text:
View more product details
Fill out the form below and select your desired product options - we will notify you when it is back in stock.
We respect your privacy and the information you provide will NOT be sold, shared, or disseminated in any way. Please review our Privacy & Security Policy to learn more about our commitment to your privacy.
What are your shipping rates?
We wish we could personally deliver your order straight to your doorstep ourselves but because we can't we lovingly ship them to you with FREE standard delivery on all orders over $50 throughout the U.S. and Canada.
For orders under $50, our shipping rates for standard delivery (UPS Ground or USPS) go from $2–$7.50, depending on the dollar amount of your order.
How long until I receive my order?
Fast! We begin processing your order immediately because we want you to always be taking the best possible care of your skin. After you submit your order it leaves our warehouse within 24–48 hours. From there, how long it takes to reach you depends on your address:
Ran out of products? Want to receive your new order faster? You can select Rush Delivery when you are checking out!
Where oh where are my Paula's Choice products? You can track your order by going to your account or check the tracking information we send you via email.
Can I change or cancel my order once it has been placed?
We hate saying no, in fact we rarely do, but because we finalize and process our orders so quickly, changing or canceling them isn't an option. Contact us if you have specific concerns about something in your order and we'll make sure you get the right products (and great advice). And remember, every Paula's Choice product is sold with a 100% money-back guarantee!
What if I need to return or exchange a product?
No problem! In fact, we make it super easy for you! Info on how to return or exchange an item can be found here or refer to the back of the invoice from your order. If you need help picking out an alternate product contact us and we promise to take great care of you! Good to know: all Paula's Choice products are sold with a 60-day, 100% money-back guarantee. If you're not happy, we'll do everything we can to put a smile back on your face!
Paula's Choice will provide a full refund or credit (including tax where applicable) for merchandise returned within 60 days of your purchase date. We're sorry, but shipping fees are not refundable.
Step 1. Fill out the Return/Exchange Form located on the back of your invoice. If you don't have your invoice you can print the Return/Exchange Form here.
Step 2. Package the items for return in any box and enclose the completed Return/Exchange Form.
Step 3. Mail your items to:
Paula's Choice Returns
1030 SW 34th Street, Suite A
Renton, WA 98057-4810
Please note that you are responsible for shipping costs and the safe return of merchandise.
Step 4. Most returns are processed within 3-5 business days of receipt. You will receive an email confirmation once your return or exchange has been processed.
Bring on skin that's dry, oily or somewhere in between. Give us the wrinkles, rosacea, acne, blackheads, and big pores. Paula's Choice Skincare treats them all. Without irritation. No added dyes. 100% fragrance free. Our products are based on our unique combination of research, reviews, and results-driven product development. Finally, products that really work.
Animal testing is not okay with us. Never has been. We don't fund any independent source to do it for us, either. In fact we're members of the Leaping Bunny Program, which means not only have we eliminated animal testing from our company, but also from our ingredient suppliers. We love animals so much; our employees bring their dogs to work. Keeps things real.
Looking for animal-derived product information?
At Paula's Choice Skincare we believe our products will work as claimed. In fact, if you are not completely satisfied with your purchase for any reason we will give you a full refund or credit (including tax if applicable) for products returned within 60 days of your purchase date. As usual for online purchases, shipping fees are non-refundable.
How to make a return or exchange:
Step 1. Fill out the Return/Exchange Form located on the back of your invoice. If you've already tossed the invoice, you can print one out here.
Step 2. Pack up the items you want to return in any box. Remember to pop your completed Return/Exchange Form in there as well.
Step 3. Mail your items to:
Paula's Choice Returns
1030 SW 34th Street, Suite A
Renton, WA98057-4810
Please note that you are responsible for shipping costs and the safe return of merchandise.
Step 4. Most returns are processed within 3-5 business days after we receive them. We'll let you know via email once your return or exchange has been processed.
Note to international customers: Because duties and taxes are collected by the government in the country where the goods are received (not by Paula's Choice), we do not reimburse those expenses.
Customer Ratings:
I've tried A LOT of PC products, and this one is my favorite! Helps dry patches go away and makes my skin look more even and radiant- LOVE!
I have been using this product for about 3 months, and I'm ready to state that this product really is good. I use it once a week and though the results were not instant, I can now detect that the need to physically exfoliate my skin is unnecessary and that the clogging of my pores has reduced significantly. Although the percentage of AHA is high, I did not find it to be harsh or irritating at all. Very good easy to use product, will always be in my skin care regime.
This is seriously a miracle-worker product. A friend started using PC products and recommended I try them, as we both have oily break-out prone skin. I have tried so many acne-treatments and skin products, ranging from standard cheap drug-store brands to very very expensive luxury brands. This is by FAR the best I've used! I've struggled with cystic type pimples on my chin for years, and since beginning using this treatment 2x per week, I haven't had any problems! I also use the 2% liquid BHA.
I bought this product a few months ago. At first, I felt a significant tingling sensation so I washed it off after a few minutes. Next time I tried it, about 2 weeks later, the tingling sensation was diminished and I kept it on longer. I did get some peeling afterwards, but once that subsided I was pleased with the results. I tried it again a few weeks later. No tingling, no peeling. Now I can keep it on overnight. It leaves my skin looking brighter and feeling softer. No oil, no breakouts.
I am new to Paula's Choice products. After the first two times I used this, I am simply blown away how well it works! I have oily/combination 41 yr old skin. I have never used AHA's or BHA's as a potent treatment before so this may be why my results were so dramatic. I experienced a faint tingling but barely noticeable. I have sensitive skin and this has not irritated it at all. My forehead looks botoxed! My skin is glowing and smooth. Holy Grail product for sure. 1-2 times a week is plenty.
I love this stuff. I have overall oily skin, but it can get a little flaky in the winter. I pop this on overnight, rinse it off the next day while gently massaging my face with my fingertips, and look like I have baby soft skin! I have fairly sensitive skin, and this did not leave me red the next day. It also doesn't burn when I first apply it, but has a soft tingle that lasts just a few minutes. When I have a big event coming up, I always use this the night before to have radiant.
Fabulous! I have been using it for years and it really made a huge difference for my skin. YOu just need to be patient. It might take a few weeks to see the real results but its so worth it. And remember to apply a good sunblock before heading outside especially if you use this product. It makes my skin super soft, it erased those tiny wrinkles and lighten the tone of my complexion quite a bit. Love, love, love. Please never take this product out of your line, Paula!
I normally use the 2% bha liquid and thought might as well give this a try once a week. Once a week I would replace the 2% bha liquid with this one. At first it gives my skin a tingling/stinging feeling but I thought that was normal. HOWEVER, it really dries my skin so I stopped using this product. Kind of a waste of money since I only used it 3 times, but oh wells. Maybe I'll start using it again when I'm able to figure out which PC moisturizer works better with all these drying exfoliants.
I put this on before bed and in the morning I was amazed by the difference. Been using the BHA 2%, and tried this to see how the AHA was different from the BHA. I confess I love them both, and will give up neither!!
I love this product! I have dry/combo blemish prone skin. I'm in my early 30's and use the CLEAR line also. I have the beginnings of enlarged pores and I tend to get blackheads on my nose. I use the resurfacing treatment about twice a week and after using it for about 2 months, one day I touched my face and realized it was incredibly soft soft and smooth. In combination with the 9% BHA, my enlarged pores and blackheads are less noticeable and I barely have to wear foundation anymore.
This stuff is worth the money! I've spent lots more for not near the results. Your skin will feel super smooth and evens out skin tone.
Wow! This product is awesome! I have oily, clog-prone skin and use 2% bha. I was hesitant to try this, because I thought maybe AHA wouldn't be good for my skin type. After much review reading, I gave in and ordered this. Weekly resurfacing treatment- this is true to its name. I only use it once a week, pat a small amount, and I wake up to beautiful, glowing, smooth skin! I don't know how it does it, but it works! It adds extra oomph to my skincare, and I really see the results overnight!
I'm an avid BHA 2% gel user & long-time devotee of PC skincare. In this order, I decided to try a bunch of new stuff, including this resurfacing treatment. Unfortunately, it was a big miss. I have fair, 28-year old combination skin with dry flakes and blackheads. I used this product for the third time last week. The first 2 times using it I noticed no improvement in texture and tone; this last time, I had the additional pleasure of whiteheads and a massively painful red cyst on my chin. Oh well.
Is it the glycolic acid? My skin loves whatever is in this bottle. I have used it alone as well as with the Daily Smoothing Treatment. It's true the two work better together over time. But sometimes I get lazy and I don't use them for a couple of weeks. Then I feel my skin just doesn't look as good as it can. So for a quick fix, it's this Resurfacing Treatment I turn to at night. In the morning, my face is softer, moist, smooth. I look in the mirror and say, What happened overnight? Love this.
I'm the eternal critic and very skeptical about product claims, as I have tried everything under the sun and have spent a ton of $$ over the years. At 40+ I now have hyperpigmentation, sun damage, uneven skin tone and combo skin to boot.
I've been using Paula's Choice for about 2 weeks, and have used the weekly resurfacing twice. Last night was the 2nd application, and when I woke up this morning, even I could see the change! Radiance, more even, and some clarity! I'm super jazzed! HOPE!
I have tried everything on my heels. I thought I would try this just because. I saw improvement over night ! This is my new heel treatment. awesome.
I have been using the CLEAR extra strength/2% BHA liquid for quite a while now, but when my face needs extra help, this works like magic. It goes on beautifully and makes my skin look so much better by morning. Clogged pores are greatly diminished, and beginning whiteheads go away. This has been my go-to for long enough that I just ordered a 2nd bottle.
Great exfoliant! I use it once or twice weekly, and it makes my skin texture very smooth, and is somewhat fading hyperpigmentation from the sun. I have combo/oily skin, and was using the BHA 1% lotion at night, but I think this is working even better, even at clearing up minor acne and red marks. I did make the mistake of using 2 consecutive nights when I first got it and got a rash, but am using it more sparingly overnight without irritation. Minor stinging at first, then it feels ok.
Works beautifully on my dry, sensitive skin - I use AHA every day and this product once a week leaves my skin smooth, firm and radiant!
Although I've used Retin A Micro for 10 years, my neck began to age faster than my face. I started getting a weird texture to it that wouldn't go away. I tried various creams formulated especially for the neck but nothing helped. That is until I started using this little gem! Ladies, it's a neck changer in a bottle! After using this just one time I saw a difference...imagine what beautiful changes I've seen over the past 2 months! It's truly incredible. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!
I started using this product last week and after 2 applications I have literally watched my skin transform- I have NEVER used a product that worked as quickly or as efficiently as this. I currently use the regular strength acne system by Paula's Choice as well as the retinol serum and skin balancing moisturizer. This product was the icing on the cake and has helped my skin get that SUPER smooth and radiant look. I have honestly not seen my skin look this good since I was about 12! A must buy!
This treatment is magic, I swear. I noticed a difference in my skin after the first use and it just continued to get better. It really reduces pore size, brightens my skin and eliminates dead skin cells. My skin is softer and has better texture. And the bottle does go a long way due to the liquid consistency.
Looking for an exfoliant, I splurged on this product after reading all the rave reviews but haven't found it effective after about a month's use. I'm 28 years old with fair skin so perhaps I'm not the product's targeted demographic. I haven't left the product on for more than 10-30 minutes because I begin to get an uncomfortable stinging sensation, irritated and bumpy skin. I'm not sure if it was the product or coincidence.
I've been using the free samples weekly and my skin glows! It does sting when I first apply it, but it is tolerable. I leave it on during the day if I'm not wearing makeup, or leave it on overnight. When I rinse it off, my skin feels smooth and is glowing.
I am in awe of this stuff. I have oily, acne prone skin. I have read numerous times that BHA works better for my skintype, but after trying BHA's multiple times, I've come to find that AHA works much better. I have used both Paula's 8% AHA Gel and this Weekly Exfoliating Treatment. I find that this works better for my skin for some reason. I use it 2x per week and my skin is glowing, smooth & soft. My hyperpigmentation marks from old breakouts are fading. I like that this formula is a liquid because nothing in this breaks me out. Paula puts that dreaded cyclopentasiloxane in so many of her products and that breaks me out terribly. My skin just does not like silicones. Keep this same formula and I will be purchasing for a very, very long time.
What makes this product unique?This exclusive, extraordinary resurfacing treatment is an exfoliant formulated to reveal youthfully radiant skin overnight. It couples age-fighting antioxidants with 10% glycolic acid—ingredients proven to stimulate healthy collagen production and reduce wrinkles. A unique liquid delivery system, along with innovative soothing anti-inflammatory ingredients, guarantees impressive results that are visible from the first application. In less than two weeks your skin will experience improved texture, color, tone, and a noticeable reduction in the appearance of wrinkles. With ongoing use, skin becomes firmer and is better able to further Resist the signs of aging.
Fragrance- and colorant-free, this weekly treatment is recommended as an integral part of the Paula's Choice Resist line for younger-looking, firmer skin. This AHA exfoliant has a pH range of 3.5-3.8.
Who is this product for? Anyone concerned with the signs of aging, sun damage, and desires to improve the texture, tone, and elasticity of their skin.
Dermatologic Surgery, July 2009, pages 1,109–1,118; Clinical Evidence Online, December 16, 2008; Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, September 2008, pages 170–176; Journal of Dermatological Science, December 2005, pages 195–204; Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, April 2005, pages 1156–1162; Cutis, August 2001, pages 135–142; Dermatologic Surgery, May 2001 pages 1–5; Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, July 2000, pages 280–284; American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, March-April 2000, pages 81–88; Dry Skin and Moisturizers: Chemistry and Function, edited by Marie Loden and Howard Maibach, 2000, page 237; Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, May-June 1999, pages 111–119; Journal of Cell Physiology, October 1999, pages 14–23; and British Journal of Dermatology, December 1996, pages 867–875.
Key Ingredients:
Vitis vinifera, green tea, Ulmus fulva bark extract, slippery elm bark, glycerin, antioxidant, vitamin C, licorice extract, borage seed extract, chamomile, Boerhavia diffusa root extract, glycolic acid, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, Borago officinalis extract, Avena sativa, grape seed extract, Lamium album flower extract, anti-irritant, dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, white nettle, AHA, allantoin, Camellia sinensis, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Salix nigra (willow) bark extract, burdock root, willow bark
Water, Methylpropanediol (slip agent/penetration enhancer), Glycolic Acid (alpha hydroxy acid/exfoliant), Butylene Glycol (slip agent), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (water-binding agent), Sodium Hydroxide (pH adjuster), Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract (antioxidant), Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (vitamin C/antioxidant), Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract (anti-irritants), Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract (antioxidant),Arctium Lappa (Burdock) Root Extract, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract (anti-irritants), Borago Officinalis (Borage) Extract, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract (antioxidants), Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract (anti-irritant), Lamium Album (White Nettle) Flower Extract (antioxidant), Salix Nigra (Willow) Bark Extract, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Ulmus Fulva (Slippery Elm) Bark Extract (anti-irritants), Glycerin (skin-identical ingredient), Allantoin (anti-irritant) Propylene Glycol (solvent), Tetrasodium EDTA (chelating agent), Phenoxyethanol (preservative).
DIRECTIONS: Apply only at night after cleansing and toning. Using a cotton pad, gently stroke a dime-sized amount over the entire face. It can be left on or rinsed off after 10 minutes depending on your skin's sensitivity. Follow with a Paula's Choice Resist antioxidant serum and/or moisturizer. On the night(s) you use this Treatment do not use other exfoliants or scrubs at the same time. In the mornings you can use other exfoliants as per your normal routine. If you're using a prescription retinoid product (i.e. Renova) apply the exfoliant first and allow it to set, then apply the retinoid product. Follow with a serum and/or moisturizer.
Sun Protection Advice When Using Any AHA Exfoliant: This product contains 10% glycolic acid, an ingredient that may increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun and the possibility of sunburn. Always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 15 or greater every day. When outdoors, wear protective clothing whenever possible, seek shade, and avoid prolonged sun exposure.
Detailed instructions on how/when to apply your Paula's Choice products can be found in our How to Put Together Your Own Skincare Routine article.
Is it OK to use Resist Weekly Resurfacing Treatment more than once per week?
How should I alternate using Resist Weekly Resurfacing Treatment with Resist Daily Smoothing Treatment?
Resist Weekly Resurfacing Treatment is recommended for use at night, at least once but up to 4 or 5 times per week. Since we do not advise using other exfoliants at the same time that you apply Resist Weekly Resurfacing Treatment, you can apply Resist Daily Smoothing Treatment as part of your morning skincare routine or on nights you do not apply the Resist Weekly Resurfacing Treatment. In the morning, Resist Daily Smoothing Treatment should be applied after cleansing and toning. Follow with a serum and/or moisturizer or foundation rated SPF 15 or greater.
How does the Resist Weekly Resurfacing Treatment differ from Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel?
Can I use Resist Weekly Resurfacing Treatment with one of the Resist skin lighteners?
Can I use Resist Weekly Resurfacing Treatment at the same time as one of Paula's Choice BHA products?
Is Resist Weekly Resurfacing Treatment recommended for use around the eyes?
What if my skin experiences a stinging or tingling sensation from Resist Weekly Resurfacing Treatment?
I am using a prescription retinoid product (i.e. Renova, Retin-A). Is it OK for me to use Resist Weekly Resurfacing Treatment?
At what point after my laser and/or peel procedure can I begin using my AHA exfoliant again?
We respect your privacy and the information you provide will NOT be sold, shared, or disseminated in any way.
Read More →
Call us Mon–Fri 6am-6pm PT, Sat–Sun 8am-4:30pm PT
Connect with us:
© Copyright 2014 Paula's Choice. All rights reserved. Paula's Choice and Cosmetics Cop are registered trademarks of Paula's Choice, LLC.
Our Privacy Policy: We will not sell or share any of the information you provide.
*Promotion expires 9pm PT, September 9, 2014. No cash value. Cannot be combined with other offers or applied to prior purchases.
**Promotion expires 9pm PT, September 9, 2014. No cash value, applies to U.S. and Canada only.
***Promotion expires 9pm PT, September 9, 2014. Choose any 3 from 10 available FREE samples. Minimum $5 order.
Please sign in and access your saved member information.
You will have the option to create an account after you have submitted your order.


text:
Crashing Waves on the Coast - Central Oregon
Crashing waves make for some great action at sunset. I'll teach you the best methods for adjusting your camera settings to catch some water motion just like this! After sunset, we will be taking some night photos from this location as well.
photographyDave Morrow Star PhotographyUnder the Stars Presetssaturationlightroom presetslightroomNik Color Efex ProdynamicMorrow PhotographyHDR Tutorialluminosity masking tutorialGalaxynature photographypicspost processingfree star photography tutorialNikon D800free HDR tutorialHigh dynamic range photographyColor Efexstar photography workshopstravelbeautifulNikkortopaz adjustDave Morrow Photographyphotoslandscapewww.DaveMorrowPhotography.comnik softwarepictureshdrLuminosity MasksrangeLightroom 4lightnight skybeautiful photographymachdr photographyphotoshopUnder the Stars Lightroom PresetsnaturestarsD800Nikonhightopaz labsskycolorlandscape photographyphotomatixDavid Morrow, from

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Ann Bennis, Dan Hennelly Are Winners of ODU Staff Dream Fund Awards
Thanks to Old Dominion's Staff Dream Fund, two university employees will soon be able to realize their long-held desires: one to spend a week in Ireland doing genealogical research, and the other to publish a novel.
The proposals of two longtime ODU employees, Ann Tatman Bennis and Dan Hennelly, were selected by the Staff Dream Fund Committee as the winners in this year's competition (see photos below).
Bennis, director of the IT Policy and Project Management Office within the Office of Computing and Communications Services, will use the endowed funds she was awarded to take her years of genealogical research to the next level by traveling to Northern Ireland to learn more about her family roots.
"Because I was adopted and without any information about my own roots, I have had a sense of obligation to preserve the past for future generations," Bennis said in her letter to the committee. "This has been my passion for over 40 years. Today the availability of online resources has expanded, and in many ways, eased the genealogical research process. However, the direct, firsthand examination of historical records in the context of where they were created is often the best (sometimes the only) way to discover the character and qualities of the people they represent."
The committee will award $3,000 to Bennis for the trip, which will cover airfare, ground transportation, lodging and meals. In her proposal, Bennis said that she had completed most of her family history during four decades of research - with one exception, the history of the Reid family in Ireland. Her adoptive father's family (surnames Reid and O'Neil) came from Ireland, immigrating through Canada into Michigan.
While in Northern Ireland, Bennis plans to visit the places that retain the primary source material - libraries, public record offices and historical societies - and visit the family village, church and graveyard in Ballynahinch.
"It was a dream I shared with my father, Joe Reid. He was an ardent supporter of my genealogy efforts. He loved hearing about my latest finding. I had always promised him that we'd go to Ireland together and find those Reid ancestors. However, he passed away in 2009 without knowing much about his native Irish ancestors. It would mean a lot to me to be able to complete this search to document and humanize my Irish ancestors to the maximum extent possible."
Bennis even has smaller dreams within her big dream - one is to actually meet some distant relatives and another is to uncover the story of a particular ancestor from the early 19th century who received a land grant based on his efforts as a companion in India to Lord Ainsley of England, to find out if the incomplete family oral history points to his being "a scoundrel or a hero" in connection with the land grant.
"Being able to interview others with the surname (my potential living cousins) would greatly interest me," Bennis wrote in her proposal. "The true fantasy is to connect with a like-minded relative that invites me to see the old family albums and chat up the history!"
She added: "The trip would essentially be the field research. The hard work would come later as the entirety would need to be evaluated for connections and linkages. Follow-up will likely be necessary; all the more reason to connect with local archivists, librarians and others who share an interest.
"Once that is done, it would be remarkable (and very meaningful to me) to document my findings and share with my family and with my relatives in Michigan who also have been unable to crack that gap between Canada and Ireland. Once this branch of the family tree has been explored, I feel that I could write a book, at least for the family, and perhaps for inclusion in genealogical libraries. So in short, my dream is to contribute to the body of work now assembled and move the history forward for future generations."
Hennelly, academic services analyst with the Office of Academic Affairs, will use the $1,600 he was awarded by the Dream Fund Selection Committee to use iUniverse, a print-on-demand publisher based in Bloomington, Ind., to self-publish his whodunit murder mystery, titled "Fatal Knowledge." Print-on-demand publishing will enable readers to purchase the book through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
His dream to write a book was something he initially held as a private passion. Hennelly said he was previously unsuccessful in getting a science fiction novel published, but he remained undeterred. He later decided to switch genres.
In his Dream Fund proposal, Hennelly said: "Having a novel published is very difficult; literary agents are reluctant to represent an author with no publishing credits. One noted science fiction writer with over 20 novels to his credit noted in his blog that his current agent only began representing him after he's won two prestigious science fiction writing awards and had several novels already in print.
"Publishers and bookstores are currently in a period of transition (witness the demise of the Borders bookstore chain) and publishers have drastically cut back on the number of new titles being published."
In a statement of support for his Dream Fund proposal, Lorraine Lees, ODU professor of history and a neighbor of Hennelly, noted that her university colleague is serious about his after-work-hours craft and that he attends a writing workshop. She called his new novel an entertaining murder mystery," adding: "Dan, after working on a college campus for nearly 30 years, has captured the details of campus life and given the book the aura of authenticity."
Much of the inspiration for the book, Hennelly acknowledged, came from his days as a student at the College of William and Mary.
In his proposal, he discussed the genesis for his dream. "Over a decade ago, my father received a package unexpectedly in the mail. His late cousin, a Catholic priest, had written a novel to occupy himself while he was undergoing treatments for lymphoma that eventually took his life. The novel was drawn from his boyhood in Massachusetts and his career as a U.S. Navy chaplain. A friend sent copies of his unpublished novel to his close friends and family after his death.
"It struck me then, why should one wait until you're dying to fulfill you dreams. I'd always wanted to write a novel and in 2000 began my quest. My ambition was not to write the great American novel; I just wanted to write a novel that someone would enjoy reading on the beach.
"That summer I started writing a science fiction novel. There were several false starts; I wrote three different openings, which were set aside. I wrote in secret after my wife and children went to bed or early morning on the weekends when the house was quiet. It was a private passion - one that I shared with my family only after a year had passed and I had something concrete to show for my efforts. Four years passed before I told any of my friends. Working full time did not allow me much time to pursue my writing but I made steady progress."
The ODU Staff Dream Fund was established in 2008 to help deserving employees realize a long-held dream. The endowed fund provides monetary awards and up to five days of paid time off for staff members to fulfill their dream - pursuing studies in an area unrelated to work, traveling to another country or visiting family far away, for example. The award is not intended to address personal hardship situations, emergencies or job-related professional development.
Full-time classified employees and full-time administrative and professional faculty who have worked at the university for a minimum of five years are eligible to submit proposals for the annual awards. Applicants must have satisfactory or higher performance evaluations and no active disciplinary actions against them.
This article was posted on: April 9, 2012
Old Dominion University
Office of University Relations
Room 100 Koch Hall Norfolk, Virginia 23529-0018
Telephone: 757-683-3114
Old Dominion University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution.


text:
SPECIAL OFFER: - Limited Time Only!
(The ad below will not display on your printed page)
Last year, when my mother-in-law was diagnosed with what proved to be terminal cancer, the tragedy was hers, but the stress of the situation was mine, too. Throughout the fall my husband, an only child, repeatedly traveled from California to Texas to be with her, visits that dragged out for weeks as she grew sicker. Each day he and I spoke for hours by phone, trying to craft a plan for her care, and for that of my father-in-law, who was physically healthy but suffering early-stage dementia. My professional workload was as demanding as ever, and without a spouse to help, domestic chores were endless -- hours of driving our daughter to soccer practice and distant weekend tournaments, walking the dog, collecting the garbage, shopping, cleaning, cooking, paying bills. Adding to the pressure was that I needed to visit my own elderly mother, who lives 100 miles away, and take a long-delayed trip to the East Coast to visit an aunt who was childless, recently widowed, and unwell.
To accomplish it all, I needed extra time, and the logical way to make it was to cut out the "fat" in my schedule -- that is, the few things I usually did just for myself. First to go was my morning workout, an hour of cardio and weight lifting; soon thereafter came my nightly reading once my daughter went to bed; if a friend called with a dinner invitation or just to chat, the response was always "I'm too busy." The choice felt both right and necessary, but the irony was that despite the hours I gained, I accomplished less and less. Work assignments dragged on while I stared dully at the computer screen. Dinners were late because I'd forget to buy necessary ingredients, then would have to dash out at the last minute. Even bill paying took forever because I constantly misplaced papers. Meanwhile, my temper grew shorter -- I snapped at my daughter, resented the dog, and responded impatiently to my husband's (well deserved) need for emotional support.
The truth is, I was fried -- and as such, not so different from most women I know. We all live with our heads just above water, pulled in a dozen directions each day by the clamorous, competing demands of family, home, and job. We manage to make it work, but a time always comes when some crisis destroys the delicate balance -- an aging parent deteriorates or dies, a child or spouse falls ill, a layoff notice arrives...for the truly unlucky, several happen at once. Quickly, almost automatically, we step in to take charge, squeezing out time for our new responsibilities by giving up the small indulgences we normally grant ourselves. That's what responsible grown-ups do, we reason. But we invariably discover, as I did, that the strategy backfires, and for a simple reason: When you constantly give but don't receive, you eventually find yourself empty. The central contradiction of crises is that the more we're stressed and the less time we have to nurture ourselves, the more essential it is that we do so.
To nurture is to nourish and give; to self-nurture is to do the things that offer physical, emotional, and spiritual nourishment to yourself. The specifics can be as different as individual women -- self-nurture can be simple or elaborate, lengthy or brief, communal or solo. For one of my close friends it means going to a weekly yoga class, which she says leaves her calm and at home in her body. For another it's designing and redesigning her garden, reading about plants, drawing them, "going into a trance," she says, where the everyday world falls away and she revels in the sensual and creative delight of imagining combinations of color and texture. Self-nurture can focus on the body, spirit, or intellect, or all three; it can mean getting a massage or shutting the door on the kids to work a crossword puzzle; it can be training for a marathon, meditating, knitting, or writing poetry. In essence, though, all acts of self-nurture have one thing in common: They're only for us -- they're not practical and they have no purpose but to give us pleasure.
That, unfortunately, is why when trouble hits we're so quick to give them up. "Women are genetically and socially programmed to take care of others," says Alice Domar, PhD, author of Self-Nurture and director of the Domar Center for Complementary Healthcare, in Waltham, Massachusetts. "We're always at the bottom of our own to-do lists." That's especially true in times of crisis, she adds, when "you're overwhelmed and operating on sheer instinct." When an elderly parent is dying and there are kids to comfort, relatives and friends to notify, a house to clean and funeral to plan, the urge to take an hour to do something like exercise feels embarrassingly frivolous, or worse, profoundly selfish. And besides, we worry, if we don't take care of business, who will?
It may be true that what we do to nurture ourselves is frivolous in a larger context -- certainly my taking an hour to read would have done nothing to resolve the elder-care problem my husband and I faced. But the effect on us of performing these acts -- even more, the effect of not doing them -- is huge. For me, reading at night was always centering, a way to slow down. And without it I felt dull and exhausted, no matter how much sleep I got.
That's because acts of self-nurture offer a kind of rest for the soul, which brings a sense of renewal. "There's a huge difference between self-interest and selfishness," writes psychologist Dan Baker, PhD, in his new book, What Happy Women Know. Doing things only you can do for yourself matters greatly; all work and no play is a recipe for a stressed, miserable life. But they're absolutely crucial in tough times: They offer a respite from emotional pain, as well as a way to stay focused when "normal" life is upended.
Most of all, at a time when we must draw most heavily on our inner resources, they keep us from being ground down by relentless pressure. I have a friend whose life is in an especially demanding balance. Her husband isn't well, so she's the family's sole breadwinner, as well as her children's designated chauffeur and homework helper. Time is always in short supply. But when her husband landed in the hospital recently, she never even considered giving up the dance classes she loves and has attended twice a week since she was single. "I consciously tell myself I must go," she says. "In fact, it's become clear to me that it's essential. My blood pressure went up, so I've been monitoring it, and I discovered that it's lowest after dance class. Being sick is a luxury I can't afford, because then I won't be able to take care of my family. Dancing is my medicine."Burnout Hurts
In contrast, cutting out what we need in a time of crisis "is like going out in the freezing cold without a proper coat," says Helene G. Brenner, PhD, author of I Know I'm in There Somewhere and a psychologist in Maryland. "You can survive for a while by muscling through, but after some time, you freeze." This doesn't prevent us from coming through for our loved ones. But we start doing so by rote, even with impatience and irritation. "I couldn't even feel good spending time at home with my family because it felt like one more thing I had to do," said a friend whose life last year became a treadmill of dealing with work, the school crisis of a daughter, and multi-hour commutes to visit and care for one, then another, ailing parent. "I was angry at everyone."
Emotional depletion also keeps us from handling crises as well as we could. "When you feel alive you come up with more creative solutions for the problems you face," says Dr. Brenner. "You're also more compassionate toward those you need to help when you're giving out from a flowing well rather than squeezing out the last drop." And burnout can hurt in real, physical ways. Studies have shown reduced immune function in stressed caregivers; one respected nine-year study of the health records of more than a half million married couples found that the onset of certain illnesses in one spouse increased the caregiver's risk of death by 25 percent.
Finding a way to self-nurture in the midst of crisis isn't easy, say Drs. Brenner and Domar, but it is possible. One option: carving out a bit of time for yourself by doing the unthinkable and actively asking those around you for help. "One of the biggest problems women have is that we don't ask for help or accept it even when it's offered," says Dr. Domar. "In times of trouble, say yes to every offer of help that's reasonable." That includes the kids -- their pitching in or sacrificing some extracurricular activity that has you running in circles can help them feel more in control in tough times, because they are doing something to contribute.
If taking even a few hours off is out of the question, it may be a matter of compromise, opting for small, restorative moments that can be squeezed into the schedule. Dr. Domar recommends spending 10 minutes at night with a journal, "figuring out what will help you get through this time better, what your needs are, and what you can do for yourself the next day. Even something short and very simple, like sitting down with a cup of tea in the afternoon, can help you regroup."
"Give yourself some compassion instead of pretending to be strong all the time," says Dr. Brenner, "then think about what's worked in the past to make you feel better -- a walk, a soak in the tub, calling a friend. What brings out your strength? Give yourself that something, and really enjoy it." (That means actively choosing to take a walk, not guiltily sneaking away.)Guilt-Free Determination
The catch is that to find that time, and then take it, we need to believe we deserve it -- and the bottom line, it seems to me, is that we must. Individual crises end, but new ones always arise, especially in aging America, where more and more of us must care for not only immediate but extended families. (According to the National Women's Health Information Center, this year up to 39 million U.S. households may be involved in caring for an elderly relative, with the vast majority of individual caregivers being women who have their own husbands and children and jobs.) Within weeks after my mother-in-law died, my mother fainted in an art museum and my aunt was hospitalized with pneumonia, and the pressure was on again. Postponing self-care until "life calms down" can mean a very long wait.
In the end, it's not selfish to do what allows us to continue giving to others. It's not selfish to treat ourselves with the same thoughtfulness we show those we love. Selfish is the last word I'd use for one woman I know who gives almost constantly -- she's a mother of five, a loving wife, a teacher and mentor. She's also someone who's passionate about distance running, and no crisis, not the death of both parents or the illness of a coworker (which doubled her workload), has prevented her from getting in her miles. "My mother never took a vacation in her life, then she had a heart attack when I was in college," she says. "It made me realize that life is short. When I'm running every cell of my being is fully alive. Nothing could make me give it up."
That kind of guilt-free determination is a good guide. After all, says Dr. Domar, the point of caring "isn't to care only for others. It's to care for everyone -- and that includes ourselves."
Originally published in Ladies' Home Journal, July 2007.


text:
A new report says Nevada's population should pass the 3 million mark by 2019.
Clark County alone should top 2 million people by the end of next year while Washoe County likely will get to one-half million by 2031.
State Demographer Jeff Hardcastle tells the Las Vegas Review-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/btnof8f) he expects Nevada's population to continue growing the old-fashioned way, with more children being born rather than migration from other states and countries.
He says that over 10,000 people left Nevada the past two years, but that was offset by nearly 40,000 births.
Statewide, the state's population grew by about 1% in 2012 to a total of 2,750,285.
Hardcastle projects the population at slightly more than 3 million in 2020 and nearly 3.4 million in 2030.
Information from: Las Vegas Review-Journal, http://www.lvrj.com
KTVN-TVPhone: (775) 858-2222Fax: (775) 861-4298
Mailing Address:4925 Energy WayReno, NV 89502