the same might be said more and more of Christmas these days in America and certainly in Europe.Anyway, I visited both the Hachimansan Shrine where my host father's cousin keeps the temple and also the very popular Torinokosan Shrine. Torinokosan has the patron image of an Owl and is perhaps the most well known shrine in this area of Tochigi. The crowds were out in force and the three of us had to park part way down the mountain, but the climb up to the top was well worthwhile. The music, food, stalls, decorations, ringing of the shrine bell, and opportunity to see Mt. Fuji were definitely the highlights of my three days. I snapped one shot of distant Fuji-San in the distance but because the colors were mostly gray and faded I used iPhoto to change it up a bit. The image to the right is my new background and I'm reminded of my New Year's celebrations every time I see it. Look closely and you'll be able to make it out in the center there...
Monday, January 11, 2010
Saturday, January 9-Monday, January 11, 2010 [Combo 6]-
大嶋先生、お誕生日おめでとう! =) Happy Birthday Oshima-Sensei
This past weekend I had yet another Rotary Orientation, this time visiting the towns of Ashikaga and Sano City. It was a fun weekend spent with friends, Rotex, and Rotarians. I always enjoy my trips to see the district Rotary people, they've truly become some of my favorites here in Japan. On Saturday morning, Simon, Anaïs, and I made our way to Sano City where we met Amberly, Max, Ayano, and Chisaki.
The schedule, however, was thrown off slightly because the train the Anaïs and Simon and I were on actually experienced a suicide. I hope I'm not too graphic but unfortunately people stepping in front of a moving train as a form of suicide is just another sad part of Japanese culture. This weekend was our first experience with the ordeal, it also happened to be a firsthand one. When we suddenly stopped in the middle of the tracks, passengers started looking around, wondering what was going on. That's when the conductor came on and explained that there had been an accident. As police started to arrive and more and more officials crowded around our train we began to understand what was going on. It took nearly an hour but eventually the line was reopened and we were able to continue. I hadn't expected this to happen, but when I stuck my head out the window to see what was going on I was actually able to see the body nearly 20 feet down the track behind our car. It was my first time seeing a dead body like that and it wasn't exactly how I wanted to start my weekend.
Now as for the fun parts! We spent the day shopping at the Sano Mall (aka Amberly's second home), eating famous Sano Ramen Noodles, meeting up with other Rotarians, visiting the beautiful Ashikaga Flower Park Illuminations, eating Yaki Niku, singing the night away at Karaoke, and sleeping over at Otake-San's home (you may remember he's the one whose cabin we stayed at near Mt. Fuji…simply put, this house was just as nice!). To give you an idea of his house, I got to drink mountain water from Mt. Fuji in a solid gold goblet! Amberly and I stayed up late talking with him and that was one of the treats he shared with us, it was an awesome experience; we felt so rich! haha Then on Sunday we gathered for sightseeing in Ashikaga. The town is home to the oldest school in Japan (it used to teach Samurai!) and is now a national relic. We also saw the shrine of Bana, which has several old wooden buildings and a gigantic wedding ceremony tree. There were many 20-year-olds taking kimono photographs for today's holiday [read more about that below]. Throughout the rest of the day we got to sew kimono fabric at a well known Ashikaga weaving spot, ate lunch with friends at Coco's Restaurant which was a nice treat of Western food again, went to karaoke once more, and finally took the train home.Today being the national coming of age holiday celebrating anyone who has turned 20 years old throughout the past year, I had one last blessed day of winter break. This has truly been a fantastic break for me and I feel revitalized and excited for what lies ahead in the coming months. I made it over the hurdle of early winter that many exchange students must face and now I'm simply cruising. I'm glad I've made it now, it's all worth the while!
Monday, December 28-Thursday, December 31, 2009 [Combo 5]-
My stay at the Baba family's household was a great whirlwind of sightseeing, laughter, late nights, and early mornings. Spending four days in their Utsunomiya home, getting to see Luke Bradt (a fellow Minnesota exchange student living in Osaka), spending time with Ayano and her family, meeting Ayano's ridiculously cute and tiny grandmother, eating the best fresh sushi I've ever had, and seeing other Rotex students on Sunday night were all highlights to say the least. Seeing as I am running behind on my blogging I figured I would simply put these days all together. Pictures will put it best, so I included a batch below. The photo to the right is of Luke, Hitomi (Ayano's sister), Myself, Ayano, her grandma (awww...), Max, and her Mom in front of their house before I left Monday morning.
The last day of 2009 was spent by returning to Nakagawa town in order to spend the biggest holiday of the year with my host parents. We made long buckwheat soba noodles from scratch during the afternoon, as they are a symbol of longevity. It was fun to roll out the dough and cut them into thin strips. Soba is one of my new favorite Japanese foods so it's a good thing that my third host family owns a soba restaurant!!
During the evening we stayed at home, watching the famous New Year's television programs. There is a gigantic concert on NHK; think Oscar-like stage decorations with performances by all of Japan's biggest artists! I found out that none of the seats in the monster theater in Tokyo are for sale, instead it is a lottery drawing where viewers submit letters to the TV station months beforehand in hopes of having their names drawn. After that everything is free, meaning that the fans go all out in signs, cheers, and enthusiasm. It must be a fantastic atmosphere to be a part of. The singing ended just before midnight so that at the stroke of twelve there could be live shots from temples all over Japan, where the large temple-bells were rung 108 times, once for each time of Buddhist sins. And I thought the seven of Christianity were tough, although ours happen to be DEADLY! Definitely a "のんびり" [Nonbiri] start to 2010. Nonbiri is a word I recently learned that carries the same connotations as "Relaxed and Chill." I hope I have many days of excitement throughout the year, but certainly a fair share of "Nonbiri" ones too! So with that, "明けましておめでとう御座います!今年もよろしくお願い致します!" [Let there be congratulations that the sun rises again! Please continue your goodness to me in this year also!] Two of the more common Japanese ways to simply say, "Happy New Year!" Hope it's a good one for each and every one of you!