text:
- Research article
- Open Access
- Open Peer Review
Program of active aging in a rural Mexican community: a qualitative approach
- María de la Luz Martínez-Maldonado†1, 2,
- Elsa Correa-Muñoz†1 and
- Víctor Manuel Mendoza-Núñez1Email author
© de la Luz Martinez-Maldonado et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2007
- Received: 28 December 2006
- Accepted: 03 October 2007
- Published: 03 October 2007
Education is one of the key elements in the promotion of a thorough paradigm for active aging. The aim of this study is to analyze factors that contribute the empowerment of older adults in a rural Mexican community and, thus, promote active aging.
The study was conducted in a rural Mexican community (Valle del Mezquital), based on an action-research paradigm. One hundred and fifty-five elderly subjects with elementary school education participated in a formal training program promoting gerontological development and health education. Participants in turn became coordinators of mutual-help groups (gerontological nucleus) in Mexico. In-depth interviews were carried out to assess the empowerment after training for active aging.
It was found that there was an increasing feeling of empowerment, creativity and self-fulfillment among participants. Among the main factors that positively influenced training of the elderly toward active aging were the teaching of gerontology topics themselves; besides, their motivation, the self-esteem, the increased undertaking of responsibility, the feeling of belonging to the group, and the sharing of information based on personal experience and on gerontological knowledge.
The main factors that contribute to empowerment of older adults in a rural Mexican community for participate in active aging programs are the training and teaching of gerontology topics themselves; besides, their interest, experience and involvement.
- Active Aging
- Mature Individual
- Chronic Disease Prevention
- Healthy Life Style
- Grandchild Care
The Political Declaration of the Second World Assembly on Aging states "... the potential of older persons is a powerful basis for future development. This enables society to rely increasingly on the skills, experience and wisdom of older persons, not only to take the lead in their own betterment but also to participate actively in that of society as a whole" [1].
The paradigm advanced by the World Health Organization defined active aging as "the process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance the quality of life as people age" [2].
Specifically, active aging refers to the empowerment of older persons in the biological, psychological and social areas, understanding empowerment as the individual's self-promotion, independence, and self-confidence, as well as his/her right to a dignified way of living according to self-imposed values, and the ability to stand for one's own rights, and to be free [3]. To become empowered, it is considered essential that the individual be kept informed about aging as a process, mainly within the perspective of community gerontology.
It is considered that self-care, mutual-help and the ability for self-negotiation constitute the fundamental strategic elements to be promoted and supported by the communitarian gerontological programs [6–9].
Education is one of the key elements in the promotion of a thorough paradigm for active aging. However, in some rural locations of Mexico a commonly held myth is that elderly have quite difficult to acquire new knowledge, which limit the implement of health promotion programs for this people group.
The critical approach to education for older adults has established the following four major principles [10–12]:
▪ Mature individuals learn only what they want to learn.
▪ Mature individuals learn only what they are capable of learning.
▪ Mature individuals learn mainly what they teach themselves.
▪ Mature individuals learn mainly in terms of their experience.
To summarize, the main purpose of this study is to analyze factors that contribute to empowerment of the older adults in a rural Mexican community to promote continuous and systematic active aging based on the theoretical and pedagogical principles previously outlined.
The intervention program was based on an action-research paradigm. The study involved three main stages: (1) diagnostic evaluation; (2) intervention; and (3) follow-up. The evaluation of the intervention phase was made on the basis of questionnaires, recordings, documentary analysis, and field diaries. The main aspects of empowerment evaluated were the following:
Personal dimension
Defined as the individual's ability to perform actions toward change and to develop self-confidence.
Perceptions and stereotypes held by older persons with regard to their integration into the educational process.
Level of previous education as well as specific knowledge acquired in the workshops and lectures offered as part of the program. Knowledge acquisition is considered as an important trait of empowerment to the extent that it allows older adults to improve their abilities to participate and to express their ideas, feelings, and opinions [4, 13].
Level of involvement and participation as members of a group of promoters.
The program was carried out in a rural area in Mexico (Valle del Mezquital, Hidalgo). It was based on a community health care model for the development of gerontological nucleus (Figure 1). This model was sustained in self-care, mutual-help and self-promotion defined as: (i) self-care: behaviors and actions with knowledge about aged-related biological changes, healthy life style, chronic disease prevention, social support net for elderly, carried out by the individual so as to take over general household and health promotion activities with the support of the family and the community; (ii) mutual-help: solidarity for social support, chronic disease prevention, instrumental-help when the partner is sick, and the social development of the gerontological nucleus; (iii) self-promotion: active social participation, for the best use of social-support nets for the elderly.
The gerontological nuclei were groups of mutual-help, formed by 20 older adults of nearby communities with similar interests, directed by Gerontological Promoters who discussed the topics of community gerontology with the group twice a week, and planned the actions of mutual-help and self-promotion, considering the needs of the group and social-support nets, besides the participation in the workshop. They formed thirty gerontological nuclei.
Adult male and female members of the community that met the following criteria: (a) interest in participating in an intensive training program focused on holistic gerontological development; (b) 60 to 74 years old; (c) literate; (d) absence of handicapping illnesses or serious visual or auditory disabilities; (e) leadership attributes and the ability to coordinate small groups. The subjects agreed to participate in the study after giving their informed consent. The Ethics Committee of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (Zaragoza Campus) approved the research protocol for this study.
Screening and selection phase. Advertisements were distributed in the community specifying the objectives of the training program, admission criteria and commitments. Candidates were requested to submit a letter specifying the reasons underlying their interest to participate as well as any circumstance that could facilitate or affect their integration into the program.
Intervention phase
It was centered on the implementation of a 60 hour workshop that integrated both theoretical and practical aspects (14 weekly sessions). An introductory text book entitled "Community Gerontology" was designed specifically for this project. It covered selected topics relevant to the type of activities and responsibilities expected from a gerontological promoter. It was printed taking into account its readability by older persons (font type and size). It also presented clear illustrations and diagrams related to everyday life situations as well as specific vignettes highlighting important ideas to facilitate meaningful learning [14]. A complementary workbook was designed including quizzes on all revised topics.
Workshop community gerontology topics
Age, aging and aged
Gender and aging
Nails care in the elderly
Second World Assembly on Aging
Sexuality in older adults
Foots care in the elderly
Active aging
Accidents in the elderly
Skin care in the elderly
Successful aging
Chronic diseases in the aging
Sleep hygiene in the elderly
Healthy aging and functionality
Prevention of diseases
Physical exercise and aging
Empowerment in the aging
Diabetes mellitus
Mouth and teeth care in the elderly
Gerontological promoters
Arterial hypertension
Dental prosthesis care in the aging
Self-care, mutual-help and self-promotion
Mild cognitive impairment
Social-support nets
Gerontological care model
Age-related biological changes
Leisure and aging
Age-related psychological changes
Self-esteem and aging
Age-related social changes
Laws and aging
Vaccination in the aging
Abuse and aging
The elderly and their families
Nutrition in the aging
Life quality and aging
The intervention included two phases, in the first phase simultaneously four workshops were started by four gerontologists for the study people (n = 155), which was divided in four groups, three of 40 persons and one of 35 participants.
In the second phase, the gerontologists selected thirty subjects between who had completed the first workshop for take the role of gerontological promoters (seven to eight of each group), considering their acquired knowledge, interest, and capacity for leadership, and who accepted the responsibility to drive a mutual-help group (gerontological nucleus). The selected subjects replicated their own training in a second workshop with others older subjects of the same community, planning actions of self-care, mutual-help and self-promotion.
The gerontological promoters had the function of imparting the acquired knowledge for extending their knowledge and actions about active aging. It was established that each promoter had to conduct at workshop in groups of 20 integrants, with the help of one participant from the initial workshop.
Some of the main pedagogical techniques employed during the workshop were: (1) lectures by specialists in the field; (2) presentations given by participants on specific topics; (3) group techniques addressed to retrieve information about particular life experiences; (4) intensive rehearsal and practice of skills; (5) group presentation and discussion of gerontological study cases.
Follow-up phase
Included in the follow-up phase of the program, were supervision visits to the sites in the State of Hidalgo where the second workshop was imparted to the gerontological promoters.
First, an analysis was made by members of the research team of video recordings of all sessions, considering the changes and evolution of behavior patterns in the older participants, as well as, their involvement and attitudes in both their training and their participation in community work. Second, in-depth interviews were carried out with participants showing the highest and lowest achievement levels in partial and final exams, as well as, with those participants who showed markedly different attitudes and involvement.
The empowerment was assessed, considering the acquired knowledge, healthy lifestyles adopted, and active participation in the group of mutual-help with actions of self-care and self-promotion.
Data analysis
The quantitative data were analyzed using the SPSS 12.0 statistical program (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA). Descriptive statistics were percentages. Chi-square testing (Χ2) was used to compare proportions.
Drop-out, and retention rates of first workshop
Initial participation
Finished the program
Retention rates (%)*
Drop-out, and retention rates of first workshop
Initial participation
Finished program
Retention rates (%)*
In the second workshop the causes for drop-out were: (i) difficulty in apprenticeship 26%, (ii) domestic work 38%, (iii) grandchild care 27%, (iv) diseases 5%, (v) unjustified causes 4%.
The educational process for active aging: Qualitative analysis
Mature individuals learn only what they want to learn.
The interest in learning is permeated by the personal life store of the older person as well as by interests and motivations of the individual at a given moment in their lives: "I always wanted to become a health promoter, now I have been able to reach that dream."
Participants were selective with regard to the knowledge they received as a function of their expectancies, motives and intentions. For some of them practical matters represented their main learning objectives whereas for others theoretical contents were more readily appropriated.
Mature individuals learn only what they are capable of learning.
Previous education was a strong determinant of academic achievement. Hence, those participants with primary school education showed more difficulties both in the integration of theoretical contents and in answering exams. Those with access to higher education were more active during the teaching-learning process: "I taught mathematics in secondary school, I have always been restless and I like to keep on learning".
Mature individuals learn mainly what they teach themselves.
Older persons assume the responsibility of their own learning. It was found that the best pedagogical approach with older persons was to promote self-learning as a way to appropriate knowledge. "I have been doing my homework ... I have gone back to my book as many times as necessary ... sometimes I forget things but I check in my book".
Mature individuals learn mainly in terms of their experience.
Older individuals hold deeply rooted cultural perceptions of learning. In this sample was observed a tendency towards passiveness and defensiveness. However, the use of instructional strategies focused on the enforcement of participation and on the discussion of individual experiences proved extremely helpful to overcome those reactions. "I want to speak about my own experience. Your pedagogical experience [that of the researchers] was crucial for meeting our educational objectives ... thanks for being with us ...".
The personal dimension
The personal dimension of empowerment, it was found that some of the older persons who participated in the educational process began to perform actions toward change. That is, they developed a sense of self-confidence, which motivated them to carry out suggested actions, even when they had originally been hesitant to do so, on account of self-perceptions related to limited knowledge and an inability to address the group for fear of not being listened to by others. Participants with and without previous experience began to invite other older adults in their communities to get involved in the program, to share with them the information acquired, and to carry out actions that had never been carried out before. Furthermore, the way in which they started to organize themselves to start integrating groups to conduct those activities, and becoming aware of the potential of each individual to best achieve the group objectives is a empiric element of empowerment. A different division of responsibilities became evident, in which, those with better communication skills assumed the roles of instructors whereas, those strong in practical skills got involved in organizational matters. In addition, some of the female participants commented on the importance of the information given as part of the educational program and the way it had impacted their personal lives (e.g., some had already taken the initiative to undergo a medical examination). Reports of female participants underscored the importance of achieving a personal knowledge of their body changes as a result of the aging process.
The ability to participate and to promote changes in their immediate environment was evident at two main levels: the family and the community. In the first case, participant remarks included the following:
▪ "At home they ask me what I am doing, they tell me that I look different, they value the teachings I bring home, they say that I am doing things that I had never done before."
▪ "Now my cooking is different, I try not to use so much fat and I am eating more fruit and vegetables, I think this will be good for my grandchildren."
With regard to their ability to bring about changes in their own communities, illustrative excerpts are as follows:
▪ "It is very important for us to take what we have learned here to those places where there are greater needs, where older adults cannot participate because of the distance of their homes, because of their lack of opportunities, or because no one pays attention to them."
▪ "We can now express our ideas and be listened to."
▪ "For us it has been very gratifying to be able to tell other older adults how important they are, to be able to share our time with them, and to share some of the knowledge and experience that we have acquired in the program."
It was also observed that the process of empowerment at those levels was different for each participant. That is, although for some of them the process of empowerment tended to be rather fast and immediate, it was more gradual and slower for others, making evident the influence of factors, such as, personal history, previous education, working experience, as well as, the roles they had previously played as social agents.
In addition, the qualitative analysis of information gathered through field diaries, interviews, recordings, and videos taken throughout the program showed that the participants gradually internalized and appropriated both the knowledge and the philosophy underlying the models of gerontological nuclei, as is evident in the following excerpts of our elderly promoters in the final evaluation session:
▪ "We cannot work, or pretend to do anything, if it not rooted in self-care, self-help and self-promotion".
▪ "We have to analyze first the situation of the elder person, get information about his/her interests and health status and provide him/her with guidance and social assistance".
▪ "We, as mature adults, still have very many things to do. This workshop has opened for us the possibility to share all this knowledge with others".
The gerontological promoters at the beginning of the formative phase, considered the main limitation affecting the possible outcome of the program as "the difficulty to learn". Among other things, they mentioned the following concerns:
▪ "I am afraid of not being able to learn"; "I cannot memorize things as I used to"; "It's been a long time since I last studied"; "We are too old and we forget things".
Field diaries gave evidence of how the older adults gradually adapted to the program, increasing systematically their participation and involvement, gaining confidence during exams, and interacting more and more with their peers. In this regard, it is important to note that the group soon became a highly important source of social support, most of them being very punctual and persevering.
The self-care dimension, promoters carried out actions directly addressed toward the prevention and early detection of particular diseases. As a standard practice during all their meetings, pulse pressure and body weight were measured. They also established contact with health care agencies and social organization in their communities, taking positive actions such as negotiating mastographia and Papanicolaou tests for all female members of their groups, systematic blood testing, reduction in prescription glasses, as well as free-outpatient consultations in community hospitals. A further objective at this stage was to reach communities and groups with a higher demand for those services including remote rural areas, social rehabilitation centers, self-help groups, nongovernmental organizations, and so on. Examples of the older adults' achievements and perspectives can be illustrated in the following excerpts:
▪ "Laura is the one who gives the talks. To make them understand us better, we always refer back to the history of Ixmiquilpan [their home town]. What it used to be and why we are facing certain types of illness now."
▪ "We try to get to know everyone. We want to know who they are and what they do."
▪ "We have tried to make use of social support agencies. The owner of a bathing resort in our community has already agreed not to charge admission fees for older persons."
▪ "We are not just giving them information. We also try to socialize with them and share our food with them".
Lastly, as to the development of attitudes and aptitudes for leadership, it was found that participants with a previous experience in the conduction of groups (e.g., retired teachers) were the ones that showed a greater disposition to become coordinators of gerontological nuclei, although the others were increasingly exploring that facet of their personalities.
Informal help has been acknowledged as a necessity for healthy and frail older people in community care [15–18]. During the Second World Assembly on Aging, the need to develop community health care models under an active aging paradigm was pointed out [1]. For this reason, it is a conviction that training older adults as promoters of gerontological health programs is a major undertaking in such a direction.
The development of a feeling of empowerment through the implementation of educational intervention programs focused on active aging, constitutes a key element to guarantee successful community intervention that may eventually have a positive impact on the health and quality of life of the older population [19, 20].
The results here made evident a systematic and gradual process of empowerment in the participants of program, with their assuming an active and leading role within their communities, developing specific abilities to promote actions toward change, and increasing their feelings of self-confidence. It is important to emphasize that the imparting of relevant knowledge played a fundamental role in moving toward such an objective.
However, even when it can be said that most of the key objectives of the intervention program were met, it has to be acknowledged that empowerment was not as generalized as originally expected, because this process is dependent on individual variables, becoming much slower and limited in certain subjects. Specifically, not all of those levels of empowerment outlined by Roelands have been achieved by all participants [4], but in the case of those who have made evident a rapid movement toward that goal it is a certainty certain that it has had an impact on their personal lives and in their interaction within their communities, thus paving the way toward active aging. In this study, women had greater participation than man in actions of self-negotiation and adoption of healthy life styles. This could be due the women of several rural communities of Mexico have a roll linked to care of the family, and therefore they have more interaction with social and health institutions than the man. However, in others studies has been found that the voices of older women are rarely heard in debates about the health of the disadvantaged groups and that their potential to positively contribute to family and community health care is seldom acknowledged [21, 22].
Our results show that the active aging paradigm constitutes a feasible option to face current challenges related to aging in developing countries. Five months to finish the second workshop, five hundred older adults are participating in the program with actions of active aging in neighboring towns and communities. Therefore is an error considerer to older adult population as "objects", when the reality shows that they are "active subjects".
These results demonstrate that when the older persons are given the necessary tools, they can develop successful and creative coping strategies that go well beyond original expectancies. In this sense, it is important to outline that the retention rate was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the second workshop, when the knowledge was imparted by the gerontological promoters, probably because of the language used, information framed in the context, communication (elderly-elderly), and a relaxed environmental.
Moreover, training older adults as promoters for active aging provides them with an opportunity to construct spaces of social and emotional change, and interact within the particular social contexts in which they are immersed, increasing feeling of belonging and identity.
Finally the empowerment process during this intervention program was not linear, without it was varied according to the participants' life experiences, to their personal histories, and to their level of subordination within the family sphere.
Our results showed that the main factors that contribute to empowerment of older adults in a rural Mexican community for participate in active aging programs are the training and teaching of gerontology topics themselves; besides, their interest, experience and involvement. Therefore the empowerment in older adults to reach active aging is feasible with training programs that considering the participation themselves in the teaching of gerontology topics.
This work was supported by Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología FOMIX-CONACYT, HGO. Grant 9066 and Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México DGAPA, UNAM PAPIME EN312503.
Authors' Affiliations
- United Nations: Report of the Second World Assembly on Aging, Madrid, 8–12 April, 2002. 2002, New York: UNGoogle Scholar
- World Health Organization: Active aging: a policy framework. 2002, Geneva: WHO, [http://www.who.int/hpr/aging/publications.htm]Google Scholar
- Narayan D: Empoderamiento y reducción de la pobreza. 2002, México: Banco Mundial/ALFAOMEGA Grupo Editor, 5-13.Google Scholar
- Roelands M, Van Oost P, Buysse A, Depoorter AM: Awareness among community-dwelling elderly of assistive devices for mobility and self-care and attitudes towards their use. Soc Sci Med. 2002, 54: 1441-1451. 10.1016/S0277-9536(01)00126-5.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- Kilian R, Lindenbach I, Löbig U, Uhle M, Petscheleit A, Angermeyer MC: Indicators of empowerment and disempowerment in the subjective evaluation of the psychiatric treatment process by persons with severe and persistent mental illness: a qualitative and quantitative analysis. Soc Sci Med. 2003, 57: 1127-1142. 10.1016/S0277-9536(02)00490-2.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- Mendoza-Núñez VM, Correa-Muñoz E, Sánchez-Rodríguez M, Retana-Ugalde R: Modelo de atención de núcleos gerontológicos. Geriatrika. 1996, 12: 15-21.Google Scholar
- Mendoza-Núñez VM: Aspectos psicosociales de las enfermedades crónicas en la vejez en el contexto de pobreza. Envejecimiento en la pobreza. Género, salud y calidad de vida. Edited by: Salgado de Zinder VN, Wong R. 2003, México: Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, 57-80.Google Scholar
- Coward RT, Cutler SJ: Informal and formal health care systems for the rural elderly. Health Serv Res. 1989, 23: 785-806.PubMedPubMed CentralGoogle Scholar
- Pollicino CA, Saltman DC: The relationship between physician cost and functional status in the elderly. Int J Qual Health Care. 2000, 12: 425-431. 10.1093/intqhc/12.5.425.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- García MA, Martínez-Artero R, Sánchez LA, Martínez JB, Lidón CB, Pedrero GE: La perspectiva crítica de la educación de personas mayores. Las personas mayores desde la perspectiva educativa para la salud. 2002, Murcia: Universidad de Murcia, 11-31.Google Scholar
- Pearson M, Wessman J: Gerogogy (ger-o-go-gee) in patient education. Home Healthc Nurse. 1996, 14: 631-636. 10.1097/00004045-199608000-00010.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- Triivel J: Increasing the effectiveness of your teaching program for the elderly: assessing the client's readiness to learn. Perspectives. 1997, 21: 7-10.Google Scholar
- Salmon P, Hall GM: Patient empowerment and control: a psychological discourse in the service of medicine. Soc SciMed. 2003, 57: 1969-1980.Google Scholar
- Mendoza-Núñez VM, Martínez-Maldonado ML, Vargas-Guadarrama LA: Gerontología comunitaria. 2004, México: Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza, UNAMGoogle Scholar
- Herlitz C: Distribution of informal and formal home help for elderly people in Sweden. Gerontologist. 1997, 37: 117-124.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- Hopp FP: Patterns and predictors of formal and informal care among elderly persons living in board and care homes. Gerontologist. 1999, 39: 167-176.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- Schneider JK, Cook JH: Planning psychoeducational groups for older adults. J Gerontol Nurs. 2005, 31: 33-38.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- Groessl EJ, Cronan TA: A cost analysis of self-management programs for people with chronic illness. Am J Community Psychol. 2000, 28: 455-80. 10.1023/A:1005184414241.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- Shore MF: Empowering individuals as carers of their own health. World Hosp Health Serv. 2001, 37: 33-35.Google Scholar
- Sarkisian CA, Brusuelas RJ, Steers WN, Davidson MB, Brown AF, Norris KC, Anderson RM, Mangione CM: Using focus groups of older African Americans and Latinos with diabetes to modify a self-care empowerment intervention. Ethn Dis. 2005, 15: 283-291.PubMedGoogle Scholar
- Kar SB, Pascual CA, Chickering KL: Empowerment of women for health promotion: a meta-analysis. Soc Sci Med. 1999, 49: 1431-1460. 10.1016/S0277-9536(99)00200-2.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- Boneham MA, Sixsmith JA: The voices of older women in a disadvantaged community: issues of health and social capita. Soc Sci Med. 2006, 62: 269-279. 10.1016/j.socscimed.2005.06.003.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/7/276/prepub
Pre-publication history
This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.


text:
Friday, July 24, 2009
Schweitzer Mountain Idaho
Went to Northern Idaho for a daytrip and got a good shot of a yearling bear at Schweitzer Mountain! And the view was great that day!
Posted by MINI Adventures at 11:27 PM
1 comment:
- Rhodes Rules said...
Great Picture!
- July 25, 2009 at 8:35 AM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Account Manager, Employee Health & Benefits - Marsh & McLennan Agency - Troy, MI
Location: Troy, Michigan, United States
Company: Marsh & McLennan AgencyJob ID R_047251-en Apply
You spend more time working than virtually anything else. Isn't your time worth more than just a paycheck? If so, Marsh & McLennan Agency (MMA) located in Troy, Michigan may be the place for you. As an MMA colleague, you'll get personal and professional development, a driven and entrepreneurial team-oriented environment, and leaders at all levels who are committed to maintaining high levels of colleague engagement. Our talented colleagues work hard to make a difference in the moments that matter for our clients, communities and each other. Discover how much is possible as you grow or advance your career.
Our office in Troy serves the group benefit needs of organizations headquartered in Michigan that employ between 100 and 10,000 workers. We provide innovative and individually tailored cost reduction strategies and tactics in all of the functional elements of group benefit plans. An Account Manager actively manages a book of business to ensure each client's welfare benefit plan needs and goals are met. This involves:
- Actively and effectively managing annual enrollment periods and the implementation of plan changes and coverage transfers
- Providing clients with superior and comprehensive day-to-day account management
- Maintaining superior internal and external communications
- Providing professional and accurate employee communications to clients
- Securing and maintaining current benefit plan documents
- Maintaining a strong knowledge of regulatory and compliance issues
- Documenting issues related to clients
- Regularly attending and participating in Account Manager meetings
- Sharing work product with associates and assisting others in the firm
As an Account Manager, all work is initially closely reviewed with VP or SVPs / assigned Partners to ensure a high quality and timely work product which will eventually lead to significant independence.
- Actively and effectively manages benefit annual enrollment periods and the implementation of plan changes and transfers of coverage.
- Assists with day-to-day service issues and concerns, such as eligibility, claim and billing issues, vendor management, mergers and acquisitions, complex compliance situations, and the like.
- Tracks a large number of open issues, communicates thoroughly with clients and vendors to ensure a common understanding of each issue, where an issue stands at any given time, and ultimately how each issue is resolved.
- Proactively acts as the key "go to" person for clients when welfare benefit plan issues arise.
- Provides professional and accurate employee communications to clients, such as annual benefit enrollment period newsletters, PowerPoint presentations, benefit summaries, enrollment forms, benefit administration system guidance etc.
- Secures, reviews, and maintains current and up-to-date benefit plan documents including amendments, Summary Plan Descriptions, policies, etc.
- Thoroughly documents issues so comprehensive client histories are developed and maintained.
- Develops authentic relationships with clients, vendors, VP or SVPs, Plan Analysts and others as appropriate, sharing information and communicating clearly and professionally.
- Consults with the VP or SVP and keeps him/her informed of significant concerns and client issues that may arise.
- Develops and maintains a working knowledge of current benefit plan regulations and compliance requirements, such as ERISA, COBRA, Section 125/cafeteria plans, etc. so is able to provide sound guidance to clients on these issues.
- Continuously expands working knowledge of welfare benefit plans and regulatory issues by attending meetings, asking questions, researching regulations, attending seminars, etc.
- Regularly participates in the Account Manager department meetings to share information and gather information from other Account Managers.
- Bachelor's degree preferred. A degree in business, human resources, health care administration, communication or other related area is a plus.
- Minimum of 3-5 years experience in the welfare benefit plan industry is preferred, working for an employer, insurer/administrator or broker.
- Knowledge of group insurance (medical, dental, vision, life and disability products) desired.
- Effective relationship-building and public speaking skills and excellent verbal and written communication skills are required.
- Ability to use available resources and apply critical thinking skills to research regulatory issues and provide clear, concise and accurate information and guidance to clients.
- Must have the ability to work under pressure and multi-task.
- Must be able to work independently and be detailed, organized and resourceful, motivating others inside and outside of the firm to accomplish goals.
- Be professional in both appearance and manner.
- Experience in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook preferred. Experience with Publisher a plus.
Marsh & McLennan Agency (MMA) firmly believes it is the character and commitment of our people that make a difference in the moments that matter. We are always seeking those with ethics, talent, and ambition who are interested in joining our client-focused teams. More than just insurance brokers, we believe that a business culture that supports a healthy, safe work environment does so by offering the right benefits, programs, policies and opportunities to keep employees engaged and productive.
If you are a committed professional with a passion for delivering excellent service, we are interested in hearing from you.


text:
You already know the upcoming MSA Convention will be packed full of our signature hands-on technical trainings, business strategy courses, and opportunities to talk with major industry vendors. That's the "better business" part of our theme, Better business. Better you. So what does the "better you" mean?
It means giving yourself time and space to improve too. Find the balance between your professional and personal lives, and pretty soon, you and your business will be humming along happily. Where to start? Where you'll already be—the Convention.
Check out the perks we're offering to help you unwind, recharge, and gear up for a new year of a better you.
Refuel your mind and body—and your devices too!—at our charging stops. Plug in your phone and tablet, go get a chair massage, have a fresh snack from the smoothie station, and try a dose of pure 02 at the oxygen bar.
Give your spirit a lift by giving back. Come play the charity roulette wheel at the HEROES Care booth to help send care packages of comfort items to overseas soldiers on the front lines.
Stretch your boundaries, strengthen your muscles, and quiet your mind with sunrise yoga sessions, 6:30–7:15 AM.
And kick off all the fun at your exclusive welcome reception. Join us high above the Vegas Strip at the VooDoo Rooftop Nightclub for the finest foods, spirits, and entertainment. Check out Devereaux the mind-blowing magician, see what our psychics forecast for you in 2014, get silly in front of the camera with Fish Eye Fun Photography, then dance the night and your cares away to Las Vegas funk-soul legends In-A-Fect.
Excited yet? We are too! Come for the education, stay for all these perks, and leave with a renewed dedication to yourself and your business. Register now!


text:
Some days at school are dull and unintersting beyond words. It's always worse when it is hot as well. Yesterday was stifling. An airless classroom and 12 of us sweating our way through a particularly boring French lesson from a teacher who ought to have retired years ago. I walked home with my best freind Anna and we just trudged along talking about the day. When we got to her house, another problem. Her air conditioning wasn't working and in her room it was even hotter than in class.
We couldnt decide what to do, whether to go for a swim or to the mall or just laze about. Right out of the blue, Anna said 'I want to get off. Do you mind?' Before I really knew what I was saying I said 'Sure, go for it' and Anna opened her legs and began running her hands up and down her inner thighs. I could see from her blue panties how wet she already was. I wathced almost hypnotized as she stroked her thighs, every now and then allowing her finger to trace the edge of her panties. I found myself willing her to touch herself properly.
She stopped and slipped out of her t-shirt and bra and then resumed her stroking. Finally, after what seemed like forever, her hand dipped into the waistband and travelled down between her legs. She sighed out loud as she touched herself and I could clearly see her middle finger arch over before sinking deep inside her. I sat opposite her on the bed (She was at one end and me the other) and I began to reach up under my own skirt.
Suddenly, I wanted to be part of this. Anna raised her hips off her bed and slipped her panties down. She just left them lying on the bed and I picked them up. They were really wet and holding them made me aroused. I touched her wetness on them and Anna must have seen becuase she said 'Laura, touch me for real.' I reached forward and let my fingers explore her pussy. I have never in my life even thought about touching another girl like this, not even in fantasy, but pushing my fingers in and out of her and feeling her grip me was so horny. Anna told me to bend my fingers a little more and push forward and to go real fast. As I did, I felt her suddenly grip hard and gush into my hand, and I knew I had made her cum. Anna sat up and kissed me, removing my top at the same time. She cupped my (much smaller) breast in a hand and squeezed hard. Then she reached up my skirt and slipped my panties off. I lay back and let her finger me. I could feel my orgasm building so slowly, but also so strongly and I wanted Anna to make me cum. Anna pressed a wet finger against my ass and as I felt it sink inside me I orgasmed hard on her fingers. We lay naked in each others arms afterwards and kissed a lot before making each other cum again.
Anna suggested that we wear each other's panties for the rest of the afternoon and evening. I walked home with her wetness all over me, and by the time I got home I could hardly wait to rub myself off again in them. Anna phoned me and told me that she had rubbed off in mine too but that now, she was outside in her garden and was going to pee into my panties. I suddenly wanted to do the same, and I told her to wait until I found a place too. Then she said 'Are you ready? I'm doing it, just a little into your panties Laura' I let some go too and it felt so erotic as Anna started to tell me that she couldnt hold on any more. I heard her cum as I flooded her panties and orgasmed with her.
Later that night we went out for the evening and made love in her car. I felt like a total slut and I loved every minute of it. I know Anna has a boyfreind and that she has gone the whole route with him. I really hope that we carry on together though. Anna told me she had never done anything with another girl either, and that she wanted to experiment more together. I can't wait!


text:
Allen & Mathewson
If you smell gas, have an emergency, or are out of gas, immediately CALL your nearest Allen & Mathewson customer service center. Service or delivery requests will be confirmed by phone or email from a customer service representative.
|Send Us Your Comments
Pay your bill or review account history
P.O. Box 519
Rindge, NH 03461
(800) 791-9576
Email Us
When you replace oil with a Propane water heater & central heating system.
Learn More


text:
You enable a menu operation workflow for machines provisioned from a specific blueprint by updating the security configuration for the blueprint.
Log in to the vRealize Automation console as a tenant administrator or business group manager.
- Select .
- Point to the name of a blueprint and click Edit.
- Click the Actions tab.
- Select the checkbox that corresponds to the operation that you want to enable.
- Click OK.
The menu operation is now enabled for machines provisioned from this blueprint and available to all user roles specified in the operation configuration file.
What to do next
If the menu operation is intended to be used in the service catalog, it must also be entitled to users. For more information, see Tenant Administration.


text:
What is this?
A Masonic Oration on the Death of Brother William S. Bush, Lieutenant of the Marines.
When is it from?
November 26, 1812
Why is it Important?
Lieutenant William Sharp Bush commanded USS Constitution's Marine Guard during the opening months of the War of 1812. DuringConstitution's engagement with the British frigate Guerriere on August 19, 1812, the two ships collided. Bush, at the head of his Marines, turned to Captain Isaac Hull and called "Sir, shall I board her?" Before he could receive a reply, a British musket ball struck him in the head, killing him instantly.
This Masonic Oration, a eulogy for a fallen brother, was delivered on November 26, 1812, "before the officers of the R[ight] W[orshipful] Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania," as well as the members of Lodge no. 51 – the lodge to which Bush belonged. The oration provides a short biography and description of Bush's character, a detailed narrative of his encounter with HMS Guerriere, and information concerning his involvement with the Masonic Order.
Physical Characteristics
A 16-page string-bound pamphlet measuring 8 3/8″ high by 5 3/16″ wide. The pages have browned with age and have some spotting, with a few water stains at the top. The edges contain a few small tears and folds.
Learn more (download): Pamphlets Archives


text:
What is wrong with me?! I have always wanted to go to The Ice Hotel. This makes no sense, as I hate being cold and I especially hate being wet. But I am just fascinated. The diligence of this abode's creators wows me–I become grouchy enough just trying to create a livable space in non-icy/potential-to-melt conditions. I can't imagine the obstacles these hoteliers must encounter in interior decorating. So I tip my hat, I bow, go you, you Ice Hotel envisionaries. In another life, I will escape on a fantasy-like getaway to these gorgeous sub-zero accomodations. In the meantime, I will just snuggle up with my heated mattress pad, despite the warming spring-like climate and rejoice that there is absolutely ZERO CHANCE THAT MY BED COULD EVER MELT.
Latest posts by Meredith (see all)
- 9 Considerations for Legoland Accommodations: Hotel vs. Beach Retreat - May 24, 2019
- 6 Tips for Visiting the Turkey Hill Experience - May 7, 2019
- The Island of Sea Women Book Club Discussion - May 3, 2019


text:
If there is one characteristic that defines the German nation, it is "Entschlossenheit" – or single-minded determination and resolve. It is worth bearing this in mind when attempting to analyse the eurozone debt crisis. Never underestimate Germany's determination to make the euro work, a senior German industrialist cautioned me recently, after I'd reeled off the conventional Eurosceptic view of the currency – that eventually, and possibly quite soon, it would collapse under the weight of its own contradictions.
That was before the present, renewed outbreak of panic, but I doubt he's changed his mind. Among the policy and business elite at least, German support for the euro remains unwavering. It is an article of faith that they can, and will, make it succeed.
Greece is one thing. It's long been regarded by Berlin as a special case, an essentially ungovernable nation that should never have been allowed to participate in the first place. But there is a very different attitude to Spain and Italy. Whatever it takes, they'll be defended to the last.
Which is why the smart money in the City is beginning to bet on a positive market response to a Greek exit, for that's the moment when the Germans will wheel out their big bazooka and make clear with actions rather than just words that they really will do whatever it takes. Believe it if you will.
It's curious, to put it mildly, that a country as fastidious as Germany should have committed itself to an economic experiment as dysfunctional as European Monetary Union. But as Angela Merkel has said, the euro is more than just a currency. Somewhat unfortunately, given the expression's usage by the Third Reich, she has referred to the single currency as "Schicksalsgemeinschaft", or a community of fate, a historic task that Germans must carry out whatever the costs. The idea that Germany will throw its hands in the air in disgust at recent developments, and give up on the whole thing, is almost certainly misguided.
To keep the show on the road, Berlin has already been forced into a series of compromises and concessions that would have been unimaginable just two years ago. Germans have tolerated these retreats because, for the moment, their economy is booming – with unemployment at a post-unification low, they have never felt so prosperous, and the debt crisis seems a faraway thing of little relevance to ordinary lives. Why would they not wish to support a currency that has helped cement their country's position as the most powerful export machine the world has ever known? Forget semi-mystical notions of European destiny – for Germans, the euro has delivered tangible economic benefits.
The problem is that things cannot go on as they are. Any economic model based on the idea of lending those who cannot really afford it the money to buy your goods, so creating the imbalances and losses that lie at the heart of the present crisis, must ultimately be unsustainable. To make it work, the euro will have to become a very different kind of monetary union. Whatever the historic mission, it's not clear that Germans are yet ready – politically, culturally, constitutionally or economically – for the leap in the dark that's required.
There are five things that must happen fairly rapidly if the euro is to be saved. First and foremost, the eurozone's debts must be mutualised, so that the losses can be absorbed and shared around all member countries. Second, the European Central Bank must begin to operate like a proper lender of last resort, by offering to support the system without limit, thereby ending the speculative attacks in government bond markets and on national banking systems.
It follows, third, that Europe must move with dispatch to a federal banking system, with a single supervisor, resolution regime and deposit insurance scheme. Fourth, Germany must be persuaded to live with a much higher rate of inflation than would previously have been thought acceptable – perhaps as high as 4 to 5 per cent. There is a sense in which, by sanctioning wage inflation and a consequent boom in consumption, Germany must agree to become less competitive so that others can become more so. And fifth, a commitment must be made to the institutions necessary to give all these arrangements democratic legitimacy.
Even one of these things is quite an ask. Nor is there anything in the rhetoric to suggest that Berlin would be remotely agreeable to any of them. Is European destiny enough to swing German minds behind such an agenda?
It took the collapse of Lehman's to persuade the American political class that it must rescue the rest of Wall Street. It's still just about possible that a Greek exit will provide a similar trigger for the eurozone. German policymakers have already intimated privately that once they have disposed of and punished the troublesome Greeks, they will at last get serious and do whatever may be required. Preparations to backstop the system against a Greek exit are said to be well advanced. Again, believe it if you will. Once a panic begins, it's very hard to reverse.
Back in Britain, David Cameron is spot on with his analysis that Europe must either make up or break up. Privately, both Mr Cameron and his Chancellor, George Osborne, must prefer a break-up, which is plainly more in Britain's long-term interests than Europe making a go of the single currency, leaving our island race stranded on the sidelines. Yet they cannot say that for fear that Germany might ultimately make it work. Whoever said that walking with destiny would be easy?


text:
Central African President: "We will come out of this crisis"
May 31 - Roadblocks and burning tires reflect relative calm just days after a spate of violence in the Central African Republic. Gavino Garay reports.
Burning tires and a fragile calm in the capital Bangui days after 17 people were killed in a church compound, and two others were shot dead by Burundian peacekeepers. Central African President Catherine Samba-Panza is reiterating her call for the violence to end. (SOUNDBITE) (French) CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC PRESIDENT CATHERINE SAMBA-PANZA, SAYING: "I am not losing sight of the anger of innocent victims of these barbaric acts, which don't seem to have any immediate solutions but the law of revenge. Central African people, dear compatriots, I have said it before and repeat it that it's not in cultivating the spirit of revenge that we will come out of this crisis, which has deep roots in the history of our country." This teacher in Bangui says the country is in chaos. (SOUNDBITE) (French) TEACHER DIEU BENI NGOIYOMA SAYING: "The country is in a catastrophic situation. We were talking about peace for the country and the president was telling us about reconciliation between Muslims and Christians, but now it's the Muslims that have killed Central Africans so it's not in that spirit. That's why we are on strike, so we can bring back peace." In her national address, President Samba-Panza vowed to punish those responsible for Wednesday's attack on the Christian church.


text:
Kidpsych, Inc. is a family psychology practice offering services for children, families, and adults at home, school, within the community, or at one of our locations in Westfield and Kokomo.
We assess and treat adults and children of all ages individually or within their family according to our vision for happier, healthier relationships. We specialize in evaluation and treatment of individuals with a range of needs, including:
We provide relationship-based strategies that support the entire family, including counseling and evaluation services for each family member. Ongoing playgroups are also available for children ages 2-14. During the summer, we sponsor Camp Organic, a program for children with sensory and play needs in a supportive, healthy, and hands-on farm environment.


text:
Angry investors accusing Porsche of duping them over the luxury car manufacturer's plan to take over Volkswagen (VW) in 2008 are looking for German justice as a €4bn (£3.2bn) damages claim gets its first hearing in court.
A total of five lawsuits have been filed against Porsche by a mixture of German and US professional investors, though only four are due to start Wednesday at the court in Braunschweig , a town in north Germany.
The fifth, worth €1.96bn alone, will be heard at a later date.
It is claimed that Porsche cloaked its intention to take over VW by secretly stockpiling shares, having hit out at rumours it was doing so as "speculation" in March 2008.
Porsche-VW take over rumours
Porsche was rumoured to have planned increasing its existing stake in VW up to as much as 75 percent, but issued a denial claiming that such speculation "overlooks the realities in VW's shareholder structure."
By October the same year Porsche had increased its holdings in VW to around three quarters of voting shares in the company.
It held 42.6 percent of common shares in VW as well as cash-settled options for another 31.5 percent of previously undisclosed stock.
VW's share price soared by 400 percent across two days after Porsche's disclosure, at one point making it the most valuable company in the world, as short sellers scurried to buy back stock they had sold.
This caused hedge fund investors who had bet that VW stock would fall after Porsche dismissed take over talk to lose billions.
"The plaintiffs before the Brunswick court are professional investors who deliberately took a huge gamble and backed the wrong horse," a spokesman for the Stuttgart-based Porsche told Reuters.
German investor group ARFB is making the largest claim, seeking damages for investment funds of €351m from Porsche and €1.8bn from both Porsche and VW.
A VW spokesman said ARFB's case is "unfounded".
At the end of 2009 VW turned the tables and bought 49.9 percent of Porsche. Since then the pair have worked at merging their operations, though this has been hindered by the risks of huge payouts and fines from the current legal cases.
Investors' legal challenge
Legal experts have warned that the five lawsuits face difficult hurdles in their claims, particularly in their full obligation to prove wrongdoing by Porsche and VW.
"Plaintiffs here have no pre-trial discovery, so they practically have no access to Porsche's files," Thomas Moellers, civil law professor at Augsburg University, told Bloomberg.
"Only prosecutors have the weapons to seize papers, question witnesses and find out what actually happened."
Without access to Porsche's files, the plaintiffs may struggle to prove their allegation that the sportscar-maker lied about its intention to take over VW in March 2008.
The plaintiffs are hopeful about their chances of victory in the German courts.
"We are very optimistic we will succeed even without access to the prosecutor's files," Franz Braun, who represents plaintiffs in three of the five suits, told Bloomberg. "More and more details have by now come to light backing our case."
They claim that files from Lower Saxony, a local German government that holds a 20 percent stake in VW, support their case against Porsche.
It is not known exactly how long the cases will go on for, but they are expected to last for some time.


text: Tap to show main menu Jump To: Example Detailed Analysis References F-35 Fighter Jet Vertical Take-Off Flip Video Jump To: Example Detailed Analysis References Outline Message claims that an attached video shows an F-35 Fighter Jet flipping upside down during a vertical takeoff mishap and then taking off safely after the highly skilled Navy pilot regained control of the aircraft (Full commentary below). Tweet Share Tweet Examples Subject: F-35 in Harrowing Ordeal This is how a supremely well-trained US Navy pilot, ice running in his veins instead of blood, fully regains control of his $70 million F-35 fighter jet, after a problem-filled vertical take-off attempt. Watch as the rear vertical thruster fires to save the pilot & aircraft. Detailed Analysis This video, purportedly depicting a real F-35 jet recovering from a potentially disastrous flip during a vertical takeoff, circulates via email and is also popular viewing on video website YouTube. Messages that accompany the video claim that it is real footage of an F-35 takeoff mishap on board an aircraft carrier and praise the amazing skill of the Navy pilot who managed to save himself and the aircraft after the potentially fatal flip. However, the video does not show a real aircraft and does not depict an actual incident. In fact, the video is a capture from the popular video game "Battlefield 2". The rather unrealistic depiction of the aircraft carrier - not a single crew member is in view on deck - is one indicator that the video does not depict an actual incident. Contrast the following shot of a real aircraft carrier with the sparse view shown in the video: Image courtesy US Navy Moreover, a close look at the bottom portion of the video reveals the small status bars that are present in the game. These bars provide the gamer with information such as health status and remaining ammunition. The following screenshot taken from the game shows one of these status bars in more detail: The status bar in the above screenshot is clearly very similar to the one shown at the bottom left of the video. And, in fact, YouTube hosts many other videos uploaded by gamers who have attempted similar F-35 antics in Battlefield 2. The two videos included below show similar, if not quite so slick, F-35 Battlefield 2 flips: Tweet Share Tweet Last updated: 10th June 2009 First published: 10th June 2009 By Brett M. Christensen About Hoax-Slayer References One Wing Plane Landing - Best Air Race Pilot Ever Video F-15 Crash Sequence Images


text:
This past week, followers of Jesus remembered. We remembered the cost of our redemption. We remembered Jesus' journey to the cross, His death, and His burial. And yesterday, around the world, believers gathered for Resurrection Sunday. A mighty worship of praise echoed among the nations yesterday on Easter Sunday. Our Redeemer lives!It is good for leaders to remember. Our life, our purpose, our eternity is all found in Jesus. Click To Tweet
It is good for leaders to remember. Our life, our purpose, our eternity is all found in Jesus. Here are a few things that hit me in a fresh way this year.
1. Pray again and again and again.
Jesus was in intense prayer in the garden. Not once, not twice, but three times. "After leaving them, He went away again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more." (Matthew 26:44) As leaders, let's up our prayer commitment. Let's increase the intensity to pray over our work, our team, our mission. Let's be willing to go to our knees three times or more if necessary.
2. Those closest to you will let you down.
I know you feel it like me each time you read about the disciples going to sleep. Not one time but three times! When Jesus asks Peter, "So, couldn't you stay awake with Me one hour? Stay awake and pray . . . " (Matthew 26:40) and Peter goes right back to sleep. Sometimes, the people closest to us will let us down. Sometimes your leadership team will let you down. Even in those times when you feel the weight of leadership alone, you must and can still lead (and have grace for those who let you down).
3. Lead with compassion and mercy.
Even on the road to His death, even in His darkest hour, He had compassion for people. On the cross, He took care of His mother. (John 19:26-27) On the cross, he showed mercy to the criminals crucified with him. On the cross, He said "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34) As a leader, make sure you see the people you lead. I mean really see them. Maybe our greatest leadership assignment is giving the people we lead grace.Maybe our greatest leadership assignment is giving the people we lead grace. Click To Tweet
4. Silence may be your loudest leadership voice.
I was struck again by the strength of Jesus' silence. The shouting from the crowds, "Crucify! Crucify Him!" (Luke 23:21) and he did not respond. When the chief priests and elders accused Him, scripture said he did not answer (Matthew 27:12-14). In fact, Pilate was greatly amazed at his silence. Sometimes, the best thing you can say is nothing at all. Maybe it is in your silence that your leadership voice will be the strongest.
5. Lead with grace.
The law wasn't sufficient. Not then, not now, not ever. Pure unmerited grace. Unearned. Undeserved. Grace. Freely given. Such amazing love. As you lead, never forget His grace for you so you will be able to give His grace to others.As you lead, never forget His grace for you so you will be able to give His grace to others. Click To Tweet
6. Lead like it is finished.
It is finished. Jesus said it was (John 19:30). The cross finished it for us. The price of sin has been paid. Complete. Beautiful. Unchallenged. Totally complete. The confidence and strength of leadership comes from this truth. There is nothing we can do or not do that will erase His completed work.
Today, we lead with the truth, the power, and the hope of the resurrection. Jesus is alive. Our Redeemer lives!Today, we lead with the truth, the power, and the hope of the resurrection. Jesus is alive! Click To Tweet
"Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God's throne."
Hebrews 12:1b-2
How does the truth of the cross and the resurrection of Christ impact your life and leadership?


text:
|Gettin ready for the family vacation....just have to install a few more weapon's & decorate the exterior in obscene graffiti and she'll be ready to roll.
|These engines took quite a while, I had to start all over, as I accidentally destroyed the first set after dropping it off the workbench. I'm much happier with how the second incarnation turned out, so perhaps it was meant to be?
|Installed a ladder made from copper wire, blue pipe from a coat hanger & the sideskirt from a Manga robot. Oh, and that gun is just sitting in there....not sure about the weapons yet.
|-"It's just a simple bullbar officer, to discourage the wandering cattle....honest!"
-"What, by slicing them in half at chest height?!!!"
|Similar to the other side, but I'm trying to make each side a little different. Sort of like it was hobbled together from whatever parts the owners could salvage.
|Couch up front -not yet glued in place- for some unfortunate soul to be strapped in, as a gruesome hood ornament. The yellow pencil sharpeners you can see behind the couch will become the control panel.
|The view from the drivers seat.
|I'm thinking about installing a couple of cheap LED's in the rear cargo area. I feel like I ought to, as I spent so much time detailing it!
|Now that's a fat arse!
So, as it stands I've still got a shit load more stuff to do, it's coming together, but I somewhat underestimated the amount of time it would take. Oh well, the joys of stuffing around at my hobby desk :)
I've constructed enough of it that I can now envisage what the final model will look like.
Next up is more pipe work, weapon's, conning tower detail & LED installation. Enough to keep me busy for quite a few more week's I'd say.
Cheerio amigos :)


text:
A Vacation Diary: Day Fourteen
(originally published on August 4, 2013)
Day Fourteen:
- eating that crusty fig and fennel bread for breakfast
- realizing I love a grey windy morning at the beach, surf tossing up waves
- watching Tipper run and dig at the beach, like a real dog
- finding little stone cities someone had built in the sand the day before
- writing another TripAdvisor review -- one review away from my first badge!
- taking a four hour drive through the backroads of Provincetown, Truro, and Wellfleet with my mother
- seeing a new view of Corn Hill Beach in Truro
- eating fish tacos spritzed with fresh lime juice from the Sunbird food truck in Wellfleet
- seeing the opreys again at Wellfleet Harbor
- walking across Uncle Tim's Bridge in Wellfleet and getting some good photos
- stopping for ice cream (again!) and having peanut butter swirl and coconut almond joy
- stopping to take a few photos of Days' Cottages
- being greeted by Tipper as if we were gone for a year
- another wonderful home-cooked meal with black olive bread from the French bakery
- the smell of zucchini bread my mom was baking in the oven right before I went to bed
And this:
"An ancient Sioux story says that the Creator had enough survival gifts for every animal except humans. So we got only one thing: the capacity to learn."
--Martha Beck, Finding Your Way in a Wild New World


text:
City Planner
"Lets you see your whole City to better plan your defenses and buildings from up high."
The City Planner is used to easily design your city with your own personal design. You can easily move building, decorations and walls around. You can select multiple items by holding down the CTRL button, this feature doesn't work in full screen mode.
You can save up to 10 different designs by paying either Gold Coins or Recon Points for new slots. The more you unlock the more expensive it becomes to unlock the next one. Having more slots give you the option to have more city designs ready and be less predictable.
In the City planner view you can click on a building and move it to the desired spot. You can zoom in and out for better view. You can turn the grid on/ off. Also you can turn the range of the different defensive buildings on and off. You can also select and move multiple buildings by holding down ctrl (doesn't work in fullscreen)
You can even move building that are under construction in the City Planner.


text:
DA Peru Leadership:
Luis Ore Ibarra | Chair - Peru; Americas Regional Liaison - DA Hispanic Caucus
Lillian Orellana | Secretary - Peru
Michael Glover | Treasurer - Peru
DA Peru Intro
Welcome to Democrats Abroad Peru!
DAPE is the official country committee for US Democrats living in Peru. Watch this space for upcoming announcements of meetings and events - we have events planned throughout the year, and encourage anyone interested in participating to get in touch.
If you have questions or would like to help with Democrats Abroad in Peru please contact us.
Upcoming Events


text:
Whether you are on the go, work at home, have kids or not, eating healthy meals can be quite challenging. Who has time during the day to prepare healthy meals? I mean come on… heating up a frozen pizza or getting some fast food is quick and easy. Well that may be true but this short-term thinking will eventually catch up with you. Most frozen dinners are filled with preservatives and other chemicals that I struggle with my pronunciation. Forget about fast food. I'm not even sure how they can classify some of that stuff as actual food.
I would like to share with you a wonderful super quick and easy recipe that can provide several nutritious meals for you. This recipe is a combination of some of my most favorite foods. It involves no-carb cloud bread, and chicken salad. It can also be made with a tuna. The taste is DIVINE and the good thing about it you can prepare it in the morning or the day before and enjoy this salad for the rest of your day or 2 or 3 days and even make it for your gathering or party! Yummy!
Ingredients for Chicken Salad with Avocado:
2 Cooked or grilled chicken breasts well sliced
1 medium onion finely diced
1 medium apple, diced. 3-4 Celery sticks, diced
1 ripe avocado, you will be mushing it – (BTW, do not throw away the avocado seed, instead see how you can eat it and what else to do with it– Mind Blown!)
Juice from 1 lime or 1 lemon, or to taste
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, or you can add sliced almonds, yummy too..
Pinch of black pepper, salt to taste and if you like Mayo and sour-cream you can add a teaspoon or 2 to your liking but you don't want your salad to be too "Mayonnaisey" because you already have an avocado and a lime juice as a sauce and creamy dressing.
Stir the mixture well and enjoy! For best result serve between two toasted Cloud breads, they are very filling and will hold up nicely. If you toast your cloud bread, make sure you set the timer for 1 minute or else the sides of cloud bread may burn.
In the end this awesome meal is very nutritious, gluten free, very low carb and bursting with vitamins, flavor and nutrition!
Oh yes, I forgot to mention that I added some cranberries to the salad too…
I hope you give this a try and let me know how much you liked it? It's addictive stuff! And tell me How do you make YOUR Chicken Salad? Do you like it very mayonnaisey or not so much?
Latest posts by Irina (see all)
- Instant Pot Egg Roll Bowls, Low Carb and Keto Friendly - May 9, 2019
- Best Low-Carb Keto Mug Bread, 90 seconds in microwave - March 20, 2019
- Turmeric Cumin Roasted Cauliflower Bites - February 21, 2019


text:
Under the Sun: Chiara Barzini & Christopher Bollen with Frederic Tuten
Wednesday August 23, 2017
06:00 pm
Things That Happened Before the Earthquake, the debut novel by award-winning screenwriter Chiara Barzini, is a unique immigrant bildungsroman casting 1990's Los Angeles in a new light, full of cultural clashes, crises, and collisions. Barzini was joined by Christopher Bollen, whose latest novel The Destroyers also features characters transplanted to an unfamiliar place and faced with hidden challenges and dangers. Together with moderator Frederic Tuten (Self-Portraits: Fictions) they discussed the significance of place in fiction, notions of personal and cultural identity, the power of self-invention, and more.
*This event was presented in partnership with Rizzoli Bookstore and took place at their location at 1133 Broadway.*
About Things That Happened Before the Earthquake
Mere weeks after the 1992 riots that laid waste to Los Angeles, Eugenia, a typical Italian teenager, is rudely yanked from her privileged Roman milieu by her hippie-ish filmmaker parents and transplanted to the strange suburban world of the San Fernando Valley. With only the Virgin Mary to call on for guidance as her parents struggle to make it big, Hollywood fashion, she must navigate her huge new public high school, complete with Crips and Bloods and Persian gang members, and a car-based environment of 99-cent stores and obscure fast-food franchises and all-night raves. She forges friendships with Henry, who runs his mother's movie memorabilia store, and the bewitching Deva, who introduces her to the alternate cultural universe that is Topanga Canyon. And then the 1994 earthquake rocks the foundations not only of Eugenia's home but of the future she'd been imagining for herself.
About The Destroyers
Arriving on the Greek island of Patmos broke and humiliated, Ian Bledsoe is fleeing the emotional and financial fallout from his father's death. His childhood friend Charlie—rich, exuberant, and basking in the success of his new venture on the island—could be his last hope. At first Patmos appears to be a dream—long sun-soaked days on Charlie's yacht and the reappearance of a girlfriend from Ian's past—and Charlie readily offers Ian the lifeline he so desperately needs. But, like Charlie himself, this beautiful island conceals a darkness beneath, and it isn't long before the dream begins to fragment. When Charlie suddenly vanishes, Ian finds himself caught up in deception after deception. As he grapples with the turmoil left in his friend's wake, he is reminded of an imaginary game called Destroyers they played as children—a game, he now realizes, they may have never stopped playing. An enthralling odyssey and a gripping, expansive drama, The Destroyers is a vivid and suspenseful story of identity, power and fate, fathers and sons, and self-invention and self-deception, from a writer at the very height of his powers.
Chiara Barzini is an Italian screen and fiction writer. She has lived and studied in the United States where she collaborated with Italian Vanity Fair, GQ, XL Repubblica, Rolling Stone Italy, Flair, and Marie Claire while publishing essays in American magazines such as the Village Voice, Harper's, Vogue, Interview Magazine, Vice, and Rolling Stone. Her fiction has appeared in BOMB Magazine, The Coffin Factory, Noon, The NY Tyrant, Vice, and Dazed & Confused. She is the author of the story collection Sister Stop Breathing (Calamari Press, 2012) and has written a variety screenplays for both television and film. Her most recent film work, Arianna, the coming of age story of an intersex adolescent, won numerous awards at the Venice Film Festival and was nominated for Best Screenplay at the Italian Golden Globes, 2016. Things That Happened Before the Earthquake is her debut novel.
Christopher Bollen is a writer who lives in New York City. He regularly writes about art, literature, and culture. His first novel, Lightning People (Soft Skull Press), was published in 2011. His second novel, Orient (Harper), was published in May 2015. His third novel The Destroyers (Harper) was published in June 2017. He is currently the Editor at Large at Interview Magazine.
Frederic Tuten is the author of The Adventures of Mao on the Long March, Tintin in the New World, The Green Hour, and Self Portraits: FIctions, among other fiction. He has received a Guggenheim fellowship and an American Academy of Arts and Letters Award for Distinguished Writing. He lives in New York City.


text: Patrick Mak recently travelled from Macau with 2 friends to spend 4 days at Trees and Fishes hoping to get stuck into our famous dogtooth. While the dogtooth didn't dissapoint the guys got more than they bargained for nailing some nice amberjack over the deepwater seamounts. Mixed in with a few nice GT's, red bass and some bull mahi mahi, a great few days were had by all.


text:
Elephone G2 is listed in the company HongKong official page and goes for pre-order for only US $99.99. Pre-order is available from 5th Mar 2015 – 31th Mar 2015 at elephone.cc. All the orders will be shipped out on 1st Apr 2015 after the pre-sale period. You can also enjoy $5 off coupon during pre-sale period using coupon code : FUNG2.
The Elephone G2 comes in black, white, yellow and blue variant colours. It has dual-SIM slot and both slot features 4G (FDD / TDD). The company also says, "Our ROM team and fans started working on Android 5.0 Lollipop and Cyanogenmod for G2, it will be equipped Android 5.0 out of the box. Soon, you can download and
install Android 5.0 / Cyanogenmod / MIUI / LEWA from our Forum.
If you want to test stock ROM Android 5.0 Beta version for G2 then you can download it from here.
The Elephone G2 is powered by a MT6732M 64bit 1.3GHz Quad-Core processor and coupled with 16 Core GPU Mali T-760. The 4.5-inch IPS FWVGA (854*480 pixels) display is backed by a 2,300mAH Li-ion battery, that is rated for 11 hrs video watching, 20 hrs internet surfing, 30 hrs music listening, 40 hrs calling or 3 days of standby. The handset is only 120 gms in weight and measures 134*66.6*8.9 mm.
The G2 is equipped with 1GB of RAM and the 8GB internal storage is also further expandable with upto 32GB of microSD card. The smartphone houses an 8-megapixel auto-focu rear shooter with flash light and also boasts a 2MP front-facing camera on-board for selfies and video calling. It features LTE-FDD: Band 1/3/7/20 (800/1800/2100/2600) / TDD-LTE: Band 40 (2300).
Connectivity options include in G2 are Bluetooth 4.0, USB 2.0, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, GPS, A-GPS and FM Radio. It boasts gravity, proximity and light sensors.
Elephone G2 specifications
- dual-SIM (4G LTE+4G LTE) with dual standby
- Android 5.0 Lollipop / Cyanogenmod
- MT6732M 64bit 1.3GHz Quad-Core processor
- Arm Mali T-760 GPU
- 4.5-inch IPS FWVGA touchscreen display
- 854*480 pixels resolution
- 2,300mAH Li-ion battery
- 120 gms weight / 8.9 mm thickness
- 8-megapixel auto-focu rear shooter with flash light
- 2MP front-facing camera
- LTE-FDD: Band 1/3/7/20 (800/1800/2100/2600) / TDD-LTE: Band 40 (2300)
- Bluetooth 4.0, USB 2.0, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, GPS, A-GPS and FM Radio


text:
Brookstone 395RL
This Coachmen Brookstone fifth wheel will make traveling with family and friends enjoyable. Model 395RL features a rear living layout, quadruple slides for added interior space, a second bedroom with a loft above, and so much more!
Step inside to a wide open interior space on your left with dual opposing slides. There is a slide out dining table with four chairs and two lounge chairs including storage above. Along the rear wall find a hide-a-bed sofa with storage cabinets overhead the entire width of the unit making this a nice conversation or TV watching area.
The opposite side slide out features an entertainment center adjacent to the sofa along with overhead storage for your things. There is also a pantry with drawers, a three burner range with overhead microwave oven, and refrigerator within this slide. The off set island provides added food prep space, plus a double kitchen sink.
Just off the kitchen area find a bedroom/bunkhouse with a slide out sofa including a table with flip down bunk above. There is a dresser/TV opposite with plenty of storage on either side for your things. This bedroom also features a loft space above for additional sleeping space. There is a ladder in the hall to the right of the entry door just before the full bath.
Back at the entry notice the coat closet straight ahead. Turn right and up the two steps to a side aisle bath and front master bedroom. The bathroom is on the left and has a sliding door from the hall that leads inside. Enjoy keeping fresh and clean in this bathroom with a toilet, shower with seat, linen cabinet, and vanity with sink including an overhead medicine cabinet.
At the head of the hall you will find the master bedroom where you can rest and relax after a fun filled day. There is a queen bed slide out along the roadside, a dresser opposite the bed, and a full front wardrobe with sliding doors, plus so much more!We have 1 395RL availableView Inventory
Sleeps 9 Slides 4 Length 40 ft 10 in Ext Width 8 ft Ext Height 12 ft 11 in Hitch Weight 2830 lbs Gross Weight 16600 lbs Dry Weight 13940 lbs Cargo Weight 2660 lbs Fresh Water Capacity 63 gals Grey Water Capacity 85 gals Black Water Capacity 45 gals Tire Size 16" Furnace BTU 40000 btu Number Of Bunks 1 Available Beds Queen Refrigerator Size 12 cu ft Cooktop Burners 3 Number of Awnings 1 Axle Weight 7000 lbs Water Heater Capacity 10 gal Water Heater Type Gas/Electric AC BTU 15000 btu TV Info LR 50" Smart LED, BR 32" HD LED Option Awning Info 20' Power Axle Count 2 Washer/Dryer Available Yes Electrical Service 50 amp
Similar Fifth Wheel Floorplans
Showing 1 - 1 of 1
Fifth Wheel
- 37 Photos
- Stock #: 2474
- Length: 40 ft 10 in
- Location: Main
- Sleeps up to 9
- You Save: $28,952
Plaza RV Inc. is not responsible for any misprints, typos, or errors found in our website pages. Any price listed excludes sales tax, registration tags, and delivery fees. Manufacturer pictures, specifications, and features may be used in place of actual units on our lot. Please contact us @515-957-9393 for availability as our inventory changes rapidly. All calculated payments are an estimate only and do not constitute a commitment that financing or a specific interest rate or term is available.


text:
$200 a night for 2 guests & $50 extra for each additional guest.
Sleeps up to 8.
Min 2 nights.
(Weekly Rentals = – 15% off total weeks cost)
30% Non-refundable deposit required upon time of reservation.
Cash or Credit Card accepted upon arrival.
_______________________Casa Blanca
Casa Blanca is in a premiere location of Volcan, Panama. It is perfectly positioned, showcasing extraordinary vistas of Volcan Baru and Tisingal mountain.
The home is set in a private and naturally beautiful setting. It is located on the edges of the Janson Coffee Farm and less than 10 minutes outside the town of Volcan. The landscaping is reflective of the open and expansive architectural style of the house itself.
The grounds host native and exotic plants that attract many birds and butterflies and offer wonderful viewing pleasure. Casa Blanca is an exclusive and exquisitely beautiful modern home. The architecture, by french architect Michel Regis, in association with Panamanian architect Lourdes Olave, is stunning and brilliant. The home offers high lofting ceilings, large sliding doors, and large windows, giving a feeling of openness.
It showcases many of the owners own original paintings which capture the beautifully colored cultural richness of Panama. It hosts many unique luxurious amenities such as a reflection pool and a swimming pool.
Casa Blanca has a welcoming and free spirited energy and instantly presents itself as a very special place.
__Casa Blanca_____________________
~ 4 Bedroom Suites
~ 3 Bedrooms w/ king beds, 1 bedroom w/ 2 twin beds
~ 5 bathrooms (4 full baths, 2 full baths w/ tub, 1 half-bath)
Master Suite & Master Bath
Bedroom Suite & Bath
The bedrooms come out from the center of the house in a horseshoe arch,
hosting the Master Bedroom on one side and 3 Suites on the the other.
Each bedroom is completely private.
Kitchen Bedroom Wing


text:
Finding your way in a new church family can be difficult. New faces. New places. New gatherings and opportunities. Where should you get started? Great question!
At Willow Creek Church, the answer is something we call Discover!
Discover is our guest-oriented Sunday morning gathering. Held in our Senior Pastor's Study, it provides a warm, lively, and engaging orientation for our guests.
Over five sessions, guests will meet ministry leaders, learn about the overall ministry of Willow Creek Church, and get equipped to connect with their new church family!
Discover is hosted by active, enthusiastic members of the Willow Creek Church family. They provide light breakfast foods, welcome our guests, and help them get connected.
Session 1 – Welcome!
Session 2 – Mission and Vision
Session 3 – Beliefs, Part I
Session 4 – Beliefs, Part II
Session 5 – Connections and Next Steps
Do I have to take all five sessions in order?
No. Start and finish when you can!
Does Discover Willow Creek equip me for membership in the church?
Yes! Completing all five sessions of Discover equips guests to make a decision regarding church membership, but does not obligate them to join. For those led to join Willow Creek Church, we will schedule an interview with our elders.
To maintain an atmosphere in which friendships and connections can truly develop, space for each session of Discover is limited. Please contact Pastor of Families and Connections, Drew Taylor, to get registered. We'll get you scheduled for a class right away—maybe even this Sunday!


text:
This week's 'I'm Starting a Rumor' features the one and only Roy Nelson, Bellator and TNA.
I'm starting a rumor about Roy Nelson going to Bellator and TNA Wrestling. Yeah, it's a completely fabricated rumor that I'm starting. But let's think it through, Roy Nelson has 1 fight left, plus he refused to sign a contract extension. Why would he do that? Well, his buddy King Mo is there, fighting and wrestling.Then there is the fact that they are both managed by Mike Kogan, who has more of his guys in Bellator than anywhere else, plus Roy has said in the past he wants to be a professional wrestler.
Bellator is building it's HW division, adding Cheick Kongo, and Rampage (he's gonna forget about all that weight cutting/training nonsense and fight at HW) plus a few more Russian HW's and whoever Wolfslair has in HW. That's a good start and a good way to legitimize your HW division in a hurry. Roy could get a title shot very quickly there, something he feels he will never get in the UFC. Throw in the story angles TNA could build with 3 MMA fighters in their ranks, I would bet that a big payday awaits Roy over in Viacom land.
Right now it's my rumor, one I'm just putting out with absolutely no info or knowledge behind it,I made this sh1t up. If it happens, remember I said it first.


text:
John Cena recently joined Jimmy Fallon as a guest on The Tonight Show on NBC to talk about his new hairstyle and to demonstrate his new "Sixth Move of Doom" in WWE.
During the show, Cena demonstrated his new Sixth Move of Doom, which he claimed he learned from Jackie Chan while filming Project X. Check out video footage of this segment below.
Also on the show, Cena showed off his new hair style and spoke about how long he plans to keep the new look. Check out this clip, as well as video of Cena and Fallon playing a "Box of Lies" game show segment, below.


text:
I witch for water.
Walking blindly,
I concentrate on my effort.
I am desperate,
you say.
You watch for rain.
Staring blindly,
you believe it will come.
You have faith,
you say.
It is in your nature
to trust in what you need.
Nature does not need you.
I witch for water,
…you watch for rain.
Author: Rachel
All rights reserved. Full restrictions apply.