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Posts tagged Writer
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Preying on Writers' Dreams: "This Letter is an Advertisement"
Sep 20th
Self-publishing is a big industry right now. Which means big money. Not necessarily for authors but for companies who sell self-publishing services to authors wanting to self-publish. One contender, Balboa Press has been calling my cell phone every month or so. Writers Beware!
A class action complaint has been filed against Balboa Press's parent company, Author Solutions, for its sketchy dealings that are bringing in the big bucks. The class action complaint breaks it down:
4. Author Solutions' revenues are estimated at $100 million per year. Of the $100 million Author Solutions earns as revenue, approximately one third of that amount, or $33 million annually, comes from book sales. The rest of its revenue is derived from the services it offers, such as editorial services, formatting and design services, production services, and marketing services ("Services").
5. Despite its impressive profits from book sales, Author Solutions fails at the most basic task of a publisher: paying its authors their earned royalties and providing its authors with accurate sales statements.
6. Author Solutions also fails to take diligent care of its authors' works, making numerous and egregious publisher errors — errors made by the publisher, not the author. These errors include errors on book covers, in addition to various typographical and formatting errors. In fact, Author Solutions profits from its own mistakes. Aggressive sales techniques ensure that these errors are corrected only for a fee of several hundred dollars. Even though, as a matter of policy, Author Solutions promises to correct publisher errors for free, it rarely does.
7. Most of Author Solutions' earnings are derived from its publishing and marketing Services. These Services, which can cost authors tens of thousands of dollars, likewise fail to deliver what they promise: more book sales and more opportunities for authors.
8. Therefore, even while Defendant Author Solutions prominently markets itself on its website as "[t]he leading indie publishing company in the world," authors often discover, once it is too late, that Author Solutions is not an "indie publisher" at all. It is a printing service that fails to maintain even the most rudimentary standards of book publishing, profiting not for its authors but from them.
The apple doesn't land far from the tree. I've had a pretty shady experience with Balboa Press so far. I've checked them out and everything I've read indicates they are ripping off their own customers. If you want a prime and horrific example look no further than this author's experience:
The illustrative sketches and colorization were a disaster. It was apparent that there was a problem with adherence to the RAD/character description form. Pictures that were provided, or the coinciding text (page number and line number) from the manuscript provided to aid the illustrator were obviously ignored or subjectively reviewed. It was so evident, to the point where I was wondering if anyone bothered to read, or if they even couldread the RAD form. There was clearly no oversight of the illustrator's work before remittance to me. I had continued to write, please call if you have any questions…
After months of inexcusable errors, it was apparent the Art Director, or whomever, did not adhere to "set up an artist that best suits your project." The project was/is light, airy, and whimsical. I received "dark." In most cases, the illustrations were sparse (not intricate detail) with no color consistency, no innovation, wrong genders, wrong race, missing or incorrect features, etc. An ancient woman was drawn as a bald-headed, old man numerous times, despite repeated pleas and request for adherence to the RAD and characterization forms. The little girl's bed looked like a cot out of an army barracks or prison. Angel wings on a helicopter were inverted, objected to, and objections to the CIAC remained ignored – a lame excuse was offered.
My own experience with them so far has been subpar at best. They called me up and tried to rope me in by getting me excited about my novel's potential. They told me how great my ideas were and how much I deserved to get my book out there. They wanted to help me achieve my publishing goals. All they needed was to relieve me of $999 to $7,999 of my money, and we could get started. Even if I had that kind of money lying around I wasn't totally sold that first call. No deal.
A few months later someone else called again. But this person had no clue about me or my novel. What was my book about? No idea? Back to square one. Apparently no one at Balboa ever cares enough about what potential clients say to make any file notes. No points gained there. * Click.*
And on it went. For a few years now. (Yes really.)
Which brings me to another call today. Same thing. Starting from scratch with another clueless representative from Balboa. I wasn't buying. *Click.*
Then I get the following email. Then it hits me. Not only did they pack this letter so full of stupid writing cliches that it reads hilariously, but they are preying on the dreams of writers' with this letter and others like it.
Subject: Believe in Yourself
Hi Lauren,
Be proud of who you are as a writer. An author's voice is unique and no one will tell your story like you do. Don't lose your voice. Stand out by having your own style. And your book doesn't have to have an outrageous plot to be important. Simple can be good. Stick to who you are as a writer and your message will always hold significance.
Financial stability is a challenge nowadays. Money is something achievable but it will depend on you. It will depend on how committed you are in publishing and sharing your message to the world. Money comes and goes in life. If it is meant to be, it will happen. We can't just wait for it to happen though. We need to do something about it. Dreaming for success is for everyone but putting it to reality is for those who are brave enough to take the next step even if there is fear of the unknown. Let us take this one step at a time.
Why make excuses when you can start your dreams? Why do nothing when you can begin something? Look, you have a lot more power within you that you're revealing to the world. We all do. But because of distractions and interruptions and responsibility and excuses we sell to ourselves, we coast along at the same level for the best of our lives.
Only few have the guts to make A LEAP – a leap to new habits, new routines and a whole new story about their new place in the world and their service to it.
The Gandhi's and the Mandela's and the Zuckerberg's and the Mozart's were just ordinary people who had an idea, protected it from the voice of dissent, advanced it via tiny wins and got up every time they got knocked down.
You have this power too, but power unused deteriorates and potential not expressed turns to PAIN.
Now is your time to fly and to shine and to rise up. This is the day to show the world who you truly are.
I would like to assist you with your dreams. Yes, publishing will ask you to shell out money from your own pocket, but what I can assure you is that Balboa Press can expose you and your book to the rest of the world. This way you truly get to say to yourself, "I've done my part, let the book speak for itself now!" It is not easy to invest in something that you're not sure of its future, but nothing is ever certain. What you can do as a writer is to invest in your dreams and believe that you can be someone that you never expected to be. Your sacrifices can result to a life changing journey if you give your book a chance.
All the best,
[Name Redacted]
Balboa Press
[Contact Information Redacted]
This email is an advertisement.
So I'll be staying away from Vanity Presses. There are ways to legitimately Self-Publish but using Balboa Press isn't one of them. If they contact you, remember it is called a vanity press for a reason. They play to your vanity and emotions. I know they tried to get me that way. It's enticing to think that the only thing standing between you and your dream is your savings. But it's a gamble. And Balboa Press is the house that always wins. The only way to beat them at their own game is to not play.
Eternal Goals: Making & Fulfilling on Life's Purpose
Sep 7th
Last Sunday I was asked to speak in church about making and fulfilling on goals. I also introduced an exciting new project that my ward (or congregation) will be participating in. I attend a ward for young single adults members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
The President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Thomas S. Monson, told this thought provoking story in an October 1976 General Conference talk:
Several days ago, while driving to my home, I approached the entrance to Interstate 15. At the on-ramp I noticed three hitchhikers, each one of whom carried a homemade sign which announced his desired destination. One sign read "Los Angeles," while a second carried the designation "Boise." However, it was the third sign which not only caught my attention but caused me to reflect and ponder its message. The hitchhiker had lettered not Los Angeles, California, nor Boise, Idaho, on the cardboard sign which he held aloft. Rather, his sign consisted of but one word and read simply "ANYWHERE." Here was one who was content to travel in any direction, according to the whim of the driver who stopped to give him a free ride. What an enormous price to pay for such a ride. No plan. No objective. No goal. The road to anywhere is the road to nowhere, and the road to nowhere leads to dreams sacrificed, opportunities squandered, and a life unfulfilled.
Thomas S. Monson, Which Road Will You Travel?
Imagine each of you are holding a sign up right now that says where you are going in life. What does your sign say? What would you like it to say? And what would you like it to say if Christ were sitting next to you right now?
Your sign is another way of representing your life goals. There are a lot of types of goals in life that lead down many different roads in this world. We all want to go somewhere in life that will bring us happiness. Though many things of the world try to convince us they offer happiness, how can we choose worthy goals that will bring us lasting happiness? Even eternal happiness.
Eternal happiness is a life long goal. Like many goals in life, we cannot get there in one stride. There are steps we can take to help us set worthy goals for our lives as we ultimately seek eternal life. Here are six steps we can take to make and fulfill on worthy goals:
Step One is to decide.
When set a goal you first need to decide where you want to be in the future. As President Monson's earlier story illustrated, you can't get where you want to go, if you don't know where you are going.
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said:
"[…] set explicit goals. You should look ahead now and decide what you want to do with your lives. Fix clearly in your mind what you want to be one year from now, five years, ten years, and beyond." ("Running Your Marathon," October 1989 General Conference)
Once you know where you want to get to in the future, you need to decide on a goal. Goals can be big and small, long and short term, and fall under any category of your life.
President Ezra Taft Benson, thirteenth President of the Church said:
"Every accountable child of God needs to set goals, short- and long-range goals. […] Some will be continuing goals.[…]" ("Do Not Despair," Ensign, Oct. 1986).
President Benson also mentions that there are four main areas of goals in our lives: mental, physical, and social, spiritual, as well as the lifetime goal of becoming perfect unto Christ.
A. Mental Goals may include completing higher education, learning new trades or occupations, improving skills in a craft or creative area.
D&C 88:118 reads:
And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.
D&C 130:19 promises:
And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.
B. Physical Goals may include increasing your body's strength, endurance, dexterity, excelling at sport, or improving overall health. These would also include goals to improve your obedience to gospel principals like dressing modestly and obeying the Word of Wisdom.
"Cease to be idle; cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one with another; cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated" (D&C 88:124).
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reads:
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
C. Social Goals may include improving skills in listening, parenting, public speaking, and leadership.
Proverbs 18:24 tells us:
24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
D. Spiritual Goals may include building your testimony, increasing your faith in a gospel principal, magnifying your calling, doing a service project, and increasing temple attendance.
D&C 42:61 states:
61 If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things—that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal.
E. Lifetime Goals are goals of an eternal nature that help you to become perfect unto Christ.
President Ezra Taft Benson said:
Each week when we partake of the sacrament we commit ourselves to the goals of taking upon ourselves the name of Christ, of always remembering him and keeping his commandments. Of Jesus' preparations for his mission, the scripture states that he 'increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.' (Luke 2:52.) This encompasses four main areas for goals: spiritual, mental, physical, and social. 'Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be?' asked the Master, and he answered, 'Verily I say unto you, even as I am.' (3 Ne. 27:27.) Now, there is a lifetime goal–to walk in his steps, to perfect ourselves in every virtue as he has done, to seek his face, and to work to make our calling and election sure ("Do Not Despair," Ensign, Oct. 1986).
Step Two is to Ponder and Pray.
Once we've decided on what we want for ourselves and your futures, we can prayerfully ponder steps we should take and make a plan of action. We can seek revelation in our Patriarchal blessings as to what goals to make and how to execute those goals in our lives.
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said:
Receive your patriarchal blessing and strive to live worthy of its promises. A patriarchal blessing is one of the most important guides in life that members of the Church enjoy. Write your goals and review them regularly. Keep them before you constantly, record your progress, and revise them as circumstances dictate. ("Running Your Marathon," October 1989 General Conference)
Step Three is to Place Milestones.
Milestones are defined as "an action or event marking a significant change or stage in development." Milestones help us to see we are growing and changing. They help us to strive towards something and achieve more than we otherwise would have. Goals are not meant to be achieved in one large chunk, but just as learning is done "line upon line, precept upon precept" (D&C 98:12) so should goals be broken down into smaller goals. Place milestones on the path to your goal ahead of time and work towards them.
Step Four is to Set Reminders.
When you have a constant physical reminder of your goal it becomes more real. One of my goals is to always become more Christ-like, so I have a painting and a stature of Christ in my bedroom that I can see from where I sit while I work. Whenever I need a extra sense of peace or need to be reminded of my goal I glance up at Christ and my purpose is restored. Wearing a CTR ring or setting a daily reminder in your phone to exercise or read your scriptures are other examples.
Step Five is to Take Action.
It's great to decide where you wan to go, ponder and pray, place milestones, and set reminders, but all of that will be ineffective if we don't take action.
D&C 60:13 reads:
"Thou shalt not idle away thy time, neither shalt thou bury thy talent that it may not be known" (D&C 60:13).
Step Six is to Be Accountable.
When you have a system of accountability your results in your goals will increase.
Elder M. Russel Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said:
Write down the tasks you would like to accomplish each day. Keep foremost in mind the sacred covenants you have made with the Lord as you write down your daily schedules. ("Keeping Life's Demands in Balance," April 1987 General Conference)
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin suggests:
Write your goals and review them regularly. Keep them before you constantly, record your progress, and revise them as circumstances dictate. ("Running Your Marathon," October 1989 General Conference)
There is no where on Earth more important to achieving Eternal Life than The House of the Lord, the Temple.
We should all make the Temple our biggest goal whether it's to get there for the first time, to get there more often, or to increase or testimony of the Temple.
The first time I wanted to enter the Temple I was four years old. I remember the moment so vividly. I was riding in the car with my parents and we drove by the Los Angeles Temple. I was immediately drawn to it. It felt very special and I knew I had to go in. I had never been so curious about what occurred inside a building before, but I ached to be a part of it. I asked my mom what it was, and she answered, that it was "someone else's Temple and I couldn't ever go in." As a young Jewish girl, I was curious who else built Temples, and was disappointed that I couldn't be involved, but I accepted her answer. However I hung onto that early memory though it was buried.
I wasn't until years later that I was investigating the church more than twenty years later that the memory surfaced. The desire to go into the Temple was stronger than ever. So I decided consciously this time that my goal was the Temple. And I placed milestones to get there. I set Baptismal date. Took the missionary discussions. Got Baptized four and half years ago. Once that was completed, I went to the Temple to do baptisms for the first time. It was amazing and powerful. It Spirit was so strong. But my Temple journey didn't end there. I wanted to get endowed. So set new milestones. I accepted callings. Took the Temple Prep class. And then I received my endowment. It was the best decision I could have made. My decision to set the Temple as my goal has blessed my life more than I can even comprehend. More than I had ever imagined as a little four year old that had a secret goal of going to the Temple.
Elaine S. Dalton said the following in April 2012 General Conference:
[…] I [was] thrilled as I listened to Elder David A. Bednar invite each of you to become anxiously engaged in doing your own family history and temple work for those who have passed on without the blessings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. As he issued this invitation to you, my heart leapt inside. In the Doctrine and Covenants we read of "other choice spirits who were reserved to come forth in the fulness of times to take part in laying the foundations of the great latter-day work, including the building of … temples and the performance of ordinances therein for the redemption of the dead." This is your day, and your work has begun! Now is the time to be worthy of and obtain a temple recommend. As you do this work, you will become saviors on Mount Zion. ("Now Is The Time To Arise And Shine!," April 2012 General Conference)
What an amazing promise: to be a savior on Mount Zion. And we can all achieve that. Especially in light of a new program relating to ward Temple and Family History work that's being presented today. You may have seen the posters in either foyer and you should have a copy of your own to take home in each of your programs (pictured left). As a ward we will be collectively be researching our own family histories to find Family File names. Familly file names are from your own family lineage. You research them and then take them to the temple to do ordinances for those ancestors.
As a ward, our goal will be to do a thousand family file names. Each family file name will count once (regardless of how many ordinances you do for each name). Since goals don't happen in one stride, we will have milestones along the way of 100 family file names completed, then 200 names, then 300, and so on up to 1000.
Elaine S. Dalton said the following in April 2012 General Conference:
The promised blessings of the temple extend not only to you but to all generations. As you make the temple your goal, your influence for good will transcend time and place, and the work you perform for those who have gone before will be the fulfillment of prophecy! ("Now Is The Time To Arise And Shine!," April 2012 General Conference)
I know that as we do this work for our ancestors we will bless them and we also will be blessed.
Elder Marvin J. Ashton said:
"May we launch straightway toward setting goals that are gospel oriented, knowing that if we use the talents that are ours–that if we help others, strive for peace, avoid being overly sensitive or overly critical–strength upon strength will be added unto our own abilities and we will move straightway toward greater growth, happiness, and eternal joys". ("Straightway," April 1983 General Conference)
I like to leave you with my testimony that I know that setting and fulfilling on goals is a way we can achieve eternal happiness. I know that as we set our goals on the Temple and other eternal things we will be blessed with peace, happiness, knowledge and revelation, and other things we need in our lives. I know that through Temples families can be together forever. I love the Temple. I love Heavenly Father and I love the Savior, Jesus Christ. And I say this in His name, Amen.
Paradox of Man
Jul 23rd
Sometimes being human can be painfully lonely. It's amazing to me how alone I can feel sometimes even knowing I have a loving family and a caring circle of friends who mean the world to me. At times I think this very essential sense of loneliness originates from the feeling of being dwarfed by the universe. Thoughts might come like, "If I'm just a speck in this great vastness, what do I mean to the bigger picture? How do I fit in? How do I even matter? What difference can I even really make when there's so many others out here."
I came across this quote on my best friend's mission blog. Sister Eskander is currently on a mission for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This quote was by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, an Apostle in the LDS Church. It read:
This is a paradox of man: compared to God, man is nothing; yet we are everything to God. While against the backdrop of infinite creation we may appear to be nothing, we have a spark of eternal fire burning within our breast. We have the incomprehensible promise of exaltation—worlds without end—within our grasp. And it is God's great desire to help us reach it.
– DIETER F. UCHTDORF, You Matter To Him
This does more than answer my questions. It brings peace and comfort to my soul. Through the knowledge in this Gospel, I know who I really am. – a Spirit child of God. I know the the bigger picture and my role in it. I know how much I matter to my Heavenly Father. And I know the difference I can make.
I loved this quote so much I decided to design an illustration to go with it. I sent one to Sister Eskander, and now I'll share it with you. To help us all remember who we really our. Our eternal heritage and exalted potential.
Paradox of Man Illustration1
You Matter To Him – Dieter F. Uchtdorf
The Lord uses a scale very different from the world's to weigh the worth of a soul.
1If you repost this illustration please give me credit and link back to this post! Thanks!
Burning Bright: A Poem of Faith
Jun 30th
Posted by writerfly in Culture
Since I was five years old, barely sophisticated enough to write a few words into sentences, I have been captivated by poetry. Poems just seemed to come to me as if I had plucked them right out of thin air and was merely the recorder of the words that would pour through me. It hasn't been that way lately though. As my focus has moved on to my two novels, I haven't tried to write a poem with any semblance of a rhyme scheme in quite some time. I've been feeling rather out of practice.
However, today was my church's Ward Conference, a day of spiritual nourishment. It was just wonderful listening to my local leaders speak to us young adults on the topics that were of the greatest importance to us. Feeling more spiritually fed, and pondering some of the themes discussed today, I decided to try my hand at a poem. The following is the result:
Burning Bright
The void left by burning desire;
At times nearly extinguished inside;
All but lost the inertia required;
To move and be moved to His side;
But then I close my eyes tight,
And pray with all my might;
I remember each moment of pain;
He healed all my wounds in His name;
I treasure trials that shook my core;
The refiners fire has polished me more;
All I am, was, and will be,
I am through Him, now I see;
And my covenant burns bright;
The unquenchable light inside;
My hope, my comfort, my insight;
To move and be moved to His side.
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The Crucifixion: 5 Things To Apply To Our Own Lives
Apr 21st
As I was sitting in during Sacrament, I prayed for the best way to deliver this talk. I received the strangest prompting – to give my talk in a completely different order than I have written it. I had spent at least 15 hours researching and preparing for the talk, so I was rather surprised and extremely nervous about going out of order. But I'm not in the habit of ignoring promptings from the Lord, so I did what I felt urged to do. The following is my memory of the order in which I gave this talk.
I'd like to begin with a story in President James E. Faust's talk, The Atonement: Our Greatest Hope, that retells a story by President Gordon B. Hinckley.
Some years ago, President Gordon B. Hinckley told "something of a parable" about "a one room school house in the mountains of Virginia where the boys were so rough no teacher had been able to handle them.
"Then one day an inexperienced young teacher applied. He was told that every teacher had received an awful beating, but the teacher accepted the risk. The first day of school the teacher asked the boys to establish their own rules and the penalty for breaking the rules. The class came up with rules, which were written on the blackboard. Then the teacher asked, 'What shall we do with one who breaks the rules?'
"'Beat him across the back ten times without his coat on,' came the response.
"A day or so later, … the lunch of a big student, named Tom, was stolen. 'The thief was located—a little hungry fellow, about ten years old.'
"As Little Jim came up to take his licking, he pleaded to keep his coat on. 'Take your coat off,' the teacher said. 'You helped make the rules!'
"The boy took off the coat. He had no shirt and revealed a bony little crippled body. As the teacher hesitated with the rod, Big Tom jumped to his feet and volunteered to take the boy's licking.
"'Very well, there is a certain law that one can become a substitute for another. Are you all agreed?' the teacher asked.
"After five strokes across Tom's back, the rod broke. The class was sobbing. 'Little Jim had reached up and caught Tom with both arms around his neck. "Tom, I'm sorry that I stole your lunch, but I was awful hungry. Tom, I will love you till I die for taking my licking for me! Yes, I will love you forever!"'"
President Hinckley then quoted Isaiah:
"Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows. …
"… He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."
No man knows the full weight of what our Savior bore, but by the power of the Holy Ghost we can know something of the supernal gift He gave us.10 In the words of our sacrament hymn:
We may not know, we cannot tell,
What pains he had to bear,
But we believe it was for us
He hung and suffered there.
So as you may have guessed the subject of my talk today is the crucifixion of our Savior Jesus Christ, in which He died for our sins so that we might live again with our Father in Heaven.
The events leading up to the Crucifixion give us vivid examples of both absolute faith and the absence of it. The absence of faith can often be characterized as fear. As I describe the following events, I invite you to think about which events are representative of faith and which represent fear.
Christ perfectly endured the Atonement in all its agony, according to the will of the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane. Christ was betrayed by Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve Apostles. Jesus was arrested, and the rest of his Apostles fled. Jesus was then subjected to multiple counsels and trials having false witnesses brought against Him.
Even the faithful disciple Peter ultimately denied Jesus and Jesus Himself prophesied he would earlier in Christ's ministry. In John 13:38, it reads:
Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice. (John 13: 38)
Then at one of Jesus's trials, the prophesy came to pass. In Matthew 26:69-75 it reads:
Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.
But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.
And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.n (Matthew 26:69–75)
Christ was mocked and ridiculed. In Matthew 27:28-30, it reads:
And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. (Matthew 28–30)
Christ was made to carry His own cross most likely weighting 75 to 125 pounds until a passerby named Simon was compelled to do it for him by the Roman guards.
When they reached the site of the crucifixion, Christ was nailed to the cross. At the head of the cross was affixed a title, "Jesus of Nazareth The King of the Jews." Elder Bruce R. McConkie describes the brutality of what the Savior must have physically experienced:
A death by crucifixion seems to include all that pain and death can have of the horrible and ghastly—dizziness, cramp, thirst, starvation, sleeplessness, traumatic fever, tetanus, publicity of shame, long continuance of torment, horror of anticipation, mortification of untended wounds, all intensified just up to the point at which they can be endured at all, but all stopping just short of the point which would give to the sufferer the relief of unconsciousness. The unnatural position made every movement painful; the lacerated veins and crushed tendons throbbed with incessant anguish; the wounds, inflamed by exposure, gradually gangrened; the arteries, especially of the head and stomach, became swollen and oppressed with surcharged blood; and, while each variety of misery went on gradually increasing, there was added to them the intolerable pang of a burning and raging thirst. Such was the death to which Christ was doomed. ( Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 1:816)
Even is this moment of extreme physical torment, the Savior was merciful, asking Heavenly Father to forgive those who crucified him. In Luke 23: 34, it reads:
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (Luke 23:33-34)
Despite his tortured state, He thought of others before himself. In John 19:26-27, it says:
When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. (John 19:26–27)
Then darkness came over the land as Heavenly Father withdrew his presence from the Savior. In Matthew 27:46 it reads:
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46)
It's hard to imagine the utter terror at being cut off from Heavenly Father for the first time in such a moment of tremendous suffering. But Christ needed to feel what it is like to be utterly alone, to descend all things. To completely fulfill upon what He came here to do.
Andrew C. Skinner said in his book, Golgotha,
The scriptures teach us that God has not forsaken us nor will he ever forsake us. He is waiting and able to help us in our extremity. No less powerful to help is his divine Son, who has perfect empathy for us and can carry us through those times when we cannot go on, precisely because of his own experience. In fact, one reason Jesus was abandoned by his Father in Gethsemane and on the cross of Golgotha [or Calvary] was so he could descend below all things to know every human circumstance and thus emerge victor over all things, with the knowledge and power to help us. By his confirming witness, I know that Jesus suffered on the cross the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God, and because Jesus suffered that wrath on the cross, I do not have to. Even more important, I know that because Jesus was lifted up on the cross, I can be lifted up also—to eternal life. Furthermore, I know that because God forsook his Son on the cross, he will never have to forsake me.
James E. Talmage, in his book, Jesus the Christ, wrote about Christ last moments:
Fully realizing that He was no longer forsaken, but that His atoning sacrifice had been accepted by the Father, and that His mission in the flesh had been carried to glorious consummation, He exclaimed in a loud voice of holy triumph: "It is finished." In reverence, resignation, and relief, He addressed the Father saying: "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit." He bowed His head, and voluntarily gave up His life.
[…]Jesus the Christ was dead. His life had not been taken from Him except as He had willed to permit. Sweet and welcome as would have been the relief of death in any of the earlier stages of His suffering from Gethsemane to the cross, He lived until all things were accomplished as had been appointed. In the latter days the voice of the Lord Jesus has been heard affirming the actuality of His suffering and death, and the eternal purpose thereby accomplished. Hear and heed His words: "For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him."
The Crucifixion can teach us much about living our lives after the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ. These are the five main things we can learn from the crucifixion:
- Be forgiving.
- Be filled with mercy.
- Be in service of others.
- Following Christ.
- Endure all things.
The first thing we can learn is to forgive others. Even when Christ was on the Cross he said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. This very Spirit of forgiveness teaches us that we need to forgive all. Even and especially those who hate and persecute us. In Doctrine & Covenants 64:10 it reads:
I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men. (D&C 64:10)
Second we learn to be filled with mercy. To have mercy we must have compassion for people in our lives including ourselves. Having compassion for and extending mercy towards others as well as ourselves is one of the greatest gifts we can give.
Matthew 5:7 reads:
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (Matthew 5:7)
Third, we learn to serve others. Christ's ministry was one of continually service. Healing the sick, feeding the poor and hungry, raising the dead, teaching the masses. Mosiah 2:17 reads:
And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God. (Mosiah 2:17)
Fourth, we learn to carry our cross and follow Christ. This mean forsaking anything in our lives that are not in the manner of Christ. Giving up unrighteous thoughts, music, clothing, and activities, and exchanging them for righteous ones. Then follow the Saviors example in all things.
Fifth, we learn to patiently endure all things. Christ never complained, never object, never asked "why me?" He bore his burdens with tolerance, long-suffering, and dignity, always submitting to the will of the Father.
This perfect example of how to endure all things can especially help us in times of trial. Over the last ten years I've spent a significant amount of time in the hospital, often the ICU, often for several months at a time due to an autoimmune disease called Myasthenia Gravis. Myasthenia Gravis, which means grave weakness in Latin, causes its patients to become so weak during an acute flare or it that they cannot move any of their limbs and sometimes cannot breathe on their own, requiring the assistance of a ventilator. I have experienced this many times. It's hard when lying there in the ICU unable to move or breathe on my own to feel like things are going to be okay, but the thing that gives me the most strength is the sweet knowledge that our Savior descended below all things so that I don't have to suffer that alone. He knows exactly what extreme physical pain is like, beyond what I can even imagine, so He certainly can feel what I feel in those times. And it gives me the ability to endure to know that He endured all things. If he endured all things, then certainly I can endure this one trial I have been given as difficult as it seems. And this gives me eternal hope.
We also accept that Heavenly Father is giving us trials for our own benefit. Doctrine and Covenants 122:7-8 said:
And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.
The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he? (D&C 7-8)
Since we are not greater than our Savior Jesus Christ we can take so much comfort in all He has done for us. All the pain He has suffered so that he could descend below all things was for our benefit because He has so much love for each and every one of us.
I want to share my testimony that Christ not only atoned and died for our sins but that He rose again three days later. He lives today. He knows and loves me personally. The Holy Ghost testifies of this to me on a daily basis. I am so grateful for my Savior and for his atoning sacrifice that through it I can return to live with my Heavenly Father for all eternity. I know that my Heavenly Father lives and loves me as well. I am grateful for all of you and the Spirit that is felt here today. And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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How Great Shall Be Your Joy: My 4 Year Baptism Anniversary
Mar 7th
And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!
When that scripture is usually quoted it's typically in reference to helping bring others to Christ. But today, I thought of it in a different context. Because today was truly a joyous occasion for me. Today, Friday, March 7th, 2014, marks the 4 year anniversary of the day I entered the waters of baptism and joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. To this day I know with every fiber of my being that decision to get baptized was the best decision I've ever made for myself. That day, March 7th, 2010, I brought my own soul unto Christ, and I have never been more joyful!
It began with a quest like many good stories do. My quest was to find a close connection with Heavenly Father. My problem was I wasn't really sure He existed. But I wanted to believe so badly. My quest, which originated in the Reform Jewish Synagogue of my youth, took me to lots of different places and to many congregations. Never feeling complete or satisfied. Always searching for something more. I was interested in college in how my Christian friend cultivated a close and personal relationship with Christ and would occasionally attend her college group prayer meetings at her church to see if I could glean how they went about it and apply it to my own quest. I told them straight up that Christ wasn't for me. I remember that kind Youth Pastor prayed with me that I would find my own truth in my own time. Whatever it was. I appreciated that a lot.
Years later I was going to a Universalist Unitarian Church, but I still hadn't found what I was seeking. At the same time, I needed to hire a caregiver. I had been in a wheelchair for over a year due to multiple autoimmune diseases causing extreme pain that made it impossible to walk. The new caregiver I hired was Mormon. We would talk about religion all the time. Sharing about our different background. Her being raised in the Church. Me being raised Jewish, Bat Mitzvah'd, Confirmed and having taught Temple Religious School, but still searching. I admired how close she was to God. How personal it was for her. How it was such a source of strength, peace and hope in times of stress and darkness. I wanted that for myself on some level but I didn't believe. And I couldn't just suddenly believe in something I didn't believe in just because I wanted to.
However, she convinced me to start praying on a regular basis. I'd never said a personal prayer before. I didn't even know how to go about it until she explained it to me. It felt super awkward at first but slowly more comfortable.
It wasn't until I decided to try an experiment that things started to shift for me. I decided to try adding "In the name of Jesus Christ" to the end of all my prayers, just as an experiment to see if it felt any different. I was amazing to realize there was in fact a subtle but significant difference. It brought a sense of calm and peace, love and comfort into my heart.
I remember telling my caregiver, "I wonder what kind of miracle it would take to get me from not believing in Christ as the Redeemer of the World to accepting Him as the Savior of all Mankind. What would it take to change my whole belief system?"
So when my caregiver asked me yet again to attend Church with her and to get a blessing for healing I finally agreed.
I loved Church. I remember feeling such a sense of peace and warmth come over me the entire time. Then it was time for the blessing of healing. From the moment the two missionaries giving the blessing put their hands on head, I felt Heavenly Father's love for me so intensely I thought I might pass out. The way I experienced His love for me was so all encompassing and so complete, it was just sooo awe inspiring to know that I am that loved and that known by God. And that He is real. And that He lives.
In that instant I knew that I wouldn't have had this experience if I wee not the in the right place to have it. I knew it was a signal from God to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I started taking the missionary discussions and was baptized 6 weeks later. And I walked into the baptismal font (with the help of my caregiver) having started walking the same week of the blessing. My baptism was held during the 3rd hour of Church, so my whole Young Single Adult Ward attended it. My Dad and his girl friend were also able to attend. My baptism was so special. I'll never forget those tender and elated feelings I had coming out of the waters of baptism, feeling more pure than I'd ever felt before. I will treasure those memories always.
The last four years, haven't been the easiest, but they've been richer and more joyful with the gospel in my life. Through the hard times and all the hospitalizations especially, it's given me so much strength to endure. In the happy times, it gives me so much more context in which to enjoy each moment. The gospel truly is the greatest gift in my life. I've learned so much, gained so much, my life has been so blessed in every way!
I've received my my Patriarchal Blessing, a piece a personal scripture and revelation that is individual to each person who receives it, given by men ordained of God to give such blessings. I've held multiple callings (or volunteer positions) in my Ward at Church. And I've gone to the Temple, the House of the Lord.
To celebrate, today I went to the Los Angeles Temple with a dear friend and spent some quality time there. There was no place I felt that would be more appropriate to send commemorating my baptism, than in the House of the Lord where I can reflect, seek peace, calm, protection, and revelation from on high.
I am so grateful for this gospel and this Church. I'm grateful for my baptism. I am so thankful for the chance we all have to repent of our sins, enter the waters of baptism, be cleansed, and start fresh. I am grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. And I'm grateful for my Heavenly Father and the chance I have to return to Him through this work.
Read about my Three Year Baptism Anniversary.
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Getting Things Done (GTD) – A Weekly Schedule System & Excel Template Download
Feb 10th
Posted by writerfly in Culture
This post includes a Weekly GTD Schedule – Microsoft Excel Template Download. If you want to skip the post and go straight to the download, click HERE.
I consider myself a very productive person. I get a lot of things done. I've accomplished quite a bit. I've written two novels, designed many websites, worked on Alternate Reality Games for organizations like the Cerebral Palsy Foundation and The World Bank, maintain an active social, family, and most importantly spiritual life. I take care of my health with doctor's and therapy appointments, meet weekly with my writing group, craft excessively, serve in multiple church callings, and blog now and then. My plate is overflowing, so let's just say I'm up to some big things! However, to date, I've managed to do all this without any significant structured planning of my time on a day to day basis. Maybe you'll find it impressive that I've gone so long without any sort of a schedule or plan, just doing what seem right in the moment, as it occurs to me. That's code for "whatever task is stressing me out the most that second".
Enough is enough.
I decided it's time to try Getting Things Done in a more organized way. Conveniently for me, Getting Things Done or GTD, as it's often referred to by its adherents, is a system for just what its name implies – getting things done. It was created by David Allen, and there're plenty of resources in other locations where you can learn more about GTD. But for a quick overview, check out this infographic:
Once I learned about this system, and with some help and advice from others, I decided to focus on creating a schedule for myself based on GTD. The idea being I would now have set "Bucket Times" to manage all the areas on my life according to the principals of GTD. But I'll get back to Bucket Times later.
The main problem I was facing with finding a system that would work with me was finding something I could stick with. In the past systems either were so cumbersome, scheduling and planning me so rigidly that I couldn't realistically do it long term. Or on the other hand, the systems were so vague and abstract, focusing only on broad goals that they didn't help me commit to anything. The third category of problem systems were ones that were incomplete, only addressing certain aspects of what I needed from an organization system and leaving me feeling semi-organized but ultimately even more overwhelmed. Why? Because now I knew exactly what I needed to do but had no structures in place to help me accomplish any of it.
To address of this, I there are 4 major components to my personalized GTD system I am putting into place initially. (This is just to get started. After these are going well I will add more.)
- Identify 6-9 Major Areas of Life
- Roles and areas are the major categories of your life such as Family, School, Faith, Friends, Work, Writing etc.
- List 10 Most Pressing Tasks Under Each Major Role/Area
- Most pressing tasks are tasks that currently need to be taken for that area. For example, for Family, it might be something like "Spend time with Mom" or "Game Night." For Work, it might be "Sign the Parsons contract" or "Return Sonya's phone call." Any task that has more than two steps is called a Project.
- Create A Weekly Schedule of Bucket Times To Stick To Each Week
- Bucket Times are blocks of time designated at the same time every week for completing tasks in each of your Major Areas. For example, I created Spiritual Time every evening from 10pm – 11pm. During those times I will refer to my List of Tasks for that Area of Life for to do items to complete. See the Downloads Section at the bottom of this post for an Excel template tool to help with this!
- Generate Mind-Dump Of EVERY Open Loop In Life
- Open loops are thought processes that are incomplete. They keep the mind's inbox full when it's most productive empty. Empty that inbox by downloading everything in it! Generate a complete list of everything, every to do, action item, task, someday task, maybe task, goal, dream ,wish, hope, plan, etc. Include everything from "Remember to pick up the milk" to "Improve relationship with Dad" to "Travel the world". Get that mind completely empty and onto something tangible and permanent that is workable for future reference.
Once I had a plan of action, it was just a matter of putting it into place…
Starting is always easier said than done.
I needed some help getting started. So I decided to enroll someone else to do this thing with me. No, not all of you readers! My dear writing buddy who I create my day with every morning. I told her all about his idea and explained GTD to her (the Cliff Notes version). She was on board.
Over Skype, we came up with our Major Areas of Life. This is mine:
Next I began to list my lost pressing tasks under each area. I'm constantly working on my list.
Then I created a schedule by which I would process the list of tasks. But instead of a rigid list of strictly scheduled times like ones that hadn't worked for me in the past, I am working with a schedule of Bucket Times. The beauty of Bucket Times is it structured enough in that it gives you a set time you are committed to making forward progress in an area of your life, but it is flexible enough that you still get to choose what is most expedient to do within that Area. Furthermore, the whole schedule isn't so rigid that the whole thing risks being thrown off if you go over a few minutes. As I see it, if you get behind you are often still within your bucket time for that type of item. And even if you aren't you can rest assured that you have more time scheduled for that item soon. So file add it to your Bucket Time list for later. Lastly, the overarching rule is that this isn't a rigid system, meaning the operative work is: expediency.
When all else fails, do whatever is most expedient in the moment.
I am committed to using this new system for a trial of the next 3 months. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to seeing an upswing in my productivity. And more importantly a decrease in my feelings of overwhelm at not knowing how to handle the overflowing plate that is my life. In this analogy, I've been eating off an overflowing plate for a long long time. Sure I've been digesting my food and getting nutrient, but lots of things haven't been sitting well. GTD is a set of silverware – tools to help me eat my food, so that I can take small manageable bites and digest it easily and effectively. The schedule works like a restaurant menu (thanks Paul for that one!) with various selections for each category of food or area of my life. Some items or Tasks on the menu are more bland and others are the spice of life!
Give me a helping of work every weekday. Indulge in a double portion of friendship on weekends. A spicy side dish of romance if I'm so lucky! Pile it on my plate and enjoy a delicious, nutritious, and satisfying life!
Stay tuned for Part Two of this post series on Generating a Mind-Dump of All Your Open Loops coming soon! Get an email reminder when it comes out! Subscribe to the newsletter!
I hope you enjoy the Downloads below. The Weekly Schedule Templates for Microsoft Excel should be helpful tools for planning a schedule in the fashion described in this post. Please post comments with ideas for improvements, and I will do my best to make them.
Letter From My 15 Year Old Self
Nov 4th
Posted by writerfly in Culture
It was well past the stroke of midnight. My room had been turned upside down, and I was ready to cry in frustration. How could I have lost a letter I've been waiting for 15 years to open? A letter from one person who would never forgive me if I never read it – a letter from 15 year old self. It was 2:30am on October 23, 2013, and my 30th Birthday was already turning into a disaster.
Fifteen years prior, I had watched an episode of Northern Exposure in which one of the main characters, Maggie, receives a letter from her 15 year old self on her 30th birthday. She is then haunted by her 15 year old self while she comes to terms with who she is, who she was, and who she is becoming. I watched that episode on the last day of my 15th year. I was inspired! And I had little time to lose. That night after my family had gone to sleep I got back up out of bed and spent a few hours composing this letter to myself. I poured out my soul, instilling every ounce of my being in that letter, intuitively knowing that it would be so needed in 15 years. Flash back to the wee early hours of my 30th Birthday. The letter was nowhere to be found. But sitting around feeling devastated would get me no where. There was only one course left to take. Fervent prayers were answered. Inspiration struck. I remembered a 15 year old external hard drive that might contain a digital copy of the letter – the next best thing to the physical signed copy. And there it was. Right where I left it untouched by time for 15 years. I printed it out and started to read as the tears flowed down…
To: Lauren Drew Soffer
(This letter is not to be opened until October 23, 2013.)
Dear Lauren,
It has probably been quite some time since you have heard from me, at least fifteen years to be exact. I just thought that you might want to hear from your fifteen-year-old self now that you are twice as old.
I try to imagine what you will be doing in your life right now. If we are anything alike then you are most likely taking a break from your incredibly busy life and something really important that you are suppose to be doing in order to read this letter. So where are you? Did you become a famous actress? Did you write a brilliant screenplay? Are you directing great movies? Or did you do something completely different?
Have you changed a lot in fifteen years? Are you closer to that idea person I am now working so hard to become? Do you still dream all of the time? I hope so. I love to dream. You remember that, don't you? I love to occupy my hours with imaginary alternate realities of my life, present in future. Did you ever go on the Rosie O'Donnell Show like you so often dreamed? Did you ever meet Gillian Anderson? Well, it doesn't really matter. My dreamtime is only a few steps above childish fantasies.
Well, enough with the questions I can't get answers to. I will remind you a little bit of a little bit about me. Aside from school where, in my junior year, I am taking one honors and two AP classes, I am involved with a few (ha ha) extracurricular activities. I am the first alternate for Varsity Tennis, I really wanted to be one of the nine players on Varsity, but my serve isn't ready yet. Next year. I hope that by the time you read this letter, you can really serve the pants off people, or at least have a good serve. Right now I am working on a Comedy Scene for the Drama Festival with Johanna Fair, Jeff Newman, Jeremy Nation, and George something or other. Jackie Luttrel is directing. We are doing the last scene from Play It Again, Sam by Woody Allen. Now that will be an old movie when you read this. Which reminds me, do they still have videotapes, audiotapes, and CD's? Probably not. Anyway, I just tried out for our Senior Produced Winter Drama that is Love, Sex, and the IRS. I don't think that I did that well. Only you know if I will get a part. I am also going to do Psychodrama for Advanced Peer Counseling, which is another thing I am doing. I love it. We went on out retreat together up to JCA Shalom, and it was one of the best experiences I had in a long time. I am on the grant writing committee for PC as well. Let's see, there is also Comedy Sportz. It is one of the best things in my schedule. It is just so much fun, and I always look forward to it. I also am training Beginning Peer Councilors, going to Film Club (when it doesn't interfere with writing the PC grant), and going to drama club. I believe that brings me to the last but not least thing on my plate, my job at temple as an assistant teacher. I have a second grade class this year, and I enjoy everything about it but getting up early on Sunday mornings. I'm pretty busy for a fifteen year old, huh? I am a little stressed over it all right now, but I enjoy doing everything so much I can't give anything up.
So, that's what I'm doing. Now, onto what I am like. I believe in believing. I like to think that there is still a lot in this world worth believing in. And, if the whole world keeps on believing, there will always be hope for the future. That's another thing. I know that the young people are our future. That is why I love my job where I get to be a part of making the future. I believe that there is no greater gift you can bestow than your love. I try to give my love everyday. I'm not perfect yet, but I'm working on it. My goal is to be a person who never runs out of love to give and who is a strength and a model for those trying to be better people. And, I don't think that my progress is going so badly. My best friend, Leslie, tells me that I am her strength. Basically all of my beliefs can be summed up in my goal for life: Before I die, I want to leave a lasting and positive impact, I want to make a difference to at least one person, I want to leave the world a little bit better than when I entered it, and I want to be a living example of love and kindness. That brings me to what I want to do with the rest of my life. I think that I am best suited to fully that goal by doing something in the entertainment industry. I think that I can really make a difference to a large number of people though work in that field. I want to act, I want to write screenplays, I want to direct, and I might want to produce (funny how my I-Search that I am working on for English is on this very topic).
Here are my other interests. In the area of television, these I the shows I watch: I watch X-Files religiously and consider myself a devoted X-Phile, I am addicted to the Simpsons (a highly intelligent and brilliant satire of society which also happens to be a hysterical cartoon), I am almost completely hooked on Ally McBeal, and I enjoy watching Inside Actor's Studio. I must also make a note to a show I always love to see and without I wouldn't be righting this letter right now: Northern Exposure. There was this one episode where in a flashback to 15 years earlier Maggie writes a letter to herself in thirty years. In the present, Maggie gets a hold of the letter and a whole thing plays out, but that isn't the important part. The important thing is that I got the idea for writing this letter from the show. There are also an endless number of movies I love. One of my very favorites is The Princess Bride. But there are so many others I adore that I couldn't name them all or I'd be here forever, however, for a dramatic piece, I liked the Piano, for a comical piece I like Forget Paris, and for one that just sticks out in my mind as being really good, I enjoyed Fried Green Tomatoes. Some of my favorite books include The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver, The Shipping News by E. Annie Proulx, Exodus by Leon Uris, and The Dune Chronicles by Frank Herbert.
My social life is as follows: My two best friends are Leslie Klein and Jackie Luttrel. I am closer with Leslie, but we also go through more rough spots, like the one right now, for example. I should also mention that we went to Spain together this past summer, I'm sure you didn't forget that. I love them both to death though. I don't know how I would possibly get through my high school life without them constantly being there for me, mostly to just let me vent. We understand each other in a very special way. They are what real friends are, or at least are the closest things to it that I have ever experienced. I also hand out with a lot of more casual, mostly drama friends. There is Johanna Fair, Blair Anderson, Jessica Yuda, Lauren Hubert, Tarren Polack, Shelby Schulman, Miriam Krikorian, and Brittany Stabile. I have especially been getting closer to Johanna lately because of Peer Counseling and the Drama Festival Scene.
Well, I guess that just about wraps it up for now. But I do want you to remember a few things. Lauren, you are an amazingly strong person. You have the power to change things in your life. Never feel like you have to settle. Remember the wisdom of the car commercial: "If everything were just good enough, would anything ever really be good enough?" Never loose hope, never stop dreaming, and never loose sight of those dreams. Don't be afraid to make your dreams a reality. You are an incredibly talented person. You can do anything. "If you think it, want it, dream it, then it's real. You are what you feel." Never forget that Matt Kaplan always believed you could make it as an actress. Remember to remember what is really important in life, what makes life worth living, and place that thing above all else. Remember to spread light and to give and receive love openly. If you have forgotten any of this in the past fifteen years, then remember that it is never to late to change. Don't forget the road less traveled by, it can make all the difference. Remember that, as Abraham Lincoln said, "People are just about as happy as they make up their mind to be." And finally remember the great Dr. Seuss's words from Oh, The Places You'll Go,
"So be sure when you step
Step with care and great tact
And remember that life's
A Great Balancing Act
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed)
Kid, you'll move mountains."
Lots of love,
Lauren Soffer
(Fifteen Years Old)
October 22, 1999
When I finished reading the letter, I went right back to the beginning and read it again. Crying all the way though. It was so full of hope. So full of love. So full of excitement. So full of confidence. So full of wisdom, especially for a 15 year old.
Lots of things stood out to me. For instance, I did meet Gillian Anderson and I did get the part in Love, Sex, and the IRS. But what stood out to me the most was the last paragraph containing advice. It was wise beyond years and exactly what I've been needing to hear. In fact the one line that most stood out to me was, "If you have forgotten any of this in the past fifteen years, then remember that it is never to late to change." That hit me really hard. And I have forgotten some of the qualities I had at 15. Namely that level of confidence I once had. I want that back. And as I said, It' s never too late to change.
The only thing I have left to do is write another letter to my 45 year old self, but this time I need to find a way to hide somewhere more obvious. No need to go through all that stress on my 45th birthday again. Until then, I have mountains to move!
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Crafting A Particularly Perfect Excerpt
Feb 13th
Writing a novel from start to finish is an extremely challenging feat, but I discovered that creating the novel itself is a synch compared to crafting an engaging and well-written pitch. How could I distill over 100k words into just under 250 words while still maintaining the essence of the plot, characters, and style of the book?
It is no easy task. I struggled and wrestled my way through over fifteen drafts each seemingly worse than the last. False starts and failed endings. It took me a long time to get to what I finally settled upon, but I'm not convinced it's ready.
I need your help! Please read my pitch, and lend me your constuctive critique. What's working? What isn't working? Does it pull you in? Do you relate to the characters? Does it make you want to read the book? What can I do to make it stronger?
The Particulars Pitch
by Lauren Soffer
Please excuse Professor Veril Maloit as he passes out cold. He's just standing up to accept the biggest honor of his writing career only to fall flat on his face. To Veril's astonishment, his girlfriend, Samantha Elderhopper, is selected to become an apprentice to the elite group of writers known as The Particulars, and his lifelong dream of joining the enigmatic organization is in shambles.
While recovering, Veril overhears a conversation between the group's Grand Master, Cameron Johanson, and another Particular about making unsuspecting people disappear.
Is something sinister afoot? Tracy, the opinionated incorporeal voice that's following Veril around certainly thinks so. Chances are he's finally going out of his mind, but as Veril investigates, he stumbles upon a Particular conspiracy, witnessing the society's crimes for himself. The famous authors are secretly vampires sucking juicy details out of people to infuse their writing with vivid realism, erasing their victims from memory to all but Veril.
Terrified, he dreads forever losing Sam to the humanity devouring Particulars, but what can Veril do? He knows nothing about hunting vampires. Or so he thinks, until the delivery of a cryptic letter illuminates the murky details of his mysterious lineage. Armed with a magic pen and inkwell, his creative writing skills, and a grab bag team of would-be heroes, Veril discovers that he's the inspired author of his own destiny.
Thanks so much for your time and help! It's much appreciated. You can leave your feed back right here in the comments, or you can email me at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Cross-posted from The Particulars Blog.
Change of Heart
Jan 13th
Posted by writerfly in Epiphanies
I've been told on several occasions lately that I'm glowing. I was in the LDS Temple when I heard it first. One of the more locally important leaders came up to me to tell me that his counselor told him that I was glowing and that he agrees with him. I promptly turned a bright shade of red which I'm sure covered up any glow as I thanked him. But when I got home, I looked in the mirror and to my surprise, sure enough, I was glowing. Nothing green or yellow or radioactive, but my eyes and skin were lit up and shining. Glowing is a term usually reserved for describing women who are in love or pregnant. As I fall in neither category, it's led me to wonder at the source of my illuminating shine.
Today I realized what that source was. I was at church this morning when that same counselor came up to me directly to tell me how much he thought I was glowing for himself. He also mentioned that could see a change in me. That's what gave me the clue. I believe he was referring to a "change of heart" or a "mighty change" of heart of the variety written about beginning in The Book of Mormon, Alma, Chapter 5, Verse 12-14 & 26 :
12 And according to his faith there was a mighty change wrought in his heart. Behold I say unto you that this is all true.
13 And behold, he preached the word unto your fathers, and a mighty change was also wrought in their hearts, and they humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God. And behold, they were faithful until the end; therefore they were saved.
14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?
26 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?
While I was in the hospital for three months over this past summer, I really believe it wrought a mighty change in my heart. I learned to trust God like I never trusted before. Being on a ventilator, unable to breath on my own, while still being completely conscious, for such a long period during that time, was a humbling experience. It taught me to just keep giving me burdens over to my Savior. It also taught me how our short lives are such a gift to treasure every moment of.
When I got home, I began to recover in leaps and bounds, faster than I had ever recovered and from a way more intense hospitalization than ever before. I didn't think much of it at first, but now I attribute it to the might change of heart I'm experienced. The peace, faith and connectedness I feel are all products of that change of heart that I experienced inside me. I felt the song of redeeming love so strongly then. Can I feel so now? I must answer a resounding, "yes!"
Which bring me back to the glow. I realize now that I'm not really glowing. Or rather when you look at me and see a glow, it's not me that you are seeing. You are seeing the Light of Christ working through me. I have embraced Christ's love and his love shines through me. His love makes me glow. So in a sense I am pregnant. I carry faith inside me and feed it and nurture it and grow it into its full divine potential. And I might not be romantically in love, but I strive to carry charity or "the pure love of Christ" with me everywhere I go. That is the glow you see. That is the light in my eyes. As it is written in The New Testament, Matthew, Chapter 5, Verse 16:
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.


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You need to make sure if you want the old natural green amber from the Caribbean, the Dominican Green Amber – as there is no other Caribbean Island where amber has been found. Of if you want the cheaper version of green amber, the so called "Caribbean Amber" made from much younger Colombian copal. It is very attractive (specially when you look at the price) and it is the green amber that is mostly being offered in jewelry on TV, web sites and many gem shows. Now, we are in the lucky position to offer you both. Just tell us what you need.
The original old Dominican kind or green amber is a bit more expensive, though. But it is all NATURAL, old green amber, just the way it is found in the mines without any enhancement or modifications.
There are different versions of Dominican green amber, the rare translucent kind, also an opaque green, a green with black stripes (almost marble), a bluish green, smokey green, olive green etc.
Periodically, we have lots of natural green amber or individual specimen available for wholesale price .
Or we have or can make beads for you. Or free-size nuggets of true green amber. See some of the product samples below.
Please contact us with details of your inquiry to receive a quote.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Old Republicans – part 3on December 14, 2011 at 12:01 am
When I initially got to play in the beta for SW:TOR the fat guy body type, build 4, was the constant butt of many a joke.
So, I had to include it in the comic.
Guys, guys… SW:TOR is pretty damned cool. As you know, or at least could have guessed… I'm playing it now. Like the guys in the comic, I'm playing on the dark side. I've got a Sith Marauder and he's all sorts of awesome. I got in the first day of early access and I'm tearing it up.


text: HI everyone! Just wanted to introduce myself to you and thank you for letting me join your board. I'm currently planning a GRAND GATHERING for my immediate family of 24 people (told ya it was grand!) This is me, my husband, my 2 daughters, my parents, 4 sisters, 1 brother, 6 nieces, 4 nephews, 1 brother in-law, and 3 boyfriend/fiances. Hopefully thats all of em cuz if it isn't they don't have a ticket! We're going to Disney from December 4-9 and staying at Carribean Beach Resort. I just finished doing all the airfare last week and my biggest task now is DINING! I've been going through your boards tonight and finding TONS of useful info. Hope to "meet" all of you soon and if anyone else has done a large group, PLEASE speak up and give me some tips, cuz I don't know if i'll survive til December, one sister is already driving me nuts! Hugs Jen G


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5 Steps To Feeling Better, Even If You Have ZERO Motivation
I sent this note out recently, and I got a lot of great feedback from our longtime community members. As you know, the key idea of PEERtrainer is that we know a lot, but often need help following through. And I am no different!!
I've had months of social eating and the summer schedule had me drinking lattes, too much wine, cheese and meat – non-stop. I don't regret any of it!
But…I gained 8 pounds and I was feeling terrible. I had no energy, half my clothes didn't fit. And the worst part is I didn't have any motivation to get back on track. But I did it anyway.
So when I sat down and thought about it, I realized the 5 changes I made and that had almost double the return.
And I knew I had to share it with all of you.
1. Increase the vegetables, decrease the protein. We've become a nation of protein junkies. If it doesn't have carbs, it must be good
for you. We eat chicken, fish, meat in endless amounts because we've
been told it's fine because it's the carbs make you gain weight, not the
protein. There is such a thing as too much protein.
And protein without the necessary vegetables will push toxins into your body and
they stay there, along with the fat and extra pounds. So I did what I
know works every time: I increased the vegetables.
I stopped eating the non-stop chicken and started eating the salads again. The simple
rule is to look down at your plate and make sure it's 80% of greens and
vegetables and make sure they taste good. One of my favorites is
Powerhouse spinach dip.
This simple idea of 80% veggies is the basis of The Cheat System Diet, and it works.
I also went back to my Chophouse Salad, but without the chicken. The focus
was – and is – on the high nutrient powerhouse foods. Not only did I
feel ridiculously full again, the weight began to melt off.
2. I switched my beloved latte to a coconut milk latte. I thought this
would be agonizing. I LOVE the latte. They make me feel full and they
taste so so so good. What I forgot that all that milk was making me
tired, lethargic and became the little voice in my head that reminded me
I didn't really want to exercise.
And I would answer, yes, I really don't want to move, I just want to sit. The elimination of cow's milk
made a huge difference in my energy level. Remember, we give milk to a child before they go to sleep. I was doing this at 7am in the morning
and it was setting me up for a day of no energy. Here's why I
switched to coconut milk
Related Article: There is also great evidence linking Dairy to a reduction in
sex drive in women, that my friend Dr. Jen Landa has written about here.
After day 1 of my switch I booked a tennis court. I hadn't played in
months! I finally started feeling great again.
3. I became aware that I was feeling down. I already knew I was
stressed, but the combination of bad food, no movement really had me
thinking negatively. I was especially hard of myself and was really
beating myself up: "Come on Jackie, you KNOW this. Why can't you just
do what you know and get it done?" This was making it even worse.
I had to remind myself this can happen to anyone and no one is perfect.
As I continuously became nicer to myself, I started feeling better and
when I started feeling better, it was easier to make a better decision.
4. I made a commitment to make the very next meal a great one. When I realized I no longer wanted to feel this way, I went to the store right
then and got the ingredients for my favorite salad. I didn't waste my
time thinking, oh I don't feel like making this or it would be so much
easier to just grab something.
I made the very next meal a great choice. I was surprised at how much better I felt and how much
motivation I felt after just ONE thing, making the very next meal a
great one.
You might think you are so off track that there is no way that one thing can make you that motivated, but try it. This is the
first thing you can do right now. Hey, you might not stop stressing
out, you might not want to go to the gym or workout because you're too
tired or too stressed, but you will most likely eat today. This is the
single best thing (and easiest) you can do right now.
5. I began my morning ritual with what I know works every tie: My
shake. I was back in to the routine with absolutely no time in the
morning and I was skipping breakfast (arghh!!) or grabbing a latte.
Going 12 hours through the night and waking up to either no nutrients,
or a nutrient lacking latte was setting me up for withdrawal disaster
and sugar binges.
But I need something quick. I end up putting everyone else first and I knew if I didn't have the time, I wouldn't do
it. This is what I love about the shakes. It takes me 3 minutes to
make. It's so fast, so easy, tastes SO good and I'm full for hours.
This was huge for me. I love love love the chai. I can't recommend starting
the morning off with a shake more highly. It works for me every single time.


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Do you ever skip the meal just because you want to lose weight? Have you ever started your day without having breakfast? Did you sleep at night without having dinner? At some point in life, we all did these kinds of stupid things because we think if we are eating lead and skipping our meals we will lose weight at a faster rate. But, have you every researched about it? Most of us would say NO! Because we do not research we just follow whatever seems fine to us. But we are here to tell you that how much eating regularly is important and why you should not miss any meals.
If losing weight was as easy as skipping meals then everyone would have been slim and smart. But it is not that much easy because whenever you miss any meal your body gets weak and its metabolism becomes slower which make your fat burning process also slow. If you did not eat breakfast in the morning than whatever you eat in the lunch will not be digested in a better way and the result will be more fat than usual because your body's metabolism rate will be slow and it would not be able to burn calories as your body do when it is energized.
We are here to present that what happens to your body when you skip any meal and how you can lose weight without skipping meals and we would like to tell you about Weight Loss Pills for Women which is a fat burning supplement available in the market for your help.
A first side effect of skipping your meal is that your body becomes deficient in nutrients and you are likely to face muscle fatigue, poor mental health and low energy for work. In this way, your muscles become weaker and your body's metabolism becomes slower.
Scientific research says that if you skip breakfast daily then you are headed toward trouble for yourself because if you skip breakfast daily there are more chances that you will face diabetes in future due to the unbalanced sugar level in your blood. Because our body regularly requires nutrients but if we do not provide that our body becomes weak.
Do you know how your brain gets its energy? Let us tell you that glucose is the main source of energy for your brain and if you skip breakfast than the glucose level in your body becomes less and your brain cannot absorb the required level of glucose and you become moody and you cannot focus on anything and skip your meals affects your moods and your concentrations.
When you skip any meal and there is sugar left in your blood even if tiny drop of sugar will be left in your blood than your hormonal level will be disturbed and there is increase glucose level and there are chances that you will face blood pressure issue and secondly, your arteries also get blocked due to this and you can also have heart diseases.
If you are facing any gastric issues than there are chances that you are not having your meal regularly or you are skipping any meal because the root cause of acidity, stomach pain and constipation are due to skipping meal because when you are empty stomach and you do not eat for longer time then you will have this stomach issues.
Carbohydrates are burned in your body to fuel up your body and that is very important for your body to work. If you do not properly take the meals that there will be a low level of carbohydrates and your body will become weaker and your metabolism slows down and you cannot function normally.
We hope that we are able to clear your views about eating regularly and not missing any meals because if you do so then you have to be in these problems. Do people tell you that you look sick or do you get reviews about yourself that you look so deficient? Then you have read the right article because if you're skipping meals than you are heading toward these diseases and you will face the problems that are listed above.
Similarly, if you want to lose weight then you should also try weight loss pills for women for fat burning because if you eat regularly along with these supplements than the fat level in your body will not increase. Design your diet plan in a good way and set some beneficial foods for your breakfast, lunch, and dinner so that you become strong and healthy. If your brain is healthy and your body is also healthy then you can work more efficiently and you will be successful. DietHealthMag – a site for best diet pills!


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Each year the world's car fans gather at convention centers around the world to ogle, ooh and ahh, and get generally titillated by auto shows. And while the circuit of shows used to be fairly geocentric, it's totally gone global -- and this year's internationally designated New York auto show...Read More»
Hyundai will launch a new compact minivan in the near future, and the Korean firm's Geneva Motor Show concept hints at the styling and functionality. Bizarrely it has two names, either HED-5 — because it's the fifth production the from Hyundai European Design center — or the i-mode. The...Read More»
Cadillac's award-winning CTS sedan will likely get a coupe companion in mid-2008, and the two-door version of the luxury four-door has been previewed at the 2008 Detroit auto show in the form of the CT Coupe Concept. The CT is the latest iteration of the Cadillac "Art & Science" design theme...Read More»
Just a few weeks ago at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Volkswagen Up! was described as a concept car. Now, with the debut of the Space Up!, the pair are being talked of by VW as a small-car family. There seems little doubt these cars – or something very like them – will become production...Read More»
Happy birthday to Daihatsu! The Japanese brand best known for its city cars is celebrating 100 years in business and marked the occasion with new concept and production cars at the Tokyo Motor Show. The most striking was the Mud Master, a small transporter prototype. Gull-wing doors open on three...Read More»
On its Frankfurt motor show stand, Hyundai revealed a new tall-wagon variant for its i30 model line, which is new for 2008. The i30cw, which is reportedly destined for U.S.shores next year in slightly different form as the Elantra wagon, has what is called a "new wagon design philosophy," which...Read More»
Paris is always a big motor show for French firm Renault, but that doesn't mean its hiding its light under a bushel on alternate years at Frankfurt. The company's 2007 stand is the biggest it's ever had, and with five new products it needed to be. First up is the Laguna hatchback and wagon...Read More»
Nissan has spiced up its European subcompact, the Micra, in time for theFrankfurt auto show next week. But since teensy city cars tend to pale against the likes of Jaguar XFs and Maserati GTs, Nissan's slathering the Micra with special paint to come up with the Micra Colour + Concept, a two-toner...Read More»
Automotive interior design company Johnson Controls will have a new concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and has released a single sketch of how it's going to look. The firm says the as-yet-unnamed prototype is about innovative use of space, characterized by the rear passenger seats which...Read More»
Reeves Callaway is letting his hair down — along with the roof of the new C16 Corvette, first shown in Los Angeles , last December. Heading cross-country, the well-known tuner rolled out the C16 Cabrio at the '07 New York Auto Show. The tuner transformation that is the C16 starts with Corvette...Read More»
SLIDESHOW: Mazda's concept unveiled at Detroit looked somewhat familiar to the Nagare concept recently unveiled at the Los Angeles show. That's no mistake. The Ryuga, according to Mazda, is the next step in the evolution of the Nagare and, according to executive vice pesident Bob Graziano...Read More»
At the tail end of the Mercedes-Benz press conference at the 2007Detroit auto show, Dieter Zetsche brought Roger Penske in via teleconference from the nearby (but not adjacent) smart stand. Penske's company, UnitedAutoGroup of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., is DaimlerChrysler's distribution partner...Read More»
Nissan says the concept it will show at the 2007 Detroit auto show in January will be dubbed the Bevel. The Bevel, Nissan says, will be a dynamic, multi-purpose vehicle with a small size, big utility and fresh thinking – including a function-inspired design, a 'command central' cockpit and...Read More»
Honda hopes to lure in hip, young buyers with its boxy Step Bus concept vehicle, debuting at the 2006Los Angeles auto show this week. Think of the show car as the ultimate party tool "for the MP3 generation," declared John Mendel, the automaker's top U.S. executive, adding that the Step Bus...Read More»
2006 SEMA Show by TCC Team (10/30/2006)All our coverage from the Las Vegas aftermarket extravaganza. · Builders: DaimlerChrysler Dealer Technical Operations and Vehicle Build Shops · 5.7L HEMI Crate Engine by Mopar · 360 horsepower @ 5,400 rpm and 360 lbs.-ft. of torque @ 4,200 rpm This Dodge...Read More»
2006 SEMA Show by TCC Team (10/30/2006)All our coverage from the Las Vegas aftermarket extravaganza. The 2007 Chevy Tahoe Street Tuner demonstrates what can be done with carefully selected Chevrolet Accessories that transform a vehicle into a contemporary, custom-look street machine. It features...Read More»
2006 SEMA Show by TCC Team (10/30/2006)All our coverage from the Las Vegas aftermarket extravaganza. The all-new 2007 Chevy Avalanche is one of the industry's most unique and capable SUVs, combining full-size utility interior room and truck-like cargo capability. GM engineers developed the...Read More»
2006 SEMA Show by TCC Team (10/30/2006) All our coverage from the Las Vegas aftermarket extravaganza. For two decades, Dana Buchman has created clothes for the women who runAmerica 's businesses, communities and families. Now, this vaunted New York fashion house has created the ultimate...Read More»
2006 SEMA Show by TCC Team (10/30/2006)All our coverage from the Las Vegas aftermarket extravaganza. The Chevy Silverado E85 Handyman is a versatile truck, delivering both comfort and capability to owners who use it as their rolling office or to transport loads of mulch on the weekend. Equipped...Read More»


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Short tours in Beijing | Tours to North Korea, Japan, South Korea and over Trans-Siberian railway | Chinese visa
Most of our travellers go to Korea via China and Korea Konsult may help you to use this excellent opportunity to explore the "Middle Kingdom" (the country's name in Chinese). China is one of the World's oldest and largest civilizations, with fascinating history and society which is so different from the western one. If you travel to China, you may want to book accommodation and sightseeing with Korea Konsult.
The table below contains our short programs in Beijing and surrounding areas. We also can organize trips throughout greater China: Xian, Shanghai, Tibet, Yangtze cruises, trips to Sanya etc.
3 days / 2 nights
Short Beijing city package
Day 1. Arrival in Beijing, transfer to hotel.
4 days / 3 nights
Beijing city package
Day 1. Arrival in Beijing, transfer to hotel.
Day 3.Breakfast. Pass by Olympic Village (photo opportunities). Drive to the Great Wall of China, Lunch, Ming Tombs. Back to Beijing. Dinner is served at the famous Peking duck restaurant.
Day 4. Breakfast. Transfer to the airport or train station, leaving home or to next destination.
5 days / 4 nights
Long Beijing city package
Day 1. Arrival in Beijing, transfer to hotel.
Day 3.Breakfast. Pass by Olympic Village (photo opportunities). Drive to the Great Wall of China, Lunch, Ming Tombs. Back to Beijing. Dinner is served at the famous Peking duck restaurant.
Day 4. Breakfast. Drive to Lama Temple. Hutong Rikshaw tour in the downtown old Beijing. Lunch. Temple of Heaven. Free time.
Day 5. Breakfast. Transfer to the airport or train station, leaving home or to next destination.
Shopping in China. China is a shoppers' paradise where one can purchase luxury goods at a very modest price. If you shop at the factory, you save even more. Therefore, we organise visits to pearl farms, embroidery factories, etc., where you will see the production process and then shop at the factory outlet. When you see the thousands of unique products available for sale, you will be surprised by both the high quality of merchandise and the creativity of Chinese artisans. There is of course no obligations to buy anything.
The tour price covers:
The tour price doesn't cover:
Beijing can be your basecamp for traveling in Asia and Eurasia:
From Beijing to North Korea
Beijing is a starting and final point for most of our tours to North Korea. You can fly to Pyongyang from Beijing, or other way around. You also can take train from Pyongyang to Beijing.
List of our group tours to North Korea:
From Beijing to South Korea, Mongolia, and Japan
Ulaanbaatar, Seoul and Tokyo are within 2 hour flight from Beijing. The capital of Mongolia (Ulaanbaatar) can be also reached by direct train from Beijing
List of our tours to:
From Beijing via Trans-Mongolian or Trans-Manchurian to Moscow
Beijing may be starting or ending point of your Trans-Mongolian or Trans-Manchurian journey: take train from Moscow to Beijing or vice versa. Trans-Mongolian route is the most popular because it is shorter and passes through the fascinating Mongolia. Many of our clients combine Trans-Mongolian and North Korea in one tour.
Our tours with Trans-Mongolian:
There are 2 options to apply for Chinese visa:
Your passport should be at least six months left before the passport expires. Please refer to our visa support page here for more details
For a trip to North Korea via China tourists usually need a Chinese visa for 2 entries. However, visitors holding connecting flight tickets to pass through China are exempted from visa requirements:
|24-hour rule
|72-hour rule
Foreigners (regardless of nationality) who have confirmed onward tickets and seats on international flights and directly transit through China and stay for no more than 24 hours after arrival do not need for to apply for Chinese visa.
Visa-free transit is not applicable if you arrive or leave China by train or any other mode of transport than air.
As of January 1, 2013, citizens of 51 countries do not need to apply for a visa to China if they:
To find out more about the 72-hour rule please visit the Beijing Capital's Airport website. We recommend as well to read through FAQ here.
72-hour Visa-free Transit Policy is valid for passport holders from the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar
NOTE! The 24 and the 72-hour rules are not not applicable if you arrive/leave Beijing by train or any other mode of transport than air. If your visa-free stay in China includes overnights then you have to be able to show your Beijing hotel booking.
It is also possible to get a Chinese visa at the PRC Embassy in Pyongyang during your tour in North Korea (the approx. visa cost in Pyongyang is 60 Euros). You have to arrange the Chinese visa on your own.


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MOVIE SYNOPSIS [ General Audiences ] With the main performance of Willie K. Kahaiali'I, this film directed by Brian Kohne was premiered in cinema or TV in 2011. The film "Get a Job" had an original production of USA. You can watch Get a Job online on TV cable or theaters with original audio in English at different dates. This film premiered in theaters in 2011.
Rating: 5 by 39 users./
Runtime: 89 minutes
Willie K. Kahaiali'I, Eric Gilliom, Carolyn Omine, Augie Tulba, Jake Shimabukuro, Mick Fleetwood, Henry Kapono Ka'aihue, Patrick Simmons, Willie Nelson, Bill Kohne, Stefan C. Schaefer, Kealoha, Ernie Cruz Jr., Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom and Charles Ka'upu.
89-minute film (full movie) directed by Brian Kohne.
The original audio of Get a Job has dialogues in Dolby Digital, it was produced in USA.
It premiered in cinemas or television in 2011.
Screenplay written by Brian Kohne.
Dan Hersey.
Stefan C. Schaefer.
This film was produced and / or financed by Cicala Filmworks and Malama Pono Productions.
Gravitas Ventures.
Without commercial breaks, the full movie Get a Job has a duration of 89 minutes; the official trailer can be watched in streaming on the Internet. You can watch this full movie free in EnglishDolby Digital in movie TV channels, renting the DVD or with VoD services (Video On Demand player, Hulu) and PPV (Pay Per View, Netflix).
See the page of this full movie, Get a Job in FULLTV Movies.


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Handpicked brands for you
Hey guys it's @jessgrambau! One of my favorite parks is Zion National Park. The views are always breathtaking and the adventures are endless! This shot is on Observation point over looking Angels Landing. #leavenotrace PC: @fearnowka


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Opinion Israel, a Few Steps Ahead of Trump
Not only does Israel have a southern border wall to keep outsiders out, it also bars entry to people from some of the countries named in President Trump's executive order.
Donald Trump cited Israel as a model for building his border wall with Mexico, and Benjamin Netanyahu proclaimed to the world that Trump is...
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