Belizegial's Blog

In the Meantime

2011-03-05T17:46:00.000-08:00

Happy, happy Saturday greetings from the tropics.

If you are still visiting this little tropical corner of the blogosphere, this is just to inform you that the rumours of my demise have been greatly exaggerated. LOL!

Yes, I have been browsing occasionally here and there, but have been pretty occupied otherwise with work and my family.

In the meantime, I hope everyone is doing well and that this new year has been treating you well.

Stop in here for a visit and let me know what are your latest accomplishments.

Saludos!

Belizegial

On the Right Track with The Fastest Woman In the World

2010-11-09T20:28:00.000-08:00

Here is a poignant memory for most Belizeans. Marion Jones, the way she was in all her Olympian Glory carrying, nay waving aloft, the Belizean National Flag at a triumphant moment at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney Australia.

That's the way she was before her complete and ultimate fall from grace after admitting to taking performance enhancing drugs and lying to the universe about this. She paid a high price for her dishonesty including a stay in a federal penitentiary for six months, being disbarred from her sport for life, and losing all the medals she won at the Sydney games.

Well, this is not the end for Marion Jones who is now staging a comeback in the sport of basketball which is the second love of her life. She has also brought out a new book, On the Right Track (Simon and Schuster) in which she tells her story of coming to grips with the consequences of her actions.

You may ask. Well, why does Belizegial care about this fallen star? The answer would be that in the tropics, we are proud to lay claim to her roots. You see, her mom (also named Marion) is from Belize. So, in our little corner of the world, the two Marions are a big deal to us. Bottomline is, we care what happens to Marion because in our lingo, 'she da fu we'. Translation, she belongs to us.

We wish her all the best in her second career as a professional basketball player with the WNBA's Tusla Shock and will continue to follow her story onward.

HEAVENLY BELIZE!

2010-09-26T18:41:00.000-07:00

The month of September is almost over and here in the tropics, life has been hectic for this blogger. This is the time of the year when school reopens, the national celebrations occur and the hurricanes come hither and tither.

We had a very worrying time this past week when it was predicted that Tropical depression "Matthew" was heading directly our way and it had the potential to develop into a hurricane when it reached our tiny jewel. Of course, we all made the necessary preparations. No one was sad, however, when the threatened storm veered away from us and a big sigh of relief was collectively heaved around here by everyone.

In other news from the tropics, a coffee table book entitled "Heavenly Belize" has been released in digital format. It is a captivating aerial view of beautiful Belize captured by Lithuanian photographer, Marius Jovaisa. The book includes photos of the Mayan Ruins, swamps, forests and the outlying islands which are native to our homeland by the sea. Please give the video a review and let me know what you think of this aerial marvel. If nothing else, you will agree that Belize is a land of lush beauty waiting to be explored by the adventurous at heart. Could that someone be you?

AMEN SISTER!

2010-08-29T14:26:00.000-07:00

Recently, I received this from Frannie, an online friend. This is so refreshing a view that I want to share with you...

In a large city in Australia , a poster featuring a young, thin and tan woman appeared in the window of a gym. It said, "This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?"

A middle-aged woman, whose physical characteristics did not match those of the woman on the poster, responded publicly to the question posed by the gym.

To Whom It May Concern,

Whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, sea lions, curious humans.) They have an active sex life, get pregnant and have adorable baby whales. They have a wonderful time with dolphins stuffing themselves with shrimp. They play and swim in the seas, seeing wonderful places like Patagonia, the Bering Sea and the coral reefs of Polynesia.

Whales are wonderful singers and have even recorded CDs. They are incredible creatures and virtually have no predators other than humans. They are loved, protected and admired by almost everyone in the world.

Mermaids don't exist. If they did exist, they would be lining up outside the offices of Argentinean psychoanalysts due to identity crisis. Fish or human? They don't have a sex life because they kill men who get close to them, not to mention how could they have sex? Just look at them ... where is IT? Therefore, they don't have kids either. Not to mention, who wants to get close to a girl who smells like a fish store?

The choice is perfectly clear to me: I want to be a whale.

P..S.. We are in an age when media puts into our heads the idea that only skinny people are beautiful, but I prefer to enjoy an ice cream with my kids, a good dinner with a man who makes me shiver, and a piece of chocolate with my friends.

With time, we gain weight because we accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads that when there is no more room, it distributes out to the rest of our bodies. So we aren't heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated and happy.

Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the mirror I will think, Good grief, look how smart I am!

The Biggest Loser Club

2010-08-02T22:52:00.000-07:00

I thought these two kids were too cute for words. The shocked expression on the baby's face is priceless. LOL

The blogosphere and I have temporarily parted ways as more pressing matters such as work and my personal life have taken a hold of me and will not let go.

It's not that I don't want to, it's finding the time in an already crowded schedule to post a new blog or even to make visits to my favorite links has become somewhat nigh impossible at this time.

No matter what, I wanted to welcome in the month of August with a new blog and to let you all know that I am still here fighting the good fight in my weight war. So far, I am able to say that I am now a proud honorary member of the biggest loser club and I will share more on this when time allows.

For now, please enjoy this featured song, What Do you Want From Me, from my all time favorite idol, Adam Lambert

Good Morning World!

2010-06-20T22:10:00.000-07:00

How is everyone doing out there?! As you can tell from the Brown Pelican's proximity to the water's edge, it is very hot in the tropics at the moment. We are in the middle of a heat wave and the best place to be is at the water's edge or in the water itself.

As for me, I've been crowded into a corner where my unhealthy eating habits are concerned. So, from now on, I have to lessen my consumption of foods like Salbutes (pictured above) which I love to pig out on whenever I get a chance to visit our local version of Bel Taco. I can only patronize the deli shops here which promote healthy products rather like one I came across recently which had this hand written sign posted up for all the world to view on its front door. Well, I just had to step in to take a peek and to see what the fuss is all about....

Inside I found that the shop owner had a variety of fruits in season for sale which included watermelons, papayas, bananas, plantains, fresh eggs and oranges as seen in the photo below. Of course, mixed in with all the good stuff were items like Vive Condoms and ubiquitous bags of salty corn chips which are loaded with lots of unhealthy stuff.

Welcome to Belize everyone, this is how we do it. The good and the bad all mixed into one happy heap. LOL

If you find yourself here, look me up so I can guide you in the right direction, ok. In the meantime, have fun and stay healthy. See you on the equinox.

Belizegial

Flightless Bird

2010-06-10T22:18:00.000-07:00

It has been a crowded couple weeks, hence my bloggy break. However, I've been browsing through the blogosphere whenever I get a chance, so that I'm able to stay in the loop. Sylvia aka Heiresschild (A New Journey), welcome back! You were missed. Congrats to Sylvia on her recent achievement of earning her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. Sylvia and I have been blogging together for awhile and I have known that it has been her burning ambition to earn her degree for sometime now. It's good to see Sylvia's efforts come to fruition; and, wouldn't you know it, she now has a new goal post, a Master's Degree. We'll be watching her from the sidelines and cheering her on. Ian, if you're reading this, the twin set mangos were not intentionally suggestive. However, I can see what you mean. LOL

Thanks to everyone who stopped by and offered helpful ideas and suggestions reference my game knee. Things have been improving and though I can't say that I can do 'the split' as gracefully as this lady here, there has been some improvement. Due in no small part to my recent introduction to Lady Gaga's music from another blog buddy, Josie. This is something I will post about soon, once I see where this is heading.

If you haven't done so as yet, please take a moment to visit Michael Manning's blog where you will find a plethora of delightful topics to browse through.

Have a fun weekend and stay healthy!

It's Mango Season here!

2010-05-22T20:58:00.000-07:00

Dear blogging buddies,

I've been busy, very busy. Rushing around, even injuring my knee in the process. Now, I'm laid up so to speak. God's way of telling me to slow down and enjoy the journey. So, I spent the better part of yesterday and today on my back with my feet elevated and my knee ice packed whilst randomly appreciating the view of the blooming Mango Tree in my backyard. My daughter took these photos today before she 'raided' the tree. LOL

I don't know about y'all, but we love mangos. One of the fun things to do here in the tropics is to eat ripe mangos, ripe, juicy and dripping with sweetness. There is even a song written about the Mango Tree by Monty Norman for the classic James Bond Movie "Dr. No". Let's see, it goes something like this .....

I intend to get back into the gym as soon as possible and walking is always a good idea to get fit. However, walking is out for the moment as stepping on my right leg triggers intense pain in my right knee. If anyone out there can give some advice on the best way to get my knee joint back on track, let me know.

Asi Fue - And that's how it went

2010-05-01T18:56:00.000-07:00

My time off from blogger was enforced due to technical difficulties on this end, much of which has been since resolved.

Much has been happening in my little corner of the tropics, not the least being the upcoming graduation of daughter number one. She is burning the midnight oil lately in preparing for her exams and has been looking online for prom dresses, graduation gowns and the like. As you can imagine, there is a cost to all this! LOL

On a lighter note, the KTV Latino (karoake tv latino songs competition) is over and the champion has been crowned. It wasn't my favorite, but she came in a handy second in this competition. Congratulations to Ms. Natalie Arceo for her gracious presence and elegant musical stylings throughout the competition. She has provided the fodder for much of the latin songs I have been airing lately on this blog. Keep up the good work with your students in San Pedro, Natalie, and buena suerte!

During the final show, all four finalists came together to sing Asi Fue in musical harmony which was their final musical tribute to the crowd of fans which had squeezed into the Bliss Institute to see their favorite finalists. This is a much loved latin song here in the tropics emanating from the great Mexican artist, Juan Gabriel. Here is a rendition of this song from Playa Limbo.

You, Only You

2010-04-09T23:46:00.000-07:00

Thoughts for today...

"You may not be able to change the world, but you can change your surroundings."

"The bible says the race is not won by the swift and the sure, but by those who can endure."

Happy Weekend thoughts. LOL

Here is another lovely song from Mexican Songbird, Ana Gabriel ~ Tu, Solo Tu (English translation, You, Only You) dedicated to all my peeps who come often to this little tropical corner of the blogosphere. And yes, you may need to start learning some rudimentary spanish if you intend to continue coming here. LOL

Easter - the renewal of our faith

2010-04-04T17:26:00.000-07:00

In celebration of Easter Sunday and the renewal of our faith, please take a moment to read this inspirational verse from the Apostle Paul.

The Apostle Paul has given an incomparable depiction of charity: "charity is patient and kind, charity is not jealous nor boastful; it is not arrogant nor rude. Charity does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Charity bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Charity is superior to all of the virtues. It is the first of the theological virtues: "So, faith, hope, charity abide, these three; but, the greatest is charity". Charity upholds and purifies our human ability to love and raises it to the supernatural perfection of divine love.

By faith, we believe in God and believe all that he has revealed to us.

By hope, we desire, and with steadfast trust await from God, eternal life and the graces to merit it.

By charity, we love God above all things and our neighbor as our ourselves for the love of God.

Charity, the form of all the virtues, "binds everything together in perfect harmony and love"

Thank you ever-so-kindly for dropping by. I hope you are enjoying your Easter wherever you are.

Have a splendiferous weekend!

The Sights and Sounds of next door neighbor MEXICO

2010-03-28T18:48:00.000-07:00

As you can see from the map above, Belize is located in Central America with our closest neighbors being Mexico and Guatemala. As a matter of fact, tiny Belize is sandwiched directly between these two larger countries. In my early teens, I traveled all the way by bus to Mexico City and beyond to the beautiful city of Cuernavaca as an ambassador of the Belize Girl Guide Association. We were to be housed at Our Cabana, the international Scout Centre of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. It was my first trip abroad ever and I was excited to have escaped the tiny confines of Belize. At this event, we met girl guides from the world over and it was my first exposure to other cultures. The real shocker, I suppose, was that no one knew where Belize was and our group was subjected to much queries from girls who came from England, Canada, Mexico and the United States.At the end of our trip, we were assured by those present that they would spread the word back home about the girls they had met from 'beautiful and untouched Belize'.

Since then, I have been back to various parts of Mexico, the most memorable being to the beautiful resort city Cancun which has some of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. Numerous trips, mostly for shopping, have also been made to the border town of Quintana Roo, Chetumal. My spanish, whilst not perfect, is passable and I can hold my own when bargaining with the vendors located in the sprawling outdoor markets of Chetumal.

I recently read an article about Mexico's Cave of Crystals which stunned geologists when it was first discovered in 2000. Since then, cavers in Mexico have braved extreme conditions and found extraordinary beauty in the underground chambers of the Naica Cave which contains some of the largest natural crystals ever found anywhere.

It has been said that nothing can actually prepare you for the extreme conditions found in the cave's cavern. It's extremely hot in there, but it's the virtually 100% humidity added on top that makes the cave a potential killer. When you breathe, the surface of your lungs is actually the coolest surface the air encounters. The fluid starts to condense inside your lungs and that's not really good news. Those brave enough to venture inside, must wear a special cooling suit which is like a suit of chain mail but filled with ice cubes. Despite all the dangers, it's the sheer beauty of the place which overwhelms those who enter the portals of the Naica Cave. Sooner or later, when the economics of the mine changes, the pumps will be taken out, the Naica Cave will be flooded out and the crystals will be beyond our reach.

Here is another original from Mexico. Maná is a popular pop/rock band whose career has spanned two decades. They have earned three Grammy awards, five Latin Grammy Awards, several MTV Video Music Awards and have been on the hot Billboard Latin Music many times. This group initially received notoriety and commercial success in Mexico and Spain and have since gained popularity in the US, Western Europe, Australia, Asia and the Middle East. Here is Mana performing live their hit single,"Mariposa Traicionera"

( English: Treacherous Butterfly ). This track stayed on Billboard's Hot Latin tracks in 2003 for a total of 26 weeks.

Eres como una mariposa;

vuelas y te posas vas de boca en boca,

fácil y ligera de quien te provoca.

Yo soy ratón de tu ratonera,

trampa que no mata pero no libera,

vivo muriendo prisionero.

Mariposa traicionera, todo se lo lleva el viento,

mariposa no regreso.

Ay, mariposa de amor, mi mariposa de amor

Ya no regreso contigo.

Ay, mariposa de amor, mi mariposa de amor.

Nunca jamás junto a ti.

vuela amor, vuela dolor

y no regreses a un lado

ya vete de flor en flor, seduciendo a los pistilos

y vuela cerca del sol,

pa' que sientas lo que es dolor.

Ay, mujer como haces daño,

pasan los minutos cual si fueran años,

mira estos celos me están matando.

Ay, mujer que fácil eres,

abres tus alitas, muslos de colores

donde se posan tus amores.

MARIPOSA TRAICIONERA,

todo se lo lleva el viento,

mariposa no regreso.

Ay, mariposa de amor, mi mariposa de amor.

Ya no regreso contigo

Ay, mariposa de amor, mi mariposa de amor.

Nunca jamás junto a ti,

vuela amor, vuela dolor

que tengas suerte en tu vida

ay, ay, ay, ay, ay dolor,

yo te lloré todo un río,

ay, ay, ay, ay, ay amor,

tú te me vas a volar.

I Just Can't Help Believing

2010-03-22T22:35:00.000-07:00

The Incomparable Elvis - I Just Can't help Believing.....for more than just a Day.

Does this song bring back any special memories for y'all?

KTV Latino

2010-03-15T03:53:00.000-07:00

Ok, so you heard me mention that there is KTV Latino contest going on here in my little corner of the tropics. You may be asking, so what is KTV Latino anyway? Karoake Television for latin songs. It is aired once weekly on Tuesday evenings and is the highlight of our local programming offerings. All the songs are latin and sung by non-professional karoake aspirants. As I mentioned before, my hand picked favorite is Ms. Natalie Arceo who hails from La Isla Bonita, the island of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. Ms. Arceo is short in stature but huge in voice power. This past week, she delivered a powerful rendition of a favorite song of mine, Ana Gabriel's Simplemente Amigos.

Ana Gabriel (born on December 10, 1955) in Mexico as María Guadalupe Araújo Young, is of mixed descent. Her father Raúl Araújo was of Spanish ethnicity, while her mother Isabel Young was the daughter of Chinese immigrants. Ana first sang on the stage at age six. At age 21, in 1977, she recorded her first song, titled "Compréndeme". During her long career, she has had hits in three different genres of music: rock, Latin Pop and rancheras. Simplemente Amigos speaks of a forbidden love and can be applicable to those in relationships at the moment, about to get into a relationship or those who may have just broken up a relationship. Here is a video clip of Simplemente Amigos.

Ana Gabriel : Simplemente Amigos Lyrics
Songwriters: Gabriel, Ana;

Siempre, como ya es costumbre dia a dia es igual
no hay nada que decir ante la gente es asi
amigos simplemente amigos y nada mas

Pero quien sabe en realidad, lo que sucede entre los dos
si cada quien llegando la noche finge un adios

Cuanto daria por gritarles nuestro amor
decirles que al cerrar la puerta nos amamos sin control
que despertamos abrazados, con ganas de seguir amandonos
pero es que en realidad no aceptan nuestro amor

Siempre, con miradas siempre nos damos todo el amor
hablamos sin hablar todo es silencio en nuestro andar,
amigos simplemente amigos y nada mas
pero quien sabe en realidad lo que
sucede entre los dos
si cada quien llegando la noche finge un adios

Cuanto daria por gritarles nuestro amor
decirles que al cerrar la puerta nos amamos sin control
que despertamos abrazados, con ganas de seguir amandonos
pero es que en realidad no aceptan nuestro amor

Cuanto daria por gritarles nuestro amor
decirles que al cerrar la puerta nos amamos sin control
que despertamos abrazados, con ganas de seguir amandonos
pero es que en realidad no aceptan nuestro amor

No, oh, no, no aceptan nuestro amor
no, oh, no, no aceptan nuestro amor

New Twilight Eclipse Movie Trailer

2010-03-12T13:01:00.000-08:00

A Sonic Boom and this Ain't a Love Song

2010-02-28T21:21:00.000-08:00

It's amazing how quickly the month of February has flown by. We're just about to head into March and many events have been heating things up here in the tropics. Not the least, the sonic boom that shook the earth last weekend when the US Space Shuttle Endeavor burst back into the atmosphere somewhere over our area and created a sound similar to a thunderous explosion. Awesome is all I can say about this experience and we had no idea what was happening!

Our Department of Civil Aviation cleared up what is a "sonic boom" by explaining that it is a relative noise that comes from a supersonic carrier piercing through the air at a rate greater than the speed of sound.

For those lucky enough to be outside during the shuttle's rare night time descent, the sight was described as seeing an amplification of the air passing through (a long burning tail of flame) as the shuttle skimmed over Belize at a height of 84,000 feet on its way back to Cape Canaveral in Florida.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As I've been featuring songs of '95 from Bon Jovi all month long, it's best that we end February with this gem of a single which the group released on their album "These Days".

"This Ain't a Love Song"

"Como Yo Nadie Te Ha Amado" ("no one has ever loved you like me") is the Spanish version of this song. Although there have been many renditions, the most successful has been that of Mexican singer Yuridia, whose second album, Habla El Corazon, included it. To date, it is Yuridia's second most successful song, only behind "Ángel", the first single from her debut album. Kudos to our local KTV Latino contestant, Natalie Arceo, who tore up the spanish version of Bon Jovi's song in her own unique rendition of Como Yo, Nadie Te Ha Amado. My vote is on Natalie to be among the top contenders for the ten thousand dollars grand prize.

Once again, dear folks, just for you here is Jon Bon Jovi's live performance in Peru of "This Ain't a Love Song" backed up by his incomparable lead guitarist Richie Sambora:

Yuridia - Como Yo, Nadie te he Amado

Yo no vi las flores marchitar
Ni ese frio en tus ojos al mirar
No, no vi la realidad
Me ibas a dejar

Dicen que la vida no es como la ves
Para aprender hay que caer
Para ganar hay que perder
Lo di todo por ti

Llore y llore y jure que
No iba a perderte
Trate y trate de negar
Este amor tantas veces, baby

Si mis lagrimas fueron en vano
Si al final yo te ame demasiado
Como yo, como yo nadie te ha amado

Cada hora una eternidad
Cada amanecer un comenzar
Ilusiones nada mas
Que facil fue sonar

Tantas noches de intimidad
Parecian no acabar
Nos dejamos desafiar
Y hoy nada es igual

Se que en verdad
El amor al final
Siempre duele
No lo pude salvar y hoy
Voy a pagarlo con creces, oh

Si mis lagrimas fueron en vano
Si al final yo te ame demasiado
Como yo, como yo nadie te ha amado

Esta vez la pasion ha ganado
Y por eso sigo esperando
Como yo, como yo nadie te ha amado

Llore y llore y jure que no iba a perderte
Trate y trate de negar este amor tantas veces, oh

Si mis lagrimas fueron en vano
Si al final yo te ame demasiado
Como yo, como yo nadie te ha amado

Esta vez la pasion ha ganado
Y por eso sigo esperando
Como yo, como yo, nadie te ha amado

It's February - The month of Love - Time to celebrate the Heart Truth

2010-02-12T21:00:00.000-08:00

Beginning with National Wear Red Day^®—Friday, February 5, 2010—millions helped to spread the critical message that "Heart Disease Doesn't Care What You Wear—It's the #1 Killer of Women.^®" The Red Dress^®, the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness, was created by The Heart Truth^®in 2002 to deliver an urgent wakeup call to American women. Everyone can participate in the national movement by wearing their favorite red dress, shirt, tie, or Red Dress Pin. For free information and resources to help you and your community celebrate National Wear Red Day, visit the National Wear Red Day toolkit.

On Thursday, February 11, 2010, The Heart Truth brought the Red Dress to life once again on the runway at New York Fashion Week with the debut of the Red Dress Collection 2010. This spectacular event reminds women of the need to protect their heart health and inspires them to take action. For the second year in a row, a selection of the designer dresses seen on the runway will be auctioned online in February through a partnership with Clothes Off Our Back. To bid on these Red Dresses this February, visit www.clothesoffourback.org.

Get Involved today: visit the Healthy Action Community, where you can find free tools and resources to help you protect your heart health and share The Heart Truth with others. Be sure to let others know about your event by submitting details to the Activity Registry.

^®National Wear Red Day is a registered trademark of HHS and AHA.

I thought the above information important for all women everywhere to take notice of. For those of you who are still lighting up a ciggie, you know who you are, this is the year to say quits and breathe easier.

For all my Canajun buddies, good luck to all the participants at the start of the Winter Olympics and keep us updated on the happenings, eh? Ciao!!

Here's my favorite bad boy who continues to give love a bad name. Bon Jovi live from London's Wembley Stadium (circa 1995)

The best of the best

2010-01-31T22:56:00.000-08:00

I've had a busy weekend. However, it's finally over and tonight I was able to sit and watch the 52nd annual Grammys which aired live. It was a truly interactive show this year as fans were able to vote on one of the songs that Bon Jovi would play during their Grammy performance.

For the first time ever, Bon Jovi played the Grammy stage and it was quite a performance!! The song that their fans selected was their biggest hit ever, 'Livin' on a Prayer' which they rocked out with back up help from Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles. I must confess to singing and tapping right along with them. LOL

Here's a more recent video clip from Bon Jovi's show live in Honolulu (Blaisdell Arena) at the kick off of The Circle Tour. Enjoy!

Livin' On A Prayer lyrics
Songwriters: Bonjovi, Jon; Sambora, Richard; Child, Desmond;
Tommy used to work on the docks
Union's been on strike, he's down on his luck
It's tough, so tough

Gina works the diner all day
Working for her man, she brings home her pay
For love, mmm, for love

She says we've got to hold on to what we've got
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We got each other and that's a lot
For love we'll give it a shot!

Oh, we're half way there
Oh oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Oh oh, livin' on a prayer

Tommy's got his six string in hock
Now he's holding in what he used to make it talk
So tough, mmm, it's tough

Gina dreams of running away
When she cries in the night, Tommy whispers
"Baby it's okay, someday"

We gotta hold on to what we've got
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We got each other and that's a lot
For love we'll give it a shot!

Oh, we're half way there
Oh oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Oh oh, livin' on a prayer
Livin' on a prayer!

We gotta hold on ready or not
You live for the fight when it's all that you've got

Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it I swear
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer

Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it I swear
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer

Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it I swear
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer

© SONY/ATV TUNES LLC; AGGRESSIVE MUSIC; EMI APRIL MUSIC INC.; BON JOVI PUBLISHING; DESMOBILE MUSIC COMPANY; POLYGRAM INT'L MUSIC PUBG GROUP;

Hollywood arrives!

2010-01-23T12:07:00.000-08:00

In the first week of February, Asylum Pictures expects to begin shooting “The 7 Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor” on location here in the tropics. The writer and director is Ben Hayflick.

When interviewed by local television stations, Mr. Hayflick said that it is "an action adventure film with supernatural elements about Sinbad who is a shipping magnate and is cast into a land of adventure when his ship is sunk.”

Will there be starring opportunities for locals? Yes! There was a huge casting call during this past week for those locals who had the talent and will to audition for available roles. The film director was looking for all kinds of people to fill a lot of roles that ranged from extras to speaking parts. They were also looking for crew members.

And while Sinbad won’t be shot until February – this weekend scenes for another movie will be shot in Belize. It will be scenes for “Piranha.” Producer Anthony Fankhauser says some stunts – including a high speed chase will be shot over the weekend.

For those of you with inquiring minds, no, I didn't try for a part in this movie because I was too busy at my regular day job to do so ~Sigh~ Anyway, it was still good to feel the excitement of Hollywood right here in our little corner of the world and hopefully when the movies do come out, you will be able to view more of our beautiful little jewel of a country.

Sincere thanks to all of you who visited my blog and contributed in any way to my plea for Haiti. It is good to know that there are so many wonderful and kind souls out there. For Haiti and Haitians, there is hope. Thank God!

Oh God, Help Haiti!

2010-01-16T18:52:00.000-08:00

The pictures above are from today's radiothon held today here in the tropics to aid the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. The radiothon was sponsored by Wave Radio, Belize Telemedia and the Belize Red Cross. Approximately $25,000 was pledged by radio callers to this event.

For the better part of this past week, we have been deluged with photos of the devastation coming out of Haiti as a result of the earthquake that hit there on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 and which destroyed most of the capital city of Port-au-Prince.

As with most tragedies, among the first to respond were trained rescue unit personnel from the USA and elsewhere whose grim task is to dig beneath the rubble to find trapped survivors. Among the survivors found so far, these incredibly include a 2 year old baby girl who has been without any food or water for several days. Amazingly, she came out with a few scratches only.

The US army and major news networks were there within 48 hours reporting from the tarmac of the airport as traveling to the interior of Port-au-Prince was fraught with difficulties arising from limited fuel supply and remaining tremors which reportedly continue to shake the earth in this Caribbean nation.

Reports continue to indicate that getting the much needed items such as water, food and medicinal supplies to the remaining survivors in Port-au-Prince is a monumental task and many remain without any sustenance or medical attention tonight.

The death toll is massive, as much as 20,000 and may increase to as much as 50,000. US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, is in Haiti tonight visiting with Haitian President, Rene Preval and the floating hospital ship, USNS Comfort, is on its way to Haiti with 1000 beds ready to render medical assistance.

With all of you, I join in sending up prayers to the almighty to help the Haitians to find relief amidst this tragedy and that with all of our help, they can climb out of this tragedy with a renewed will and vigor in their lives.

"Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,

Send these, the homeless, tempest tossed to me.."

Oh God, help Haiti!

For those of you living in the U.S.A., the easiest way to donate to the Haiti Relief effort is to text in your donation. All you have to do is text HAITI to 90999 and an automatic donation of $10 will be sent in to the American Red Cross from you.

Peace, Love & Joy

2010-01-09T17:44:00.000-08:00

The New Year 2010 has started off with a bang literally. To keep things in perspective, I want to extend my sympathies to those in my family who are experiencing loss of a family member at this time. As the New Year takes off, here is my wish list for all my family and friends this year:

May you always make the right moves.

May your cup runneth over with love.

May you always find shelter from any storm.

May you remain good looking and looking good.

May you find the perfect diet for your soul.

May you find perfect balance in the company you keep.

May you have as much fun as you can.

May you manage to take time for a siesta.

May all the new folks you meet be interesting and kind.

May you always know when to walk away and know when to run.

And may your friends always bring you joy....

I received a lovely card with this song from my friend Suzanne that I want to dedicate to all of you for being in my corner:

Tis the Festive Season, Sir Heathcliff!

2010-01-01T16:30:00.000-08:00

For the festive season remember:

Alcohol does not make you FAT
- it makes you LEAN.....
- against tables, chairs, floors, walls and ugly people.

I am presently reading Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights, hence the blog title reference to Sir Heathcliff. A good book to curl up with on a very rainy New Year's Day over here in the tropics.

To everyone who visits here, may all your wildest dreams, hopes and fondest wishes come through in the new year.

Happy New Year 2010 ******* Feliz Ano Nuevo 2010

Let there be peace on Earth tonight

2009-12-24T19:33:00.000-08:00

Merry Merry Christmas from the Tropics. Let there peace on Earth and let it begin with me.

To everyone who stops by this little tropical corner of the blogosphere, a very merry and blessed Christmas 2009 and may all your fondest dreams and hopes come through in the coming year. Let there be peace on Earth tonight and let it begin with me. Sing along by clicking on the link below.

"This is Not Goodbye, Just So Long"

2009-12-06T12:28:00.001-08:00

Dear blogging buddies,

The title of my blog post is lifted from my favorite tv show on the USA network 'Monk'. Although I still don't have cable at home, we catch Monk on one of our local television stations. I have been following the Monk series for awhile as it airs consistently on Sunday mornings at 11:00 a.m. local time here in the tropics. Today was the final curtain call for the cast of Monk (2002-2009) as the show ended on an upbeat note with Monk being reunited with the long lost (hithertho unknown) daughter of his dead wife, Trudy and Monk finally solving the murder of his wife. Oh well, so long Adrian Monk, not goodbye as I hope to see your alter ego (Tony Shalhoub) reincarnated very soon elsewhere.

For those who are keeping a watchful eye on the ever pressing issue of global warming, it came to my attention today that the ex-Beatle, Paul McCartney, has teamed up with Yoko Ono, to promote the Meatfree Monday campaign. The idea behind this latest campaign is to lower greenhouse gas emissions which result from the ever growing beef industry. So how do you feel about this famous duo asking you to give up meat on Mondays? A recent study by Newsweek showed that those who ate large amounts of red and processed meats (steak, cold cuts, bacon, sausage) have an increased risk of death from cancer and heart disease. So that means that choosing a salad over a steak could reduce this risk considerably.

I know, I know! I promised a review of "New Moon". Unfortunately, the teenage reviewer is knee-deep in end-of-term exams and homework assignments. So here is a clip full of comments from the casts of New Moon to keep you in the loop whilst we await the return of my teenage reviewer to this blog with her own comments and review.

The Twilight Saga

2009-11-14T10:00:00.000-08:00

This week, I am taking a break and giving my blog over to a guest host who will be filling you in on the latest craze to hit the teenage world (anyone between 11 yrs - 18 yrs) and for those who are young-at-heart.

Joanne will be giving us her input on the Twilight Saga which has impacted so many people, especially with this week's release of the sequel movie NEW MOON. So sit back, relax and hope you enjoy this teenage blogger's insight into the world of romantic vampire novelist, Stephenie Meyers.

**********************************************************************************

Halloo Everyone, 'Tis I, Joanne! Just here to give everyone some information about the Twilight Saga craze. The picture above has the names of the four twilight series books in order from the first release to the last - Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn.

The first book to begin this saga is called Twilight and this book has been made into a movie (also called Twilight). The main characters of the novel are Isabella Swan (called Bella) and Edward Cullen. In Twilight, we view things through Bella's eyes as she moves away from Florida (where she lived with her mother) to a rainy downcast town called Forks (where she lives with her father Charlie, a police sheriff person). She meets new friends at her school, Forks High School and there she catches her first glimpse of the Cullens, a group of vampires who live inconspicuously in Forks.

The Cullens are all "pale and beautiful" (according to the book) and she immediately notices a "bronze haired boy" whom we are informed is Edward Cullen. She develops some degree of fascination with him, but he rejects her in the first class they have together. He moves away from her and puts his hand over his nose, as if he smelt something bad. Later we find out that he was attempting not to smell her blood and attack her. The Cullens are peculiar vampires for they only drink animal blood, not human blood. This rule which they have made for themselves saves Bella and also allows the Cullens to live amongst humans without being detected. She ends up encountering Edward several times at school. He ends up saving her from a speeding car coming towards her by running with lightening speed and stopping the car with his bare hands. Bella here concludes that he is not human and spends about two to three chapters of the novel wondering what he is.

After internet research, Bella concludes that Edward must be a vampire and he later admits to it. He also admits to loving her and to watching her sleep in her room at night. They start going out and this is noticed by the entire school body. Later they go off to play baseball with the other vampires Alice, Jasper, Emmett, Rosalie, Carlisle and Esme. They are approached by vampires who feed on human blood and the Cullens protect Bella (the only human present) from the invading vampires. One of the invading vampires, James, decides to kill Bella and after a long chase the Cullens slay James to protect Bella.

Edward realizes that he is immortal whilst Bella is not. He then decides that he will devote his life to protecting and loving Bella. Bella is seriously hurt during James' attempt to kill her; however, she recovers enough to attend her senior prom with Edward as her date. They waltz clumsily together, all the whilst unaware that they are being watched closely by arch enemy, Victoria, who is/was the mate of slain vampire, James. Victoria plans her revenge to kill Bella as they had killed James and so the book ends.

Long story really. But hey, its a novel. And that's as briefly as I can put it. The story was a success. I loved it. And no summary I give will ever do the masterpiece any justice. I suggest you read it for yourself! You can also see the movie, which goes along with the story line for the most part. It stars american actress Kristen Stewart as Bella and english actor, Robert Pattinson as Edward.

Although many readers were disappointed with the movie....it just wasn't as good as the book. Especially with the initial appearance of actor, Taylor Lautner, who stars as Jacob Black, a shapeshifter who is able to transform into a werewolf. However, this is not more the case as Jacob as developed into a hunky and sexy character in the sequel, New Moon. See below picture as proof of this!

Anyhoo, I've said all this about the Twilight book was to help you understand what New Moon, the sequel to Twilight, is all about. For those of you who don't already know, the film version of New Moon will premiere in American movie theaters on November 20th. I will be back here on Belizegial's blog sometime next week to review both the New Moon book and movie.

Please let us know what you thought of the book and the movie and whether my little review has helped you in your quest to know more about romantic vampires. lol

Two steps Away

2009-11-09T00:38:00.000-08:00

Good mawnin everyone!

Just taking a cup o coffee and seeing what y'all are up to. If anyone out there has tips on how to upload a youtube video to blogger, please contact me to provide some assistance. I'm a technical geek and with no assistance could end up in the twilight zone. Josie, I'm talking to you.

Anywhoo, hope you are going to have a wonderful and eventful week ahead in your little part of the world.

Please keep in mind the words of the great diva, Ms. Patti Labelle, that we're two steps away from being kind people, two steps away from respecting each other, from listening to each other, two steps away from loneliness, from happiness, two steps away from extending an act of charity to each other, two steps away from being complete.

I swear it is the most beautiful song and I really wanted to share with you. However, blogger and you tube did not want to cooperate.

Take care and thanks ever so kindly for dropping in here.

Belizegial Health Tip

2009-11-01T04:59:00.000-08:00

This is very interesting information recently sent to me by a friend.

So I'm passing it along to everyone who visits this little tropical

corner of the blogosphere.

The Soursop Fruit

The Sour Sop or the fruit from the graviola tree is a

miraculous natural cancer cell killer.

10,000 times stronger than Chemo.

So, since you know it now you can help a friend in need by

letting him know or just drink some sour sop juice yourself

as prevention from time to time.

The taste is not bad after all. It's completely natural and

definitely has no side effects. If you have the space, plant

a sour sop tree in your garden. The other parts of the tree

are also useful.

The next time you have a fruit juice, ask for a sour sop.

A healthy good morning from the tropics!!

I wanna be this lady when I grow up

2009-10-11T13:59:00.000-07:00

Hi there, just dropping in on my day off to see how everyone is doing.

If you google the CNN report that Chris Welch did today on the feisty 80-year old whose main purpose in life is to fly kites, then you'll know which lady I am referring to. She is a jet-setter who travels all over the continent to fly her kites. Back at home, she teaches a group of young students on the art of making kites and flying them. I can't think of a better way to make a living at that age, can you?

Nevertheless, since the economic recession is on everyone's mind, I thought you may like to peek in on this article which is the work of financial guru, Suze Orman. Here is what she wrote on 9 small money steps that pay off big:

When it comes to your money, Suze says 'start with small steps'
•Cut spending that falls under "wants" and not "need," put that cash into savings
•Not putting enough into company 401(k) to get match is throwing money away
•Pay off your mortgage 5 years faster by making 13 payments a year

You can take baby steps to get yourself on path to financial security. Stop focusing on the big picture. Given what is going on in the world right now, you'll only fuel your fear and anxiety. Here are a list of small moves that yield big dividends:

1. Save a bit at a time - Create an eight-month emergency savings fund, or have money saved for a home down payment, or pay off your credit card balance.

What Suze is telling you is to move toward your goals in steps. Rather than get lost in the big picture -- "Eight months? Are you crazy, Suze? I can never do that!" -- focus on what is within your power: the sums you can sock away every week or month to get closer to what you're trying to achieve.

Put $50 a week into a bank savings account earning 2 percent interest, and in three years you will have saved more than $8,000.

2. Have a little self-discipline!

Okay, so where do you find the money to put toward your financial goals? If you're dealing with a layoff or furlough, I know you feel stretched to the limit. But often when families tell Suze they have no money for their goals, she looks at their spending and find lots of "wants" to cut.

So pull out your three most recent bank and credit card statements, circle every charge or debit that is not a necessity, and ask yourself, "Can I eliminate this cost entirely?"

If not, can you scale it back 30 to 50 percent (downgrade the cable, say, or opt for the less-pricey cell package)? Every time you cut expenses, you can put the money toward bigger goals.

3. Automate

So many financial dreams are thwarted by the failure to act upon good intentions. Even if you commit to step 2 and free up money, using it wisely can be a challenge.

Complete this sentence: I had every intention of ___________, but I got sidetracked or couldn't stick with my plan. That blank could be: (a) building an eight-month emergency fund; (b) investing in Roth IRA; (c) saving for a home down payment; (d) paying every bill on time; (e) all of the above.

The solution is easy: Put your financial life on autopilot as a form of "forced" saving. Your 401(k) is a great example of auto-investing; with every paycheck, money goes into your retirement account. You can set up the same system at a discount brokerage or fund company to help you invest in an IRA, authorizing the firm to pull money out of your bank account weekly, monthly, or quarterly.

Autopilot is also a great way to save for a home down payment. Have $100 automatically transferred from your checking account to a bank savings account each month and in five years at 2 percent interest you could have more than $6,300 set aside. An FHA-insured mortgage requires a 3.5 percent down payment, so $6,300 would be enough to buy a $180,000 home.

And if you suffer from late-payment-itis, set up auto bill pay through an online bank account. This will save you those $39 late fees on credit card payments and lift your FICO score (on-time payment history accounts for 35 percent of your score). Oprah.com: How to avoid hidden fees

4. Max out on the company match

In a 2008 survey of nearly a million 401(k) participants, the investment advisory firm Financial Engines found that 33 percent don't contribute enough to their company plan to collect the maximum employer matching contribution. That's literally turning down free money.

The way a match works is that if you contribute to your retirement account, your employer will throw in some money, too. One common system is for an employer to give 50 cents for every dollar the employee contributes to her 401(k), up to a specified limit, such as 6 percent of a salary or a certain dollar amount per year.

Under those terms, if the employee contributed $3,000, the employer would kick in another $1,500. Hello! That's a guaranteed 50 percent return on your investment. And $3,000 spread out over 26 pay periods is only $115 every two weeks. That's a small step toward a big goal.

If your company doesn't provide a match -- or has opted to suspend its match during the recession -- you may still qualify for a Roth IRA. Suze recommends that you fund the IRA completely before you contribute to an unmatched 401(k). Without the match, a 401(k) is still a good deal, but a Roth IRA is even better. Details follow in the next small step.

5. Invest in a Roth IRA

Suze loves to recommend the Roth IRA because Tax-free income in retirement is a truly great deal. That's because income tax rates are likely to rise given all the big federal deficits that will need to be repaid. (And remember: Withdrawals from a traditional IRA or 401(k) will be taxed at your ordinary income tax rate.)

If you have modified adjusted gross income (AGI) below $105,000 this year ($166,000 for married couples filing a joint return), you can invest the maximum $5,000 in an IRA (or $6,000 if you are 50 or older). Above those income limits, you can make smaller contributions; you lose eligibility if you have a modified AGI of $120,000 or more, or are part of a married couple with a modified AGI of $176,000 or above. Oprah.com: 5 tips for mixing money and love

I know $5,000 or $6,000 is a big deal. And I promised small steps. So break that $5,000 into 12 monthly chunks. Does $416 sound more doable? If it's still too much, save what you can. No rule says it has to be $5,000. You can invest as little as $600 a year at some fund companies through an auto-investing plan, or save until you meet the $1,000 to $1,500 minimum initial investment most mutual funds require.

6. Subtract your age from 100; Put that much in stocks
Now we need to talk about asset allocation. For all your long-term investments, such as retirement accounts that you won't touch for at least ten years, you need a mix of stocks and bonds.

Stocks offer the best shot at inflation-beating gains. But stocks don't always go up. That's where bonds come into play: They have less upside potential, but they also do not pack the same risk.

So what's your Midas mix of stocks and bonds? Subtract your age from 100 and invest that percentage of your retirement savings in stocks. The rest belongs in bonds.

For the stock portion, put 70 percent in U.S. stocks and the rest in international funds.

As for the bonds: You should definitely have some lower-risk investments in your 401(k), but rather than invest in a bond fund, look for a GIC or Stable Value fund, which offers a guaranteed return.

For your IRA accounts, Suze is all for recommending that you own individual bonds which you can hold to maturity instead of bond funds, which are subject to trading and carry more risk.

7. Spend $50 a month for peace of mind

That's about what it would cost a healthy 40-year-old woman to buy a million-dollar 20-year level term life insurance policy; figure on less if you're younger and more if you're older. But the idea is this: A small amount of money buys your family protection if you die prematurely. You can shop for term policies at SelectQuote.com and AccuQuote.com.

8. Create the four most loving documents in existence

One of the most tragic disconnects Suze sees is when someone tells her that they love their family to pieces but haven't set up these four must-have documents: a revocable living trust, a will, a durable power of attorney for finances, and a durable power of attorney for healthcare. I realize these don't sound like a "small" undertaking, since estate lawyers may charge $2,500 to create them.

9. Add a 13th mortgage payment; pay off your loan five years faster

If you're in your 50s and plan to live in your current home forever, try to pay off the mortgage before you stop working so you remove that big cost from your postretirement expenses. One way to do so is to make one extra mortgage payment a year. You can even spread the payment over 12 months.

Let's say you have a $1,500 monthly mortgage payment and a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. If you divide $1,500 by 12, that's $125, so instead of paying $1,500, you send in $1,625 each month. That will cut your repayment time by five years and reduce your interest payments over the life of the loan; for a $250,000 mortgage charging 6 percent, you will save $61,000 ($228,000 in interest payments versus $289,000). That $125 a month may be tough, but it's doable. It's one small step now, and one giant leap toward future financial security.

Let me know how y'all are doing by dropping me a note here.

Ciao

Summer's over, it's back to the grind!

2009-09-05T17:52:00.000-07:00

Summer went too quickly this time. I'm still not quite ready for the rush and flurry of school and all that goes with that. However, it's going to be a good school year as daughter #1 is now a senior and she is on top of the world about this. lol I hope y'all are doing okay and in good health. The weather in the tropics is a bit hot to say the least. Nevertheless, there is always the caribbean sea to go cool off in. So kick off your sandals whereever you are and stay cool.

A Little of Alice

2009-07-14T01:35:00.000-07:00

Hello!

I feel a bit like Alice falling down the rabbit hole. I've been up to all sorts of things much of which have kept me productively occupied yet quite a bit unfulfilled.

Keeping it real, it's been a necessary hiatus away from the blogging circuit and much has been accomplished out here in the real world during my time away. I've been spending time, as well, listening to my favorite radio station here in the tropics LOVE FM. The airwaves have been filled during this week with music from the reggae band "Morgan Heritage". They are headliners in a concert this upcoming weekend appropriately entitled "Reggae bring back Love". If any of you are planning to be in Belize this coming weekend, make sure you attend this concert. It promises to be a good one.

Summer is here and the living is easy folks. I hope this means that I can spend some more time catching up with all of your blogs. Drop in and let me know what is happening in your neck of the woods.

Cheers!

Welcome back Kotter!

2009-01-27T12:11:00.000-08:00

Dear blogging buddies,

I have been AWOL (absent without official leave) since last year from the blogging circuit. Though it has been awhile, I have been making random visits to some of my favorite blogs and have been keeping in touch.

I hope most of you were as glad as I am to see the passing of 2008. To celebrate the New Year, I am heralding in 2009 with a poem from Helen Steiner Rice:

Be of Good Cheer, There is Nothing to Fear

Cheerful thoughts like sunbeams

Lighten up the darkest fears

For when the heart is happy

There's just no time for tears -

And when the face is smiling

It's impossible to frown,

And when you are high-spirited

You cannot feel low-down

For the nature of our attitude

Toward circumstantial things

Determines our acceptance

Of the problems that life brings.

And since fear and dread and worry

Cannot help in any way,

It's much healthier and happier

To be cheerful every day-

And if you'll only try it

You will find, without a doubt,

A cheerful attitude's something

No one should be without-

For when the heart is cheerful

It cannot be filled with fear,

And without fear the way ahead

Seems more distinct and clear-

And we realize there's nothing

We need ever face alone

For our heavenly Father loves us

And our problems are His own.

Hope that y'all will stop by to visit and let me know how you're doing.

Cheers!

2008-02-22T19:58:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the 2008 edition of getting to know your friends. What you are supposed to do is copy this entire list and paste it into your own blog. Change the answers so they apply only to you, then send this challenge onto your blog friends. The theory is that we will all get to learn a lot of little things about our friends that we may not have known.

1. What time did you get up this morning? 6:00 AM

2. Diamonds or pearls? Pearls

3. Last movie you saw in the theater? The Cat in the Hat
4.What is/are your favorite TV shows? New adventures of the Old Christine
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Coffee and toast
6. What is your middle name? Elizabeth as in “The Queen”
7. What food do you dislike? cauliflower
8. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Bryan Adams Unplugged
9. What kind of car do you drive? Nissan Stanza10. Favorite sandwich? Tuna on wheat
11. What characteristics do you despise? Judgemental, inflexible
12. Favorite item of clothing? Comfortable slacks
13. If you could go anywhere in the world for a vacation, where would you go? The big island (Maui, Hawaii)
14. What color is your bathroom? blue
15. Favorite brand of clothing? Lane Bryant
16. Where would you want to retire? a deserted island with someone special
17. Most memorable birthday? Yet to come
18. Favorite sport to watch? Basketball
19. Furthest place you are sending this to? Australia
20. Who do you expect to respond? Hopefully all of you
21. Person you expect to respond first? Uh...
22. Favorite saying? You ain’t seen nothin yet!!
23. When is your birthday? July
24. Are you a morning person or a night person? Night
25. What is your shoe size? 7.5
26. Pets? A parakeet
27. What did you want to be when you were little? A World Traveler & Astronaut
28. What are you today? Mother, friend and full Participant in the rat race
29. What is your favorite candy? M * M’s

30. Your favorite flower? Orchids
31.What is a day on the calendar you are really looking forward to? The beginning of summer
32. What are you listening to right now? Fans whirring
33. What was the last thing you ate? Steamed fish and vegetables for lunch, fruit salad

34. Do you wish on stars? Yes!
35. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Magenta
36. What is your pet peeve? Unwashed dishes
37. Last person you spoke to on the phone? A co worker

38. Do you like the person/people you are sending this onto? Of course, yes!

39. Favorite soft drink? Root beer
40. Favorite restaurant? Too many to choose just one!
41. Hair Color? Black
42. Favorite day of the year? Birthday
43. What was your favorite toy as a child? a doll and a carriage
44. Summer or winter? Summer lovin, sun kissed

45. Hugs or kisses? Both

46. Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate, baby!

47. Do you want your blog friends to carry this on? yes

48. When was the last time you cried? At the memorial tribute to local garifuna superstar Andy Palacio who died prematurely in January ‘08 just as he was on the verge of attaining international super stardom.
49. What is under your bed? Dust motes
50. Who is the friend you've had the longest? Kim who survived “Katrina”
51. What did you do last night? Become a Couch potato & watched Survivor
53. What are you afraid of? Who me? Scared?
54. How many keys on your key ring? 6
55. How many years at your current job? Too many
56. Favorite day of the week? Dare I say “Monday”
57. How many states have you lived in? none

58. Do you make friends easily? no
59. How many folks will you send this to? all who visit this blog

Another one bites the Dust!

2007-12-31T14:38:00.000-08:00

In a little while, depending where you are, 2007 will be officially over. The person I admired the most this past year in Belize was a little girl with a big dream and an even bigger voice. I’m talking about our local karaoke champion, Miss Reesie Pollard. Reesie came in from left field and literally blew away the competition systematically week after week. She rode this wave all the way into the final lap of the competition and tore the town apart with her personalized rendition of Mariah Carey’s “hero”. This song could have been written for her.....…"So when you feel like hope is gone, look inside you and be strong and you'll finally see the truth, that a hero lies in you......"

For those of you in the Great White North, it appears that this has been a winter filled with snow, sleet and rain. If you’ve been left feeling flat and pessimistic from the winter blues or from the fading wane of 2007, why don’t you follow the teachings of Chinese medicine and look toward spring as a time for new beginnings, light and renewal. Let the words of the Buddhist meditation master Chogyam Trungpa inspire you as they have inspired me.

“There are seasons in your life in the same way as there are seasons in nature. There are times to cultivate and create, when you nurture your world and give birth to new ideas and ventures. There are times of flourishing and abundance, when life feels in full bloom, energized and expanding. There are times of fruition, when things come to an end — they have reached their climax and must be harvested before they begin to fade. Finally, of course, there are cold and empty times, when the spring of new beginnings seems like a distant dream. Those rhythms of life are natural events. They weave into one another as day follows night. If you realize that each phase of your life is a natural occurrence, then you need not be swayed, pushed up and down by the changes in circumstance and mood that life brings. You find that you have an opportunity to be fully in the world at all times and to show yourself as a brave and proud individual in any circumstance.”

That beautiful sunset on the top left of this blog page is the view in my front yard captured by my children’s digital cam. Hey, one more reason I love living in the tropics. The sunsets are to die for! (:-)

I learnt a lot in 2007 from all of you out there in bloggityville. My favorite lessons, though, were the ones I found over at Josie’s blog. For the benefit of all mankind and womankind, here are some of life’s little lessons. Read then through and if you care to add one more to the list, please feel free to do so.

LIFE’s LITTLE LESSONS

Sing in the shower.
Treat everyone you meet the way you’d want to be treated.
Watch a sunrise at least once a year.
Leave the toilet seat in the down position.
Never refuse homemade brownies.
Strive for excellence, not perfection.
Plant a tree on your birthday.
Learn 3 clean jokes.
Return borrowed vehicles with the gas tank full.
Compliment 3 people every day.
Never waste an opportunity.
Leave everything a little better than you found it.
Keep it simple.
Think big thoughts but relish small pleasures.
Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
Floss your teeth.
Ask for a raise when you think you've earned it.
Overtip breakfast waitresses.
Be forgiving of yourself and others.
Say, "Thank you" a lot.
Say, "Please" a lot.
Avoid negative people.
Buy whatever kids are selling on card tables in their front yards.
Wear polished shoes.
Remember other people's birthdays.
Commit yourself to constant improvement.
Carry jumper cables in your vehicle.
Have a firm handshake.
Send lots of Valentine cards. Sign them, "Someone who thinks you're terrific."
Look people in the eye.
Be the first to say hello.
Use the good silver.
Make new friends, but cherish the old ones.
Return all things you borrow.
Keep a few secrets.
Sing in a choir.
Plant flowers every spring.
Always accept an outstretched hand.
Have a dog or cat.
Stop blaming others.
Tell someone you love them.
Take responsibility for every area of your life.
Feed a stranger's expired parking meter.
Don't expect life to be fair.
Be there when people need you.
Never underestimate the power of love.
Drink champagne for no reason at all.
Don't be afraid to say, "I made a mistake."
Keep your promises no matter what.
Don't be afraid to say, "I don't know."
Compliment others and yourself on small improvements and achievements.
Rekindle old friendships.
Marry for love.
Count your blessings.
Call your parents.

Here’s to raising a virtual glass and toasting you *clink* wherever you are. I appreciate all of you for being here this past year. It’s been fun exchanging comments and ideas with everyone and I look forward to a new year that’s filled with peace, hope, prosperity and love for each and everyone of you. Kisses and hugs.

**HAPPY NEW YEAR!**

It's Official, Christmas is here!!

2007-12-09T17:12:00.000-08:00

I've been in denial all along folks. Burying myself in work, school, etc. All that is over, it's official that Christmas is here.

It's official because of my 9-year old who swept me off to her Christmas pageant whereupon I sat enthralled for the next hour or so whilst the beauty and wonder of the talented tiny tots and not so tiny tots were on proud display. Here are some photos of a Christmas pageant in the tropics:

The Christmas Play was brilliantly produced and had musical accompaniments from the Junior and Senior Choir, three violinists, a pianist and the Choir Mistress. It was nice to see the flashing smiles and twinkling toes of the middle schoolers as well as the tiny angels waiting patiently to take their turn on the stage under the floodlights. This year's pageant had a special quality and I was glad to be there. Yes, finally Christmas 2007 is officially here! How are your Christmas preparations coming along?

Faith sees the Invisible, Believes the Unbelievable and Receives the Impossible!!!!

2007-11-25T20:29:00.000-08:00

WHAT HAPPENS IN HEAVEN

This is one of the nicest e-mails I have seen and is so true:

I dreamt that I went to Heaven and an angel was showing me around.

We walked side-by-side inside a large workroom filled with angels.

My angel guide stopped in front of the first section and said, 'This is the Receiving Section Here, all petitions to God said in prayer are received.'

I looked around in this area, and it was terribly busy with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets and scraps from people all over the world.

Then we moved on down a long corridor until we reached the second section.

The angel then said to me, 'This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the graces and blessings the people asked for are processed and delivered to the living persons who asked for them.'

I noticed again how busy it was there. There were many angels working hard at that station, since so many blessings had been requested and were being packaged for delivery to Earth.

Finally at the farthest end of the long corridor we stopped at the door of a very small station. To my great surprise, only one angel was seated there, idly doing nothing. 'This is the Acknowledgment Section,' my angel friend quietly admitted to me. He seemed embarrassed 'How is it that there is no work going on here?' I asked.

'So sad,' the angel sighed. 'After people receive the blessings that they asked for, very few send back acknowledgments.'
'How does one acknowledge God's blessings?' I asked.
'Simple,' the angel answered. Just say, 'Thank you, Lord.'

'What blessings should they acknowledge?' I asked.

'If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish, you are among the top 8% of the worlds wealthy.'

'And if you get this on your own computer, you are part of the 1% in the world who has that opportunity.'

Also 'If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ...you are more blessed than the many who will not even survive this day.'

'If you have never experienced the fear in battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation...you are ahead of 700 million people in the world.'

'If you can attend a church without the fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death you are envied by, and more blessed than, three billion people in the world.'

'If your parents are still alive and still married...you are very rare.'

'If you can hold your head up and smile, you are not the norm, you're unique to all those in doubt and despair.'

Ok, what now? How can I start?

If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you as very special and you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.

Have a good day, count your blessings, and if you want, pass this along to remind everyone else how blessed we all are.

ATTN:

Acknowledge Dept.: 'Thank you Lord, for giving me the ability to share this message and for giving me so many wonderful people to share it with'

In Loving Memory of Sahara Aldridge

2007-11-06T20:11:00.000-08:00

Sahara's battle with a brainstem tumour is over. She passed away peacefully on Monday, November 5, 2007. Sahara (better known as Hoops because of her great love for basketball) was an inspiration to all who heard about her story and were touched by her courage, tenacity and strength for the past seventeen months. She reminded us that without dreams there is no hope and without hope there is no life. May her eternal soul rest in everlasting peace.

(Here is a picture of Sahara with her favorite rocker, Rick Springfield, who was undoubtedly one of her family's biggest supporters.)

Before you met me, I was a fairy princess
I caught frogs and called them prince
And made myself a queen
Before you knew me I'd traveled 'round the world
I slept in castles
And fell in love
Because I was taught to dream
I found mayonnaise bottles and poked holes on top
To capture Tinker Bell
And they were just fireflies to the untrained eye
But I could always tell
I believe in fairy tales
And dreamer's dreams
Like bedsheet sails
And I believe in Peter Pan and miracles,
Anything I can to get by
And fireflies
Before I grew up, I saw you on a cloud
I could bless myself in your name
And pat you on your wings
And before I grew up, I heard you whisper so loud
Life is hard and so is love child,
Believe in all these things
I found mayonnaise bottles and poked holes on top
To capture Tinker Bell
And they were just fireflies to the untrained eye
But I could always tell
I believe in fairy tales
And dreamer's dreams
Like bedsheet sails
And I believe in Peter Pan
And miracles, anything I can to get by . . .
And fireflies
. . .Fireflies
Before you met me, I was a fairy princess
I caught frogs and called them prince
And made myself a queen
And before you knew me I'd traveled 'round the world
And I slept in castles
And fell in love
Because I was taught to dream

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Artist/Band: Faith Hill
Lyrics for Song: Fireflies
Lyrics for Album: Fireflies
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To her loving parents, Amy and Shannon, I extend my sincere condolences. Yours was a journey of strength, compassion, courage and love. May God Bless you and may the peace that passeth all understanding be yours now and forever more.

The road to Feeling Good

2007-10-28T16:46:00.000-07:00

Something to Do, Something to Eat, Something to Drink, Someone to Love you
*********************************************

October has been a busy month for me, culminating with Halloween preparations, mid-term exams and work related activities. It’s probably as good a time as any to start thinking about breaking out of the bad habits that I’ve developed over the past several months and start shedding the excess weight before the arrival of Christmas and all the goodies that come with it. So here is part one of a Feel Good guide excerpted from the Sunday Times on how to free up our minds, think positively, eat properly and exercise for energy.

It’s time to Refocus. Just as you chuck out the mouldy carrots that fester in the recesses of your fridge, you should occasionally declutter your thoughts and seek out new ingredients for a more vital life. You need to understand what makes you leap out of bed in the morning. What subjects heighten your senses, who inspires you and what motivates you to be the best that you can be. It is only by deciding what your priorities are that you can discover a renewed sense of purpose.

Set aside a fixed time to achieve a task and just do it. If this involves wearing a Do Not Disturb hat, then so be it. Take that thing you’ve been putting off for ages, grab a stopwatch and give it 10 minutes. When the alarm goes off, stop. Just starting will go a long way toward making it happen, and you’ll probably find it wasn’t so bad after all.

Become an eternal optimist and you won’t just think you’re better off, you actually will be. So says psychologist Martin Seligman, who has demonstrated that mildly deluded optimists have more successful careers, live to a ripe old age, attract more friends and have more fun. Be open to as many new experiences as you can, from painting to paragliding, sailing to singing. Choose Nigerian cinema instead of your usual blockbuster selections.

We all feel good about ourselves when we’re doing something we’re good at. The protagonist in the film Being John Malkovich used his nimble puppeteer fingers to become the speediest filing clerk. Where can you use the skills you already have to the best advantage in other areas of your life?

Setting yourself realistic goals that challenge and excite can help you to find your “flow” or your “groove”. Remember that film, How Stella Found her Groove? Anything that is too hard or too easy won’t get you there. To increase motivation, share your goal with others, make sure there are as many benefits as possible and keep the payoff tangible and specific.

Keep adding to the pool of positive people who inspire and excite you. Don’t ditch your old and loyal friends, just keep your group fresh. Get to know the people around you, organise a party with colleagues or do an evening class. Simply start saying “yes” when people suggest new things. The more people you know, the more people you’ll meet and the more possibilities will present themselves.

Understand the culture in which you live, begin to comprehend the impact it has and use this knowledge to rejuvenate your own life and be the change you want to see in the world. What gets you up in the morning today may feel very different in the next three months. Keep experimenting by chopping and changing the ingredients in your life and as you spice up the recipe, your morning leap will follow suit. Remember to have a fabulous time while doing all of the above! E

Belizegial's Health Tip

2007-10-15T05:21:00.000-07:00

Good morning Everyone,

According to a recent piece in The New Yorker by the physician-journalist Atul Gawande, if you want to have better quality of life as you age, these three things will have a dramatic effect:

1. Practice yoga or any form of exercise that will help your balance
2. Try to limit your prescription medicines to no more than four
3. Lift weights

And why these three? The single most serious physical risk that the elderly face is an injury from falling. According to Gawande's piece, "Each year, about three hundred and fifty thousand Americans fall and break a hip. Of those, forty per cent end up in a nursing home, and twenty per cent are never able to walk again. The three primary risk factors for falling are poor balance, taking more than four prescription medications, and muscle weakness."

Thanks for visiting here and have a splendiferous and healthy week ahead.

Busy as a Bee!

2007-09-30T11:47:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

I'm deluged by work...oh the pain! Nevertheless, the weather is holding steady and I have moved past the starting goal post.

So, if you're visiting here today, here's wishing you soft clouds and blue skies wherever you are.

Take care and God bless!

Happy Weekend!!

2007-09-20T18:10:00.000-07:00

2007-09-15T21:17:00.000-07:00

I borrowed this from Sassy Femme's blog. 'Nuff said

Other than that, there is some good news on Sahara's blog. Please keep her in your prayers that she will continue to do well. Let me know how y'all are doing. Hasta la vista.

Belize was spared

2007-09-09T18:05:00.000-07:00

It would be remiss of me not to take the time necessary to say a big thank you to everyone who has been thinking of us here in Belize and most importantly praying for us. Yes, I am referring to those prayer warriors out there ~ Sylvia (Heiresschild), Carol (beachgirl), Ian Lidster, Brenda (Clickgirl), Babette, Michelle, the two Michaels, Pia, Renegade Eye and everyone else visiting here. You are the best buddies a gial can have in time of need. I am so blessed to know all of you and thank God Belize was spared.

If I am not visiting your blogs as often as I should, it's because I have now started on a new educational pathway which will eventually lead to a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) degree. I am officially enrolled in the Fall 2007 programme at Galen University and will be taking up two new courses - MBA 603 (Business Ethics and Human Rights) and MBA 612 (Foundations of Financial Management). Galen University is an independent, free standing institution chartered by the Belize Government. In addition to its own recognized degree programs, Galen University has entered into a partnership agreement with the University of Indianapolis in offering seven of its undergraduate degree programs in Belize. At the recent orientation which I attended, I met many students from the University of Indianapolis who were coming to Belize for the first time as undergraduate students of Galen. They were positive, friendly and quite glad to be in beautiful Belize. Getting to know everyone was fun especially trying to remember everyone's name all at once!LOL! I will be quite busy for the foreseeable future with school, work and being a full time mom. So wish me luck and visit as often as you can here and let me know what y'all are doing.

Hurricane Felix!!

2007-09-02T13:08:00.001-07:00

Hurricane Felix continues to strengthen in the Caribbean, passing north of the islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. After a midday eyewall replacement cycle, Felix has become a category 3 hurricane. The A,B,C Islands were spared any strong winds thanks to the compact nature of Felix's wind core, but heavy, localized flooding rain and some coastal flooding from 12-to-16-foot waves will continue over the remainder of today. In the coming days, Felix will bring large waves to the southern coasts of Jamaica and Grand Cayman Island.

If you look carefully at the projected trajectory, Central Belize (Belize City) where I am located lies in the direct pathway of this strengthening hurricane. This is serious folks. We have approximately 65 hours to get prepared as this storm will be upon us by mid-week Wednesday.

Thanks for visiting here and please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. I will be back on-line when this one passes through. May God keep and bless us all.

Images in the Aftermath of Hurricane Dean

2007-08-25T15:21:00.000-07:00

San Pedro Ambergris Caye Island (clean up)

Corozal Free Zone

Corozal (Northern) District

Destroyed Papaya Crops

Hurricane Dean!

2007-08-18T10:51:00.000-07:00

After sailing through calm seas for the past plus two years or so, our tiny tropical paradise is now facing its first real threat for this hurricane season.

At the moment, Hurricane Dean poses a nightmare of gigantic proportions for the Caribbean; in particular, for Jamaica, where it is forecasted to make landfall by tomorrow.

It is an extremely dangerous category four hurricane on the saffir-simpson hurricane scale. So please keep us in your prayers. We will be on tentherhooks until this storm passes through the Yucatan Peninsula.

I will post a further update when I can do so. Saludos.

Monday Offerings

2007-08-13T01:24:00.000-07:00

Monday Offerings –

Locally what we have going on is Ultimate KTV on Channel 5. You would be amazed at the talent being displayed on this television show. When the show airs on Tuesday nights, I am always amazed at how our Belizeans, with very little or no formal training whatsoever in music, can really display length, depth and breadth when belting out their favorite karaoke tunes. Celine Dion songs are a perennial favorite *lol*. However, every now and then, someone will throw in a classic from Shirley Bassey or Otis Redding complete with costume and props. While we have a dearth of international cable television, the Ultimate KTV is produced locally and the participants all reside here in the tropics. So can you really blame us, if things come to a screeching halt every Tuesday night while we sit entranced in front of the telly watching our very own local stars?

For those of you who love the game shows Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, I would like to take a moment to mark the passing on Sunday, August 11th, of the legendary television producer, Mr. Merv Griffin. He was the creator of both Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy and he even wrote the little thinking song which is aired every time a Jeopardy episode comes on. Mr. Griffin was 82 years old at the time of his passing and it is estimated that his net worth came close to US$1.6 billion dollars. His favorite epitaph was ‘Stay Tuned’. May he rest in peace. (Merv Griffin 1925-2007)

2007-08-04T20:46:00.000-07:00

“The Paradoxical Commandments” by Kent M. Keith.

I recently visited Josie’s blog and read The Paradoxical Commandments. I don’t recall ever having read these before, so I copied and saved them for my further review. You know what? These commandments are so inspiring to me every time I read them. So here they are for you to appreciate as well. It is good to know that the Paradoxical Commandments still hold true and are standards which have endured through time and space. So here they are:

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish and ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.

Be honest and frank anyway.

The men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building up may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do try to help them.
Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

Here is one more that was added to the list by Josie herself:
People will say you don’t have the talent or ability to do something.

Do it anyway.

Whenever you have a moment, please do go over to visit Josie’s blog to find out more about her views on life and everything else and let her know that Belizegial sent you.

Embracing the Future

2007-07-28T22:59:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed that the more things change, the more they remain the same? How about when we are unhappily focused on the career that is stalled, the body we don’t have, or the state of health that we’re not in, that we are basically convincing ourselves that this is going to be our long-term physical state?

And then there is further negative reinforcement when we start an exercise plan and quit because we don’t see immediate results? Or we try another new diet and then give it up because it’s not working, or too difficult to adhere to? And because we have tried so many diets, joined so many gyms, taken so many classes and still have not found our happiest, healthiest, self, we certainly have reason to be convinced that nothing is going to change?

With the power of planning to make changes in our health, fitness and lifestyle, here are how things can be very different:

Accept where you are today. That’s right - surrender, give in and just say, "OK, I accept that this is where I am today." You are not giving up – you are giving in – to the truth. Stop fighting it and being negative about it, just be OK with it for now.

Be thankful for all that is good in your life. Find some things that you like about yourself and your life and focus intently on those. Generate a feeling of love and generosity toward yourself and those around you and the doors to change will open.

Know that things can change. If you don’t believe it now (and you probably don’t, given all that has happened in the past), you will, if you dedicate as much time, thought, and energy as you did to feeling negative, to thinking and then feeling positive. Fake it in the beginning, just keep saying (with a smile on your face and hope in your heart), "I can change things in my life, it’s my choice." You must reinforce over and over, convince yourself that you can change by reprogramming your mind. Don’t stop until you feel the love beginning in yourself and then receiving positive feedback from those around you.

Be open to a new you with new desires and feelings. Whatever you do, don’t fight it when the urge strikes you to start taking better care of yourself. That’s right; before you know it you’ll be eating less junk – or just eating less. You’ll also want to start looking for new ways to move your life forward as well as moving your body more.

Serving others. That’s right, my friends, it’s all about serving others in the best way possible. To make a significant impact on the people in our lives and then have them impact positively on others, is the best possible reward for our hard work and self-improvement efforts. After all, life is a full-contact sport full of bumps and bruises, opportunities and challenges. Do not give up. Tis the time, tis the season, for all of us to positively reclaim our excitement about life and all of its awesome possibilities. Peace and blessings y’all.

Places Every Woman Should Go (Traveling Light)

2007-07-20T15:51:00.000-07:00

Author Stephanie Elizondo Griest hit the literary scene in 2004 with her critically acclaimed coming-of-age travel memoir, Around the Bloc: My Life in Moscow, Beijing, and Havana. Her newest book, 100 Places Every Woman Should Go, is a fresh and insightful look at destinations for the female journey. When Ms. Griest was asked to share some travel recommendations, she recently cited eight of her favorite picks for women wanderers:

1. For inspiration and enlightenment: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Goddesses reign supreme in Hawaii, and the most venerated is Pele, who presides over the volcanoes. Legend has it she secretly envies Poliahu, goddess of the snow, and the two quarrel often — especially over menfolk. Poliahu usually wins, causing Pele to erupt in fury, and Poliahu gets stuck cleaning the mess with her ice afterward. (Indeed, traces of lava have been found seeping through glacial ice caps at various epochs in Hawaiian geological history.) Even when Pele triumphs, she soon tires of her lovers and sends them racing down the mountain, trailed by her hot, molten lava. To see her in action, head to the Big Island. Lounge upon the white-sand beaches at Kona Coast and the black-sand beaches at Puna district, then soak in thermal pools set in lava rock at Ahalanui Beach Park. Pele dwells in the Halema'uma'u Crater Overlook of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Devotees leave her offerings of flowers, gin, and ohelo berries. Then pay homage to Poliahu atop Mauna Kea, the world's tallest mountain (when measured base to peak). Linger til sunset to see why Hawaiians consider their homeland to be Earth's connecting point to the universe.

2. For indulgence: Lingerie shopping in Paris. Every woman should have at least one fabulous piece of lingerie tucked inside her drawers — even if there's no one around to show it to. Slipping on a chiffon babydoll and dimming the lights is, after all, the best way to turn a lonely TV dinner into a romantic dinner-for-one. To spice up your collection, fly to Paris, where they claim to have invented it. Herminie Cadolle went down in fashion history for "freeing" women by slicing the stifling corset in two in 1889, thus creating the world's first bra. Even today, her Parisian boutiques — currently run by her great-great-granddaughter — remain among the finest places to buy one. Cadolle specialties include Victorian corsets, bodices, and a broad collection of hand-sewn brassieres, but to truly indulge, make an appointment for a satiny, made-to-measure something at 255 rue Saint-Honoré (Metro: Concorde or Tuilleries). For her ready-to-wear collection, visit 4 rue Cambon.

3. For purification and beautification: The banyas of Moscow and St. Petersburg. The Russian banya is a Slavic Eden: a steamy, womb-like place that will tack years onto your life. According to folklore, these baths are haunted by mischievous spirits that bewitch clothing worn inside, so strip down all the way. (Most of the baths are gender-segregated.) Rinse off in the shower and enter the steam room, where scores of women will be massaging salt into each other's pores, swapping beauty secrets, and gossiping. Grab a branch of birch leaves and slap it against your body. Roast. When the heat becomes unbearable, proceed to the pool room and jump in immediately. (Some are kept as frigid as 42 degrees; stick a toe in first and you'll lose your nerve.) Get out before hypothermia kicks in and return to the steam room. Repeat as many times as possible: your skin will glow afterward! In Moscow, visit Krasnopresnensky on Stolyarny Pereulok 7, near the Ulitsa 1905 Goda Metro. In St. Petersburg, try Mitninskaya Banya at Ulitsa Mitninskaya 17/19 near the Metro Ploshad' Vosstaniya.

4. To celebrate powerful women and their places in history: Frida Kahlo's Mexico. Mexican artist Frida Kahlo is one of history's grand divas. A tequila-slamming, dirty joke-telling smoker, she hobbled about her bohemian barrio in lavish indigenous dress and threw dinner parties for the likes of Leon Trotsky, poet Pablo Neruda, Nelson Rockefeller, and her on-again, off-again husband, muralist Diego Rivera. Half a century after her death, her work fetches more money than any other female artist's (Madonna is said to be an avid collector), and she was the first Latina ever featured on a U. S. postage stamp. Visiting her cobalt blue home in Coyoacan is like stepping inside one of her fantastical paintings. The walls are awash with color and mosaics; a Day of the Dead altar yields pastries, flowers, candles, and papier mâché skeletons; the courtyard blooms with tropical flowers and cactus. Her personal effects are displayed throughout the house, including her pre-Hispanic jewelry, sketchbook diaries, love letters, artwork, and corset-like body cast. (Stricken with polio as a child, she shattered her spine in a bus accident at age eighteen.) Frida t-shirts, computer mousepads, and coffee cups are sold in the gift shop, and you can sip a café con leche in the tranquil café. La Casa Azul is located on Londres 247 and accessible by the Coyoacan Viveros Metro Station in Mexico City.

5. To celebrate struggle and renewal: Arts and voodoo festivals in Benin. Traveling in West Africa is empowering for women — precisely because it is challenging. You must utilize every available resource to make it through the day, and when you finally find that market or village you are seeking, it is like unearthing rubies. The warmth and hospitality of its people make Benin especially welcoming. Upon arrival to any town, visit the mayor's office and ask for the local women's group. A guide will likely take you to the local crafts cooperative, where you can buy directly from the artisans. Also explore the world of voodoo, a belief that natural forces like rain and wind have spiritual forces behind them. Practitioners build shrines out of small mounds of earth and offer their gods alcohol, flowers, food, and the blood of animals sacrificed in their honor. On National Voodoo Day — January 10 — partake in dancing fueled by copious amounts of sodabe (a local palm liquor) at the vibrant festivals in Ouidah. Look out for the Mami Wata worshippers, who dress in all white. Mostly women, they are considered very powerful and are often feared.

6. For womanly affirmation: Belly dancing in San Francisco, New York, or Austin. Belly dancing dates back to pre-Biblical times, when it was performed as a fertility-cult ritual. In ancient Arab tribes, midwives assisted women in labor by dancing around them, rolling their stomachs to imitate the contraction of the uterus. It was also performed as entertainment throughout the Orient by and for women who stayed home while their husbands were out. Not only a great physical workout, modern belly dancing will get you in touch with your earthy self. Communities can be found in every corner of the United States. San Francisco is home to Fat Chance Belly Dance, a renowned tribal dance troupe. Take a class at their studio at 670 South Van Ness Avenue. In New York City, look up legendary teacher Morocco of the Casbah Dance Experience, or Sarah Johansson Locke of Alchemy Performance. Austin, Texas is the place to be on full moons, when Lucila Dance Productions hosts Haflas, gatherings of dancers and drummers who snack on grape leaves as they dance barefoot beneath the stars. Down some wine if you feel inhibited: it's the best hip lubricant around!

7. For all-around wonder: Mongolia.The word might conjure desolation, but this "last frontier" is actually steeped in ritual and tradition and surrounded by stark, natural beauty. Come to race a pony (or yak or camel) across a grassland speckled with wildflowers, to meditate in hidden Tibetan Lamaist temples, to bask in the legacy of Mandhai-Setsen, the Wise Queen who re-unified her turbulent nation by leading her troops into battle in the fifteenth century. In the countryside, hospitable families will welcome you to their ger (wood-framed tent) with a small bowl of vodka (if you're lucky) or a potent brew of fermented mare's milk called airag (if you're not). Drink every drop and hold the bowl upside down over your head to prove it. Then explore the surrounding area on horseback, which could mean Sherwood-like forests, Ghobi desert, or tundra. The best month to visit Mongolia is July — not just for the sunny weather, but for Naadam, a three-day, Olympic-style festival celebrated throughout the nation. The wrestling division features 300-pound wrestlers clad only in boots, briefs, and sleeves who clutch each other for hours (and hours) until their strength wears out and they knock each other over. Like sumo, but sexier.

8. Just for the fun of it: The Bahamian island of Eleuthera. Nearly every sea culture has tales of lovely maidens who propel through the ocean with fish-like tails. A few believe mermaids help steer ships from harm's way, but most claim they are seductresses who, like the Sirens of myth, lure sailors into the water with their songs and then sink their ships. One place where mermaids are thought to be alive and well is the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. Locals say that if you rise early enough, you can sometimes catch them washing their golden locks on the rocks of Whale Point, an old swimming hole. Bahamian children believe that their parents have seen this, and they will too someday. If your own sunrise outing is in vain, become one yourself: there is little to do here but splash in the water. Eleuthera's beaches (in particular, Harbour Island) have crystalline waters filled with colorful reefs, eagle rays, octopus, and dolphins. Whales migrate through annually. Then pass the night at Elbina's in Gregory Town, where locals gather to sing along to live Southern Caribbean music. Ask the old-timers about their own mermaid encounters; you'll hear some great stories.

9. And my personal recommendation; Belize's very own Caves Branch Jungle Lodge. If you haven’t experienced Belize's Caves Branch..... you haven’t experienced ADVENTURE ... You haven’t experienced BELIZE ! Click on the link to read more....

Belizegial Health Topic - Caffeine: How Much is Too Much

2007-07-14T13:48:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,

It's been a hectic week on this end. One mostly fueled by sheer determination and several necessary cups of coffee *lol* Which brings to mind. Caffeine: How much is too much? Michelle, if you're visiting today, here is what Mayoclinic.com has to say about this topic.

In less than an hour you start to feel caffeine's effects. You're more alert, energetic and productive. Your mood lifts and that foggy, tired feeling is gone. If you rely on daily doses of caffeine to chase away fatigue and perk up your disposition, you aren't alone. Nine out of 10 Americans consume some type of caffeine regularly, making it the most popular behavior-altering drug.

For most people, moderate doses of caffeine — 200 to 300 milligrams (mg), or about two to three cups of brewed coffee a day — aren't harmful. But some circumstances, such as caffeine sensitivity or use of certain medications, may warrant limiting or even ending your caffeine routine. Find out if you need to decaffeinate your diet and, if so, how you can do it with minimal distress.

When to cut caffeine use - Certain circumstances call for reducing the amount of caffeine you consume. Evaluate your habits. If any of these situations apply, you may need to cut back. You consume unhealthy amounts. Though moderate caffeine intake isn't likely to cause harm, too much can noticeably affect your health. Heavy daily caffeine use — more than 500 to 600 mg a day, or about four to seven cups of coffee — can cause:

Restlessness
Anxiety
Irritability
Muscle tremors
Sleeplessness
Headaches
Nausea, diarrhea or other gastrointestinal problems
Abnormal heart rhythms

You have caffeine sensitivity if you're susceptible to the caffeine's effects. Just small amounts — even one cup of coffee or tea — may prompt unwanted results, such as anxiety, restlessness and irritability. The more sensitive you are to caffeine, the less you need to consume before feeling its influence.Your sensitivity depends on many factors, including:

Body mass. People with smaller body masses feel the effects of caffeine sooner than those with larger body masses.

History of caffeine use. People who don't regularly consume caffeine tend to be more susceptible to its negative effects than are people who do.

Stress. All types of stress — for example, psychological stress or heat stress — can increase a person's sensitivity to caffeine.

Other factors can contribute to variations in caffeine sensitivity as well, including age, smoking habits, drug or hormone use, and other health conditions, such as anxiety disorders.

Most adults need seven to eight hours of sleep each night. But caffeine can interfere with this much-needed sleep. Chronically losing sleep — whether it's from work, travel, stress or too much caffeine — results in sleep deprivation. Sleep loss is cumulative, and even small nightly decreases can add up and disturb your daytime function.

Using caffeine to mask sleep deprivation creates an unwelcome cycle. For example, you drink caffeinated beverages because you have trouble staying awake during the day. But the caffeine keeps you from falling asleep at night, shortening the length of time you sleep. Caffeine can also increase the number of times you wake up during the night and can interfere with deep sleep, which makes your night less restful. With less sleep and poor-quality sleep, you're more tired the next day. To battle the fatigue and to feel more energetic, you reach for your morning jolt of Java.

The best way to break this cycle is to limit your caffeine and to add more hours of quality sleep to your day. Also, avoid caffeinated beverages eight hours before your desired bedtime. Your body doesn't store caffeine, but it does take many hours for it to eliminate the stimulant and its effects.

Certain medications and herbal supplements negatively interact with caffeine. The following are some examples - some antibiotics.

Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and norfloxacin (Noroxin) — types of antibacterial medications — can interfere with the breakdown of caffeine. This may increase the length of time caffeine remains in your body and amplify its unwanted effects.

Theophylline (Theo-24, Uniphyl, others). This medication — which opens up bronchial airways by relaxing the surrounding muscles (a bronchodilator) — tends to have some caffeine-like effects. Taking this drug along with caffeinated foods and beverages may increase the concentration of theophylline in your blood. This can cause ill effects, such as nausea, vomiting and heart palpitations. If you take theophylline, your doctor may advise that you avoid caffeine.

Ephedra (ma-huang). This herbal dietary supplement increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, seizures and death. Combined with caffeine, it becomes especially risky. The Food and Drug Administration has banned ephedra in the marketplace because of health concerns. This ban applies to dietary supplements but not herbal teas, which may still contain the herb. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about whether caffeine might affect your prescription. He or she can best direct you on whether you need to reduce or eliminate caffeine from your diet.

Caffeine can be habit-forming, so any attempts to stop or lessen the amount you normally consume can be challenging. An abrupt decrease in caffeine can cause withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue, irritability and nervousness. These symptoms usually resolve after several days.

To adopt new caffeine habits, try these tips:

Know how much caffeine is in the foods and beverages you consume. You may be consuming more than you think.

Gradually reduce the amount of caffeine you consume. For example, drink one less can of soda or drink a smaller cup of coffee each day. This will help your body get used to the lower levels of caffeine and thereby lessen the withdrawal effects.

Replace caffeinated coffee, tea and soda with their decaffeinated counterparts. Most decaffeinated beverages look and taste the same.

When preparing tea, brew for less time. This cuts down on its caffeine content. Or choose herbal teas, which don't contain this stimulant.

Check the caffeine content in over-the-counter medications that you take. Pain relief or headache medications, such as Excedrin or Anacin, can contain from 65 mg to 130 mg of caffeine in one dose. Switch to caffeine-free versions, if possible.

If you're like most adults, caffeine is a part of your daily routine. And most often it doesn't pose a health problem. But be mindful of those situations in which you need to curtail your caffeine consumption.

© 1998-2006 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com"

Seven Lucky Wedding Gifts

2007-07-07T11:35:00.000-07:00

Today Saturday July 7th 2007, tens of thousands of superstitious couples will be tying the knot in what may go down as the most popular wedding date in history: 7-7-07. Apparently these starry-eyed couples figure that even if they are lucky in love, why pass up the chance for some extra insurance? After all, the number seven carries a lot of significance: In Las Vegas, 7-7-7 is the highest slot-machine jackpot, and triple 7's add up to Black Jack. There's seven days in a week, seven musical notes on the scale, the Seven Wonders of the World, and the Seven Deadly Sins.

On any given Saturday in July (the most popular month for weddings), there are typically 12,000 weddings taking place. But on 7-7-07, that number has more than tripled to approximately 38,000. That could possibly make today the most popular wedding day ever. It's been a windfall for wedding planners; others are bracing themselves.

Whether you'll be attending a wedding today, or just want to give the happy couple something that might bring a little extra luck, here are seven gifts which are recommended by Deborah Hopewell (Yahoo's Shopping Editor) that just might make the difference between a future in Seventh Heaven, or that other, not-so-lucky seven: the Seven-Year Itch.

For festive occasions, consider giving the happy couple a set of European-designed shot glasses with a die on two sides, both of which add up to seven, of course. And for connoisseurs of the vine, don't forget the dice wine charms.Make it Crystal Clear: Swarovski "Good Luck" magnets come in a set of four: a peridot crystal clover, a clear crystal horseshoe, a clear crystal heart and a red crystal ladybug.

A thriving Dracaena ("lucky bamboo") symbolizes good fortune in many Asian countries. A "Lucky 7 Bamboo" arrangement comes with two spiraling stalks - could they be entwined lovers? - and five straight stalks in a red-glazed container, tied together with a lucky gold band.

They say four-leaf clovers ensure wealth and good health for the lucky couple. Red Envelope has taken a real four-leaf clover, set it in clear resin and placed that in a brushed, polished nickel standing frame.

The newlyweds will be awash in good luck with a set of triple-milled soaps available in four-leaf clovers or horseshoes. You can also help them cook up memories of the special day for years to come when you give a cooking apron that proclaims "We Hit the Jackpot 777 On Our Wedding Day." Personalize it by adding the bride and groom's name.

Or you can light the way for the lucky couple with a set of 12 "Wishful Thinking" candles from Red Envelope. A dozen colored tins each hold a lightly scented ivory candle that contains a tiny treasure that reveals itself as it burns. The corresponding wishes include love, luck, wealth, health, wealth and success.

The best gifts, of course, are those that come straight from your heart. Hence, I would like to add my personal big up and best wishes to a very special couple, Philippa and Trimaine, who are tying the knot today in Los Angeles, California. May you two have the most wonderful wedding day ever and an even more splendiferous honeymoon in Hawaii. Peace and blessings always from your belizegial cuz :-)

With love from Belize

2007-07-02T06:34:00.000-07:00

A little humour to get you off on the right foot

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Four Worms and a lesson

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A minister decided that a visual demonstration would add emphasis to his Sunday sermon. Four worms were placed into four separate jars. The first worm was put into a container of alcohol. The second worm was put into a container of cigarette smoke. The third worm was put into a container of chocolate syrup. The fourth worm was put into a container of good clean soil. At the conclusion of the sermon, the Minister reported the following results:

The first worm in alcohol - Dead.

The second worm in cigarette smoke - Dead

Third worm in chocolate syrup - Dead

Fourth worm in good clean soil - Alive.

So the Minister asked the congregation -What can you learn from this demonstration? Maxine, who was sitting in the back, quickly raised her hand and said, "As long as you drink, smoke and eat chocolate, you won't have worms!"

That pretty much ended the service .

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Women Without Wine

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I was walking down the street when I was accosted by a particularly dirty and shabby-looking homeless woman who asked me for a couple of dollars for dinner. I took out my wallet, got out ten dollars and asked, "If I give you this money, will you buy some wine with it instead of dinner?" "No, I had to stop drinking years ago", the homeless woman said.

"Will you use it to go shopping instead of buying food?" I asked. No, I don't waste time shopping," the homeless woman said. "I need to spend all my time trying to stay alive."

"Will you spend this on a beauty salon instead of food?" I asked. "Are you NUTS!" replied the homeless woman. "I haven't had my hair done in 20 years!"

"Well," I said, "I'm not going to give you the money. Instead, I'm going to take you out for dinner with my husband and me tonight." The homeless Woman was shocked. "Won't your husband be furious with you for doing that? I know I'm dirty, and I probably smell pretty disgusting."

I said, "That's okay. It's important for him to see what a woman looks like after she has given up shopping, hair appointments and wine."

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The Atheist & The Shark

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There is this atheist swimming in the ocean. All of a sudden he sees this shark in the water, so he starts swimming towards his boat. As he looks back he sees the shark turn and head towards him. His boat is a ways off and he starts swimming like crazy. He's scared to death, and as he turns to see the jaws ofthe great white beast open revealing its teeth in a horrific splendor, the atheist screams, "Oh God! Save me!"

In an instant time is frozen and a bright light shines down from above. The man is motionless in the water when he hears the voice of God say, "You are an atheist. Why do you call upon me when you do not believe in me?" Aghast with confusion and knowing he can't lie, the man replies, "Well, that's true I don't believe in YOU, but how about the shark? Can you make the shark believe in you?"

The Lord replies, "As you wish," and the light is retracted back into the heavens and the man could feel the water begin to move once again. As the atheist looks back he can see the jaws of the shark start to close down on him, when all of sudden the shark stops and pulls back. Shocked, the man looks at the shark as the huge beast closes its eyes, bows its head and says,"Thank you, Lord, for this food which I am about to receive..."

Tainted Colgate toothpaste found in Belize

2007-06-25T18:22:00.000-07:00

Colgate Palmolive is the world's biggest toothpaste maker, and in Belize, Colgate is the most widely bought toothpaste. But now toxic Colgate clones have caused an international health scare and Belize is right in the middle of it. It's imitation Colgate, knock-offs, not the real thing, but it looks real and on the shelves at most stores in Belize, it's really cheap. But buyers beware, if the deal looks too good to be true; it could seriously harm you.

Dr. Ann Balderamos-Sinai, Dentist "This is of great concern to us and we want to caution both consumers as well as the store owners." And the caution is for tubes like this that say made in South Africa. Not only is it a fake, it's a dangerous one with a toxic chemical inside and the real danger is that at first bluish it looks like the real thing. In fact you probably can't even tell which of these is real and which is the copy. Well this one is real, the others are dangerous.

It looks completely original but it is labeled Colgate but it is not the original Colgate. The FDA has proven that it has the presence of this poisonous chemical, dietheylene glycol."And if you don't know what that is, you don't need to. It's the same chemical that's used in antifreeze and if you smell or taste this - you'll see why. Once you open the tube and you taste it, you will realize that there is something wrong with the toothpaste; definitely something wrong. It has a horrible horrible taste. Patients have called and complained. They were asking if the toothpaste can be spoilt or if it has an expiration date because it has a horrible horrible taste and smell." And more than just that offensive taste and smell, it can be deadly, especially for children.

Dr. Ann Balderamos-Sinai, "Adults, when you brush you normally rinse and then spit out the Colgate, spit out the toothpaste. You do ingest a tiny amount however children most often swallow the toothpaste and this dietheylene glycol, it is like I said a poisonous chemical, its used in anti-freeze, it was used in cough medicines in the States which were recalled last year because they cause hundreds of deaths in the United States and around the world. This causes, it is a depressant of the central nervous system, it is very toxic to the kidney and the liver, and if ingested may cause intestinal pain, respiratory arrest, paralysis, and even death. So this is very scary." So what should consumers do to avoid these dangerous tubes of fake Colgate?

Dr. Ann Balderamos-Sinai,"What I would say is don't buy the 100 millimeter tube of Colgate. If you do make sure it does not say South Africa or China on it. If you have it at home, please throw it out but most importantly I would even say squeeze the tube out in the garbage instead of just throwing out the tube because you might have kids who might tamper with the garbage and actually get a hold of it and ingest it."

But many shoppers aren't looking at where a product is made, they are looking at how much it costs and the truth is that imitations are priced for as much as $1.50 less than the real thing but this dental professional is urging consumers to resist that temptation.

"When it comes to products that you actually consume, including toothpaste, or ingest, please be careful and stick to the original brands. Don't gamble with the counterfeits, no matter how much a bargain they are. It isn't worth the health risks."

International advisories have also been issued about Colgate which says that it is made in China. NEW YORK (Reuters) - Colgate-Palmolive Co. said on Friday counterfeit toothpaste that may contain a toxic chemical posed a low health risk, and it was picking up suspected fakes labeled "Colgate" brand from discount stores in four U.S. states.

"It's a low health risk but the bottom line is, it doesn't belong in toothpaste," said Doug Arbesfeld, a spokesman for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration'. After analyzing some counterfeit samples, Colgate said it agreed with Arbesfeld's statement. The counterfeit toothpaste may contain the toxic chemical diethylene glycol, or DEG, and is labeled as being manufactured in South Africa. It comes in a 5-ounce (100 ml) tube, a size Colgate does not make or sell in the United States, the company said. The chemical is sometimes illegally used as an inexpensive sweetener and thickening agent. It is also found in solvents and antifreeze.

DEG-contaminated toothpaste has been seized in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Panama and Nicaragua. The sweet substance, sometimes used as a substitute for glycerin, was found in cough syrup in Panama that led to the deaths of at least 100 people last year. It was unclear where the fake Colgate toothpaste originated. Colgate said on Thursday it was working with the FDA to identify those responsible for the counterfeit products. The company said it does not use DEG in its toothpaste. Colgate shares closed down 22 cents at $66.63 on the New York Stock Exchange.

Belizegial's Health Tip

2007-06-23T03:55:00.000-07:00

7 Reasons to Drink Green Tea

The steady stream of good news about green tea is getting so hard to ignore that even java junkies are beginning to sip mugs of the deceptively delicate brew. You'd think the daily dose of disease-fighting, inflammation-squelching antioxidants - long linked with heart protection - would be enough incentive, but wait, there's more! Lots more.

CUT YOUR CANCER RISK - several polyphenols - the potent antioxidants green tea's famous for seem to help keep cancer cells from gaining a foothold in the body, by discouraging their growth and then squelching the creation of new blood vessels that tumors need to thrive. Study after study has found that people who regularly drink green tea reduce their risk of breast, stomach, esophagus, colon, and/or prostate cancer.

SOOTHE YOUR SKIN - Got a cut, scrape, or bite, and a little leftover green tea? Soak a cotton pad in it. The tea is a natural antiseptic that relieves itching and swelling. Try it on inflamed breakouts and blemishes, sunburns, even puffy eyelids. And that's not all. In the lab, green tea helps block sun-triggered skin cancer, whether you drink it or apply it directly to the skin - which is why you're seeing green tea in more and more sunscreens and moisturizers.

STEADY YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE - Having healthy blood pressure - meaning below 120/80 - is one thing. Keeping it that way is quite another. But people who sip just half a cup a day are almost 50 percent less likely to wind up with hypertension than non-drinkers. Credit goes to the polyphenols again (especially one known as ECGC). They help keep blood vessels from contracting and raising blood pressure.

PROTECT YOUR MEMORY, OR YOUR MOM'S - Green tea may also keep the brain from turning fuzzy. Getting-up-there adults who drink at least two cups a day are half as likely to develop cognitive problems as those who drink less. Why? It appears that the tea's big dose of antioxidants fights the free-radical damage to brain nerves seen in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

STAY YOUNG - The younger and healthier your arteries are, the younger and healthier you are. So fight plaque build-up in your blood vessels, which ups the risk of heart disease and stroke, adds years to your biological age (or RealAge), and saps your energy too. How much green tea does this vital job take? About 10 ounces a day, which also deters your body from absorbing artery-clogging fat and cholesterol.

LOSE WEIGHT - Oh yeah, one more thing. Turns out that green tea speeds up your body's calorie-burning process. In the every-little-bit-counts department, this is good news!

Now all this good news deserves a Saturday Smile

Looking ahead... Mexico's President to Visit

2007-06-19T23:08:00.000-07:00

And looking forward to next week, Belize will be the venue for a number of high level meetings leading up to a summit of leaders from Central America, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico. Those discussions will be held in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye with the summits of SICA and the Tuxtla group both taking place on June twenty-ninth. On the thirtieth, Mexican President Felipe Calderon will continue his stay with a one-day state visit, during which he will be conferred with the "Order of Belize" by the Prime Minister, Said Musa.

Can this be true?

2007-06-17T04:08:00.000-07:00

I found this article, excerpted below, in one of our local newspapers. Can this be true?

Children smuggled into the United Kingdom for sex abuse and slavery
Most victims become prostitutes or servants. Violence used to control and break in youngsters.
by Paul Lewis, Thursday June 12, 2007 The Guardian
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The trade in hundreds of children smuggled into the UK for sexual exploitation, drug smuggling, under-age marriage, street crime and domestic slavery was exposed last night in a government report. The Home Office-commissioned survey identifies 330 cases of suspected or confirmed victims of trafficking - most of them from China or from Africa - but warns of an unknown quantity that have not come, as yet, to the attention of the authorities.

Organized gangs, including some highly sophisticated criminal syndicates, are profiting from trafficking children as young as nine months old into the country. In the case of African victims, the traffickers have been identified as white British nationals. The report which was produced by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) centre reveals:

Concern over the safety of trafficked children placed in the care of local authorities. Over half of those in the study have gone missing, amid fears that some have returned to their captors;
Most of the victims are girls and most likely to enter the country through airports to supply the underground sex trade or to work as domestic servants;
With controls tightening at Heathrow, Gatwick and Dover, traffickers are choosing smaller entry points such as Prestwick, Belfast, Doncaster, Stansted, Hull and Gravesend;
Physical and sexual violence is often used to control and break in the victims, with children gang raped, beaten and burned with cigarettes;
Albanian, Chinese and Vietnamese trafficking gangs are the most organized and are linked to criminal networks involved in drug production, identity fraud, money laundering and the sex trade.

The report coincided with the publication of CEOP's first annual review. Several government agencies in hot spot areas - large cities or ports and airports - failed to supply data about trafficked children in their area and the report admits the figures are heavily under represented. The Home Office Minister, Vernon Coker, said: "We're determined to find out the nature and scale of the problem. We're not going to shy away from this report - we'll learn from it and take it forward."

While most of the cases identified concern children aged between 14 and 17, there are fears that the illicit import of much younger children is going undetected. As well as a 9-month old baby, the report documents the cases of a 3-year old, two 4-year olds and eight children aged between 5 and 12, some of whom could have been brought in by adults masquerading as their parents. The report finds that victims have often lived destitute lives in their countries of origin, particularly those from Africa smuggled into Britain to work as domestic slaves or in the underground sex trade. These children describe their previous life in terms of war, abject and relative poverty, years of physical and sexual abuse, miscarried abortions, prison, witnessing murders, neglect and a desire to escape. Some of the girls believed they were being rescued from their destitution and still refer to their captors who brought them into the UK as their 'rescuers'.

Eastern European trafficking victims - particularly girls - are seen as easier to smuggle than other nationalities because their EU passports are not checked as thoroughly.

The report recommends developing a national intelligence picture of the nature and scale of trafficking in the UK. It advocates the establishment of a dedicated unit for gathering information on the problem as a matter of priority; and, the use of biometric data to help track children.

Disappearance of Madeleine McCann - web appeal for information

2007-06-10T19:36:00.000-07:00

Jerry and Kate McCann have released the last photograph of their daughter before her abduction in the Algarve three weeks ago. The picture is of Madeleine sitting by the swimming pool on the day she was snatched from her bed. Kate took the photo of Madeleine at 2.29pm on May 3 - Mrs McCann's camera clock is one hour out so the display reads 1.29pm. Less than eight hours later, before 10pm that night, Madeleine disappeared. Mr and Mrs McCann, backed by an army of friends and family, remain convinced that four year old Madeleine is alive and are praying, along with people around the world, for her safe return.

This appeal notice is being distributed at the request of the Child Exploitation and online protection (CEOP) Centre and the Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT) at the request of the Portuguese Authorities.

-- Press Release--

Portuguese police have extended a web based plea for information following the disapperance of Madeleine McCann. The appeal is cited at www.ceop.gov.uk and www.virtualglobaltaskforce.com It appears in English, Portuguese and Spanish and urges people to come forward with any information that could help police find the missing youngster. It is hoped that the move will help extend the reach of the appeal to as many people as possible, including holiday goers who may have recently returned from Portugal or be intending to visit. Any information should be passed directly to the Portuguese police on 00 351 282 405 400

To everyone reading this blog today, please pass along this web appeal for information to all of your contacts. Many thanks and much peace and blessings to all you of you today and always.

Every day is a gift from God - A tribute to Gabriel Garcia Marquez

2007-06-03T00:30:00.001-07:00

If we can keep in mind, that every day is a gift from God, then we can really begin to appreciate each moment of each day. "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice, and be glad in it."

Excerpted below is an article written by Frank Bajak in Cartagena in tribute to Nobel prize winner, Garcia Marquez:

Hailed by a crowd of more than a thousand who gave a standing ovation, Latin America's most famous living writer, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, clasped his hands above his head like a prize fighter as he entered the auditorium in the Colombian port town of Cartagena. During a special tribute at the International Congress of Spanish language on Monday, the Nobel prize winning writer, who turned 80 years this month, recounted how his wife Mercedes had to hock her jewels to pay the rent and put food on the table for their two boys during the 18 months it took him him to write what many consider the greatest novel in Spanish since Don Quixote - One Hundred Years of Solitude.

"To think that a million people would read something written in the solitude of my room with 28 letters of the alphabet and two fingers as my sole arsenal seems insane," Garcia Marquez said, recalling that the novel's readers have now surpassed 50 million.

Attending the tribute, along with scores of writers, journalists, academics and Latin American presidents, were King Juan Carlos of Spain and former US president, Bill Clinton. "I believe he's the most important writer of fiction in any language since William Faulkner died," said Mr. Clinton, who recalled reading One Hundred Years when he was in law school and not being able to put it down even during classes.

Marquez revealed that when his master work was finished in August 1967 and he and his wife went to the post office to send it to his editor in Buenos Aires, they had only 53 pesos. It cost 82 pesos to send the parcel, so they sent only half of the manuscript. "Afterwards, we realized that we had sent not the first but the second part," he said. Luckily, the editor was so eager to read the first half, he forwarded to them the money so that they could send the rest. The rest, as they say, is history.

Snippet

2007-04-27T14:09:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

I am on blog hiatus. However, I have not forgotten anyone and I will be back soon. Here is something for you to ponder in the meanwhile.

Mark Twain once said "The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like and do what you'd druther not."

So let's talk about this for a moment, shall we?

Global Warming will end Some Species

2007-04-01T07:16:00.000-07:00

From the micro to the macro, from plankton in the oceans to polar bears in the far north and seals in the far south, global warming has begun changing life on Earth, international scientists will report next Friday.
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"Changes in climate are now affecting physical and biological systems on every continent," says a draft obtained by The Associated Press of a report on warming's impacts, to be issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the authoritative U.N. network of 2,000 scientists and more than 100 governments. In February the panel declared it "very likely" most global warming has been caused by manmade emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Animal and plant life in the Arctic and Antarctic is undergoing substantial change, scientists say. Rising sea levels elsewhere are damaging coastal wetlands. Warmer waters are bleaching and killing coral reefs, pushing marine species toward the poles, reducing fish populations in African lakes, research finds.

"Hundreds of species have already changed their ranges, and ecosystems are being disrupted," said University of Michigan ecologist Rosina Bierbaum, former head of the U.S. IPCC delegation. "It is clear that a number of species are going to be lost." The IPCC draft estimates that if temperatures rise approximately 2 to 4 degrees Fahrenheit more, one-third of species will be lost from their current range, either moved elsewhere or vanished.

From Associated Press bureaus around the world, here are identified animals and plants the IPCC will note are already affected by climate change:
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The frogs went silent in the night
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Back in the Puerto Rican rain forest for the first time in five years, biologist Rafael Joglar sensed something was wrong. He wasn't hearing the frogs whose nocturnal calls he had long recorded in the misty highlands.
It was as if a small orchestra had lost key players, he recalled.
After that discovery in 1981, Joglar and wife Patricia Burrowes, a fellow University of Puerto Rico amphibian specialist, found that other populations of frogs in the genus Eleutherodactylus — known locally as coquis for the distinctive co-kee sound made by two species — were also mysteriously absent. Similar reports trickled in from frog specialists worldwide, particularly in Central and South America.

Working their way through such suspected culprits as pollution and habitat loss, researchers here eventually zeroed in on climate change. The average minimum temperature had risen from 1970 to 2000 by 2 degrees Fahrenheit, a significant rise for climate-sensitive amphibians.
Scientists believe higher temperatures lead to more dry periods and a chain reaction, at higher elevations, that leaves the frogs vulnerable to a devastating fungus, Burrowes said.
In Puerto Rico and nearby islands, experts believe three of 17 known Eleutherodactylus species are extinct and seven or eight are declining. Loss of the frogs, scientists warn, could have disastrous consequences, depriving birds and other predators of a food source, eliminating a consumer of insects and disrupting the ecosystem in ways impossible to guess.
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Fragile, sensitive coral sounds the alarm
SYDNEY, Australia (AP) — The rainbow world of the Great Barrier Reef may fade away.
Scientists say rising sea temperatures worldwide are causing more coral bleaching — the draining of color when the fragile animals that form reefs become stressed and spew out the algae that give coral its color and energy to build massive reef structures. Oceans are also absorbing more carbon dioxide, increasing their acidity and eroding coral's ability to build reef skeletons.

Because just a 2-degree-Fahrenheit shift can trigger a major bleaching event, the behavior of corals is an early sign that global warming is already changing our world, experts say.
"We've got about 20 years to turn (greenhouse gas emissions) around or it's going to cost the world a lot environmentally but also economically," said Terry Hughes, a leading Australian coral specialist. The 1,250-mile-long Great Barrier Reef, off Australia's northeast coast, produces $4 billion a year in tourism revenues. Forecasts vary, but many experts say ocean temperature rises projected for the next 50 years could strip this natural wonder of most of its color. The changes will affect countless millions of fish and other marine organisms that depend on the reef. Many reefs worldwide will fare worse, since they don't have the protection against pollution and overfishing provided by the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
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Ticks move north, carrying diseases with them
STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) — A bloodthirsty parasite is popping up in parts of Sweden where deep winter chills used to make survival difficult, if not impossible.
Ticks are spreading north along the Scandinavian country's shorelines, pestering pets and spreading infectious diseases to humans.
"It probably has to do with the greenhouse effect," said Thomas Jaenson, professor in medical entomology at Uppsala University. "The fact that we've seen ticks in January indicates that there has been a major change."
Swedish studies have shown that ticks have multiplied countrywide in recent decades, spreading north from traditional breeding grounds in the Stockholm archipelago. The pinhead-sized arachnids have even turned up near the Arctic Circle.
"There are more of them now. And they show up earlier in the year," said Marja Lodin, 69, who has a summer house near the northern city of Umea. Two years ago she was infected with Lyme disease, which causes fever, headache, fatigue and skin rash, from a tick lodged in her navel.
Sweden's disease control agency doesn't keep records on Lyme disease, but said the potentially deadly tick-borne encephalitis virus, known as TBE, is on the rise. Reported annual cases more than doubled from 60 in the late 1990s to 131 in the 2001-2005 period. In 2006, there were 155 cases, two of which turned fatal. "It is possible that these people would be alive if we had had a more stable climate," Jaenson said.
___
White giants face future of too much water, too little ice
TORONTO (AP) — Inuit hunters in Canada's Arctic say they have seen polar bears moving farther north as the polar ice cap recedes, or farther south in search of new sources of food.
The northern people who have hunted these majestic marine mammals for thousands of years say they haven't seen a dramatic decline yet in their numbers. But scientists worry that the polar bear will be pushed steadily toward extinction by 2050, to be found only in zoos, as Arctic waters grow warmer. The bears depend on sea ice for survival. They have their pups and they hunt seal and walrus on ice floes. But the summer ice cap is about 20 percent smaller today than in 1978, the U.N. climate panel reported in February. And as sea ice shrinks, bears are forced to hunt and to fast for longer periods.

Biologists believe 20,000 to 25,000 polar bears roam the frozen Arctic, about 60 percent in Canada. The research group Polar Bears International says one polar bear population, in Canada's western Hudson Bay, has dropped 22 percent since the 1980s, about the time Inuit hunters started noticing dramatic changes in wind and weather patterns. The trends are so troubling that the U.S. government has proposed listing polar bears as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
___
Changing climate, vanishing plankton threaten cod
LONDON (AP) — Overfishing has cut deeply into the North Sea's cod population in recent decades, and scientists now say this important food fish faces a second challenge — climate change. North Sea water temperatures have climbed 1 degree Fahrenheit over the past 100 years, and that has shifted currents, carrying a major food source, plankton, away from the cod, said scientist Chris Reid of the Partnership for Observation of the Global Oceans in Plymouth, England.

"The only way that these increases can be explained is by greenhouse gas emissions," Reid said. In their larval stage, the cod feed on the minute plants and animals known as plankton. Chances of survival without them are slim. North Sea cod that do survive today are smaller and less successful at mating and reproducing, Reid explained. In addition, warmer temperatures increase cod metabolism and the larvae's need for nutrition, he and other marine scientists noted in a 2003 research paper.

Because the European Union's 2003 cod recovery plan isn't working, scientists and fishing industry representatives met March 9-10 to discuss new ways to counter the threats and help the cod.
___
The dimb's demise tells of African climate change

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — It's getting harder for villagers in the north of this dry West African country to find a favored ingredient for a traditional couscous dish — the fruit of the dimb tree.
The once-prevalent tree with its meaty fruit has disappeared from all but one village in an area the size of Connecticut, as shifting rainfall patterns have made northern Senegal drier and hotter, research has found.

Many tree species like the dimb are retreating from the Sahel, the arid region south of the Sahara Desert, losing ground to more arid species. In the zone that climate change scientist Patrick Gonzalez studied, the dimb's range decreased 96 percent between 1945 and 1994 — from 27 villages to one.

Gonzalez said he looked at many factors, including population shifts and tree cutting, but "precipitation and temperature explained most of the variance in the data."

The greenhouse effect has warmed the southern Atlantic Ocean, source of the African monsoon, causing more rain to fall over the sea and less over the Sahel, said the Nature Conservancy's Gonzalez, who did the research while with the U.S. Geological Survey.

Fig and firewood species also are dying, forcing women gatherers to range farther and spend more time hunting firewood. "Once you don't have that, people start burning cow dung. And that's when environmentally the area is in great trouble," Gonzalez said.
___

By The Associated Press Sat Mar 31, 6:34 PM ET

___
This report was written by AP correspondents Charles J. Hanley, New York; Ben Fox, San Juan; Rohan Sullivan, Sydney; Karl Ritter, Stockholm; Beth Duff-Brown, Toronto; Courtney French, London; and Heidi Vogt, Dakar.

There is still time

2007-03-04T19:37:00.000-08:00

The most comprehensive review ever carried out in the United Kingdom on the economics of climate change was published in the latter half of 2006. The Stern Review, which reported to Britain's Prime Minister and Chancellor, was commissioned by the Chancellor in July last year. It was carried out by Sir Nicholas Stern, Head of the Government Economic Service and former World Bank Chief Economist.

Sir Nicholas said recently:

“The conclusion of the Review is essentially optimistic. There is still time to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, if we act now and act internationally. Governments, businesses and individuals all need to work together to respond to the challenge. Strong, deliberate policy choices by governments are essential to motivate change. But the task is urgent. Delaying action, even by a decade or two, will take us into dangerous territory. We must not let this window of opportunity close.”

Herein below is part three (final reproduced portion) of the article written by Kevin Eddy (assistant Editor of the Chartered Secretary ICSA magazine January 2007-- Apocalypse now-ish (Part Three)

Theory into practice - So, what does all this mean in practice? Tony Hoskins, chief executive of the consultancy firm The Virtuous Circle - which specialises in advising companies on corporate social responsibility issues - thinks that many organisations will need to think of it as a culture change process to achieve the desired results. The Stern Review will have a significant effect on companies' approach to corporate social responsibility because the actions needed to achieve change will affect all areas of business. Companies will need to consider plans over and above energy offsets and energy efficiency improvements if the scenarious potrayed in the Stern Review are to be avoided. It will give certain arguments a different emphasis - the current discussions about supply chains, for example, as we've seen with the shipping of langoustines to Asia for them to be cleaned and returned to the United Kingdom. Companies will need to consider the carbon emissions related to having such long supply chains and decide whether or not a more local sourcing policy may be more appropriate. On a wider scale, over time firms will have to look at the products and services they provide to see how they can improve their environmental emissions impact.

The starting point for employers regarding their carbon emissions involves encouraging employees to change the way they have traditionally done things. That means looking beyond the obvious requirement to turn off the lights when the office is empty, to other aspects of their behavior such as whether they drive into work. Regulation wise, some form of carbon taxing is inevitable. Hopefully, whatever is introduced will be simple for business. Green taxes will be easier to implement, while emissions trading would be quite onerous.

The second obvious effect for companies, though, comes from the increased amount of information that listed companies will have to produce in their business review under the new companies act. To date, few companies have started to report on emissions as a part of their Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), unless they are big energy users like glass manufacturers. But when the government starts a form of carbon taxing, more companies will feature emission performance as one of their KPIs.

Some companies are acting already - banks like HSBC and investment companies like Man Group have issued clear policies stating how they intend to address the climate change agenda. Organisations like the Carbon Trust are providing support to companies to identify ways in which they can effect change in a cost effective way. Ultimately, the one action that every business should take is to understand what its carbon impact is and then consider in what ways this can be improved upon. If this process improves their performance, then better corporate social responsibility across the board will be a welcome by-product.

An effective response to climate change will not be the responsibility of one or two nations alone. Agreements like the Kyoto Protocol and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change should act as a foundation for further cooperation, with the aim of creating an international approach based on multi-lateral frameworks and coordinated action.

It's a tall order, especially as their has already been criticism that, since climate change is a phenomenon largely caused by the industrialisation of the West, it is an issue that the West should sort out. Even so, developing countries are already taking action to ensure their economic growth is not accompanied by a corresponding growth in emissions. China, for example, has introduced domestic targets to reduce energy used per unit of GDP by 20% by 2010; and, India has its own Integrated Energy Policy, intended to expand access to cleaner energy and increase energy efficiency. It's a promising move and if the rest of the world can follow suit, the ambitious aims of the Review may well be within reach. Even so, it's likely to be a long hard road ahead for us all.

79th Annual Academy Awards (Gone Green)

2007-02-25T20:32:00.000-08:00

In the eloquent words of Academy Award winner, Melissa Etheridge - "......Caring about our earth is not political. It is not about being Republican or Democrat. It is not red or blue. It is green and we should all care". Very apropos and very true! The Biggest Show of the Year - The Academy Awards - has officially gone green.

Reproduced below is part two of the article written by Kevin Eddy (assistant Editor of the Chartered Secretary ICSA magazine January 2007-- Apocalypse now-ish (Part Two)

Taking Action

That outcome is not inevitable, however; disaster can be averted. The Stern Review predicts that the cost of taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will be far lower than the cost of dealing with its effects but only if action is taken now.

Stern estimates that greenhouse gas concentrations can be stablilised between 500 and 550 ppm by 2050 at a cost of one percent (1%) of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This cost could even be reduced further if there are major gains in efficiency or if the strong co-benefits such as reduced air pollution are measured. However, Stern emphasises that the measures must be taken in the next 10 to 20 years to achieve that result. Delay in taking action will result in accepting more climate change and higher mitigation costs and would put achieving even the risky stabilisation target of 550 ppm beyond reach.

In order to reach the stabilisation figure, global emissions would need to peak in the next 10 to 20 years, then reduce by between 1 and 3 percent per year, ultimately falling to about three quarters of current emissions. However, cuts in emission levels will need to be made in the context of a world economy projected to be 3 or 4 times larger than today's. So the actual figure per unit of GDP would need to be just 25 percent of current levels by 2050. We will need to emit only a quarter of what we currently do. The review identifies three key policies essential to achieving this target: carbon pricing, investment in low-carbon, high-efficiency technology; and the removal of barriers to behavioural change.

Carbon Pricing

Carbon pricing of some form is an 'essential foundation' for climate change policy. Putting an appropriate price on carbon - explicitly through tax or trading or implicitly through regulation means that people are faced with the full social cost of their actions. This will lead individuals and businesses to switch away from high-carbon goods and services and to invest in low-carbon alternatives.

While the Stern Review suggests that the particular balance of tax, trading and regulation will depend on individual national circumstances, it recommends that a common global carbon price would be advantageous. It adds that trading schemes such as the European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) are an especially effective way to equalise carbon prices and cut emissions.

The idea of an international price for carbon has met with support from at least one quarter - the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). CBI's director general, Richard Lambert, spoke at that organisation's Conference in November 2006: "We would rather see a price for carbon set through an international trading system than a finance minister try to prescribe the price."

Technology

Investment in the full spectrum of technology policy is equally essential in achieving the deep cuts in emissions which are needed - from research and develpment to demonstration and early-stage deployment. Stern argues that, while the private sector plays the major role in this process and that carbon pricing will already provide an incentive to look for low-carbon alternatives, governments will also need to collaborate closer with industry to stimulate development further. This, the report suggests, should be done by doubling, worldwide, public spending on research and development and increasing incentives to promote innovation - which currently stands at $34 billion worldwide - by between two to five times.

Removal of Barriers

The final essential aspect is the removal of barriers to behavioural change. Even where measures to reduce emissions are cost effective, factors such as a lack of reliable information, transaction cost and organisational inertia may act to prevent action. Regulatory measures can play a powerful role in providing clarity and certainty as well as sharing best practices. Most crucial, though, is the need to foster a shared understanding of the nature of climate change and its consequences. Stern argues that governments need to catalyse action by creating public and international debate backed up with evidence. A programme of education aimed at school children will be crucial to sustaining future policy in the long term.

It's those long term effects that the above measures are intended to address. Their effects may not be felt for decades hence, so interim adaptation policies will also need to be put in place to deal with the impact of climate change in the intervening years. While some adaptation will take place autonomously due to markets reacting to the effects of climate change, Stern recommends that governments should put in place policies to assist adaptation in the medium term. These could include: providing better regional climate predictions; introducing infrastructure and building planning standards which take account of likely effects; the protection of coastlines and other natural resources; increased preparation for emergencies; and, the provision of a financial safety net for the pooerest in our society.

The final (part three) of the Stern Report on the Economics of Climate Change will be aired here next week. Have a splendiferous week and congratulations to all the 79th Academy Award winners. Y'all rock!!!

I'm For and Against Nothing

2007-02-17T20:29:00.000-08:00

My title above - " I'm For and Against Nothing"-a famous quote I heard somewhere, sort of describes what is not happening down here in the tropics. Instead, the air is rife with civil strife and we may soon be facing difficulties with our internet host server as the union workers at the telephone company have given their employers 21 days notice of strike action. What this means is that I may not be able to log on to blogger in a short while. I will miss communicating with you via this medium. So for now, I am taking the opportunity to reproduce below an article from the ICSA's Chartered Secretary magazine issue of January 2007 which is both startling, enlightening and applicable to all of us--

Apocalypse now-ish (Part One) written by Kevin Eddy (assistant Editor)

Imagine an earth much like our own, but different in fundamental ways. Across the planet, human settlements are battered by a combination of storms, droughts, soaring temperatures and flooding; long-distance travel becomes a risky (even luxury) business; famine is on the rise as crops increasingly fail; energy costs are so high, entire communities sustain themselves on only the most basic supplies of electricity; economies are nosediving as spiraling insurance costs and rising sea levels threaten major financial centres like London and New York; and once familiar species of animal and plant life go the way of the dodo. Just a little bit too sci-fi to be credible? Well, perhaps, but these are just some of the possible outcomes scientists are predicting we may see as a result of climate change.

For awhile, climate change was one of those issues which everyone knew about and most people had an opinion on, but which never seemed to catch the imagination of governments and regulators. Over the last 12 to 18 months, though, things have started to change. Weather patterns and increasing average temperatures have supported theories of global warming. Television pictures of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina have brought home once again the economic hardship caused by extreme weather; and, even the British newspaper The Sun has been running features on how to 'go green'. At the end of October 2006, the publication of a new report took the debate on climate change to a new level. The final report from the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change is widely acknowledged as being the most comprehensive review ever carried out on the economics of climate change. The Review is the work of a team led by leading economist Sir Nicholas Stern on behalf of HM Treasury.

It delivers a damning indictment. Climate change is 'the greatest and widest-ranging market failure ever seen'. If left unchecked, its effects could 'create risks of major disruption to economic and social activity later in this century and into the next, on a scale similar to those associated with the great wars and economic depression of the first half of the 20th century. And 'it will be difficult or impossible to reverse these changes'.

Terrifying - The 700-page report arrives at its conclusions via a frankly terrifying series of deductions. It estimates that, at present, the stock of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is around 430 parts per million (ppm), which compares with a level of 280 ppm before the industrial revolution. Even if the annual flow of emissions remain at today's level, the stock will increase to 550 ppm by 2050, which will almost certainly lead to an increase in global average temperatures of 2 degrees centigrade. This could result in lower crop yields, irreversible melting of ice sheets and concurrent increases in sea level; and, increasing incidences of extreme weather conditions such as storms, heat waves and flooding.

The damage from that cannot be underestimated. One study projects that even a small increase in hurricane intensity could lead to a doubling of damage costs in the US - a prediction already foreshadowed by the destruction wreaked by Hurricane Katrina in the Mississippi region last year. To repeat, that prediction assumes that emissions will stay at their current levels. Emissions, though, are not static. The rapid growth of emerging markets, along with increasing demand for energy and transport worldwide, means that levels are rising and the 550 ppm benchmark could be reached within 30 years. If that trend continues, greenhouse gas levels could treble by the end of the century - resulting in a 50% risk that global temperatures will rise by as much as five degrees centigrade.

The effects of a rise of that sort cannot be accurately predicted, but projections suggest that it would lead to abrupt, large-scale shifts in the climate system. The Gulf Stream would be disrupted and the West Antartic ice sheets would collapse. The result would be species extinction on a massive scale and sea level rises which would threaten major world cities including London, New York, Tokyo and Hong Kong. The change in global temperature would be equivalent to that between the last Ice Age and today. The Stern Review indicates that the total cost of the effects of climate changes over the next two centuries could be 5% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, if direct impacts on the environment and human health, possible environmental feedback loops and weighting of the potential impact between developed and developing regions are taken into account, this figure rises to around 20% of GDP. In other words, if we continue down our current path, we are headed for ecological and economic disaster.

Next week, conditions permitting, I will be providing part two of the Stern Review. A must read as far as I'm concerned. The time is late and I will sign off for now. Take care y'all, stay positive and think of ways in which you can assist in making the environment more healthier in your community.

Love Is a Four Letter Word

2007-02-11T20:35:00.000-08:00

Love is a Four Letter Word - the Hallmark original movie I watched at home this weekend. This movie is based on a chance meeting and a case of sparks flying between divorce lawyers Emily (actress Teri Polo) and Kenton (actor Robert Mailhouse) at a mutal friend's wedding. View Clip

The day after the wedding, the two attorneys lock horns in court in defense of their respective clients who are a 40-year long married couple. Despite the conflict of interest and/or in spite of themselves, their courtship heats up outside the courtroom and eventually almost lands them in hot water with their presiding judge and their clients. When love eventually conquers all for these two, it is a case of hope winning out over cynicism and experience. After all, they both make their living helping to end marriages. A recommended must-see for this valentine week for all you romantics out there :)

Belizegial's Health Tip -- How Much Calcium do we really need? Calcium should always be taken with Vitamin D because vitamin D is necessary for the body to absorb calcium. The recommended daily calcium intake is dependent on your age or life stage.

1 to 3 years - 500 mg/day
4 to 8 years - 800 mg/day
9 to 18 years - 1,300 mg/day
19 to 50 years - 1,000 mg/day
Older than 50 years - 1,200 mg/day

Pregnant or nursing women need the same as other women their age. Most people do not get enough calcium through diet alone. You need to eat three to four servings per day of foods high in calcium to get the recommended daily amount. For sure, I will start to follow a calcium regimen in 2007 as part of my overall health improvement plan. Hope the same goes for all of you. Take care and have a successful week ahead.

February, the season for loving and giving

2007-02-04T19:40:00.000-08:00

What better way to kick off February than with several blog fests?!

Five Minutes for Mom is hosting The Ultimate Blog Party!! This will be the place to be. Get your blog noticed, win prizes, hang out with your friends and meet some new ones. Everyone is invited, regardless of parental status, gender, religious affiliations, etc. This party is about having fun with friends and meeting new people. For more details, click on the link in my sidebar.

Jules at Everyday Mommy is sponsoring the Hidden Treasure Blog Awards. The purpose of these awards are to bring notice to some of those worthy bloggers that may not get the recognition they deserve. Here's a snippet from Jules' description: The idea is simple; to recognize blog authors of excellence, with deserving posts which may go unnoticed.

This is your chance to get those worthwhile mommy blogs out there, the proper recognition that they deserve. I can think of quite a few of them myself. The categories are: Children & Family, Faith, Marriage, Motherhood, Homemaking, Humor, Current Events and Life. No profanity, questionable or offensive material is permitted. Keep a list of the hidden treasures you find for submission. Nominations will open on February 1, 2007. Everyone may nominate a single post in each category. The three posts with the most nominations will advance to voting. So, if you find a great post feel free to pass the word. Nominations will close on February 7, 2007. You can read all the details by clicking on the link provided above. Hope that everyone has a great week ahead!

Tough Times Never Last!

2007-01-27T01:49:00.000-08:00

Good morning !!!

It's a rainy Saturday morning and I am planning to have some coffee to get things going on the right foot.

The Good Things about Saturday mornings = Kids sleeping in, no school. Mom able to blog visit, no work today :)

This morning when God opened a window to Heaven, He saw me and asked: "My child, what is your greatest wish for today?" I responded: "Please, take care of the person who is reading this post, their family and friends."

The love of God is like the ocean. You can see its beginning but not its end. Angels exist. However, since they don't all have wings, we call them friends.
Be safe and God Bless.

There is A Song Inside Each Heart That Never Stops Singing

2007-01-14T21:25:00.000-08:00

I finally made the switch from the old blogger to the new blogger. It was getting difficult to upload photos on the old blogger server which finally led me into making the switch.

For those of you who have not switched over as yet, you will find it difficult to leave a comment at my blog unless you have a google account. The other option you have is for you to go into the old blogger and open your dashboard. Leave the dashboard open while you post and publish your comment.

That being said, I have been keeping quite busy in the first two weeks of the new year. At the workplace, new employees and new challenges = a new opportunity to make a significant difference with the human resources which manage our country's health system. At home, we are recovering from the seasonal festivities and the school year has started off intensively with lots of homework and new school projects.

Altogether said, 2007 looks to be a year filled with busy times ahead. It is also the year I make a determined effort to get back into the gym. Wish me luck with that one!!

Here is a beautifully stated thought for this week--

"As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for things an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing too fast and you'll eventually lose someone you love. So take too many pictures, laugh too much and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin."

Hope, like Love, Transcends All Time

2007-01-06T20:34:00.002-08:00

1. Wake up and decide to have a good day. "Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms 118:24

2. Dress up. The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. The Lord looks at your heart." Samuel 16:7

3. Shut up and say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking. "He who guards his lips, guards his soul." Proverbs 13:3

4. Stand up for what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything.. "Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good..." Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look up to the Lord. "I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

6. Reach up for something higher. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5-6

7. Lift up your heart, voice and mind in prayer. "Do not worry about anything; instead pray about everything" Philippians 4:6

Remember that God answers Knee-Mail

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The Secret

One day, one friend asked another, "How is it that you are always so happy? You have so much energy and you never seem to get down." To which she replied, "I'll tell you all about it, but you have to promise to share the Secret with others." "The Secret is this: I have learned that there is little I can do in my life that will make me truly happy. I must depend on God to make me happy and to meet my needs. When a need arises in my life, I have to trust God to supply according to His riches. I have learned that most of the time I don't need half of what I think I do. He has never let me down. Since I've learned that 'Secret', I am happy." The questioner's first thought was, "That's too simple!" But upon reflecting over her own life she recalled how she thought a bigger house would make her happy, but it didn't! She thought a better paying job would make her happy, but it hadn't. When did she realize her greatest happiness? Sitting on the floor with her children, playing games, eating pizza or reading a story. A simple gift from God. Now you know it too! We can't depend on people to make us happy. Only God in His infinite wisdom can do that. Trust in Him! Now, you know the Secret ... that God in His wisdom will take care of you too! You just have to believe it and really trust God!

Fireflies

2006-12-30T09:47:00.000-08:00

Before you met me, I was a fairy princess

I caught frogs and called them prince

And made myself a queen

Before you knew me I'd traveled 'round the world

I slept in castles

And fell in love

Because I was taught to dream

I found mayonnaise bottles and poked holes on top

To capture Tinker Bell

And they were just fireflies to the untrained eye

But I could always tell

I believe in fairy tales

And dreamer's dreams

Like bedsheet sails

And I believe in Peter Pan and miracles,

Anything I can to get by

And fireflies

Before I grew up, I saw you on a cloud

I could bless myself in your name

And pat you on your wings

And before I grew up, I heard you whisper so loud

Life is hard and so is love child,

Believe in all these things

I found mayonnaise bottles and poked holes on top

To capture Tinker Bell

And they were just fireflies to the untrained eye

But I could always tell

I believe in fairy tales

And dreamer's dreams

Like bedsheet sails

And I believe in Peter Pan

And miracles, anything I can to get by . . .

And fireflies

. . .Fireflies

Before you met me, I was a fairy princess

I caught frogs and called them prince

And made myself a queen

And before you knew me I'd traveled 'round the world

And I slept in castles

And fell in love

Because I was taught to dream

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Artist/Band: Faith Hill

Lyrics for Song: Fireflies

Lyrics for Album: Fireflies

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy New Year to all my blog friends!

Champagne Wishes and Caviar Dreams

May all your dreams come true in 2007 and all the best in

health, wealth and success in whatever you do.

Enid

12/31/06

8:17 PM

The Letter that Never Came

2006-12-28T03:22:00.000-08:00

I've mostly been hanging out with my family over the past couple of days. Our favorite home movie to watch at the moment is A Series of Unfortunate Events. This movie is centered around the lives of the three Baudelaire children who become orphaned at the very beginning and features Jim Carrey in the lead villanous role as Count Olaf. The Baudelaire chilren undergo a series of unfortunate events with only each other to hold onto. My favorite scene comes at the very end when they receive a letter (via snail mail) from their parents who have already perished in a fire.

*******************************************************

Dearest Children,

Since we have been abroad we have missed you all so much. Certain events have compelled us to extend our travels. One day, where you're older, you will learn all about the people we've befriended, and the dangers we have faced.

At times the world can seem an unfriendly and sinister place, but believe us when we say there is much more good in it than bad. All you have to do is look hard enough. And what might seem to be a series of unfortunate events, may, in-fact, be the first steps of a journey.

We hope to have you back in our arms soon darlings, but in case this letter arrives before our return, know that we love you. It fills us with pride to know that no matter what happens in this life, that you three will take care of each other with kindness, and bravery, and selflessness as you always have.

And remember one thing my darlings and never forget it - that no matter where we are, know that as long as you have each other, you have your family, and you are home.

Your loving parents.

*********************************************

This scene is guaranteed to tug at your heart as the words hold such meaning and truth, not only for the three children, but indeed for all of us. In this coming year, I hope that each and everyone of your homes are filled with unity, love and hope and that families will stand together as one to face the events occurring daily.

A Time for Renewal and Rebirth

2006-12-10T22:20:00.000-08:00

A time for reflection on the events that have transpired during 2006. For me, personally, it has been a year of ups and downs. More ups than downs. Certainly, I am in a good position when it comes to my own self validation and self worth. The downs have been triggered mostly by external factors, most of which are beyond my own control.

One only has to watch the news both locally and internationally, to know that we are a nation; nay, indeed, a world under siege. Life, as we know it, has been changed and our sense of peace and well-being has undergone a sowmehat rapid transformation.

For Christians the world over, Christmas is symbolized by the birth of the Baby Jesus. It is a time for renewed hope and rebirth. Some of the best experiences which occurred personally for me during this past year came about as the result of reaching out and helping others.

I have read many great blogs during this past year and become familiar with the many wonderful writers behind them. One great comment that I came across recently said..... "As long as you are wallowing in your own misery, you are living in a state of self-centredness. The antidote to any situation is to reach out and live in the spirit of service to your fellow human being. Focus on giving to others, and that hole in your soul will disappear. Live a life in faith - whatever faith you can muster - and you'll not be too affected by the world. Wear the world, in victory and defeat, like a loose garment."

St. Francis of Assisi wrote this wonderfully meaningful prayer which reads:

Lord, make me a channel of thy peace;
that where there is hatred, I may bring love;
that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness;
that where there is discord, I may bring harmony;
that where there is error, I may bring truth;
that where there is doubt, I may bring faith;
that where there is despair, I may bring hope;
that where there are shadows, I may bring light;
that where there is sadness, I may bring joy.

Lord, grant that I may seek to comfort rather than to be comforted;
to understand, than to be understood;
to love, than to be loved.
For it is by self-forgetting that one finds oneself.
It is by forgiving, that one is forgiven.
It is by dying that one awakens to eternal life.
Amen.

It's Time to Rock with Rock 'n Roll Legend, RICK SPRINGFIELD

2006-12-02T15:31:00.000-08:00

Sahara Aldridge with Rick Springfield

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"I have known 'Little Miss S' since she was 5 and she is a bright spark in this weary world and this planet NEEDS her. Please join us at the Show Me Center, December 8th for a powerful show for an even more powerful cause".--Rick Springfield, Rock & Roll Legend

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(Excerpted from Michael Manning's blog post of Wednesday, November 22, 2006)

Unlike my previous BLOGs, I'm going to share information to assist those of you who live "OUT OF STATE" who want to attend this "once in a lifetime" concert event. Also, I am also going to repeat information for those of you who live in and around Cincinnati, Ohio area who wish to join me on the custom Tour Bus I have leased--which is FREE, by the way. And the reason I'm posting this everyone, is because I received word that a woman in California read my BLOG POSTS here and she responded by booking a flight from California to Missouri! I presume she is flying into Cape Girardeau Regional Airport (CGI) and the Show Me Center advised me that she also wants to meet me, which is a privilege. Now, I realize that not everyone of you can do this. Many of you are married with children and heavy responsibilities. But I know you care deeply. There's still a way you can help and I'll share that here too in a moment.

I have leased a Tour Bus and assembled the components of this project to invite people who really love high octane Rock & Roll to join me. Many of you who are local have E-mailed me asking what local Radio and Television Stations they can tune in to listen and watch this story unfold. I'll also talk about how you can help even if you can't attend (and many of you live outside the US and want to help). So, let me just answer your FAQ's straight away:

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Q: I LIVE OUTSIDE THE US BUT WANT TO HELP SAHARA WIN HER BATTLE WITH CANCER. HOW CAN I HELP?
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Answer: All donations may be sent to: US Bank, Sahara HOOPS Aldridge "Slam Dunk Cancer" Fund, 325 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, MO. 63701 USA.
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Q: CAN I SEND A BRIEF "HELLO" AND A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO SAHARA?
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Answer: You bet! Go to Sahara Aldridge's website at: http://www.saharaaldridge.blogspot.com/. Remember folks, that you are speaking to a 12 year old girl--so rather than get heavy--a simple word of encouragement is preferable and would be really cool!
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Q: I WANT TO ATTEND THIS AWESOME ROCK CONCERT BY RICK SPRINGFIELD, BUT I LIVE OUT OF STATE. HOW CAN I GET A TICKET AND DIRECTIONS FOR LAND OR AIR TRAVEL?
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Answer: Very Cool! First, get your ticket by contacting Ticketmaster by phone at (573) 651-5000. The Ticket levels are $25 & $35 and Premium Tickets at $200 include a Special Artists Reception with Rick Springfield. NOTE: "Out of State" people can also go online at: http://www.showmecenter.biz/ to book tickets. Once you are on the Show-Me Center website, click on Directions for auto travel from Illinois, Kentucky or Missouri. If you are flying to the event, I suggest that you contact airlines who service your city or town for assistance to Cape Girardeau Regional Airport (CGI).
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Q: TELL ME HOW TO BOOK MY HOTEL ROOM?
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Answer: If you are "Out of State", just call the DRURY LODGE at (573) 334-7151 and mention the Code Word: "SHOW ME" for a $69 plus tax special discounted room rate. A free breakfast buffet is available as well.
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Q: I'M IN AND AROUND THE CINCINNATI AREA. I WANT TO GET A TICKET AND RESERVE A SEAT ON THAT GROOVY TOUR BUS THAT IS FREE. TELL ME WHAT I NEED TO DO! RICK SPRINGFIELD IS ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!
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Answer: You are awesome too! From our area, you need to call Ticketmaster at (573) 651-5000 and use the code name : "BUS" and mention The Rick Springfield Benefit Concert for Sahara Aldridge in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. We have 56 seats reserved in Section 103 Rows J-M. Tickets are $25 and $35. The Premium Artist Reception with Rick is $200. So there's a ticket to fit any budget! Next, if you are going on the Tour Bus, the way to book your DRURY LODGE room at the $69 plus tax discounted rate is slightly different from the "Out of State" people. Go online at www.druryhotels.com and Click On: "Book It Fast", Use this code: 262455 . Then proceed to book your room. Once you have a Confirmation Number, Email me at: michaelmanninginfo@GMail.com and provide me with the following: Your full name, Daytime and Evening Phone Number with Area Code, and your Hotel Confirmation Number. Remember people, WE STILL HAVE SEATS AVAILABLE! Don't get left behind! Act Now!!!. I will also be accepting "Stand-By" names for those who are otherwise willing to follow our bus by car. In the event that we have a "No Show", I will fill that seat with a "Stand By" person.

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Q: WHERE DO WE MEET THE BUS IN CINCINNATI ONCE WE ARE BOOKED?
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Answer: At 8:30 A.M. on Thursday, December 7th, 2006 our Tour Bus will pull up in front of The Westin Hotel located directly across the street from the newly-renovated Fountain Square in the center of downtown Cincinnati at 5th & Vine Streets! Macy's department store is catty-corner across the street (with the HUGE new Jumbo Screen TV on their roof). Parking is available at the Northern Fountain Square Garage on Vine Street, or at the 5th and Race Street Open Lot (next to the Millennium Hotel). I will endeavor to secure free parking. This is still underway. I will be carrying Mayor Mallory's Proclamation on board designating December 8, 2006 as "SAHARA ALDRIDGE DAY" in The City of Cincinnati! Isn't that a blast? We will depart promptly at 9:00 A.M. for Cape Girardeau, Missouri and arrive at 4:00 P.M. where Channel 12 Television will be awaiting our arrival at the DRURY LODGE to interview us! We will overnight at the hotel, then enjoy an Ultra-Groovy Breakfast Buffet the morning of the concert! The concert begins at 7:30 P.M. Those who have Premium Gold tickets to enjoy an Artist Reception with Rick Springfield will be driven to the meeting site by our Tour Bus. Our meeting point after the concert will be the bus so we can "overnight" back to Cincinnati. This is a Tour bus and the seats recline. "Overnighting" tours are common. The bus has three flat screen TV's, DVD and CD players and a restroom. Even our Driver is Groovy! Lakefront Lines is the largest Tour Bus operator in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois. They have received the highest awards of safety and excellence from both The Department of Transportation and The Department of Defense. Our Tour bus is new. We will Rock!
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Q: I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY OF THE CINCINNATI TELEVISION STATIONS COVER THIS STORY SO FAR? AND SECONDLY, IS THERE A RADIO STATION THAT I SHOULD STAY TUNED TO?
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Answer: YES! Tune in Radio Station WGRR 103.5 FM, Winner of "Adult Contemporary Station of the Year". This is where you will find interviews with Rick and all information related to the show and this Cincinnati-based project in the days ahead! WGRR 103.5 FM is THE "Official Radio Station" for "The Cincinnati Sahara Aldridge Express" Tour Bus Trip to The Rick Springfield Benefit Concert for Sahara.
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This is truly a unique Cincinnati story. The Cincinnati Police will be Escorting our bus out of the city limits as a "tip of the hat" to Sahara for making so much phenomenal progress! I continue to work on tying up some smaller details here while I remain available to Media.
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All of your Prayers, Good Wishes, E-mails, Mediations, Good Vibes sent through the Universe and Blogosphere are being felt and appreciated. Keep it up! And don't forget to say a brief hello to Sahara for a smile and encouragement!

All proceeds from ticket sales after expenses are paid will go to benefit Sahara and her family. Rick Springfield is playing the concert for free. For more information on the concert, visit www.showmecenter.biz or Michael Manning at: www.michaelmanning.tv.

Interesting Stuff

2006-11-12T22:00:00.000-08:00

It's time to post something new! So, yes, I am about to inundate you with all the interesting stuff I've been getting lately in my mailbox. Here goes:

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

How to fall in love without losing herself,
How to quit a job, break up with a lover and confront a friend without ruining the friendship,
When to try harder...and when to walk away
That she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents
That her childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over
What she would and wouldn't do for love or more
How to live alone...even if she doesn't like it
Whom she can trust, whom she can't, and why she shouldn't take it personally
Where to go...be it to her best friend's kitchen table...or a charming inn in the woods...when her soul needs soothing
What she can and can't accomplish in a day...a month......and in a year.

Mid-life has hit you when......

You stand naked in front of a mirror and can see your rear end without turning around.
Carrots are good for your eyes, yet all you see are many dead rabbits on the highway
You realize you get to choose from just two people for president and 50 for Miss America
You begin to notice that people who spend money on beer, cigarettes, and lottery tickets are always complaining about being broke and not feeling well
Having a smoking section in a restaurant is rather like having a peeing section in a swimming pool
You realize that most nudists are people you really don't want to see naked anyway

The next time you feel like complaining remember: Your garbage disposal probably eats better than thirty percent of the people in this world.

Every time you walk into a singles bar remember Mom's wise words: "Don't pick that up, you don't know where it's been."

THIS IS SOME GOOD ADVICE! If a dog was the teacher you would learn stuff like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
Take naps. Stretch before rising. Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout..! run right back and make friends.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
Stop when you have had enough.
Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

THE JOYS OF BEING OVER 50.....

1. Kidnappers are not very interested in you.
2. In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first.
3. No one expects you to run into a burning building.
4. People call at 9 p.m. and ask, "Did I wake you?"
5. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.
6. There's nothing left to learn the hard way.
7. Things you buy now won't wear out.
8. You can eat dinner at 4:00 p.m.
9. You enjoy hearing about other people's operations.
10. You get into a heated argument about pension claims.
11. You have a party and the neighbors don't even realize it.
12. You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.
13. You quit trying to hold your stomach in, no matter who walks into the room.
14. You sing along with the elevator music.
15. Your eyes won't get much worse.
16. Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.
17. Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the National Weather Service.
18. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.
19. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to a manageable size.
20. You can't remember who sent you this list.

Thanks everyone! Have a heavenly day.

Maya Angelou's Christian Heart

2006-11-04T13:08:00.000-08:00

Christians
By Maya Angelou