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Dharma or (Destiny): Our true place in the cosmic process. Desire: The true meaning - "of or guided by the (sire) stars".
What is Desire? Have you ever experienced the rush of desire; that feeling of passion for someone or something you cannot wait to wake up to or that experience that brings you joy? The healthy exuberance of creative possibility, or the excitement of the artistic unknown: a life that's self-actualized by your own design is attainable, if you're in tune with your dharma, destiny or calling. Have you wondered why some people make what seems so out of reach, so undeniably effortless? The answer: Unwavering Belief + Desire. They're not seeking outside approval, nor do they spend time scrutinizing the actions of others; so steadfast about what they desire, they're unrelenting at setting their own bar, bunkering down and staying their course.
Co-creating a life you take pride in, is to be willing and open to the potential for possibility or failure, but in the inherent knowing that your power lies deep within. It's all there and always has been. To seek external approval is as to deem ourselves unworthy and undeserving. It is the furthest point from "the divine", that we can be. It can automatically throw walls up for failure. The onus and responsibility to guide our own course, is on us and only us. To do right by ourselves not only betters us, but betters society as a whole and solidifies the concept of self-sustainability and interconnectedness.
To follow our heart's desire, hold every encounter every experience with reverence, as it is our dharma or cosmic blueprint; that demonstration of faith and strength sometimes shows itself, in the unknown. It too, can even be in the uncertainty that a shred of proof exists. We have the potential to become the co-creators and Rembrandts of our lives.
You can do this. I PROMISE.
"We can either watch life from the sidelines OR ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE…. Either we let SELF-DOUBT and FEELINGS OF INADEQUACY prevent us from realizing our potential, or embrace the fact that when we turn our attention away from ourselves, OUR POTENTIAL IS LIMITLESS." ~Christopher Reeve
What led me to here.
Picture this: The scene, circa mid 1990's, Donna Karan suit, Joan + David loafers. Hair: executive blonde with a Jennifer Aniston, sort-of-blowout. I once negotiated my salary with a C.E.O. on a paper napkin… priceless.
6 a.m., toxic aftershave, coma-induced flight to JFK. Swank digs in Manhattan at the Soho Grand Hotel (or) flight to Philly, town car to Wilmington, luscious suite at the Hotel DuPont. Week long, brand strategy marketing meetings with global directors and their teams. I organized + conducted futuristic "think tanks". Not to mention the three hour, mind numbing "get it done", conference calls that doubled as house cleaning sessions - thanks to the home office. Add a high octane diet coke chugging, micro-managing boss, who lived on no sleep – with a new born baby no less, you get the picture. Clawing and scraping for the rush of accolades + kudos… pure ego.
I got great at pushing paper, generating quantitative and qualitative reports that more than likely, no one ever read. I got good at justifying my corporate existence. Email after email, meeting after meeting. Five years later, I jumped ship, just two years before the S.S. Corporate Titanic sank. The positions that were created were dissolved. Non-sustaining business practices as usual: old school ideologies in this case, did not stand the test of time.
That said, we do, what we gotta do. I knew this job would not last forever or at least, I wouldn't. I was certain that I'd learn alot about what I did or didn't like within the confines in which I'd thrive. So I sucked it up, and milked that job like it was the career from heaven above; treating it like the Harvard Business School education that I never had. I was exposed to an evironment of working with top executives, professional athletes, inventors and thought leaders for Fortune 500 companies. The hours ranged from 60 to 80 hours a week, (I had a toddler), and I was paid handsomely for my absence.
The big upside: I learned a lot about myself in that; unless I could see the direct value correlate to the end result it meant nothing to me, utterly and thoroughly, soul-less. It taught me to think longer range, bigger picture, grow thicker skin and shoot straight from the hip.
To repurpose your blood + sweat, knowing at the end of the day, that lessons are learned, you'll remain unscathed and all the approval you sought or thought you sorely needed, was always or never there; that in itself, got me to here. And for that, I'm eternally grateful.
A message of hope: for you late bloomers.
I've had a high school student ask me, "How do I explain to my parents, that I want to be a dancer, when they want me to be a doctor?" Why on earth do we talk ourselves or the people we love, out of doing what it is they're meant to do?
Life as a gift, offers you the option to quest for your "higher self". You should be unapologetically relentless in your pursuit, without convoluting the idea of who you think you are, or what you should be doing. External influence plays a monumental role in self-deprecating; the way we limit our aspirations or measure our sites based on what everyone else is doing, as though all the answers are outside of us. Need for permission from someone or something rather than owning our gut instinct, is a dishonoring of our capabilities and the desire for more that nourishes us.
Our "smaller self" is inundated with the day in day out, trivial stuff that long term, is of no consequence. It's how we're wired. Better to go the easy route, guaranteeing we won't fail. God forbid we venture outside the lines and play it too risky. The fear factor of being too blazing, or too amazing, scares the hell out of people. That light bulb moment will happen toward the last third of our life…if we're conscious, it's our queue to break out.
Learning to trust our first instinct is a gift and a skill. By quieting thoughts and listening to your heart, your capabilities are limitless. This is the mechanism by which dreams come to fruition ~ your inner wisdom, will never steer you wrong.
Build a matrix that cradles your growth.
Live Multi-Dimensionally + Spherically.
right now: You have permission to be your most resilient, vulnerable, most powerful and courageous self. To live a life of abundance full of love, laughter and success on your terms whatever that may be in whatever way, shape or form you see fit. You are in the driver's seat. The trick is to never, ever look back.
Loving testaments, dedicated to you {my soul-drenched friends}.
"Deep involvement is the key to any relationship." Mary Abi Nader, Creative Consultant.
What if? things you thought you knew to be true, were untruths.
What if? self-banter you claimed as yours was unknowingly, non-consensual stifling your ascension. False beliefs, often times, are bestowed upon us through intrinsic inheritance. Sometimes even passed down generationally. The negative fodder we willingly or consciously succumb to, was never ours to acquire. What do you believe? What's your emotionally and spiritually inequitable story? That "stuff" seeps into all areas of our daily existence.
Take ownership, self proclaim. Deem yourself worthy, surrender to your power… create unchallenged, holistic attachments by lifting the veil that obscures your vision.
How do you want to feel? Exuberant, Lavish, Soul-drenched? Pivot your story. Love trumps all; Love requires a deep commitment, a relationship of personal involvement. You are your most treasured commodity.
Make the radical, habitual choice; turn your love inward.
Be the Love of Your Life. The very essence of what you radiate will magnetically draw and cultivate all goodness to life. It's undeniably what you're worthy of and the very reason for your existence. It's waiting to lay claim.
A Balancing Act.
Powerful words when we're striving to be all that we can be. In the millennium of social media, reality television, virtual networking and "hyper connectivity," the realness of what's real becomes falsely muddled.
In spite of all that we're conceiving and creating, there's tendency at our worst, to squander the best of us; this habitual activity can incite loss of physical and emotional traction. I say this after "missing" 10 o'clock yoga, then noon and now I'm re-thinking yoga all together.....
Well, there's always tomorrow.
regaining equilibrium:
: Avoid feelings of spiritual exile by reaching out face to face, in real time, with those people that sustain you. The exchange can be grounding + rooting.
: Strengthen a relationship by calling a friend or family member and spend the time, you may otherwise not have. Renew a sense of belonging + connectivity.
: Stay at home over a weekend; rest, cook meals, read. Forget schedules...experience liberation + sanctity.
: Spend time in solitude conceptualizing life, career or creative pastimes that you can potentially share with trusted friends or colleagues. This deliberate act will lend itself, to a life full of intent and worth: igniting organic creativity.
Being enough is about balance. It's about being your own vessel, but knowing when to dive right in and swim with the fishes.
The act of inducing someone to believe something. Preferably, without force.
Persuasion is one part preconceived self actualization as in, "I know when I pitch this idea, I will blow the C.E.O out of the water!" The other key components: belief + unfaltering faith.
In business and entrepreneurial endeavor, persuasion is a formulaic blend of both strategic and tactical action. Persuasion, in its purest form, is best when delivered with simplistic integrity and inspiration.
The gift of swaying people with a thought, view, sentiment, opinion, product or service can be learned, but if it doesn't come naturally, it requires practice and repetition. Only then will it become inherently, authentically yours.
1. Know your audience.
2. Know your product.
3. Practice a seamless pitch i.e.; "inspired delivery", include "the why".
4. Believe in your brand. Emphasize aspirational + tangible value and benefits.
5. Visualize the desired result, as if it's so.
6. Get comfortable with "the ask": cement a clear understanding of your path forward.
This is a moment to be savored; a culmination of your history and hard work, failure and success, it waits patiently to be unveiled. This is the {your} time... right here, right now.
"The purpose of life, after all, is to love it, to taste experience to the utmost, reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience". Eleanor Roosevelt
"Knowing your craft really well, allows room for improvisation." Zoë Keating
Creation, like art + life is a mixture of perfection and imperfection. In that space or moment, the beauty lies between the perfect and imperfect.
The melding of deliberate composition + impromptu improvisation has the ability to break down creative barriers which may otherwise in their delivery, been received as contrived or inorganic.
Case in point: Meet Avant Cellist + Entrepreneur, Zoë Keating. Today, I had the pleasure of meeting Zoë on the set of another episode of Chase Jarvis Live .
The accomplished and groundbreaking artist :: musician has mastered the ability to market directly to her fans, without a record label. This not only is a testament to Zoë's talent + business savvy, but the bold power of creativity and ingenuity that can translate to all aspects of our endeavors.
Take Your Head Where Your Heart Wants To Go.
Make time to waste time.
Today more than ever, being results driven is hailed. Proficiently multi-tasking can leave us with a false sense of accomplishment. The daily list of "priorities" that we plow through creates a tendency to stifle imagination. Believe me, I know this firsthand.
So what do you do? Stop.
Do absolutely… nothing. Just be.
Allow inspiration + imagination to organically present itself. Through quiet reflection, being in nature, spending time with friends or observing someone push past fear + bravely move beyond their personal limits… the simplicity can be palate cleansing. Just the stuff required to clear the slate and become your launchpad.
The key to revolutionary ideas:
Contemplate your imagination, tap into your "higher self." Ideas will flood in, swirl, cross-pollinate + the dots will connect effortlessly.
The "higher self" is infinitely wise and transcends your everyday consciousness. It's the gateway to creativity and holds the true purpose to your existence.
I am thrilled to introduce author/writer + speaker: Jonah Lehrer. Jonah has a fascination with the frontal cortex of the brain. He's also published a new book entitled "Imagine". I think you'll love it.
Project: You. Radical * Soul * Love
Become more of who you are. Find that sweet spot, where you morph from good to extraordinary. Digging deep takes courage + healthy risk: the willingness to travel outside your comfort zone, to uncharted territory, a destination you've only imagined in your mind's eye; a place where you shine with pride, strength, brilliance and inspiration.
Entrepreneurs + Business Leaders: Learn to identify, summon + leverage opportunity with laser sharp focus, because timing is everything… you'll do what you love.
Self-Image + Self-Esteem: Get clear and unload your "baggage". Break down barriers that block your inward vision. Learn to love the real you, stifle your inner critique; establish an innate price tag on your value and worth.
Re-establish a solid relationship with yourself and those around you: As you peel back the layers, you'll attract what you align with; {your true core + authentic self} and have a whole lot more you, to offer up.
Learn to trust your first thought, your "gut" instinct. Brilliant quote by author Natalie Goldberg: "First thoughts have tremendous energy. The internal censor usually squelches them, so we live in the realm of second and third thoughts, thoughts on thoughts, twice and three times removed from the direct connection of the first fresh flash."
The game plan: Offering a mélange of integrative modalities + the gift of grounded, practical intuition, designed to coax your creativity and help actualize your bigger picture, no matter your age.
Unearth your higher self… Project: You. Radical. Soulful. Lovely.
Contact Me: (Your Coach + Personal Guide.)
Drawing by Student + Artist Riley Gish.
With Gratitude,
:: on sustainability, interdependence + not being your own island.
"You don't know where you're going, until you know where you're from." Aunt Wendy, Bailey-Wilson 'Ohana (family) Reunion.
"I am because we are." Translation: The African word, Ubuntu.
In Western European culture for the most part, we are groomed to go out into the world, with the intent of staking our claim. We are told that once we're of a certain age, we should pursue higher education, seek a high paying career, move away from family and be the pioneers of our personal success. The idea that it's critical for growth, maturity and the harnessing of autonomy is in part, true. At times, the downside of this ideal is the degradation of emotional stability and severing of the core foundation that a family may have intended to build.
I know firsthand, how that scenario can play out. I left home at seventeen, moved back home at eighteen and married at nineteen. Divorced at twenty-one, I moved away from my family in Alaska, back to my birth state of Washington. Prior to my move, my parents were also struggling with divorce; I felt there was no emotional space for me, so I made the decision that moving would be my best option, my only option.
In the first few years of "my independence", many times I struggled and lost my footing; encountered loneliness and uncertainty, financial hardship, personal crisis and craved emotional nourishment, all in the name of independence and success. Without guidance or mentoring, I mastered the ability to think quickly on my feet. As a graduate of the University of Street Smarts, I mastered the skill of making slapstick decisions as a survivalist would in the wild, based on dire need, not on my heart's desire. Many may argue that it was character building; in reflection as a woman and as a parent, I call bullshit. To the friends that offered me payday loans, fed me, offered temporary transportation and helped cover my rent, thank you. I have never forgotten you.
The notion that I was on a voyage of personal success, emotionally sound, with a fine-tuned navigational system was a lie: truth was, I was drowning. I lacked spiritual strength, a stable foundation and a sense of myself; I had not a clue as to who I was.
A pivotal experience.
Last summer, my family and I joined one hundred of my relatives for our family reunion on the island of O'ahu, in the town of Laie. At the time, it was exactly what I needed. There is a unique pulse to the Hawaiian culture, as with many indigenous tribes; a reverence for elders, an honoring of ancestry and a collective bonding that I'd never before experienced. For the first time, I felt a part of something much larger than myself. Metaphorically I grew roots; I had a clearer vision of my future, through the stories of my past.
In this world of technology, it's far too easy to sequester ourselves as if we're off basking on our own island. We're not impervious in our desire and need for connection, or our longing for a sense of belonging.
Interdependence takes the willingness to go beyond ourselves, as we are a continuum of one another. Our emotional strength and social survival rely upon it. Only then will we as individuals thrive.
Who are you?
If uncertain, I strongly urge you to explore where you're from. Everything you've thought to be true of yourself may just fall away. That cathartic experience quite possibly, could reinterpret the course of your life.
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Ashley Olsen & Hayden Slater Dating? Holding Hands, A Romantic Hike & More Evidence
Ashley Olsen was spotted three times in one week cozying up with hot entrepreneur Hayden Slater, and they were totally into each other! Are they about to go public with a new relationship?
How cute are these two? Hayden Slater posted a photo of himself with Ashley Olsen, 30, at an engagement party with family and friends on October 15. The pic also featured Ashley's twin sister, Mary-Kate Olsen, 30, and her husband, Olivier Sarkozy, 47, and it appeared that the groom was related to Hayden. But despite this being a family affair, it was clear that Hayden had brought Ashley to the party as his date; they were holding hands tightly in the photo!
The following day, October 16, Ashley and Hayden were together again, spotted running errands in Los Angeles. The usually solemn fashion designer had a huge grin on her face, so she must have been having a lot of fun with Hayden, the founder of Pressed Juicery and The Chalkboard Mag.
They took their date to a third day, when they were spotted hiking with a dog (hers? his? theirs?) on Monday, October 17. They're comfortable enough with each other to get totally schlubby in the great outdoors. Ashley was wearing oversized grey gym sweats, a huge sweatshirt, and a flannel shirt. It was definitely a departure from her infamous $39,000 alligator backpack design for The Row!
Elizabeth Olsen — Pics Of Mary-Kate & Ashley's Younger Sister
It was nice seeing Ashley so happy and carefree. She and her sister have had a rough time dealing with the backlash from the premiere of Fuller House, the revival of their classic 90s sitcom. They were the only cast members who didn't want to return to the series, and they got mercilessly slammed for the decision, even by their former TV family! Ashley and Mary-Kate took it all in stride, and they've clearly moved on with their lives!
HollywoodLifers, do you think Ashley and Hayden make a cute couple? Tell us in the comments!

subset: commoncrawl


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Detective Comics #871
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artists: Jock & Francesco Francavilla
Colors: David Baron & Francesco Francavilla
Letters: Jared K. Fletcher
$3.99 / 40 pages / DC Comics
I've been waiting for this one since July, and normally, I'd be worried that the final product couldn't live up to the expectations I've set for it. But in this case, I just wasn't. We've all heard from Scott Snyder on how excited he was for this title, and his work on American Vampire has given me no reason to doubt he wasn't up for it. On the art side of things, I couldn't be happier with Jock as the regular artist, and Francesco Francavilla on co-feature art duty. Previously, I'd been lapping up Greg Rucka's Detective Comics work with a spoon, and dropped off as soon as he left the title. But this is how you get me back.
So, what did I think?
Detective Comics #871 delivered on every single promise made, and then some. The best thing about the current Batman era, in my view, is the ascendancy of Dick Grayson as Gotham's Batman. Snyder continues that here. It's Grayson's book. But unlike the stories over in Batman and Robin, the only other Batman book I'd been reading, this is a good old fashioned detective story, which is obviously appropriate to the title. Right off, it's clear that Snyder knows Grayson very well. From his nickname for Alfred, to a great moment on the roof with Jim Gordon, we're getting a Dick Grayson story. He's entirely competent, but he's not Bruce Wayne, and I'm completely OK with that. There's none of that grim stoicism of Wayne, and even though Dick is clearly playing the part while in the cowl, he's his own man; his own bat, as it were.
The story concerns a rash of outdated supervillain tech, potions, and gadgets hitting the street and causing crimes all around Gotham when it falls into the hands of the wrong people. Dick tracks down the source, in his own way, and finds that the case goes deeper and deeper with each new lead. We don't know who's behind it yet, but like his mentor, Grayson isn't going to let them get away with it. There's also something going on with birds.
Jock has been my favorite sequential artist for a while, and while I'm not one of those readers who needs to see an artist do a big superhero book to prove their worth, there's no doubt he fits right in here. I've learned, much to my chagrin, that Jock's style is not for everyone, but looking at these pages, it's hard to think how readers could not be impressed with the mood he's set for this Gotham City. He does a fantastic spooky Batman, and uses every bit of black in that cape to his advantage. The cowl looks like actual cloth wrapped around someone's head. At the same time, the action sequences are dynamic and exciting. If everything Jock drew took place in a rainstorm at night, we'd never get sick of it. Jock even gets a chance at a comedy moment with the introduction of the fingertip "Bat-Taser". He was hitting on every single level, and the work was elevated by the colors of David Baron who kept the palates sparse and eery. Some pages are green, others are red. When they rip all that away, and leave you with an empty white background, the visual punches you in the face like an exclamation point to the eyes. I could look at these pages all night.
If all that weren't enough, Francesco Francavilla came along batting clean-up with an equally stunning set of pages for Snyder's Commissioner Gordon co-feature. The story brings back a character I haven't thought about since I read Batman: Year One, and I made the same face Jim Gordon did when I realized what I was looking at. With Francavilla, we're seeing a guy bring the total package. He's drawing, inking, and coloring himself, and he killed on this. I've seen and admired Francavilla's pinups for a while, but the inky shadows and acting in this story have me chomping at the bit for the next installment. When was the last time you said that about a backup story?
There are a lot of things that can be done with a Batman comic book. As we've seen throughout the years, almost everything has been done. What Snyder, Jock, Francavilla, and company are delivering here is some street level, grounded detective stories, focusing on the characters, and who they really are. I was 100% satisfied, and can't get the next issue of Detective Comics in my hands soon enough.
Story – 5 / Art – 5 / Overall – 5
(Out of 5)


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|By Admin1 (admin) (18.104.22.168) on Monday, November 22, 2010 - 7:02 pm: Edit Post
Peace Corps volunteer Jaclyn Schaap spent 2 years with a polygamous family in Swaziland
"Being in a polygamous family was very interesting and new to me. I learnt so much and I must say I've come to have respect for Swazi traditional polygamy," she said. There were three wives in the family. She also discovered that the third woman used to be a wife to a brother of her current husband. Describing her first year with the family, Schaap said: "At first there was bit of culture shock but as time went on I blended in well. I remember being given cooked chicken feet (tintwane) to eat. I tried very hard to enjoy them, although it was a strange thing for me." Since she was in a polygamous family, there were about 20 children and they all made her feel welcome and taught her more of the Swazi language.
Peace Corps volunteer Jaclyn Schaap spent 2 years with a polygamous family in Swaziland
Peace Corps volunteer's 2 yrs with polygamous family
By MUSA SIMELANE on October 17,2010
MBABANE – She left the comfort of her home and travelled thousands of kilometres to Swaziland just so she could experience the harsh life of rural areas for two years.
Jaclyn Schaap from the United States of America had an idea what she was getting herself into, for she had joined the Peace Corps.
Although she kept an open mind, nothing could have prepared her for traditional Swazi food like Ligusha (okra), and also using the pit-latrine. She never really got used to the texture of the okra, nor the flies buzzing in the pit-latrine.
Schaap (25) lived with a certain polygamous Sibandze family in New Heaven in Hlathikhulu, Shiselweni region. Like all Peace Corps volunteers who live with a Swazi family, she was given a native name, hers was Sihle Sibandze. She lived there from 2008 to 2009.
"Being in a polygamous family was very interesting and new to me. I learnt so much and I must say I've come to have respect for Swazi traditional polygamy," she said.
There were three wives in the family.
She also discovered that the third woman used to be a wife to a brother of her current husband.
Describing her first year with the family, Schaap said: "At first there was bit of culture shock but as time went on I blended in well. I remember being given cooked chicken feet (tintwane) to eat. I tried very hard to enjoy them, although it was a strange thing for me."
Since she was in a polygamous family, there were about 20 children and they all made her feel welcome and taught her more of the Swazi language. Schaap got used to the typical Swazi diet of porridge and beans and also liked soft porridge (incwancwa).
She did not live with the Sibandzes just for the fun of it; she had a mission, which was to teach about HIV and AIDS. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work and Spanish obtained from the University of Siouxfalls in the Iowa State.
"I worked at New Heaven High School as an English teacher. I once organised a letter exchange between my pupils and those from America. The purpose was to learn about each other's cultures and talk about HIV issues."
"We did listening comprehension and also made costumes to do a short play about HIV and looking after oneself," explained Schaap.
What she found particularly odd was that some of her pupils were her age or almost. Even so, the whole school was nice to her.
At home with the Sibandzes she became very close to Thobile whom she spent lots of time with. She taught Schaap how to cook Swazi food, carrying a water bucket on her head and also tidying up the home among other things. She became comfortable enough to take a bus alone to Nhlangano town, something she thoroughly enjoyed.
Schaap's best memory with the Sibandzes was being with Thobile through her pregnancy and then becoming one of the first people to hold her newborn. To see the child grow over the months was exciting.
She also attended the Reed Dance and Incwala ceremonies. She added: "One time I also met the King's wife Inkhosikati LaMatsebula and had tea with her."
The Inkhosikati is the Patron of Peace Corps in Swaziland.
Thobile, in an interview, said living with Schaap was an unforgettable experience.
She said the children loved her, more so because she bought sweets and other nice things for them.
"At first we were scared of her, being a white woman and all that. But we got used to her and enjoyed her stay with us. I recall she never got used to eating chicken insides (offal)," said Thobile.
Meanwhile, Schaap's volunteer colleague Kimberly Johnson was placed with a Tsabedze family in Malindza, Lubombo region. Her name was Nolwazi Tsabedze.
Johnson (26) was not doing badly at all with her family in Malindza. She said they made her feel comfortable and welcome. She said Swazis were very hospitable people.
"I enjoyed working at the KaGogo Centre convening meetings and discussing many issues facing the community. I even weeded the fields," she said.
Before Johnson joined the Peace Corps she was a waiter at a coffee shop known as Star Bucks. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology and Art she obtained at California State University.
She joined the Peace Corps to experience different cultures around the world. One of her best memories was when her parents came to Swaziland and went to live with her for a week. Apart from spending time with the Tsabedzes, her best memory was also watching the constellation of stars during clear evening skies. Johnson and Schaap's two year contracts were extended by a year. They are now based in the capital and work at the Baylor Clinic.
'Love proposals stressful'
MBABANE – One of the things that got stressful for Peace Corps' Jaclyn Schaap and Kimberly Johnson were the incessant love proposals they received from Swazi men.
Schaap said: "I've had a lot of Swazi men propose love to me and I would turn them down. Sometimes it got too much, for instance there was this man who persistently wanted my phone number."
Johnson also had a similar experience. She said some men even wanted her for a wife and kept trying their luck with her.
"It was strange at first to hear a stranger telling me they had fallen in love with me and wanted to be in a relationship with me. The first time it happened, I thought it was just a joke but when I realised he was serious, I turned him down," said Johnson.
She said she had a boyfriend back home in the States, while Schaap said she was not involved with anyone.
Both said having strangers proposing love on the streets was new to them.
In the American culture people have to know each other first before they can propose love.
Links to Related Topics (Tags):
Headlines: October, 2010; Peace Corps Swaziland; Directory of Swaziland RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Swaziland RPCVs; Marriage; Women's Issues
When this story was posted in November 2010, this was on the front page of PCOL:
Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
Support Independent Funding for the Third Goal
The Peace Corps has always neglected the third goal, allocating less than 1% of their resources to "bringing the world back home." Senator Dodd addressed this issue in the "Peace Corps for the 21st Century" bill passed by the US Senate and Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter proposed a "Peace Corps Foundation" at no cost to the US government. Both are good approaches but the recent "Comprehensive Assessment Report" didn't address the issue of independent funding for the third goal at all.
Nov 8, 2010: The 50th Begins
University of Michigan commemorates 50th 16 Oct
Wittenberg University also has claim on 50th 31 Oct
Historical Marker Unveiled to Celebrate 50th 15 Oct
Directors Discuss Impact of Service 13 Oct
Mary Morgan writes: Some thoughts on the 50th 16 Oct
Colombia I Holds Reunion at Rutgers 31 Oct
Remembering the Early Program in Ghana 23 Oct
George Packer writes: Meaning of the Mid-Terms 2 Nov
Steve Driehaus Defeated for re-election 2 Nov
Michelle Obama's Uncle was PCV in India 1 Nov
Chic Dambach writes "Exhaust the Limits" 31 Oct
Alrick Brown Directs Documentary on Rwanda 31 Oct
Rajeev Goyal writes: Obama Does Nothing for Peace Corps 31 Oct
Dr. Paul Frommer Created Language for 'Avatar' 20 Oct
Cy Kukenbaker Directs Movie about Soccer in Malawi 15 Oct
Peace Corps has no Institutional Memory 14 Oct
Kristof and Stacia Nordin demonstrate permaculture in Malawi 9 Oct
Volunteer Stephanie Chance dies in Niger 8 Oct
Peace Corps volunteer Census hits 40-year high 4 Oct
Malaysia PM wants Peace Corps to Return 25 Sep
Volunteer Thomas Maresco Murdered in Lesotho 4 Sep
Johnathan Miller launchs Airborne Lifeline 26 Aug
July 20, 2010: Nita Lowey Pushes Expansion
Nita Lowey pushes $46.15 million PC funding increase 1 Jul
Anne Goddard helps lead ChildFund 12 Jul
PCVs Safe after bombing in Uganda 12 Jul
PCVs Evacuated from Northern Burkina Faso 7 Jul
Ben Masters promotes bamboo bicycles 6 Jul
Danny Dunbar is a fan of Brazil soccer 2 Jul
Christopher Hill leaves Iraq Embassy For Academia 2 Jul
NPCA holds YouTube contest 2 Jul
Larry Palmer nominated as Ambassador to Venezuela 30 Jun
Laurence Leamer writes: America Looks Like a Fortress 29 Jun
Ed Reed writes: Troops' service in Korea not in vain 28 Jun
Mary-Denise Tabar finishes tour in Iraq 24 Jun
Carrie Hessler-Radelet Sworn in as PC Deputy Director 24 Jun
PC Releases Comprehensive Agency Assessment Report 22 Jun
Michael Burden writes: The dilemma on your dinner plate 18 Jun
Safety at risk for Peace Corps volunteers? 17 Jun
PCVs in Southern Kyrgyzstan evacuated safely 15 Jun
Steve Harpt helps dropouts reconstruct their lives 11 Jun
Biden Meets with Peace Corps/Kenya Volunteers 11 Jun
19 Americans Sworn-in as PCVs in Indonesia 4 Jun
PC Celebrates Volunteers Return to Sierra Leone 3 Jun
John Coté makes cross-country walk for US Troops 16 May
Memo to Incoming Director Williams
PCOL has asked five prominent RPCVs and Staff to write a memo on the most important issues facing the Peace Corps today. Issues raised include the independence of the Peace Corps, political appointments at the agency, revitalizing the five-year rule, lowering the ET rate, empowering volunteers, removing financial barriers to service, increasing the agency's budget, reducing costs, and making the Peace Corps bureaucracy more efficient and responsive. Latest: Greetings from Director Williams
Join Us Mr. President!
"We will double the size of the Peace Corps by its 50th anniversary in 2011. And we'll reach out to other nations to engage their young people in similar programs, so that we work side by side to take on the common challenges that confront all humanity," said Barack Obama during his campaign. Returned Volunteers rally and and march to the White House to support a bold new Peace Corps for a new age. Latest: Senator Dodd introduces Peace Corps Improvement and Expansion Act of 2009 .
Read the stories and leave your comments.


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|Confetti Hoops
I've been in kind of a confetti mood--THIS really appeals to me too, from BabaYagaFashion, a UK shop--oh for the youth and guts to wear it!
|Upcycled Skirt at Baba Yaga on Etsy
I'm planning to make additional pairs of these earrings sporting different colors, and probably without the glass disc. This was kind of a prototype, to see if it would work. They are fun to make!
(All of the beads in these earrings are from Happy Mango Beads.)
You can see (a very tiny bit) more of my work at my Etsy shop.


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Announcing an Eco-idea competition sponsored by EcoTensil is offering a eco-gift basket worth $200!
Let's make 2011 a green year.
EcoTensil wants to know how you make your life green.
EcoTensil is the company that has created the world's most eco-friendly single-use spoons and they invite you to share your favorite green ideas and inspire the rest of us!
And in doing so you could win a $200 eco-friendly prize pack.
All you have to do is share a unique way you are reducing, recycling, reusing.
How are you reducing the impact of your trash to create for a greener world for yourself and the next generations?
At home
At the grocery store
In the office
At the coffee shop
On the internet
At school…
EcoTensil wants to hear from you!
Whether heroic or mundane, the impact of our actions add up. Tell Ecotensil your most innovative and inspiring solutions for minimizing your trash impact and you could win your very own Zeroing in on Zero Waste Kit -market value: $200
The Zero Waste Kit includes:
1 gallon compost pail with filters
Verterra Compostable Square Plates
Preserve To-Go cups
2-tier Recycled Cotton Carrier Bag
Water Bottle Sling with ChopStick Holder
Simply Gorgeous green chico bag
"How to Make and Use Compost" book
Second place is a To-Go-Ware lunch kit!
To enter, like EcoTensil on Facebook and post your suggestion on their wall.
Get your audience to participate by posting the contest on your site. If the winner heard about the contest on your site, you will both win the prize!
The contest will run through January and winners will be announced in February.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Win a $200 Eco Prize Pack from EcoTensil
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Fundraising Raffle: Last chance to get tickets for the fundraising raffle for Leigh Casey (Projects Abroad Tanzania). Draw will be held this Saturday, 2nd February in Casey's Pub with music on the night by Colm Mulligan, (cover charge optional). Tickets are €2 each or 3 for €5, and are available in all local venues. Your support will be greatly appreciated. Anyone wishing to avail of tickets can also contact Leigh on 0857739509.
Dynamo Rooskey Soccer: Dynamo Rooskey Indoor Soccer Tournament on this weekend 2/3 February in Rooskey Complex. €1000 in prize money. For more information or to enter a team contact Mick on 087 9876150.
Clonguish Óg: "The Clonguish Óg AGM for 2013 will take place in the Ralph Room on Friday 1st February at 8pm. The current committee is staying on for another year. Please forward any motions to Donna Hagan (Tel: 086 8855158; E-mail: email@example.com) before 29th January. We would like to see members attend to put ideas forward for the forthcoming year".
Woodview Development Bonus: Bonus Ball for Wednesday 23/01/2013 – Lotto Draw Bonus 41 –Winner Jim Kelly €45. Next Draw 30/01/2013.
The Sesquicentennial: The records show that our parish church, dedicated to Our Lady under the title of Her Immaculate Conception was opened on December 4th 1864 and dedicated by Bishop Kilduff. Lord Granard donated the site. The Architect was JJ Mc Carthy. He was a pupil of the renowned church Architect Pugin. The Parish Priest at the time was Fr. Tom Fitzgerald. This means that next year 2014 our church will be 150 years old. The 150th Anniversary is known as the Sesquicentennial. The Parish Pastoral Council feels that we as a parish should celebrate the Anniversary. But How? Already, a Parish Mission has been booked for March 8th – 15th 2014. It will be conducted by the Redemptorists religious order. How else might we mark the occasion? The Parish Council would like to get suggestions from the people of the Parish. A box will be placed at each door of the church into which you may place your suggestions. You may prefer to have a word with Fr. Mc Govern or any member of the Parish Pastoral Council at its March meeting. The suggestion boxes will be at the doors during the month of February.
Monster Bingo: Bingo will be held in the PJ Murphy Sports Hall on Sunday 3rd February at 3pm. €2,500 to be won. Monster raffle on the day.
Clonguish Lotto: Lotto results Saturday 26th January 2013, numbers 12, 18, 29, 30. No Jackpot Winner. Runners up €100 Una Reilly, Market Bar, €25 Padi O'Reilly, Castle Inn, €25 Margaret Ghee, Briskill. Draw in Casey's next weekend. Next Weeks Jackpot €3,450.


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Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Embrace the darkness
I used to wonder how I would continue blogging about gardening during our give-or-take five months of winter, especially during times like these. Every venture outside is accompanied by an involuntary curse. I can't even think about touching the soil, and I'm already gauging the odds of whether anyone will be able to tell silk hydrangea blossoms from real if I can figure out how to tie them onto the barren branches come summer.
Yet, somehow, talking about gardening and plants still seems possible, not just for me but for many other gardeners living in the frozen zones. In fact, an amazing amount of gardening bloggers are living in Alaska—and they're posting throughout the winter. I salute them and all the shivering bloggers throughout the Northeast, Midwest, and Canada—all the regions where the word "windchill" is part of our normal vocabulary.
Here are just a few examples of winter garden blogging.
Last week, in A Garden By the Ruins Near Narbeth, a Massachusetts gardener mused:
September is national suicide prevention month and October is national depression awareness month. Who decides these things? And why September and October? And don't they have it backwards —isn't it depression first, then suicide?
(I don't know why I find this endearing.)
He continues:
Apparently, the aging of baby-boomers is to blame as we're no longer able to sustain the effort to keep up the garden. Well, perhaps it's true that the Age of Gardening is passing. But I still peruse the catalogues, prepare for another spring and keep the larger goal in mind.
And then we have Kim, who gardens, like me, near Lake Erie, but in Ohio. Unlike me, she is keenly aware of all the natural happenings around her, even in winter:
With brittle sunny skies and the lovely crunch of snow underfoot, NE Ohio has never looked more beautiful to me as it does this winter.
A less cerebral, but equally celebratory, attitude can be found over at Dirt Divas Gardening, who are gardening in Alaska zone 2-3 (brrr!). Here's a recent comment from DD1:
There's nothing like the cold shock of that first contact with an outhouse toilet seat at twenty below to make one's mind turn to gardening!
Many bloggers, like me, while away part of the dormant months by forcing bulbs and browsing catalogs. Here are Firefly's thoughts on Bluestone's admittedly exhaustive offerings:
There are so many choices that, after 10 pages, it's all a blur to me; even the plants look the same. No matter the basic species, flower form, or foliage, they all have cultivars with blue, pink, white, double, or frilly flowers, variegated foliage, blue stems, yellow stripes. The descriptions don't site the plants in space or time.
Is all this thinking about gardening and blogging about it when I can't really garden making me a better gardener? Or will I find myself faced with the same shortsighted failures as always when it comes time to get back to the dirt?
Probably—but thanks to this activity, winter isn't quite the enemy of gardening it used to be.
(Photo by Cheryl Jackson.)
Labels: gardenangst, gardenblogging, offseason
1 comment:
- Blackswamp_Girl said...
Thank you... I don't think I've ever been called cerebral before! :)
I agree with you. I don't know whether all of this winter blogging is going to result in better gardening during the growing season. I do know that it's keeping me from boring my friends with garden talk, though.
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ABC News: Family Effects of Combat PTSD
ABC News' Sunday Spotlight this past weekend showed their viewers how "the vicarious power of traumatic stress" affects family members of a veteran coping with posttraumatic stress disorder.
Through the experiences of the daughter of a Vietnam veteran, we learn that combat PTSD has a broad reach beyond the battlefield -- scooping up even those who've never seen a day of combat. View the video report, and then thank ABC Weekend News for covering this important issue.
If you're a family coping with PTSD, you might want to check out some of these helpful combat PTSD books.


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The less likely you'll be in. At least in Georgia.
Behold the depressing details in the AJC.
The writer, who no doubt has seen colleagues and friends disappear from a newspaper with a proud history, gets a quick jab at Congress (get in line) noting members "left town without extending benefits to the nation's 15 million unemployed."
It hasn't been this bad since WWII, though Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks haven't started a shooting an epic HBO series on "The Jobless Aftermath." Yet. Georgia's unemployment records only go back to 1976, when a certain local peanut farmer won the Presidency, and Karl Rove was but a young lad figuring out how he could blame the newly elected, but not yet inaugurated Georgia Governor for his epic fail.


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Where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday that we headed to the hospital early in the morning to have you...Dad wondered why I just couldn't have my babies say at 1 pm rather than 1 am? Didn't seem to work that way with you and your next older brother!
You definitely are our ball of fire! You want to do everything that your brothers do. You have no fear. I am thinking you could have a future as the class clown! You always have a way to make people laugh. You are ornery, but I love you just as you are.
This is from your 1st birthday. You seemed to really enjoy the cake!
This is when you decided that lotion should be hair gel.
Boy did we get a laugh out of this one!
We had plenty of fun getting that out. I think your hair was
greasy for a week!
You have grown up so quickly...guess that is what happens when you are the youngest of three boys. You have accomplished a few things this year. You learned to ride a two wheeled bike last summer. You just recently decided that you were a big boy now and gave up your "night night" (basically a baby cloth diaper that you would carry all over and especially needed when you were ready for bed) I was so proud of you for just doing it cold turkey!
You love to ride your bike, you love to swing, you love to play with your brothers, you love pancakes for breakfast, and you love to play with action figures.
You love to ride your bike, you love to swing, you love to play with your brothers, you love pancakes for breakfast, and you love to play with action figures.
Looking forward to the new adventures you will bring our way in the next year. There is never a dull moment when you are around!
We love you big boy!!!


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Thanks to Jeffrey from New York in the Comments, for calling our attention to an excellent series of posts at Iraqi Bloggers Central. First of all, if you've been missing IBC, you've been missing out on an excellent web journal, so why not take a moment to bookmark that IBC homepage on your browser!
The new series is a collection of interviews with Lebanese and Israeli bloggers on the current conflict. Here's Yael K, interviewed by the inimitable Mister Ghost:
MG: For those Americans and others who question Israel's actions in Lebanon, what would you tell them?
Yael K: I would tell those who are questioning our actions that this is not a war that Israel wanted in any shape or form. It is not one we were looking for and it is not one that we started. It is a war that was forced upon us. It is certainly not a war that anyone on our side is taking any joy or comfort in. It is a situation that is taking a terrible toll on civilians on both sides of this conflict and our hearts go out to the innocent Lebanese civilians caught up in this chaos. We are not fighting a war against Lebanon. We have no anger or enmity toward the Lebanese people. Far from it. We are fighting against a terrorist organization that has as a stated goal the destruction of our country ...
Read the rest at the link, and don't forget to pay a visit to Yael's homepage.
Lebanese journaler Lebanos is interviewed here:
MG: Why do you think Hezb'allah acted now?
Lebanos: Alan M. Dershowitz, a Jewish I presume, the Professor of Law at Harvard and the author of "Preemption" wrote today at jpost.com that Israel was attacked from areas that it does not occupy. And that last sentence says a lot about the situation. Hizbullah indeed attacked inside the Israeli borders, but Israel is occupying a 40 km2 of silver land, sending it's warplanes and sea destroyers to Lebanese territories, prisoning 3 Lebanese captives from earlier operations inside Israel lead by the Palestinians, and refusing to hand out the mines maps to the UN. Those points I stated above are the reasons which Hizbullah is exploiting to keep on it's political agenda, if any. ...
The rest is at the links, and there's much more at the IBC homepage, including interviews with long-time readers of Iraq the Model and some beautiful artwork by IBC contributors and friends.


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Sunday, August 31, 2008
Too Cute Two
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Birthday Block
Thursday, August 28, 2008
The New Improved Zizzy Dot Swap
Dotti lives in Nevada and she says it is hotter than blazes. This card sure represents that well. Can you see all those beads. Gorgeous card don't you think?
I made my card early in the month, long before Fay, Gustov or Hanna. I remember Andrew was in August and every year I hope and prayer that the hurricanes stay well off our coast.
Have I mentioned that the old toothpick repair just wasn't cutting it any more and my laptop died a horrible death. I got a new fancy schmancy laptop. It has (groan) the new dreaded Vista. I have lost some information but not much. Unfortunately, there are no drivers to support my scanner so I cannot use it anymore. My husband is talking about getting a wireless printer/scanner...we'll see about that. In the meantime, I do apologize for the quality of the postcard pictures as I have to use the camera, and we all know what a lousy photographer I am.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
If you are inclined to pray, please say one for my Mom. If you are not one who prays, please have a moment of good thoughts for her.
Thank you all.
Update: Mom has come out of surgery with flying colors. The surgeon said the operation was a complete success, he even thinks there is a good chance she may walk again. Thank you all for your good wishes and prayers.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Too Cute
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Happy Halloween
I could not have been in my right mind whenever it was that I bought it.
I just got the Sept/Oct issue of Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting and found a pattern they call "Boo". I knocked it out pretty quickly using fusible web and machine button hole stitching. My free motion quilting is the pits, (which is why I hand quilt more important pieces). This piece is not going in a contest nor will it be an heirloom piece, quick was of top importance. I think I have forgotten the eyes on the bat, darn, I thought I was done.
And I even got to use up some cute but otherwise useless pieces on the back.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Molly's got a giveaway
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
String X Completed
I am enjoying this quilt and have started another. I have a nice hunk of yellow that I can use for the background and I guess I could sew a bunch of greens strings for the border. I'm on a roll.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
But I'll be a good girl and attempt to answer her questions.
1. Why do you quilt? It relaxes me and gives me a sense of accomplishment. I am not very good at anything else.
2. How long have you been quilting? Despite several sad attempts before, I started to quilt seriously in 1993.
3. What made you start quilting? A picture of a log cabin quilt on the cover of a magazine.
4. What sewing machine do you use mostly for piecing? Bernina Inspiration
5. What machine do you use mostly for quilting? My left hand and my right hand.
6. If you could have any sewing machine you want -- money isn't an issue -- just get anything you want . . what would you get? Not something I have even thought about.
7. When you buy a sewing machine, how long do you expect you'll keep it? Til a newer and bigger and better model comes out? Til the old one refuses to make another stitch? My Mom is still using her Singer that she bought in 1949 and she was a seamstress who did a ton of sewing. I thought I would use my Bernina at least that long.
8. On a scale of 1 - 10, how much do you love your stash? (10 means you LOVE it! 1 means you'd get rid of it all today if you could!) About a 7.5, lots of color but all small pieces
9. Why do you have the stash? How did it come about? Why is it the size that it is? Just in case.
10. When we talk about "stashbusting", what are your thoughts? Use up all those little pieces and make some room for some new stuff.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Another good start
Saturday, August 9, 2008
A block for the jellybean
Thursday, August 7, 2008
New Projects Part 2
So now you know my nick name for my granddaughter. And you also now know what I planned to do with the jelly bean fabric. I think I'm off to a good start.
While surfing the net looking for some more jellybean fabric, I came across these three. Luckily, they were all on sale. Princess Ballerinas, ballet slippers and jelly beans, what more can a five year old want?
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Color me surprised!
This weekend I was cleaning out some of the junk piled on my desk and came across my postcard trading notebook. I figured I would not be hearing from any of the people that owe me cards, so I threw out all my notes.
Fast forward to Monday and look what was in the mail.
I cannot believe it, but Angelcat fulfilled her obligation with this gorgeous card. In case you don't know, I love screaming orange. What is really funny is that her card is O for Orange and so was mine.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
New Projects
Before I can fool around with granddaughters quilt, I decided to make some blocks for the August Block lotto over at the Forum (which is why I bought the browns).
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Two more finishes
You might remember a few months ago I participated in a Choose your own Color string block swap. I had asked for dark green centers with autumn color string. Even though I received a set of blocks from everyone who signed up, there were not enough blocks to make anything bigger than a wall hanging. I have been making extra blocks from donated fabrics, on and off for a while now and finally have something to show for it. Isn't it amazing how many people are involved in making this quilt. This will most likely go to Mary for the Heartstrings project.


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I got this recipe from my Mama and it sure is a favorite in our house - especially at this time of year. Pair it with a hot dog, grilled chicken, a hamburger, or pulled pork sandwich - it's a great side for almost ANYTHING!
Yields 20 - 1/2 cup servings. Each serving is 3 Weight Watcher Points.
- the original recipes calls for 4 cups of chopped broccoli (I use around 7-8)
- 1/2 - 3/4 chopped onion
- 12 strips of bacon fried and crumbled (I used the already cooked strips)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 1 cup mayo (I used light)
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 4 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
1. Chop and mix all the salad ingredients.
2. Mix it with the dressing right before serving.
3. Serve/Store cold.


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Google Code - Updates: Speaking of Summer
Its summer time again and people are piling up for vacation especially students who are in summer breaks, but thats not a reason to be lazy because summer is also the time for Google Summer of Code 2007 where student around the world has opportunity to participate in projects to be funded by Google.
I really hope lots of students here in the Philippines would join up since IMHO we have lots of bright young minds out here just waiting for the opportunity to be recognized and bring prestige to the country.
Attention UPV Komsai Org student officers and alumni, please encourage all BS Computer Science students to join Google Code especially those who are taking up thesis work and internship this summer.


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My sleep patterns seem to be getting better which is a relief. Wednesday to Thursday was only twice and Thursday to Friday was straight through. I did karaoke last night as well with Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day which was my usual way.
On the rugby front the fixtures appear to be done now but now I hope the members get paying their memberships as I have started to do the list. The preseason games start in a couple of weeks. Apart from that I have tried to do nothing at night.


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Each morning, before getting ready for work, I watch ESPN SportsCenter to catch up on the previous evening's scores and highlights. Last Friday, as the scoreboard of the upcoming evening's NBA games is being displayed, my bleary eyes see the Knicks-Kings graphic as:
(That's what happens when you mix so many k's early in the morning.)
I realized my mistake soon enough—but it got me to thinking: Wouldn't the game be better if the New York Knicks did play the Kinks instead of the Sacramento Kings? I mean, the Knicks were on a four-game losing streak and off to a 2-5 start. Their highest-paid player, Stephon Marbury, was fined nearly $200,000 for skipping a game and didn't seem much interested in earning a penny of his $20 million salary. Not to mention the franchise's shame stemming from the sexual-harassment suit of Knicks' Head Coach/President Isiah Thomas.
Let's face it: the Knicks had no chance of defeating Kevin Martin, Ron Artest, and co. (True enough, New York lost that evening, 123-118.)
But the Knicks—a team in turmoil—become instantly competitive against a bunch of sixty-something Brit-rockers who probably never picked up a basketball in their beer-sodden lives. Ray Davies has penned some of the greatest songs of the rock era, but his penchant for portraying lower-middle-class English life isn't going to stop Zach Randolph and his 12.3 rebounds per game. Sure, Dave Davies and his surly attitude might hang with Eddy Curry for a quarter, but Curry's got nearly a foot on him and would dominate the Muswell Hill guitarist in the paint. Yeah, you'd better (Wish You Could Fly Like) Superman, David…
I know what you're thinking: the Kinks are only four members—how could they possibly compete with the New York Knicks? Well, you've got the Davies brothers at small and power forward, Mick Avory in the middle, and spunky Pete Quaife working the point, with Quaife's successor, John Dalton, at shooting guard. Then there's John Gosling, their keyboardist in the 1970s, as sixth man, rounding out with Jim Rodford, Ian Gibbons, and Bob Henrit from the Arista years off the bench.
Wanna make a team of overpaid, dysfunctional prima donnas look like a well-oiled machine? Have 'em play a band of senior-citizen musicians who couldn't tell Lola from Tom Gola.
Now if we could only get the Seattle Sonics to play the Rolling Stones…


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from the BBC
chief Javier Solana said a decision on lifting sanctions on Zimbabwean officials had been postponed until October.
The International Monetary Fund, which suspended financial and technical assistance in 2006, said it stood ready for talks with the new government about stabilising the economy.
But it added that Harare would have to take clear steps to resolve the economic crisis in a country where inflation stands at more than 11,000,000%.
'Painful compromises'
In a statement, the 27 EU ministers said they would watch for the agreement's implementation, especially the "immediate cessation of all forms of intimidation and violence". ...
US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Jendayi Frazer, said: "We haven't yet had a chance to study the details of the agreement, nor do we know who will be in the cabinet of this new government, so in some ways it's a bit premature for us to comment until we have the full picture." ...
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
US and European Union continue sanctions for now
Posted by Nancy Reyes at 1:00 PM
Labels: sanctions
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Establishing a Positive Classroom Climate
Maintaining a positive and supportive atmosphere in class is one of the most important things you can do, besides actually teaching. In my kindergarten class, I have Spanish and Japanese students, and they have little understanding of my own cultural background. Even so, I try to incorporate my own culture, and the culture of my students, into the classroom when possible.
'Teaching Tolerance' mentions that a child's understanding of their own race and ethnicity are instrumental in teaching and how they learn (Common). I've never heard my students disparage each other's ethnicity in any language, which makes me think they have been raised similarly enough to not recognize the differences in heritage. They were all born and raised in Japan, after all. On occasion, I will work aspects of each culture into classroom activities. For example, on Father's Day we had Spanish students make their cards early, since that holiday in Spain is on March 19th. To avoid falling into stereotypes about cultures, we tend to stick to holidays, traditions, and crafts that children of all backgrounds can participate in.
I am an American, and that means I am able to relate to my students through pop culture. All of the children, raised in Japan, have been exposed to American media that has been translated overseas. They like Frozen and Lilo & Stitch, they like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and they like Spider-man. Although the kids may recognize these characters, they won't make the connection that they are from America unless I explain it to them. Showing them cartoons in their original English language, or showing them cartoons from Japan dubbed in English, helps to show how our countries are connected, and encourages their curiosity toward other parts of the world.
One part of a positive classroom is equality. I'm talking about all students having the same opportunities and chances. Each student can participate, share, and play. For teachers, this means anti-bia teaching: there should be no favoritism, and students shouldn't be ignored for not measuring up. Teaching Tolerance says this can be done through methods such as 'supporting students' identities and making it safe for them to fully be themselves,' or 'creating classroom environments that reflect diversity, equity and justice' (Critical). At the start of last year, my co-teacher and I made sure to place racially and ethnically diverse photos, artwork, books, etc, around the classroom so students would see a greater variety of worldviews from a global perspective.
Another aspect of a positive classroom is safety. I mentioned this in my previous presentation, and in the anti-bullying case study, but students function better when they feel the classroom is a safe space. I mean free of persecution, of exclusion, and of danger. Practicing anti-bullying strategies place the students on an equal level where they all feel safe with each other, and that will contribute to a positive atmosphere for everyone. We participate in multiple safety and emergency drills annually, working with the community so the students are aware of what to do in the case of emergencies, and that they can count on us to take care of them. They know not to talk to strangers, and who they can turn to for help when they are in trouble.
In the future, I would like to expand the amount of content in my lessons relating to the racial and ethnic backgrounds of my students. Ideally, I'd cover one aspect of one culture everyday, but time constraints make this difficult. I plan to continue exploring options and will seek out an easier, more effective way of making this a reality. I hope that, by continuing to integrate the cultures of my students into the their daily lives, I can make them more aware of their own cultures and the impact their cultures have on their lives and the lives of others.
Teaching Tolerances, Common Beliefs (PDF):
Teaching Tolerance, Critical Practices for Anti-bias Education:


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This picture is so cute, I had to use it again!
Here are a few things that I enjoyed this week -- besides this double-windowed, gap-toothed girl!
- John had Monday off for Memorial Day, and it was wonderful having him home.
- No school! Need I say more? :)
- The lack of rain when the forecasters say that it's definitely coming. I thank God that they've been wrong so often because our area does NOT need anymore rain for a while. (I'm sure you've heard of all of the flooding in the Houston area.)
- Working toward my goals: clean, neat closets are so restful to look at and even to think about. (Do you know what I mean? Or am I just weird?)
- The pool. Yes, I took all five children to the pool yesterday. Four of them had a great time, and the other one tolerated it very nicely. I'll let you figure out which one I'm talking about. ;)
- Making plans to meet new friends. :)
What did you enjoy this week?


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His proper title is the Rev. Dr. Anthony Hutchinson, but you can call him "Father Tony."
Hutchinson is the senior pastor at Trinity Episcopal Church in Ashland. He moved here last year from Beijing, China.
He was a diplomat for the U.S. Department of State for 25 years with an expertise in Chinese culture. He served as director of China analysis for the State Department as well as cultural counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing for Ambassadors Jon Huntsman and Gary Locke.
In 2008, he was ordained in the Hong Kong Anglican Church, where he served as chaplain at St. John's Cathedral and professor of biblical languages and literatures at Ming Hua Theological Seminary. After that, he was an assisting pastor at the Congregation of the Good Shepherd in Beijing, China.
On Wednesday, Feb. 20, the rector will give a free presentation on progressive Christianity from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Campus.
What will you talk about in your presentation?: This is an overview to the various movements in contemporary Christianity that present themselves as progressive or emergent, and how they distinguish themselves from more theologically and socially traditional, conservative and fundamentalist.
The lecture hopes to give background to prepare people new to these ideas for the March lectures that will be given by Marcus Borg, one of the founders of the Jesus Seminar at Southern Oregon University.
What fact about your topic gets your audience's attention?: The fact that "progressive Christianity" is not a contradiction in terms and that "literal, Bible believing Christianity" usually is.
How do you first introduce yourself to your audience?: With a smile.
What's your favorite aspect about Ashland?: The fact that in many ways it is an intentional community. Those who are here generally have chosen to be here.
What do you like to do in Ashland during your time off?: Walk, garden, read, play Celtic harp.
How can we learn more about you?: My blog at ellipticalglory.blogspot.com.
Anthony Hutchinson: You can call him 'Father Tony'
His proper title is the Rev. Dr. Anthony Hutchinson, but you can call him "Father Tony."


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Grant Gustin will play the lightning-fast character also known as Barry Allen, and appear in three episodes of "Arrow" -- including the backdoor pilot.
Couldve been worse I suppose, but I seriously doubt this kid will be able to hold a TV show or potentially be cast in the JL movie.
So much for tying the DC Tv and Movie universe together :/
I hope they're gonna make him blonde as Barry Allen should be.
The idea that blonde men can be heroic and good is like anathema to the people who run hollywood, who almost always cast the blonde guy as the bad guy.


text:
Saul Alinsky wrote a diabolical book entitled "Rules for Radicals". It was dedicated to Lucifer himself who successfully led "the greatest rebellion of all time". Both Barack and Hillary have taught these rules and are masters of them. One of the chief strategies is to lie, lie, and lie, and accuse others of what you are doing A well-known radio talk show host has well said that if you want to know what liberals are doing, just understand what they are accusing YOU of. You aren't doing it of course, but THEY do it as a matter of course. Satan is a liar and a bully, and we all know that to get rid of a bully one needs force. Negotiations never stopped a bully from doing anything. Understand the battle, and NEVER, EVER compromise with these folks. THey NEVER compromise, so there needs to be a full tilt confrontation if things are to change.
The simple fact is that is every conservative have a huge political contribution, it would not be enough to outweigh the enormous liberal machine. Even if they won, many conservatives are not adept are understanding the battle and fighting it proudly and non-stop. Ted Cruz may come closest, but even he backs off. The other side NEVER backs off or backs down - they go full tilt 24/7. It is only by the power of God that change can happen. It will take repentance and it will take every ounce of strength you have. Start to enlighten your friends and loved ones one at a time. Your future depends on it.


text:
Saturday, April 20, 2013
The Irish Times is Indignant
Perish the thought! How dare they!
How could a story that puts Silence of the Lambs into the shade possibly be worth one tenth of one tenth of one tenth of the coverage afforded the Savita Halapannavar case?
(The word "conspiracy" is a wonderful word to use when you want to make your critics sound like paranoid nutcases. As Peter Hitchens often points out, there is no need to claim a conspiracy in cases like these-- merely a shared prejudice amongst like-minded people in positions of influence, in this case, newspaper editors.)
2 comments:
I am not sure where to put this, but this is an Irish Times (since this post is related to IT I though "Yea ... I'm pushing it, but I'll take my chances!") book review of Garry Willis' "Why Priest? A Failed Tradition."ReplyDelete
link: http://tinyurl.com/bva6e7g
I stumbled upon the piece when perusing through Arts & Letters - which I found ironic because I was reading reviews of the book, not knowing it was published early this year, and that the article was from an Irish newspaper. That led me here.
Willis is a proclaimed Catholic, but a liberal one. The Irish Times writer supports Willis' views, of course.
There seems to be no indication of who Linda Hogan is, or what her qualifications for commenting upon Willis's claims might be.ReplyDelete
If Willis needs to find a Scriptual basis for priesthood, I would suggest Matthew 16:18: "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I build my church". Or John 21:15-17, where Peter is again given this commission. Or any of the passages in Acts where apostolic succession is given by the laying on of hands. You don't have to be as provocative as Belloc, who said that he would believe the consecrated elements were an elephant if the Church told him so, to accept that the Petrine supremacy means not everything has to be obviously based on Scripture.


text:
After experiencing a delicious brunch at the Canary Wharf branch, a very generous family friend decided to take the hubby and I for a dinner at the newly opened Roka, Aldwych to celebrate our recent wedding.
Firstly I must say what a wonderful time we had and how clean and beautiful this restaurant is with a water feature by the toilets, a spacious and cool bar and tables over looking the open plan kitchen. The front of house staff were delightful and friendly and could not have made us feel more welcome on arrival.
After being seated at the bar we were advised there was an issue with the grill and our party were given the option to walk away from our reservation, take a paid for taxi to the Charlotte Street branch for a table an hour later OR to stay and dine on cold food only. As we were there and a couple of drinks in we decided to take the plunge and stay regardless of the situation. We were seated at a central round table and promptly offered a glass of complimentary champagne each as an apology despite it being our choice to stay!
We ordered a bottle of sake, some wine and several g&t's, plus added what we had already spent at the bar to the main table tab. After the meal; when presented with the bill the restaurant on top of the champagne had removed all drinks and service charge as another apology to us. I literally cannot believe how amazing the service had been and this gesture was beyond generous as we had, had a fantastic time regardless. So thank you Roka for going above and beyond and delivering such a great experience.
We didn't really do the whole starter and main course thing, instead we ordered loads of food to come out as and when it was ready and to share as a table. Of course we had the obligatory steamed edamame with sea salt and the spicy tuna was to die for, we ended up ordering a second portion we were so impressed. We had a tempura prawn sushi, salmon sashimi and some yellowtail as well as softshell crab. The padron pepper tempura are also a delight and again we ended up with a second round of these.
The desserts here are incredible and as a group we over ordered so we could all mix and match and try everything. The peanut, vanilla and chocolate sundae was insane and even the blackcurrant sorbet, which I would not normally choose was delicious. The chocolate dessert with green tea was also mouth watering! To be honest I am not sure I could choose a favorite, everything we tried was just brilliant and my photo does not even begin to do the treats justice.
I have no idea what the bill was as it was a generous treat, I can imagine removing all drinks made it quite reasonable but if you were a full paying customer this place is expensive, for sushi and full drinks I would say £50 plus per head. HOWEVER, the food is absolutely amazing and to impress a date or treat a loved one you really cannot go wrong. I hope I can come back one day soon and try the full menu, hot food and all but for now I will savor the mouth watering sushi memories from a delightful evening out.


text:
Children's Research Centre7
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text:
What do we make of the Bears first round series? Obviously a 1 vs 8 matchup makes it look like one team is drastically better than the other, but in the AHL that doesn't necessarily mean anything.
The Bears played in the East Division which featured no bad teams. Norfolk, the worst of the 5, finished just 2 points out of the playoffs with 79. Hershey played 34 of their 76 games against the East.
The Bruins played in the Atlantic, which included 2 teams that finished well out of the playoffs, Worcester and St. Johns. The Bruins played 38 of their 76 games against the Atlantic.
And that there is why you can't necessarily worry about playoff seeds. Teams don't play balanced schedules. The Bruins played Worcester 12 times. The Bears played Wilkes-Barre 12 times. Worcester finished 13th in the East, the Baby Pens finished 5th.
So don't worry too much about anything that has happened up until this point stat wise. Unfortunately that's the best way to compare the two teams outside of an extended regular season series. So the rest of this post is going to feature lots of stats and team comparisons. Some may end up being relevant, but others won't be.
Fact is, the Bears need 3 wins in their next 5 games to advance. Simple as that.
So....a look at the Bears/Bruins first round series: (If you don't care about stats or don't want to read a bunch of them...I would probably just skip to the bottom. It gets a little numbery from here on.)
Season Matchups:
The Hershey Bears and Providence Bruins faced off twice during the regular season with each team winning on home ice 3-2.
Both games saw the Bruins jump out to 2-0 leads before Hershey rallied to tie it. At Giant Center on March 30 the Bears managed to get the game winner in the 3rd period. And on April 12 at Dunkin Donuts Center the Bruins put an end to Hershey's comeback with their own goal in the 3rd.
The good for each team....Bruins leading scorer Jamie Tardif scored 3 goals in the 2 games while Hershey's Ryan Potulny and Nicholas Deschamps each tallied twice in the series.
The bad....Bears defenseman Cameron Schilling was on the ice for 4 of the Bruins 5 goals and Bruins defenseman Colby Cohen was on the ice for 4 of the Bears 5 goals.
Neither team got their power play going in those games with the Bears going a combined 1 for 8 and Providence 1 for 3.
Providence out shot the Bears both games 39-26 and 27-26 and in 4 of 6 periods. Surprisingly the Bears won the game where they were out shot worse and Providence won all 3 periods in that game when it came to shots.
What to make of this? Who knows. It's a very small sample size so it's hard to know if it means anything.
The most important position on the ice in any game takes on even more meaning in the playoffs. Teams can ride hot goaltenders the whole way to a championship if things go right. See Price, Carey...2007.
Both the Bears and Bruins are going to roll out rookie netminders as their #1's in this series.
Providence's Niklas Svedberg went 37-8-2 on the year with 4 shutouts. He had a 2.17 goals against average and a .925 save percentage to go with it.
Hershey's Philipp Grubauer went 15-9-2 with 2 shutouts. He had a 2.25 goals against average and a .917 save percentage.
Those numbers are very similar. Svedberg got better goal support from his team so his record is better, but the goalie measurables are very close.
Now the bad news Bears fans....Svedberg is 12-1 in March and April and has only had a per game goals against average over 3.00 1 time and a per game save percentage under .923 1 time in that stretch.
The good news...that 1 loss and the gaa over 3 and save percentage under .923 came against the Bears at Giant Center on the 30th of March.
Balanced is the word of the day for the Bears. They feature 11 skaters with double digit goals and none with 20 or more. 7 of those players have between 15 and 19 goals.
Balance is good in the playoffs as top lines are routinely shut down as space is harder to come by and defenses are ready to go.
The Bruins have balance as well with 10 double digit scorers, but only 3 of their players have more than 13 and 2 have 25+.
Obviously having the go to scorers is a good thing, but only if they are scoring.
Jamie Tardif leads the Bruins in goals with 30 but in his last 18 games (all of March and April) he has only tallied 4 goals. Unfortunately 3 of those came against the Bears.
The Bruins 2nd leading scorer, Craig Cunningham, has 25 goals. 2 in the last 3 games, but not a single point in the 7 games prior to that.
So their go-to scorers aren't scoring a lot of late.
The Bruins are riding a 9 game winning streak so obviously they are getting scoring somewhere, but Hershey's balance can rival anyone's.
Hard to say if balance or go-to guys are better in the playoffs. You have to have some balance, which both teams do, but having that one guy to look to to get a late goal is also nice. Hershey doesn't have that.
Special Teams:
Another stat that is hard to really gauge. No matter how you look at it, the Bruins are better...statistically...then the Bears.
League rank the Bruins power play is 8th, Bears is 11th. Bruins penalty kill is 5th, Bears 10th.
Seems close.
Actual numbers...Bruins power play converts 18.5% of the time. Bears, 18%. Half a percentage point. Not much.
Bruins penalty kill is successful 85.7% of the the time. The Bears...84.2%. A little larger difference, but still close.
And as mentioned above, neither team did much in the 2 games against each other. Bears went 1 for 8 and Bruins 1 for 3.
Miscellaneous Records:
The Bruins scored 1st 48 times during the regular season...they went 37-8-0-3 in those games. That was one of the top records in the league.
The Bears scored 1st 43 times and went 27-11-2-3. One of the worst records in the league.
When leading after 1 the Bruins are 29-3-0-1 and the Bears are 20-4-0-2.
Leading after 2...Bruins are 32-1-0-1...Bears 25-1-2-2.
Tied after 1, Bruins are 16-11-0-3 and Bears are 12-9-3-2.
Tied after 2 the Bruins are 14-7-0-4 and the Bears are 10-6-1-2.
All of those records are relatively close. Again, when looking at records it is hard because the level of competition is NOT the same.
Goals For and Against:
Overall the Bruins averaged 2.92 goals scored per game and 2.41 goals against.
The Bears scored 2.68 goals per game and allowed 2.58.
Eh. Just tells me that the Bears are used to close games and are ready for playoff hockey.
BUT...the following numbers I think do tell a story.
The Bruins outscored their opponents in the first period by 31 goals.
The Bears....6 goals.
The Bruins start fast and in many games, that holds up for them.
In the final 2 periods the Bruins outscored their opponents by 2 goals. The Bears...4 goals.
This just tells me that the Bruins start better than other teams, but don't have the killer instinct (or experience) in closing them out.
Overall Conclusion:
As I said above, regular season stats mean little. All we really know about these teams is what we have seen and what they did against each other.
Any Bears fan knows that this team is great when they play together and shoot and below average when they don't. Their problem is consistency. One period they are great...see 1st period, this past Sunday. The next period they are terrible....see 2nd period, this past Sunday.
I can't necessarily speak on the Bruins but it seems to me that a team that finishes #1 in the league would be due to better consistency.
My honest opinion...the Bears best is just as good as the Bruins best. They just have a harder time finding it.
The wild card in this entire series will be experience. The Bruins roster features 10 players who get regular minutes who are identified by the AHL as rookies.
The Bears...2.
We all know the Bears are old. They have veterans up and down the lineup that understand what it takes to win in the postseason.
Will that help them in the playoffs? Tim Leone doesn't think so. He has the Bears losing in 5 and says the best they can do is the Eastern Conference Finals.
Is that a fair pick? Absolutely. But as an optimist and Bears fan I would like to believe they can go further.
The Bears season stats and record are deceiving because this team is DRASTICALLY different now compared to early in the year. Zach Hamill, Garrett Stafford, Mathieau Beaudoin, and Kevin Marshall are gone. In their place are players like Casey Wellman, Chey Genoway, Peter LeBlanc, Nicholas Deschamps, Nate Schmidt, Michael Latta, and Dane Byers.
I would take any of those upgrades any day of the week.
I will believe in the Bears until their final game. I legitimately believe that that day could come in mid-June. But I wouldn't be surprised if it came next weekend.
The Bears are in the playoffs. Anything can happen now.
Just ask Ryan Potulny. Two years ago he played for the Eastern Conference's 7th seeded Binghamton Senators. They did ok. Winning a Calder Cup and everything.
Series starts tomorrow night.


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Author Archive
Selfie Preview
Posted December 28, 2015on:
Here's a video preview of a few random shots from Project 365. I'm trying to find a tool to use that can accommodate all of the images. Stay tuned.
Remainder of Project 365
Posted December 28, 2015on:
Surprise! It's been a while since I updated the blog. I did continue to take selfies, though. Here is where I left off.
Going for a run in my Marist attire.
Cheeseburgers make me happy on the way to liquor samplings.
Getting ready for Lauren's wedding.
Just before and at Lauren's wedding.
Hanging with Jessie in her corner.
Trying my hand at cooking. I think this was called pizetti for pizza and spaghetti. Don't try it.
Walking Jessie around our new complex.
Visiting the parents and Coopy.
lunch with grandma
getting some work done and then we walked the dog to the convenience store in our complex and got some ice cream.
Hanging out at the driving range.
getting a quick workout in.
date night
Mother's Day
working with my coworkers at Starbucks
walking the dog
My cousin, Jen came over to see our place and have dinner. That's her in the background cooking while I sip my margarita.
I met Dana at the race track for her birthday. It was fun, but we didn't win.
May wine tasting with Val. Our favorite spot is the gazebo.
Trying the mini frap at Starbucks
working away
lunch with Kiersten at Egg Harbor.
Face-Timing the parents for Cheeseburger Thursday.
getting ready for a canoe trip.
BBQ fest in Westmont with Dana, Rich, and the parents.
Getting my annual bathing suit.
Another meet up with coworkers in Wheaton.
Hanging with Cooper.
At the driving range
Katie's bachelorette party at Sluggers in Wriggleyville. We all used to scoop ice cream together in high school.
Taking Jessie for a run on National Running Day.
Kane County Flea market with Lindsay and her mom.
Starbucks run with big dog.
Kevin had our team over for a BBQ.
Paint night with Cindy.
Trying to get a tan on my balcony.
Lunch with grandma at the golden arches.
Trying on glasses with Dana.
We drove out to Rockton, IL to see Big and Rich. It was a great concert, but so rainy!
Father's Day
Hanging out in Dave and Kathy's backyard in Sacramento.
Wine tasting in Shenandoah Valley.
Hanging out by the pool at our hotel in Reno, NV for a family reunion.
We took the gondola up to see awesome views of Lake Tahoe.
Then we stopped at the beach.
We also went to In-N-Out. I freaking love that place.
We enjoyed a Reno Aces game with the entire family as well.
I got a quick workout in the morning my mom and I flew home.
Another lunch with my bff.
Doing some yoga.
sushi date with my love.
Kit, Lindsay and I went to Eyes to the Skies, a hot air balloon festival in Lise.
Pool day
Celebrating the 4th of July barn bar style
Watching Kaylie while Dana and Rich went on vacation to Punta Cana.
Cubs game
Working outside enjoying the weather
back at home
finishing up a Friday afternoon before jumping in the pool
Tomapalooza 2015
sushi date
I tried Crossfit. and I liked it.
Kit's 30th birthday celebration included dinner at Clara's with his mom, golf, and a surprise party in the barn.
The day after Kit's 30th birthday was Kelly's wedding.
This canoe trip was epic. We tried a new route and had the most amount of people ever. We had some difficulties getting going, we flipped, and we got out early, but it was a blast! We lost a shirt in the flippage, but that was it.
Figuring out what to wear for a client meeting.
Going to a bridal shower.
bowling for Rich's birthday.
Celebrating Kit and Lindsay's mom's birthday
My sister and I tried aerial yoga. I loved it!
dinner with Kiersten.
Cheeseburger someday with the rents
Representing in our Marist attire
Wine tasting at Downer's Grove wine shop. I bought wine that donates to an animal rescue organization.
Another wine tasting with Val. I think this is the August tasting.
Celebrating mine and Kit's 3 year anniversary at Clara's.
Same day.
Saturday morning canoe trip. It rained, but still fun and more relaxing than usual.
We went to H2O and met up with my friend from college who happened to be back in Ottawa that weekend.
Another working session at Cup and Vine.
Another canoe trip
We saw Brett Eldridge at the Sandwich Fair
Kerry's bachelorette party was at a White Sox game.
I saw Steve Harvey with my sister and my mom. Snooki and Jwoww were on the show and we got Snooki perfume.
We went to an art festival in downtown Naperville. It was really fun!
Doing some yoga.
Kit and I went out with our neighbors and had a blast.
We also went apple picking with Dana and Rich.
This is the craft I made at the library.
Getting some exercise.
Birthday celebrations with Cindy at Cooper's Hawk.
Birthday celebrations with Kit and Lindsay at Tilted Kilt.
Party at Dana's for my bday.
Work birthday. James and I share the same birthday.
Lindsay and I went on a wine tasting and hiking adventure while Kit was away for the weekend playing golf. It was so much fun.
Kerry's wedding was a blast.
Picking up Jessie the day after the wedding.
Enjoying unseasonably warm weather.
Getting ready for an ISSA Young Professionals Event.
Pumpkin carving party
Long overdue double date with Kiersten and her bf.
Liquor sampling
This concludes Project 365! I think there is almost one photo per day. Some days have more. I learned a lot of things, especially that I have a great life and a lot to be happy about and grateful for.
Selfie Everyday for a Year
Posted September 29, 2015on:
Think you could do it? This kid did. This was kind of the idea with Project 365 – more uploads coming later today, hopefully. After my old lady class at the library. Hey, I'm turning 27 next week. This is what we do.
Here's the article
Clearly I need to turn my selfies into a video.
Project 365 update.
Posted April 22, 2015on:
It's almost May and I haven't uploaded any photos since New Year's Eve! Kit and I went to Nashville on the 1st. Here are some photos from that. Also, no idea what day it is but I know I'm about halfway through the project already. So crazy!
This was New Year's Eve. We stayed in since we left for Nashville pretty early on the 1st.
Here is a photo of the boots we came with. Looking up from hotel lobby
On Broadyway. We had amazing nachos at Tequila Cowboy. The boots I bought. Being silly in the candy store. Honky Tonk!
We loved exploring Brodway. We met some fun people and saw some good singers! We went to Burger Up in Franklin and the Opryland Hotel the next day. Burger Up was so good! The food was awesome and the place was really cute. Our waiter was nice too.
We did some bar hopping and boot shopping too when we got back to Broadway.
The next morning we visited Frothy Monkey for breakfast. If ever in Nashville, go there! it's amazing.
We also went to the Country Music Hall of Fame. They had a ton of cool artifacts and stories from the old days. A lot of Taylor Swift too. This was Elvis's piano. and his car.
Singers at Rippy's. Kit liked this place.
Boot shot outside our favorite bar, Bootlegger's.
Before dinner at The Southern. Talk about delicious! No shortage of good food in this town!
Back at home at my Bloomingdale beach. Sleepy girl.
getting ready for Dana's bridal shower!
Bridal shower pics. The one my family hosted was at Villagio right on Lake Street. It was lovely! We played the "Almost Newlywed" game where we asked questions and they put the owner's shoe up in the air for who they thought the answer was. It was funny!
Organizing my makeup drawer. going for a swim!
before we left to go to Dana's dress fitting.
dress fitting! #sayyestothedress Coming back from the pool or hot tub in Feb.
in the bathroom at Blackstore. Kit and I love this place.
going for a run in my new attire.
celebrating Clare's birthday! relaxing with Coop
wine night with Kiersten! Chicago sports theme in barn bar Going to get breakfast – before the jeep broke down. playing in the snow
Work session.
making money! another poor bowling night. Don't know what I'm doing wrong! using my new Coach purse! driving to Kit's
working session with Clare at Labriola.
Good book! Dana's bachelorette party!
my painting
lunch with gram! I cut 10 inches off!
working at Panera Valentine's day candy from Kit. Don't tell McDonald's!
The Karnia bridal shower. Trying to do better at bowling!
Working session with Clare. new book.
Still freezing. Making dinner. Bridal fashion show Chopping onions for onion soup with my mom made me cry like a baby.
post workout new golf clothes!
bonfire Friday barn bar hula hooping
family hug
my dog bite. loving the sunshine. on a phone call for work
St. Patrick's Day work meetings. getting dressed up for said meetings.
trying to put together the Woods box for my sister's wedding day. pink nails?!
me and Kit at the rehearsal.
watching K while Dana and Rich went to Nashville.
making cookies for Easter with grandma and Jackie
one of my last nights at home walking Coop
visited the local driving range.
more dressing up for work. This was the ISSA Midwest Staffing Conference.
wine tasting at Lynfred with Val! So fun. liquor sampling.
playing outside in the nice weather.
now it's freezing again. going for a run.
Taking Jessie out – current temp = 36 degrees.
Dana's wedding was so fun! I'm really glad everything went so well. It was a beautiful ceremony and reception. We've gotten a lot closer too. Now we only live 20 minutes away so we can see each other more often! Kit and I got a place in 4 Lakes in Lisle. We are enjoying it so far! Can't wait for the pools to open. Happy spring!
Posted December 31, 2014on:
I have no idea what # day it is, so I'm just going to upload the photos I have since Canada.
Friday, Dec 12: Kit and I did some decorating in the barn. Also, I finally nailed the starving child face.
Saturday: no photo. We went to Geneva for lunch and shopping
Sunday: liquor sampling: Jack Fire, Jack Honey, SoCo and eggnog and Gingerbread SoCo
Monday: upset about bowling
Tuesday: shopping for Xmas and tried on my dress for my sister's wedding
Wednesday: met my coworker at Starbucks for a working session. We got free grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch.
Thursday: getting ready for the ugly sweater party
Friday: ugly sweater party in barn bar
Saturday: no photo
Sunday: saw the Newsies with the family downtown
Monday: hoping for a better day at bowling
Tuesday: got my own bowling ball. Still not doing so hot.
Wednesday: stopped at McDonald's after church on Christmas Eve. New tradition
Thursday: Christmas Day: Kit and I went to his side then mine. It was a happy holiday!
Day after Xmas: testing out my new gear
Saturday: bowling with Kit's family. Doubls 97's boo
Sunday: no photo
Monday: wearing my new hat from Kit's mom
Tuesday: echogravity Secret Santa gift exchange
Today is New Year's Eve. I made this little video. I'm working a liquor sampling today too. Kit and I leave for Nashville tomorrow.
Hello from canada
Posted December 9, 2014on:
Saturday: Santa run with Cindy and then another liquor sampling
Sunday & Monday: no photo
Tuesday: it's 7:15 in Halifax, 5:15 at home. I did a horrible job packing and I'm exhausted. We got in at midnight last night. This is me preparing to meet our biggest client.
Update: The day turned out great! We got a lot of work done and I enjoyed listening to calls with agents at the contact center. Here is me at dinner. We went to Five Fishermen. I had seafood linguini with shrimp, lobster, clams.. it was amazing! It was fun to spend time with the clients outside of work. It's nice being with a great group of people!
This was the next day before we left for the airport with Amy from Blue Ocean.
Posted December 5, 2014on:
Day 29: no photo
Day 30: getting ready to face the tundra
Day 31: kit and I went to oakbrook to do some shopping and wandering around. We went to Old Town Pour House for lunch. I got a flight of cider. We also made dinner. We made prosciutto, provolone, pesto and pepper sandwiches with Italian pasta salad and Renee made clam chowder. Yum!
Day 32: getting my workout in
Day 33: unsatisfactory bowling experience
Day 34: more winter.
Day 35: freshly whitened teeth
Day 36: thanksgiving! Kit, Jen and I ran the turkey trot. It was freezing!!! I made caprese skewers for an appetizer. They were ok. Kit and I celebrated with both our families. It was nice.
Day 37: Black Friday. I met my mom, aunts and cousins at Express in Wheaton while Kit worked. I bought that dress and later returned it when I got my car insurance bill. The scarf is new too 🙂 He met all of us for lunch then we did a little more shopping.
Day 38: Saturday. We took Jessie to a new park then went to my aunts for Amanda's birthday party where we found my gymnastics picture.
Sunday: no photo
Monday: feeling optimistic at bowling. I bowled 106, then 87 and then 162! I switched to the 12 pound ball for the last game and got 2 doubles. I'm going to stick with that.
Tuesday: getting that workout done. Or just sitting in my workout clothes at work..
Wednesday: lunch with grandma. We were laughing because she said her hair always looks bad when I want to take our picture.
Thursday: looking all professional at a work event for the ISSA
Friday: liquor sampling in elmhurst. My mom used to call on that store when she sold cigarettes in the 80s!


text:
All my life I have wanted to change my curls and swirls into the straight and narrow. Well today was the day!
I had my hair appointment, and I walked in there telling Marsha I needed the usual trim but it cut tighter in the back! Plus, I asked if you could blow dry it straight for a change!
I know what you are thinking, if you have curly hair you want it straight and then the other way around.
It didn't hurt to try something new! Plus, none of my friends have ever seen my hair straight!
I absolutely love it!
Now the truth really comes from your family though. It doesn't matter much unless the ones you love...love it!
Well my BFF loved it! That was a big plus! She had never seen it straight. My children loved it, wanted me to keep it like this forever! My mom and mother-in -law liked it too! Man, I thought, I have me a new hair do!
Well, Houston, my husband, didn't like it so much! He said my curls are me!
So the next time you see me I will be in my curls, but it was fun being someone different for the day...straight and narrow!