text: Ooh I stumbled upon these last week – the whimsical illustrations of Clair Rossiter. Her handwriting alone is a work of art, a font waiting to be made. Her drawing style is somehow fun and kiddy yet still stylish enough to be loved by adults. Or adults with the kid still in them.


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Earlier this week I wrote about the hubby and I challenging ourselves to one month of the paleo lifestyle. So far so good! And since there was so much interest in my post on Tuesday, I thought I'd keep you all posted with an update at the end of each week, where I'll address each of these four topics. So, here goes!
My Favorite Meal
We tried a few different meats this week, but I'm going to have to go with the pork roast of night one as my favorite! It was delicious, flavorful, and really made me feel like I wasn't sacrificing anything in the way of dinners. So thanks to the hubby for being an awesome cook and whipping this up for us on the first night!
My Favorite Snack
Ok, so actually this was my lunch yesterday, but earlier in the week I was snacking on smaller portions of these when I would start feeling munchie. Strawberries, almonds, and prosciutto, oh my!
Something Learned
I learned that legumes are not ok on the paleo diet, so apples with peanut butter is out. But almonds are a great alternative! Throw some almonds in a food processor and viola, instant almond butter! (I prefer almond butter over peanut butter anyway.) Also, almond milk in my coffee has been quite delicious; I don't miss my usual sugar and soy creamer at all! In fact, I might switch to almond milk for my coffee permanently.
How I Feel
The biggest change I've notice in week one has been that I don't get those sudden intense hunger feelings. Normally, hunger works like an off/on switch for me. One second it's off and the next it's on… and then it's a count-down to get food before I start getting cranky. I'm starting to think that might have been because of all the refined carbohydrates I usually eat! I have not had that kind of instant hunger sensation even once all week. So that has been a big and welcome surprise in all this!
Are you living paleo too? How's it going? If not, are you intrigued yet?

subset: commoncrawl


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Brooklyn's Polluted Water Worries Run So High, You Can Get Arrested for Swimming
Photo by Bernt Rostad via Flickr CC
It's one thing to have the frustration that the only water around to play in on a hot day is filthy. It's a whole other frustration to be arrested for even trying! But that's what happened when two Brooklyn beaches closed down thanks to suspected sewage spills. The New York Daily News reports that after beach goers were told to stay out of the water, one man still went in to take a dip, and landed in the tank.
He was cited for failing to comply with an officer, said Meghan Lalor, a spokeswoman with the city Parks Department. The city closed the surf at Manhattan Beach and Coney Island Beach, which remained opened for sunbathing only. Tests will be done daily to determine when the beaches can reopen, a Parks spokesperson said.
Ahhh, the joys of an aging wastewater infrastructure that leaks sewage into popular water ways. It's a concern everywhere. For instance, San Francisco-based organizations work to help slow spills by keeping tabs on when and where they happen so infrastructure can be more closely monitored. But still, sewage is a top cause of health dangers at beaches.
More on Sewage and Waterways
Sewage Leak Sends 500,000 Gallons of Grossness into San Francisco Bay
What Do Sewers and Our Rivers Have in Common? Too much.
Leaky Sewage Pipe Shuts Down Tel Aviv's Beaches for a Month
NRDC Offers Live Online Chat Discussing Beach Safety Tips


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Glacier Park Boat Company
Various Locations in Glacier Park
(406) 257-2426
(406) 892-2629 (fax)
Seasonal operation dates vary. Please contact our reservation office for more information.
Glacier Park Boat Company provides scenic boat tours at 4 locations in Glacier National Park. Some boat tours include free optional guided walks and hikes.Hourly small boat rentals are also available.


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Nyjewelryscarf offers an exclusive range of women's viscose scarves wholesale, all of which are available in a variety of innovative designs, colors and shapes to choose from. Our viscose scarves are made of 100% viscose that not only keeps you warm and comfortable but adds elegance and beauty to every women's outfit. In today's fashion world, a viscose scarf should be the most cost effective accessory you could have in your wardrobe, so please don't hesitate to browse our selection of viscose scarves to find the perfect one for yourself or for your friends, and loved ones.
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Strademark places are special destinations (or experiences) that embody Stray's values and ethos as an adventurous, off the beaten track, travel operator.
They are the places that you are less likely to find in guide book but the ones you'll be talking about long after the adventure has ended.
Put simply, if they carry the 'Strademark' stamp they are what makes Stray stand out from the crowd and are 'not to be missed'!
Strademark Criteria
To earn this badge, each destination must meet some or all of the following criteria:
- An iconic Stray stop with X-factor, simply not to be missed.
- Unique local, cultural experience.
- Has an environmental or conservation focus.
- Cannot be accessed by public transport.
- No other hop-on hop-off operator goes there.
Only Stray visits Ban Pak Nguey, a tiny, remote Lao village on the banks of the Mekong River. This iconic stop, unique to Stray is a cultural experience that can't be missed. Experience traditional village life, hang out with locals in their backyard, swim or play football with the kids and participate in a Baci (welcoming) ceremony. You can't access this village by public transport. We take a private boat to get there jump out right on the river bank. No other tour operators visit this village.
Considered a highlight of Laos, Kong Lor cave is not easy to get to on your own and no other hop-on hop-off operator goes here. We also think that zipping through the 7km long cave on an underground river definitely has X factor!
This wetland area is so remote that sometimes our Stray buses can't even access it and we have to jump on-board an off-road truck just to get there! Public transport certainly doesn't go here and Stray Asia are the only hop-on hop-off operator in Southern Laos. Visiting Old Wat Taleow, a beautiful temple that was bombed during the Secret War, and the 200-year-old Hotay Pidok Buddhist library, a fascinating stilt structure that's home to thousands of Sanskrit scriptures and bamboo tablets. This is a unique local and cultural experience.
Otherwise known as 4000 Islands, Don Det is an iconic Stray stop at the southernmost part of Laos. These landlocked islands have X factor (and river dolphins!) and no other hop-on hop-off operator goes here.
Immerse yourself in real Cambodian life when we stay in a rural village 20mins from Battambang. This is a unique opportunity to interact with the locals, enjoy a traditional Khmer banquet and try a local favourite tipple: snake blood whisky (if you dare!).
This is a secluded fishing village with X factor - it's on a beautiful long stretch of white sandy beach, with hidden waterfalls and a great vibe. You can't access Bai Xep by public transport and we're the only tour operators who stay here.
My Lai, Vietnam
We don't just travel from A - B, we stop off at interesting places along the way, and My Lai Memorial is one of these places, and one of our Strademark Stops. The My Lai Memorial commemorates an event that marked a turning point in the American War and is a cultural experience you cannot miss.
Vinh Moc Tunnels, Vietnam
Everyone goes to see the Cu Chi tunnels in Ho Chi Minh, but we visit the much less known Vinh Moc Tunnels, an impressive underground complex that was used by more than 90 families to live and work during some of the heaviest bombings in the American War.
You can miss Phong Nha National Park. Swim in pristine rivers and explore impressive caves, including the recently discovered Thien Dong Cave, one of the largest caves in the world! No other hop-on hop-off operator goes here.
Bumthang's traditional style of architecture is almost reminiscent of alpine chalets in Switzerland, the streets are lined with fields growing organic vegetables, and the people are some of the friendliest in Bhutan, curious to meet western visitors. Three of Bhutan's most sacred religious sites are here. Marijuana grows freely everywhere which is quite a sight to behold!
Gangtey Traditional Farmstay, Bhutan
Stay with a local family in a traditional farmhouse overlooking the famous Phobjika valley where the endangered Black Necked Crane migrates to annually.
This beautiful remote stretch of beach is located right at the Tip of Borneo, so far off the beaten track that you'll rarely find anyone else here!
One of Borneo's highlights, away from the resorts - our Stray Exclusive Jungle Camp on Oxbow Lake is a great place to spot wildlife and learn more about conservation in the area.


text: Whoretopsy Announces New Album / Signs To New Label May 19, 2015Micah No Comment Brutal death metal band, Whoretopsy, announced earlier today that they've signed to Vicious Instinct Records, and plan to release a new album, titled Never Tear Us Apart, on August 20, 2015. They announced it via their Facebook page, and here's the full announcement, We are proud to announce we have signed to Vicious Instinct Records for the upcoming release of our new full length album "Never Tear Us Apart" which will be released on August 20th! Stay tuned, studio diary and more big news to come. Artwork by Phlegeton Art Studio. So look out for pre-orders for Never Tear Us Apart soon! (And boy would you look at the album artwork) Newsbrutal death metal, whoretopsyShare : Tweet ‹ Review: Cognitive – Cognitive Interview with Heavy Burdens! ›


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The simmering war that has long been waged between environmentalists and Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson escalated today when seven women from the pressure group Climate Rush arrived at his £2m Cotswolds house and dumped six bags of horse manure on his drive and front lawn.
"Clarkson was not there but we left several steaming piles of manure and a message saying 'this is what you're landing us in'," said Tamsin Omond, one of the activists from Climate Rush. "We targeted Clarkson because of his blasé attitude towards climate change, as illustrated byhis recent drive to the Arctic," she added .
The seven campaigners, dressed as suffragettes, arrived at the automatically opening wrought iron gates of Clarkson's Cotswold mansion outside Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, in a van fuelled by chip-fat oil. No one answered the door, but the police were called.
The Top Gear presenter, a self confessed libertarian, has made a name by promoting speed and antagonising environmentalists. "What's wrong with global warming? We might lose Holland but there are other places to go on holiday," he wrote once in the Sun. On Top Gear, he has also lauded naturalist David Bellamy, who has disputed that man-made warming exists.
His views on people standing up for environmental causes have offended a wide cross section of Britain. He once described ramblers as "urban communists", cyclists as "Lycra Nazis", and people working for transport pressure group Transport 2000 as "ugly". Women, ethnic minorities and others have all taken offence. Car workers blamed him in part for the collapse of MG Rover after bad reviews of the company's cars.
His attitude to nature is also eccentric. He has questioned why Britain has so many hills, proposed that great white sharks should be eaten to extinction, been excited at the thought of Birmingham being covered by a glacier, rammed a car into a tree and driven up Ben Tongue, a Scottish mountain, in a 4x4.
He has tempered his views when on TV after strong criticism was levelled at the BBC, but his seemingly jocular views on global warming are ignorant and dangerous, say his critics.
"I think it is very selfish of him not to take responsibility for climate emissions," said Millie Forest, 19, one of the seven women who are touring the country celebrating people who reduce emissions but targeting others who they say promote high carbon lifestyles.
Clarkson was not available for comment.


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Aim for the Top University Plan
Brief Description of the Project
Current Status of National Sun Yat-sen University
The NSYSU was named in honor of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and was established in 1980 at Sizihwan, Kaohsiung. Even as the NSYSU continues the pursuit for academic excellence, cultivate outstanding students, promote international affairs, strengthen regional alliance and enhance administrative efficiency, the University is planning to take an active role as the Think Tank of Southern Taiwan in the future. In this manner the NSYSU will help strengthen local industrial development and social progress as expected of an academic institution and make contributions at the local and national level. The motto of the NSYSU is Dr. Sun Yat-sen's ideals of "extensive learning thorough inquiry, careful consideration, clear discrimination, and diligent practice". This is now also the university's educational philosophy for the "Aim for Top University Plan" (ATU Plan) and future developments. The vision for the future is to create a "people-oriented" campus with a "pursuit of happiness" atmosphere where the faculty is enthusiastic about in teaching and research, the staff devoted to service and work, and students filled with zeal in learning and creation Together, we will create an academic sanctuary dedicated to "local features, national competitiveness, and world-wide focus". The university will be the incubator of higher education, continue to groom well-rounded students as the leaders of society, strive for boost national development through advanced research and connect with the world to become a top international university.
Objective and Concept
Integrate the future development of Kaohsiung and the vision of a "top university in a great city" to make NSYSU the UCSD of Taiwan. Guided by the educational philosophy of "contribution to society through cultivating leaders across all fields", the NSYSU will become the driving force in education, research and industrial development for Greater Kaohsiung.
The NSYSU has cultivated the concept a "people-oriented" campus based on Dr. Sun Yat-sen's educational philosophy of "extensive learning thorough inquiry, careful consideration, clear discrimination, and diligent practice". Through the sharing of educational and research resources, NSYSU has integrated the universities in the Kaohsiung metropolitan area to create an academic sanctuary dedicated to "local features, national competitiveness and world-wide focus."
Characteristics and Development Niche
During Phase 1 of the "Aim for Top University Plan" (ATU Plan), the NSYSU focused on promoting ocean research, development of management, wireless telecommunication, nano technology, and photonics technologies, and the integration of biomedical science research in regional universities. We have achieved the goal set for ATU Plan Phase 1 to have 2~3 key research centers ranked among the Top Ten in Asia in 2010. As NSYSU is the only national university in Taiwan with a coastline on campus, the ocean has been one of the university's features since its founding.
In addition to developments in their own disciplines, the colleges have also supported research into topics such as ocean engineering, ocean biochemistry, harbor management, ocean literature and marine policy, turning the NSYSU into an important center for ocean research and education in Taiwan. In the future, the NSYSU will continue to develop its teaching and research capabilities in ATU Plan Phase 2. Our goal is to become one of the top ocean research centers in the world and make "ocean education, ocean industry, ocean Taiwan" the lifeline for sustainable development in Taiwan.
Update Time:04/27/2012 17:00
Address: No. 70, Lienhai Rd., Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan, R.O.C. Campus Map & How to get to NSYSU
Tel: +886-7-5252000 ext.2611 Fax: +886-7-5252601 | sitemap | Service time:8:30~17:30
Office of Research and Development, National Sun Yat-sen University


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Fire crews were able to put out a vegetation fire that burned in Griffith Park between the Griffith Observatory and the Greek Theatre early Wednesday, officials said.
Dozens of firefighters responded after the blaze broke out around 2:00 a.m. in the 3000 block of Vermont Canyon Road (map), according to an alert from the Los Angeles Fire Department.
It took crews about an hour to extinguish the flames, the alert said.
The fire's location on a hiking trail initially made it difficult for firefighters to reach, officials said.
"Our companies had to hike into the trails to get to it, and eventually we were able to locate and get a line around the complete fire," LAFD Battalion Chief David Frelinger said.
No structures were threatened, and no injuries were reported.
The fire burned about a quarter of an acre, according to fire officials.
The cause of the blaze was under investigation.


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Louis Daignault (ISN)
July 21, 2013, Barcelona (ISN) – Canada's women water polo team started out strong in their first game at the 2013 FINA World Championships, winning their battle against Great Britain with a convincing 14-9 score (3-2, 4-3, 4-3, 3-1) in Barcelona, Spain on Sunday.
Captain Krystina Alogbo opened the scoring midway through the first quarter and registered a total of four goals in the game. Emma Wright, from Lindsay, Ontario, impressed on her first appearance at a World Championship match by finding the back of the net three times. Teammates Joelle Bekhazi and Christine Robinson had two points each, while Sophie Baron La Salle, Katrina Monton and Stephanie Valin rounded out the count for Canada.
Wright, a sixteen-year-old World Championship rookie, was clearly pleased to have been able to help her team. "I was definitely pretty nervous at the start and I knew this game was a big deal for me," she said about her state of mind coming into the event. "But we were really prepared and I personally felt prepared. I believed in myself and knew I could do it," she said.
After trading goals back and forth with Great Britain for most of the first and second quarters, Canada started to pull away just before the half. Alogbo and Wright scored within nearly thirty seconds of one another to end the 2nd period with a 7-5 lead. The Brits attempted a comeback in the third quarter and managed three notches of their own but were outscored by the Canadian women's four goals. Starting the final period with an 11-8 score, Canada never relinquished their advantage and progressively deepened the lead to attain the game's 14-9 final score.
Head Coach Guy Baker was successful in keeping his team focused on the task at hand. "We have had some past struggles with the idea of staying in the now, of being in the moment," he said. "This was a good first game. We did a good job on concentrating on what we had to do throughout."
"There had been a lot of buildup for this game and our team went through some highs and lows over the last several weeks," Alobgo said. "It was great to be able to release some of that energy and this was definitely a nice way to open the tournament."
The preliminary round for the women continues on Tuesday, July 23 with a game against the London Olympic gold medalists U.S.A. at 1:30 p.m. local time (7:30 EDT).
Canada will then take on the defending World Champions from Greece for their third and last game of the preliminary round on July 25 at 10:50 a.m. (4:50 a.m. EDT). Rankings in these preliminaries determine the matchups for next Saturday's crossover games in the quarterfinal qualifications.
View start list, results and play by play:


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WASHINGTON — Accusations of hypocrisy greeted the House passage of the amended American Health Care Act on Thursday, as people were outraged — erroneously — by claims that the bill does not apply to Congress.
It is true that the bill exempted lawmakers from its provisions. But a subsequent piece of legislation, which the House approved, eliminated the exemption, effectively nullifying that claim. The Senate now will consider both bills.
Timothy S. Jost, a health care expert at Washington and Lee University School of Law, said the exemption "was done for arcane budget reasons and many did not realize it." He was one of the first people to notice the quirk.
The first bill that was offered, in March, failed to reach a vote. It was amended by Representative Tom MacArthur, Republican of New Jersey, to allow states to apply for waivers to Affordable Care Act regulations if they offered other options for health care.
Mr. MacArthur's amendment also specified that the part of the current health law that requires federal or state exchange insurance for lawmakers and their staff could not be waived. In short, it essentially exempted Congress from the Republican bill's weakened requirements for essential health benefits and protections for people with pre-existing conditions.
But it appeared to be more of a parliamentary tactic by House Republicans to assure passage of their bill, rather than their personal stake in it.
Republicans are trying to speed the health care repeal through Congress by using a legislative process called reconciliation to limit debate on the Senate floor and shield it from minority opposition. Democratic senators could stop reconciliation, however, by evoking the so-called Byrd rule. That rule bars committees from going through the reconciliation process if they insert provisions into bills that are beyond their jurisdiction.
In this case, the health care repeal bill was drafted in the House Energy and Commerce Committee. But in the Senate, congressional health benefits come under the purview of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. So to change the section of the Affordable Care Act on lawmakers' insurance would make the bill vulnerable to filibuster and harm its chances of passage.
A spokesman for the House Energy and Commerce Committee said the legislative maneuver was privately cleared by the Senate budget committee. A spokesman for the committee, however, denied that. So it's unclear whom to credit — or blame — for the attempted workaround.
But in the end, none of that came to pass. A separate bill offered by Representative Martha E. McSally, Republican of Arizona, eliminated the congressional exemption from the House health plan. Her bill was overwhelmingly approved by the House — meaning that Congress will live by the same health care rules as other Americans.


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In your "Advanced Settings" navigate to where it says "Choose where your campaign will appear" and click.
The drop down menu will appear with several publishing options, select "My Facebook Page"
4. You will see next a blue "Connect with Facebook" button. Click on that button
5. A new popup will appear which will prompt you to log into your personal account. Fill out your information and click on "Log In"
6. After you connect with your account a drop down menu appears with all of your Facebook pages. Click the drop down menu and select the Facebook Page you want to publish your Photo Contest to.
7. Your Photo Contest will appear in a tab on your Facebook Page.


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Patricia Germer-Coolidge P.C. is is a well-established law firm located Colorado Springs, Colorado that provides a wide range of quality, cost-effective legal services to clients.
- Paternity
- Parenting Time
(Custody & Visitation)
- Relocation
- Non-Parent Rights
- Division of Retirement Assets (Qualified Domestic Relations Orders and Domestic Relations Orders)
- Spousal Maintenance
- Child Support


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by Megan Workman
(Lowell, AR)
I do not know how I lived before we got our Choodle (that's that we call her). Nike has such a personality and is an amazing companion. Our house is now filled with sounds of tiny paws pattering around. When we got her we were worried that we would step on her and squish her, but she is SO FAST! Nike runs around like a little rocket, jumping on the couch and then jetting off in the other direction, she is definitely a character! We have never had such a loving dog, babies and small children are her absolute favorites, she is very good at sitting attentively and snuggling any "her size people" that are around. This Chi Poo is for sure the queen of the house and the master of the schedule, she even herds us into bed at 10:15 p.m on the dot! If you are looking for a great dog for you and your family, look no further!
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Poodle Mix.
Copyright le-poodles-guide.com 2008-2017
To Share your Story and Picture Click Here
Dog owners must
make sure their pet
has been administered
a vaccine for rabies
each year and to
make sure they are
on a leash when
walked on the street.
Whoever said you can't
buy happiness forgot
little puppies


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Traveling is a likelihood to discover about the planet in a way like no other. It offers you expanded horizons and teaches you new issues. You have to leave the protection and protection of your typical everyday environs and open your self to new factors. The minor inconveniences of vacation are absolutely nothing when you consider the advantages of exposing your senses to the miracles of other lands.
To keep your travel arrangements within your price range, make them as considerably in advance as feasible. Even though there are a lot of items you can purchase on your vacation, it is important to know that most of the things will significantly pricier now relatively than if you had acquired them much before. By reducing your very last moment investing, you can extend your vacation price range further.
Have some adaptability with your travel strategies when deciding on a vacation spot. Even though going to the exact same spot frequently has its positive aspects, viewing new spots and issues offers enjoyable memories, as properly. You can save funds by selecting an alternate spot.
Usually deliver together some variety of doorstop when you travel. This will enhance your protection even though you rest in an unidentified lodge in a odd place. Most men and women use doorstops to prop their doors open, but you can also use them to hold a doorway shut.
If you are contemplating about likely to a distinct spot that sells tickets, head to its internet site and see if it is attainable to acquire and print tickets from there. This often expenses a small volume further, but the time saved waiting in a line makes up for it. If your destination gives timed entry, printed tickets can also be employed to get around the admission line.
Your wildest getaway goals can be fulfilled. Travel puts you in manage of your future, and it provides you one thing to appear forward to. This not only offers you some thing to eagerly anticipate, but the preparing part presents you some thing to do in your spare time. When you return from journey, you will have numerous fond memories to share and cherish. Do not wait around! Journey as before long as you can.


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Fort Smith, Montana
Fort Smith, Montana
Location of Fort Smith, Montana
|Coordinates: 45°18′28″N 107°55′39″W / 45.30778°N 107.92750°WCoordinates: 45°18′28″N 107°55′39″W / 45.30778°N 107.92750°W
|United States
|Big Horn
|• Total
|1.7 sq mi (4.3 km2)
|• Land
|1.4 sq mi (3.7 km2)
|• Water
|0.2 sq mi (0.6 km2)
|3,287 ft (1,002 m)
|• Total
|• Density
|113/sq mi (43.8/km2)
|Time zone
|UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
|• Summer (DST)
|ZIP code
|Area code(s)
|406 Exchange: 666 ( FIPS code)
|GNIS feature ID
Fort Smith is a census-designated place (CDP) in Big Horn County, Montana, United States. The population was 161 at the 2010 census.[1] The town is named for the former Fort C.F. Smith.
Fort Smith is located at 45°18′28″N 107°55′39″W / 45.307906°N 107.927392°W (45.307906, -107.927392).[2]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.3 km2), of which 1.4 square miles (3.7 km2) is land and 0.23 square miles (0.6 km2), or 14.90%, is water.[1] It is located along the Bighorn River where it exits from Bighorn Canyon. Montana Highway 313 ends at Fort Smith and leads northeast 42 miles (68 km) to Hardin and Interstate 90.
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 122 people, 51 households, and 31 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 103.6 people per square mile (39.9/km2). There were 143 housing units at an average density of 121.4/sq mi (46.8/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 64.75% White, 32.79% Native American, 2.46% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.92% of the population.
There were 51 households out of which 39.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.2% were non-families. 37.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the CDP, the population was spread out with 34.4% under the age of 18, 3.3% from 18 to 24, 34.4% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 159.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 158.1 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $24,250, and the median income for a family was $24,333. Males had a median income of $16,250 versus $12,045 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $10,692. There were 68.2% of families and 50.0% of the population living below the poverty line, including 55.1% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.
- ^ a b "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Fort Smith CDP, Montana". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved June 25, 2013.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2013-09-11. Retrieved 2008-01-31.


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Traditional Arts, Textile and Handicrafts
India's rich heritage of arts, textiles and handicrafts is well known. Equally well known is the fact that the custodians of our heritage - artisans, weavers and craftspeople - find it increasingly difficult to earn sustained livelihoods due to lack of access to markets, resources, customer trends and preferences. Consequently, the younger generation of artisans and craftsmen is less inclined to pursue their familial vocations, leading to the gradual discontinuation or loss of precious traditional skills and crafts.
Sonata supports organizations that work towards improving the livelihoods of traditional craftspeople and by extension, help preserve and sustain our crafts heritage.
Technology Incubation & Entrepreneurship
In keeping with our CSR vision - to leverage technology to 'Make a Deep Impact and Transform Lives'- we have chosen to especially foster the learning and practice of technology. Technology is the underlying fabric that binds all aspects of our lives today – from communication and entertainment to manufacturing, commerce and healthcare.
Education and the Environment
Our CSR activities in the Education vertical are implemented in collaboration with select institutions across a continuum - from primary and middle schools in rural areas and forest buffer zones to institutes of higher learning such as IISc, and onwards to training the trainers. We partner with organizations that provide education and capability building to improve human potential and help individuals lead fuller, richer, more active lives.
Preservation of Our Cultural Heritage
Cultural heritage implies a shared bond, our belonging to a community. It represents our history and our identity; our bond to the past, to our present, and the future.
Heritage structures are constantly under pressure and in the absence of watertight heritage laws to protect buildings and neighborhoods of historical value, every small effort towards raising awareness of what survives goes a long way.
Sonata has partnered with organizations actively involved in reviving and preserving our rich heritage as well as raising awareness amongst the general public of these historical treasures.
At Sonata we are as mindful of staying abreast of the emerging trends and best practices in CSR as we are of sharing our learnings with other practitioners. To that end, we co-sponsored a study undertaken by NASSCOM in late 2016 into 'CSR Trends in the IT-BPO Industry'. More recently, our social impact endeavours were featured by Outlook Business in their Coffee Table publication titled 'The India Drive 2'.
As a conscientious corporate citizen we have also supported animal welfare activities as well as efforts towards a greener planet.
Drop us a line to know more about our CSR Solutions and we will get back to you soon.


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New Drayton Kiln to be Centerpiece of Denby Investment
Denby Group plc recently announced that sales for the year grew by 8% for the second successive year and reflected strong performances in key markets such as the UK, the U.S. and Canada. Operating profit grew by 20% for the second year. In the past two years, the company has extended its core ceramic range to include a coordinated range of lifestyle casual glass and table top accessories. The consistent and strong growth achieved by Denby over the past three years has created the demand for increased capacity at the company's Derby, UK-based factory.
"We have demonstrated that a clear focus on designing tableware that is attractive and relevant to today's consumers, backed up by a uniquely skilled team of people that deliver the seemingly impossible year after year, continues to be a recipe for a successful pottery business," said Nigel Worne, managing director.
For additional information about Drayton and its products, call (44) 1782 657361, fax (44) 1782 658946, e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com or visit http://www.draytonkilns.co.uk.
Additional information on Denby can be obtained by calling (44) 1773 740776. The company's website is located at http://www.denby.co.uk.


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Morgan James
Dear God No!HD
IMDb: 4.0
81 min
Outlaw motorcycle gang The Impalers tri-state rape and murder spree ended in a bloody massacre with rival club Satan's Own. The surviving members sought refuge ...
Country: USA
Actor: Jett Bryant, Madeline Brumby, Paul McComiskey, Olivia LaCroix, Shane Morton, Johnny Collins, Nik Morgan, James Bickert, Rachelle Lynn, Heath Street, Billy Ratliff, Tim McGahren, Jim Sligh, Johnny McGowan, Parker Honeycutt
13 GravesHD
IMDb: 4.4
83 min
13 Graves is a movie starring Kevin Leslie, Morgan James, and Jacob Anderton. 'Two seasoned contract killers, disposing of their latest victim in a 'mob ...
Country: UK
Actor: Kevin Leslie, Morgan James, Jacob Anderton, Terri Dwyer


text:
Build According to Purpose
Build According to Purpose
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28
If your building has no purpose, how will you know what to build. We are called according to His purpose and that means you are built to God's specifications the demands of the works he has called you to do.
Of course no one else can handle what you do, how long you do it, when it don't make no sense to do it, THEY ARE NOT BUILT LIKE YOU, because you have a different calling with a different purpose on your life.
"To them that are called according to His purpose" means that you are working to the blueprints that God has laid out for you.
Building according to Purpose
- know who you are working for
- Is it for you? Is it for them? Is it for God?
- Love God, why?
- Love is not selfish, it believes in things other don't believe in, hopes all things
- Loving what you are working for helps you to deal with things you would quit on.
- If you Love God, there are built in blessings and protections.
- Do what you are called to do.
- Some of us are trying to do things that we literally have 'no business' doing.
- No business – mean you can't turn a profit on doing that thing. That there is no return on your investment…. You have no business doing this means you can not sustain yourself if you keep doing what you are doing.
- Have a plan for building
- Luke 14:28 you need to know the cost
- Parable of the Talents
- God will take away the talent that you don't know how to use.


text:
The toddler years are a time of great cognitive, emotional and social development. After his first birthday, your toddler is learning to walk and be more independent.
According to the CDC, At one year of age, the typical toddler will be able to display the following skills:
Physical and motor skills
- Triples the birth weight
- Grows to a height of 50% over birth length
- Has a head circumference equal to that of the chest
- Has one to eight teeth
- Pulls to stand
- Walks with help or alone
- Sits down without help
- Bangs two blocks together
- Flips many book pages at a time
- Has a pincer grasp
- Sleeps 8-10 hours at night and take one to two naps during the day
Sensory and cognitive development
- Learns to eat independently
- Follows a fast moving object
- Can respond to sounds
- Responds to his/her name
- Understands several words
- Can say mamma, papa, and at least one or two other words
- Understands simple commands
- Tries to imitate animal sounds
- Connects names with objects
- Points to objects with index finger
- Waves bye bye
- Starts developing attachment to a toy or object
- Experiences separation anxiety and may cling to parents
- Explores shortly alone in familiar settings
- Understands that objects and people exist, even when he/she doesn't see them (object constancy)
The following milestones indicate what most toddlers should do by the end of 18 months. Take this with you and talk with your child's doctor at every visit about the milestones your child has reached and what to expect next.
Social and Emotional
- Likes to hand things to others as play
- May have temper tantrums
- May be afraid of strangers
- Shows affection to familiar people
- Plays simple pretend, such as feeding a doll
- May cling to caregivers in new situations
- Points to show others something interesting
- Explores alone but with parent close by
- Says several single words
- Says and shakes head "no"
- Points to show someone what he wants
Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
- Knows what ordinary things are for; for example, telephone, brush, spoon
- Points to get attention of others
- Shows interest in a doll or stuffed animal by pretending to feed or dress them
- Points to one body part
- Scribbles on his own
- Can follow 1-step verbal commands without any gestures; for example, sits when you say "sit down"
- Walks alone
- May walk up steps and run
- Pulls toys while walking
- Can help undress himself
- Drinks from a cup
- Eats with a spoon
Act early by talking to your child's doctor if your child:
- Doesn't point to show things to others
- Can't walk
- Doesn't know what familiar things are for
- Doesn't copy others
- Doesn't gain new words
- Doesn't have at least 6 words
- Doesn't notice or mind when a caregiver leaves or returns
- Loses skills he once had
For developmental milestones for babies age 0 to 12 months, see What To Look For as Your Baby Grows.
For developmental milestones for toddlers age 18 to 24 months, see Toddler at Two Years.


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Table of Contents
- HIV Diagnosis
- Personal Bio
- HIV, Health Care and Treatment
- African-American Identity and HIV
- Disclosure, Relationships and Sex
- Adventures, Wishes and Likes
This interview has been altered from its original format. Statements have been re-ordered for clarity with permission of the interviewee.
When and how did you find out that you were positive?
I found out I was HIV positive maybe three months before my 20th birthday, about March of 2004. It was kind of funny how I found out I was positive, because I had a lot of stereotypes about how people became HIV positive, one being that only promiscuous people get HIV. I think that was the biggest stereotype that I had, that only promiscuous people get HIV. I never really thought about HIV, because I really didn't think it pertained to me. I wasn't a promiscuous person, and I was in a committed relationship. So, HIV and me didn't belong in the same sentence. [Laughing.] And then at the same time, at age 19, I was very, very cocky, very big-headed at that time. Like, "Oh, I'm me. Look at me! I can't be HIV positive!" I think a lot of young people have that overconfidence at times.
That feeling that you're invincible.
Yes. So, I got tested. It was kind of funny, because that is not what I went there for.
Where did you go?
I went to the Horizons Project at Children's Hospital of Michigan to be tested. Throughout my relationship at that time, my partner and I had discussions about using condoms versus not using condoms. [There were] things I would allow myself to do because, for the first time in my life, I felt like I was in love. I felt love for the first time that was unconditional. ... I was really in need of somebody -- [in need of] being loved. So, anything that would jeopardize that, I was reluctant [to do]. I tried to not let anything jeopardize that.
When did you and your partner get together?
I was about 17, a junior in high school.
Did you meet him in high school?
I was in high school, but he wasn't in high school. He's actually [about] 10 years older than me.
When I graduated from high school, I had a full-ride scholarship to Florida A&M [Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University]. I passed [it] up because my partner, at the time, felt that we couldn't have a long-distance relationship. Like I said, I felt love for the first time; this was my first love, my first sex partner, my first everything. I didn't want to let that go. I passed up my scholarship, stayed in Michigan and continued my studies [there].
My partner and I had mentioned being tested together, on more than one occasion, because my partner didn't like to use condoms. I did [like to use condoms], and I was really particular about that; I was really adamant about being tested together. We let time pass and let time pass. My partner, at the time, didn't get tested. We never got tested together. I ended up going to get tested by myself. I came and showed my partner my results and told him, "These are my results. I'm negative right now. What are your results? Have you gone to get tested yet?"
Now, me being naive and [having] a lot of things going on, personally, I really felt like I can trust my partner. I can trust him when he tells me, "I took the test and my results are negative." I took that word for what it was, and trusted my partner's words. I figured he loved me, just as I loved him, so I figured my partner wouldn't do anything to jeopardize or hurt me. I took my partner's word for it, and we started having unprotected sex.
A few months later I had some speculations that my partner had cheated on me. So, immediately, I told my partner we needed to use condoms, because something's not right. A few months down the line, we had the same discussion again -- the same events took place. I went and got tested again, by myself. [I] again took my partner's word for it [that his test was negative], in spite of the fact that I had reasons to believe [he] had cheated on me once before. [Both times I suspected him of cheating, I made] very strong accusations with minimal proof. It wasn't that I caught him doing anything, it was more so that things just didn't add up.
Like I said before: I was naive and in love. I didn't want anything to jeopardize that. I was in love for the first time. I wasn't going to let anything jeopardize ... that love -- which, at the time, seemed to be unconditional -- from a person who didn't necessarily have to love me. Your family, for example, you expect them to love you because they're your family.
I was getting that same love from someone who didn't necessarily have to [love me], who wasn't part of my family. So, I wanted to keep that. I wanted to hold on to that. I ended up getting tested again by myself, showed my partner my results and, naive again, took my partner's word [that his test was negative]. A few months later we ran into the same thing, but this time I actually caught my partner in the act of cheating.
Well, we went our separate ways. Everything between us discontinued, except for the fact that we were still living together, at this time. I couldn't afford the apartment by myself, and my partner couldn't afford it by himself, so we moved everything to separate room[s]. We were just sharing living quarters.
So, you became roommates?
How long had you been together at this point?
At this point, we had been together for about three and a half years.
At the same time, my social worker would come over to the house periodically because I was still in the foster care system. But I was more on my own, paying everything on my own. It's called the independent living program, where I was living on my own -- taking care of myself, making my own meals and things like that. So, I had a social worker that would stop in periodically, just to check on things and see how everything was.
Your foster care social worker was coming to see you even though you were no longer a minor?
I was still in the independent living program. At 18 I moved out of my cousin's house and got my own place. Instead of them paying for me to live with my cousin, [the state of Michigan] was paying for me to live on my own in addition to me working and going to school. ... For me, they [extended the program] because I was in school and still working. Actually, they extended the program until I was 20. ... The judge was very pleased with my work and continued to extend it for me.
Also, at the same time, I noticed that my health started to decline. At the time, I was being treated for a stomach ulcer, or what I thought to be a stomach ulcer, that would never get better. I was in constant pain. I couldn't stand up straight. At the same time, my diet was reduced to maybe crackers and water everyday. I had very little energy.
Every time my social worker would come over, [he] would see me lying down. My social worker would ask, "What's the problem? Why are you always lying down every time I come over? Is something wrong? You don't hang out anymore or do anything. Where are your friends at? Do you need some friends?" So, my social worker took it upon himself to do some research to find some support organizations for gay youth.
"When the counselor asked me how I thought people get HIV, I said, 'Promiscuity, that's how they get it. They're out being a ho \[whore, prostitute\]. If they're out being a ho they deserve it.' Which was very ignorant \[of me to say\] but I felt really strong about that."
This is how you ended up at the Horizons Project?
Right. We ended up going to the Horizons Project, which was a support group for HIV-positive youth. Immediately, I was turned off because [I thought], "Oh, this is not me. I'm not HIV positive. I'll never be in this group. This is not the group for me. I need to get out of here." Then I sat down and talked with the counselor. The counselor brought some things to my attention. One thing -- I remember it like it was yesterday -- [was] when the counselor said, "OK, tell me what you know about how people can get HIV. Tell me what you've heard."
At the time, I knew little to nothing about HIV. All I knew about HIV, was that it was the human immunodeficiency virus, and that was because I had to study it for a test in high school. That was the only reason I remembered it, because it was on the test. I never tried to do any other research, because [I thought] it didn't pertain to me anyway. Why do I have to do research on something that doesn't pertain to me, because I'm not promiscuous?
So, when the counselor asked me how I thought people get HIV, I said, "Promiscuity, that's how they get it. They're out being a ho [whore, prostitute]. If they're out being a ho they deserve it." Which was very ignorant [of me to say], but I felt really strong about that.
The counselor said, "So, I take it that you're in a relationship."
I said, "No, I'm not in a relationship now, but I've been in a relationship for the past three and a half years, a committed relationship."
And he said, "So, you've been [in] a relationship of three and a half years. You're not in one now. What happened?" Before I could say anything the counselor said, "Think about this: You've been with this person, only been with this person. Has this person only been with you?"
[His question] kind of clicked, because it brought to the surface the reason why we broke up. It really brought some things to light. They said, "It only takes one person to introduce something into the relationship, such as by cheating or other things. So maybe, maybe you wouldn't think it was possible that your partner introduced something into your relationship ... [except for] the fact that your partner was cheating." That really hit home for me. Because it did, I decided to get tested that day. I got tested, and that was the longest two weeks of my life.
Why two weeks?
The reason it was two weeks was mostly my fault. My results came back a week later, and the counselor called me on the phone and said, "I want to set up a time for you to meet with us, so I can give you your result." Because of the inflection of his voice, I was really nervous. Even though I was cocky and I thought it couldn't happen to me, because we had [had] that discussion prior to taking the test, I was really nervous and scared. So, I got to the place and I sat in my car for about an hour and a half before I went in. This was a week after I got tested. I went in, and then I turned around and left. I didn't come back for another week, and that's why it took me two weeks to get my results. It was the longest two weeks ever.
"I went in, the counselor gave me my results and basically said, 'As of this moment you are HIV positive.' Everything he said after that sounded foreign. The walls started to close in. I really don't remember it. I was in the room by myself. I couldn't hear anything. I couldn't see anything. I couldn't move. I was really surprised and shocked and upset and scared."
What was it like when they told you?
I came back the second week and got my results. I stayed outside about 30 minutes this time, then I went in and got my results. The only reason I went in and got my results was because I said, "Hey, I'm me. I'm not promiscuous. I'm going to prove to them that I'm not positive." So, I went in with this big head, overly confident. I went in, the counselor gave me my results and basically said, "As of this moment you are HIV positive." Everything he said after that sounded foreign. The walls started to close in. I really don't remember it. I was in the room by myself. I couldn't hear anything. I couldn't see anything. I couldn't move. I was really surprised and shocked and upset and scared. I couldn't even know which way to go, I was so scared. They had a doctor on site. They set me up with a doctor's appointment -- my first doctor's appointment [for HIV]. I was admitted into the hospital.
I had a CD4 count of 65, a viral load of 400,000. I had pneumonia in my lungs. I had a stomach ulcer. I couldn't stand up straight. I was about 95 pounds. My liver enzymes were very, very elevated, which means that, [if] they had given me any other medication, it would have affected my liver. I wouldn't have been able to handle it. So they put me in the hospital for two weeks of close observation, and after that they started me on my first regimen.
How long did it take for you to process the diagnosis?
I never really processed it until I started working as a case manager and advocate [at The Horizons Project], because from the time I found out my status it was work, work, work -- work on getting me healthy again. It was a lot of work, a lot of doctor's visits and appointments. ... So, I really didn't have time to reflect on my diagnosis, my personal diagnosis. Then shortly after that, I started working as a case manager and advocate, where I couldn't focus on me anymore. I had to take my energy and focus on helping someone else. I had to set my own problems aside, so that I could help somebody else with theirs. [That] was really therapeutic for me because it really helped me to be strong and confident, and because there [had been] a point where I felt that I would never tell anybody [my status]. I was HIV positive. Me: HIV positive. Me? HIV positive? That would never happen. I could never tell anybody I was HIV positive. Because of the experience of working with other people that were HIV positive, I was able to open up and share things about myself that I never thought I would be able to. That was therapeutic for me.
It was probably a year later when I went to the Ryan White National Youth Conference, when I finally did come to grips with it. I met a lot of different people from all over the United States, who were from different places but were going through the exact same thing. When I realized that I'm not by myself in this, I was able to accept it. I was able to share my story. I was able to really collectively bring up ideas, bring up strange ideas with other people. It really took me outside of my own neighborhood and let me see that this was a national thing. These people are just like me: from thousands of miles away, yet we have this connection. Not just HIV, but that we had this similar background [that] led us to this same point. I often say we take different paths to end up on the same road. I thought that was so profound.
What eventually happened between you and your boyfriend after you tested positive?
We didn't move out because -- although I was getting assistance from the state and working -- [I was] going to school and I had a car loan to pay, so the bills got to be a little much. I knew that I couldn't afford the apartment by myself. He was on the lease, [and] I was on the lease. We just decided to move him into the extra room that was there, and we kind of shared the living quarters until the lease was up, and then I moved out.
Did you ever confront him about infecting you with HIV?
At the time, I told him that I was HIV positive and I really didn't hold any animosity toward him for that. I felt that this was something that just happened -- it happened to the both of us. At the time, after I told him, then he ... I guess, acted as if he went to go get tested and he got his results and he determined that he was positive as well. So we just both took it as an unfortunate event that happened between the both of us. We kind of moved forward from that. It wasn't until probably a year after I found out I was diagnosed and I started working in the field as a case manager and an advocate doing outreach at the bar, when he approached me and told me that he wanted to apologize because he felt so bad. [He said he] was proud of me at the same time, because I took my status and dealt with it faster than he was able to deal with his status, because he knew he was positive the whole time we were together and didn't tell.
Did you forgive him?
At the time, initially, when we tested positive, I didn't even blame him. "OK, we have this, let's do something about it." We kind of persevered like that. But then, when he came and told me that he knew all the time, I ... it's hard to forgive him. I've come to realize that holding that animosity in my heart is only hurting me, and I don't want to be hurt any more than what I have already. I haven't completely forgiven him, but it's something I'm working on. It's a work in progress.
Are you still in touch? Do you know how he's doing?
No, I'm not in touch with him. I see him every now and again when I'm doing outreach ... I may run into him. I don't say anything. He tries to keep [up a] conversation, but it's difficult for me to talk to him. I really am very evasive.
It's been three years since you were diagnosed. How old are you now?
I'm 22.
So, it's been a while since your diagnosis. How do you think being HIV-positive has changed you?
HIV has changed me because I have been through other experiences in my life where I really didn't look at helping other people or caring about other people. If I wasn't going to benefit from it or get something from it then I wasn't trying to be involved. It really took me out of that selfish mode and [taught me] to genuinely care for other people, which is something I never thought [would happen].
Also, once I became comfortable being HIV positive I was comfortable with myself, period. I found myself making more friends, talking to more people. I really began to have a social life. Through HIV, I found socialization, something that I always lacked.
Can you tell us a little bit about your background?
I am a male child, one of three. I was born in Seattle, Washington, and raised in Detroit, Michigan. I was raised in a single-parent home. [A]t a very young age I had to learn a lot of additional responsibilities. ... [M]y mom was always away -- she had to work and deal with family problems. My older brother wasn't at home, so a lot of the responsibilities fell on me, such as looking after my little sister: making sure she got to school, did her homework, that her homework was correct and things like that. I didn't have much of a childhood. I didn't have a lot of friends and I didn't do a lot of things in school. It paid off in the long run, [but] it sucked at the time because I couldn't be a kid. Being a kid didn't exist. I didn't know what being a kid was.
How did it pay off in the long run?
Other than not being able to develop social skills, one [way] that [having responsibilities at a young age] did pay off was it taught me at an early age to be responsible, which is something a lot of people don't learn until they get older. I was able to problem solve and things like that on my own.
What happened to your dad?
I never really got a chance to know him. Years later I found that he had passed. I was in about fourth grade, about 9 years old [when he died].
As I grew up and got older, my mom started staying home more often. She had a live-in boyfriend. He would help with a lot of the bills and stuff, so mom had time to stay at home. I think at that age I was about, maybe, 13. Mom was home more, and a lot of the things that had been my responsibility she was now taking care of. It was difficult for me to understand, because I had been [taking on adult responsibilities] for so long. My mom really felt like I needed to be a kid, but by that time -- 13, 14 years old -- I didn't really know what being a kid was. So, we had a lot of conflicts, me and my mom and her live-in boyfriend -- her fiancé now. We didn't always see eye-to-eye on things, which led to difficult conflicts; one resulted in me being a part of the Michigan court case for foster kids. My mom gave up parental rights and gave me to the state of Michigan.
Why did she put you into foster care?
That came about because, like I said, we had a lot of conflicts just going on in the household: Who was the disciplinarian? Who was to give orders and take orders? Because Mama was never there, I had no one to really give me guidance or really give me rules. I didn't have rules. I made the rules. So, when mom started coming home more often -- and giving rules that I didn't necessarily agree with or think were fair, at the time -- we exchanged words and [had] different altercations. [It got] to the point that it was just best we went our separate ways. So, my mom decided to give up her parental rights and give me to the state of Michigan.
How long were you in foster care?
I was in foster care for, maybe, nine months to a year. At that time, it was really difficult for me. I had a lot of emotional problems with that, because I felt really abandoned. I had always been really different growing up. I was the smallest kid, the skinniest kid, the one picked last because I was the shortest. ... I had always felt like the oddball around friends and family. When that [foster care] happened, I felt even more different and abandoned by my family. I really distanced myself from my family. After a year of foster care I was able to get out and find more stable housing with a relative. From there I went to school.
It was really difficult for me to make that transition [moving out of my mom's house] because I felt like I was really close to my mom. My mom was my best friend. She taught me how to cook and she taught me how to dance. We really had a lot of fun together, and I was really confused and discombobulated by the whole situation. This person is the only person to understand me, and yet she gives me away to the state of Michigan. I don't understand that. That just didn't seem right to me at that age.
Considering how close you were, why do you think your mother felt like the two of you couldn't work things out at home?
It wasn't ... me and my mom that really had a lot of the tension. It was more me and my stepdad that had tension and things in the household. My mom had to make a choice [per court order] to either let him go, ... go to family counseling, or give me up to the state of Michigan. Out of the three that's the one she chose.
Why didn't your mom just choose to go to family counseling?
My mom really ... by this time she had completely stopped working. Period. My stepdad was the whole source of income in the household. That, in turn, gave him a lot of authority. [Family counseling] was something he wouldn't agree to, and because he wouldn't agree to it, ... she didn't either.
How did all this end up working out? You said that you lived with a relative and you went to school.
After a year and a half [of] being in foster care, my brother came and took me in, and I was living there [as a ward of the court]. ... At the time I was in the independent living program. [The Michigan foster care system] didn't acknowledge cousins as relatives. ... They paid my living expenses while [my brother] provided shelter for me as opposed to living in foster care. I was living with a relative and paying rent at that time.
You were living with your older brother?
He's not my [real] brother; it's something that he's grown to be because me and my [biological] brother didn't have a good relationship. ... He's my first cousin. His dad and my mom are brother and sister.
How old was your cousin when you were living with him?
My cousin was 26 years old at the time I moved in with him.
Were you able to finish out high school living with your cousin?
I was able to catch up. The whole foster care period really took a toll on my schooling. I had to put [school] on the back burner.
How many homes did you live in?
I was in the foster care system, however, I didn't live in any foster homes other than a residential housing facility for youth (a group home). I lived there for about nine months before [I] had approval to live with my cousin in his home as a tenant. I moved in with [my cousin] and was able to find stable schooling. Later, I graduated from high school.
You recently got a new job. What are you doing for work?
I'm currently working as an outreach coordinator for the Midwest AIDS Prevention Project in Ferndale, Michigan. As an outreach coordinator, my job is basically to go out into the community and ... establish and maintain rapports with other organizations, as well as [with] our clients or people that are [in] our target audience. [This way] we will be familiar with them and they will be familiar with us and know that, OK, this is the place we need to go to get tested. In doing so we do things like bar outreach -- go to different venues where youth congregate so they will be comfortable with us and basically [know] that we will be in the community, that [if] you have any questions we are here for that as well.
You encourage them to get tested and let them know what kind of services you offer?
Yes, making testing convenient for them by moving the office to them.
Do you take a mobile testing unit out?
What we do is: We have test packets that we take with us when we go, for example, to bar outreach. We pick a night on specific days of the month when we know everyone will be congregating -- on a pretty busy night -- and we set up to test people there at the bar. We also give out information, as well -- along with offering testing at that time if they want -- letting them know how they can get in contact with us if they want to get tested later.
What else are you doing? Are you in school?
Right now I'm not in school. I plan to go back [laughs], but I had to take a break for a minute for personal reasons, financial reasons. I just got a new job, so that was the biggest reason.
What do you eventually want to get your degree in?
I want to study public administration with a concentration in public health. I want to continue working in the field that I am working in -- human services -- and basically continue my work getting people tested, making people aware of HIV and educating people.
What other kinds of work have you done?
Well, my first job, what really got me into the field, was working as an advocate and a case manager for ... the Horizons Project. As an advocate, I basically facilitated support groups [and] helped adolescents and young adults between the ages of 13 and 24 who needed health insurance. [I helped them] get medication, housing and job postings. [I worked to] help them [become] productive people living with HIV, so that when they progressed out of our program they'd be able to independently take care of themselves living with HIV.
Are you a religious or spiritual person? Do you attend a church?
No, I don't attend a church. I wouldn't say I'm a religious person. I would say I'm more of a spiritual person. I think my connection with God is personal. A lot of time what conflicts with being a religious person is my own opinion. So, I chose to be more spiritual then religious.
Do you have a partner?
No, right now I don't. No, I don't. ... I was going to add on to [that], but that's OK.
HIV, Health Care and Treatment
What was your first treatment regimen?
Viread [tenofovir] and Reyataz [atazanavir], one pill [of each drug], twice daily. Also, at the time I wasn't working. I had to take some time off school, and I had to take some time off work. At that time, I was very, very, very sick. At the time, I was still functioning, going to work, but my doctor asked me to take time off so that I could focus on my health care. My doctor and my nurse have always been a team to me. No decisions are made without them being explained to me. I either agree or disagree or try to come up with some other plan or action that would work best for me, that will be conducive to my schedule. For example, when I first started my medication, I was taking pills twice a day; now I'm taking pills once a day because my schedule has been very hectic. I'm less likely to forget my medication if I know I only have to take it once a day. I fit it into breakfast time, or lunchtime or dinnertime, so I won't forget.
What are you taking now?
Currently, I'm taking Epzicom [abacavir/3TC, Kivexa] and Reyataz once a day.
How is your health now? You've rebounded, obviously. Do you feel better than you did when you were first diagnosed?
After a month of treatment, my numbers began to turn around dramatically. After a month, I went to a 200 CD4 count and a viral load of maybe 100,000. Now I have an undetectable viral load and a CD4 count of 625.
That's fantastic.
At the same time, after a month of treatment, my doctor (who was also the director and CEO of the Horizons Project) offered me a position as a peer advocate. At the time, I was really reluctant to take the position because I felt that I didn't know much about HIV, and I felt I was so stupid for being infected with HIV. How could I help somebody else? How could I be an influence to somebody else [who is] living with HIV when I can't even influence my own life? Besides, my knowledge of HIV was little to none. She saw something in me that I didn't.
She was your doctor?
Right. She was also the director of the Horizons Project.
Is she African American?
No. She's Caucasian.
Do you feel like you're getting the best possible care from her? Do you have a good relationship?
Yes, I wouldn't trade her for the world.
African-American Identity and HIV
When did you first realize you were African American?
[Laughs.] All my life.
Did you ever experience a defining moment in your racial identity?
All the time I have experiences with racism and racial profiling. Just based on how I look, people sometimes perceive me as something that I'm not. Even being discriminated against based on my HIV status. Some people know my status and don't want to socialize with me or talk to me because of that.
My first real encounter with racism was maybe two years ago, when I was in school. Something the instructor said really rubbed me the wrong way. I answered a question correctly, and he made a comment about, "We do have an intelligent one in our class. He's not from what they call, 'the hood.' He can speak like he's over here with us. You wouldn't think he's from what you would call the hood." Everybody thought that was so funny. There were only three African-American people in the class, including myself. That really didn't feel right, that he was trying to stereotype the fact that because I'm black I live in the quote-unquote hood and I couldn't be intelligent at the same time. I think that was my first experience [with racism]. I always knew that racism existed, but that was the first time I actually experienced it. It really brought something to the forefront of my mind: Racism is still here.
"One thing is that there is no such thing as a gay black man in African-American society. ... The fact that HIV is a gay man's disease, that puts us even lower on the totem pole."
What is the biggest challenge facing the African-American community today, in terms of HIV?
I think the biggest challenge is ignorance, stereotypes. Believe it or not, in the African-American community, I think the fact that everything is so segregated [is a problem]. You have your heterosexual men. You have your heterosexual women. You have your homosexual men. You have your homosexual women. "Because I don't fit into this class, or this group of people," [people think], "this information doesn't pertain to me."
I think that, within the African-American community, that's the biggest problem: stereotyping. It's commonly associated with HIV. One thing is that there is no such thing as a gay black man in African-American society, so [because we exist at all] we are already looked down upon. Then, the fact that HIV is a gay man's disease, that puts us even lower on the totem pole. I think the community is segregated and people look at it as a hierarchy. "Oh, I'm gay, but I'm not HIV positive. So the HIV-positive gay man is lower than me." I think that whole mindset is really detrimental to us as a race, because we are not given a lot of information or [we're] reluctant to get a lot of the information because we won't receive it [well].
Is there an aspect of African-American culture that gives you strength in your work with youth and HIV?
I don't really think that my strength comes from my culture, per se. I think my strength just comes from being a human being -- being an individual who wants to help people regardless of what color you are, your sexual orientation, what you've done in the past. I'm focused on what you want to do currently, and if being tested and being educated about HIV is what you want to do currently, then I'm the person to help. I don't really look at it as being a cultural thing or a personal thing. I look it as a people thing. I will help any person who wants to come and get information or come and be helped or wants to be tested or wants to help somebody else, in regards to HIV or just people in general. I think that's where my strength comes from: knowing that there are people that want to be helped, people that need the help and don't know how to get the information or just knowing that I'm out there to give the information to whoever wants to receive it.
What's the biggest change that you would like to see in HIV treatment, prevention or education for the African-American community?
The biggest change that I want to see is the fact that, a lot of times, the whole topic of HIV is kind of pushed under the rug, because it's so scary. People are in fear of what they don't know. If you learn about [HIV], you will no longer be in fear of it, but people are so in fear of it because the media and society has perpetuated [the image of] death all the time with HIV. "HIV equals death." That's not necessarily the case. ... You don't hear [about] ... the people who are doing well and living normal, full, fulfilled lives being HIV positive. You often hear about the people [who] are dying from [HIV] or having complications from medicine, or things like that. They [-- the media, society at large --] never talk about the [HIV-positive] people [who] are graduating from law school, or the people who are on tour like us [-- Operation: Get Tested, a U.S. tour of college and high school campuses where HIV-positive young people encourage students to get tested for HIV, sponsored by Who's Positive]. [Many people] are living fulfilled lives and having fun and living life to the fullest, just as if we didn't have HIV.
Don't get me wrong; I'm not advocating that people go out and get [HIV] because there are treatment options and things like that. ... I'm saying that I want people to know about it. I want people to treat it and embrace HIV-positive people the same way they would embrace someone who is suffering from breast cancer or someone who has lupus. Because so many different stigmas are attached to HIV and people are just in fear of it, they don't want to embrace it. I think that's the one biggest thing that will help with care: The more [people are] receptive to [learning about HIV], and the more they're willing to embrace each other and treat people who are living with it the same way they would give someone attention who is suffering from breast cancer.
... I think they have treatment options in a hierarchy as well. If you have cataracts you are on the top [of the] pole, and if you have HIV you are on the lower end. ...
Who creates this treatment hierarchy -- the medical profession?
To an extent, yes. A lot of medical professionals, ironically, don't know about HIV themselves, so they don't know how to treat people with it. Often times [they] shun away from giving the best care possible [to people with HIV].
Do you think they've created this hierarchy purposely or out of ignorance?
I think it's out of ignorance and fear, fear of what they don't know. As well as society -- people in general ... people just feel discriminated against because of being HIV positive. ... With (health) insurance companies they want to raise the premiums. It's illegal for them to kick you off the insurance because you're HIV positive, but they'll raise the premiums so that you can't afford it. A lot of times we have to turn to government assistance. Even with jobs, they want to lay you off ... because you have an ongoing illness, but if someone had cancer, they'd let them work until they can't work anymore. I think because they have fear of [HIV] and people don't know [how HIV is spread]. You can't get cancer from being around someone; they don't realize that you can't get HIV from being around someone. [It's] that fear of being around someone [who's] positive or interacting with someone because they know that it's a [disease spread through contact]. They kind of shy away and don't know and often discriminate against [HIV-positive people] even with housing and things like that. ... People don't want people with HIV living in their community. ... People aren't as accepting of it or as willing to provide as many services or [as much] care for people going through this, because they don't understand what people living with HIV are going through. They don't take the time out to learn or find out what's going on. I think that when that happens -- [Crying.] Excuse me.
It's OK. Take your time.
I think, when that happens, care and services for HIV-positive people will get better, but it has to start somewhere.
Working with youth, what are your fears and hopes for your generation, and especially for young African Americans, as they face the risks of HIV?
My fear is that, you know, a lot of times people say that this is an epidemic. Yes, maybe it's an epidemic now, but later my fear is that it will be pandemonium. Yes, it's an epidemic now -- let's get it taken care of now. I think that for our nation, or for our people coming up, the younger people, the information is getting out there. More people are talking about it. I can see the change from the older generation to the younger people.
The older generation has a mindset that if we don't discuss it, [then] it's not happening. [That] really wasn't beneficial to them, because a lot of the older people I talk to really don't know a lot about HIV. It's never too late to learn, but I want to say, "Alright, this [HIV] has been around longer than I have, and you mean to tell me that you don't know anything about it?" I find that very fascinating. It baffles me to see that.
I think, for our future people coming up, the information is getting out there. More people are aware of [HIV]. I think the more we talk about it and the more it becomes part of the general conversation, [the better]. ... The more you talk about it, the more information you learn about it, the less scared of it you become. ... I think more people are talking about it. I think it's in the news more than ever. A lot of research is going on for different things [related to HIV]. I think there has been a change. I think it continues to change. I just don't want to see a change for the worse.
Disclosure, Relationships and Sex
How have your relationships with your mother, stepfather and sister changed since you were diagnosed?
My relationship with my family has really gotten much better. I choose to not be a part of my family because they are still skeptical about my lifestyle in addition to my status. Sometimes you have to pick your fights, and sometimes I just choose not to pick the fight with my family. With my sister, I've always had a great relationship. That's my baby. ... It's always been good because she was always able to talk to me. When I first told her my status and told her what I was doing for a living and where I worked, we were close, but that brought us even closer. She shared some things she had been thinking about: having sex, wanting to know this, wanting to know about condom usage and what about birth control. We really had an adult conversation that she wasn't afraid to have. We were never afraid to talk about sex or anything of that sort. She explains to me often, "No, I'm not having sex right now but I've been thinking about it." All I want to instill in my sister and other people is that it's OK to talk about it. It's OK to think about it. You're young. We are sexual beings. We don't want to advocate going and having sex, but in the event that you do, know what you're doing. Know what to look for, and be quick. I'm just giving you the tools, necessary in your toolbox, so that when you go out you'll have the tools to face society. That's all I instill in young people and [that's] what I told my sister.
My mom, on the other hand, we talk more now, where we didn't talk at all at first, so our relationship is getting better. As far as my stepdad, we still don't talk at all. We're not going to try to talk at all. I just leave that where it is. My brother, I don't really talk to him at all, mainly because we never really had anything in common. He's eight years older than me, so we never really talked or exchanged words. We just know we are brothers because we have the same mom and same dad. We know we're brothers, but we don't really have that bond, or any type of bond established already. It's something I plan to do later in life. Right now, I don't foresee it happening.
I do talk with other people in my family all the time that I'm very close with, that I've always been close with, like my cousins and aunts, whom I shared my status with before I shared my status with my mom. We talk all the time, and we have a great relationship. Everybody comes to me when they have questions about sex or STDs [sexually transmitted diseases] or they want to get something clear that they heard about HIV. That's really cool because it lays some groundwork, and it lays a foundation. Through my HIV status I was able to build that bridge to information they probably never would have [tried to] get. They [may not] have known to ... get [the information] if they hadn't known I was HIV positive. I'm glad of that.
Tell us about your son.
My baby! I think Pierre has been a motivating factor for me to continue to persevere. I have my times where I want to give up, but when I think about his face, or think about him smiling, or he calls and says, "Hey, Daddy! Let's go watch Spiderman today," that really keeps me motivated to go on. At the same time, he has been one of the things that brought me and my mom closer together. He's my mom's only grandson. When I do get him [as part of the custody agreement with Pierre's mother], we're over at grandma's house. [My mom and I] may be sitting on the porch watching him ride his bike and me and my mom will [strike] up a conversation, something we haven't done ... Now that I think about it, I can't remember us ever just [striking] up a conversation and talking. She may call me and say, "Hey, you got Pierre this weekend? Is he coming over? I want to see him. Can you go get him and bring him over? I want to barbecue and you all come over and let's talk and have fun." My mom never really invited me anywhere since we had not been living together, since the whole ordeal with foster care. My son has been really the bridge that brought me and my mom back together, as well as the bridge that keeps me going on, keeps me connected to life. ...
I had him at a very young age. I was 17 at the time. [This was] during the same time when I first came out. I was going through a lot of things at that time with my sexual orientation. Because of society saying that it's wrong for you to like men, it's wrong for you to be homosexual, I didn't know which way to turn. I didn't know if I wanted to be accepted by society or ... be a homosexual black man, or what to do. Then, a lot of people said, "You can't knock what you haven't tried." I tried the heterosexual thing, and in the process I had Pierre. People often ask me, "Was he an accident?" Initially, I thought it was a mistake because we were so young but ... [the] teaching and that upbringing to be responsible at an early age really played a big factor in how I brought him into this world. Now that I look at it, I regret ever feeling like he was a mistake, because he's been such a light in my dark corner.
How old is he now?
He's five now.
Was his mom your girlfriend at some point?
Well, no, actually, we were friends. Just friends. We just ... tried something.
How old was she at the time?
She was about 19.
Do you two have a good relationship?
We've always had a great relationship. She's my friend. We still have a good relationship, [but] it's not the best. ... Sometimes she doesn't agree with my [sexual] orientation, and sometimes she kind of throws that in my face. When it comes to taking care of Pierre, which is all that matters at this point, that isn't an issue.
How do you share custody?
Well, we alternate times. She might have him for three months, and then he'll come stay with me for three months and go over there on the weekends. Sometimes my mom will take him for a month or so, and he'll stay with her. I don't really have all the responsibility; we kind of share, alternate and give each other a break. My mom really steps in a lot, because that's her only grandson. Between me and her, we're often fighting for him. It's always a battle for who can get Pierre this time. "It's my turn! It's my turn!" I'm really thankful for that, because I still have a chance to be myself and be young, which a lot of young people [who have children] don't.
How do you decide whether or not to disclose your HIV status to someone?
Well, it depends. It's really at my discretion, a judgment call, basically. It depends. [I'll tell them] if I'm counseling and in the midst of our conversation I feel like the person might be kind of nervous or scared of a result or getting a test done themselves -- which a lot of the time they are -- and they're relatively close to my age and I feel they can really benefit from hearing, "Hey, it's not the end of the world. I'm HIV positive, too." I'm HIV positive and giving you this information. It's not as bad as people make it to be. It kind of gives them some level of comfort and kind of eases up the level of tension in the room. It kind of depends on who [they are].
If I'm dating, I kind of engage the person by bringing up topics about what I do for a living, which is a great thing because sometimes I might not want to tell this person or might not want to talk to the person after this conversation, so I didn't divulge any personal information that they can later take and divulge or use against me at a later date or something like that. I really gauge their take on HIV, assess if that's something they can handle. Of course, I don't tell them right off the bat, but I give it anywhere from a month to three months depending on how "interactive" me and this person have become. What I mean by "interactive" is how many times we go out, how much conversation we have when we do talk. When there's the vibe that I'm really feeling this person and vice versa, then I choose to disclose my information. Sometimes if I'm dating, [I] just give information when people say things like, "Well, I can tell if someone's HIV positive. I can look at their hands." It's just my duty to prove them wrong. So I play along with it and say, "Well, look at my hands. Can you tell if I'm HIV positive?" A lot of time if they're ignorant about something like that I really don't tell them. I kind of let them go and try to give them as much information as they're willing to accept and let it go.
What were the best and worst responses you have gotten from telling people you were positive?
The best response that I have gotten --and this was the reason I was kind of unsure when you asked whether I was dating anyone -- was [from] someone I'm talking to now, involved with now. When I first started working in the HIV field, I really wasn't too comfortable about my status and was nervous about whether people would accept me as an HIV-positive man. I was nervous because of the law and things like that.
Because of the law?
Right. We have a disclosure law here, that basically says that any person who is HIV positive, from the time they find out they are positive, they must inform all future and/or present partners of their status before they engage in any form of sexual penetration, for example, finger in the ears, finger in the nose, whatever sexual penetration. It's open to your own interpretation. An HIV-positive person must disclose his status to any and every future partner from the time they know they are HIV positive. I was kind of nervous about that law because it is a felony here in Michigan. I really felt like this person would be a really good friend and at the same time I was really unsure. I told the person that I was HIV positive, and the person immediately grabbed me and hugged me and wouldn't let me go. I think that was the longest hug, ever, in the world. For about two and a half, three hours he just hugged me and wouldn't let me go. He told me, "I think you're so brave to tell me that, because if the shoe was on the other foot I probably wouldn't have told you." I said, "Really?"
He said, "I probably wouldn't have told you. I probably never would have told you. So, for you to tell me that ..." I think at the time I was about 21. He was like, "For you to be so young and confident and share that with me, I really take my hat off to you." He gave me a lot of affirmation and praise for that. I think that was the best experience. I think that's why we're still friends now. We're not dating, but we are working on it. [Laughing.] That's what makes it even more special or makes me anticipate the day we officially say we are a couple.
What about the worst disclosure experience?
The worst experience for me was when I had to tell my stepdad. It was really terrible because I didn't want to tell him. I thought that he didn't need to know, but the situation was that around the time I began to be [treated], I had to come home. I had nowhere to go. I had to stop working and things like that. I didn't want to be in an apartment with my ex, so I was looking for alternative places to go, one being my mom's house. So I explained to my mom what was going on with me, my health and things like that. She welcomed me with open arms, but out of respect -- because she's not the only adult there and [not] the only one paying bills -- she had to talk it over with her fiancé, which is understandable. Well, she explained that she wanted me to come there, but she didn't exactly tell him exactly why I needed to come back home.
[When I got home] she was looking at me and tears were running down her face. I was looking at her and tears were running down my face. She said, "Just tell him. Tell him what's going on." So, I told him, and he kind of jumped up from the table and snatched my glass out from in front of me because I was drinking some water or something. He took the glass from in front of me and threw it on the ground and said, "We need to sweep this up." He bleached the table and everything. I think that was the worst experience. "You mean, you got AIDS?" he said, really loud. He really took everything I had touched and bleached or disinfected it or smashed it so no one else could ever use it. When I would go over, it just really started happening where he would only let me use certain utensils or disposable ones. He had a section for me, when I would come over. He would say, "This is your glass." I think that was the worst experience. Now I can laugh at it, because he was so ignorant. At the time it was really, really, really painful to endure that.
Did he stop doing that?
Yes. About a month and a half ago.
[Laughing.] Unbelievable. Let me ask you, how has your love life changed since you became positive? What about your sex life?
My sex life has gotten better since I've known. Like I said, I really didn't have much of a sex life before. It's gotten better. I really don't have too much of one now, but the option is there if I should need it. It's not hard to come by if I should need it. [Laughing.] What was the other part of the question?
How has your love life been since you've been positive?
Well, dating for me has really been better, because it helps me to weed out people who won't be good for me later in life. I'm looking for somebody for the long haul. They need to know certain things about me. So sometimes when I divulge information it kind of scares some people away, which is a good thing because if you are just scared of HIV, then that ain't nothing compared to my attitude and my mood swings. If you're scared of HIV, it's probably best that you go your own way.
"Being HIV positive has been the greatest adventure I've ever had. I kind of want to say it's like being on a rollercoaster."
What's the greatest adventure you've ever had?
Being HIV positive has been the greatest adventure I've ever had. I kind of want to say it's like being on a rollercoaster. You know how it takes you up and down and round and round. By the end of the ride, you get off and you're like, "Yeah! Let's do it again!" On some levels, I'd do it again, but at the same time I wouldn't. I mean, I don't wish to have HIV all over again, but HIV has really brought me a lot of people who have been very beneficial to me and my life. It's helped me to take the most out of every day and not be upset and complain about everything and every situation, because I'm still living. Knowing where I came from and knowing where I am now, I can be thankful. If I hadn't ever gotten the HIV test, I probably wouldn't be living right now. So I'm thankful for that and everything it has brought into my life. I have had more positive experiences than I have negative ones. I have had more positive experiences since I have been HIV positive than I had before I knew I was HIV positive. Before I got tested, life was a bitch to me, but since I've been positive everything's been better, much better. I wouldn't exchange it for the world. I wouldn't exchange these experiences for the world.
If you were granted one wish what would it be?
Oh! One wish for me would be ... I don't know, because I can't narrow it down to one. [Laughing.] One wish for me would be, for me to be able to continue what I'm doing, healthy and positive and positive about it. I don't want to change that aspect of me, ever. Like I said, that part of me has been the most beneficial experience I've had throughout my life. I haven't been living that long, but long enough to have good experiences. [Laughing.] I think, one wish for me would be to be able to continue to work where I am and continue to do the things that I'm doing for many, many, many years.
Well, I hope you do. Is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers?
I just want to let people know to think positive, be negative and get tested.
D'Jaun, thank you so much.
Thank you.
Click here to e-mail D'Jaun Black.
Would you like to hear D'Jaun's story in person? To schedule D'Jaun as a speaker, contact Who's Positive.
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Photo: Ara Howrani of Ameen Howrani Photography
About D'Jaun Black
Age: 22
Home: Detroit, MI
Diagnosed: March 2004
D'Jaun Black was just a teenager when he says he "felt love for the first time; this was my first love, my first sex partner, my first everything." D'Jaun had been with his boyfriend for three and a half years when he found out the man he loved was cheating on him. So he decided to get tested. He was just shy of his 20th birthday when he found out he was HIV positive. His CD4 count was 65, and his viral load was 400,000. A regimen of Epzicom (abacavir/3TC, Kivexa) + Reyataz (atazanavir) has helped him achieve an undetectable viral load and a CD4 count of 625. Since testing positive, D'Jaun has dedicated himself to supporting HIV-positive youth and encouraging young people who don't know their status to get tested. His greatest wish is "to be able to continue to work where I am and continue to do the things that I'm doing for many, many, many years."


text: This simple recipe will moisturize your skin and leave you with a brighter complexion. I love the incredible egg! Ingredients: 2 egg whites, separated from the yolk and placed in a bowl 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt (I like Greek yogurt) Preparation: - Separate the egg whites from a couple eggs and place them in a bowl. - Add 2 tablespoons of yogurt (do not use flavored yogurt!). - Mix them up and apply to face. - Leave on face for a few minutes then rinse face in warm water, followed by a warm washcloth.


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26 June 2017
Circular detailing the outcome of the 2017 Non-Management grades pay referendum.
Referendum outcome
We would like to thank those of you who took the time to consider this year's pay offer and completed the referendum.
Please note that the 2017 pay referendum for the Non-Management grades has now closed and members overwhelmingly voted to accept the offer which we have duly confirmed to the Company.
By way of reminder the offer was as follows:
3.2% RPI increase (taken at February 2017)-effective date 1 April 2017
Please encourage your colleagues who are in the Non-Management grades and who are not members of TSSA to join. They can do this online via our website atwww.tssa.org.uk/join