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Those of you who care about such things know that Sunday was Nov. 1. Those of you with access to social media need no calendar to be cognizant of the season's change.
I was on Facebook for all of 1.748 milliseconds before I saw the first post containing that damn #30DayThankfulnessChallenge. For the three people in the world unfamiliar with this phenomenon, it's an online movement where well-intentioned folk use honeyed words to tell you every day of the month one thing for which they're grateful.
Listen, I love being appreciative. It's right up there with cake and kittens and rainbows in terms of things that make the world go round. Also, I'm not a total bitch. I adore seeing my friends happy and healthy and hollering from the Internet's rooftops about life's high points.
But that's what they are.
They're the high points, the good parts, the moments that are rose-colored and syrupy-sweet.
People are all pumped about their rescue dog and their Prius and their creative talent and their new personal trainer who, like, totally gets them and their fitness goals. And I'm like, "Good on you for being thankful for your apparently perfect, problem-free existence. What a sacrifice you're making by being grateful for all the dazzle you're dealt daily."
But what about the rest of life? The dips and downfalls and delayed dreams?
This is when I unveil my unpopular opinion: Presenting only the positive parts of our lives results in a misrepresentation of facts, and it doesn't generate grand-scale gratitude.
It's a well-known fact that reality isn't always lovely. Everyone has a pile of shit that we hide from the world. We chip away at our personal crap mountain, chanting "Fake it until you make it" as we present our peers with a persona that is as close to perfect as possible. All the while we're imagining a day when our real life will be as pleasant as we make it seem on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram or SnapChat or whatever the cool kids use nowadays.
That's sort of bullshit.
When we boast about only the good parts of our lives, we risk showing the world an incomplete picture. I'm not saying the unedited portrait isn't great as is, because I think all lives are probably baller in their own unique ways. But we think the picture's not pretty enough, so we improve on it. We run it through our brain's Photoshop. We apply fancy filters and crop out the fuzzy parts. And then, inevitably and unfortunately, the people "liking" this picture are tempted to judge their lives against your manicured image.
When we publicly thank the powers that be for the sparkly things that we have (spouses, children, health, wealth, etc.), we unintentionally dare our loved ones to live up to our abridged versions of our existence. We gamble that they won't see our sparkly list and be reminded that they haven't found The One or that they're infertile or that they suffer from lupus or that their bank account is overdrawn.
I'm not trying to be preachy/cheesy/downright annoying. If tallying all the things you're thankful for is your jam, then embrace the process and post the fuck out of what floats your happy boat. You do you. I don't resent your good fortune.
What I'm trying (albeit imperfectly) to suggest is that maybe we should be more honest in our gratitude. Perhaps "honest" isn't the best word. Maybe I should say "forthright." Or "transparent."
I advocate this approach for selfish reasons. I've been there, seeing all the flashy Facebook posts about how immaculate everybody else's life is, and I've felt like a failure. And I've been on the other side, too, where I pimp out my statuses with the intent of making my life seem more grand, more ideal, more successful, more of more.
Two years ago at this time, I was doing that. I'm not proud of it, but there I was, ticking off all the things that people on the outside looking in would see as being the best parts of my life. But I knew I was lying. My world was total shit.
My cat had just met a premature and painful end, and doctors had recently discovered a gnarly lump on my thyroid that caused me to take on weight like the Titanic took on water. Depression debilitated me daily, and anxiety assaulted me any chance it got. Because my medical bills were climbing, I struggled to stay in school to get that long-anticipated college degree. My sister was planning her wedding to her drug dealer, my nephew was having stress seizures, and specialists had just told me and my husband that it was unlikely we could conceive through the old-fashioned method of aggressive cuddling.
So I got angry at the challenge.
I grew furious with everyone around me who seemed to rock the challenge by effortlessly invoicing all the glitter and gold in their lives that I did not have.
And I got bitter.
And then I did what I always do when I'm down.
I started watching Law & Order SVU from the beginning... again. But then after I did that, I did the other thing I do when I'm mopey.
I read.
I read this beautiful article about gorgeous quotes that change how people see the world.
And I found the one destined for me.
"Only when it is dark enough, can you see the stars. - Ralph Waldo Emerson"
And my heart soared.
Except that the article went on to say that as ambrosial as this particular quote might be, it is actually a lie.
Emerson never put pen to paper and crafted those words, even though he's credited for them. That sentence doesn't once appear in any of his works/journals/correspondences/etc. He might have said something sorta like that once to somebody who then wrote down what he/she thought Emerson might have said, but it's not an actual quote. I know this because this article I was reading was all about "great things you wish your favorite author said that they actually didn't."
And that struck me on two fronts.
First, here's this wonderful thing that we are presented as truth, and we fall in love with this idea, and we hold it dear, and we view reality differently through this quote, but it doesn't exist. I'm not a metaphor whore, but you do see the point here, right?
Second, this sentence seemed so suited to my situation(s). I honestly remember thinking something like, "Okay, I'm in a super dark place, but because I am, I get to see stars that I never would if doused in the sunshine of a life full of luck."
Thus began my obsession with the concept that drove me to start this blog. I want to be real. And not just in private or with a chosen few. I want to live, talk about, and be grateful for my real life.
It's not always easy to be honest or forthright or transparent or whatever thesaurus-generated words I used a few paragraphs back. Sometimes I think I'd strangle ducklings if it meant I could pretend that everything is unicorns up in this bitch. But with each passing inconvenience/disappointment/tragedy, I have come to realize that the moments where I've grown the most are not my happiest. They're not the sort to post on Facebook or say that you're grateful you experience them.
But fuck that. Let's shake shit up. Let's instead use this month to share the stars that we've been able to glimpse because of our glorious periods of darkness.
I'll start by compiling my own list.
Don't panic. It's not 30 items. I don't have time for that every-day-in-November-shit. I just discovered the show iZombie, and it's not going to binge-watch itself. Plus, you came here for a blog post and got tricked into reading a novel, so I don't want to take up too much more of your time. (No, seriously, if you're still with me, you deserve some electrolytes and an endurance medal. Go buy yourself some Gatorade and a trophy and send the bill to Chris.)
Hopefully my list reminds you not of your darkest nights but rather of the beautiful imaginary stars I've worked so hard to reference throughout this post so that my writing feels cohesive and somewhat literary even though we all know it's been a reach.
Anyway, here it is. And for the record, I truly am grateful for these things. I'm not just typing it for shits and giggles. (See above statement about how much I need to be consuming zombie TV.)
The List:
1) The darkness: my depression. Before my serotonin tanked, I floated through my days on puffy clouds. I took feeling good for granted. I never relished it.
The star: mindfulness. Depression taught me to live in each moment. This technique has infinitely improved the way I live, and I never would have encountered this outlook without being forced to find a way to cope with mental illness. (For more on mindfulness, see Thich Nhat Hanh's book "Peace is Every Step.")
2) The darkness: my first fiance cheated on me. He invited another woman to ride his baloney pony and left me with a gaping wound where my soul used to be.
The star: my husband. If I hadn't almost married the first douche, I never would have hitched my wagon to the deity that is Chris. At the risk of sounding stoned (which I am a little), he's my everything, and I would've missed out on the best thing in my life if I hadn't endured complete heartbreak first.
3) The darkness: our electricity got shut off. Shortly after Chris and I got married, we were strapped for cash and tried to push off our bill. But the company didn't care that we got paid the day after payment was due, and they cut power. We sat in the dark, and it was humiliating and horrible.
The star(s): partnership and perspective. In that moment of shared shame, I knew that Chris and I were a team, and that we were in this together, and that if the worst thing that happened that day was that our lights wouldn't turn on, we were so much more lucky than so many people in the world. We got the money rounded up, and we got our electricity turned back on, and when finances are tight now, I can look back on that low point and say, "At least the lights are on."
4) The darkness: my sister passed. Obviously, I'm not a stone cold shrew, and in no way do I want you to think that I'm glad she's dead.
The star: empathy. I wish like hell my sister were alive. But because I experienced true, gut-wrenching loss, I now know first-hand how life can change in an instant, and I feel I am better equipped to be a more understanding person because of it. When I say, "I feel your pain," I mean it.
5) The darkness: I got fat. Oddly enough, of all the struggles I've had in my life, this has easily been the most difficult. I went from 160 pounds to 286 pounds in a relatively short period of time, and it shattered my sense of self.
The star(s): true self-confidence. It's taken oodles of time, but I now realize that the real me isn't my looks. It's not what size I wear (which is a 22, by the way). The real me is my spirit, my personality, my desire to be a better human being and to do something worthwhile with my life. Furthermore, it helped me stop being such a judgmental bitch.
6) The darkness: God failed me. I grew up in an oppressive Evangelical Christian community that made me feel like shit. I was raised to believe in a vengeful, cruel, petty God whose love was conditional on my perfection. In my mid-20s, I abandoned God, because he had so clearly abandoned me.
The star: peace. When I hit my spiritual rock bottom, I started to look for true meaning rather than the pre-packaged propaganda I'd been fed as a child. I read other holy books. I started meditating. I looked to science for answers. I met with atheists and Imams and Bahá'í folks and Hindus and really and truly opened myself to other ways of thinking. Through this spiritual pilgrimage, I finally found my place in the Universe, and for the first time in my life, I'm at peace. I know my true heart.
7) The darkness: I was molested. It was horrid, and that's enough about that.
The star(s): context and forgiveness. That nightmare introduced me to centrism. I grew up in a strict environment where everything clearly fell into two categories: right or wrong. Middle ground didn't exist. Now, I see in all sort of shades of gray (more than 50, and none of them BDSM). My abuser was a foster kid who was repeatedly raped in his youth. I don't think he made the right choice when he did what he did to me, but I can look at the moments in his past that led him to that decision, and I forgive him.
8) The darkness: my parents disappointed me. When they were going through their own rough patch with two of my siblings, my mom and dad said hurtful things to me that left me shaking and sobbing.
The star: a reality check. When the heartache abated, I recognized something I hadn't before: my parents are human, and the standards I set for them were impossible to maintain. Once I realized that they're just people with feelings and flaws just like me, I saw them for who they really are rather than who I wanted them to be, and that made me respect and love them all the more.
9) The darkness: I couldn't afford college after high school. It's a long story, but the irresponsibility of my two older sisters prevented me from attending university as a traditional student, and I've been self-conscious as hell about my lack of education for more than a decade.
The star: I'm hella smart now. As a non-trad, I valued the fuck out of my education in a way I couldn't possibly have done as a 19-year-old. Every semester I've been to school as an adult, I've studied my ass off and retained so much goddamn knowledge, and I'm proud of how I earned my just about to be conferred degree.
10) The darkness: I'm probably infertile. Chris and I can fuck like bunnies, but we're not going to be popping out furry spawn anytime soon, and that makes my heart hurt.
The star: the knowledge that everything is going to be okay. I know in a way that many others possibly can't how precious life is. And because I have adopted siblings, I know that if Chris and I get chosen to parent someone else's child that we will love that kid like he/she hung the moon. Also, throughout this process, Chris and I have discovered that we're insanely happy just as we are, with each other and our cats and our 11 nieces and nephews. Yes, we want more, but if we don't get it, we know that life is going to be pretty damn swell just as it is.
So that's it. That's my shit list. Or, rather, my shit-I'm-thankful-for-list. And I'm proud of it. I'm proud that it reflects the real me.
Normally this is the part where I'd encourage you to compile your own list, but I realized that at least one of my readers thinks this is a stupid idea on its most basic level.
I was chatting online with a Canadian blogger friend about this #30DayThankfulnessChallenge, and she was all like, "What the fuck is that?" And then I was like, "It's this thing some Americans do where every day during November leading up to our Thanksgiving where they list one thing for which they're thankful. So, you know, Day 1: 'I'm thankful I married the most handsome man on the planet,' Day 2: 'I'm thankful for Jesus,' Day 3: 'I'm thankful for bunnies.'" And she was all like, "Day 1: I'm so thankful I'm not an American."
What's today? The 5th? Okay. Here goes.
Day 5: I'm thankful I have sassy Canadian friends who say that sort of shit and then suggest that I find a sponsor to pay me to write a review about adult diapers since I have a mild incontinence issue related to my tumor medicine.
True story: Life would be super swell if we all embraced our OMG side instead of living a Facebook-friendly existence. So, let it out. What darkness led you to see spectacular stars? Or do you think I'm full of crap and being too goddamn pretentious and preachy with this little movement of mine? What things are you grateful for, if you haven't had the dark periods others might have? Feel free to disclose details. You're safe here.


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Educational Funding Company
Chevy Chase, MDConsumerAffairs Unaccredited Brand
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21 Educational Funding Company Consumer Reviews and Complaints
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I signed my 3 children up for karate lessons at a local establishment, DiBenedetto's Karate Jiu-Jitsu, in Amite, LA in October of 2015 and was not informed my checking account information was skimmed off my original check and given without my consent to Educational Funding Company. EFC has billed my bank account for over 31 months resulting in me losing $7657.00. Some of you are asking yourselves how I allowed so many charges to come out of my account. The check I used to pay for the first month of lessons and uniforms was written out of a bank account I use very rarely. The karate establishment took it and said nothing about automatic billing, billing dates, billing amounts, or who their billing processor was. I assumed I would be paying with a paper check for each month of lessons. If they would have told me this I would have been looking for these charges on my account.
Secondly, I only keep money in it to pay my student loans and a few other bills. It has large amounts of money coming and going out each month and is not meant for daily use. There could be months that go by where I do not look at this account. Also, EFC charges came over stating they were for Student Education Tuition or Student Education Fund??? These charges said nothing about karate or the original business I signed up with. I often overlooked the charges as a school fee for my husband or a student loan payment. Also, I have been trying to save for my own children's college tuition and thought many of these fees were legitimate charges from my investment planner.
When I finally Googled EFC and called them directly earlier this month this was the first time I had heard of their business. The person I spoke with was polite but stated that I had to contact the business owner to cancel the account and collect any fraudulent charges. The person also stated that I had 2 children signed up for Karate lessons which is erroneous as I have 3 children. I did call the business owner, Frank DiBenedetto. He acted like I was crazy to ask for a refund and told me if I wanted the billing stopped I'd have to do it myself. He also told me I had signed up for a health club membership with EFC and him which I did not. I signed up for Karate lessons. I did call EFC back and they hung up on me when I requested to cancel the billing. I have been informed by the karate business owner, Frank DiBenedetto, that he has requested my account be closed.
After my personal research and reading other reviews of EFC's business practices with local gyms and other Karate establishments I have come to the conclusion that karate institutions such as DiBenedetto's Karate Jiu-Jitsu work in collusion with their billing partner Educational Funding Company to lure parents and relatives into a billing trap requiring them to pay hundreds to thousands of dollars in fraudulent fees.
The initial check I gave DiBenedetto's I was told was for the cost of uniforms and lessons for the first month. Then I was asked to sign a statement about billing which did state I was to pay for lessons for 6 Months and after that had the option to stop billing but would be automatically renewed if I did nothing. It did not state that my bank account information would be taken from my check and used for ACH transactions against my account. It also did not state who was going to be billing my account. It did not state how much would be billed each month. It did not state what day monies would be removed from my account. I fully expected to be writing paper checks for karate classes as they clearly had no problems taking my first check and deceptively removing my banking information.
It was not until later that I was informed that there is a second part to the DiBenedetto's billing agreement written for/by EFC located in the back of the student handbook given to my minor children. This information was conveniently not disclosed with me and it is here that one will find Educational Funding Company (EFC) will be billing the parent's automatically. But again it states nothing about needing a voided check, a date billing will, how much the payments are for etc, etc. etc. It is a baiting tactic that EFC uses along with local gyms and karate institutions in order to get access to patron's credit cards, debit cards, and checking account information. EFC can then bill the patron and give a kickback to the gym for each patron they sign up for their continual auto-renewing billing that can ONLY be cancelled with a written letter signed 30 days before the next billing cycle.
It is 2018, who writes a letter or requires a written letter for anything anymore? What irritates me the most is EFC's and DiBenedetto's ability to take advantage of people who have children and want to provide for their children. How can you bill me for over 31 months and when I call to explain what happened you not even offer to refund some of my money. It is so unethical and devious. We only went to this karate a handful of times in October of 2015. I have been billed multiple times over for services not rendered. I can't believe I never received a call, text, or email to ask if we wanted to continue karate lessons and billing. But this is what these two companies are wanting. They want you to sign up for the required 6 months then get as much money as they can out of you.
I expected the owner of this DiBenedetto's to treat me like a person, I even expected him to see what a burden these charges are for me and that if I had known what was actually occurring would have stopped them as soon as possible. But no, he treated me like I was completely insane to ask for any refund of any kind even though we haven't set foot in his building since October of 2015.
I expected EFC to refund me immediately and stop the billing immediately but instead I got the typical runaround. Each business blaming the other so the consumer is left holding the bag. I work 1 full time job and 2 part time jobs. There are a lot of days my accounts are negative and on top of that I simply have legal custody of the children involved here and have given up everything to take care of them. Really thought karate would help them and help our family but because of driving and schedule issues we could not make it there. Now to find out I've been scammed out of so much money. I am very upset.
Do not do any business with this company. It is run by a bunch of crooks and scam artist. Karen is the person I dealt with. Be careful if you enter into a contract with them as they will continue to bill up long after your contract is over. I have contacted the BBB about them. You have been warned!
I signed up at atomic kickboxing and was told from the beginning that I could cancel at any time if my commute changed to over 20 miles. My dad recently bought a new house and I'm moving with him, putting us more than 20 miles away from the gym location. I followed all the steps I was told to do in order to cancel and sent them a copy of a utility bill with the new address and my last name on it.
They didn't respond to me (and my 3 follow up emails) for WEEKS and then conveniently answered on the day that they charged my card AGAIN. That's when they informed me that I needed my first name on the utility bill. Seeing as how I do not own the house, that isn't going to happen. They're saying now to get a credit card bill with my full name and address which I'm going to do but that will take another month to go into effect and will be charged again. I would NEVER recommend this company. And I would strongly suggest to not sign up anywhere that uses this billing company. They do not get back to you and they do everything to make sure canceling your contract is miserable and long.
I signed my son up for Karate almost a year ago. I went through some troubles in my financial situation so I called EFC to cancel my membership and to get a refund for the money they took out of my account since my son doesn't go to karate anymore. They told me I had to call the school and cancel which I did. I did everything that EFC told me to. I called EFC several times for my money back and no one returns your calls. Today which is 12/20, they decide to take out more money out of my account when I cancelled two months ago. They owe me money for two months.
When I called to complain the lady decided to hang up on me. The manager himself doesn't return calls. Finally someone called me back and told me in order to get my money back I have to pay $75.00 for an early cancellation fee for the school that my son went to. How am I suppose to pay them money when they owe me money? Apparently after complaining and arguing with the guy, they will have my money in my account tomorrow. If not I will file a complaint with the BBB. Do not trust EFC at all!!!
The executives at EFC are some of the smartest people I've ever met. Their attention to detail, the importance they put on morals, the love they have for their clients is amazing. The other reviews you see are people that are NOT EFC's direct clients. These are people that are students at the martial arts schools OF EFC's clients. These people are just wanting to get out of their contracts because of their own issues. You cannot just decide you want to get out of a contract you signed like they are. They are frustrated because EFC holds you to principle, and your word, unless an emergency situation comes up. EFC has a CLIENT FAMILY. Again, these clients are people that OWN the schools... None of these direct clients are writing any bad reviews.
The EFC client family is a unit. These people love each other, love EFC, and were made WEALTHY BUSINESS OWNERS with the help of John, Mark, and Nick Cokinos. I have never met such loving, caring, and smart individuals in my life. I have seen them take start-ups and make these people not only millionaires, but have held them to a high standard as a person. EFC takes their clients under their wing - and they are in it for the long run, and for friendships. Not just for a quick buck. EFC has over 50 YEARS of being a successful business. If EFC had clients go with another company, the client always comes right back to EFC because of what's missing in their other competitors. EFC truly stands alone. They have shaped the martial arts.
Nick Cokinos knew martial arts when all they would do was practice in back alleyways. It is because of him, and his direction that Martial Arts is now a well-known thing in the US - and he showed these martial arts teachers how to make a business. 50 years later, martial arts schools are all over the world. Nick Cokinos started the company 50 years ago, and it is now a global, trusted, and loved company. Every person I've met will tell you how much they love EFC and the management. I have seen people in tears about what EFC has done for their martial arts school.
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Before I signed a contract I ask Mrs. ** about the Demo team, because that would take a lot of time and my child would not be able to done. Mrs. ** said it was optional and no my child would not have to join. So I signed a contract of Youth LDR. A lot happen before this meeting, but I just wanted to get down to the fact in my case. After my child became a blue belt, Mr. & Mrs. ** called us to come in with our child to talk about her black belt. We were told that she needed to join the Demo team in order to make black belt. I ask "When did that change?" Mrs. ** said "We are always changing here." So I took my child out. And stopped payment. Because that is not right.
My child was so hurt by this, but she now know that people lie. Now on the back of the contract under Waiver And Release, states "Student is voluntarily participating." Is it just me or by them saying that she have to join Demo in order to make black belt? To me they are trying to force her to join Demo. This should not have happen. I called to cancel the contract due to the Breach of Contract on them. The EFC is still sending me bills for this but this is not right.
I bought a Groupon for a week trial at USA Karate Clark. The woman told me to purchase a uniform and to sign. My son used only twice and hated it. When I called her next day to say we would not use the facility, did not even get to use uniform, she said ok. Now I'm getting a $500 dollar bill for something never used. Sooo angry.
After phone calls to the dojo and the EFC company, no one is able to supply us with the "alleged" contract. I do not have a copy, the dojo cannot supply one and EFC is stonewalling our request for a copy. Over the phone, on 8/20, I was promised a copy of the contract within 5-10 business days. I contacted my Visa company and filed a dispute. EFC came back the next month, under a different name and billed us again. I strongly suggest that you not use this company.
I have 3 sons who have been attending Lavallee's Karate School in Sunrise Florida for about a year now. We pay Lavallee's in advance for their tuition; the most recent of which was $660 in late June 2012. Following that payment, I had 2 charges of $253.00 taken from my account on 07/17/12 & 08/17/12 that I know nothing about and did not authorize. Nothing infuriates me more than companies that make their money by hidden contract & billing practices like Lavallee's Karate/EFC's unauthorized debits. Absolutely disgusting!
I signed my son up for karate in July 2011 at Lion's Den in Philadelphia with Mike. I never said anything about a contract. He signed me up for a 1-year contract without telling me. I used my Visa Mac card. I asked if he could quit anytime, and Mike said yes. I called to quit in March, and he said fine. I took the $99.00 in April, and I called again. They said they would credit me for the $99.00, but they didn't credit me but took another $99.00 for May. I went to Lion's Den and talked to Marty. He said he's not getting the money and called EFC. They laughed and told me I have to get my money from Marty. My bank is checking into it. Hopefully, I will get my money back.
They refuse to cancel. At the beginning of November of 2011, my current employment had downsizing and my paycheck took a big hit. I tried reorganizing my finances to be able to pay for my son's martial arts and myself at Bergeron Karate Center (School code 3066) but with a new born on the way and a new place with higher rent, I could not afford it (and since my wife doesn't work, the finances fall on my shoulders).
So I informed the owner of the school of my current situation. He informed me that he couldn't cancel my membership since he does not take care of tuition. He mentioned to call Education Funding Company. He gave me a name "Joseph" at ** and told me that they won't cancel my membership as it's their bread and butter (his own words) but I should try none the less, in case they can.
I contacted this Joseph and I explained my situation to him. He told me that it would be possible to cancel my membership but I had to fax my situation to them. So I did just that, on the 28th of November 2011 at 11:23am, I faxed my situation, explaining that I could no longer financially pay for Martial Arts and was requesting a cancellation. After a month, I started getting automated messages from EFC asking me to pay. I was surprised since I had set up for a cancellation. So I called this Joseph (multiple times) once more, and left a message explaining that since everything was cancelled to stop calling and harassing us.
A month later he contacted me, left me a message saying he was replying to my multiple messages. So I called him and finally got in touch with him. He explained that it wasn't cancelled and I had to pay, that there was no way to cancel. I explained to him that with the newborn and my financial situation there was no money to give them. He then said, "That's OK, you'll be placed in collection and since you can't pay, the issue will be over and done with". That is completely unacceptable, no collection agency will accept "I can't pay" and leave it at that. You mean to tell me that they refuse to cancel my membership, wait almost two months to tell me they won't and then put me in collection to tarnish my name with creditors? This was infuriating. I also told him that I never received any documentation that mentioned anything about the fact that the account was still active and I needed to still pay. They had my old address, so I gave him my new and I told him it didn't really matter because I had moved closer to the school. I told him my address wasn't the reason why I was cancelling but because I can't afford it.
So I went to the owner of the school and once again, he explained to me that he could do nothing. He even brushed over my concerns about all the complaints about EFC on the net or the fact that they had an F rating with the BBB. He also mentioned that Joseph had called him and said I was cancelling because I had moved and he wanted to find out how far it was. Well the owner said, I lived real close to the school...well of course... it's not like I mentioned that to Joseph... oh wait, I did. So now this agent from EFC is making me look like a liar to the owner of the school.
I simply cannot fathom why this is acceptable. I would understand if my reasons to cancel were flimsy but I cannot pay for it. I am financially incapable to continue paying for this service.
How hard is it to understand? I keep getting the brush over on both side and neither is willing to help me and both are fine with screwing me out of my money and tarnishing my name. Thank god I had the intelligence to contact my bank on the day I thought I cancelled, to block EFC from taking more money or they would have continued and I would have been royally screwed for a lot of my bills or simply for food for my whole family. Nowhere does it say on your membership that if you are unable to financially pay for the service that you will still be billed or that if you can't pay no matter if you request for a cancellation that you will be put in collection and get your name ruined.
What kind of scam is this company? And how is it they are STILL around after all this time of scamming people. I am in financial difficulties as it is, I do not need this mental stress to top it off. I will contact them once more but to inform them that I have reported them to Rip off and other sites on the net and that if push comes to shove, I'll find a way to get a lawyer because this is clearly unacceptable and I will not be bullied in paying a service I no longer use.
If you plan on joining anything that requires a membership, please ask and educate yourself where the tuition goes because if it's Educational Funding Company, this might happen to you. Avoid EFC if you know what's good for you.
My son attended Rock Solid Karate in Gainesville, GA and after moving to another home over 40 miles from Gainesville, everything was sent to EFC to cancel contract, rental lease, phone bills and other things. I was told by a lady named Adi that the last withdrawal will be on December 2011 and withdrawals have not stopped. Called today and I was told that they sent a letter on February 2, 2012 to ask for additional proof of residence. Why they took 2 months to ask for more info? I don't know. I asked to speak to contract department and I was told that they don't speak to the customers. I don't know what else to do and am frustrated.
They do not return phone calls and refuse to talk to you about your situation. When asked if there is anyone you can talk to, Mini just says no. You spend your time talking in circles with her. To fix the situation, I will have to cancel the card currently being billed and face whatever credit report issues arise as a result.
My son stopped attending USA Karate and Fitness in Avenel, NJ in June 2011. Our current contract ends on February 13, 2011, but the owner of the business agreed to terminate the contract in August of 2011 (6 months early). We sent written notice via certified mail on September 9, 2011 to cancel the contract and prevent any future auto-renewals. However, the monthly fees for September and October were still charged to my credit card. I spoke to someone at USA Karate. They assured me that Educational Funding Company had been notified and that it was their understanding the last monthly fee charged to my credit card was August 2011.
Next, I spoke with a representative from Educational Funding Company who confirmed that the owner of USA Karate had contacted them and acknowledged it was not USA Karate preventing the termination of the contract. I was told that even though the owner of the business is willing to terminate the contract, Educational Funding Company can still legally collect the monthly fee through February 2011, based on my contract. This company is now collecting monies on behalf of USA Karate, even though the business has told them to stop. Can this be legal? Since speaking with the representative, I researched Educational Funding Company. I saw numerous complaints lodged against them over the last several years. I am now very concerned.
I enrolled my children in Taekwondo School in North Carolina in October 2010. We moved to Florida this past May and there are no Taekwondo schools here that are affiliated with Educational Funding Company. So I mailed the required documents to cancel my account with EFC (military PCS orders, utility bill showing our new address, etc.).
Since then, I have called EFC at least twice a week to check on the status of my account and the cancellation I am asking for. I have also faxed the paperwork in to 'Dan', who specifically told me to address everything to him. Each time that I call, I am either informed that my paperwork was not received or that it has been received and that their 'legal department' will contact me.
This has not happened as of today, and I am contacting the state Attorney General of Maryland to file a complaint against this company for fraud. The only reason I am giving this complaint one star is because this complaint will not be submitted without a ranking of some sort.
I cancelled my membership at Ocean County Brazilian Jiu-jistu on Lacey road in Forked River, New Jersey. This company is continually taking monies out of my checking account when I cancelled this account over a month ago. There are so many complaints concerning this company and it seems they refused to cancel anyone's account.
I would like a refund of my $140 that they took from me. I also spoke to Gary and Tom, the manager, at the Jiu-jitsu last month and supposedly this was all taken care of. This company doesn't seem on the up and up and I am quite worried about this situation. Please help me. I am a plumber's apprentice going to school and working part time when I am not being laid off from the slow economy and I cannot afford for this company to be helping themselves to my bank account every month when I cancelled this membership. This is a financial hardship for me.
In September 2007 I signed my grandson up for karate lessons with Ernie Reyes' World Martial Arts in Gallatin, TN. BIG,BIG MISTAKE. I signed an 18 month agreement with David Hughes who owns the karate school in Gallatin. The agreement was for 18 months of karate lessons at $109.00 and that if you moved away or became ill and unable to attend you gave 30 day notice and proof of move/school enrollment or letter from doctor the agreement could be cancelled. WRONG! My grandson moved 135 miles away with his family in June 2008. I informed the school/Educational Funding Company and sent a letter from the principal of my grandson's school to EFC. That was 5 months ago. David Hughes and Educational Funding Company refuse to cancel the contract even though proof in the form of a letter from the school principal was sent to them in June,2008. I have been shuffled from "Account Executive� to "Account Executive�. When I called Educational Funding again for the 20th? or 30th? time I was told by "Adi" that "it was the school who told us to collect the full amount". When I called David Hughes at the karate school he said,
I have tried several time to cancel my membership with Educational Funding Company. I can no longer participate for a variety reasons ranging from medical to work responsibilities. I wrote them a letter and submitted a doctor note as per their request. In return I have received an anonymous letter requesting more information. I feel like I am being given the run around?.
The woman Mini who is an Account Executive will not allow me to speak with anyone else in the company and has kept me on the phone for over an hour talking me in circles. While I was an active member I paid all of my dues on time. All that I ask is now due to injury and change of work schedule to be released of my membership free and clear.
Many wasted hours on the phone, several trips to the doctors office to get the information they requested, payments for services not used
I called and spoke to Yetti on Sept 7, 2007 and told her I needed to cancel membership acct was a monthly charge of $164.00 and 2863-690 for $134.00. According to Yetti, I had already satisfied the contract and would be able to cancel the contract. She said that one more payment would be dedcuted for these accts, and that's all. However, they have deducted payments for November AND December 2007. If you check the phone records from Sept 7th, 2007, you can confirm this. I want a refund for Nov and Dec as this is an error.
I signed a contract with educational funding company for a term of one year commencing November 25, 2006. The contract was for martial arts services at Studio X. In June 2007, while training in studio X, I tore three ligaments in my ankle. I sent educational funding company an MRI report stating my injuries and a Doctor's letter stating the extent of my injuries and the amount of time I will be unable to train.
I asked Educational Funding Company to put the contract on h old and they did. The contract states that If I am unable to train for a period of four (4) months or more that the contract can be cancelled. In August of 2007, I was told by my Physician that I would be unable to train in martial arts for over a year because the extent of my injuries were too severe. I certified mailed Education Funding company new copies of my new Doctor's note and MRI report stating my injuries. I asked educational funding company to cancel the contract but they denied. Minnie told me that my contract was on hold and they will begin pulling monies from my bank account in December.
Minnie stated I cannot cancel the contract because I need to send them a new Doctor's letter in December, after they pull the money from my account and then to cancel the contract. Minnie told me that they won't cancel the contract because "they want to wait and see if my injuries improve." I informed minnie that she nor anyone at Educational Funding Company was a Doctor and couldn't make that determination on my health status and that only my Doctor could. My Doctor all ready made a determination on my health status and determined I would be unable to continue with martial arts. I sent certified letters with my Doctor's note and letters canceling the contract but I am told that Educational Funding Company never receives these letters and that I will have to send them again. I have confirmation from the post office that Educational Funding Company received the letters. Addy, on October 12,2007, at 4PM read the letter I sent to me and said "yes, we have your letters."
I signed a contract for Taekwondo lessons at US Taekwondo Center in Citrus Heights. The payment was automatically deducted from my account.
I gave notice in September to both the school and EFC that I was getting married and moving to Grass Valley, so I wanted to cancel the lessons and the contract.
I spoke with SAM who told me they require 60 days notice and proof in the form of utility bills or a new drivers license that I have moved. This won't be possible for a few months because I am moving into my new wife's house and everything is in her name. They have continued to deduct money from my account and even though I changed accounts with my bank (Golden1 credit Union) they still are getting money for services I am no longer recieving as of October 1.
Educational Funding Company Company Information
- Company Name:
- Educational Funding Company
- Website:
- efcmartialartsbilling.com


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Pharmaceutical Patents and its Affects on Generic Market
Venue: Istanbul
|Event Date/Time: Mar 16, 2007
Western pharmaceutical companies now defend their brands very aggressively. As the number of NCEs coming to market shrinks, the importance of defending a blockbuster product increases and multinationals are becoming more active in finding ways to deter generic competition.
Many of the defence strategies involve the use of patents and data exclusivity to protect leading products. It is therefore vital to understand the importance of these topics in order to be prepared for potential barriers to the introduction of a generic copy of a major brand. These issues have a direct impact on the regulatory and commercial strategies of any planned generic launch and making a mistake can lead to expensive consequences.
Why should attend? :
Intellectual property is a major factor in Western generic markets and a major defence tool for branded companies
The way in which patents and data exclusivity interconnect is potentially very complicated and hard to understand
Local variations at a national level mean that there is not just one solution that works everywhere across Europe
An understanding of these issues is vital for companies wanting to enter these markets
The costs of making a mistake can be very high in legal costs and delays in reaching the market
This seminar will highlight the major issues in Europe and the USA and provide you with a good basic understanding
It will help you to avoid expensive pitfalls and costly mistakes and delays


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Next year, I tell myself, I'll know better.
Next year, I will commit to very little between April and June, and I will clear our family's schedule for an entire month beginning two weeks before Memorial Day. No signing up for preschool snacks. No dinner or birthday parties. No expectation that dishes will be washed, laundry folded, or floors swept. No newspaper columns!
I knew that gardening and poultry raising would be a lot of work. I expected labor. What I didn't expect was the massive to-do list that seems to regenerate endlessly within my brain: chop off some tasks and, like an earthworm, it just grows more. I didn't expect to track the weather forecast like a day trader tracks the stock market, my heart dropping with every raincloud icon that threatens to keep me out of the yard (yes, I know the rain is good for the plants.) I didn't expect to feel intense frustration whenever I'm not outside digging or dumping or planting -- the sense that all life not involving dirt is somehow wasting my precious time. I didn't expect to rush off to so many meetings with dirty fingernails, muddy knees, and hat-head hair. I didn't expect to keep finding myself outside, staring at a patch of dirt, until my husband or children call me in to dinner.
And I certainly didn't expect the moments of time-crunch panic. Gardening always struck me as a lot of work, but slow work: work spread out over a season.
It started off slowly enough, when the seed catalogues I'd requested arrived in February. With snow still blanketing the ground, it felt like we had all the time in the world to dream and sketch out garden plans. Even after seeds and plants were ordered, there were still long months of waiting ahead. Most seed companies ship orders by climate zone. We are in Zone 5, which has an average last frost date of May 15, although local conventional wisdom holds that it's usually safer to wait until Memorial Day to plant most things.
Memorial Day seemed a long way off in February.
There are two ways to order plants: You can order little paper packets of seeds, or you can order plants that have been started in some way. Started plants are usually rootstock, and arrive looking like a sad pile of twigs, or a rumpled ball of dirty roots.
Seeds take a little more time and effort to nurture into plants; they conform to the slow version of gardening that I'd envisioned. Beginning in April, I started several flats of seeds next to our sunny bedroom window; over the next couple of months I watched them sprout, putting out two leaves, then four. I'm now "hardening" them by setting the tiny plants outside during the day and bringing them in at night to tuck into bed. They'll go into the ground at last on Memorial Day weekend.
The biggest challenge with seeds, in my opinion, is an organizational one: Some need to be started indoors, some don't. Although Memorial Day weekend is my planting ground zero, the reality is that there are a wide variety of ideal times for planting different types of seeds on either side of the last expected frost, from two weeks before to two weeks after. I need to keep a spreadsheet of planting dates and notes for every type of seed I plan to put in the ground.
The benefit of rootstock is that it's already started: Instead of growing an apple tree from an apple seed, for instance, you get the already-established roots and twiggy trunk of a baby apple tree. The challenge is that once rootstock arrives, it has to be put in the ground as soon as possible, ideally 24-48 hours after it arrives on your doorstep.
The apple trees were my first taste of gardening time-crunch panic. In late March, I received an email that a UPS shipment was on its way. I didn't even open the email, assuming it was something non-urgent that somebody in our family had ordered and I'd know what it was when it arrived. But one morning in early April, out of curiosity, I clicked open the email. My husband leapt out of bed at the volume of my squawk.
"What?!? What?!?" he asked.
"The apple trees! They're being delivered TODAY!" I shrieked.
If you've ever planted an apple tree, then you know that they need to be planted in pretty large hole – a hole with a diameter of 3-4 feet. I had one day to dig five of these holes in the barely thawed clay of our yard.
We got it done. Working flat out and with all hands on deck, we got those five apple trees (and two blueberry bushes that came with them) in the ground in under 48 hours.
And a month later, when another rootstock order arrived without warning, we got 25 strawberries, three raspberries, two rose bushes, and assorted flowers panic-planted as well.
The ducklings came in early May: adorable, day-old little fluff balls that were supposed to live in a brooder box in our garage for the first four weeks of their lives. Those four weeks were key, because they enabled my husband to finish his teaching semester and have ample time to complete the duck coop and fence he was gradually putting together.
By the second week of their lives, I swear those ducklings were sprouting facial hair. Now in their third week, they get bigger whenever our backs are turned.
Also, we have ten chickens arriving in five days.
For several days now, my husband has entered the house only to shower, eat, and go to bed. The time-crunch panic is on: The duck coop is nearly complete, and we rented an auger for one day so that my husband and his father could put 31 fence posts into the ground in 90-degree heat.
In one week, the Memorial Day weekend planting frenzy begins.
Don't get me wrong: We're having a wonderful time. The sense of accomplishment and time spent outside in nature are more than adequate rewards. And many of these tasks are startup work, to be repeated rarely or never.
But next year, don't call me in May; next year, I'll know better.
Faith Gong has worked as an elementary school teacher, a freelance photographer, and a nonprofit manager. She lives in Middlebury with her husband, four daughters, and one anxiety-prone labradoodle. In her "free time," she writes for her blog, The Pickle Patch.


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|RMS Titanic by FGO Stuart
Devizes is well-known for it's modern day links to the Titanic, which our local Auction house makes it's speciality. Now the Devizes Food and Drink Festival is creating links of it's own. Like all the top cruise liners, top quality food for first class passengers was a priority. The Titanic was the first cruise ship to be equipped with the special oven needed to cook 'Viennoise' bread.
Now you can sample this upper crust food yourself at the Festival Bistro event,
on May 18th 2016
Attribution:- Image of Titanic by F.G.O. Stuart (1843-1923)
http://www.uwants.com/viewthread.php?tid=3817223&extra=page%3D1, Public Domain,


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Turkmen human rights defenders' life threatened in Austria
The life of Turkmen human rights defender Farid Tukhbatullin is in danger. Farid Tukhbatullin has received threats from the Turkmen authorities at several occasions during the previous years, and his relatives in Turkmenistan have been harassed.
– We expect the Austrian authorities to take appropriate measures for the protection of Farid Tukhbatullin. I hope that Sweden and the EU also will acknowledge the exposed situation of Farid. The dictatorship regime of Turkmenistan must be made to respect international agreements on human rights, not the least in relation to persons like Farid Tukhbatullin, who is punished for his hard work for democracy and human rights, says Robert Hårdh, Executive Director of Civil Rights Defenders.
Tukhbatullin is a well-known human rights defender, and director of the non-governmental organisation Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights, based in Austria. He has been working with issues relating to human rights in Turkmenistan since 1993. In 2002 he was imprisoned for his activities as a human rights activist but was released the next year after pressure from the international community and international human rights organisations.
Tukhbatullin left Turkmenistan in 2003 and has since then been living in Austria. In May 2009 he participated in a seminar in Stockholm arranged by Civil Rights Defenders, concerning the human rights situation in Turkmenistan.
Tukhbatullin believes that the recent threats relate to an interview ha gave to a Russian satellite TV –channel regarding the human rights situation in Turkmenistan. The interview was broadcasted in the whole of Central Asia, including Turkmenistan. On the 30th of September, the Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov held a speech to the security authorities in Turkmenistan in which he called on them to fight those who "defame our democratic law-based secular state". During the following week the web site of Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights was attacked by hackers.
Several Turkmen human rights defenders are today forced to live in exile. The authoritarian Turkmen regime controls virtually all media and the use of Internet and telephones is strictly controlled. International human rights organisations are being denied entry into the country and reports about violations of human rights and political trials are frequent.
In January 2009 the former bodyguard of the Chechen president Ramzan Kadyrov, Umar Israilov, was murdered in the street in Vienna. He had fled to Austria after he started openly criticizing the Kadyrov regime.Categories: News.
Tags: Farid Tukhbatullin and Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights.
Regions: Turkmenistan.


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Branson Bay Golf Course is a traditional 18 hole, par 72, regulation golf course. Facilities include driving range, practice bunker and green. Course is located just 10 minutes west of Mason, MI. Greens and Tees are of Bent Grasses, and fairways of Kentucky Blue. Front nine is built on lowland with very gentle rolling terrain. Back nine holes are carved through mature Hardwood trees and rolling terrain.
Difficult Value/Handicap Level: 128/70.8
Yardage: 6560/6140/5500


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April 07, 2011
Spring Awakening
8 comments:
omg, that is the worst! i went to el salvador last year and was so upset not to have the internet for a few days! it's strange to be disconnected! glad you're back!ReplyDelete
I hate getting caught without internet when you are not expecting it - glad you are okay and back, though!ReplyDelete
Much love,
I would welcome an entire week without the internet. I'm sure I'd be a bit panicked for the first two days, but I've no doubt I'd just. Somehow. Hope you're having a wonderful week, Uncle B!ReplyDelete
what GORGEOUS shots!!ReplyDelete
beautiful photos. And yes, I know a little about the "heavy boots" type of thinking and questioning. Spring brings new beginnings! xReplyDelete
Amazing shots!!ReplyDelete
Wait a minute...you took those photos? AMAZING!!!! (Did my earlier comment not post?)ReplyDelete
It didn't post...I was saying, perhaps it was good to accidentally unplug and enjoy Spring. Look at the creativity that came out in these photos!!ReplyDelete
Hope all is well XOX L
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I always appreciate your thoughts. Your comment will appear as soon as I can publish it.
p.s. - Contrary opinions or constructive criticism are also fine but "The Bedlam" doesnt' serve as a platform for random (or anonymous) acts of offensiveness. Rude? Deleted.


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The leading
The EB-5 Summit For Attorneys and Developers
|Workshop Outline
|Speaker bios
|Sponsor Now
This event will be beneficial to anyone involved in EB-5. The event day will bring together experts and practitioners on all sides of the EB-5 equation. After each panel, guests will have the opportunity to discuss EB-5 issues among themselves and with speakers. This is a CLE workshop, however it is designed to be materially useful to Regional Center executives and real estate developers also, in addition to immigration attorneys.
|8:30 - 9:00
|Registration - Continental Breakfast and Handouts Provided
|9:00 - 10:00
|10:00 10:10
|Networking Break
|10:10 - 11:00
Lawfully Advising on Choosing A Project
|11:00 - 11:10
|Networking Break
|11:10 - 12:00
Developing the I-924 Application
|12:00 1:00
|1:00 1:50
I-526 Petitions and Source of Funds Issues
|1:50 - 2:00
|Networking Break
|2:00 - 2:30
Funds Administration
|2:30 - 2:40
|Networking Break
|2:40 3:10
Securities Issues in EB-5
|3:10 3:20
|Networking Break
|3:20 3:50
Current EB-5 Trends
|3:50 4:00
|Networking Break
|4:00 - 4:30
|The Non-Regional Center Concept
|4:30 4:40
|Networking Break
|4:40 5:30
|I-829 Applications and Documenting Job Creation
|5:30 5:40
|Networking Break
|5:40 - 6:15
|Roundtable with all speakers on all EB-5 Matters
E3 Investment Group structures offerings that allow foreign investors the opportunity to receive green cards under the U.S. Government's EB-5 program. They have a unique expertise in creating opportunities that do not involve regional centers, but offer all of the benefits of a scaled organization without the negatives. They call this Scalable-Direct. In essence, they are the Non-Regional Center.
NES Financial provides technology-enabled services for the efficient middle and back office administration of highly specialized financial transactions. Our custom solutions include EB-5 escrows, 1031 exchanges, and fund administration transactions. Many of the world's largest financial institutions and corporations rely on our proprietary technology, unparalleled expertise, and outstanding services to ensure the secure, transparent, and compliant management of funds. Recognized two years in a row by Inc. Magazine's 500|5000 as one of the fastest growing private companies in America, NES Financial helps companies lower operational costs, reduce risk, and improve ROI. For more information, visit www.nesfinancial.com.
Phillips Lytle LLP is a premier regional law firm that is recognized nationally for its legal excellence. With offices in New York State, Washington, DC, and Canada, our attorneys serve a multinational client base including FORTUNE 1000 companies, global and regional financial institutions, not-for-profit organizations, middle market companies, startups, entrepreneurs and individuals on important matters affecting their businesses and personal wealth. Superior client service continues to be the cornerstone of our success. In fact, Phillips Lytle is included in the Top 100 of the BTI Client Service A-Team 2014 for recognition by FORTUNE 1000 in-house counsel for delivering superior client service.
Seyfarth Shaw LLP provides thoughtful, strategic, practical legal counsel to client companies and legal teams of all sizes. With more than 800 attorneys in the U.S., London, Shanghai, Melbourne and Sydney, we offer a national platform and an international gateway to serve your changing business and legal needs in litigation, employment, corporate, real estate and employee benefits. For more information, visit www.seyfarth.com/.
To become a sponsor, click here.
Robert F. Loughran is a Partner of Foster, LLP and is Board Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He has over 20 years of experience representing and advising Investors and Ultra High Net Worth individuals on U.S. and global immigration law. Mr. Loughran is nationally recognized as a leading EB-5 attorney and regularly advises developers on the formation of EB-5 Regional Centers. He has advised hundreds of individual investors on the EB-5 process and alternative immigration categories. Mr. Loughran has also successfully litigated to secure Removal of Conditional Status in Immigration Court for investors initially denied their final green cards by the Citizenship and Immigration Service. In 2014, Mr. Loughran was selected by Best Lawyers as Austin Immigration Law Lawyer of the Year by the The Best Lawyers in America, and he has been regularly designated as a Texas Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly and one of the Best Lawyers in America. Since 2005, Mr. Loughran has served as the Vice Chair for the State Bar Committee on Laws Relating to Immigration and Nationality. He was appointed to the Texas State Bar Standing Committee on Laws Relating to Immigration and Nationality, the American Immigration Lawyers Associations (AILAs) National Committee on Business Immigration, and the Texas Board of Legal Specialization Standards and Fitness Committee. From 2006 to 2008, Mr. Loughran was the American Immigration Lawyers Association Liaison to Vermont Service Center of Department of Homeland Security for H-1B issues. For several years prior to that, Mr. Loughran was the American Immigration Lawyers Association Liaison to San Antonio District Office of Department of Homeland Security. He is also a member of the Society for Human Resource Management Executive Relocation Council, the State Bar of Texas International Law Section, the Austin Bar Association, the British American Business Association, and the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers. Mr. Loughran is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas and the U.S. Court of Appeals (5th Circuit) regularly invited to speak and publish on Investor Immigration issues.
Sid Bhatt is a FINRA Registered Representative with NMS Capital Securities and Managing Director with NMS Capital Group LLC. He focuses his investment banking practice to raise capital for transactions that participate in the USCIS EB-5 programs through a global network of overseas migration agents and wealth advisors, attorneys and investment bankers. In addition to his position with NMS Capital, Sid is the founder of Carolina Global Regional Center an EB5 vehicle to enable overseas investments to create jobs in the United States. He also has a pending EB5 Regional Center for Washington, DC - Maryland geographies. Sid advises experienced developers in several mixed-use projects which include Flagged Hotels, Assisted Living Facilities ( ALF) and retail developments. Sid is also a Partner with the California based National Net Lease Company - NNNet Advisors, Inc. He is licensed in South Carolina and North Carolina but works on Net Lease deals across US, Canada and Asia. His clients consist of Individual Investors, REITS, UPREITS, Wealth Advisors, Family Trust and Asian Physician Networks that look for tax and wealth accumulation advantages. Sid began his commercial brokerage career in Myrtle Beach with Coldwell Banker Commercial, where he won awards for Top Listing and Sales Leader. He was awarded the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation in 2010 and he is among an elite group of just 9,000 professionals who hold the CCIM designation across North America and more than 30 countries. Sid worked for over 25 years in sales and marketing management with Hewlett Packard/Agilent Technologies. In the early 90s he participated in marketing initiatives for emerging markets of China, India, Korea and Latin America. He was also instrumental in implementing several corporate real estate projects across US and Canada for Agilent Technologies.
June Cheng, a native of China, June works closely with Chinese clients in U.S. immigration matters, including assisting Chinese investors in EB-5 investment-based immigration and serving Chinese companies in intra-company transfer visas. Leveraging Fredrikson's full range of services, June collaborates with attorneys in the Corporate, Tax and Employment Law Groups to help Chinese clients navigate the unfamiliar and complex legal issues involved in exploring the American market. June is also the primary attorney on global immigration matters, guiding U.S. companies and multinational corporations through complex and ever-changing immigration processes for their expatriate employees in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and South America. In addition, June works with scientists, researchers, entrepreneurs and artists to secure temporary O-1 work visas and lawful permanent residence. She also works with families that has separated or are facing separation to fight for family unity through waiver petitions.
Matt Gordon is a the Managing Director of E3 Investment Group. He is a finance professional whose vision and passion is to help realize extraordinary value through the flawless planning and execution of strategy, financings and transactions that foster aggressive sustainable growth. Mr. Gordon is a licensed attorney, having practiced law with some of the most prestigious Wall Street firms, including Fried Frank and Sullivan & Cromwell. He is a member of the New York State Bar and holds SEC securities licenses.
Rana Jazayerli is a Partner at Phillips Lytle LLP. She provides counsel on all areas of U.S. immigration law, with a focus on employment-based visas, counseling employers on a broad range of immigration matters, including the hiring of foreign nationals under temporary employment visa categories such as H-1Bs and L-1As. She also advises employers on proper I-9 form compliance and the use of the federal E-Verify employment authorization program. In addition, Ms. Jazayerli has extensive expertise in the EB-5 Immigrant Investor visa program, providing assistance to individuals seeking U.S. permanent residency through investment, and U.S. companies seeking EB-5 Regional Center designation to allow them to finance job creating projects.
Trevor Saliba is Chairman and CEO of NMS Capital Group including its affiliates and subsidiaries, NMS Capital Securities (Member FINRA/SIPC), NMS Capital Advisors (Member FINRA/SIPC/MSRB), NMS Capital Asset Management (SEC Registered Investment Advisor) and NMS Global Partners, which together form a global organization that provides Global Capital Advisory services providing investment banking, mergers and acquisitions, strategic advisory and consulting, private equity and asset management services to public and private clients through the world. Mr. Saliba leads a team of over thirty industry professionals across 10 offices globally with in-depth international mergers and acquisitions and capital markets experience in excess of $50 Billion in aggregate transactions. Prior to forming NMS Capital, Mr. Saliba was Managing Director-Asia Pacific (Hong Kong, India, Singapore) for Platinum Capital, Ltd., a London based hedge fund manager with over $800 million is assets under management based from the firms Los Angeles and Hong Kong offices. Mr. Saliba began his financial services industry career with Morgan Stanley in 1995. Mr. Saliba holds the following FINRA securities licenses; Series 7, Series 24 (Securities Principal), Series 63, Series 65 (Investment Advisor), Series 79 (Investment Banking) and Series 99. Mr. Saliba is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School Executive Program. In addition he holds a Bachelors and Masters degree from La Salle University.
Bill Stenger is President and CEO of Jay Peak Inc. located in Jay, Vermont. He has held that title since 1985. He was instrumental in the creation of the Vermont Regional Center in 1997. He is the General Partner in one of the largest EB-5 Regional Center Pilot Programs in the U.S. Mr. Stenger is widely respected in the Vermont business and education areas, having chaired numerous commissions and boards at the state and national levels. He is currently an economic advisor to Gov. Peter Shumlin and in 2011 was named Vermont Citizen of the Year by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. He is currently named Director of the Northeast Kingdom Economic Development Initiative. Mr. Stenger lives in Newport, Vermont, has been married to his wife Mary Jane for 44 years and has three grown children and 5 grandchildren.
Reid Thomas is the Executive Vice President at NES Financial, leading the company's sales and marketing organization. He brings over 20 years of executive management experience at both private and public companies, including Laszlo Systems, Octel Communications, and VINA Technologies. During his time with NES Financial, Mr. Thomas has been instrumental in the rapid growth of the company's EB-5 business, making NES Financial the leader in EB-5 by providing innovative solutions specifically built for the industry. Mr. Thomas' active participation in the EB-5 community has made him a frequent and sought after speaker at events and conferences across the country. He has written numerous articles, blogs, and white papers on the topics of escrow and fund administration, solidifying his position as an industry expert.
Christian Triantaphyllis is an attorney in Foster LLP's Houston office. He concentrates his practice on business immigration matters and is a member of the firm's EB-5 immigrant investor legal team. Mr. Triantaphyllis represents clients in the preparation and filing of immigrant investor petitions pertaining to proprietary investments and to investments through Regional Centers. Prior to joining Foster, Mr. Triantaphyllis clerked at an international law firm in New York, NY where he worked on a wide variety of global immigration issues. He also interned for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague. For two years Mr. Triantaphyllis served as a United States Peace Corps Volunteer in Malawi. He is the News Editor for the American Bar Association's Immigration Litigation Committee and is the author of several articles concerning international legal issues.
Gregory White is a Partner in the firms Corporate Practice Group. Mr. Whites practice focuses on the representation of corporations, private equity funds, venture capital firms, and corporations in financing, technology and M&A transactions.A substantial portion of Gregs practice includes high-tech and emerging growth companies in a number of industries, including software, telecommunications, data storage, mobile technology, medical technology and e-commerce. In addition to representing such companies in fundraising transactions, Gregs work for these clients includes representation in connection with corporate partnering, joint ventures and strategic alliances, as well as licensing, marketing, distribution, service, support, outsourcing, and other agreements.Mr. White has an extensive practice assisting venture capital and private equity funds in the capital formation and investment process and in connection with M&A transactions. His practice includes both start-up and public company work and he has extensive experience in the area of securities law practice and compliance. Mr. White is a frequent lecturer on various aspects of venture capital transactions and has authored articles and legal education publications on private equity transactions. Mr. White also serves, on behalf of the firm, in the capacity of general outside corporate legal counsel to a number of the firms clients and in such capacity advises the boards of directors of firm clients on corporate governance issues and the fiduciary principles applicable to board oversight, including consideration of disclosure issues, major transactions, legal disputes and other similar matters.
Steve Yale-Loehr is one of the nation's preeminent authorities on U.S. immigration and asylum law. A prolific scholar, he has written many law review articles, and is author or co-author of four standard reference works. He was -in-chief of The Cornell International Law Journal, and he co-authors a bimonthly column for The New York Law Journal. He is of counsel to the Ithaca firm of Miller Mayer. Upon receiving his Cornell J.D. cum laude, Prof. Yale-Loehr clerked for Chief Judge Howard G. Munson of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York. He is the 2001 recipient of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)'s Elmer Fried Award for Excellence in Teaching and the 2004 recipient of AILA's Edith Lowenstein Award for excellence in advancing the practice of immigration law.
AC Hotel Washington, DC at National Harbor
156 Waterfront Street
National Harbor, Maryland 20745
To reserve a room, call 301-749-2299
Or reserve online by clicking here.
Material included in the registration price is The EB-5 Book 2014-2015 Edition ($149 value).
ILW.COM is accredited CLE Provider in State of California and Texas. Attorneys admitted in AK, CO, FL, MT, ND, NJ, NY (some exclusions apply) and WV are able to obtain MCLE credits through reciprocity with State of California. For remaining states, which require MCLE but do not accept reciprocity with any other jurisdiction, Certificate of Attendance for obtaining a self-study credits is available. Please note, CT, DC, MA, MD, MI and SD do not require MCLE.
Here are some participants' testimonials from previous workshops:
"The full day format combined with high quality panelists allowed the opportunity to address many current topics in a meaningful way." - Daniel Dwyer
"I would highly recommend this Summit; it covers a broad range of issues in a comprehensive manner. Well done!" - Clem Turner
"Great way to get up to speed on issues and most players in industry." -John Neill
"The program is well worth the time for those seeking to understabd the pitfalls and challenges for EB-5 investors and developers." -Gordon Quan
"As director of the Vermont EB5 Regional Center, who previously worked in muni and corporate bond industry, as well as has series 66 and series 7, I questioned whether the program would be worth my time. It was well worth attending." - Brent Raymond
"Absolutely invaluable to those who are new in the practice of EB-5" - Rose Bautista, JD. Immigration Information Specialist, County of Hawaii, Office of the Mayor.
"It covers both basic & complex info - something that anyone interested in EB-5 should attend." - Katie Wu"Excellent comprehensive presentation that provided a perfect entree to the EB-5 Visa Category" - Mark Kalish
"Access to so many acclaimed professionals in the field at one time is well worth it." -Rani Emandi
"Great "Intro to EB-5" workshop. Get to hear from all parts of the EB-5 Industry." - Catharine Yen
"I think this would be useful to all people seeking investors from other countries." - William Howell
"Coming in with no prior legal, let alone EB-5, experience, I found the lectures very logically formed & easily accessible." - Khalid Raoof
"An essential conference to stay on the cutting edge of EB-5." - Boyd Campbell
"I like the format/organization of the topics presented during the workshop." - Pamela Toyos
Very positive and structured with an emphasis on cutting edge information." - Michael Harris
"A frank and informed foundation for dealing in the EB-5 visa world." - Art Williamson
"Excellent info on EB-5." - Mazher Shah-Khan
"The EB-5 discussions are essential and understanding new trends and USCIS recent policies which effect a successful EB-5 project." - Ed Beshara
"It teaches everything about EB-5 in a day. It was worth travelling from India to attend this workshop." -Sudhir Shah
"I learnt a lot. All the speakers are very knowledgable and articulate. The discussion is very lively and not boring at all."-Yee Ling Poon
"The EB-5 Workshop provides hands-on, practical knowledge straight from experienced stakeholders. Highly recommended." -Jesus Rios
Disclaimer: participation in this workshop does not create an attorney-client relationship with the speakers


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Publisher: Hatchette Australia
Source: Netgalley
Pages: 401
Release Date: January 31st, 2017
Series: Caraval #1
Genres: Family, Fantasy & Magic, Young Adult
Welcome to Caraval, where nothing is quite what it seems.
Scarlett has never left the tiny isle of Trisda, pining from afar for the wonder of Caraval, a once-a-year week-long performance where the audience participates in the show.
Caraval is Magic. Mystery. Adventure. And for Scarlett and her beloved sister Tella it represents freedom and an escape from their ruthless, abusive father.
When the sisters' long-awaited invitations to Caraval finally arrive, it seems their dreams have come true. But no sooner have they arrived than Tella vanishes, kidnapped by the show's mastermind organiser, Legend.
Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But nonetheless she quickly becomes enmeshed in a dangerous game of love, magic and heartbreak. And real or not, she must find Tella before the game is over, and her sister disappears forever.
Intimidating Hype
I was scared to start CARAVAL. Every book that gets a lot of hype is incredibly daunting because of that fear of "What if I don't like it?" There have been times where I've had high expectations as a result of overwhelming praise from book bloggers which the book couldn't meet and so I was left disappointed. Fortunately CARAVAL is a fantastic novel. It's easy to see why there is so much love for it, even if I wasn't as infatuated with it as most others (probably due to some high expectations)
Caraval reminds me of the Night Circus
(on steroids)
The main setting of CARAVAL is Caraval (what a surprise!), a week long festival of magical novelties and, if the participants so choose, a scavenger hunt. The atmosphere and stores, etc of Caraval itself reminded me a little of the Night Circus in terms of its magic and wonder, though Caraval is a hell of a lot more sinister and potentially deadly.
Sisters before misters
SO MANY SISTER FEELS!!! I can't remember the last time I read a book where sibling relationships were the core of the story and character motivations. Tella and Scarlett were so incredibly dedicated to one another. They truly love each other and everything they do is done with the goal of protecting or helping the other. As someone with two younger sisters I could definitely relate to it and it made me so very happy.
I was lost in the game
I really shouldn't have been surprised that I became lost in this book. In the first sitting I read 35% and would have read more if I didn't get tired. It's so easy to read and keep the pages turning. The plot is engaging and suspenseful, the setting intriguing, and the romance full of tension!
Never ending mind games
Caraval is just a game. Or is it? You're not always sure what is real and not real. This book plays games with your head as much as it plays with Scarlett. There are hints and foreshadowing every now and then, but I'm fairly certain I missed a tonne because so many things surprised me. It's going to take a couple of rereads to try and figure out all the clues (only to have my brain be thrown for a loop again when the sequel comes out!) Also THAT EPILOGUE
CARAVAL was an intimidating book to begin because there was so much hype surrounding its release. Fortunately, it is a case of well deserved hype! With a plot that plays games with your head, a romance filled with tension, and a pair of dedicated sisters giving me lots of feels, CARAVAL was incredibly enjoyable and easy to read. After that intriguing epilogue, I'm more than eager to get my hands on the sequel (so long to wait!).
I'd recommend CARAVAL to fans of books with dedicated sisters, scavenger hunts/ suspenseful games, and those looking for a light/ faster fantasy read.
|Rating Report


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A team of 20 determined cyclists have raised over £60,000 for The Myton Hospices by completing the charity's Malawi Cycle Challenge.
The fundraisers returned from the trip on October 12 after an exhausting week riding in temperatures of more than 40 degrees.
Among those cycling were Zoe Beresford and her partner Adam Chart who completed the route in memory of Zoe's dad Matthew who died at the Warwick Hospice on December 30 last year. The pair raised over £10,000 between them in memory of Matthew.
Also joining them was the charity's retail support manager Gary Bradbury.
Gary, who lives in Kenilworth, recently turned 60 and took part in the trip as part of his celebrations.
He said: "It was fantastic experience and one that I will never forget. It was very challenging but also very rewarding. To have raised over £60,000 for Myton is just incredible. We would like to thank everyone who supported us and helped us reach the total. It will make a real difference to our patients and those we look after."


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BHLDN Fascinates! Fascinator Hats
I would like to dedicate this blog to Management, for asking all the right questions:
Everyone knows what is happening Friday, April 29th. It is the Royal Wedding; and while we have not been under British rule for quite some time, that does not stop us from being fascinated with our prim cousins. Notably, there is a growing fascination with the Future Princess and her chic, clean style. She is often times found sporting a hat, as is the custom for the country. It appears that her ladylike style is rubbing off on her American cousins. The growing amusement with hats, particularly fascinators, among a younger demographics has become ever apparent.
A male colleague was intrigued and raised a question that none of the women in the room could answer: Why is it called a fascinator? We could only describe what one was but could not quite relay the origins of the term. If you know why it is called such then please tell me. A fascinator is an ornate headband which may contain netting, feathers, bows and other embellishments. The fascinator was generally worn in lieu of a hat and and dates to the 19th and 20th centuries.*
BHLDN has several incredibly beautiful and ostentatious fascinators. Though they are listed as headbands on the website, by definition , I believe they would fit the bill to be considered fascinators. The Magnolia Frame Headband, by Jane Tran is a big bronze flower. Constructed of nylon, cupro, and metal, the Magnolia Headband is handmade in USA and sales for
The Voluminous Silk Headband is a huge bloom of pale pink organza. The headband is also made in the USA by ban.do. It sales for $130.00.
Now getting into the wedding-wear. BHLDN offers two pieces that are worthy of a Royal Wedding. The Beauregard Headband is a little steep, but certainly worth it. At $550.00, Riche ostrich feathers and velvet ribbon are adorned atop a straw toque. Handmade in the USA by James Coviello'.
The Velvet Cocktail Hat is also a little steep at $495.00, but it is exquisite! Rolls of velvet ribbon are trimmed with netting and attached by a metal comb. Also James Coviello, the Velvet Cocktail Hat made in USA. That's what I am talking about, homegrown.
Because I have not received my invitation, I will watch the wedding home, cum chapeau, of course. (Smile!)
Until tomorrow,
3 Responses to "BHLDN Fascinates! Fascinator Hats"
The coverage on the fascinator was appropriate considering The Royal Wedding, but it would have been more interesting if there was something like a compare and contrast of Royal Style and Classic American Church Lady Style which included similarities between the two.
Those hats are so neat. There are some cool pictures from the wedding of girls wearing hats even stranger than those! They are interesting, but id don't have the gut to wear one 😉
@Abornewords Thanks for your comments. Church style hats are the bomb too.
@carrie. Thanks for reading this blog and your comments. I don't think it is my style, but I sure want to try one!
Leave a Reply


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Most summers, we spend almost every weekend at Sylvan Lake at our family cabin. This year, we decided to head out to the West Coast, and we rented a house on Salt Spring Island. It had been 10 years since Mike and I had been out to the coast, and the first time on Salt Spring for both of us.
The house we rented was AMAZING. Way more room than we needed, a hot tub and 2 bedrooms that overlooked the ocean, an old claw foot bathtub…and wifi. What else does a girl need?!?! It was the kind of vacation that nothing could ever compare to, so we'll probably spend forever trying, or just rent the same place again. Although I wasn't a fan of the drive (especially the Coquihalla at night…in the rain…as the passenger) and I'm not sure it will be an every year kind of vacation. Unless we fly.
Here's some pics!
BC or Bust! So grateful Charlie is an awesome traveller!
My little Camera Camp grad – she's quite the little Photog. We spent a day in Vancouver on the way there, and visited Stanley park, the Aquarium & Granville Island.
The kids & I on the Ferry, and the kids & I with RAFFI! We were on the Island for 10 minutes before I met RAFFI! I introduced myself as a Beluga Grad. #Nerd #HugeNerd
The views from the house. Ahhhhh-mazing!
We did a huge hike up Mt. Erskine. Oh, and we don't hike, so this was a HUGE feat. The view form the top was spectacular.
Mike caught a fish on his first cast into the Ocean. #sizedoesntmatter
Abby's holding a Sunflower Star Fish, that was found right in front of the house.
The amount of Star Fish right on our shore was incredible. Charlie was quite the little Star Fish Farmer!
Salt Spring has these awesome painted pianos everywhere. The kids loved it.
Charlie catching crabs in his 'Crabby' shirt. He'd call the bigger ones 'Pinchers', but pronounced it like 'Pincers'. He'd yell up from the beach, "I got a PINCER here!"
A pic from the pool in Kamloops where we spent a night on the way home, and some pics from Moraine Lake where we did the tourist thing when we needed to stretch our legs.


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Individualized Learning
There are many ways for a student to individualize their learning experience at CHRHS.
Find out more about how to...
- Accelerate beyond the normal scope and sequence of core courses, including the Gifted and Talented program.
- Enroll in Zenith, our alternative education program.
- Pursue an independent or directed study with a faculty advisor. Link to the Independent or Directed Study Application (you will need to be logged in with your school email to access the application).
- Receive support through a Directed Study Hall.
- Pursue career and technical education through Mid-Coast School of Technology.
- Travel or Study Abroad.
- Take a Dual-Enrollment course.
- Make plans for a School-to-Career transition.
- Receive credit for Work-Study arrangements.
- Take an approved Online course or an AP4All course for credit.
To learn about these and other options, contact the Counseling Department.


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Join us on October 6, 2018 for a One Day Mission Opportunity
Sponsored by Arkansas Baptists State Convention
Poinsett County
Trinity Association NE Arkansas
Kick-off meeting will be held at Trumann High School Football Field
Cost$ 10 per person
All participants under age 18 must have the Minor Permission Form filled out and returned.
Children Ages 7 and under are FREE.
Children Ages 12 and under must be accompanied by their parent/guardian and work on the same team.
Youth ages 13 to 17 must have one adult sponsor per 4 youth & at least one adult must serve with each youth team.


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UPDATE: IF you have a moment, check out this article from the New York Times; yea, I know, The Times, but the turns and twists this guy takes, are interesting, and as he himself (seems to be) fully aware of his tight-rope balance, makes it an interesting article for those of us, like myself, who have come to abhor "identity politics."
the October Revolution which took place October 25, 1917) is going to be at least mildly anti-socialist because no one wants to live in such paranoia:
This is quite an impressive cast, and I am thrilled to see Rupert Friend (Agent 47 in Hitman: Agent 47) as Stalin's son, and Penny Dreadful fans may have spotted Simon Russell Beale who portrayed the aesthete Ferdinand Lyle (and portrays Beria in The Death Of Stalin). Steve Buscemi, who is good in whatever he does--is there a better compliment for an actor?--portrays Khrushchev, Michael Palin is Molotov. It will be interesting to see if the film takes the path of assassination by Beria and Khrushchev (for fear of being swept away in Stalin's most recent purge of Party members) or if it takes the path that he died from stroke and other conditions caused by stress. Anyway, I'm looking forward to it and think it will be interesting. And we have a new trailer for The Kingsmen:
Remember, Julianne Moore's character, Poppy, is the leader of the world's largest drug cartel, and in order to continue selling drugs, she kills off the Kingsmen. Also note that Mark Strong's character (Blackwood in Sherlock Holmes and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy) is named Merlin, providing us with yet another link to the legend of King Arthur; why? Because Arthur still means something today, and those wanting to embrace nationality and masculinity are ones calling to mind the greatness of Arthur and his court. Last but not least is a new trailer/clip for It which looks terrifying.
We will do a detailed post on It before it comes out, I just need a bit more material; I have a theory, but I don't have much proof for it. Since Blade Runner 2049 comes out this year, a Final Cut version of the original Ridley Scott Blade Runner has been released in anticipation of the sequel. That would probably be the version to watch, rather than the theatrical version; I don't say that often,... okay, I never say that at all, because the theatrical version is the one (the most) people are going to be able to relate to and call upon for a frame of reference (so, if there is a scene in Blade Runner 2049, for example, which utilizes information from the Final Cut version, how many people will be able to get it?) however, I think Blade Runner 2049 will be different; why? Scott likes debate about his films, and I can absolutely see him putting in references for Blade Runner 2049 that weren't in the theatrical version of Blade Runner so a few elite film critics can say, "Ah, I have the Final Cut, and this scene no one understands regards this extra footage interview only available on Final Cut version." I will also (promise) get a detailed post of Blade Runner up before Blade Runner 2049 comes out.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. They are going to take Grandma off life support Sunday night at 10 pm and I am utterly heart-broken. Thank you for your prayers, for her and us.
God bless!
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. They are going to take Grandma off life support Sunday night at 10 pm and I am utterly heart-broken. Thank you for your prayers, for her and us.
God bless!


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Living in Australia in this day and age, food seems to be as hot as the sun. People just cannot get enough of it because hey, it makes our Instagram feeds look better. New health foods and diets are becoming an increasingly popular discussion topics in the media realm because all these "new and exciting" foods that seem to be appearing. Well actually, they have been around for ever in other parts of the world, usually in poorer and more tropical parts. Parts where these foods have no problem growing, and are in fact a huge staple in these places. Govinnage (2014) explains how the superfood Coconut oil has been used for centuries in Asia and the Pacific Islands. But now since these Superfoods such as Quinoa, Chia, Goji, Kale etc have hit the media attention, not only has the consumption of these foods become somewhat of a religion but a lot of these poorer countries cannot keep up with the demand and has caused problems. Just take a look at Pete Evans and Daniel Churchill (who was an ex Masterchef contestant). These personalities entered the media realm through a different medium other than food, but then seemed to use this as a stepping stone into a sector that they may be passionate about, but not so qualified. Everyone has their own vision of 'perfect health', and most of us work towards it even if it isn't an easy path however, these personalities also have their own views on 'perfect health' but due to money, fame and a different set of ideologies, they see it as an opportunity to make money while at the same time, boosting their own profile.
With this sudden wave of Super-healthy-eating information through most of our media outlets, there are even new eating disorders arising. Orthorexia is the newest eating disorder that involves restricting foods that are insufficiently clean, healthy or wholesome instead of the traditional eating disorder Anorexia Nervosa which is simply the restriction of food intake altogether. This means that Orthorexia is a much more hidden disorder because the trend to "eat clean" gives the impression that you are being as healthy as possible. It really involves being obsessive and compulsive with the foods that the person chooses to eat. Often a diet or fad that is highly unsustainable. Barclay explains how a woman developed this disorder by doing body "cleanses":- "She began doing juice cleanses, cutting out solid food entirely. At first, it was three-day cleanses, then 10-day, then 30-day. The restricted diet began to take its toll. Jordan began experiencing skin problems, then her hair began falling out and she stopped getting her period. Starved for nutrients, her body was shutting down."
The media is overflowing with information on "the latest superfood" or "the food that will stop cancer" or "the diet that will make you look 10 years younger". There is just simply too much information with too many opinions on "what works" because there is little scientific evidence. In fact, social media platforms such as Instagram are only going to make the prevalence of diseases such as Orthorexia worse, because with all these "foodie trends" such as #cleaneating creating a religion of eating an incredibly restrictive diet. I can only see this cult-like healthy eating behaviour to lead to many more disorders being diagnosed in the future.
Govinnage, S 2014 "Coconut oil, teff and quinoa: increased 'superfoods' demand hits the south in the guts", The Guardian, September 24
Barclay, S 2015 "Orthorexia: The New Eating Disorder You've Never Heard Of", Healthline, February 24
Taylor, L 2015 "Health experts slam Pete Evans' 'irresponsible' paleo cookbook for kids", SBS, March 12


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|Galanthus nivalis and Podocarpus Young Rusty
Gardening in Edinburgh, Scotland - a keen beginner gardener! Started to plant out my garden in March 2011. I've had successes and failures. I like to think I'm learning more as each season comes and goes. Most of all thank you for visiting - I hope you like it here!
Tuesday, 2 February 2016
Wordless Wednesday - Spring in a shot glass
13 comments:
Nice! Great idea--I might have to borrow it when my Snowdrops start blooming. :)ReplyDelete
Beautiful background for the snowdrops!ReplyDelete
Envy. I can't get snowdrops to grow in my garden!ReplyDelete
Incidentally, you might like to know I'm relaxing back a bit on the gardening side of my blogging and taking a break for the sake of Science Fiction. In case you are interested, it has a new blog to itself - Esther and the Time Machine. This is its URL http://estherandthetimemachine.blogspot.co.uk/
Hope you are enjoying 2016.
Esther Montgomery
Very pretty, Angie! You should join the "In a Vase on Monday" crowd.ReplyDelete
Good colour combo Angie, who drank the shot and what would it have been?ReplyDelete
Such tender and amazing flowers, Angie!ReplyDelete
- Anonymous4 February 2016 at 15:51
Small but perfectly formed!ReplyDelete
The snowdrops look particularly perfect if they have been out in the awful weather we have had lately...
All the best :)
Just lovely :o)ReplyDelete
Gorgeous, not much happening here on the snowdrop front :)ReplyDelete
Lovely, the Podocarpus set the snowdrops off beautifully.ReplyDelete
Lovely drops :)ReplyDelete
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