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Shoes, Puma; jeans, Jacob; brown T-shirt, gift from mom; sweatshirt, Forever 21 (from this shopping trip); jacket, boutique in Toronto (I can't remember the name; it's that store on the corner of Avenue and Eglinton with the mural on the outside wall. Ring a bell, anyone?); scarf, Ardene; purse, Old Navy.
Buttons, from top to bottom: free from Book Expo Canada; gift from co-worker; gift from Susie; free from Book Expo Canada.
Here's a glimpse into my front hallway, and into what I wear on the weekend: minimal makeup, jeans, and my faded pink and gold Pumas. When these pictures were taken, I was on my way out to the grocery store, where I spent my hard-earned money on the supplies for the homemade hamburgers and fries the boyfriend was going to cook for supper that night. What else did I buy this weekend? Hot chocolate and a chocolate chip cookie at Starbucks, a sock-puppet bookmark from Chapters for the boyfriend, and a cinnamon-bun breakfast/brunch at the Sugarbowl for me and a friend (best cinnamon buns EVER; thanks for a fun Sunday morning, Kelsey!). Ahhh, isn't it nice to have your own money to spend on things that make you happy? But, remember when you were, oh, say, 15, and this wasn't the case? I certainly do:
August 11, 1997
Dear Diary,
Hello. I am absolutely sick of having no money. I'm as poor as hell. Money can't seem to stay with me. I'm not lucky with money either. I always buy scratch tickets and win nothing more than two dollars. Wow! I'm on the road to riches now! And I couldn't believe it! Darcy won twenty dollars today! As if! Sometimes I just want to throttle that child. Ever since about twelve-thirty today, I've been irritable. Just the littlest thing set me off. My mother was bugging me too. Everytime I'd ask where we were going next, she'd say "don't ask me! Grampie's driving, ask him!" Well sorry! I just thought that maybe you'd been informed about what is going on. I'm getting kind of irritated even writing. The heat is getting to me. I'm going to go now. I just wanted to jot down this little bit because I haven't written in a couple nights. So, I'll be talking to you later, maybe when I'm in a better mood.
Eeek! Sorry, mom!
Now, for some back story: this entry was written while on my family's annual summer vacation to P.E.I. to visit with all our relatives, hence the mention of my Grampie in the car during what I imagine was our traditional day-trip to the New Glasgow Lobster Supper; I had a job as a papergirl (and faced much ridicule for it as a 15-year-old), but that was in Ontario, not P.E.I., and because I probably hadn't saved any money in anticipation of going on vacation, I was "poor as hell;" scratch tickets were $2 in P.E.I., which seemed cheap compared to the the $3 they were in Ontario, so my parents and grandparents would let my brother and I give them toonies to buy us tickets as a treat (some treat! All I ever got was angry!); and, in addition to the boyfriend being named Darcy, my brother is also a Darcy (first discussed on my blog here), and he is the one who won the coveted $20 that made me want to throttle him.
Any other questions?
P.S. If you're a De Facto Redhead reader, don't forget to become a fan on Facebook!


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subset: commoncrawl


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When I told people I was taking a road trip to Atlanta, Georgia to cover a fishing tournament and also, hopefully, sample some local cuisine along the way, friends and family supposed I'd be blogging about samples of sumptuous southern cookin'. I don't think I had a single biscuit the 12 days I was away from home. No gravy, no grits, Paula Deen personally dropped me a card to let me know how disappointed she was.
Okay, Paula couldn't have cared less, but the rest of that is true. What I DID get a taste of was fantastic food prepared by and shared with friends – that's the best cuisine ever!
I first stopped off at Jerry and Peggy's house, fantastic friends that I'm incredibly privileged to know. I used to work for Jerry but he's since had the sense to move out to Farmington, NM. Located in the northwestern corner of the state and very much in oil country, Farmington doesn't come to mind that readily when I think of the Land of Enchantment, but it's got some things going on. They have a great little Mexican Market that Jerry very well may consider his second home. The evening I spent with Jerry and Peggy (this time, folks – I'll always go back for more!) and some friends from work, we enjoyed Adovada de Puerco (red chile pork). Unlike the traditional stew, you can buy the marinated pork in thinly sliced steaks from the market. Peggy tossed these on the grill and minutes later I was enjoying my own little Adovada tacos, complete with her spicy slaw. Bueno! I made sure I stopped at the market on my way home from traveling to pick some up.
In Texas I stopped in to visit my friends Connie and "Killer" Kilpatrick and their gaggle of dogs (they only have three but it seems like an even dozen when they get to racing around and chasing squirrels). Connie knows how much I LOVE chocolate cake and so she made one but would hardly let me touch the thing because, well, it may have caved in slightly on one side and had to be supported with lots of frosting. What could be better? Seriously, they tried to push some store-bought cinnamon cake thing on me but all I wanted (and needed!) was that chocolate cake!
I arrived in the Atlanta area a full day before activities for the tournament began (experience has taught me I'm so much more productive with a day of downtime before I get down to business). If any of you dear readers follow this blog with any regularity, you'll recall I once blogged about one of my favorite Android Apps: Food Finder. As long as your GPS location setting is turned on, this little app will let you search for food at your current location and give you step-by-step, voice-activated instructions on how to get there.
I know I should've searched for southern cooking, but I was interested to see what kind of Asian cuisine I could locate. Amazing – pho shops were all OVER the place! I found Lee's Pho noodle shop nestled in a fantastic little Asian/Mexican Market and stopped for some pho and a banh mi sandwich before I loitered in the aisles of the market. So much awesome food I wanted to take home with me, but with nowhere to store it, I had to leave everything but the dried goods behind.
Speaking of being bummed about good food I had to leave behind, I inadvertently found a Whole Foods grocery store completely by accident while looking for a beauty salon. Whole Foods is my Mecca and the closest ones to me are equally far away: Phoenix and Vegas. I love Whole Foods for a lot of reasons, but mostly because they provide people with a choice about how they get their food. In my local market, I do have the choice of buying organic over industry-farmed eggs, but I'm still not sure how well the chickens are treated that produce those organic eggs. This might not mean much to some people, but it means a lot to me. It matters to me how and where I get my food and Whole Foods is on the front line of providing consumers with many options.
In addition to having a wide variety of local and international selections, they offer cooking classes and a quaint little sit-down restaurant where you can grab a quick gourmet-quality meal. I wandered around that store for hours, but sadly, I walked out with only what wouldn't spoil in my hotel room: Georgia peaches, dried berries, locally made granola cereal, and a bottle (or two?) of Reisling. I had a lot of explaining to do when I checked out.
The tournament started Thursday but my boat and driver were hung up somewhere in Texas. Derek Yamamoto was hard on my heels traveling out to Atlanta until his truck broke down in El Paso, TX. I had until 3:00 p.m. to make it to the weigh-in so I drove into the backwoods section of Atlanta to visit a tiny establishment that was making big headlines; Hankook Taqueria. A fellow foodie friend and writer for the Inside Line magazine, Pete Robbins, suggested I hit this place up when he found out I'd be in Atlanta. He'd recently read an article in the New York Times highlighting the restaurant's Korean Taco Fusion cuisine and passed the info along to me.
If you haven't heard of the little Taco Truck that started it all, Kogi BBQ (http://kogibbq.com/), well, you're just living under a rock somewhere. It's all the rage now, but probably about a year ago, the Korean/Mexican fusion thing was still new to most folks. Like Kogi, Hankook Taqueria fuses Korean BBQ with Mexican cuisine, mainly in the form of tacos and burritos. At Hankook I wolfed down two of their star menu items – Korean pulled pork tacos, and the specialty of the day, a Spicy Calamari taco. Halfway through my first pulled pork taco it was easy to see why this little hole-in-the-wall (it was hard to find!) joint is making bank, but the crispy calamari with jalapenos was nothing to sneeze at either. The place was totally packed out.
Okay, I admit I didn't have much traditional southern cooking in Atlanta, but I did have Waffle House. This might as well be traditional southern food because they're on pretty much every street corner from Mississippi to Georgia. Seriously. Derek finally limped into Atlanta with his dad's truck and a shiny new Phoenix boat but before we could launch at Lake Lanier Friday morning (at 5:30 a.m. – yeesh!) we had to stop at Waffle House for breakfast. I was loathe to fill up on waffles before a day of bouncing around on the water, but I did and they do have good waffles. The trick, Derek informed me, is to butter and syrup them puppies up as soon as they hit the table.
After a productive day chasing bass boats around, I told Derek I wanted something healthy and "Japanesey" for lunch and he agreed to let me take him to a joint that sold Shabu Shabu – a Japanese variant of hot pot. Shabu-shabu directly translates to "swish-swish" which is how you cook the thinly sliced meats and vegetables in the dashi broth. Derek and his dad, Gary Yamamoto (also my boss) are big fans of the Chinese Buffet when they travel from tournament to tournament. No disrespect to my friend and employer, but these two absolutely love sashimi which is just about as fresh and healthy as you can get. It always makes me giggle a bit to think of the two of them (both pretty lean and healthy by the way) loaded down with plate after plate of heavily MSG-ed American Chinese food. When I asked our friendly servers how I'd done with my first ever shabu shabu attempt, they said I did well, but that I should've eaten more of the vegetables. Hmph. Well! I guess they had a point.
While Paula still won't return my phone calls, I'm happy to report that I feel I did a pretty good job at avoiding McDonalds whenever I could (I did to Chic-fil-A on the road, though). I made it a point to try something "local" wherever it was and I made some new friends along the way.


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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - View original article
John McCrae | |
Born | Guelph, Ontario, Canada | November 30, 1872
Died | January 28, 1918 Boulogne-sur-Mer, France | (aged 45)
Occupation | Poet, physician, author, Lieutenant Colonel of the Canadian Expeditionary Force |
Known for | Author of "In Flanders Fields" |
John McCrae | |
Born | Guelph, Ontario, Canada | November 30, 1872
Died | January 28, 1918 Boulogne-sur-Mer, France | (aged 45)
Occupation | Poet, physician, author, Lieutenant Colonel of the Canadian Expeditionary Force |
Known for | Author of "In Flanders Fields" |
Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (November 30, 1872 – January 28, 1918) was a Canadian poet, physician, author, artist and soldier during World War I, and a surgeon during the Second Battle of Ypres, in Belgium. He is best known for writing the famous war memorial poem "In Flanders Fields". McCrae died of pneumonia near the end of the war.
McCrae was born in McCrae House in Guelph, Ontario to Lieutenant-Colonel David McCrae and Janet Simpson Eckford; he was the grandson of Scottish immigrants. His brother, Dr. Thomas McCrae, became professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins Medical School in Baltimore and close associate of Sir William Osler.
He attended the Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute. He was eventually promoted to Captain and commanded the company. He took a year off his studies at the university due to recurring problems with asthma.
Among his papers in the John McCrae House in Guelph is a letter he wrote on July 18, 1893 to Laura Kains while he trained as an artilleryman at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario. "I have a manservant .. Quite a nobby place it is, in fact .. My windows look right out across the bay, and are just near the water's edge; there is a good deal of shipping at present in the port; and the river looks very pretty."
He was a resident master in English and Mathematics in 1894 at the Ontario Agricultural College in Guelph.[1]
He returned to the University of Toronto and completed his B.A. McCrae returned again to study medicine on a scholarship. While attending the university he joined the Zeta Psi Fraternity (Theta Xi chapter; class of 1894) and published his first poems.
While in medical school, he tutored other students to help pay his tuition. Two of his students were among the first woman doctors in Ontario.[2]
He graduated in 1898, and was first a resident house-officer at Toronto General Hospital, and then in 1899, at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.[3] In 1902, he was appointed resident pathologist at Montreal General Hospital and later became assistant pathologist to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal. In 1904, he was appointed an associate in medicine at the Royal Victoria Hospital. Later that year, he went to England where he studied for several months and became a member of the Royal College of Physicians.
In 1905, he set up his own practice although he continued to work and lecture at several hospitals. The same year, he was appointed pathologist to the Montreal Foundling and Baby Hospital. In 1908, he was appointed physician to the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Infectious Diseases. In 1910, he accompanied Lord Grey, the Governor General of Canada, on a canoe trip to Hudson Bay to serve as expedition physician.
McCrae served in the artillery during the Second Boer War, and upon his return was appointed professor of pathology at the University of Vermont, where he taught until 1911; he also taught at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec.
McCrae was the co-author, with J. G. Adami, of a medical textbook, A Text-Book of Pathology for Students of Medicine (1912; 2nd ed., 1914).
When Britain declared war on Germany at the start of World War I, Canada, as a Dominion within the British Empire, was at war as well. McCrae was appointed as a field surgeon in the Canadian artillery and was in charge of a field hospital during the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915. McCrae's friend and former student, Lt. Alexis Helmer,[4] was killed in the battle, and his burial inspired the poem, "In Flanders Fields", which was written on May 3, 1915 and first published in the magazine Punch.
From June 1, 1915, McCrae was ordered away from the artillery to set up No. 3 Canadian General Hospital at Dannes-Camiers near Boulogne-sur-Mer, northern France. C.L.C. Allinson reported that McCrae "most unmilitarily told [me] what he thought of being transferred to the medicals and being pulled away from his beloved guns. His last words to me were: 'Allinson, all the goddamn doctors in the world will not win this bloody war: what we need is more and more fighting men.'"[5]
"In Flanders Fields" appeared anonymously in Punch on December 8, 1915, but in the index to that year McCrae was named as the author. The verses swiftly became one of the most popular poems of the war, used in countless fund-raising campaigns and frequently translated (a Latin version begins In agro belgico...). "In Flanders Fields" was also extensively printed in the United States, which was contemplating joining the war, alongside a 'reply' by R. W. Lillard, ("...Fear not that you have died for naught, / The torch ye threw to us we caught...").
For eight months the hospital operated in Durbar tents (donated by the Begum of Bhopal and shipped from India), but after suffering storms, floods and frosts it was moved in February 1916 into the old Jesuit College in Boulogne-sur-Mer.
McCrae, now "a household name, albeit a frequently misspelt one",[6] regarded his sudden fame with some amusement, wishing that "they would get to printing 'In F.F.' correctly: it never is nowadays"; but (writes his biographer) "he was satisfied if the poem enabled men to see where their duty lay."[7]
On January 28, 1918, while still commanding No. 3 Canadian General Hospital (McGill) at Boulogne, McCrae died of pneumonia with "extensive pneumococcus meningitis".[8] He was buried the following day in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission section of Wimereux Cemetery,[9] just a couple of kilometres up the coast from Boulogne, with full military honours.[10] His flag-draped coffin was borne on a gun carriage and the mourners – who included Sir Arthur Currie and many of McCrae's friends and staff – were preceded by McCrae's charger, "Bonfire", with McCrae's boots reversed in the stirrups.[10] McCrae's gravestone is placed flat, as are all the others in the section, because of the unstable sandy soil.[11]
A collection of his poetry, In Flanders Fields and Other Poems[12] (1918), was published after his death.
'In Flanders Fields'
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Though various legends have developed as to the inspiration for the poem, the most commonly held belief is that McCrae wrote "In Flanders Fields" on May 3, 1915, the day after presiding over the funeral and burial of his friend Lieutenant Alex Helmer, who had been killed during the Second Battle of Ypres. The poem was written as he sat upon the back of a medical field ambulance near an advance dressing post at Essex Farm, just north of Ypres. The poppy, which was a central feature of the poem, grew in great numbers in the spoiled earth of the battlefields and cemeteries of Flanders.
In 1855, British historian Lord Macaulay, writing about the site of the Battle of Landen (in modern Belgium, 100 miles from Ypres) in 1693, wrote "The next summer the soil, fertilised by twenty thousand corpses, broke forth into millions of poppies. The traveller who, on the road from Saint Tron to Tirlemont, saw that vast sheet of rich scarlet spreading from Landen to Neerwinden, could hardly help fancying that the figurative prediction of the Hebrew prophet was literally accomplished, that the earth was disclosing her blood,[13] and refusing to cover the slain."[citation needed]
The Canadian government has placed a memorial to John McCrae that features "In Flanders Fields" at the site of the dressing station which sits beside the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Essex Farm Cemetery.
McCrae was designated a Person of National Historic Significance in 1946.[14]
McCrae was the great-uncle of former Alberta MP David Kilgour and of Kilgour's sister Geills Turner, who married former Canadian Prime Minister John Turner.
In 1918, Lieut. John Philip Sousa wrote the music to "In Flanders Fields the poppies grow" words by Lieut.-Col John McCrae.[15]
The Cloth Hall of the city of Ieper (Ypres in French and English) in Belgium has a permanent war museum[16] called the "In Flanders Fields Museum", named after the poem. There are also a photograph and a short biographical memorial to McCrae in the St George Memorial Church in Ypres. In May 2007, to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the writing of his best-known poem with a two-day literary conference.[17]
Several institutions have been named in McCrae's honour, including John McCrae Public School (in Guelph), John McCrae Public School (part of the York Region District School Board in Markham), John McCrae Senior Public School (in Scarborough) and John McCrae Secondary School (part of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board in Barrhaven).
A bronze plaque memorial dedicated to Lt. Col. John McCrae was erected by the Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute.[18]
McCrae House was converted into a museum. The current Canadian War Museum has a gallery for special exhibits, called The Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae Gallery.
A line from his poem ("To you from failing hands...") was painted on the wall of the Montreal Canadiens dressing room at the Forum in Montreal, a blunt reminder to each team that they have much to live up to.
Wikiquote has quotations related to: John McCrae |
Wikisource has original works written by or about: John McCrae |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to John McCrae. |


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We at Icebreaker Montreal would like to salute our assistant manager, Andrew Hlavacek, for recently taking part in an amazing journey.
A little more than three weeks ago, eight runners departed Montreal and ran around the clock in 10km stretches to their goal, New York's Empire State Building 610km away. Despite a knee injury sustained during a 97km preparatory relay run, Andrew nevertheless managed to run his portions to help the team reach their destination in 58 hours – a new record for this event organized by Esprit de corps (EdC), a Montreal group of trainers who organize various team-building challenges for corporate groups.
By no means was this a macho endeavour to break records. The annual run raises money for EdC's charity, Fondation esprit de corps, to give kids from underprivileged backgrounds chances to experience outdoor challenges in a positive environment. This year saw one of the smallest teams and runners, Stéphane Dumont, Sébastien Saint-Hilaire, Stéphane Lessard, Stéphane Martel and Andrew, were joined by EdC founder Gilles Barbot, trainer Kevin Pillu and foundation organizer, Thibaut Jegou, to help them reach their destination. Past teams averaged around 65km per person. This year each runner needed to run 84km in order to realize the objective – all the while taking turns navigating and driving the team's mobile HQ – a rented RV!
It is the amazing functionality of our clothing which enabled us to take part in this incredible adventure. Over the past year, EdC's crew has come to swear by Icebreaker and they have made it a staple on their clients' equipment lists. Montreal Touch Lab team members have also participated in information sessions for groups training with EdC for a variety of challenges and our relationship continues to evolve.
Such an intense challenge afforded yet another opportunity to put Icebreaker to the test. Andrew took his system to new limits by using only one warm and one cool weather top, with two others used as 'driers' between runs. Prior to departure, two team-members also cast aside their scepticism and geared up with a couple of pieces each. Andrew reports that it was amazing observe the revolution in their attitudes to using athletic clothing made of natural fibres.
Merino magic aside, truly inspiring is the idea that eight people from different backgrounds can accept an intensely stressful, mentally and physically-draining routine with surprising ease and harmony. The isolation and intimacy of running in all conditions and at all times of day, brings one into communion with not only oneself, but one's environment, team-mates and others encountered in passing. This process perfectly exemplifies our own vision and shows how such undertakings can alter how we regard ourselves and our relationship to nature and to each other.
For the runners who lived the journey to New York City, this adventure will surely permeate their workaday lives as they continue to share their experiences and the hard-earned insights gained through each foot-fall along the way.
Watch the Montreal-New York 2010 video here: http://vimeo.com/16536747 (in French).
- Icebreaker Montreal


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Serve over hot cooked long-grain white or brown rice. Frozen black-eyed peas are economical and available year-round, but in the summer months, you can use fresh shelled peas, if you prefer.
Cooking Light DECEMBER 2011
1. Cook bacon in a Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan using a slotted spoon, reserving drippings in pan. Crumble bacon.
2. Add onion to drippings in pan; sauté 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in broth and the next 5 ingredients (through greens); bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for 55 minutes or until peas are tender, stirring occasionally and skimming as necessary. Stir in vinegar. Ladle about 1 1/3 cups pea mixture into each of 4 bowls; top evenly with crumbled bacon.
Go to Full Version of
Black-Eyed Peas and Greens Recipe


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CoffeeShop Trim 3 Digital Design
Here is another little fun digital design element. This is a layered psd file that is fully adjustable. Change the color of the trim and/or the dot design by clicking on the color fill adjustment layer. Add digital paper or texture by dragging it on top of the trim layer and grouping it (delete the color fill layer in that case).
This little digital trim looks great on storyboards, frames and other digital designs.
Download the free CoffeeShop Trim 3. You can also download it here.
Do you want to download my favorite CoffeeShop Actions or Design Elements in one convenient zipped file AND help support this blog? Just click here for my action pack or here for a download of some of my most popular design elements, storyboards, and textures.


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Your Custom Home Builder in the Twin Cities
As our ongoing commitment to building the best designed energy efficient new homes at an extraordinary value, we at McDonald Construction are proud of our 100% commitment to build all new homes under Minnesota's Green Path new home program. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Minnesota's Green Path homes save money on utility bills, provide more comfortable living environment with better indoor air quality, and help the environment.
Visit Our Models Friday, Saturday, & Sunday (12pm-5pm)
Or By Appointment


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May 16th, 2011
Much is going HIGH DEFINITION June 1st! Which of those Blair Waldorf's is clearer? That's the kind of "up in your grill" Much will broadcast in starting next month!
That means every sexy smile from Ezra Fitz on Pretty Little Liars to every every heartbreaking moment of Clare and Eli's romance on Degrassi will be as clear as day as we launch Much HD!
All your favourite shows (including the 2011 MMVAs!! Woo Whoo!) will be broadcast in HD on MuchMusic! Want even more great news? We're giving you the premiere of Teen Wolf in HD right out tha box!
Stay tuned for more info on how you can get in on this (we'll bring you the deets on just where and how you can watch everything in "every-pore-magnified" vision! Can't wait to see the hot stars of Teen Wolf that close!!)
Tags: We <3 TV
Posted on Monday, May 16th, 2011 at 4:43 pm by Michael and is filed under Blog, We <3 TV, We <3 TV.


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Please check the calendar before inquiring about the week you are interested in. It may be booked.
Located in beautiful New Smyrna Beach.
A Frame directly on beach.
3 BR's / 1 1/2 Baths.
Completely furnished, including linens.
Fully stocked kitchen.
New 55' Sony Hi-Def TV.
Cable TV.
DVD - Surround sound stereo.
Sunken hot tub.
New deck.
Second elevated deck w/hammock.
Master bedroom has balcony overlooking ocean.
Large king bed in 3rd BR- 2 twins in 2nd - queen in master, Couch opens to a double.
Outside shower & fish cleaning station.
1/4 mile to seashore state park. Pet friendly with refundable deposit.
$1500-1750 per week, excluding Bike & Race Weeks. Tax, electric & cleaning fees included.
$6000 monthly rate. That is $1000 off regular price.
Hi Michael and Richard,
Rick and I just wanted to email you and tell you what a wonderful time we had at Saint Nick! It was such a nice little bungalow and had everything we could have possibly needed, for the week! It is the perfect spot on the beach! We loved the nice deck and how close to the ocean it sits! We enjoyed walking on the beach and looking for seaglass. We found 19 pieces total! The family room was great and we loved keeping the window open and listening to the ocean. Thank you for your help with operating the t.v. We also enjoyed the picnic table outside and eating our take out from J. B.'s! The hottub was nice and the weather was perfect. We love windy, cloudy cool days at the beach and love walking on the beach in jeans and sweatshirts! Our friends laugh at us for liking weather like that at the beach! :) Thank you so much for sharing your sweet little beach house with us! We try to get away once a year and will definitely make Saint Nick at the top of our vacation list, in the future! If we could have won the lottery while we were there we would have stayed on for a couple of months!!! We wish you and your families and very nice Thanksgiving!!
Kayaking - Boating - Backwater fishing - Hiking trails - State Seashore Park- Bicycling on Beach - Great restaurants & Bars - 25 mins. to Daytona Beach
Rate Period | Nightly | Weekend Night | Weekly | Monthly * | Event | ||||
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* Approximate monthly rate. Actual rate will depend on the days of the month you stay.
Payment is usually accepted in the quoted currency (USD) unless the currency and the amount is specifically agreed in advance with the owner / advertiser.
Weekly Rate: $1500 - $1750
Monthly Rate: $1500 - $1750
Standard weekly rate for most of the year. Higher rate for Race Week & Bike Week only.


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Updated: 03/28/2014 6:21 PM
Created: 03/28/2014 3:59 PM KSTP.com
By: Megan Stewart
Minneapolis city officials celebrated the first sale of a group of green homes Friday afternoon.
The event was held at one of the energy efficient homes at 3858 Sheridan Ave. in north Minneapolis, a part of the Green Homes North development. Robert Smith, a music professor at St. Olaf College and the new homeowner, purchased the home in December.
The two other homes that have been sold are located in the Hawthorne EcoVillage on 31st Avenue.
The three-bedroom homes in the Green Homes North community are priced between $150,000 and $210,000.
The Green Homes North initiative was put in place to rebuild neighborhoods impacted by the foreclosure crisis and 2011 tornado, the city said.


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Maggot Burgers, Raccoon on a Stick Are Big Hits at State Fairs
Categories: Cheap Eats, Food News
Jungle George's Exotic Meats and Bugs |
And we thought maggots on your burger was a bad sign... |
In an effort to outdo fried butter, fried bubblegum, and Krispy Kreme burgers, Jungle George's Exotic Meats and Bugs is offering alternative protein items at the California State and Colorado State fairs.
Diners waited in long lines to chomp down on raccoon on a stick, bear, and python tenders in an attempt to outeat one another. The most popular offering, however, is usually what you see before running away from a fair food stand -- maggots!
Jungle George's Exotic Meats and Bugs offers the crawlers as a topping to buffalo burgers or in a melted cheese sandwich. Seems as though people like them, and to be honest, they've got to be better for you than the fried bubblegum that's been getting so much press.
A bufalo burger with maggots. But please hold the pickles. |
Bugs are available too. For four bucks, try some larva in Mexican spice, cheddar cheese, or BBQ flavor or some sour-cream-and-onion crickets ($4.50).
Oh, and in case bugs aren't your thing? Jungle George sells deep-fried butter and jelly beans too. Here's hoping Jungle George makes his way to South Florida this winter.
Here's some guy eating a buffalo maggot burger. Yum!
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Camp Chef 14" Cast Iron Pizza Pan
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Weights & Dimensions
Material: Cast Iron | Color: Black |
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Product Care: Put approximately 2 teaspoons of Cast Iron Cleaner in with a small amount of clean warm water into the pan and rub with a plastic brush or clean rag.Wipe the cast iron dry with a clean dry rag | Country of Manufacture: China |
Assembly Required: No |
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5 star | 9 | |
4 star | 1 | |
3 star | 1 | |
2 star | 0 | |
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Great Crust Charles from Rio Rancho, NM– Verified Buyer I bought this pan for use on a grill however I have found this makes a better crust when making pizza in the oven than my pizza stone or a sheet pan. I cook my pizzas at 500 F and sheet pans tend to wear out after a couple of years this pan looks like it will last forever, I highly recommend this pan. |
Cast Iron Pizza Pan Jeaan from North Vernon, IN– Verified Buyer My recent purchase cast iron pizza pan was a great buy. I use it a lot. I always can find what I am looking for at Wayfair. They are a great company to purchase from. |
Awesome pan! Janet from Plainville, MA– Verified Buyer I love this pan!!! Pizza comes out great! I plan on buying a second one. |
Well built produce Bruce from San Antonio I got this to make pizza on thinking it would be sturdier than a stone. |
Great Gift thrifty tori from TN– Verified Buyer I used this as a gift. The person I gave it to loved it!!! They were thrilled with it. It is a unique gift for the accomplished cook. There are many uses other then cooking pizza. You can cook biscuits, cookies all kinds of things. We think it will be very handy on our next camp out over the fire as well. |
Great product! abmonroe from atlanta, ga We bought this to put on our green egg - we like to cook with cast iron but the skillets we have are unable to fit on the egg, with the handles. This was the perfect solution and works great to utilize our two favorite cooking items! |
very satisfied jim from Western Ma– Verified Buyer Make pizza from scratch/works great/ |
Nice cast iron pan, mom loved Grandma from Jamestown, NY– Verified Buyer I own a [...] cast iron pan and feel it is made nicer but my mom enjoys this pan. Thanks |
Valued Customer from Washington– Verified Buyer |
Valued Customer from Pennsylvania– Verified Buyer |
14" Cast Iron Pizza Pan is also sometimes listed under the following manufacturer numbers: 3-CIPZ14


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Welcome to Conference Housing Services
Take Your Conference, Seminar or Workshop to New Heights with Pioneer Heights
Centrally located, the California State University, East Bay campus sits on a hilltop overlooking the beautiful San Francisco Bay area. A thirty minute drive from the Oakland, San Francisco, and San Jose international airports, CSUEB is accessible from all major Bay Area freeways. Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) service is available to the Hayward BART Station with a short ride by bus or shuttle to campus.
We offer affordable accommodations and a professional, service-oriented staff committed to making your stay a pleasure and your conference a success.
Accommodations are available for groups up to 500 people during the summer months and for smaller groups during the academic year (based upon space availability). Bedrooms are single occupancy or double occupancy spaces in our fully furnished Suite apartments, Double apartments, or Single apartments. Within short walking distance to the center of campus, Pioneer Heights has recreation and laundry facilities, a picnic/barbecue area and lighted basketball courts.
Groups ranging from ten to 500 can be accommodated year-round in a variety of versatile and attractive campus meeting rooms. Athletic facilities are available for both indoor and outdoor programs and activities.
Dining services are available and provided by Aramark. Meal service is primarily provided in the Dining Commons located in Pioneer Heights. The professional food service staff can assist you in choosing from a variety of options - from lunches and cookouts to receptions and formal banquets.


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The wave height observed at 5 p.m. on Saturday was 7.35 metres, while the forecast was 7 metres
The prediction by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) on the height of ocean waves hitting the coast at Odisha's Gopalpur village at the time of Cyclone Phailin's landfall was "realistic", a senior scientist said here on Sunday.
Head of the Ocean Science and Information Services Group at INCOIS T.M. Balakrishnan Nair said the comparison between real-time observed data from a buoy deployed at Gopalpur and the forecast by INCOIS revealed a "successful prediction".
He said the wave height observed at 5 p.m. on Saturday was 7.35 metres, while the forecast was 7 metres.
However, due to very high currents and winds of the cyclonic system, the buoy drifted 200 km away from Gopalpur before the cyclone's landfall, and the observation could not be recorded at that time.
Dr. Nair said the wave height could have gone up to 8.5 metres at the time of landfall as forecast by INCOIS but the data could not be observed.
Explaining the difference between ocean waves and storm surge, he said the ocean wave after hitting the coast becomes a storm surge and inundates the area beyond the coast.
The storm surge was predicted to be 3.5 metres by the IMD.
A storm surge was normally caused by ocean waves, low pressure at the centre of the cyclone and tide, he added.


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Gildan® - Ultra Cotton® 100% Cotton Long Sleeve T-Shirt. G2400
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Embroidered 1 to 11 pieces: $21.00 embroidered 12 to 47 pieces: $17.50


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Are you near worthless before your morning (afternoon, nightly?) cup of coffee? Share caffeinated tales of debauchery, discuss your favorite coffee dives...etc etc etc
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Latest Activity: Dec 13, 2014
Started by Steph S.. Last reply by Grinning Cat Jun 14, 2014. 1 Reply 1 Like
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MORTGAGES CDs AUTO LOANS HOME EQUITY CREDIT CARDS
Credit card rates were mixed this week, according to Bankrate's weekly survey of interest rates.
The average annual percentage rate, or APR, for fixed-rate credit cards was 13.02 percent, where it has held for more than two years. However, the APR for fixed-rate credit cards rose 3 basis points to 15.79 percent. The APR for variable-rate credit cards has been climbing recently, spiking 6 basis points during the week of Feb. 19.
A basis point is one-hundredth of 1 percent.
Costco recently announced that Citi will become the exclusive issuer of its co-branded credit card, while Visa will take over as its credit card network beginning April 1, 2016. Last month, American Express announced its co-brand and merchant agreements with Costco will end next year.
More On Credit Card Rates:
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The answer depends on what you're applying for. ... Read more


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Event Details
The Louisiana Office of Risk Management and FARA Risk Control have come together to present "Loss Prevention Program Training" as mandated by the State of Louisiana.
*This event is only open to employees of the State of Louisiana.
Have questions about Loss Prevention Program Training - Baton Rouge?
Contact FARA
When & Where
Galvez Building
Oliver Polack Room, 1st Floor
602 N Fifth Street
Baton Rouge,
Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at 9:00 AM (CDT)
Add to my calendar


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Take charge of Photoshop and make better, more targeted image adjustments with selections—including hard-to-select objects like hair, fuzzy edges, and color ranges.
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Creative Design AMA - Soraka and Warwick
Welcome to the Creative Design AMA for Soraka and Warwick! This will be a typical lore AMA: ask me questions about the characters' stories, personalities, and roles in the world, and I'll answer them!
Because details from the original story have changed let's first talk about the lore behind these characters, both old and new. Old Lore As some of the oldest and most loved characters in League of Legends, we knew that we had to approach changes to Soraka and Warwick's lore carefully. However, we felt that there were some opportunities for improvement in their original story. In Soraka's original bio, she attempts to curse Warwick as a punishment for his heinous crimes against the Ionian people, but instead grants him incredible power. This should be a moment of triumph for Soraka, but instead Warwick embraces his transformation into a feral beast, and Soraka loses much of her own power. She is forced to seek atonement for her transgression while her vicious enemy is still free to harm her people. Double fail. As for Warwick, we believe his original lore focused too much on Sorakaso much, in fact, that it wasn't really Warwick's story at all. After he becomes a werewolf, Warwick's goals are unclear, and his role in the world is ill-defined as well (he's from Zaun, but he fights for Noxuswhy?). Warwick is a two-dimensional monster from beginning to end: his story focuses on Soraka's moment of decision rather than Warwick's own desires. New Lore In these updated bios, we've heightened the emotional conflict between Soraka and Warwick, and provided both characters with stronger motivations after their encounter. First, we've focused the story on Soraka and Warwick as individuals. This is a highly personal story for both of themit is the tale of how Soraka's pure, trusting nature led to her fall from grace, and it is the tale of Warwick's decision to transform himself into a literal monster. We've also moved the stage for their conflict away from the Noxian/Ionian war. We wanted this story to be about Soraka and Warwick, not their role in the war. Next, we wanted to tell a story in which they both come away as equals. While Warwick lures Soraka out of her grove and into a mortal body, she is still able to defeat him in his weaker human form. Warwick then bets everything on Singed's unstable potion and while he's much, much stronger now, hes left with the absolute need to hunt down Soraka before he loses his identity and his mind. This sets the stage for future conflict between them in a way the original lore did not. Where Soraka's original lore left her seeking atonement, she now comes away from her encounter with Warwick driven to make a difference in the realm of mortals. She seeks to heal the wounded and protect the weak an opportunity that was more limited when she was bound to her celestial grove. She's had a taste of mortal pain and has seen the harm just one cruel man can do. Like the original lore, she has still lost her immortality and the guidance of the stars, but now she can use her power to do what she believes is right. Finally, Warwick is still as much a monster as he was before, but we've fleshed out his role in Zaun society by revealing him to be a twisted, manipulative manhunter. The cruel nature he's always had is still evident in the way he plots to trap Soraka, but we've also given him an ongoing struggle: a battle between his ruthless intelligence and slow descent into feral rage. As someone who loves both of these characters, I was really excited to work personally on the updated story for Soraka and Warwick. FINAL NOTE: We're aware that Singed's bio will also need to be updated to match the story here. We will try and get that to you as soon as possible. :) Quote:
My mind is just a little broken trying to wrap my mind around the new things--but I think I like it!
Details later. Along with questions. |
Two minor questions.
So has Warwick lost his chemist background completely? Why couldn't Warwick use the blood which he spilled from Soraka with the initial stab? |
I like it. The old lore made Soraka look like a moron. Here she still makes a mistake but she was decieved rather than just doing something stupid.
1. What is the reason for Soraka to join league ?
2. Would she like to get her powers back or rather transform fully into human ? 3. Does she consider herself closer to humans or rather monsters like twitch with "human" soul inside of them ? 4. What does she think about sacrifice for greater good ? (example : kill 10 to save 1000) 5. Did she ever forgiven warwick because she is beyond it ? 6. Who is her best friend in league ? 7. Does she still easily trust others ? |
I'm just glad that they kept their connection. I don't mind him losing the chemist background, it really doesn't show in the champion we actually get to play. :p
I don't suppose you'll answer this, but you guys have been aware that the stories of your newer champions are really bad? Particularly Syndra's and Diana's. Way too much revenge going on recently, imo. :/ |
When you say Soraka holds every creature close to her heart, does it include "monsters" such as Voidborns ? Would she heal Kog'Maw if he had a very deep wound or is he too much of a danger to let live ?
Questions aside, I really like this new lore. :) |
First thing that hits me is that Soraka's lore so longer mentions her "devolving" to any extent.
That coupled with the Soraka art rework poll receiving a lot of votes for "make her more human" leads me to this: You're getting rid of her animal legs, aren't you? |
Hmm, is the Soraka lore change tied to her model update? If so, can we expect model updates for Warwick and Singed too?
As for the lore itself, why is the trickery Warwick employed against Soraka not explained in his own lore? It feels odd to just mention "but she discovered his ploy and drove him away with powerful magic." on his lore, but detail his ploy on Soraka's lore. Just my opinion. |
I.... like the changes!
Nice work RiotRunaan, if I think of anything to ask I'll edit this post. |
All times are GMT -8. The time now is 12:03 PM. |
(c) 2008 Riot Games Inc


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I have my session booked for November, here are some of my favourite boudoir type shots that I would...
The damn dresses!!
I'm totally bridezilla now and can't help it. The dresses have been in since the beginning of May and only one girl's dress is completely finished. There is 27 days left!!! THAT'S IT! That's not that much time! Especially when the stupid things have been in for over a month already. It's so god damn stressful. And it's almost as if nobody cares (I'm sorry if you read this girls but I just can't take anymore stress about these damn dresses). We all agreed when they came in that we would be in immediately to do anything that had to be done but nobody has? And I'm the type of person that has to have everything done in advance. Like WAYYYYYYYY in advance and I'm just not getting my way.
Why does it seem like everything is getting on my nerves VERY easily now? Like, I just want to explode and scream at everybody. Like, my bachelorette party for example.. I have to call people to get them all together so we can plan something. I wanted all of my parties to be a surprise and it's just not turning out that way. I had so much fun at my shower (Thank you Ashley!!!!) but it wasn't a surprise because only ONE of my bridesmaids was willing to actually plan it. UGH. I worked my butt off the last time I was a bridesmaid... I mean, I did everything except for plan the bridal shower because her cousin did it without even asking me and the bachelorette ended up being a party with all of the bridal party and some of the close friends because it's a small town and everybody hangs out with everybody. I guess I kind of expected the same in return from everybody.. but I guess you can't always have your way. |
30 days left!
I can't believe how fast this is all coming! It feels like I've been engaged forever (probably because I pretty much have been (2 and a half years)). The last couple of days I've been doing nothing but wedding stuff! Yesterday we finalized the menu with the venue plus how everything will be set up, finalized everything with the decorator and florist, picked up all of the gifts finally for the wedding party...yadda yadda yadda.. It's basically never ending. I am still however waiting for my girls to get in and get fitted. I'm starting to get worried about it.. I panic too much though.
Today, I have to head down to michaels to buy my unity candle. I bought one a week ago but got a coupon for 50% off so I brought it back and now I'm going to go buy it again. I also think that I'm going to buy some sheer pink ribbon to add to my card box. I'm also thinking that I may need to buy some more boxes for my favors. We had 120 but quite a bit of them got damaged because of my stupid cats! I think I might buy another box to be on the safe side.. that means more time put into those stupid things lol. They took hours to put together! I'm also going to go and make a spa appointment. I had my bridal shower recently and got a day at the spa.. thank god. The shower was pretty good. I'll add some pics later on today when I get back in from my running around! |
Wedding Hair Style
Had my trial!
Absolutely love it! I added 18" extensions for some length too. Nothing much more I can say.. take a look at the pics :)
Definitely pregnant!!!
Sorry again that it took so long ladies hahaha some of you may know how lazy you get when you are pregnant. I will literally come home and almost pass out on the couch instantly! Anywho, for those who are interested I am 9 weeks as of today and my baby is the size of a green grape lol. I had to throw that in there!
We are so excited! I found out on mothers day actually!!!! Best mothers day gift EVER! I met with my widwife the other day and have my first actual appointment on the 17th! |
The countdown is ON!
LIKE DONKEY KONG!...not really lol
Wow ladies. I think I'm freaking out. Check out the picture.. YEP. That's the countdown that I have on my cell phone that I look at daily. I definitely only have 68 days left until the wedding. I JUST finished writing up the rest of my invites (I'm such a procrastinator) and am now starting with the bridal shower. I KNOWWWWWW I'm not supposed to be planning it. I'm really not. I'm just helping out with it to make sure it all comes together lol. Only one of my bridesmaids is really putting it together because well my matron of honor lives out of town and just had a baby boy about 3 weeks ago, my maid of honor and her EX boyfriend just got back together about a month and a half ago so it is completely impossible to make plans with JUST her.. he always has to be involved somehow and my other bridesmaid seems to be a lost cause somedays lol. She has a lot of stress to deal with so I just let her do whatever.
Remember when you just started planning your wedding and you were like "holy heck. It seems like it is going to take FOREVER for this day to get here!" and now that it's almost here I'm like OMGGGGGGGGGGG.... do I have everything planned? What do I do now? Am i missing something? WTF is this for? HUH.. I didn't know you needed that for a wedding..... lol I have no idea what I am going to do with myself after the wedding is over because my mind is so stuck on stupid wedding that I will probably feel lost afterwards! |
Diaries of a chubby chick
A wee-one update
Well, I'm panicking a little bit. About 3 weeks ago my fiance and I had a little... Oopsie I guess you can call it after the bar. I ended up having to take the PlanB pill even though I want kids in the worst way. We just both decided that it wasn't the right time. Well, it supposed to work best in the first 12-24 hours and you have up to 3 days to take it. I took it probably about 2 and a half days in and now I'm almost a week late for my period! (And this is where it gets a little informative) My friend and I actually have the same cycle... I ALWAYS get it before her! I started spotting on monday but it lasted maybe an hour and then again on wednesday again for maybe a half hour. And that has been it. I'm going to wait until either monday or tuesday before I take a test because I don't want to get excited over nothing. The pill states that it maybe make you either a week early or a week late for your normal period. If you are more than a week late you should take a pregnancy test.
When I first started planning my wedding I actually wanted to be like a month or two pregnant and announce it at the wedding. Maybe I will get that wish?! I'll keep you ladies posted! |
Ask a Question
Hello WBC ladies! I have a question to ask you all... what exactly is your master of ceremony supposed to do? I know he or she is supposed to introduce everybody but what else? We have asked my fiancees uncle to be our MC because he is insanely funny. He asked me for a list of things to do but I haven't been able to give him one yet because I'm unsure myself! Help!
Love it..
I've been eyeing up her makeup forever. I came across this photo probably when I first started doing anything on this website. I had one of my bridesmaids try it out on me the other night at work when it was really quiet and loved it. I should have taken a picture but didn't. At night I'm going to darken it up a little bit in the crease and that's it.... I've definitely bought all of the colors to go with it already and still have three months to go lol
Another thing to check off the list :)
Also paid for.. again I don't have the total cost but we got the stretch Navigator for 6 hours.. It cost us about $1300 all together.
Wedding Photography
hmmm yep, you guessed it... PAID :D
lol yes, paid for as well. Tara cost us just over 1500. Amazing pictures though! We had engagement photos done a couple of weeks ago and they turned out really well. Once I have them I will upload them and post them for all of you :)
For you Thunder Bay brides, here's Tara's website. It isn't up and running yet but her phone number is listed on there if you are interested! http://arpsphotography.com/ |


text:
Christian camp offers cultural exchange
By DAWNE LEIKER
For six Kenyan camp counselors, their time in western Kansas has been a cross-cultural learning and teaching adventure.
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By DAWNE LEIKER
For six Kenyan camp counselors, their time in western Kansas has been a cross-cultural learning and teaching adventure.
This summer, as part of a camp counselor exchange program, six of Lakeview Christian Camp's 11 paid staff members are from Kenya.
It's the first time the camp, located near Webster Reservoir, has employed international counselors.
"They have brought a perspective to everything we do and how we do it," said Joe Zizz, camp executive director. "It's been a great experience."
Much of Zizz's motivation in bringing the Kenyans to Kansas stemmed from his desire to create cross-cultural relationships, not just with campers, but with area churches and community members. The group has visited several western Kansas towns during their stay.
It was a breezy, and sometimes cloudy afternoon at the camp Tuesday, and middle school-age kids prepared for their monumental climb up the 36-foot climbing tower that leads to a 700-foot zip-line.
"As far as I know, we have the longest zip-line in the state of Kansas," Zizz said. "So until someone tells me otherwise, I'm going to keep telling that story."
Fatma Musa and Shiko Nyaga stood nearby discussing their time in Kansas. Swahili phrases interspersed English words, as the counselors encouraged the young campers.
When asked if they have been teaching Swahili to the campers, Musa said a few language lessons have been given.
"Some of them are interested," Musa said. "They come and ask, 'How do you say hello in Swahili?'
"One group had two girls who came back as volunteers and they still remembered the Swahili we taught them. They came up to me and said, 'Fatma, we still remember the meaning of tuko poa -- we are cool.' "
For Musa, the climbing wall and the Kansas climate have been memorable parts of her visit.
"The weather, it's ... sorry to say this, it's extreme," she said.
Nyaga nodded.
"It's either too cold or too hot," Nyaga said.
"The hottest we've ever experienced in Kenya, I think, is about 80 or 90 degrees," Musa added.
In addition to the weather, the Kenyans are experiencing small-town life.
"Something that I've noticed in Kansas is about security," Musa said.
"Joe, he took us to these towns for shopping and he just leaves his car with the keys in and the windows open.
"That would not be normal in Kenya."
"If you did that in Kenya, you wouldn't get your car back," Nyaga said, laughing.
For the two young women, every day at camp has been a learning experience, and an opportunity to grow new relationships.
"The kids are opening up, and they love telling stories," Musa said. "It has really been fun."
For Nyaga, the camp experience ties into her interest in working with children.
"In Kenya, I used to be part of a group called Community Outreach Program where we'd get to every day do something good for the community and mostly for the kids," she said.
"So I would go to different places and help out the kids.
"I love working with kids, so when I was told I was coming here to work with kids, I didn't think twice."
Although riding a combine during harvest has been a high-point of Kenyan camp counselor Grace Yvonne's visit to Kansas, nothing has compared to her time with the campers.
"I've met so many people," she said. "Connected with the kids.
"I loved them so much. ... It's so hard to let them go by Friday."


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NY Fashion Week: Day 6
Michael Kors and Heidi Klum
"I plan on placing a lot of orders," said Heidi Klum even before the catwalking got underway at her Project Runway co-host Michael Kors's show. "I saw the collection and it's beautiful." While Heidi waited until security cleared photographers and reporters from the runway before taking her first row seat, Jane Krakowski didn't mind the attention she drew in her hot pink Kors dress. "This is always one of the best shows of fashion week," the 30 Rock actress said.-With reporting by Bronwyn Barnes and Grace LeeNY FASHION WEEK VIDEO: Michael Kors
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