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This post did not come easily. I've known for a while that I wanted to write something in honour of World Mental Health Day…but what? Would it be my experiences of living with depression? My more recent experiences of anxiety? Would I share my stories about being a support system for friends dealing with eating disorders, self harm, suicidal thoughts? The more I thought about it, the more I realised that these stories are fairly common. I recently told a friend that I have regular anxiety attacks. His reply was a sad smile and "Who doesn't?" and I realised that young people in 2016 are, for the most part, fighting the same fight.
I want to use this blog as a platform to share not only personal experience, but information that might help others. During my first year, while reading a blog (no longer in existence) run by a wonderful woman in London, England, I learned about gaslighting. That post lead me to do my own research, and with that I came to the realisation that it was exactly what was happening to me.
So what is gaslighting?
If you google it, this is the definition you'll get.
It's also important to state that gaslighting is a form of psychological and emotional abuse.
The term comes from "The 1938 stage play Gas Light, known as Angel Street in the United States, and the film adaptations released in 1940 and 1944 motivated the origin of the term because of the systematic psychological manipulation used by the main character on a victim. The plot concerns a husband who attempts to convince his wife and others that she is insane by manipulating small elements of their environment, and subsequently insisting that she is mistaken, remembering things incorrectly, or delusional when she points out these changes. The original title stems from the dimming of the gas lights in the house that happened when the husband was using the gas lights in the attic while searching for hidden treasure. The wife accurately notices the dimming lights and discusses the phenomenon, but the husband insists she just imagined a change in the level of illumination." (Read more on this on the wikipedia page).
Some examples of gaslighting:
- Has anyone ever denied something so strongly that you start to doubt that it happened?
- Has anyone ever suggested that you are a liar, or simply imagining something, that you misunderstood the situation?
- Has anyone ever caused you to question your own sanity or truthfulness?
When it happened to me, I was told that I was a liar. I was told that my lies would cause my siblings to be hurt. I was told that I was a thief.
None of these things are true. I pride myself on being honest, kind, and principled, but after systematic gaslighting over the course of two years, I began to doubt myself. Was I a liar? Was I a thief? Were my intentions are pure as I had believed them to be?
My name was smeared through the mud. Family members were told of my "lying ways". It was an entirely traumatic time in my life: an email from this person would leave me so paralysed with fear that I would sit in my halls (dorm) room and watch Netflix blankly until the sun came up and it felt safe enough (and I was exhausted enough) to sleep. I went from having a healthy, fit body to being so thin that my stomach was concave and my ribs jutted out within a month. (You can see the comparison pictures in this post, but TW: weight loss etc.). I withdrew from my support system, most of whom were across the ocean in Toronto. I told no-one at uni what I was going through. The stress of this contributed to the rapid deterioration of my health. Being subjected to gaslighting is part of the reason I decided I wanted to transfer to Glendon, so I could be in a safe space, with a support system I trusted.
What to do if you're being gaslit:
- Distance yourself from the gaslighter. Gaslighting is a form of abuse. It is common amongst sociopaths and narcissists. Distance yourself emotionally, symbolically, and physically from the person as soon and as completely as you can.
- Seek support. Confide in someone you trust who is equipped to support you, be that a parent, friend, or counsellor. Tell people you trust what you are going through, how it makes you feel, and ask them to be your reality check. When I spin out of my truth, it takes someone I'm close to to remind me that I'm okay, that my feelings and experiences are valid, that I do know what really happened. It is those moments that keep me grounded, and I owe my loved ones the world for providing me that quiet reflection and perspective.
- Find an outlet. For me, it has always been writing. For others, it is another form of art, exercise, or meditation (I particularly like this guided meditation video). Fill your life with things that fulfil you, that make you who you are. Explore new, exciting hobbies. Keep yourself busy – but don't use this busyness as a means of distraction. Ben Okri, in his book Astonishing The Gods, writes about how if you don't learn from an experience the first time, it will keep repeating itself. It was a book and a lesson that changed my life, and from then on I've tried to process things as they happen so that I can let go, move on, and grow from it.
- Forgive yourself. It is so easy to say, and so difficult to do. Treat yourself as you would the person you love most in the world. Protect yourself the way you would your siblings. Remind yourself of how much you are worth, of how unjust your experience was. Do not allow it to define you. There is a reason why people choose to call themselves survivors rather than victims.
It's been a few years. I haven't seen the person who gaslit me in almost a year, and my life now is full of kind, wonderful people. I work hard at my jobs and at uni. I am planning my future. I am happy. I am so blessed.
That being said, I am also changed by it. I'm ridden with self-doubt. Every time I call in sick to work or class, I worry that people think I'm faking it. I worry that people think I'm a liar, even though I obviously am not, and I know that. I question every compliment, every kindness; I analyse every conversation I have for days afterwards. I find my own hypervigilance and self-policing exhausting, and yet I don't know how to stop it, sometimes.
I want to end this post in the light. I don't think I can find better words than these:
"I dare you to tell me I'm not mending. Joy is back-bending in what you think is submission but it's really mercy. It is the watershed of a good deed rippling into great character. My mouth found my face again, found it can still spread. Not as easy as butter, not as fast as rumours, but it can still light up a room or two." – Alysia Harris, Joy.


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First, the good news:
One Japanese Port Back in Operation, Pretty Much"Key Japanese oil port resumes some operations - industry sources"
Edition: U.S., Reuters (March 14, 2011)
"Japan's Chiba oil port, one of the country's biggest, has resumed some operations...
" 'The Chiba port is open,' said a Tokyo-based senior official with a shipping company.
" 'Only the Cosmo Oil terminal remains shut, the other 10 terminals I think are open. We still don't have the full picture.'..."
It's no wonder that the Cosmo Oil terminal is shut. The Cosmo oil refinery in Chiba was on still on fire, last that the Lemming read. If the oil terminal is anywhere near the refinery: 'nuff said.
By the way: "...I think are open...."?! Under normal circumstances, an oil company executive not knowing how many terminals were open in a port facility might seem - odd. Admitting that lack of knowledge in public might seem, to the Lemming, even more odd.
Circumstances haven't been normal in Japan since Friday's earthquake, though: so the Lemming is inclined to admire the candor.
Meanwhile, on the Fukushima coast, about a third of the way from Sendai to Tokyo:
Another Day, Another Explosion at Fukushima's Dai-ichi Power Plant"New Explosion Heard at Troubled Japanese Nuclear Plant Damaged in Quake, Tsunami"
FoxNews.com (March 14, 2011) (March 15 in Japan)
"An explosion Tuesday morning at a Japanese nuclear plant damaged by the country's devastating earthquake and tsunami has raised new fears of a radiation leak, as the country struggles to respond to the mounting human disaster.
"The Fukushima Dai-ichi facility's precarious state was underscored by the details trickling out in the wake of the blast at the Unit 2 reactor. It was the third explosion in four days at the nuclear plant, and the condition of the Unit 2 reactor is of greatest concern to authorities.
"The agency suspects the explosion early Tuesday may have damaged the reactor's suppression chamber, a water-filled tube at the bottom of the container that surrounds the nuclear core, said another agency spokesman, Shinji Kinjo. He said that chamber is part of the container wall, so damage to it could allow radiation to escape...."
The three reactors at that power plant have been getting a whole lot of attention in the news. It seems that #2 of the three reactors has been the one giving folks the most headaches:
"..'Units 1 and 3 are at least somewhat stabilized for the time being,' said Nuclear and Industrial Agency official Ryohei Shiomi 'Unit 2 now requires all our effort and attention.'..."
There's more in the article about the problems Unit two is giving the NIA. Essentially, they seem to be trying to cool the thing down by pumping in water. Seawater, at least in part.
What's been going on over the weekend, and so far this week, seems to have encouraged a certain tenseness among some folks
"...Across the region, many residents expressed fear over the situation.
"People in the port town of Soma had rushed to higher ground after a tsunami warning Monday -- a warning that turned out to be false alarm -- and then felt the earth shake from the explosion at the Fukushima reactor 25 miles away. Authorities there ordered everyone to go indoors to guard against possible radiation contamination.
" 'It's like a horror movie,' said 49-year-old Kyoko Nambu as she stood on a hillside overlooking her ruined hometown. 'Our house is gone and now they are telling us to stay indoors.
" 'We can see the damage to our houses, but radiation? ... We have no idea what is happening. I am so scared.'..."
Kyoko Nambu identified what the Lemming thinks is a major reason why so much attention is focused on the Fukushima Dai-ichi power plant: "...We have no idea what is happening...." Damage on a house is something definite, visible: and as obvious as a brightly-burning oil refinery.
"Radiation?" That's something that isn't so easy to see. In a way, it's like the nightmare-things our imaginations can tell us are out there in the night, just beyond the light of our fire.
Disease isn't all that visible, until it's effects start showing themselves. But we've had uncounted generations to get used to the idea of people getting sick. Most people understand "disease," at least to some extent: in the Lemming's opinion.
Even so, folks can get edgy when topics like the Black Death or those anthrax letters comes up.
The Lemming discussed non-power-plant threats earlier today. (March 14, 2011)
Meanwhile, in the rest of Japan:"...Also Tuesday morning, Japanese police said the official death toll from the earthquake and tsunami has risen to 2,414, with a big share of the deaths in Miyagi prefecture, where 1,254 people are confirmed dead.
"The number of people officially missing is at 3,118. But regional officials said they believe that tens of thousands may have been swept away by the tsunami that devastated a long stretch of Japan's northeastern coast.
"Meanwhile, the U.S. Geological Survey upgraded the quake from magnitude 8.9 to magnitude 9.0 after further review...."
"...While Japan has aggressively prepared for years for major earthquakes, reinforcing buildings and running drills, the impact of the tsunami -- which came so quickly that not many people managed to flee to higher ground -- was immense.
"By Monday, officials were overwhelmed by the scale of the crisis, with millions of people facing a fourth night without electricity, water, food or heat in near-freezing temperatures."
All things considered, under the circumstances, the Lemming thinks it looks like Japan and the Japanese are handling the situation pretty well. This was a huge earthquake, the tsunami wasn't small, but even the revised estimated death tolls are maybe a tenth of the number killed in the big 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake.
Related posts:
- "Refinery Fire, Disease Threats, and Maybe-Melting Reactors in Japan"
(March 14, 2011)Particularly
- "Fukushima Power Plant: Explosion, Yes; Reactor, No"
(March 12, 2011)
- "Japan Nuclear Power Plants: Behind the Breathless Headlines"
(March 12, 2011)
- "Lemming Tracks: Japan Magnitude 8.9 Earthquake"
(March 11, 2011)

subset: commoncrawl


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This full size Tiki KU sculpture (Tiki on the left) - Tiki of strength, war God Tiki... measures 8 FEET TALL and weighs about 800 lbs. This Tiki was carved from an Acacia tree. Absolutely one of a kind art piece!
Tiki has been signed an dated by the artist.
This Tiki would look great at the entrance of a restaurant, hotel, shop...or simply in your Tiki home.
It's a beautiful piece of art! This Tiki Ku was carved with great attention to details.
8 FT GIANT Hawaiian TIKI KU Statue. ARCHITECTURAL Tiki. Museum Replica. Oceanic Art. Outdoor Garden / Pool Decor
Regular: $16,900.00
Sale price:
Copyright 2006. Hamakua Trading LLC, P O Box 30, Ninole, HI 96773


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With this digital era, when most companies have taken the internet as the medium for business marketing, the value of online marketing has increased. The success of online marketing is basically pegged at how good you are at attracting visitors to your company website. Currently customers look through the search engines to get their essential services or products. Here's a good post to read about best seo company chicago, check this out!
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After filtering the firms for Unethical SEOs or spammers, you should investigate deeply at their portfolios of the remaining SEO Services. Look that these businesses have worked on a website like yours and find out how these are ranking on the search engines that are popular. Pick the SEO Company that has been able to optimize more on sites like yours and successfully managed to position them high on the search engine pages. You can click this link http://www.wikihow.com/Do-SEO for more great tips!


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ISIL has established school curriculum in the occupied Iraqi city of Mosul, declaring that it seeks to "eliminate ignorance, to spread religious sciences, and to fight the decayed curriculum." History classes are on hold until a revised history can be written and codified, and offensive pictures are to be removed from textbooks. Science classes are to be taught in accordance with religious doctrine, including the banning of evolution as a subject. In its anti-homosexual, anti-women and pro-death penalty approach, ISIL opposes all other religions. Imagine if you woke up in the morning and found yourself in a country controlled by religious fanatics? That would happen in the U.S. on November 5, the day after this year's general elections.
Political right-wing leaders in the United States support the following:
Texas is trying to approve new textbooks that place Moses into history lessons.
The Wilks brothers, Farris and Dan, are using millions of dollars gained from fracking to put the Bible back into public schools. Their church, Assembly of Yahweh (7th Day), believes "That the Bible, as originally given, was true and correct in every scientific and historical detail. Every translation of the Bible is not necessarily one hundred percent correct, however."
"Religious" organizations—including businesses—object to telling the federal government the names of insurance providers because their female employees might be able to get birth control from the government.
The Family Research Council Values Voters Summit had speeches from many political leaders, including presidential wannabes Bobbie Jindal, LA governor and Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Rand Paul (R-KY). Former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin also made an appearance. An FRC premise is that freedom of religion applies only to Christians who oppose same-sex marriage. Bobbie Jindal calls anti-discrimination laws a "silent war on religious liberty."
Televangelist Pat Robertson believes that the Bible supports genocide of those who oppose against people of different religious beliefs.
Oklahoma's GOP state Senator John Bennett claimed in a town hall meeting all Muslims are violent and need to be removed from the U.S. like "a cancer" that "needs to be cut out." Complaining about the violence in the Koran, he ignored the fact that the Bible has more violence than the Islam holy book. Religion historian Philip Jenkins said on NPR, "Much to my surprise, the Islamic scriptures in the Koran were actually far less bloody and less violent than those in the Bible."
Rep. Steve King (R-IA) wants the federal government to spy on mosques to defeat ISIL. The U.S. estimates that ISIL has about 12 U.S. citizens in the country, but most of the Muslims in this country rejects the organization. They view ISIL as an abomination because it deviates from Islam fundamentals in destroying Qur'an copies, murdering Muslims, killing innocent youths, using rape and sexual slavery.
After a teacher harassed a student and threatened punishment for not reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, the ninth-grader contacted the American Humanist Association for help. The Supreme Court ruling that compelling people to recite the Pledge violates the First Amendment hasn't reached Beaufort County, South Carolina. Although a form of the Pledge was written in 1892, "under God" wasn't added until 1954.
Kentucky senate candidate Robert Ransdell told listeners Constitution Day at Kentucky University that "I believe that there is no such thing as racial equality. You see that in our cities everyday." He added, "Blacks used to know better when they did not see whites as…easy targets. When they knew that there were real consequences if they were to attack a white person, especially…a white woman or a white child. Black people are a race of savages living in a white nation." This was after he posted 20 campaign signs across the Cincinnati suburb of Florence stating, "With Jews You Lose." He has 200 more signs.
Quiverfull is a fundamentalist Christianity that rejects all contraception, including family planning, as a form of abortion because the faithful must "out-populate the enemy" to win the culture wars. In this patriarchal cult, men are "leaders, teachers, initiators, protectors and providers," and women are "helpmeets" who serve men by being "submissive and yielding." Girls cannot date but must be "courted" under the watchful eye of the father until they can marry and "experience their first kiss at the marriage altar." The Duggar family of the TLC show 19 Kids and Counting are adherents to Quiverfull. Men who constantly criticize their families are "hating the sin, but loving the sinner." Domestic abuse, economic and emotional, is praised in their beliefs. All the Quiverfull beliefs—that men and women have separate and complementary gender roles, that sex should be restricted to marriage and is primarily for procreation, that the secular world is a threat that children must be sheltered from—come directly from the mainstream conservative Christian movement.
Catholic priest Father Jonathan Morris, Fox network contributor, wanted to stop a Satanic black mass because it was "inciting violence" by mocking Christians. He said on The Fight for Faith that Oklahoma City must stop the mass because it has a "responsibility to defend the good governance of its people." Morris used that excuse to declare that the mass was not "free speech" and therefore against the First Amendment. He used the examples of desecrating a Koran or speaking "pro-Nazi stuff right in front of my church" as non-protected speech. It actually is protected, but as stating Christian beliefs is protected by the First Amendment.
Televangelist Rodney Howard-Browne has claimed that the federal government, under President Obama's orders, is building concentration camps and gas chambers while preparing to institute martial law. Howard-Browne is known for leading prayer groups with senior U.S. Congressmen, including Rep. David Jolly (R-FL). A "leading congressman" told the televangelist that the dollar is about to collapse, food will become scarce, and riots will start within 12 hours.
"For Christian swingers, things are not easy." So reads the first line of a website advocating wife-swapping for Jesus. Cristy and Dean Parave had trouble finding other couples who wanted to discuss Bible verses while trading partners, so they now shop on the net. Cristy said that God created people "to breed and enjoy each other." She's also pretty sure that God wouldn't be angry with wife-swapping. Want to take a look? Go to FitnessSwingers.com. Dean said, "I'm getting to people that probably never even visited church," the usual excuse from Christians so that they can whatever they want. Last year, the website ChristianSwingers.com preached the same idea. Dean stated that he'll keep swinging until God sends him a sign.
Wrestling also has its own group—the Christian Wrestling Federation. Their goal is "to be a Christian outreach ministry that shares the love of Jesus Christ, through wrestling events around the world." Their website also uses the excuse that "the Bible says we are to use unique and different ways to reach people for Christ." The CWF thinks that Jesus would like to see someone handcuffed to the ropes before getting stomped, chocked, and kicked. After this, the handcuffed person is released and led to a room where they are told to give their lives to Jesus Christ.
Hypocrisy from the religious right in Kansas: Massive tax cuts for the wealthy have left the state with a $238 million budget deficit by 2016. Instead of raising taxes for the wealthy, Kansas plans to pay for part of the deficit is to sell thousands of X-rated items seized from five sex shops in the state because the businesses didn't pay $163,000 in states taxes.


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When billions of GB data is generated within minutes, it typically shows how important data management is in today's world of business. Technology enabling easy access to information has helped businesses to organise their data needs more efficiently.
Data does not necessarily reach the right customers. Thus, businesses have far more interest in engaging with organisations that specialise in offering solutions for managing data efficiently. The main objective of any product selling business is to ensure that customers are happy so that they return time and again to engage in more transactions. It enables brand to be known as reliable and easily accessible, making it a leader in its product segment. Recent trends have revealed that data management is becoming a crucial business tool. Businesses small and large are going beyond their usual data service providers. They are making more money available to implement techniques for managing data flow efficiently.
Customers for a single business may not necessarily reside in any one country, so it becomes increasingly difficult to meet their needs. However, by using a service provider that offers an integrated data management solution ensures updated data is always at hand. It means that the business can track important details like user preferences and, evaluate purchasing trends as well. Thus, helping the business to adapt and meet any changes required in the information distribution. These days customers don't need to visit a shop front to find out about a product range, they just go online. A business has to offer a product that both meets the desires of the consumer and is easy to purchase with a prompt response time.
Master data services provide a management solution that allows a business to access reliable and accurate data from a central hub. This gives users throughout a company a central reference point in which to access data. For example, the dispatch department emails a customer when their ordered product has been dispatched. This customer after receiving the product ends up lodging a complaint about the product, which is being investigated by someone from customer services. The business's marketing department contacts the complainant to find out more details about the problem with the product. So far three departments of the business have been in touch with the customer. These people need to be able to synchronise (sync.) so that they know what each one is doing while the customer is kept in the loop too. A master data management solution helps to make this process smooth and flawless.
A management system ensures that everybody has easy access to the data that is needed. It speeds up communication while improving the overall efficiencies throughout all departments of business. It also facilitates more appropriate decisions by using accurate data in all departments..
A master data management solution facilitates efficient collation of data and also enables data to be presented in an easy to use and read format. The top management of the business has all data at his or her fingertips allowing decisions to be made on improving the business and seizing opportunities to increase the profits. Considering the growing need of data management, there will hardly any businesses in the future that haven't incorporated a data management solution for their businesses.


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Don't Fall for Rumours ! — Yamaha R15 V3.0 is Not Coming to India
With the launch Yamaha FZ25 and Fazer 25 company indirectly told that they are not going to launch R15 V3.0 anytime soon. Mr. Roy Kurian, VP, Sales & Marketing, Yamaha India didn't sound good in a video by Power drift about the idea of launching new R15 v3.0 to the Indian market.
According Mr. Roy, The company launch around 250 models worldwide every year. It doesn't mean they have to get all the motorcycles to the Indian market. They already have good sale of R15, R15-S it doesn't seems like they have to get the R15 v3.0 to India at present… but they may bring it but not sure.
one more fact is that they recently upgraded both R15 & R15-S to BS4 so there is no point of getting R15 v3.0 because they invested lot of money for upgrading.
Noticed that most of the auto portals are sharing false news regarding the launch of R15 V3.0. We suggest not to believe such rumours as R15 v3 is NOT coming to India anytime soon.


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Hellooooooo Friday! It's felt so long since I last saw you 😉
I made an incredible French Toast Bake last weekend and thought I would share the wealth.
Again, it is so easy to make and you can prep everything the night before so all you have to do is pop it in the oven in the morning! Whether you are going out this weekend and want an easy hangover cure for the am, or wanting something easy to make for your family- this recipe is a slam dunk.
Serving it with fruit helps cut the richness and add some tasty flavors, as well as maybe a mimosa or orange julius!
Chat with you all soon!


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[Editor's Note: Two major trends have emerged in the recent history of new media: 1) Music videos are the new music and 2) YouTube is the new MTV. With that in mind and to keep you up to speed with the greatest and latest in this online video category, Tubefilter has partnered with INDMUSIC, YouTube's largest independent music network, to bring you at least one must-watch music video every week. Turn up your volume and we hope you enjoy the analysis, sites, and sounds. For more Must-Watch Music Video installments, click here.]
Lucius have been the "it" band for some time now. The Brooklyn rockers have previously performed an incredible NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert, released a well received EP, and embarked on a successful tour. For the past year, the public has been foaming at the mouth for more. Luckily, last month brought the release of Lucius' first full-length album, 'Wildewoman' (Mom + Pop), and it brings with it some brilliant new videos and songs to obsess over.
Lucius is the perfect marriage between a fully realized bliss-pop indie sound-scape and musicians that know exactly how to execute a concept. They've created something that you never knew was missing from music but when you hear it, you'll wonder where it was all along.
Lucius has produced a next-level video to match their incredible song 'Tempest' and its striking arrangement and melodies. Fronted by Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig, who also star in the video, the band cultivates a unique personal style where 60s mod meets 'colorful' French noir. The video is able to blend these sensibilities with a visual narrative featuring picturesque vignettes of the band members. The product is a music video where each scene is a tableau so perfectly realized that it could stand alone as its own portrait.
Director Scott Cudmore deserves credit for creating a video that captures the distinct essence and motifs of the band so well. For more on Lucius, including tour dates, videos, and to buy their album check here!
Arshan Sadri is the Channel Manager at Brooklyn based, INDMUSIC, YouTube's largest music Network. He got his start booking comedy and music at the University of Maryland. On weekends he refuses to travel above 14th street, likes to run, and plays in two bands that are just ok.
INDMUSIC is YouTube's Largest Music Network, allowing independent music content creators to monetize their YouTube views without sacrificing creative control or rights to their content.


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Celebrating Service in the Ceramic Industry
Our annual Services Directory aims to help you find the best service providers for your needs.
Happy 10th anniversary to our Services Directory! This annual guide continues to aim to help you find the best service providers for your needs. The directory includes companies* ranging from business consultants and testing labs to toll processors and equipment resellers, along with details regarding what specific services they can provide to help your business succeed.
The Services Directory Address Index includes supplier contact information, as well as brief descriptions of the services each company offers, while the accompanying chart-style listings detail the service providers' specific areas of expertise. In addition, the fully searchable Services Directory is available online at www.ceramicindustry.com/servicesdirectory. Don't hesitate to reach out to these companies to discover how they can help you meet your quality and productivity goals.
Do you have a favorite service provider or material/equipment supplier? If so, we invite you to nominate them for our 2017 Supplier of the Year Award! The winner will be announced live at Ceramics Expo 2017, and we will celebrate them in the May 2017 issue. (Plus, you could win one of two $25 American Express gift cards just for making the nomination!) Visit www.ceramicindustry.com/supplieroftheyear for full details.
Happy holidays to you and yours from all of us at Ceramic Industry. And best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2017!
*Supplier listings indicate paid advertising. Contact AnnaMarie McCann at email@example.com for pricing and additional details.


text: Fifth Harmony may have just finished the first leg of its "PSA Tour," but that doesn't meant there's any time to slow down. The group headed to New York Tuesday for a "TRL" Takeover on MTV's rebooted afternoon staple. The show was ready for the girls to phone it in after all the road dates, and it had them play a game in which they lip synced their own songs.


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New Titles – w/e 15th October 2016
in hardcover:
Mark Lawrence – The Wheel of Osheim 3rd in his Red Queen's War trilogy
Stephen Gallagher – The Authentic William James ex-police detective Sebastian Becker's latest case…
Doctor Wh0 – Twelve Doctors of Christmas Seasonal anthology by 12 authors, each with a full colour illustration by a different artist
in large format:
Samuel R. Delaney – Dark Reflections mainstream novel in 3 parts, which first appeared in 2007
in 'B' format:
Adam Roberts – The Thing Itself Antarctic horror
Peter Higgins – Wolfhound Empire omnibus of the trilogy of Wolfhound Century, Truth and Fear & Radiant State set in an alternate, almost mythical Russia
Stanislaw Lem – Mortal Engines 14 short stories, chosen & translated by Michael Kandel
John Christopher – Cloud on Silver a group of tourists are marooned on a South Pacific island…
Emma Bull – War for the Oaks reprint of her classic fantasy novel from 1987
art, etc:
J. K. Rowling – Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets large, illustrated edition, matching 1st volume which came out. Art, as with the fist volume, by Jim Kay
Art Spiegelman (editor) – Si Lewen's Parade a large concertina-style book in a slipcase. His b&w art on one side with a substantial essay (with illustrations) by Spiegelman on the other
Dave McKean – Black Dog: The Dreams of Paul Nash. Softcover with some great looking pieces
Marc Taro Holmes – Designing Creatures & Characters subtitled How to Build an Artist's Portfolio for Video Games, Film Animation and More for on-screen creation. Softcover
Hi-Fructose – issue # 41 with a sliced lemon octopus on the cover and a colour insert with more of Greg 'Craola' Simkins' work bound inside
No comments yet.


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The 2018 National League finalists will be decided on Saturday afternoon when the third and decisive matches from the semi-final play-offs will be played at the National Pool.
In the opening semi-final, which starts at 6pm, fierce rivals Neptunes and Sliema will go head to head for a place in the final after they both won a match apiece after the opening two legs.
The Balluta Bay side drew first blood in the three-game semi-final when they edged the first match 8-7 courtesy of a last-gasp goal from Niki Lanzon.
But Sliema fought back in the second tie and they too needed a late goal from Mark Meli to see off their rivals 12-11 to set up Saturday's decisive clash.
Surely, an enthralling contest is in prospect between these two big rivals with a bumper crowd experted at the National Pool.
In the second semi-final, champions San Ġiljan will be looking to recover from their midweek defeat to Sirens as they look to remain on course to retain their league title with victory over the St Paul's Bay side (start: 7.15pm)
However, it will be far from a straightforward task for the Saints who have been stretched to the limit by a spirited Sirens side.
In fact, San Ġiljan needed extra-time to overcome the St Paul's Bay side 14-12 in their first showdown.
But Sirens produced a remarkable fightback in the second match when they edged San Ġiljan 11-10 to hand the Malta champions their first defeat after 54 competitive matches.
Surely, the two teams who will produce their perfect game will advance to the championship finals which get under way with the opening match at the National Pool on Tuesday.
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Waiting Game/
"Hurry up and Wait" I hear the above phrase uttered unendingly in my new military spouse life. It's a mantra. I try and put a good spin on it, but in all honesty, its absolutely true. For those wondering, I am acclimating to the Navy lifestyle with all the sputters, murmured curses and feet dragging you would all expect of me.
Tricare remains a black hole into which I am swallowed anytime I make a call or log onto their website. Oh and filing a claim with them is worse than filling out your taxes every year. A Standard HMO can be a nightmare to manage, add the military red tape and you find yourself in the rings of H E L L!!!
I am grateful to all my old and new friends who send me encouraging words and listen to my rambling vents on the newest kink I find in my life everyday.
For all the negatives in learning to live your life in the Navy fishbowl, there are a ton of positives. I am attending a formal ball next week. I am thinking this is sort of along the lines of a Prom for adults, except we won't be sneaking alcohol we will be paying through the nose for it :)
There are a bazillion wonderful people I have met who fill my life with snippets of humor and hold my hand, or lead me back along the right path... oh and well they might slap a hand across my mouth to keep me from cussing out the hospital or Dr or screaming from frustration as I stare at the little pull tab with a number on it while I wait in line for a prescription :) Seriously, why does it take almost 2 hours every time I go there? *sigh*
Life is fabulous and I complain, sometimes loudly, but I wouldn't give up a second of it!
Gaming time has been a mixture of Mass Effect and DDO.
I play DDO because I love the game. At the moment, I play it to remind myself of this fact as we "Hurry up and Wait" for Mod 9. Still no official word on it.
*Taps her foot*
Zeffy has been loving gaming time.
I have a *gasp* PINK ottoman under my desk for long sessions at the computer. Zeffy has taken it over for her naps when I am up here. Cracks me up to see her all sprawled out. At least she's comfy, but why do I think this is only the first in a long line of objects she will usurp???
I ran into one of my favorite bugs in DDO the other night.
I logged into the portable hole on my newly minted level 14 sorcerer. I guess it was moving day? The store keepers, bar and even the stairs seemed to be missing in the portable hole.
This bug has been a round a long long time. It's random. Doesn't happen often.
And it never ceases to make me giggle when I load into a zone and the graphics are just missing.
I am off to game...I can't decide if I want to finish my mission in Mass Effect, or go work on a project I have going in DDO.


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Josh and Linnay M. - Kalamazoo January 2013
We had a wonderful experience!! The sales associate Patrick was wonderful. He was very knowledgeable, but also allowed us to make our own decision. Delivery was right within the time frame, and both men were very friendly and courteous. Thank you for the great experience! Will definitely recommend!


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Daily Living
End Times
Lost Respect For A Pastor
I was recently at a seminar and seated beside a pastor I know and admire. He talked the entire time and made comments about a man's weight and how another man reminded him sarcastically of someone he knew. I was so disappointed and remained quiet. Now I find I have lost respect for him. Comments?
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Cana on 4/5/06
Helpful Blog Vote (12)
Remember that your friend is a human being, just like you. It could be that he was having a real bad day, you know, preachers have them too.
It may have helped if you were to ask him, "Is there something bothering you today, I've never heard you talking like that?"
on 3/1/08
If this is indeed true and in the proper context, then you should forgive him but he should NOT be the pastor of any Church.
Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good, and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
on 9/9/07
You can lose respect and not be disrespectful and fall into the same trap.
on 9/9/07
did you do Matthew 18:15-17 before you brought this concern to this forum?If not then you need too.there is way to much gossip in the church
on 6/25/06
Pastors are to be an example to follow. They should follow the directives in the word of God for their calling. And more so than the rest of us since their lives are under the microscope. But; we should watch how we act as well.
on 6/24/06
P.J.Croad--You are right. I should have included in my post to go to the pastor and talk to him about it. I didn't think the situation through very well. Hope Cana follows
advice and that of WIVV and Daph8897, not mine.
on 5/9/06
I feel sorry for those who said to forgive him just like that. If we don't let people know of the pain they are causing others, how can we expect to stop it? And how can anyone who ignores discrimination say they are Christian? Someone once said "when good men [or people] do nothing when bad things happen - that is evil enough". I suggest telling the pastor that you are disappointed and why, reminding him that he is supposed to treat people with kindness.
on 5/9/06
I feel sorry for those who said to forgive him just like that. If we don't let people know of the pain they are causing others, how can we expect to stop it? And how can anyone who ignores discrimination say they are Christian? Someone once said "when good men [or people] do nothing when bad things happen - that is evil enough". I suggest telling the pastor that you are disappointed and why, reminding him that he is supposed to treat people with kindness.
on 5/9/06
Cana, what this pastor did made you lose total respect for him.
Would what you do and have done make him lose total respect for you?
Matthew 7:12.
on 5/8/06
Cana--I'd have been very disappointed in him, too. There is no excuse for his behavior. But we tend to hold pastors to a much higher standard than other people. And that's too bad. They may have a gift of preaching and teaching and pastoring and still have many faults. They have to grow spiritually, as we all do, and have tendancies toward pride or insecurity like other men. Forgive him. Lower your expectations. Leave his ministry only after you've forgiven him and if his preaching isn't true to the Word.
on 4/10/06
WIVV, "You are a prime example of why a pastor can't let, "his hair down" even for a brief moment." From what Cana said, this pastor did far more than that - he belittled another believer, and in front of one of his flock. Don't dump this back on Cana. I see no where in scripture where that is okay - for any believer. If letting ones hair down means being rude or unkind - none of us should EVER feel comfortable or be okay with doing so.
on 4/6/06
mima: Scriptures say that a pastor or elder is supposed to be above reproach. That is why people become disappointed in their pastors.
on 4/5/06
You just have to remember that pastors are human too. And like us, they are forgiven; not perfect. You are a prime example of why a pastor can't let, "his hair down" even for a brief moment. Talk with the pastor and tell him your feelings. (Make an appointment and see him.) Be candid, (but be nice). Don't make him guess at what you are saying. Give him a chance to explain himself. (More than likely, he'll just say, "I blew it".)
on 4/5/06
If you can walk across a lake and turn water into wine and raise yourself from the dead then you have a right to judge him. Otherwise just pray for him.
on 4/5/06
Test the spirits to see if they be of God.. There are many wolves in sheeps clothing.. Run for your life...
on 4/5/06
Many people disappointed in their pastors. The chief reason for this being that they put too much stock in their pastors, they hold too high an opinion of their pastor.
on 4/5/06
Read These Insightful Articles About
Debt Relief
Cana, this just may be a reality check. He is just as carnel minded as we are.
on 4/5/06
Cana, Is this man approachable? Can you go to him in an gentle way and tell him what you perceived and how that made you feel? If he responds well, then you've helped him to be a better pastor. If he doesn't, then shake the dust from your sandles...
on 4/5/06
Everyone has moments of weakness. Only God truly knows his heart. God sees the things that we dont. That pastor may have thought about it after he got home, fell on his face and asked the Lord to forgive him and help him avoid those thoughts. ...or he could have went home and made bad comments about you to someone else.
But we should not care, we belong to God and he will defend us. I would just pray for him and let him see Gods light showing through you.
on 4/5/06
That is so sad that a pastor would do that! I lost respect for my pastor as well. He openly made fun of a family in our church. The couple has 10 children. He poked fun at them all the time. Eventually, they left. He has also made some other unkind remarks against others in our church. I want to leave as well, but my husband wants to stay.
on 4/5/06
Read These Insightful Articles About
Debt Settlement
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Persian Karaoke
Donyae Nava Persian Karaoke Device
Persian Karaoke includes two wireless microphones, 450 Persian songs, 1500 English songs. The picture and sound quality of this Karaoke device is HD.
This module allows you to record your voice with music to replay later. It has 4 slots for music chips for adding extra songs. This unit is ideal for home use and it can be installed easily.
For easier use we have included all the necessary connections even a HDMI cable to easily set up the unit in a portable case. Also, this device includes a microphone holder and a remote control.
You can see the list of songs that are available on this unit below this description or see all songs list here


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Popular Articles
Homeowner's Insurance Premiums Explained
Does Your Homeowner's Insurance Offer Hidden Coverage?
7 Technologies Have Helped Lower California Homeowner's Insurance
How to Save on Your California Homeowner's Insurance
Merced Homeowner's insurance typically covers you against fire, theft and other damage to your home and personal property. Homeowner's insurance also covers your liability in case someone gets inured on your property. Everyone likes to save money on their homeowner's insurance. But many people assume that saving money equals less coverage. That is not so. Here are some simple things that you can do to save money on your homeowner's insurance without compromising coverage.
Homeowners insurance Savings
- Stop smoking. There are over 8,000 smoking related fires every year in the U.S.
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Well, here we are with some smack talk for the Windows Phone platform. Been a while, actually. This time Huawei is taking a dig at Microsoft's mobile OS, with some very choice words.
Very choice words, and more than a little generalization.
Sure, there may be some truth to this, but the fact remains that many of these hardware vendors and Windows Phone partners did not bring their A-game to the party. HTC found some early success with the 8X and 8S, but quickly put the foot off the pedal.
Samsung and Huawei did not even get started.
The former has built a lot of momentum on Android, but it reportedly put its Windows Phone plans on hold earlier this year. That, after commenting that Microsoft's platform is not open enough.
However, the company made it no secret that it lost out on the venture, and its bitterness was evident in the declaration that Windows Phone does not factor into its immediate mobile strategy.
A company executive by the name of Kelly had this to say last month:
"We didn't make any money in Windows Phone. Nobody made any money in Windows Phone."
These remarks came when journalists were invited to Huawei's research and development labs, and it is hard to deny what the Chinese company is claiming here. Even though there have been companies like Nokia and Qualcomm that benefited from the platform, others can't say the same.
Things were slow to pick up, and if the opposite was true, we'd surely have seen some more hustle from companies like Samsung and HTC on the Windows Phone front.
Microsoft is currently the only major vendor pushing the platform forward.
That's not to say that the fortunes will not change. Forecasts are not always the most accurate of things to go by, but market research firms are positive that Windows Phone has turned a corner, and is set for notable growth in the near future.
But will companies like HTC, Samsung and Huawei, even LG, mark their return to the platform?
That be the million dollar question.


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New Delhi -°C
Monday, Aug 26, 2019
From the Russia House
It's taken me nearly 50 years to make it to Russia, aka the Evil Empire, aka a Really Cold Place with Lots of Flat Land. With about 60 other countries under my belt and in my passport, that I was missing this big piece of real estate from my travels was a conspicuous miss. Pramit Pal Chaudhuri writes. Car-Nama | Expletive Deletedindia Updated: Dec 16, 2011 01:45 IST
First Published: Dec 16, 2011 01:39 IST
more from india


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Expanding Web Ltd
Anyone having or wanted to have a modern, professional and functional website.
Expanding Web will turn four in December 2011, and we're going from strength to strength! Over the past two years we've been service our clients with a personal and enthusiastic approach and we think this is what has made us so popular. Based in the historic city of Edinburgh, Expanding Web consists of a team of 8 fun-loving IT and marketing professionals with varied backgrounds in web development, design, animation, marketing, SEO, and eCommerce. We create web sites simply, because it's our passion.


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Cuba Celebrates Anniversary of October Socialist Revolution
- Written by PL
- Published in Cuba
- 0 comments
Members of the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba (MINFAR), local authorities and members of the diplomatic corps accredited on the island commemorated on Wednesday the 101st anniversary of the triumph of the Great October Socialist Revolution.
The participants in the ceremony, held in the Mausoleum to the Soviet Internationalist Soldier of this capital, placed floral offerings and remembered the transcendence of the historical event for the future of humanity.
When speaking, the second head of Direction of the MINFAR, general of brigade Ernest Feijoo, assured that the Great October Socialist Revolution constituted an example to follow for other exploited countries of the third world.
It marked a new era in the struggle for a better future and illuminated the emancipation path of all the oppressed, he said.
For Cuba, this event has a special meaning. It is enough to remember the words of the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, when he said that this process in the Caribbean nation was possible because much earlier there was a Russian Revolution, he added.
In this mausoleum, where lie the remains of internationalist fighters of the peoples of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, we express our gratitude and recognition, added Feijoo.
For his part, the Ambassador of Belarus in Cuba, Alexander N. Alexandrov, stressed that people should not forget their history, because this is essential to know where you comes from.
Also present at the ceremony were the Azerbaijan business manager, Javanshir Salehov, the charge d'affaires of Kazakhstan, Azamat Abdraimov, and the advisor of the Russian embassy, Sergey Y. Reshchikov.
Among the Cuban authorities were the head of the Directorate of MINFAR, General Jorge Luis Mendez, and the president of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples, Fernando Gonzalez.


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Cornerstone exists because of Jesus. We are a people who have been transformed by the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ. Through Jesus' death and resurrection, God has forgiven us and adopted us into his family. Now, we have a whole new life.
Through the gospel, God redeems us, forgives us, and adopts us into his family. The good news of Jesus' death and resurrection makes each one of us a new creation and gives us a new identity: children of God. This is why we can never think of the church as an organization or a building. The church is actually a family—God's family, filled with redeemed sinners that are now his children.
Through the gospel, God forgives us, adopts us into his family, and makes us his disciples. This means that the church is not just any family. We are a family formed by God—and sent out with a purpose.
The church is a family that ministers to one another, cares for one another, and builds one another up. Each member of the family is a child of God who is uniquely gifted to bless the family and to be a light in our city.
Just like a vine grows best with a good trellis, our church family grows best with good programs. Our programs and ministries are tailored to support the community and mission God has given us.
Isaiah 25:1-26:6
Isaiah 25:1-26:6
February 24, 2019
The LORD reveals Himself through the prophet Isaiah as the God who is victorious. No other god, no other person, no other thing will ultimately have HIs plan or purpose accomplished in the world, except for God. His victory now in our lives is not exactly the same as His ultimate victory when He will create a new heavens and a new earth, but His victory is real now, and will be secured and assured forever.
Matt serves Cornerstone by overseeing Family Ministries.
Additional sermonss that might be of interest.
Suggestions from related topics.


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Full Time Dispatcher, Twin Cities, Work from Home
- Employer
- Medical Transportation Company
- Location
- Minneapolis-St. Paul Metro Area, Minnesota
- Salary
- $30,000-$60,000 per year
- Posted
- Jun 10, 2018
- Closes
- Jul 09, 2018
- Category
- Drivers / Transportation
- Job Type
- Contract
- Employment Status
- Full Time
Our company, Medical Transportation Company is certified by MN Department of Transportation and MN Department of Human Services for the State of Minnesota. We provide medical transportation primarily for people with special needs (disabled, elderly, etc.) who travel to and from Minnesota Health Care Facilities. We provide rides for Medical Assistance, HealthPartners, Blue Cross Blue Shield and UCare Recipients, as well as for Private Pay Clients. Our company was established in 1993 and is currently growing its business. We have workers who have been with our company for up to 25 consecutive years. We are seeking for a new full time long term Dispatcher who would like to join our professional team.
As a Dispatcher, you will be providing services primarily within Twin Cities metro area. Use your own laptop computer (Windows 10 Pro, Microsoft Office Pro 2016 or Office 365 for Business, must have an RJ-45 LAN Ethernet interface and connect to internet via a LAN cable). Work from the comfort of your home using high speed internet.
This job is perfect for those with a previous transportation or delivery dispatch experience and those who feel compassion for people with special needs. You have to be a hardworking, responsible, reliable and motivated person, who speaks fluently English. Also, you have to live within about 30 miles of Twin Cities. Minimum 3 (three) year contract.
If you would like to be considered for this job, please email to us at firstname.lastname@example.com your resume.
Information subject to change without notice.


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« November 2010 | Main | January 2011 »
Posted at 02:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
The Government has accepted 139 of the 177 recommendations in the Cooper Report. Many of the recommendations are focused on establishing the MySuper design for all default funds. The aim is to reduce the level of fees incurred by members with no great desire to be actively involved in the management of their monies. No commissions, entry or exit fees will be allowed. MySuper design will be simple. These funds must accept all types of contributions. Equal trustee director requirements for industry funds have been retained. Insurance is on an opt out basis. Post retirement products have not been considered.
Most of the Super Stream proposals have also been accepted. The aim is to streamline the back office by standardising forms and common data structures. The tax file number will be allowed to be the primary identifier for accounts.
The Government decisions for SMSFs are reasonable on the whole. Their responses are:
There is one comment in the response that I feel can be guaranteed to be implemented - the SMSF levy will go up. For the other aspects the Government intends to have a consultative group with sub groups to work through the implementation ramifications.
The NetActuary Team
Posted at 09:49 AM in Industry Developments | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
In the year 1011 Byrhtferth, a priest and a monk who lived at Ramsey Abbey, wrote a book in Latin entitled "Enchiridion" (or "Manual"). It is preserved in the Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford. Byrhtferth was a man of science and interested in logic, astronomy and mathematics. The book was about calculations. Byrhtferth believed the divine order of the universe can be perceived through the study of mathematics.
Exactly 1000 years later, NetActuary has a vastly more modest aim but using the same approach. We believe that the way to manage retirement finances can be perceived by the application of mathematics. We have a huge advantage in being able to stand on the shoulders of people like Fermat, Pascal, Laplace, Markov and Mayes. These people gave us the tools to deal with risk by the use of probability. Thomas Bayes, in particular, pushed probability from a "frequentistic" approach to where a probability can be assigned to any statement whatsoever – even when no random process is involved. Bayes' law or rule deals with conditional probabilities.
When Equitable Life failed, the London Institute of Actuaries raised funds to purchase the manuscripts of the works of Thomas Bayes, Richard Price, William Morgan and James Dodson (the actuary of Equitable). These landmark contributions in the development of the statistical sciences and actuarial practice are now available on a DVD.
The work goes on! Risk now has been moved from mutual societies to the individual. In 2011 NetActuary will undertake research and development to create the next generation of tools and concepts for managing this area.
The NetActuary Team
Posted at 09:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
By far the largest age group in SMSF members is the 55-64 age bracket - some 33.7% of members. Age 65 and above is only 20.6% of membership. Consequently the average fund member is most likely to be interested in adequacy of retirement assets and transition to retirement tax strategies. Also you are likely to have two people to talk to about the way the SMSF is running. Some 68.4% of funds have two members. There is a slightly greater chance the person is a male - 53.7% of members are male versus 46.3% being female.
It sounds nice to have mega rich clients. However, in practice this is not going to be the reality. More than half the account balances will be for less than $500,000 and about 75% of members will have less than $1m in assets. Even if these members are not likely to receive the Age Pension now or at retirement time, it would be a mistake to ignore this entitlement as it will emerge at some stage. Only 18.7% of SMSF members currently have incomes of more than $100,000 p.a.
The funds have more than 37% of assets in listed shares, 27% in cash and deposits and 10% in real property. These are not asset sectoral percentages for growth versus defensive assets since "managed funds", for example, will have further equity exposure. An observation is that the typical SMSF member probably did not need the drawdown relief that was operational during the global financial crisis. They would on average have more than adequate liquidity.
The number of SMSF members is impressive at 815,399 at 30 June 2010. However, remember for each of these members there are more than 11 other superannuation members with more modest assets and income. Who is going to be brave and think about how to address these member's advice needs? NetActuary is not in the financial advice space, however, we would like to support planners who would like to introduce innovation via technological advances. Certainly one of the focus items for the summer holidays is to think about issues such as maximising the Age Pension entitlement.
The NetActuary Team
Posted at 03:24 PM in Industry Developments | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Recently, I have been reading a book by John Nelson and Richard Bolles called "What Color is Your Parachute? For Retirement". It is an excellent reminder that our well-being consists of a great deal more than just financial security. The book breaks well-being into four areas.
Using the retirement window of opportunity to consider living where there is a "sense of place" – an appropriate residence; a liveable community and convenience for other retirement objectives.
They see five sources of retirement income: personal savings; occupational superannuation; reverse mortgages; Age Pension and part time work. Working a little to prove that you don't have to sit on your butt because you are worthless resonates with me. A fair amount of time in the book is spent canvassing auto pilot systems to overcome human shortcomings. They don't like Facts of Life Financial Education – e.g. will we remember to practice "safe spending" in a moment of passion? Nor do they endorse "Scare and Scold" Financial Education. The key is motivational education!
There is a chapter based on health from the inside out – a reminder that we are (first and foremost) a biological organism. Rather than the "fix the health issues" of earlier years, the question becomes "how will I manage this health issue over the next couple of decades"? The development of a health philosophy between high and low intervention, conventional and alternative medicine is worthwhile.
There is a useful chapter on three levels of happiness, ranging from the pursuit of pleasure through to engaging activities and meaningful undertakings.
There is encouragement to not neglect social connections and friendships as happiness tends to be only real when shared.
Planning to be happy, prosperous and healthy sounds such an obvious truism. The value in the book is that it provides help to have a far greater understanding of the core values (or guidance principles) that shape our approach to life. One individual may rate transcendence – connection to the larger universe – highly, whilst another has a hedonistic approach. Openness to change or a more conservative approach may be at opposite ends of the spectrum – but neither is wrong, only different. Knowing oneself is empowering to achieving well being in retirement.
I need to find another book to read! The above book redresses the financial over-emphasis in the early retirement period. My suspicion is that practitioners and commentators at the other end of life don't take into account sufficiently the care needs and options of individuals. As practitioners we need reminders from time to time that life and retirement is more than just about finances.
Brian Bendzulla
Posted at 12:17 PM in Post Retirement Issues | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
With a new Anti Detriment Calculator and Technical Note being loaded on to the website in the next day or or two, it is timely to highlight some issues that should be kept in mind.
A recontribution strategy will normally reduce down the anti detriment amount that can be claimed. If the formula in ATO Interpretive Decision 2010/5 is used, the calculation includes various service days and the taxable component. The recontribution strategy will have as its aim the reduction or elimination of the taxable component. Consequently, if the super death benefit is to be paid to a financial dependant, the anti detriment amount may be more valuable. To a non financial dependant, it would need to be evaluated.
With the source of funds to pay for the anti detriment amount, care is needed. Other member benefits can not be reduced to provide the source of funds for the additional payment. Normally with a SMSF it is seen as desirable to build up a reserve to pay the additional amount in advance of receiving the tax advantage. A large public offer fund has an advantage in this regard since they would have the level of assessable income to fully utilise the resultant tax credit in the year of payment for the anti detriment amount.
Where the SMSF has a large carried forward tax credit to utilise, having pesions in the fund will complicate the situation. These income tax losses (not capital losses) are reduced first by the net Exempt Current Pension Income amount. Only after this can any remaining tax losses be offset against the SMSF's assessable income. In some funds this would dissapate most of the tax advantage. Presumably it may be possible to transfer out the pension monies to another fund and leave the losses available for the remaining accumulation members. Often these members will be the next generation in the family being brought in. The use of the segregated versus unsegregated approach will have little effect. It doesn't matter how the ECPI is calculated. The problem is that the ECPI is used first against the brought forward income tax losses.
Comments and suggestions on anti detriment issues are most welcome. I hope the free calculator and Technical Note will be useful.
The NetActuary Team
Posted at 01:13 PM in Compliance Issues | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)


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Once you have logged in, select your entry type below and include your entry numbers(code) for each piece of work you wish to forward. If you have more than 20 entries to submit, please contact Sara Yoskoski at email@example.com.
Once you have entered your entry numbers, please "Save Responses" and then "Proceed to Checkout."


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You will benefit a lot when you get in touch with professional designers for your construction work. They will help you to get the best utilities designed in your building so that you will not have any issues in the future. It is also important to get everything you need in the initial stage of construction. This will save you a lot of trouble in future as you need not have to make any modifications to the structure. You have to ensure that proper provisions are made for parking and other amenities in the complex according to the future requirements. In this way, you will also have to take into consideration the number of vehicles that will be used by the occupants of the building while designing the structure. The professional designers of Singapore will have good knowledge and experience in all these aspects and you can easily rely on their suggestions for your building construction works. This will give you the best value for your money in the long run and you can utilize the available space in the best possible manner.
Affordable services from professional architects in Singapore
There is no need to spend lots of money on this task as you can easily get the services of these designers at affordable rates.
- They will carefully understand all your requirements and design the innovative plans for your structure.
- This will give the best outlook to your building and you will be able to impress your customers when it comes to commercial buildings.
- This is essential as residents will also look for the outlook factor when purchasing any building.
- In the same way, you can also consider the services of these architects in Singapore for your residential buildings.
- This will help you to reduce the cost of construction by a huge margin and you will also get the best outlook for the complex.


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Illiteracy in the U.S.
A look at illiteracy levels in America and what one woman can do to help
On Sept. 8, the world celebrated the 50th anniversary of International Literacy Day, a holiday created to underscore the importance of eradicating illiteracy.
For the general American public, the word "illiteracy" evokes images of impoverished people and communities in the conventionally destitute nations of South Asia, West Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Hidden among us, however, is an unseen population of Americans struggling to read and write in a society renowned by many for its high standard of living.
In 2013, a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Institute of Literacy revealed that 14 percent of adults nationwide are illiterate. That's 32 million Americans who struggle with an incapacity that keeps them from having careers, using phones and computers, and reading books, newspapers and magazines. 32 million people walk into restaurants on a regular basis and are handed menus they can't read – they travel on roads with street names and billboards they can't understand and struggle to communicate with the world around them.
Illiteracy is tied inevitably to poverty. According to the Literacy Project Foundation, 46 to 51 percent of American adults have an income well below the poverty level because of their inability to read. Kathryn Starke, a literacy specialist and founder of Creative Minds Publications, emphasized the vulnerability of children, particularly underprivileged ones, to illiteracy.
"National reading tests show that while 66 percent of our 9-year-olds read below grade level, 80 percent of those 9-year-olds come from low-income schools," she said.
Amy Moore, a teacher and educator in Richmond, Va., also stressed the role of poverty in education and literacy.
"In some of the low-income schools I worked in, you really had to get the students' attention," she said. "They had other things to worry about – some of them had children of their own. But when they got to trust you, they would work really hard. They applied themselves, and it was so rewarding to watch them grow. One day, I ran into a former student of mine, and he was applying to medical school. He told me he never would have been able to get there without me."
Starke also works to create hope for inner-city schools in Richmond, where she provides students and teachers with tools and resources to inspire a love of reading and encourage literacy.
"We have got to provide opportunities for children to read at a very young age," she said. "In life, you won't be able to balance your checkbook, get a job, read a book for information, or even for pleasure, without a solid foundation in literacy."
Starke emphasized the power of reading at home and in kindling a love of reading in children by starting with the adults. According to Starke, children from low-income homes who struggle to read often have parents who have the same issues.
"Children naturally want to read -- it's like riding a bike," she said. "And parents want to see their children succeed. In all my time working for inner-city schools, I have never met a parent who does not want their child to succeed where they couldn't. So, we need to create resources for kids, parents [and] grandparents. They should see the value in taking their kids to the library [and] in reading out loud to them."
Starke tackles the issue of illiteracy by starting with the teachers.
"Elementary school teachers have to be proficient in all the subjects," she said. "But you just can't be good at everything. If a child happens to get the teacher who's good at reading, then they're lucky. But if you get the teacher who's better at math or social studies, then your foundation in literacy is impacted. Teachers need to recognize that reading is important in every aspect of education; they need to understand the significance of literacy. Without reading, you can't learn much else."
Starke holds a master's degree in literacy, but she said not all teachers are able to obtain those degrees. As a result, a lot of teachers need teaching, although it is sometimes difficult to convince educators to accept coaching, she said.
According to her impact report, Starke has collaborated with schools that within a year saw a 14 percent increase in standardized test scores and a 31 percent increase in third and fourth graders reading at grade level. She has also coached reading groups where a majority of those enrolled passed statewide standardized reading assessments for the first time in their educational careers.
International Literacy Day falls one day before the National Football League Kickoff, and that is no coincidence for Starke, who often uses sports to encourage reading.
"What I'm doing can be done everywhere," Starke said. "I am simply providing resources and tools to help teach reading [and] to help build a community of competent teachers and literate students and parents. Illiteracy is an issue that we can overcome."


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Monster High is an incredibly fun theme for a girl's birthday party. The message behind the show is "Be you. Be unique. Be a monster." They celebrate and support each others differences.
In the last few months there has been a lot more party supplies you can buy to put on a great party, but what if (like me) you are limited on funds? Here is the 10th Birthday party I put together for 12 kids for under $100.
We used my daughter's Monster High dolls on their stands sprinkled in their accessories and de-composition books. We also added a cardboard coffin and rubber snakes we have for Halloween decor.
The black table cloth added a great lace-like texture. We found this a few years ago at Meijer during Halloween time.
Among the fake spiders and webs are Monster High Streamers we found at Party City ($2). We wrapped them around the lights and hung some in the doorway. The glitter bat we got at Target ($1).
We did buy the Monster High plates, napkins and cups at Walmart ($10).
I added my daughter's last year's Frankiestein costume to the door so guest knew they were in the right spot.
The 2 liter labels were a fun touch, I was planning on printing them out but I was lucky enough to find them at Party City ($3). I do wish you could write on them the actual flavors, I spend a good deal of the party answering what the flavors were. Also note that if the 2 liters are refrigerated, the labels will start to ripple from the "sweating" but hey, it's one day! ($9 soda and water)
I got this idea from Pinterest. These we really popular at the party. They are chocolate pudding ($2), crumbled Oreo's ($2.50), gummy worm ($1) and Milano cookie with RIP in icing ($3.50).
Spider pretzels. I took pretzel sticks and snapped them in half to make web then added melted candy quick to hold it together. ($2)
Cocoa Krispies cut using a coffin cookie cutter. ($8)
The rest of the spread was made up of the left over pretzels, Oreos, gummy worms, cookies, and licorice, bat brownies and nerds. ($6)
For the cake I was going to master royal icing but thanks to a Skullette dry erase board I found at Target the cake was simple but screamed Monster High. Total cake price $13 with candles.
We went with 3 games. Monster High UNO ($7), Monster High Bingo and Fear Leading Try Outs. We had Monster High prizes for each game ($4).I made the MH Bingo using photoshop and the MH UNO cards. Download the PDF bingo cards here —>; Monster High Bingo Each card was full of all the characters in the UNO set. I put all the UNO cards in a bag and shook it up. One kid drew a card and that was the spot to mark off. The first one with four in a row won.
Cute little gift bags with a sticker strip, a notebook, temp tattoos, and vampire teeth ($16) for 20 bags.
Kids had a great time! Hope your kids do too!


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Flip flops aren't just for the beach. The Brisben Center helps new residents settle in by providing some small items for their comfort and safety. Among those items are flip flop sandals for the showers — and we're running low. We need new, unworn flip flops in all sizes — men, women and children.
Stop by the center any day between 9 am and 5 pm and fling flip flops into our collection box! Help give Brisben residents a step up!
AND, if you want to help with other items, visit our Immediate Needs page (click here).


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Bringing Christ to others
Visitors to the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary get an explanation of symbols on the altar.
For a group of visitors who had never stepped into the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a tour of the sanctuary was more than just sight-seeing.
It was for them to find out more about the Catholic faith as part of an evangelising effort organised by the parish.
The participants were invited to visit the church as part of a Christmas carolling effort at Heartland Mall and NEX in Serangoon Central, where parishioners distributed the invite flyers to the public. The outreach effort also saw volunteers going around the neighbouring streets and blocks to distribute flyers.
Ministry members from the RCIA, RCIY, Alpha and Chinese Apostolates and many parishioners then came together to conduct the tours during the parish's Family Fiesta, an outreach event on Dec 30.
They shared the story of God's salvation and mercy through the various religious statues, explained the 14 Stations of the Cross and confession rooms. Seeing the baby Jesus in the Christmas crib also captured the hearts and imagination of guests.
Both Chinese and English-speaking tours were well received. There was a steady stream of more than 150 guests who signed up.
Many finished the tour and sat through the five-minute question-and-answer session where they were encouraged to find out more about the faith. Some signed up immediately for Alpha or RCIA to be held later in this year, while others asked questions about the faith.
This is the second time the parish has held this fiesta and the first that such outreach tours have been held.
The parish wanted to use the fiesta as an opportunity to be an evangelising church that brings the Word of God to all. n
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See on Scoop.it – Hideaway Le Marche
In a perfect world, we wouldn't need to explain why Italy's beaches and islands are worth visiting.
We wouldn't need to describe the fluorescent waters and talcum-powder sand, or highlight the delicious seafood or lively nightlife.
Fortunately, this isn't a perfect world, so we get to show off these beautiful spots and you get to read about them and start planning your next trip.
Cretaccio Island – The smallest island of the Tremiti archipelago, dubbed the "pearl of the Adriatic," Cretaccio Island is deserted and wild.Isola Bella Beach – At the foot of the elegant town of Taormina, Isola Bella Beach is one of Sicily's most beautiful and popular.Asinara Island – One prison you might not wish to escape. An uncontaminated isle just-off the northern coast of Sardinia, Asinara Island is quiet and surrounded by nature and shimmering sea.Chiaia di Luna Beach (Ponza Island) – Many Romans' favorite holiday spot, the lunar atmosphere at Chiaia di Luna is striking.Palmarola Island – Millennia to create, days to discover. Come here and you'll understand why it's considered by many to be one of the most beautiful islands in the world.Lampedusa Island – Lampedusa Island — blinding white cliffs, fluorescent blue waters, African-like temperatures and dry desert. The heart-shaped Rabbits' Islet beach, one of the world's best beaches, is what makes this island special.Ventotene Island – Once a Roman prison-island, the protected marine park here makes it one of Italy's top diving sites.Mondello Beach – Windsurf by day, gorge on seafood by night. Two kilometers of breathtaking shore provide the perfect break while visiting the baroque jewels of Palermo, Sicily's capital.
Numana Beach – Mountain trails make this one beach destination you won't want to laze about on. Inside the Mount Conero Park on the Adriatic coast, Numana Beach lies at the base of a high, rugged cliff.
It's silent, peaceful and breezy and surrounded by lush vegetation: no wonder hermits used to come here in the Middle Ages to meditate.
After walking around the ancient Greek harbor with colorful houses above, visitors can stop and cool off at 30Nodi Beach Bar or reat traditional fish dishes at La Torre restaurant.
Hotel Monte Conero on the mount's top offers a spectacular, 360-degree view. It's a former ashram suspended in mid-air.
There are also bird-watching or horseback riding activities along many mountain trails.
To get here, take highway A14, exit at Ancona — the area is also connected by plane from Rome and Milan.
Lipari Island – Black and blue — one of Italy's most beautiful "bruises." The largest of Sicily's Aeolian Islands, the black volcanic rocks at Lipari contrast with the whitewashed roofs of the houses.La Maddalena Island – Pastel perfection. One of Sardinia's top spots, this is the biggest island in the Mediterranean's Maddalena archipelago.San Vito lo Capo beach – White sand, palms, shallow turquoise waters — welcome to Italy's Maldives.
One of our favourite nearby beaches now listed on CNN Travel – great news for visitors to The Hideaway
See on travel.cnn.com


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12 Places For Great Coffee in Fairfield County
Let's face it, we all like to get our buzz on. Lucky for us, there are a number of venues in Fairfield County with serious baristas, pulling some pretty epic espresso. For your coffee drinking pleasure we have created a cheat sheet to which you can refer when your craving for caffeine masks your ability to grind your own beans.
Here are our Top 11 Places to Get Great Coffee in Fairfield County.
Find the venue near you...and enjoy.
- Buzz Truck, Fairfield County
- Espresso Neat, Darien and Westport
- Lorca, Stamford
- Redding Roasters, Bethel
- Zumbachs Coffee, New Canaan
- Coffee Barn, Wilton
- Sugar & Olives, Norwalk
- Tusk & Cup, Ridgefield
- Shearwater Coffee Roasters, Trumbull
- The Granola Bar, Westport
- Terrain, Westport
- Raus Coffee, your local Farmers' Market


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Salomon XA Pro 5
Manufacturer's Description
Visit Salomon's Men's XA Pro 5 page.
Retailers' Descriptions
Here's what other sites are saying:
The Salomon XA Pro 5 Men's Trail Running Shoe is an extra stable and extra cushioned trail shoe for fast hiking and running on rough terrain, the XA Pro 5 helps you move fast while keeping your feet happy.
- CampSaver.com refers to the men's version
You tighten your Sensifit laces on the lightweight, shock-absorbing Salomon MenAAAs XA Pro 5 Trail Running Shoe. Out of the corner of your eye, you see a sports-bra-clad chick with teeny running shorts sprint past you and up the trailhead. Moments later, you follow like a happy little puppy dog.
- Backcountry.com refers to the men's version
For superior performance you deserve the best the Salomon Men's XA Pro 5 Trail Running Shoe delivers strong support on uneven terrain. Appreciated by adventure racers and trail runners alike for the plush comfort and support.
- Altrec Outdoors refers to the men's version
Where to Buy
Help support this site by making your next gear purchase through one of the links above. Click a link, buy what you need, and the seller will contribute a portion of the purchase price to support Trailspace's independent gear reviews.
previously retailed for:
$111.96 - $139.95
$111.96 - $139.95
The Salomon XA Pro 5 is not available from the stores we monitor. It was last seen November 5, 2013 at CampSaver.com.


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10 Best Crystals for Each of the Chakras
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Google Podcasts | RSS
The chakras are energy centers, found along the spine. They act like power stations by picking up energetic messages from outside of the self and then beaming the information to the human energy field. Here, it is interpreted by the physical and subtle (mental, emotional, and spiritual) bodies. They can be most likened to satellite dishes that send and receive information from the universe.
Since there's a flood of energy constantly coming into the chakras, they can become imbalanced over time. Each chakra governs a different area of your life, such as your anatomy, your emotions, etc. Therefore, when a chakra becomes imbalanced, so does that corresponding area.
The most common way to balance the human energy field is through chakra healing with stones. By placing crystals on the chakra centers, the healing vibrations given off by the stone will correct any imbalances within the chakra.
Following are a few of my favorite crystals for the chakras for each major chakra center. These are most often related to the chakras based on their color vibration.
Root Chakra (Black, Brown & Red Stones):
- Red Pyrope Garnet
- Black Tourmaline
- Smoky Quartz
- Red Jasper
- Dravite Tourmaline
- Black Obsidian
- Hematite
- Jet
- Petrified Wood
- Chiastolite (Cross Stone)
Sacral Chakra (Orange, Peach, & Brown Stones):
- Carnelian
- Imperial Topaz
- Amber
- Copper
- Fire Opal
- Apricot Botswana Agate
- Spessartine Garnet
- Peach Moonstone
- Orange Calcite
- Peach Selenite
Solar Plexus Chakra (Yellow, Gold, & Chartreuse Stones):
- Citrine
- Yellow Topaz
- Golden Calcite
- Golden Tiger's Eye
- Pineapple Calcite
- Yellow Sapphire
- Golden Quartz
- Heliodor
- Pyrite
- Gold
Heart Chakra (Green & Pink Stones):
- Green Aventurine
- Rose Quartz
- Emerald
- Peridot
- Malachite
- Rhodochrosite
- Pink Calcite
- Unakite
- Watermelon Tourmaline
- Rhodonite
Throat Chakra (Light Blue, Blue, & Teal Stones):
- Aquamarine
- Celestite
- Angelite
- Blue Topaz
- Blue Lace Agate
- Ajoite Quartz
- Aqua Aura Quartz
- Turquoise
- Chrysocolla
- Blue Quartz
Third Eye Chakra (Indigo & Violet Stones):
- Tanzanite
- Lapis Lazuli
- Sodalite
- Azurite
- Iolite
- Tanzan Aura Quartz
- Blue Tourmaline
- Shattuckite
- Blue Apatite
- Blue Kyanite
Crown Chakra (Violet, Gold, & White/Clear Stones):
- Clear Quartz
- Amethyst
- Sugilite
- Clear Calcite
- Charoite
- Selenite
- Apophyllite
- Ametrine
- Spirit Quartz
- Stichtite
Did you enjoy this post on crystals for the chakras? You might also love our FREE Quick & Easy Chakra Charts Ebook!
17 responses to "10 Best Crystals for Each of the Chakras"
Debra Knight on June 27, 2018 at 6:17 pm
I love my crystals
Dave V on June 30, 2018 at 4:21 pm
Awesome info great show thnx a bunch Dave
Leslie on July 1, 2018 at 9:56 am
Very educational and helpful for me to start my life as a crystal healing. Thanks.
Beverley Hamilton on July 1, 2018 at 1:11 pm
Hiya, I qualified as a Crystal Healer with you 4years ago with 100% ? & have never looked back since ?. I believe that you can never stop learning about Crystals & mine – & I have a lot, a very huge lot lol never cease to amaze me. I always have my black obsidian mother goddess Crystal with me in my pocket ?.
I love all your videos, books, facts & info ? keep up the good work hun ? xxx
Ivana on July 4, 2018 at 12:24 am
Great article. Thank you! I just became a certified crystal healer and find this very useful.
Roxy on July 10, 2018 at 4:40 pm
This is awesome. One question: when working with these crystals, do you think the size and shape matter? Thanks so much, Ashley! Your knowledge has been a blessing in my life. 🙂 <3
Billiesu Wright on July 10, 2018 at 7:26 pm
Hi Ashley
Omg what valuable information thank you so much. I feel like I won the lottery. I Lloydminister. Would like to enroll in a class but need to talk to someone.
Carol on July 10, 2018 at 10:18 pm
Great list and podcast – thank you Ashley!
Pam on September 8, 2018 at 1:20 pm
I just finished watching the Facebook LIVE, listening to the Podcast, and reading the Blog for your Top Ten Crystal picks for each of the Chakras. Thank you so much for providing three different mediums for this topic – it was the first step on my path to learn more about crystal healing. I have signed up for your free Crystal Chakra Healing Step by Step class and will be looking into a book(s) for additional reference material to tide me over until I can afford to take your CCH course, hopefully next time it is offered.


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"Purpose is the reason you journey. Passion is the fire that lights the way" -Author Unknown
The most common question I get before I go on a trip to visit our projects in Kenya is " What are you going to do on this trip?" or "What do you hope to accomplish?" Many times my answer is that my main goal is to spend time and snuggle with our kiddos, which is actually an important part of my job. I have to be here a certain amount of time, just spending time with them to really see and understand what it is we are doing and what our children really need. It is also one of my favorite things to do on the planet--so it all works out. However, this trip has some very clear objectives that will undoubtably cut into my kiddo play time, but in the end will serve them better.
Healthcare, or the lack thereof, is a prominent issue in the community of Sirembe--where our Children's Home is located. It is really difficult to tackle any other issues in a community when people are sick and cannot get proper treatment. We had been discussing the possibility of building a health facility in Sirembe for years, but we had to wait for the right time. Last year we put a Medical Committee together (made up of our Board of Directors and some amazing local doctors) and we were ready to take it on in 2014. I came to Kenya in January with these objectives in mind--finalize the details of our timeline and immediate needs for the clinic, then return home to raise the funds and begin construction. However, we found another opportunity that changed our path.
It came to my attention that the local outpatient clinic in our area had the same vision for their facility as we did for ours, but they did not have access to proper funding. It is a community run clinic that was started by the church in that area, but is now mainly funded by the Kenyan government. This crucial funding is not consistent or reliable, thus their growth has been stunted. This clinic provides vital care to the area, but without proper funding you run out of medications and staff pretty quickly. In the end it is the people of Sirembe that suffer. Despite the constant struggle the community leaders of this clinic did not give up and continued to search for the funds necessary. As a result at the end of 2013 they received a partial grant from the Kenyan government to assist them in building a Maternity Ward.
This came to my attention in January and I began to see an opportunity for a partnership. They already had an outpatient clinic that had been in operation for years that was lacking in consistent medications and staff. We had doctors and donors from the US that were ready and willing to help provide healthcare for this community, but we had to first build a facility.
I set up meetings with the people running the clinic and quickly found that we had similar visions and goals for a health facility. This made sense given that we were both responding to the needs of the community. It seemed silly to build a duplicate facility right down the road, both struggling to find our way when we could come together and see an immediate effect. The ultimate goal was to provide better healthcare for the community of Sirembe and it seemed that this partnership could do just that.
After many meetings and a lot of planning with the clinic leaders in Sirembe I came home to tell our Restore Humanity Medical Committee of our new opportunity and we had to make the final decision on which path to take. There was a unanimous vote to form this partnership with the local clinic. Everyone agreed that we could accomplish the same objectives without all of the financial burden, which would make the project both have an immediate effect and a greater chance of sustainability.
In February the local clinic began construction on a Maternity Ward with the money they received from the Kenyan government. In early April Restore Humanity was able to send a grant to the clinic to assist them in the construction. The main purpose of this journey to Kenya is to see how our money was spent and if all goes well, I will return to the US in June to raise more money to help complete this project. At the end of this month two of our Restore Humanity Board Members--Joe Fennel (who is also my wonderful father) and Brandon Hurlbut--are coming to join me here in Kenya to help assess the situation and decide the next steps.From the reports I have been given I am extremely optimistic about how this project is coming along, but we will report back once we have seen it for ourselves.
My dad and Brandon have been a part of Restore Humanity since the beginning and I am so excited for them to see the progress of our children's home and spend time with our sweet kiddos. Their feedback and advice about our home and our new undertaking will be vital to our success and I am very thankful that they are coming.
This journey has a clear purpose and our passion for our kiddos is what lights our path. We strive to make their community happier and healthier and we are very grateful for this opportunity to do so. I will keep you all posted throughout our journey and thank you for all of your support along the way!
"Purpose is the reason you journey. Passion is the fire that lights the way" -Author Unknown


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Welcome to Little Zebra
Little Zebra are privately owned and operated long day care centres located in Frenchville North Rockhampton, Condon and Mount Louisa Townsville. Our centres cater for children from 6 weeks to school age, with Before and After school care services.
We aim to provide quality childcare that is consistent with Government and ACECQA regulations, while exceeding the expectations of our parents. We will provide an environment for the children that promotes safety and security while being conducive to learning and development.
Our Programs…
We believe that play is the business of early childhood education. Little Zebra provides a play based curriculum where your child can gain a sense of self, have opportunities to investigate and explore, play with their peers, and build confidence. Our programs, designed and implemented by our qualified educators, are intended to nurture the creativity of your child and equip each of them for life's adventures.
We feel passionately about educating our children about sustainability and embedding sustainable practices into our everyday routines. The children will be actively involved in caring for their beautiful environment, whether it be attending to our gardens, watering the plants or being involved in worm farms and composting. We will give each child the opportunity to actively participate in our sustainability programs.
Technology plays an important part in our programs, with each centre having access to interactive whiteboards and computers. Our web based programming allows parents instant access to their children's learning documentation.