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The Intelligent Guerilla Beehive is a bio-art installation on the edge of art and science. It evokes issues of sustainability and biodiversity, giving viewers an artistic experience of my ongoing research related to the disappearance of the honeybee. Bees are bio-indicators. They reflect the health of their surrounding ecosystem as well as the cumulative effects of different pollutants. In many industrialized nations bee colonies are now threatened. Pesticides and parasites are among the main factors, but equally worrisome is air pollution and the compromised state of the bees' foraging fields.
The Intelligent Guerilla Beehive is a radically new beehive designed for urban environments, offering a shelter to swarming bee colonies, and thus supporting pollination by the bees and protecting the biodiversity of their foraging fields. It has also been a starting point for exploring possible futures through artistic research on materials science and biotechnology. Navigating between a blueprint and a proof of concept, the Intelligent Guerilla Beehive is an artifact for the future, a fragment of a world to come. It tackles a new challenging application domain where a collaboration between human and non-human actors is necessary to maintain the resilience of the system.
The Laboratory for Form and Matter - an Innovation Lab where I research raw materials collected and produced by the bees - is the follow-up of my former fieldwork carried out in The Bee Laboratory. With custom-made observation beehives, augmented with monitoring technology, I have collected huge datasets on bee behavior and analyzed them using deep-learning algorithms in cooperation with researchers from the Artificial Intelligence Lab of the University of Brussels (VUB). In my lab I work with a range of organic components, including propolis and chitin, and with living systems, such as fungi and bacteria, to help Nature grow fabrics. I research how these biofabrics can be supplemented through embedded electronics and how more sensorial qualities can be implemented in the membranes via living technology.
The Sensorial Skin - the outer membrane of the Intelligent Guerilla Beehive - is a smart fabric that integrates a mix of organic and electronic elements for sensing and actuating, for computation and for communication. Bacteria living in the upper cellulose skin act as biosensors. When they sense a specific degree of pollution, they change colors and make patterns that reflect the environmental threats. The double-sided skin, waxed at one side and covered with a pattern of porous stomata on the other side, also gives room to beneficial bacteria to attack the bees' natural enemy - the Varroa destructor mite.
The Intelligent Guerilla Beehive is a speculative research project that combines in a radical way smart materials, biomimetic forms, and biotechnology. It is inspired by the intelligence, complexity, and self-organization of bee colonies as Super Organisms.
AnneMarie Maes (BE) is an artist and a researcher. Her work includes sculpture, photography, video, installation, and public participation. Her research practice combines art and science with a strong interest for DIY technologies. Many of her installations and long term projects (such as the Beehives Project, Urban Corridors or the Laboratory for Form and Matter) use biological, digital and traditional media, including live organisms, and they have been exhibited worldwide. She uses technological mediation to search for new forms of communication with the natural world, to make the invisible visible.
Artist, concept, research, materials research, design & fabrication: AnneMarie Maes
Supervision of bacterial experiments: Nuria Conde Pueyo
Digital modeling: Joeri Bultheel
Supervision of digital fabrication: Anastasia Pistofidou
Support received from the art laboratory OKNO (BE), Fablab Barcelona (IAAC, ES) Made@EU (EU grant via IAAC), Green Fablab (IAAC, ES), JRC-Joint Research Center EU (sections Science and Technology/citizen science and Public Health and Safety) (lspra, IT), Ministerie van Cultuur van de Vlaamse Gemeenschap (BE)


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March 01, 2018
March 21 – April 19
The emphasis on your spiritual sector continues this week. However, your intuition could play a direct part in decisions linked to your career and plans. If you need guidance, meditating on the issue can allow you to tune in to your inner wisdom, which could be very revealing and helpful. On March 1, a full moon in your sector of wellness suggests that you may benefit from lightening your schedule. If you can book a massage or long walk, this could be very relaxing.
May 21 - Jun 20
Dynamic activity in your social sector brings you into greater contact with your friends and various groups. With luscious Venus aligning with passionate Pluto on Tuesday, one connection could seem particularly compelling. You might be motivated to hurry this relationship along, particularly if the person seems very suited to you. Even so, if you can allow the association to develop naturally, things will turn out much better. A delightful blend of energies on Friday could make for a perfect first date, especially if it involves food.
The sun's presence in your career sector encourages you to take stock, particularly if you've held back from doing so. This week, chatty Mercury's tie with sobering Saturn suggests that you may be pushed into making a decision, and you will need to have the right information at hand. However, despite the potential for confusion, you might find your thoughts come together in a very constructive way. On Friday, a lovely alignment between luscious Venus and jovial Jupiter can be perfect for a fun night out, especially with your work buddies.
Jun 21 - Jul 22
You might get the best results when you approach travel plans with patience even if your impulse is to hurry things along. Indeed, with lovely Venus and inquisitive Mars aligning with passionate Pluto, the temptation may be to keep pushing until you get what you want. Accept any delays with good humor and everything should proceed very nicely. If you're starting a journey, consider checking the details as the sun aligns with nebulous Neptune over the weekend. Mistakes are possible.
Jul 23 - Aug 22
There is a heightened focus on your sector of transformation this week, and this is emphasized further by lovely Venus and chatty Mercury aligning with potent Pluto. This means that you may have a completely single-minded attitude toward a key issue until it's resolved to your satisfaction. This could make you rather blinkered for part of the week, but it will get results. On Friday, delightful Venus ties to jovial Jupiter, and this can be an exceptionally good time for a family gathering or big celebration.
Aug 23-Sep 22
This week's tie between sociable Venus and intense Pluto suggests that one relationship could move to a new level, with feelings running high. You might be eager to hurry things along, but this may not be the best way ahead. Indeed, the full moon in your sign on March 1 suggests that impulsive moves are possible, but these may not be in your best interests. However, a lovely alignment on Friday can be much more conducive to having a good time, whether with a special person or in the company of friends.
Sep 23 - Oct 22
You might be ready to make a health decision this week. Lovely Venus is currently in your wellness sector, and it could be because you want to look and feel better that you finally make this choice. With passionate Pluto involved, you might be ready to transform certain areas of your home so you can carry out your plans. This could involve clearing a corner for fitness equipment or making room for new gadgets in the kitchen. Friday could be especially delightful if you can resist temptation.
Oct 23 - Nov 21
The start of the week could be fairly intense, with ties to passionate Pluto encouraging you to get to know someone better. You may feel a strong urge to be in his or her company, which is great if the feeling is mutual. If you sense any reticence, hold back and allow things to develop naturally. A full moon in your social sector on Thursday can be perfect for a celebration. Friday is excellent for a special date with a new lover or your romantic partner.
Nov 22 - Dec 21
You may be involved in purchasing items for the home, and this could take on a more serious tone this week, especially if the things are expensive. If you're replacing an old item with a newer, better model, researching your options online and off will get you the best possible price. Resist purchasing the first one you see, because you could lose out. The full moon in your career zone could put you in the spotlight on Thursday, so use this opportunity to showcase your skills and abilities.
Dec 22 - Jan 19
The more time you take to understand someone, the better you can get along. However, this week you might be tempted to try too hard, especially if this is someone you'd like to be romantically involved with. Take it easy. If you can allow things to develop in their own time, you may find that it works out much better. On Friday, a delightful aspect between luscious Venus and expansive Jupiter can be perfect for a very special date, one that you may remember for long time to come.
Jan 20 - Feb 18
As feisty Mars journeys through your social zone, you could be busier than ever with events, group activities, and having fun. However, a focus on your sector of resources suggests that you will be mindful of the cost involved. This week, inquisitive Mercury in your money zone angles toward the red planet, and this can alert you to ways in which you may be wasting money. Cutting out those activities that aren't truly necessary can help you save time and cash. Even so, an unexpected bonus could come your way.
Feb 19 - Mar 20
This week, you might be compelled to take part in a social event whether you want to or not. This may be due to a friend's persuasiveness, and you could feel a bit resentful that they're being so pushy. However, if you go along, you could have a wonderful time, especially on Friday. On Thursday, there is a full moon in your relationships zone, which could heighten feelings between you and another. Go easy, and avoid making any impulsive moves that you might come to regret later.

subset: commoncrawl


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Mark your calendars now for PRC's 13th Annual Banquet for Life, 3-28-19 with keynote speaker Claire Culwell!
Our March 9th, 2017 Banquet for Life was a huge success! More than 400 of God's pro-life faithful came together to make a huge stand for life! We were blessed by amazing testimonies, food and fellowship! Everyone was blown away when we got to meet Kelsey, the brave mother that put her college career on hold to have her beautiful twins, Isabella and Breiel. You can watch her testimony here. Next, without warning, both large screens in the front of the room switched to a live ultrasound! This wasn't just your average ultrasound; we were watching 13 week triplets on the screen! Brave PRC mother Janey blessed us all by introducing them to us. You can watch the ultrasound here. Then we were all blessed by the amazing keynote from Ryan Dobson, the son of Dr. James Dobson. He was very impressed by your pregnancy center and by the community that supports us. You can watch what he had to say about us here


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Ultra-portable, waterproof and shockproof wireless mini-speaker. Secure multi-way mounting, 60-foot Bluetooth range, 20-hour battery life.
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By Brian Patrick
IF GOLF IS YOUR GAME, HEAD FOR PALM SPRINGS. There are 110 world-class golf courses, many of them challenging courses designed by well known professional golfers and golf course designers. If you want to improve your game, you'll also find great schools and clinics, many of them staffed by professionals, as well as rentals, equipment sales and repairs. Based on rating by Golf.com, the greater Palm Springs area is home to five of the top 30 courses in California, many of them multi-course facilities. Because of the competition between these courses, golfers are the winners with lower playing fees and more amenities.
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✷ And last but certainly not least is the Greg Norman Course at PGA West.
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Brief Synopsis
A woman can claim inheritance only if she marries a genius.
Having failed to locate heiress Judy Jones, the law firm of Minland, Mahoney and Krencher decide to advertise. One of the many people who sees the ad is band leader Tommy Coles, whose girl friend, an addlepated singer, is named Judy Jones. Tommy has proposed many times to Judy, but she refuses to marry him until they have more money. After Judy makes a comment about her rich uncle Jonas Jones, Tommy realizes that she is really the missing heiress. By showing the lawyers a shrunken head that Jonas left to her, Judy proves her claim to his ten million dollars, but in order to inherit, she must marry a man with an I.Q. of 150 by a certain date. Using a man's name, Judy enrolls in an all-male school for geniuses. Her ruse is quickly discovered, but because she is attractive, and because she offers to pay for a new chemistry laboratory with part of her inheritance, professor Gabriel Popik allows her to stay in school. Younger professor Bartholomew Williams is not as susceptible to Judy's charms, however, and insists that she leave the campus. A horrified Popik demands that Williams beg Judy to return, but thanks to taxi driver Camille, she has already taken a waitress job at the campus coffee shop and refuses. After Judy accidentally serves Williams a sandwich made with a bar of soap, he angrily tells her that she epitomizes everything he hates about women. Tommy, who is also in the coffee shop, tries to defend Judy, but Williams knocks him unconscious, impressing Judy with his virility. Because Popik knows that Judy must marry a man with a high I.Q., he convinces Williams to romance her until she agrees to return to school. A few days later, Popik is sure that the stormy relationship between Judy and Williams is a sign that they love each other. When Judy joins Tommy and his band at a lakeside resort the night before her marriage deadline, Popik conspires with the lawyers, who are also at the resort, to bring Judy and Williams together. While the lawyers row Judy out to the middle of the lake, Popik brings a drunken Williams to the lakeshore. The lawyers overturn the boat and Williams swims out to rescue Judy. He confesses that he loves her, and she accepts his marriage proposal, to the dismay of Tommy and Camille, who loves Williams. Judy and Williams, together with the lawyers, Tommy, Camille and Popik, hurry to Nevada to be married. On the way, the police stop them for speeding and take them to jail. In their defense, Tommy reels off a lot of legal terminology and is forced to admit that he is a law school graduate and a former quiz kid. After Williams reveals that he has a low I.Q., but has worked hard to succeed, Tommy proposes again to Judy, whom he truly loves, and Camille proposes to Williams. The marriage plans are again interrupted when the wedding party is stopped by a convoy of returning soldiers, but everything is happily resolved when the army chaplain unites the two couples.
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CNSS (Compass/BeiDou Navigation Satellite System)
CNSS (Compass/BeiDou Navigation Satellite System) / BDS (BeiDou Navigation System)
In the first decade of the 21st century, China is in the process of developing its own navigation satellite constellation known as CNSS (Compass Navigation Satellite System), or BeiDou-2 in its Chinese name. BeiDou is the Chinese name of the Big Dipper constellation. The BeiDou-2 system will be based on its current regional Compass Satellite Navigation Experimental System (BeiDou-1). 1)
Although the program was initiated by China's military forces, China established an agency, namely CSNPC (China Satellite Navigation Project Center) in the timeframe 2006/7, to take charge of the research, building, and management of CNSS.
The BeiDou-2 program was officially started in 2005 and announced by China in October 2006. China gave also to a proper name to the rest of the world of its BeiDou-2 system, namely CNSS (Compass Navigation Satellite System) - BeiDou literally means "Compass". The new system will be a constellation of 35 satellites, which include 5 geostationary orbit (GEO) satellites and 30 medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellites, that will offer complete coverage of the globe.
China has joined the UN-supported ICG (International Committee on GNSS) and has taken part in the ICG's Providers Forum (founded in Sept. 2007, Bangalore, India). The members of the Forum and their current and future systems include: China (CNSS), EU (Galileo, EGNOS), India (IRNSS, GAGAN), Japan (QZSS, MSAS), Russia (GLONASS), and USA (GPS, WAAS). The goal of the Providers Forum is to foster compatibility of the services/signals and interoperability among the various navigation systems for a better service to the user community. 2) 3)
The Chinese plans call for a deployment of the full constellation by 2012. A more realistic timeframe for global service provision is probably 2015 (Ref. 12). China plans call also for a long-term and sustained navigation service and system performance for the global user community once the system is in full operation. 4) 5)
In 2009, three BeiDou-2 spacecraft are planned to be launched. More than 10 satellites will be put into service within the next two years by Long-March launchers. Around 2011, the system will be capable to offer services on a regional scale.
Background: The BeiDou program began in 1983 with a proposal by Chen Fangyun to develop a Twinsat regional navigation system using two geostationary satellites. The concept was proven in 1989 in a test using two in-orbit DFH-2/2A communications satellites. This test showed that the precision of the Twinsat system would be comparable to the American GPS (Global Positioning System). In 1993, the BeiDou program was officially started. Experimental launch of the first two indigenous BeiDou navigation satellites was in 2000. The final BeiDou constellation was to consist of four geosynchronous satellites, two operational and two backups. 6)
• In Sept. 2003, the EU (Europen Union) and China agreed to cooperate to develop the EU Galileo Satellite System. The United States reacted with strong skepticism since Washington was against the sharing of sensitive dual-use technology (of civilian and military applications) with China. 7)
• In the timeframe 2006/7, the BeiDou-2 program of China plans to place a portion of the Compass/BeiDou signals on the same frequency planned for Galileo's PRS (Public Regulated Service).
It's much the same situation as arose a few years ago when Europe originally proposed to overlay its L1 open service signals on the new GPS military (M-code) signal. That potential conflict was eventually resolved in the course of negotiating the 2004 Galileo/GPS cooperation agreement between the United States and the European Union. 8)
• In March 2009, China and Europe have made no concrete progress in negotiating how to harmonize their planned satellite navigation systems. Each side is trying to protect its abilities in jam the other's military frequencies in a time of conflict without jamming its own. Europe calls its encrypted and protected Galileo signals PRS (Public Regulated Service) and the military is considered to be the largest future market for it. China refers to its protected code as an "Authorized Service" to be used in "complex situations." 9)
• According to the China National Space Administration (CNSA) and CSNO (China Satellite Navigation Office) , the development of the Chinese global navigation system will be carried out in three phases (Ref. 48): 10)
1) Phase-I is BeiDou Navigation Satellite Demonstration System, which has been established in the period 2000-2003. The experimental BeiDou navigation system consisted of 3 satellites.
2) Phase-II is the regional BeiDou navigation satellite system covering China and neighboring regions by 2012. By 2014, the system will be ready to initially offer high-precision positioning and navigation services to the Asia-Pacific region.
3) Phase-III is the BeiDou navigation satellite system to be established completely and provide global service by 2020.
BeiDou-1 regional satellite navigation system
The first generation regional demonstration system, referred to as BeiDou-1, is made up of 4 spacecraft, is experimental and has limited coverage and application. Unlike the GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo systems, which use MEO (Medium Earth Orbit) satellites, BeiDou-1 uses satellites in GEO (Geostationary Earth Orbit). This means that the system does not require a large constellation of satellites, but it also limits the coverage to areas on Earth where the satellites are visible. The area that can be serviced is from 70ºE to 140ºE, and from 5ºN to 55ºN.
The BeiDou-1 spacecraft was developed on the basis of the DFH-3 satellite bus. It has a size of 2.2 m x 1.72 m x 2.0 m. The pair of solar panels has a span of 18.1 m. The spacecraft launch mass is 2,200 kg which includes 1,100 kg of propellant for its main engine. The design life is about 5 years.
Launch: All BeiDou-1 satellites were launched from the XSLC (Xichang Satellite Launch Center) in the southwestern Sichuan Province of China, using China's Long March 3A (CZ-3A) launch vehicles.
Table 1: Overview of the BeiDou 1st generation satellites
Figure 1: Illustration of the GEO/IGSO spacecraft (image credit: DFH)
The BeiDou-1 system began to provide experimental navigation and positioning services in late 2001; it became "operational" with the launch of the third spacecraft, BeiDou-1C, in May 2003. The navigation and positioning services became available to civilian users in April 2004. This has made China the third country in the world to have deployed an operational spaceborne navigation and positioning network.
The BeiDou-1 network covers most areas of East Asia region and has both navigation and communication functions. The system will be able to provide navigation and positioning services to users in China and its neighboring countries by 2008. The satellite network comprises three BeiDou-1 satellites (2 operational and 1 backup).
The ground system includes:
• Central control station
• 3 ground tracking stations for orbit determination (at Jamushi, Kashi and Zhanjiang)
• Ground correction stations
• User terminals (receivers/transmitters).
The system provides positioning data of 100 m accuracy. By using ground- and/or spaceborne (the 3rd and 4th satellites) differential methods, the accuracy can be increased to < 20 m. The system capacity is 540,000 users per hour, and serve up to 150 users simultaneously.
BeiDou-1 location measurement scheme:
BeiDou-1 requires two-way transmissions between the user and the central control station via the satellite. Firstly, the central control station sends inquiry signals to the users via two satellites. When the user terminal received the signal from one satellite, it sends responding signal back to both satellites. The central station receives the responding signals sent by the user from two satellites, and calculates the user's 2D position based on the time difference between the two signals. This position is then compared with the digital territorial map stored in the database to get the 3D position data, which is then sent back to the user via satellites using encrypted communications.
Figure 2: Illustration of the BeiDou-1 measurement scheme (image credit: sinodefence)
Compass/BeiDou-2 global satellite navigation constellation
Compass/BeiDou is the satellite navigation system planned by China. The following basic principles apply: 11)
4) Openness:
• Compass/BeiDou will provide high quality open services free of charge from direct users, and its worldwide use is encouraged.
• China will widely and thoroughly communicate with other countries on satellite navigation issues to facilitate the development of GNSS technologies and the industry.
5) Independence:
• China will develop and operate Compass/BeiDou system independently.
• Compass/BeiDou can independently provide services for global users and particularly provide high quality services in Asia-Pacific region.
6) Compatilility:
• COMPASS/BeiDou will pursue solutions to realize compatibility and interoperability with other GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems).
7) Gradualness:
• The construction of COMPASS/BeiDou system follows a step-by-step pattern based on technical and economic evolution in China.
• COMPASS/BeiDou will provide long-term continuous services for users, improve system performance and ensure smooth transition during all life cycle.
The new system under development will be a constellation of 35 satellites, which include 5 geostationary orbit (GEO) satellites, 3 IGSO (Inclined Geosynchronous Orbit), and 27 MEO (Medium Earth Orbit) satellites, that will offer complete coverage of the globe. The BeiDou-2 system will allow a ground receiver to calculate its position by measuring the distance between itself and three or more satellites in view, in analogy to the method of signal reception practised by the GPS and GLONASS constellations. 12) 13) 14) 15) 16) 17) 18)
As with GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo, the system is planned to provide two navigation services: an open service for (commercial) customers and an "authorized" positioning, velocity, and timing communications service. 19) 20) 21) 22)
1) Open service: Free to the global user community. The open service will provide a positioning accuracy of 10 m, a timing accuracy of 20 ns, and a velocity accuracy of 0.2 m/s.
2) Authorized service on a commercial basis: Provision of more reliable PVT (Positioning, Velocity, Timing) information and communications services as well as integrity information.
The communication access scheme of the CNSS signals will be CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access).
Table 2: Compass /BeiDou-2 signal characteristics:
Table 3: Signals provided in the two service categories
Coordinate system:
• Compass/BeiDou coordinate system is referred to as BDC (BeiDou Coordinate ) system. The BDC coincides with CGCS2000 (China Geodetic Coordinate System). 23)
- CGCS2000 is referenced to CTRF2000 (China Terrestrial Reference Frame 2000)
- Global, three-dimensional
- Right-handed, orthogonal
- Geo-centered
- Frame: ITRF97
- Epoch: 2000.0
• CTRF is aligned to ITRF (International Terrestrial Reference Frame). It coincides with ITRF within a few cm; hence, for most applications the difference between CGCS2000 and ITRF can be neglected.
• Status of CTRF: IGS Stations used in CTRF computation. A total of 47 IGS stations were included in establishing CTRF 2000
Coordinating Compass/BeiDou-2 with other GNSS constellations: Interoperability is one of the most important aspects in the design of the Compass timing system; the time differences of BDT - GPST and BDT - GST (Galileo System Time) are measured in the Compass central control station and will later be broadcast as part of the navigation messages of the GNSS systems. 24)
The CNSS spacecraft series is based on the DFH-3 (DongFangHong 3) satellite bus, with a design life of 8 years (the DFH-3 bus provides a medium-capacity platform and has a communication satellite heritage). The DFH-3 bus is 3-axis stabilized providing the power as well as guidance and control needed for navigation satellite services. The DFH-3 bus is being built by CAST (China Academy of Space Technology) corporation; the Dongfanghong (DFH) Satellite Company of Beijing is part of CAST.
Figure 3: Illustration of the MEO spacecraft (image credit: DFH/CAST)
The Compass satellites have three variants: Compass-G (GEO), Compass-IGSO (Inclined Geosynchronous Orbit), and Compass-M (MEO). 25) 26)
• The Compass-G is a geostationary navigation satellite developed by CAST based on its DFH-3B platform. The satellite consists of the service module and payload module, and has a designed lifespan of 8 years. The onboard telemetry is unified C-/S-band. The propulsion is a 490 N motor. The Compass-G is launched on a Changzheng 3C rocket carrying a single satellite.
• The Compass-IGSO spacecraft is similar to the geostationary satellite in design, but is deployed in a 55º inclination geosynchronous orbit.
• The Compass-M satellite is deployed into MEO (Medium Earth Orbit) at nominal altitudes of 21,500~24,100 km and an inclination of 55º. An experimental Compass-M1 satellite, based on the DFH-3B bus, was launched in April 2007 to test the onboard payload.
• The operational Compass-M satellite, which is currently (2012) in development, will be based on a dedicated MEO satellite bus. The satellite has a gross (launch) mass of 800 kg, and a payload capability of 280 kg. The satellite is three-axis stabilized and has a power output of 1.5 kW. The satellite can be carried on a liquid-propellant upper stage (satellite dispenser), allowing two or more satellites to be launched onboard a single launch vehicle.
Table 4: Overview of Compass satellite parameters
Figure 4: Illustration of the Compass-GEO spacecraft (image credit: DFH/CAST)
Launch: So far, all BeiDou/Compass satellites have been launched from XSLC (Xichang Satellite Launch Center) in the southwestern Sichuan Province of China.
The Beidou-3M/G/I satellites represent the orbital segment of the third phase of the Chinese Beidou navigation system which uses satellites in MEO (Medium Earth Orbit) and GEO (Geosynchronous Orbit) and is also known as the CNSS (Compass Navigation Satellite System).
Table 5: Overview of the BeiDou 2nd generation Compass satellite launches 27) 28) 29) 30) 31)
• November 7, 2017: New, ultra-accurate rubidium atomic clocks on board two BeiDou-3 satellites launched into space on Nov. 5, 2017, have greatly improved the accuracy of the system.
- The two satellites are equipped with more reliable rubidium atomic timekeepers than those in previous BeiDou satellites. According to Yang Changfeng, chief designer of the satellite system, their stability was as high as 10-14. "It means only one second of deviation in 3 million years," he said.
- "The stability of the new-generation clocks has been improved by 10 times, compared with those carried by BeiDou-2 satellites," said Qu Yongsheng from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation fifth research institute, Xi'an branch, developer of the clocks. This new technology has raised the positioning accuracy of the BeiDou-3 to 2.5 - 5 meters from 10 meters in the past.
• On March 30, 2015 (13:52:30 UTC), CNSA launched a new-generation (BeiDou-3) satellite into space, called BDS I-S, for its indigenous global navigation and positioning network on a Long March 3C/YZ-1 vehicle from the XSLC ( Xichang Satellite Launch Center) LA-2, utilizing the debut use of the new Expedition-1 (Yuanzheng-1) upper stage. It is the 17th satellite for the BDS (BeiDou Navigation Satellite System). The launch marked the beginning of expanding the regional BDS to global coverage. 32)
- The BDS I-S satellite will be tasked with testing a new type of navigation signaling and inter-satellite links, providing a basis to start building the global network, according to the center.
- The BeiDou Phase III system includes the migration of its civil BeiDou 1 or B1 signal from 1561.098 MHz to a frequency centered at 1575.42 MHz – the same as the GPS L1 and Galileo E1 civil signals – and its transformation from a quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) modulation to a multiplexed binary offset carrier (MBOC) modulation similar to the future GPS L1C and Galileo's E1. 33)
- The new satellite was developed by the Shanghai Engineering Center for Microsatellites, a non-profit organization established by CAS (Chinese Academy of Sciences) and the Shanghai Municipal Government.
Figure 5: Photo of one deployed Compass solar panel (image credit: DFH/CAST)
Orbital planes of the CNSS constellation:
• The 27 MEO satellites will be deployed into 3 orbital planes with an inclination of 55.5º. The nominal orbital altitude is 21,500 -24100 km.
• Five GEO satellites at the equatorial longitudes of: 58.75ºE, 80ºE, 110.5ºE, 140ºE and 160ºE (regional system).
• Three IGSO (Inclined Geosynchronous Orbit) satellites.
Figure 6: Illustration of the future Compass/BeiDou-2 constellation (image credit: CSNPC)
Compass-M1 is an experimental satellite, the first spacecraft of the BeiDou-2 series (second generation MEO), launched on April 14, 2007 for signal testing and validation and for the frequency filing with the ITU (International Telecommunication Union). The role of Compass-M1 for Compass is similar to the role of GIOVE satellites for Galileo.
Table 6: Overview of current and future GNSS constellation parameters (Ref. 16)
BDS (BeiDou Navigation Satellite System)/BeiDou mission status:
• June 10, 2019: China's BeiDou-3 system, a global geolocation network, is expected to be completed in 2020, with a total of 35 satellites, researchers at a conference on the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) said. 34)
- China has deployed three systems, BDS-1, BDS-2 and BDS-3, to provide accurate positioning and navigation services to the world, said Jin Shuanggen, a researcher at Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, at the second China (Nanjing) BeiDou Satellite Navigation Application Expo and Beidou Summit Forum.
- "Traditional satellites navigation service is hardly available in the interior of buildings, underground, underwater and other locations. The BDS system provides better accuracy in these locations," Jin said.
- The BDS system, independently constructed and operated by China, currently has 38 in-orbit satellites including 18 BDS-2 and 20 BDS-3.
- As a space infrastructure of national significance, the BDS provides all-time, all-weather and high-accuracy positioning, navigation and timing services to global users, according to a white paper on the system.
- "BDS will play a large role as it is used in different scenarios including smart city, agriculture and meteorology, autopilot, and intelligent transportation," said Jing Guifei, dean of BeiDou Belt and Road School of Beihang University.
- The three-day exposition displays new trends, theories, technologies and applications of the BeiDou satellite navigation industry.
- More than 400 companies in the fields of drones, unmanned ships, surveying and mapping, and intelligent robots and vehicles participated in the exposition.
• December 11, 2017: As one of the four major GNSS providers, the establishment of BDS (BeiDou Navigation Satellite System) has been steadily developed, following a three-step strategy. By around 2020, BDS will form a nominal space constellation consisting of 30 satellites, including three satellites in GEO (Geostationary Earth Orbit), three satellites in IGSO (Inclined Geosynchronous Satellite Orbit) and 24 satellites in MEO (Medium Earth Orbit). It will provide global users with open and high-quality services free of charge, including navigation, positioning, timing, short message communication, search and rescue and so on. 35)
- BDS is aimed at developing into a world-class global navigation satellite system, with innovative and advanced technologies, extraordinary user experience, international development and worldwide presence, which can provide fundamental time and space reference for national defense and economic-social development, and advance the progress of high-tech and IT industries.
- BDS has initiated several innovative attempts in the fields of both international satellite navigation and domestic aerospace for the first time, and paved a unique development path of a satellite navigation system, with an eye on the state conditions and distinctive features. On Jan. 9, 2017, the BD-2 Project won the top National Scientific and Technological Progress Award. In 2017, BDS achieved fruitful results in the aspects of system construction, integrated applications and international development.
• December 4, 2017: The United States and China have negotiated compatible signal characteristics that will both protect and enhance service for users of the U.S. GPS and Chinese BeiDou constellations. - The achievement resulted from several years of discussions between U.S. and Chinese GNSS experts. The consensus to make the systems compatible and interoperable at the user level will mean better service for users of both systems worldwide. 36)
- The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Office of Space and Advanced Technology represents the United States in the ongoing U.S.-China GNSS Cooperation Dialog, which began in May 2014 and covers various topics.
- Compatibility of the Chinese BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) with GPS has been a core focus of the discussions. The U.S.-China Joint Statement on signal compatibility and interoperability is provided on the gps.gov website.
• September 2017: Over the past 15 years China has been constructing its navigation satellite system called BeiDou. After an initial experimental phase, which was completed in 2003, the second generation of the system has become operational in China in 2011 and started offering services in the South-East Asia region in 2015. BeiDou is expected to provide navigation satellite services on a global basis as of 2020. 37)
- The provision of global navigation satellite services will constitute a remarkable achievement, as it will enable China to operate at the same level of other navigation satellite providers, including the United States and Russia. However, the implementation of this plan will pose significant organizational and legal challenges. From an organizational perspective, there will be the need to clearly identify the authorities in charge of operating, supervising and representing the system both domestically and internationally.
- From a regulatory standpoint, the main challenge will be related to the management and distribution of the intended services, as China plans to offer not only an open service (free of user charge) but also an authorized/commercial service to selected users. The provision of the second category of services will indeed raise numerous questions related, for example, to the responsibility to distribute the service on a continuous and reliable manner, the liability of the service distributor for damage caused by incorrect or absent signal, the development of value-added services and the possible deployment of infrastructures in foreign territory, etc. These questions need to be clarified prior to the commencement of global navigation satellite operations.
- Therefore, as none of these issues is addressed within current Chinese legislation it seems worth to discuss and elaborate upon them. Based on a comparative analysis of existing navigation satellite regulations the present paper will put forward a series of recommendations on how China should structure its regulatory framework for the provision of BeiDou's global navigation satellite services.
• In 2015, 15 BeiDou satellites are operational, 20 additional satellites are planned.
• Feb. 10. 2015: According to the news from the Ministry of Transportation, in the 94th meeting of IMO (International Maritime Organization) Maritime Safety Committee, the Navigation Safety Circular of BDS (BeiDou Navigation Satellite System) has been officially approved. It indicates that the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System has become a part of the GNSS (Global Radio Navigation System) and its international legal status has been recognized. 38) 39)
- The IMO Maritime Safety Committee was held Nov. 17-21, 2014 in London, UK. The Ministry of Transportation sent a delegation to attend the meeting and on behalf of Chinese government to make commitment to the IMO. They have introduced BeiDou system's service performance, operation maintenance and management requirements. Besides, they also explained BeiDou system's application policy in the international maritime field, and expressed Chinese government's responsibility and attitude.
- It is known that it is the first time for China's BeiDou system standard to achieve recognition from International organization. It is also an important milestone for the standardized work of BeiDou system. This will fully promote BeiDou system's international application in Maritime field and build a solid founding for BeiDou system's Maritime International Standardized system for the future.
- China as a class member of IMO, the completion of the IMO recognition of BeiDou system would make it become the third navigation satellite system serving world maritime user after GPS and GLONASS system. This will drive BeiDou system's internationalization and industrialization in the field of navigation area.
- It is reported that, after its approval, China will continue to promote the BeiDou system's standard , regulation, guidelines formulation and revision for the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission), IALA (International Association Of Lighthouse Authorities), International Maritime Radio Technology Committee, ITU (International Telecommunications Union) and other international technical organizations, so as to achieve all-round applications in the international maritime field.
• Basic BeiDou-2 system performance, October 2014: The visibility for LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellites provided by the BeiDou-2 system is analyzed and compared with GPS (Global Positioning System). In addition, the spaceborne receivers' observations are simulated by the BeiDou satellites broadcast ephemeris and LEO satellites orbits. 40)
- The POD (Precise Orbit Determination) results show that the along-track component accuracy is much better over the service area than the non-service area, while the accuracy of the other two directions keeps at the same level over different areas. However, the 3D accuracy over the two areas shows almost no difference. Only taking into consideration the observation noise and navigation satellite ephemeris errors, the 3D accuracy of the POD is about 30 cm. As for the PROD (Precise Relative Orbit Determination), the 3D accuracy is much better over the eastern hemisphere than that of the western hemisphere. The baseline length accuracy is 3.4 mm over the service area, and it is still better than 1 cm over the non-service area.
• December. 27, 2013: China will launch upgraded satellites and expand its regional BDS (BeiDou Navigation Satellite System ) to global coverage by 2020. Over the past year, positioning has been accurate to within 10 m, according to Chengqi Ran, director of the satellite navigation office. 41)
• December 27, 2013: With a constellation of 14 operational satellites in orbit, BDS has been in full service for 1 year to provide open services to the most part of the Asia-Pacific region since December 27, 2012. 42) 43) 44) 45) 46)
The current BDS space segment consists of 5 GEO satellites, 5 IGSO satellites and 4 MEO satellites. The respective positions of satellites are shown in Figure 7.
- The GEO satellites are operating in orbit with an altitude of 35,786 km and positioned at 58.75ºE, 80ºE, 110.5°E, 140°E and 160°E, respectively.
- The IGSO satellites are operating in orbit with an altitude of 35,786 kilometers and an inclination of 55° to the equatorial plane. The phase difference of right ascensions of ascending nodes of those orbital planes is 120°. The sub-satellite tracks for three of those IGSO satellites are coincided while the longitude of the intersection point is at 118°E. The sub-satellite tracks for the other two IGSO satellites are coincided while the longitude of the intersection point is at 95°E.
- The MEO satellites are operating in orbit with an altitude of 21,528 kilometers and an inclination of 55° to the equatorial plane. The satellite recursion period is 13 rotations within 7 days. The phase is selected from the Walker24/3/1 constellation, and the right ascension of ascending node of the satellites in the first orbital plane is 0°. The current 4 MEO satellites are in the 7th and 8th phases of the first orbital plane, and in the 3rd and 4th phases of the second orbital plane respectively.
Figure 7: The BDS constellation as of December 2012 (image credit: CSNPC)
Figure 8: The BDS regional service coverage (image credit: CSNPC, Ref. 43)
• Operational overview of the BeiDou-2 satellite constellation. Up to June 2012, three BeiDou-2 satellites have been launched in 2012. 47)
Figure 9: Operational status of the BeiDou system in the summer of 2012 (image credit: CSNO, Ref. 47)
• Since a pre-operational status has been reached, the Compass/BeiDou-2 navigation signals can already be tracked by various commercial multi-GNSS receivers. This enables the determination of Compass/BeiDou-2 orbit and clock products independent of the control segment and paves the way for initial experimentation. 48) 49) 50)
- A total of 13 Compass/BeiDou-2 satellites have been launched, out of which 11 satellites are in active service in the summer of 2012. These include two satellites in medium altitude Earth orbits (MEO), as well as four satellites in geostationary orbits (GEO) and five satellites in inclined geosynchronous orbits (IGSOs). With a total of nine satellites permanently visible in the Asia-Pacific region, Compass/BeiDou is the third constellation (following the GPS and GLONASS constellations) that can offer an independent navigation service in this area.
- The unique availability of three carriers on all Compass/BeiDou-2 satellites enables novel strategies for differenced and undifferenced positioning. Based on B2 and B3 measurements, an EWL (Extra-WideLane) combination with a wavelength of 4.9 m can be formed. This enables an almost instantaneous EWL ambiguity resolution and greatly facilitates a subsequent widelane ambiguity fixing (Ref. 49).
• Since IOC, the system has performed stably. The space constellation performance has been improved apparently, and the user experience for the PNT (Positioning, Navigation, and Timing) service performance has been enhanced significantly.
• On December 27, 2011, the State Council Information Office, P.R.C. held a press conference to announce the initial service of the BeiDou System (Ref. 47). - The CNSS was activated on a trial basis. The network would initially provide coverage for China and its peripheral areas, and would offer service to the Asia-Pacific region by late 2012 (Ref. 47). 51)
Performance of IOC (Initial Operational Capability) service:
- Service coverage area: Longitudinal extend: 84ºE to 160ºE; Latitudinal extend: ±55º
- Positioning accuracy: 25 m horizontal and 30 m vertical
- Velocity accuracy: 0.4 m/s
- Timing accuracy: 50 ns
Figure 10: Illustration of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System coverage area (image credit: CSNO)
• In Sept. 2011, the Compass constellation consisted of 3 GEO satellites and 3 IGSO satellites. This permits preliminary PNT services in China and its surrounding areas. 52) 53)
Some system testing receiver results are: 54)
- The Compass SV (Space Vehicle) signal quality parameters are well in accordance with their specifications
- The current Compass constellation (Sept. 2011) can provide a positioning service in the Asia-Pacific region - indedendently.
- The Compass constellation helps to improve the multi-system-integrated positioning precision.
- The short-term precision of the Compass B1 (OS) signals is better than the GPS L1 C/A signals.
- The long-term accuracy and stability need to be further improved.
Navigation payloads:
The Compass satellites carry two types of navigation payloads: RDSS (Radio Determination Satellite Service) and RNSS (Radio Navigation Satellite Service), Ref. 25).
More description of the navigation payloads will be provided when the information becomes available.
RDSS (Radio Determination Satellite Service):
The RDSS payload is only flown on the Compass-G satellites. The package includes a high-power S-band transponder, an L-band low-noise amplifier, frequency generator, a large L-/S-band antenna, and a C-band antenna.
In RDSS, the user position is computed by a ground station using the round trip time of signals exchanged via GEO satellite. The RDSS Long term feature further includes: 55)
- Short message communication (guaranteeing backward compatibility with BeiDou-1)
- Large volume message communication
- Information connection
- Extended coverage
- Multi-satellite communication vs. short message by GEO.
RNSS (Radio Navigation Satellite Service):
The RNSS payload is flown on all CNSS/Beidou-2 satellites. The package includes an atomic clock, an L-band transmitter, signal processor, transmitter antenna array, an L-band uplink receiver, laser corner-cube reflector for orbit determination, and a multilateration unit.
The RNSS is very similar to that provided by GPS and Galileo and is designed to achieve similar performances.
Figure 11: Overview of the general Compass/BeiDou development plan (image credit: CSNO, Ref. 47) 56)
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50) Oliver Montenbruck, André Hauschild, Peter Steigenberger, Urs Hugentobler, Peter Teunissen, Shinichi Nakamura, "Initial Assessment of the COMPASS/BeiDou-2 Regional Navigation Satellite System," June 12, 2012, URL: http://www.weblab.dlr.de/rbrt/pdf/GPS_12_COMPASS_Preprint.pdf
51) "Beidou satellite navigation system launched," China Daily, December 28, 2011, URL: http://www.china.org.cn/china/2011-12/28/content_24266178.htm
52) Mingquan Lu, Jingjun Guo, "Positioning Performance Analysis of The Current COMPASS Constellation," Proceedings of ION GNSS 2011, Portland, OR, USA, Sept. 19-23, 2011
53) Mingquan Lu, "Status of Compass Development," Stanford PNT Symposium 2010, Stanford, CA, USA, Nov. 9, 2010, URL: http://scpnt.stanford.edu/pnt/PNT10/presentation
54) Yanhong Kou, "Live COMPASS Signal Monitoring, Tracking, and Positioning Results: Using a Multi-constellation Multi-frequency Software Receiver," Proceedings of ION GNSS 2011, Portland, OR, USA, Sept. 19-23, 2011
55) Y. Yang, "Preliminary Results of GPS/Compass Integrated Positioning and Navigation," Proceedings of ION GNSS 2011, Portland, OR, USA, Sept. 19-23, 2011
56) Xiaochun Lu, "Development of BeiDou Navigation Satellite System," Nov. 18, 2011, URL: http://scpnt.stanford.edu/pnt/PNT11/2011_presentation_files/17_Lu-PNT2011.pdf
The information compiled and edited in this article was provided by Herbert J. Kramer from his documentation of: "Observation of the Earth and Its Environment: Survey of Missions and Sensors" (Springer Verlag) as well as many other sources after the publication of the 4th edition in 2002. - Comments and corrections to this article are always welcome for further updates (email@example.com).


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Pumpkin with couscous
4 servings ; 1 serving
2 onions
2 cloves of garlic
3 tomatoes
500 g pumpkin
2 tsp oil
1 tsp ground cumin
300 ml hot vegetable stock
ground black pepper
150 g green beans
200 g white beans canned in water
30 g dried apricots
½ lemon's juice and grated zest
150 g couscous
4 tbsp chopped fresh coriander
1. Chop onions, crush garlic cloves, cut tomatoes into pieces and pumpkin into cubes.
2. Heat oil on pan, fry onion and garlic for about 5 minutes. Add cumin and continue to heat for one more minute.
3. Pour 100ml of vegetable stock on pan, add tomatoes and pumpkin. Flavor with salt and black pepper. Reduce heat, and stew for 15 minutes.
4. Add green beans and drained white beans to pan and continue to heat for 5 more minutes.
5. Cut apricots into small pieces, add with lemon zest and lemon juice to rest of the stock, bring to boil, pour over couscous and let stand for 5 minutes with lid. Mix with fork and sprinkle half of the coriander on top.
6. Serve pumpkin stew with couscous, sprinkle rest of coriander on top.
7. Enjoy!
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Issue Theme: Drawing on Experience
Message from the Editors
Katie Wood Ray and Lester L. Laminack
Illustrating the theme of this issue, "Drawing on Experience," in which teachers at King's Highway School share their experiences using sketch journals for themselves and their classes, the editors present "an art card."
Keywords: Elementary
Drawing on Experience: Connecting Art and Language
Karen Ernst daSilva
In the early grades, drawing is an important part of the literacy process. Children read pictures to understand, make pictures to tell what they mean, and write the pictures into words. Continuing to use drawing past those first developmental years not only helps students to make personal connections with their writing, but also results in more natural writing with a wider range.
Keywords: Language, Elementary
Revising Teaching: Drawing, Writing, and Learning with My Students
Elizabeth Olbrych
As a writer, Olbrych uses her sketch journal not only to reflect on her own life but to inform her classroom practice. Here she gives us an account of the evolution of artists-writers workshop throughout the year in her fourth-grade class.
Keywords: Writing, Elementary
Choice Matters
Darcy Hicks
Art teacher Darcy Hicks reveals how she structures choice and integrates reading and writing in her art classroom so that children can experience thinking and learning in ways that are personally meaningful. Offering several choices of medium and activities allows children to explore concepts during artists workshop that are within the contexts of their own lives and work.
Reading Ourselves
Dawn Sherriff
In her third-grade classroom, Sherriff helps her students "read their worlds" by incorporating poetry, picture books, and art into writers-artists workshop. Here she describes how she begins the school year with poetry, providing structures that allow children to experience and discover their own literacy connections through sketch journals.
Keywords: Reading, Elementary
Collecting Myself
Peter von Euler
Beginning to sense a disturbance in the balance between school and family, von Euler started a sketch journal to build a bridge between his personal and professional life. He describes how he writes and sketches in his own journal, and how he uses the technique in his fourth-grade classroom during writers-artists workshop.
Experience Is the Doorway
.What are the structures that make writers-artists workshop work at Kings Highway School? Here, daSilva outlines the steps to success in recreating the process in your classroom.
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Protect yourself against the 'silent killer'. That's the message from Mid Ulster District Council for Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month this November.
Impossible to see, taste or smell, carbon monoxide is highly poisonous and can kill in minutes.
While any fuel which burns or smoulders can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, caravans, boats and mobile homes are also at risk as they often use portable appliances which are fuel burning.
The Council is offering some practical advice and guidance:
• The best way to protect yourself, and others, from the dangers of carbon monoxide is to make sure all fuel-burning appliances are serviced at least once a year by a registered engineer.
• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for boilers, stoves, gas fires and solid fuel room heaters.
• All chimneys and flues should be inspected once a year and swept, if required, by a registered technician.
• As an additional precaution, you should also install an audible carbon monoxide alarm. These alarms have a limited life span, so if you already have one please check it to see if it is working properly. It might be time to buy a new one.
Early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can seem like many common ailments and may easily be confused with food poisoning, viral infections, flu or simple tiredness. Watch out for the symptoms which include mild headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and drowsiness.
If you ever suspect Carbon Monoxide in your home, then open your windows and doors, turn off all fuel burning appliances and leave the house. If anyone shows symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, contact the emergency services and seek medical help immediately.
Anyone who would like more information should contact the Council's Home Safety Officer on 03000 132 132 or email firstname.lastname@example.com.


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My skin saver from Embryolisse. I have always had really dry skin, and after the winter season it's really really dry.So today I finally got my skin saver from Embryolisse, if you don't already have it, go order it now.
When I wear jewelry it is mostly gold jewelry and very simply pieces (which can be a quite expensive habit,only wanting gold) The picture above are of my favorite gold jewelry essentials. I pretty much wear them everyday, not always, all together. The rings are from Line&jo the earring is from Jane kønig and the necklace is made by Skaarup Copenhagen.


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I Sometimes Get These Moments
I sometimes get these moments, days and even weeks where my words fight for release. And to any writer that may sound like a good thing, but to be honest, it isn't always a great feeling and sometimes it can be very intense. The thing is, even though my words are trying to break free, my mind understands the repercussions of that freedom and it tries its best to hold them in. It knows that with each post written, each chapter prepared, each article or interview done, there would be more transparency to who I am and the evolution part of the growth process. Though the words know that their purpose is greater than just me and that they must escape into the universe for others who are facing similar, yet different, paths; and though they empathize with the brain and the logical process it must endure, my words have already concluded that their journey is not one determined exclusively by logic, but by purpose and faith. Thus, the battle for domination occurs and I am left to endure being a momentary prisoner of war in my own life.
It is within this present conviction that I am going to try to be as open as I can be in the hopes that, in doing so, I am able to work through my present encampment. Who knows, maybe some of you who are reading may also be victims to your own battles. Perhaps together we may be able to find freedom through our transparency. So here goes….I sometimes feel the need to hold myself back from becoming [yes I know, I clearly jumped straight into it, and no fluff was given]. And it is not that I want to sabotage my own growth and development, but sometimes it scares me when I envision what lies before me. Does that even make any sense? Should it even make sense that I [maybe we] often feel scared to become who we are truly meant to be?
Becoming who you truly were destined to be isn't just as easy as waking up and having an 'aha' moment. I have had countless of those moments. But it is when the aha moments are combined with the 'what if…,' 'how about…,' 'why do I…,' 'should I…,' 'ohhh…,' 'there is…,' 'maybe…,' 'they will…,' 'it may…,' 'BUT…,' 'I should…,' 'I feel…,' 'I need…,' 'I can…,' 'I will…,' and then the 'of course I am…' moments; it is then that destiny occurs. You see each aspect and word goes way beyond a simple moment — it becomes not just a way of thinking or simply a way of breathing, but in fact, the way you exist. And thus, in all honesty, I am afraid of becoming.
You know the point at which you have had all the 'aha' and 'what if' moments? That juncture where they drive deep into your being and there is no going back to where you were? So deep that you have to move forward? Yes, in that instant. Well, that is when I literally rolled up into a ball and ate apple pie at midnight [Two huge slices to be more exact. I would have eaten more but there was nothing left]. After this emotional consumption, I tossed and turned for hours/days, wrapped in fears — not for indigestion for a true foodie has no real eating clock — but because I had come face to face with the fact that I was afraid of becoming and what it would require of me to truly become [This was not a silent fear, but a physical twisted agony]. Sure, it is all fun when something great is waiting for you in life. But as you step away from what was, and you stand with your hand touching the edge of what is to be… that moment can be terrifying. And in all honesty, I was petrified. For to fully live in your purpose, there must be a death to who you were. So, it is understandable to mourn what was, and to be afraid of the known, as well as the unknown.
You see, even though I am accustomed to the clash between words and mind, this battle is more intense and will ultimately affect who I am. This fight is more than a battle it is a war between my mind and my entire physical and spiritual being and there can only be one winner. And even though I am generally not at a loss for words, I do hope that I am able to describe this war so that you can fully understand [but do forgive me if it doesn't- as it is a bit emotional for me to write this].
Imagine standing behind the curtain, and the world/your purpose/your destiny is on the other side, seated beyond the stage. Your hands tremble as you reach to pull the curtain open before you step out. Then suddenly you can hear a faint sound on the other side, and it scares the daylights out of you. You now quickly change your mind about seeing what is on the other side, and instead, use all of your strength to keep the curtain closed so that you can walk away. But it refuses to stay closed. As you look on in alarm, your grip starts to tear the cloth… the curtain releases itself from your hand determined to be open and free.
This may not be the most Shakespearian wording, but it should give you somewhat of a visual of the emotions involved. The thing is, before the curtain of life started to open against my will, I truly thought that I could command its movement. Something in me gave me the audacity to assume that I was in control. But guess what? I am not! No matter how much I have tried to hold on and keep it closed, it was destined to happen. God was going to open the curtain despite my control issues. And now post apple pie battle it is a little hilarious that I, in all of my humanity, was trying to tell God that I am not ready; that I may not have what it takes; that maybe "they" are right and that ultimately, He is wrong; and that maybe He should give this purpose to someone else. I can imagine His angels are somewhere in heaven right now laughing after me, cracking up and showing my 'apple pie battles' on angel Instagram [or whatever social media they use]. How hysterical it must be for them to see us mortals on earth trying to tell God that He must wait, that His game plan is faulty and that He is wrong. Who knows, I may be in a viral video right now on comedic mortal acts [I may even be trending higher than funny cat videos].
It is in this comical, yet ultimate, cognizance, I have also had to come face to face with the reality that to exist in my purpose, I will also have to shed all the excuses I have allowed to hold me motionless for so many years. To say that I am afraid of what is, is not quite accurate. I would have to say that I am more afraid of what could be. For it is one thing to know something about yourself, but it is another to accept it and to then act on it.
I already know that I must accept my differences, not as an ailment [as suggested by others], but instead to embrace that, though I am different with many layers, my diversity and uniqueness is not something to be ashamed of. Rather, it is something that I should cling to as it is and has always been my true identity.
And I know that the excuse of holding onto people as if they were bags, serving no positive impact or input into my life, is ridiculous. Like any stylish but unnecessary bag, I should just appreciate the relationship for what it was/is and move it aside/remove/give it back to the universe. This will indeed be messy, but I know it is necessary; as it allows people and items to come into my life that are more supportive and produce more positive energy.
This all comes with the knowledge that, though I can make all types of plans and all kinds of decisions, at the end of the day this continues to be bigger than me and as such each step, each turn, each failure/imperfection/slip and change is for a greater purpose and is a set up for what was already destined to be. I know there are no promises that everything will be easy, and it does not mean that I won't be scared again…. before I press publish on this very transparent blog, I may try to talk myself out of it…. but I will press publish [it actually took over twenty-four hours to press the publish button].
I know that you may be judging and thinking that in writing this blog post I have shown too much weakness, and maybe I have [but if you read my writing enough times you will always see my weaknesses and strengths]. You may even be laughing right now as you read this, and that is okay. I was there, so I know an apple pie battle would probably look funny to an outsider. Nonetheless, I doubt I am alone. I doubt that I am the only human on this planet who has, is or is going to face that curtain moment where they would rather run in the other direction if given a chance. I mean even Jonah in the Bible went as far as to jump on a ship to run away and trust me there are others throughout history who have tried to escape their calling. It was happening back then and it will continue to happen. Everyday individuals will have to endure internal battles when faced with the understanding/desire/drive to start that new business, taking that course, writing that script, starting that new career, inventing that product and creating that non-profit movement… And when that battle takes them to the edge where they are faced with the fact that there is no going back, it is okay to have an apple pie moment. But do know that like mine, your curtains are going to open anyway, so you might as well take a deep breath and walk on to that stage.
One Comment
Kelly Stone
Reblogged this on SOUTHERN LACED.


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Meditation is something most people are familiar with, whether they have a family member who does it or they have seen it in movies and television. Are you interested in learning more about this relaxation technique? Before you try starting to meditate, you may want to learn more about what it is, why it's beneficial and how to do it. By taking the time to do this research you'll understand a lot more about it so you can approach it the appropriate manner. Here are some answers to common questions:
What is Meditation?
Meditation simply means taking your mind to another place through deep relaxation. This is something that takes time, as you have to train your brain to go into a more relaxed state than it is when you're regularly awake. It's a time where you achieve deep concentration and clarity within your mind.
What are the Benefits of Meditation?
There are many benefits of meditation, including:
- Reduced Stress
- Improved Mood
- Greater Clarity for Thinking
- Less Anxiety
- Better Problem Solving
- Sharpens Mental Focus
- Increased Mental Strength
- Better Memory
- Reduces Impulsive Behavior
- Improves Optimism
- Improves Eating Habits
- Helps Encourage Positive Thinking
This is just a short list of the many benefits that people experience when they take advantage of meditation. Those that you experience will depend on how long you do this for and whether or not you continue doing it for many years. The benefits may increase when you do this longer because it's something that you have to work at. Just like anything else, you will get better at meditation the longer that you continue to do it.
How to Meditate?
If you're interested in trying out meditation for yourself, first start with realistic expectations. It's not easy to relax your mind while you're still awake, and most people will not be able to go into a deep state of relaxation the first or even fifth time that they do this. However, if you work at this regularly and make it a priority, you will find that you do get better at it. Training your brain is never easy and does require a commitment to change.
Steps for Meditation:
1. Find a Quiet and Comfortable Spot
While some people can meditate just about anywhere, this isn't the case for most beginners. When you're just starting out it's important to find a relatively quiet place where you can comfortably sit without distractions. This could be your bedroom, office or even bathroom. Once you've found a quiet spot, move on to step 2.
2. Sit Comfortably
Sit down in a manner that you're most comfortable with. You may want to lie down, but most people choose to sit up with their legs crossed. Choose whichever position will allow you to completely focus on meditation rather than any strain you're putting on your body.
3. Close Your Eyes and Breathe
Softly close your eyes once you're in a spot that is relaxing, and start to breathe. Take a few deep breaths where you can hear yourself breathing in and out, then continue breathing at a rate that is comfortable for you.
4. Relax
At this point it's important to allow your body to begin to relax. You may feel your eyes begin to drop further, your legs start to relax and your arms fall to their sides. Get in touch with your senses and let yourself fall deeper into relaxation with every minute that passes.
5. Examine Your Body
Once you feel like you've gotten more relaxed, take a moment to examine how your body feels. Take note of which areas feel the most relaxed, and re-evaluate any changes as you continue resting.
6. Focus on Breathing
During this time you may find that you begin to have thoughts that pop up into your head. This is completely normal, but try not to dwell on those thoughts too much. Instead, try to focus on your breathing as much as you can. Start counting the number of breaths that you take, making note of where you lose track due to thoughts interrupting your thinking process.
7. Relax
Continue to rest your mind and let your body go deeper into relaxation for the next few minutes. If you can clear your mind and just lie down, then continue to do this until you know your time is almost up.
8. Prepare to Wake Up
To bring yourself out of deep relaxation properly, become more aware of your senses again. Feel your hands sitting in your lap, pay attention to your legs and then take note of smells or sounds that you can. After this, slowly open your eyes and give yourself another minute to relax.
Whether you do meditation at your most stressful point of the day or try it in the morning, you'll find that it can feel really good. Take time to have a cup of tea after you're finished and you'll feel good enough to tackle the rest of the day!
Should You Meditate?
If you're interested in giving your mind a break and want to reduce stress as much as possible, then yes! Meditation can turn out to be something you really enjoy no matter how much time you have to do it in the day. There are endless benefits that can be introduced to you by doing so, and it can potentially change your life as a result. If you're still not sure about doing it, then try it out for a couple of weeks just to see how it makes you feel. Keep a journal so you can realize your improvements and re-assess whether or not you'd like to continue this exercise.
Meditation is simple and it can be incredibly effective if you're dedicated to doing it. You don't even have to be a monk sitting in a field of flowers on a mountain; you can be a regular person in your office with just a few minutes to spare! No matter how much stress you have in your daily life, you deserve to have time to yourself where you can reflect. Give yourself those special moments to have to yourself and you may find that you can approach the rest of the day with a more positive outlook than ever before!


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Tutorial at Herban Lifestyle Blog
"One of my most popular offerings is my natural shampoo bars. My customers love them because they are gentle, effective and don't strip the oils from their hair, so no conditioner is required. But, depending on the hardness of their water, some of my customers find it helpful to do a vinegar rinse once per month to keep their hair its shiniest. No matter what type of shampoo you use, vinegar rinses are helpful in restoring your hair's pH balance. They are also great for oily hair, itchy scalp, dandruff, dull hair, and other scalp conditions. You can easily make your own vinegar rinse, and the addition of dried herbs allows you to customize it to the needs of your particular hair".... Read more


text: That makes sense - wonder how heavy the hybrid pump is?matthepp wrote:I can tell you why for me I like the Aeolian design. (I like the BST too for roadside stuff). The BST is too heavy to skin in to backcountry spots. I'm hoping the Aeolian will still be light enough since it's just a low pressure inflator. In addition you'd still have a manual backup if cold kills the battery. Granted, it's a bit of a niche application.


text: I currently have a voice plan, with sprint, for my dying LG Musik and my father's Palm Centro and am seeking to replace my Musik with a Samsung Moment. I have an upgrade available on my account, however I don't want to get locked into a data plan, since I rarely spend any time away from Wifi. Does anyone know if there is a way for me to use my upgrade to aquire the Moment without commiting to the data plan? Thanks in advance.


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It's a family affair at the new Rudy's Diner Bar & Grill in Bethlehem, which is serving everything from shrimp quesadillas and grilled chicken ciabatta sandwiches to broiled pork chops and lobster ravioli vodka.
The 150-seat restaurant, owned by husband and wife Olvin and Carla Buezo, opened Jan. 20 at 1406 Center St. The building previously housed Star City Restaurant and before that, it was Collins Restaurant for more than 40 years.
The diner, which uses Olvin's middle name, is filled with the Buezos' family, with brothers, sisters and other relatives pitching in to help.
"Our goal is to offer delicious food and make all customers feel like family," Carla said.
The Lower Nazareth Township couple, along with a team of contractors, began overhauling the space in June with improvements ranging from new roofing, lighting and ceramic tile flooring to furniture, wall paint and kitchen equipment.
The original 10-seat wooden bar was refaced and wine, signature cocktails and draft and bottled beer will be served there once the restaurant obtains its liquor license — "hopefully, by the end of February," Carla said. For now, it's BYOB.
The Buezos, who have run Frank's Italian Restaurant on Route 248 in Lower Nazareth Township for 16 years, are offering an expansive menu that includes appetizers such as wings and pierogies, burgers such as the "Godfather" and "Heart Attack" and wraps such as grilled chicken Caesar and vegetarian — each under $10.
Entrees, most under $16, include broiled tilapia, chicken Alfredo and Romanian steak. Breakfast items such as Belgian waffles and senior citizen specials ($9.95) such as baked lasagna are offered all day.
Rudy's, which features a rear parking lot, offers takeout and catering. Hours, which are likely to expand, are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 7:15 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Info: 610-807-3000 or rudysdinerbethlehem.com.
Another Northampton County restaurant garnering much attention these days is the new Gregory's Steakhouse at 2201 Schoenersville Road in Hanover Township, Northampton County.
The eatery, closed since January 2013 due to damage from a fire, underwent extensive renovations the past year and is now preparing to open within a few weeks, pending the attainment of its liquor license, owner Theodore Bozakis said.
Stay updated on Gregory's Steakhouse's Facebook page and expect more details in Retail Watch once the rib-eyes are grilling again. Info: gregoryssteakhouse.com.
Many readers have inquired about rumors that Aldi Sud, owner of supermarket chain ALDI, might have a deal with its sister company Aldi Nord, the owner of specialty grocery store chain Trader Joe's, to convert some of the former Bottom Dollar stores into Trader Joe's stores.
According to ALDI spokeswoman Julie Ketay, the company does not comment on rumors or speculation. However, she notes that the German companies have ownership structures that are completely separate from one another.
"Bottom line, ALDI in the U.S. has no operating relationship to Trader Joe's," she explained. "As ALDI has previously stated, it is the company's intention to open new ALDI stores at a number of the former Bottom Dollar Food locations ... . We are hopeful the real estate transaction will close by the end of March."
Well, there you have it, Trader Joe's-aholics. The prospect of the Lehigh Valley's first such grocer does not seem promising.
You can still make the trek to the area's closest Trader Joe's, just south of Montgomeryville.
Speaking of supermarket chains, GIANT Food Stores has completed a six-month remodeling of its 13-year-old store at 1800 Leithsville Road in Lower Saucon Township.
According to a news release, departments such as produce, deli, bakery, meat and seafood have been freshened with new decor and fixtures, including LED lighting, along with an improved variety of products such as more natural and organic items.
For coffee lovers, a Starbucks coffee bar has been added adjacent to the produce department. Info: 610-838-7700.
If you're looking to grab a Starbucks latte, macchiato or Frappucino in downtown Allentown, you'll soon be in luck.
As my colleague Emily Opilo reported Thursday, developer City Center Lehigh Valley announced that a Starbucks is scheduled to open in June on the first floor of Two City Center at 645 Hamilton St., across from PPL Center.
The coffee mecca will join the building's other confirmed retail tenants Minuteman Press, a business services and printing company that will open early this year, and Sorrelli, a jewelry store set to open in the spring.
It also will join other new center city coffee shops Tim Horton's and Johnny's Bagels & Deli. Info: starbucks.com.
One final bit of beverage news is the upcoming relocation of the Fine Wine & Good Spirits store at 906 Club Ave. in Allentown to the Lehigh Shopping Center a couple of blocks away on Union Boulevard in Bethlehem.
According to Shawn Kelly, deputy director of external affairs for the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, the move will happen sometime this summer and was prompted by the LCB's ongoing attempt to make stores more convenient by placing them near grocery stores (in this case, Giant).
He was not sure of the exact space the new store would occupy. Info: finewineandgoodspirits.com.
Sandwich fans, especially those in Lehigh County, will be happy to know the area's second Jimmy John's is listed as "coming soon" to a space on Mill Creek Road, near Dickey's Barbecue Pit, in Lower Macungie Township.
The chain, with more than 2,000 locations nationwide, serves everything from 8-inch subs such as the Pepe (applewood-smoked ham, provolone and garnishes) to giant club sandwiches such as the Italian Night Club (genoa salami, capicola, smoked ham, provolone and garnishes).
Bread is baked in-house daily and meat and vegetables are sliced in-house daily.
A representative in Jimmy John's customer service department said the company does not release tentative opening dates as they frequently change.
Currently, the chain's only Lehigh Valley presence is on William Penn Highway in Palmer Township and a worker there told me delivery is offered within a 2-mile radius.
Stay updated on all Lehigh Valley restaurant news on my Facebook (Lehigh Valley Restaurants) and Twitter (LV Restaurants) pages.
For Retail Watchers looking to keep their automobiles in prime condition, I have two auto developments to report. First, thanks to my colleague Anthony Salamone, I learned that Bethlehem Transmissions has closed at 505 Wyandotte St. (Five Points) in Bethlehem.
"It's just been a steady decline in business the past few years," said Don Dimmick, who began working at the nearly 40-year-old transmission shop in 1984 and took over ownership in 2006.
Second, Hannum's Harley-Davidson of Sellersville opened Jan. 22 at 3255 State Road, the former space of Dean's Harley-Davidson, which opened in 1947. Hannum's also operates dealerships in Media and Chadds Ford, Delaware County.
"As we enter our 60th year in business, we are thrilled to announce our third location in Bucks County," owner Tom Hannum III said in a news release. "We wish to extend our congratulations to Bud Dean on his retirement after so many successful years ... ."
The 30,000-square-foot venue houses more than 300 new and used bikes, a service center, rental department, retail shop, riding academy and a rider's lounge game room. Info: 215-257-6112 or hannumshd.com.
I'll finish with a couple of Hellertown happenings.
First, Kasey Lynn's Sweets & Catering recently closed at 1308 Main St. (next to Pondelek's Florist and Gifts). The eatery, offering sandwiches, baked goods, ice cream and other items, opened in 2013 in the former Warm Sugar spot.
Second, thanks to Retail Watcher Joshua Daly of Hellertown, I learned that Saucon Valley Tang Soo Do will open Monday in its new location at 46 W. Water St., the former space of Tina's Needful and Useful Things.
The martial art studio, registered in the World Tang Soo Do Association, previously operated out of the Saucon Valley Community Center.
Owner/instructor Philip Geiter, holding the rank of fourth-degree black belt, teaches children and adults Tang Soo Do, a method of empty hand and foot and weapon fighting, based on the scientific use of the body in self defense. Info: sauconkarate.com.
Retail Watch keeps track of new store, restaurant and bank development in the Lehigh Valley. Have a question about a retail construction project, store opening or chain you'd like to see come to the area? Contact reporter Ryan Kneller at 610-820-6597 or firstname.lastname@example.com. Retail Watch appears every Sunday.