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Loving an Alien: How does it feel to fall for a "foreigner"? PART 2
Fancy a ride on the love train? Here's a book for this Holidays Season! 'Loving an Alien' is a riveting collection of intimate interviews with brave women who crossed the cultural divide and loved to tell the tale. Vive la diversité!
If you're into global travel, romance, life lessons, the do's and don'ts of an intimate relationship, how to manage your in-laws, how to finesse your outlaws, how to raise rootless, bi-lingual, 'third culture' kids, then snuggle up with 'Loving an Alien'.
In a remarkably candid series of Q&A's with twenty-seven women of different nationalities, Angela reveals what makes a mixed marriage tick ... and how to keep the love clock running.
We're happy to bring you the second part of the interview Angela has with Jennifer.
You can find the first part of this interview right here.
Excerpts from book:
Jennifer & Volodya
American + Russian
"Now I look at it as though I made four trips to Mars!"
Angela: You now have two children of your own – a son of fifteen and a daughter of twelve. How has growing up within two cultures influenced their lives?
Jennifer: Well, first of all, I gave them both Russian names because they carry my husband's surname and I didn't want any weird combinations of East and West, David Karamyshev or whatever. So, they ended up being Nikolai and Sasha. Sasha's name is actually Aleksandra because my mom Sandra passed away the year before she was born. That's how I end‑ ed up picking 'Sasha'; it sounds similar.
Angela: What languages do you speak at home?
Jennifer: English, but perhaps I should explain why. We waited ten years to have children and during that time, my parents paid for Volodya to go to college in the United States. My father told me, "We cannot allow you to start married life and him having no prospects." That's where my parents were such good people. So, Volodya studied at college, got a Bachelor's degree in DC, and started working. Now he's a computer network manager at a medium‑sized non‑profit. Point being, he's never really studied English, we just started speaking it at home because he really needed to perform at college and in the workplace. And once you start, it becomes a habit, especially over ten years. When we had the children, we were in the habit of speaking English at home.
Angela: How good is your Russian language?
Jennifer: Not as good as in the old days when I was traveling over there regularly. I'd studied Russian in college, and for my Master's degree, and then I went on for my PhD so my Russian was still pretty good. But by the time we had children, Volodya found conversing with me in Russian quite frustrating – he couldn't get past my grammatical errors! So we decided not to speak Russian at home – although it probably would've been good for me to keep my language up.
Angela: Does Volodya speak Russian with your children?
Jennifer: I begged him, basically, to teach them Russian! I told him, "You know, you're a native speaker, and even if they don't understand all the grammar, they'll still be able to say something." But Volodya is just lazy! Frankly, he's a stereotypical Russian man, in that whatever happens in the home is the mother's responsibility. So, he just didn't do it, he just wouldn't speak to them in Russian.
Angela: How do the kids feel about that?
Jennifer: It doesn't seem to matter to Sasha who just perceives our cultural differences as kind of funny. But Nikolai is a bit resentful that he didn't get to learn Russian. He started German in sixth grade – because the school that our kids attend doesn't offer Russian – and he said, "Why didn't you just teach us Russian?" So, I'm a little bit ashamed. I do feel we didn't give them the opportunity but knowing my husband, and how frustrated he gets trying to have an environment where Russian is spoken at a level he appreciates, I think it would have made for very difficult family relations! And one of his excuses is that you don't need to be working hard all day at your job, then come home and basically have to teach everyone your native language, right? I understand his point of view.
Angela: Fair enough, but if he had spoken Russian with the kids as toddlers, it could have been quite basic yet still correct in terms of grammar?
Jennifer: Yeah, I tried! And I tell them now, "I'm really sorry, I couldn't do that for you, my native language is not Russian." So, that's where we are. I think Nikolai will probably try to learn Russian, especially if he ends up at a college where it is offered.
Angela: How much interest do your children show in Russian culture in general?
Jennifer: My husband and my son share a love of soccer – Volodya coached Nikolai's team for a number of years. They watched the World Cup together and are planning to go to Russia for the World Cup in 2018. My son thinks that's cool and he wears his Russian soccer jersey to school. He's very proud of it.
Angela: And Sasha?
Jennifer: Actually, she plays soccer too but her father has never been interested in her team, he never got involved with it and doesn't talk to her about it. In general, she seems to treat her Russian heritage as a kind of personal oddity. She carries his name but kind of ignores the rest, at least so far.
Angela: Has either of your children visited Russia?
Jennifer: Not yet. Russia is such a dicey place to get to, although Sasha might disagree.
Angela: How do you mean?
Jennifer: We went up to Brooklyn one weekend to visit the relatives. On the following Monday, Sasha's kindergarten teacher asked her class, "So what did you do over the weekend?" And Sasha said, "I went to Russia." So the teacher said, "Huh, really? Over the weekend?" And Sasha goes, "Yeah!" So, later I get this email from the teacher, asking me: How did you guys manage to defy the space‑time continuum? And I wrote back: We went to Brooklyn! That's basically the extent of my daughter's familiarity with Russia. But, seriously, so many of Volodya's relatives have emigrated to the US that there's basically only one family left in the Moscow area that we would visit. Volodya has been back to see friends but finds it dislocating because the Russia he knew has gone, vanished. The last time he traveled home was two or three years ago, and he came back and said, "It's just a completely different place!"
Angela: How has he adapted to life in the US and what does he miss from home?
Jennifer: For most daily‑life issues, Volodya has adapted well to American society, to the different way we engage in business and commerce, and to our office routines. He's changed his orientation to what we do and I don't think he misses working in Russia. What he does miss are the social gatherings with food and drink. He definitely misses the food so there are a couple of Russian dishes that I cook. We have a Russian community in DC and a Russian food store near where we live. There are central Asians who have a thriving business – they make little meat pies and Russian ravioli. Volodya buys bags and bags of those. I think he misses his friends more than anything. He grew up in a single‑parent household, his dad was gone by the time he was thirteen and so he was a very independent young man. His friends became his primary group; he spent a lot of time with them. I think he misses that camaraderie. He has some Russian friends who immigrated to Florida and he'll sometimes visit them for a long weekend. We both miss gatherings of friends and relatives who are no longer with us.
Angela: How do you get along with Volodya's extended family on the East Coast?
Jennifer: I went up to New York for his mother's funeral this past August; her entire family was very welcoming of me, although at times they treat me like this sort of circus freak, frankly, and they either speak very LOUDLY, or very s‑l‑o‑w‑l‑y, as if they think I'm deaf, although actually I understand almost everything they say. But they've all been so good to me – very welcoming and complimentary. They ask what I do and where I work. I don't go into details, I tell them I'm an administrator at a private university in DC, but I can see they're thinking: Wow, a scientist at NASA? You're the smartest person we know! So that's very nice. I'm different and I'm 'other', but I've never felt like an outsider, just the opposite – they've accepted me and I appreciate that very much. Some of them so desperately want to have a connection, that they'll exchange Christmas cards with me and that's very different to the relationship I had with my mother‑in‑law. For her, the dynamic was basically: You stole the man in my life!
Angela: Are you still in contact with your old friends from Russia?
Jennifer: I don't have that many friends over there. Russians have a saying: You know a lot of people but you only have one or two real friends in a lifetime. So basically, when they consider you a friend, they'll do anything for you and they're definitely much better at keeping in touch than I am. So, I appreciate that very much.
Angela: What else do you appreciate about the Russians?
Jennifer: There are aspects of Russian culture that I very much admire but I think I just find Russia a very frustrating place right now, you know? So, sometimes it's hard for me to separate current Russian politics and what's going on in Russia, from the fact that, for example, I had never been to the ballet or an opera before I started studying over there. I mean, I come from cultured people who appreciated artistic and intellectual things – my mother had a Master's and my father was a medical doctor – but there were so many experiences I had in Russia that were just … lifelong … and impressed upon me an appreciation for the people and the culture. For instance, sometimes we'd visit the World War II monuments in Leningrad and find out all about the famine there, or we'd travel to the Babi Yar monument in Kiev for Jewish citizens who were executed when the Nazis came in. There's just so much suffering in that culture, in every museum we went to, and so many lessons to be learned that I can't help but feel a deep and lasting respect.
I appreciate having had those experiences and being married to someone who understands and appreciates them, someone I can talk to about that kind of stuff.
Angela: You found your soulmate. But had you ever thought about marrying a foreigner?
Jennifer: No, I was young and stupid. For the longest time, I honestly thought I'd marry someone I'd meet in college, or at least while I was in college, but no, I never really thought about marrying a foreigner. I think it was just the timing.
Angela: How do you mean?
Jennifer: I was so young and impressionable but I thought I was the most mature twenty‑two‑year‑old who ever walked the earth! Now that I'm almost fifty, I look back on that and I think: Oh, my God! You know, it's a little embarrassing. It was just that we met and I found him so intriguing. I was in love! As often happens, you travel to another culture for an extended period, meet somebody and start a relationship. You're in love with them but you're also in love with every‑ thing, you're in love with that moment. I think that was a big part of it. I'm grateful for my experiences and believe you should never regret anything, but there are days when I wonder: What was I thinking? Because it has not been the easiest path in life; I don't know if I'd married an American it would have been any different.
Men and women have very different attitudes towards family, marriage, and relationships, but my husband is very stereotypically Russian in that everything to do with the kids, everything in the home, that's something that I have to take care of, right?
Angela: Why is that, do you think?
Jennifer: Russians have a very different definition of 'marital partnership' and there are times when I can't help but wonder: Would things have turned out differently if I'd made some different decisions? I don't know if my parents had a sense of that. They were pretty upset but I think they just thought: This might not work out very well so we must do everything we can to help. I look back and I'm so grateful, because my has done well in the world and that would never have happened if he had not gained a college degree.
Angela: Do your brothers still think marrying a Russian was 'the coolest thing'?
Jennifer: I have to say, Volodya is very close with all of them but in particular my youngest brother, and you know, now that my mom is gone, my dad is actually pretty close to Volodya too. I've had a lot of chats with my dad about challenges that I face at home and it's difficult for him. His loyalty is to me, and he worries because I'm his only daughter and he wants me to be happy, but he'll say, "This is really hard for me because Volodya has been a member of our family for almost thirty years." It's kind of interesting that things should turn out this way, because I think my parents were like: This will never last, this is going to be a disaster. But it hasn't been! And I think my dad rightly takes some pride in the fact that he helped.
Angela: If your daughter or son wants to marry a foreigner, what will you say?
Jennifer: Hmm, let me not try to dodge your question! I wouldn't tell them to not marry a foreigner. I would say, "Here's some of the things I learned, about being married to Daddy, that I would want you to think about before you take this leap. So, you know, just wait and see what happens."
Angela: Can you give us an example of something that you've learned?
Jennifer: Well, yes. My husband was one of those draft‑dodgers who did not serve in the military and so he had to get special approval to leave Russia after we married. In other words he paid a bribe in Moscow. That means I didn't have the opportunity for him to visit the United States before we married or before we completed all the documentation for him to emigrate. So, I think one thing I would tell my kids is: "Do not just engage in a romantic relationship in the other person's home culture. Engage in the romantic relationship in your own culture too and see what the differences are."
Angela: Why would you advise this?
Jennifer: Because what I did appreciate, and could not have appreciated, was that over there, in Russia, I depended on Volodya for so much: he knew how to get things done in the Soviet system, which was difficult to navigate. He was one of these streetwise trader guys who had money, as opposed to many Soviet citizens who didn't, and he got things done. He planned our wedding at the restaurant and paid for everything, and so on.
Angela: So far so good, but are you saying things went differently in the US?
Jennifer: Well, when we moved over here, he was completely dependent on me and so all of a sudden I'm the person who has to make everything happen. I mean I could do that, I was a functioning adult even though I was only twenty‑two, but it changed the entire dynamic of the relationship, you see? And again, it was almost as if I had been on Mars, had this love affair with a Martian and now I come to my home country and I've got a Martian to take care of, right? The way I visualized how we would be, after marriage, was based solely on how we had interacted in his culture. How we interacted in mine was a bit of a shock. So, I'd tell my kids: "Just make sure you experience those kind of situations, so you'll understand and know: OK, I'm going into this with my eyes wide open."
Angela: One of my sisters went through something similar. She met a nice guy in a country that was neither his nor hers, they fell in love and married there. Everything went well until they moved to his home country where he transformed into a different person. They divorced, eventually. Your marriage has fared better, but since you use the word 'Martian' I assume Volodya has sometimes seemed like an alien from another world?
Jennifer: Yeah, lots of times! I think if we'd married at thirty we would definitely be divorced by now, but the resilience and romanticism of youth enabled me just to take those difficult moments and say, "Well, we have this future together!" I can still remember particular dates we went on and how I was so much in love with him. Our hardest years were probably those first ten, without kids. Once we had kids, the dynamic shifted and all of a sudden I've got little people to focus on. Volodya and I just went on as we always had but I didn't have time to disagree with him anymore about this or that because I had to focus on taking care of our kids. So, really, in those moments where I'd say to myself: Oh my God, he's a complete alien! I'd also try to remember: Why did I get into this in the first place? And when I was younger, I kept thinking back: Oh, I remember the time we went to the Bolshoi, it was so beautiful and I was so in love with him! So, hmm, OK, you know, it's not a mistake. But yeah, if I'd been thirty, I would've been like: Forget this! Life's too short! I'm not doing this guy's dishes for the rest of my life!
Angela: Are you saying that your cultural differences became most apparent in the way you approached family life and domestic responsibilities?
Jennifer: Volodya is an alien in a lot of respects, but in a way I'm used to that kind of setup, since Dad used to work eighteen hours a day, practicing medicine when I grew up, and was never home. Although Dad is a great and supportive father, he certainly didn't help my mother at home; she was a stay‑at‑home mom, that was her responsibility. However, I think what's different, in my life, is that I have a very demanding full‑time job. So, it would've been nice to have someone who would've picked up the slack at home. But, I can't say that I think of Volodya as an alien just because of that. There's a lot more.
Angela: For example?
Jennifer: Every evening Volodya listens to 'Russia Today', and watches Russian television. On the one hand, I doubt he would have become a US citizen if he had not been committing to the American way of life, but on the other hand, he's very critical of US foreign and domestic policy, and comes at it with a kind of: Well, if this was in Russia… And I'm like: In Russia? Please don't even tell me, no comparison! You don't have to scratch very far to get down to that. He comes from another culture, a proud culture, and he's not buying all this propaganda we throw at people. Another example is food. He's fallen in love with Mediterranean food – we have a Lebanese and Turkish grocery store nearby where he buys himself stuff every week. That's OK, but then I make this huge Thanksgiving dinner – you know in the States we have a tradition of stuffed turkey with mashed potatoes or whatever, all the trimmings. Volodya doesn't eat any of that. Instead, he'll just have his Mediterranean food from the store – it's not even particularly Russian, it's just… him! Whatever, it does make Volodya seem a little bit alien, at times.
Angela: Interesting about the food. I mean, turkey is quite similar to chicken, and Russians eat fried chicken, after all. Does he resent Thanksgiving, perhaps?
Jennifer: Yeah, I mean, he's very much a free spirit, and so I think he does resent a little the imposition of a particular thing. I also think he just prefers the other food better and is pretty unabashed about saying so. My kids laugh at him. They'll say, "Daddy, Mom made all this huge dinner! Come on, why are you eating that stuff?" And he'll say, "Because I want to." And they'll go, "Whatever." It's funny. I suppose it could've been very divisive: That's it – I can't take this anymore. But it hasn't turned out that way. It's just one of those things, a cultural difference. It's not a difference between Russian and American cultures, it's just something that, if we stay married, I have to tolerate about him. It's not the worst thing.
Angela: Does Volodya cook? Are there any Russian dishes that you both enjoy?
Jennifer: When we first got married, he was used to having a woman cook for him all the time, so he had to eat whatever I cooked and he was pretty good about trying things, adapting and not being critical. And I was like: Hey, this is what I know because this is how I grew up, right? He does cook a little bit, these days. Russians have a number of vegetable salads; many of the recipes include potatoes, some have beets. I had not eaten beets regularly until I started studying over there, and I love beets. So, basically, it's a lot of salads, and those little meat pies and ravioli things that he's been buying.
Angela: Piroshki?
Jennifer: Yes, exactly, piroshki and pelmeni! We've made those together before. Russians love to layer butter and sour cream on them, and I do, too. I like fish but I'm not into pickled fish and all those foods that he really likes. They love sardines but I'm not into, you know, shashlik? Having grown up in Texas, barbecue was another commonality I enjoyed over in Russia. We'd visit people at their dachas and they'd tell me, "You've never had this before, but you'll love it!" Then I'd try some and say, "Well, this tastes very familiar, because it's kinda like barbecue, like we do at home." So, actually, a lot of Russian foods were familiar to me and I was like: Oh, I get what this is. But some dishes I'd never had the occasion to eat before, and I actually liked them, and generally, I love food, so for me that was one of the great parts, not one of the barriers that we had to overcome!
Angela: How about religion – has it been a barrier or a commonality for you?
Jennifer: I'd say I'm religious, I'm Episcopalian, and when I was in Moscow, I'd go to the small Anglican church as often as I could. My mother‑in‑law was Jewish and even had 'Jew' in her passport. And like so many Jews in Russia, she was very aware of, and proud of, her Jewish lineage but completely devoid of customs or rituals because those had not been passed down, those had been prohibited, and Jews had been singled out as 'other'. So, she considered herself Jewish but did not practice at all.
Volodya's father was Russian Orthodox and when Volodya and his brother were little, their Orthodox grand‑mother took them away and had them baptized as Orthodox to save them from the faith, or perhaps fate, as she saw it, of their Jewish mother. So, that was an odd dynamic already. Over there, we married at the city hall, and over here, we married in an Episcopalian church in Texas. Volodya was pretty upfront from the get‑go, he was like: "I don't consider myself a Jew or Russian Orthodox, I am who I am." He was definitely not interested, so I've always gone to church by myself and now I take our kids. They're both acolytes in the Episcopal Church – they carry the cross, the candles, and are involved in a youth group there. I think it's a very important community for them. I'd say my kids are doubtful Christians; I don't know that they're agnostic but they're at the age where they want to question, and one of the things I love about the Episcopal Church is that we encourage this. So, when they say, "I don't know if I believe in God." I say, "OK, but we're still going to church and you're still going to the youth group, and, of course, you can question, that's what this is about." But my husband never goes with us. My son will be confirmed this spring, and I don't know if Volodya will be part of that. He doesn't engage at all. I don't know that he's supportive, but he definitely doesn't undermine it; thankfully he won't tell them, "It's stupid." I think he gets what I'm trying to do: engage them in a community of thoughtful people who care about others, and, in as much as we talk in our home about religion, that's pretty much what the discussion is about.
Angela: Live and let live, as it were. So, do you agree with the French expression, Vive la différence, or do you think we're all basically the same?
Jennifer: We're all different, definitely, but here's how I think about my own experience: you can either appreciate the differences and figure out how to make them work, or you can absolutely focus on them and say, "This is something I can't overcome."
We can divide people into different groups, so many millions of different ways, but it's kind of glass half full, glass half empty, right? And I feel like, even with the challenges my husband has presented and the things I've shared with you here, that all this has made me a better person. Volodya makes me think about things, and for example when we disagree about US foreign policy, I don't come away thinking: He's an idiot. I come away thinking: Hmm, maybe I should think about this in a different way? I'd like to believe I've had the same effect on him but I don't know. If he answered your questions, you'd get a completely different interview! He's a very proud Russian, I'd say. But I think differences are a good thing, diversity is a good thing.
My son is going to Germany this summer with his church group, and if he comes back and says he's in love with a German girl, I won't have a problem with that. You know, my daughter has already told me she finds African‑American men more attractive than white men, so, OK, that would be a cultural difference too, even though they'd both come from the United States. Differences are a good thing.
Angela: I agree, definitely. Finally, could you share with us a favorite recipe that you both enjoy?
Jennifer: Oh, absolutely, I'll send you one of my favorite borscht recipes. I found it in The Washington Post. It's funny because, when I said to Volodya, "Oh my God, they've published a borscht recipe!" he was like, "Oh, it's gonna be horrible, it's gonna be terrible." And then I made it, and he said, "I hate to admit it, but this is pretty good!"
About the Book:
'Loving an Alien' is a collection of 27 intimate interviews with women of different nationalities, who all married foreigners. I ask them about their love for, and life with, an 'alien' man. All of their stories are inspiring, some are very funny, some are heartbreaking. These are brave women who crossed the cultural divide, despite the odds.
About the Author
Angela Nicoara grew up in communist Romania and has lived and worked in twenty countries around the world. She is based in the mountains of Transylvania with her favorite alien, five cats, two dogs, and the occasional bear.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Marketo Winds Up for Risky IPO
Apr 3, 2013 3:26 PM PT
Marketing automation company Marketo filed paperwork with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday to launch an initial public offering. The IPO is valued at US$75 million.
The company has not yet proposed a stock price. It does say in the filing that it is considered an "emerging growth company," and it plans to list on Nasdaq under the symbol "MKTO."
History of Losses
The most telling portion of the filing was the company's description of the risks related to its business and industry. Marketo has a history of losses and it "may not achieve consistent profitability in the future," according to the filing.
The company generated net losses of $11.8 million, $22.6 million and $34.4 million in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. As of Dec. 31, 2012, it had an accumulated deficit of $82.2 million.
Marketo also pointed out some drawbacks of the SaaS business model it has adopted.
"Our customers have no obligation to renew their subscriptions for our software after the expiration of their subscription period, which is typically one year, but ranges from one quarter to three years," the filing notes. In addition, "our customers may renew for lower subscription amounts or for shorter contract lengths."
Marketo intends to invest significant funds to expand its marketing and sales operations, develop and enhance its product line, and upgrade its data center infrastructure and services capabilities.
An Emerging Niche
Marketo is a player in a CRM category -- marketing automation -- that is getting more active by the day. The space is enjoying hyper growth on the coattails of social media. Just a few weeks ago, Marketo rolled out a new application that emphasized its social media integration bona fides.
One thing that stands Marketo in good stead is that it is an integrated offering, said Andreas Scherer, managing partner of Salto Partners. Corporations increasingly are gravitating toward tech platforms that can replace a mix of point solutions and processes, he told CRM Buyer.
That doesn't mean the IPO should be embraced with abandon, Scherer cautioned. "Investors need to understand the following about this IPO: While Marketo is operating in a red-hot hot space, the company has yet to establish a profit."
Perhaps a strategic acquisition by Salesforce -- along the lines of Eloqua's acquisition by Oracle -- would have been the better long-term play, he suggested.
Marketo's prospects for the long haul are uncertain, Scherer concluded, "both from a financial and a technological perspective."


text:
On May 19, 2011 a very strong earthquake occurred in the greater Simav / Kutahya area. Earthquake-Report calls this earthquake extremely dangerous for damage, injuries and even fatalities. All theoretical models are resulting in a potentially bad outcome (some killed people). Early reports from the Kütahya governor are speaking of killed people = 3 dead and 94 injured.
We thank our Turkish readers who have send their Felt Experiences.
To read the full story of this earthquake, please start at the bottom of the page.
Read also 1 : Understanding the Simav / Kütahya May 19 earthquake (Turkey)
Read also 2 : May 19 Turkey earthquake : 2,208 houses uninhabitable + $260 million economic loss
UPDATE 23/05/2011 15:09 UTC : It has been found by the onsite engineers doing rapid assessment of the buildings that 2208 houses are uninhabitable AND 3373 are damaged but habitable of the 16448 checked so far. This is a large percentage!
2 million TL has been spent on relief so far in addition to the coordination of the presidency in a statement after the earthquake in Kütahya, in Istanbul, Izmir, Bursa, Afyon, Kütahya and Usak provinces, a total of 343 search and rescue region, Health and Red Crescent personnel, 83 vehicles, including 50 ambulances and 5 search dogs had been sent. In addition, by the Red Crescent, 2013 tents, 10000 blankets, 2292 water supplies, 2 portable kitchens, 3 S-3 1, 5 mobile catering trucks were sent.
It is estimated that only 15% of the inhabitants have insurance 🙁 May we remind turkish readers that the TCIP in nearly all cases makes sense!
On this scale of building loss, the total economic loss from the earthquake could be in the order of $260 million assuming building loss contributes to 40-50% of the total loss. (Assumes severities of 45k-50k for uninhabitable, and 10k for habitable but damaged.)
UPDATE 16:36 UTC : Felt Reports from our Turkish readers :
Izmir : It felt as though the table wobbled sideways, enough to alarm me but I wasn't sure if it was an Izmir mini-quake or me having a light-headed moment! It was followed by about 10 minutes of strong winds which subsided, so I decided it must have been a mini-quake. MMI II-III (weak shaking)
Istanbul : I'm in Istanbul. Yes, the earthquake has been felt in Istanbul.
Istanbul : i was lying on bed watching TV, then i felt my bed was shaking, paused the video and searched earthquake istanbul during the earthquake. It was long but not very strong
Ankara : Our bed was shaking in the early hours of the mornin MMI II-III (weak shaking)
Karamürsel Kocaeli : It took about 15 seconds here 200 km away from epicenter.. Aas i have experienced many quakes from past ı knew ıt was far and strong one.. It started slowly, then stopped, and agaın started more stronger wıth clear shakıng.. Doors and windows shake, lamps shake, but no noıce... I notıce also water ın aquarıum made waves ... MMI II-III (weak shaking)
Bogazici village, Tuzla lake : Tremor lasted only a couple of seconds, light objects moved. Hairline cracks in wall plaster which I had not noticed before MMI II-III (weak shaking)
UPDATE 15:36 UTC : The video below gives an impression on the damage in Simav. The lower than expected magnitude (5.7 istead of 5.9) and the deeper than initially calculated depth of the hypocenter (23 km instead of 10 km) have resulted in far less damage than similar magnitude earthquakes in the past.
Nevertheless, a lot of people were injured and 3 people were unfortunately killed.
According to Kandilli Observatory, there was a 3.8 magnitude foreshock 16 minutes before the mainshock at shallow depth which would have been felt by most of the inhabitants of Simav.
Setting:- Ml5.9, at 7.6km depth. Epicenter (39.1520, 29.0882), Western Turkey, near city of Simav.
Casualties:- 3 killed, 1 seriously injured, 93 injured.
Halil Duman (63), Recep Akalın (73) and Hüseyin Oran (18) were killed. The first two people were killed by heart attack and the 3rd by a fallen beam. We assume that the younger person could also be the one who people are reporting died after jumping out of a window in panic (as reported by Minister Eroglu in Simav) however more information is required.
An elderly woman died of a heart attack in another town, Inegol, authorities said (we presume this is Recep Akalin, aged 73).
79 people injured including some who suffered injuries after jumping from balconies and windows and those who suffered from heart attacks or panic-related shock, were taken to hospitals in Simav according to NZ reports quoting Eroglu.
Fifteen others were treated at hospitals in the neighbouring province of Usak.
Damage and other reports.
The Red Crescent, the Muslim equivalent of the Red Cross, reported that the following damage and reports:-
1) partly collapsed two empty buildings in Simav, along with a five-story building and a mosque.
2) The alleged leak in a cyanide pool (which occurred before the earthquake) has not worsened and continues to be contained.
The largest aftershock has been 4.6, as compared to the mainshock magnitude of 5.9.
"It was so strong that we could not even move in the first few seconds," a local told NTV (a Turkish news network).
Red Crescent has also been busy helping people with food and shelter. Many residents spent the rest of the night in their cars or in the streets as authorities cautioned them against re-entering their homes. The quake was felt as far as the Aegean city of Izmir, the northwestern city of Bursa, Istanbul and the city of Edirne, close to the Greek and Bulgarian borders.
UPDATE 06:21 UTC : It is a university town and many students are returning to other parts of Turkey to avoid the devastation and constant aftershocks.
UPDATE 06:20 UTC : Electricity and phone communication is out and university buildings were destroyed and some other buildings were also destroyed. Much damage can be found around Kütahya Simav. Emergency crews are currently still there. There have been 450 aftershocks recorded during the night and early morning.
UPDATE 06:19 UTC : From the videos and pictures we have seen much soft storey collapse, where the 1st storey is built slightly higher than the other floors and is not strong enough to support the other floors. This will also be a potential problem for a Marmara Sea earthquake.
UPDATE 06:18 UTC : As stated, at the start of our broadcast last night, the Kandilli observatory website went down with all the people trying to find out information. For future earthquakes this will need to be improved. People then went to the phones trying to find out where the earthquake epicenter was.
UPDATE 05:14 UTC : Halil Duman (63), Recep Akalın (73) and Hüseyin Oran (18) were killed. The first two people were killed by heart attack and the 3rd by a fallen beam. In addition there have been 79 injuries, according to officials including the governor and also the environment minister. The 4th death is not found at this point in time. Our hearts go out to the families of the affected.
UPDATE 04:52 UTC : At least 4 people killed and 100 injured (send in by somebody of the epicenter area). These numbers may increase the following hours. MMI VI checked (strong shaking)
UPDATE 00:35 UTC : Tens of aftershocks have been recorded since the mainshock at 23:15 (local time)
UPDATE 00:33 UTC : The Turkish seismological service has reported a depth of 24 km and a magnitude of 5.7. These data are a lot better than the initial USGS data 5 km depth / Magnitude 6.0.
UPDATE 00:10 UTC : The Turkish press is always talking about the Simav/Katahya earthquake, although the 2 major cities in this are 61 km distance from each other. A lot of smaller villages are within these limits.
UPDATE 00:05 UTC : We expect only reliable reports on damage, injuries and eventual fatalities within 2 to 3 hours when daylight will arrive.
UPDATE 00:04 UTC : The main problem will NOT be the bigger cities but the small villages closer to the epicenter. The damage in the bigger towns seems to be limited.
UPDATE 23:30 UTC : So far we could only retrieve that 1 person was killed by a heart attack.
UPDATE 23:30 UTC : The Katahyo governor has reported that some people have been killed during this earthquake. No numbers have been given so far.
UPDATE 23:30 UTC : Both fixed and mobile phones went out of service shortly after the earthquake, probably because everybody started to call and sms to each other. As they earthquake was felt all over western Turkey, people from all these areas (even if they had only a weak shaking) did start to use their phones.
UPDATE 23:23 UTC : According to Turkish reports, some buildings in the Simav area should have been collapsed.
UPDATE 23:21 UTC : The eastern Mediterranean countries are very vulnerable for moderate to strong damaging earthquakes. The faults, combined with badly constructed houses and a big population are a dangerous cocktail.
UPDATE 23:15 UTC : Sky TV is reporting a undefined number of injured people.
UPDATE 23:07 UTC : Most of the houses are made of bricks, which have a very bad resistance against earthquakes. Combined with the time of the earthquake (23:15), this is a deadly cocktail.
UPDATE 23:05 UTC : Although is can be seen as a rural area, the villages and towns are very populated.
UPDATE 23:00 UTC : GFZ (Germany) is reporting a magnitude of 5.7 at a depth of 10 km (less damaging than the other agencies)
UPDATE 22:38 UTC : According to Ozan Kasar, an earthquake-Report facebook fan, the center of the quake is 400Km away from me but almost all country feeled the quake it is weird though. 5,9 according to Turkish quake center.
UPDATE 22:38 UTC : Closest locations to the epicenter are Sogut and Kapikaya
UPDATE 22:35 UTC : Although this can be a very damaging earthquake, GDACS published a GREEN earthquake alert for this earthquake = very limited chance on damage and/or injuries
UPDATE 21:19 UTC : A reminder: This was NOT the Marmara sea earthquake! This is a M5.9-M6.0 shallow normal fault earthquake in Western Turkey.
UPDATE 21:18 UTC : Search and rescue teams were dispatched to the Simav'a Kütahya region, indicating possible problems.
UPDATE 21:16 UTC : Communications are difficult due to jammed lines in Turkey. In addition, a M4.6 aftershock was felt.
UPDATE 21:15 UTC : WAPMERR has come through with an estimate of around that of PAGER with an expected death toll between 0 and 200 deaths. We hope that it is the first number! They say that it depends very much whether the GFZ hypocenter of M5.7 and normal faulting is correct. We agree.
Apart from the fact that the 5.9 magnitude occurred near the town of Kütahya Simav and that it was felt in Istanbul, Ankara, Canakkale, Bursa, Balikesir, Yalova, Afyon, Eskisehir and was felt in Afyonkarahisar, no news has come to hand of casualties and damage as yet. Reports of many people leaving their homes and being out on the sidewalks have come through.
UPDATE 21:05 UTC : Aftershocks have been hitting the Kütahya district.
UPDATE 21:00 UTC : Still no reports of casualties or damage. It is night in Western Turkey so it may be difficult to get initial details if communications are down.
UPDATE 20:55 UTC : There has been much panic in Istanbul with people feeling this earthquake, and believing it to be the big one that is expected sometime in the next 30 years to a high probability.
For our turkish viewers:-
Deprem İstanbul'da hâle gelmiştir.
Bir zararlı deprem sığ bir derinliğe Türkiye'de oluştu.
Bir büyüklüğü 6 sahiptir.
USGS PAGER sistemi VII potansiyel bir MMI de VIII ve 34.000 potansiyel bir MMI az 7000 kişi ile dışarı geliyor
Ayrıca 1 ve 100 arasında ölüm ve orta ekonomik zararın% 88 şansı var.
En önemli Deprem Verileri:
Kadir: 6.0
UTC Saat: 20:15:23
Merkez üssü Yerel saat: 23:15:23
Derinliği (Hypocenter): 4.6km
Coğrafi konum (lar): 39,115 ° N, 29,124 ° E
yakın nüfuslu yerler:? Abseker (16km), ay inge (5 km), İnlice (7km), Derek y (6km), Eskik y (9km), Karaagil (11km), Hasanlar (11km), Yenice (? 17km). En yakın sivil havaalanı Uşak (57km).
UPDATE 20:52 UTC : The nearest populated places are: Abseker (16km), ?ay?inge (5km), Inlice (7km), Derek?y (6km), Eskik?y (9km), Karaagil (11km), Hasanlar (11km), Yenice (17km). The closest civilian airport is Usak (57km).
UPDATE 20:51 UTC : EMSC has released a M5.8 hypocenter at a depth of 7km.
59 km NW Usak (pop 152,862 ; local time 23:15:22.9 2011-05-19)
13 km NE Simav (pop 34,909 ; local time 23:15:22.9 2011-05-19)
This will be potentially damaging in Simav and could have similar side effects to the Elazig earthquake of last year.
This earthquake must have been strong given the response around the Internet, with many Turkish websites having traffic problems.
The earthquake has been felt in Istanbul.
A potentially damaging earthquake has occurred in Turkey at a shallow depth.
It has a magnitude 6.
The USGS PAGER system is coming out with 7000 people at a potential MMI of VIII and 34000 at a potential MMI of VII
They also have an 88% chance of between 1 and 100 deaths and moderate economic damage.
Most important Earthquake Data:
Magnitude : 6.0
UTC Time : 20:15:23
Local time at epicenter : 11:15:23 PM
Depth (Hypocenter) : 4.6km
Geo-location(s) : 39.115°N, 29.124°E
Links to important maps
USGS Did You Feel It Map
Google satellite map of the area showing the kind of terrain the earthquake took place
3-dimensional view of the earthquake area (USGS epicenter location)
USGS Shaking Map
USGS Impact on Population Map
USGS historic earthquakes map
USGS Seismic hazard map
GDACS GREEN earthquake report
QuakeSOS+ and QuakeSOS free are iPhone applications developed by Armand Vervaeck, the founder of Earthquake Report. The Application simplifies immediate group communication to friends and family members (with your exact GPS location) and is feeding the users with Earthquake Report news. The 0.99 US$ QuakeSOS+ version will support the activities of SOS Earthquakes.
Earthquake-Report.com headlines on twitter
@OnlyQuakeNews : Get all the headlines of our earthquake-report.com articles + regular updates on ongoing events
@QuakeSOS : earthquake-report.com news + automatic earthquake notifications of USGS earthquakes of M 4.0 or higher with emphasis to earthquakes in the America's and the Pacific Ocean sphere (4 and up) and a lot of the rest of the world (5 and up). This account was created for our QuakeSOS and QuakeSOS+ iPhone applications
@ShakingEarth : earthquake-report.com news + automatic earthquake notifications of EMSC earthquakes of M 4.0 or higher with emphasis to earthquakes in European and Asian / Middle East sphere (4 and up) and a lot of the rest of the world (5 and up). This account was originally created to stimulate our Facebook account
@QuakeMaps : earthquake-report.com news with mapping notifications of ALL earthquakes M 3.0 and higher from all over the world via EMSC and USGS. This account was created for our http://www.quake-maps.com website
I did feel it - Ik heb het gevoeld - Το έκανα αισθάνεται - Yo lo siento - 我的确感到了 - 私はそれを感じていました- Ich habe es gefühlt - Bunu hissediyorum yaptı - لم أشعر أنه


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TV Superstars lets you live the celebrity lifestyle as you participate in various game shows to prove you have what it takes to become an A-list star. Get your face on the TV, quite literally, using the PlayStation Eye camera to take your picture and create your personalised contestant. To make sure you've got a face for every occasion, you'll need to pose with a smile and then a frown to reflect your performances in front of your fans.
You start your celebrity life in the Green Room, where you can choose which show to take part in, edit your character or check your ranking in TV Superstars magazine. Don't forget to give your character a catchphrase too - the signature trait of any high-flying celebrity.
Get a taste for stardom as you enter the various studios, each one equipped with all the wacky ingredients needed to become a prime time wonder. Each programme is hosted by a larger than life presenter, from Frockstar's host Randy Darling to Let's Get Physical's Spike Powers, and each is ready to help you become a star.
Do you shout at your TV when a game show contestant doesn't reach the finish line, or question the decisions made during home improvement shows? If so, this is the game for you. TV Superstars puts you in the spotlight in a range of reality TV shows where you can go from Z-list nobody to A-list superstar.
To raise your celebrity status you'll have to take part in different game shows and earn Fame Points. There are four different shows to star in, each divided up into a series of episodes where you can earn points, unlock more episodes and become increasingly famous by the minute.
Each game show challenges you to different tasks on your journey to stardom. Cook up a storm with Big Chilli D in Big Beat Kitchen, prepare yourself for the catwalk in Frockstar, give your pad a makeover in DIY Raw and throw yourself into some crazy action games in Let's Get Physical.
Track your fame in the pages of the TV Superstars magazine - the publication that everyone wants to be a part of. As you climb the celebrity ladder, you'll also be offered parts on TV adverts, posters and billboards by your very own agent from the Super Television Acting Agency: Vivian Katzenburg.
Each TV show has its own unique set of actions using PlayStation Move motion controller, so follow the on-screen instructions and let your host guide you on the path to fame.
Move into the spotlight
TV Superstars is a title that fully utilises the various capabilities of the PlayStation Move motion controller. It can be an in-game utensil to help you cut, stir and pour ingredients in the Big Beat Kitchen or used to control your character's actions and movements in fast-paced action games in Let's Get Physical.
Use your PlayStation Move motion controller in Frockstar to carefully apply make-up to your character to ensure they look their best, then take to the catwalk and follow their moves as they strut their stuff in front of a huge crowd. Mimic the actions and timings with your PlayStation Move to score more Fame Points and grace even more pages in TV Superstars magazine.
If you want some company on your journey up the celebrity ladder, you don't have to go it alone. Up to four contestants can participate in the televised world of TV Superstars, playing cooperatively as a team or competing against each other.
If you want a fame-hungry friend to join your team, simply select a player using the Move button on the PlayStation Move motion controller and pop them on your sofa in the Green Room. You'll have to work together to score Fame Points and see how many column inches you can gain when you play as a team.
In it to win it? Go head-to-head with your competitors and prove that you have what it takes to be a full-time celebrity. Give your celebrity mansion a glamorous makeover with Jenny Ratchet, get some top style tips from Randy Darling, tone your body with a workout from Spike Powers and eat like a king with cooking lessons from Big Chilli D.
1-4 Players


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Operates at any scale – nonstop – by distributing database read and write access out to the network edge.
Replicates and synchronizes readable and writable copies of data across multiple data centers or devices.
Deploy your databases on the same data center as your application. Every deployment includes multi-node cluster for reliability, automatic failover, and managed disaster recovery.


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With the wide variety of massage modalities being used today it's difficult to know when you should use an oil, crème, lotion or gel. Below you'll find a guide to which types of lubricants are best used for each modality.
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is the most common modality and is used for relaxation purposes. An oil, creme, lotion or gel can be used during this type of massage.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep Tissue massage is used to reach deeper layers of muscles. A lotion is the ideal lubricant to use for this type of massage as it provides the ability to work in one concentrated area. Therapro Deep Tissue Massage Lotion provides a smooth glide and absorbs quicker than typical massage lotion.
Prenatal Massage
Prenatal massage is typically performed on expecting mothers after the second trimester. An oil, crème, lotion or gel can be used for this type of massage.
Sports Massage
Sports massage is a fast, vigorous modality used to either warm up the muscles before an athletic event or relax the muscles after an event. If you are performing the massage before the event, a lotion, crème or analgesic works best. If the massage is after the event, no lubricant is necessary as the athlete's natural perspiration provides sufficient glide.
Acupressure Massage
Acupressure massage is similar to acupuncture, however it uses deep tissue points instead of needles. Lotion is the best lubricant to use when performing this type of massage.
Aromatherapy Massage
Aromatherapy massage is the lightest of all the modalities. This modality uses essential oils which are typically mixed with carrier oils but can also be mixed with unscented lotions, crèmes and gels.
Stone Massage
Stone massage can be performed with hot stones, cold stones, or a combination of hot and cold stones. These stones are used to either warm or cool the muscles and tissues. A massage oil is the best lubricant for this type of massage.
Ashiatsu Massage
Ashiatsu massage is also known as barefoot massage. With this modality, the Massage Therapist uses bare feet to perform basic Swedish and deep tissue techniques. Crème is an ideal lubricant to use for this technique.
Chair Massage
Chair massage is typically performed in a corporate setting or street festival in order to build business. Since the client is fully clothed during this type of massage, no lubricant is necessary. The Magic Massager is a handy tool to have when performing a Chair Massage as it provides the same glide and workability that you get when using lubricants.
Reflexology Massage
Reflexology massage provides stimulation using pressure points on feet, hands and ears to affect all parts of the body through the nerves. It is best to not use any lubricants during this treatment, but a cream or lotion can be used to finish. Oil should not be used as feet and hands already have natural oils and also oil on the bottom of a client's feet may cause them to slip and fall.
Tags: chair massage, deep tissue massage, hot stone massage, massage cream, massage creme, massage lotion, massage lubricant, massage modalities, massage oil, reflexology massage, swedish massage, types of massage


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You searched for: all images in the database. Here are the results:
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- Sequence of construction
(Type: video; Format: video/quicktime) This is a quicktime movie morphing four sequential images of the highway build out.
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(Type: video; Format: video/quicktime) This is a quicktime movie morphing four sequential images of the highway build out.
Winooski River before the Interstate
- Date:
- 1961-05-11
- Description:
- Image shows the Winooski River from the upper bank. The bank is heavily wooded. The channel margin is both wooded and grassed. On the far side of the channel the town of Winooski and its buildings and smoke stacks can be seen. Power lines and poles bisect the image. There are no leaves on the mostly deciduous trees.
- Filename:
- LS00376_000.jpg
- Size:
- 5760 x 4584 pixels; 7493479 bytes
- Original Filename:
- AOTN04235.jpg
- Original Metadata:
- Looking northerly from 75 feet right of station 2158+50
- Keywords:
- Buildings; Cities and towns; Commercial buildings; Conifers; Culture; Deciduous; Dwellings; Earth Materials; Electric lines--Poles and towers; Forests and Plants; Geology; Hills; Human Constructs; Industrial buildings; Landforms; Landscapes; Living Things; Mud; Nature; Plants; Riparian plants; Rivers; Season; Sediments (Geology); Shrubs; Spring; Time; Trees; Wood poles;
- Source:
- Vermont State Archives and Records Administration
- Photographer:
- Donald Wiedenmayer
- Submitted By:
- Paul Bierman
- Submitted On:
- 2007-09-15
- Original Media:
- Photograph
- Catalogue Information:
- Misc. Box 1, project I89-3(10)C2, negative Number 4235
- Times viewed:
- 378131


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LOS CABOS, Mexico — Nonstop laughter resounded from the round table of nine seated in the corner of a fine-dining restaurant at an all-inclusive resort. To further pique my curiosity, each woman had a brightly colored silk flower pinned in her hair. I couldn't resist approaching them to find out their story.
"We call ourselves the Traveling Ladies," one said. They were single, married and divorced; working and retired; and ranged in age from 40 to 60. They met while employed in different offices of the same federal agency in Washington, D.C.
Clearly, these women worked hard and played hard: This was their sixth-annual girlfriend getaway, this time to the Zoetry Casa del Mar resort at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula. Each five-day, four-night trip had been scheduled for mid-February, taking advantage of the long President's Day weekend and tacking on another day or two of vacation leave. Prior jaunts had taken the ladies to beach resorts in St. Lucia; Playa del Carmen, Mexico; the Dominican Republic; Curacao; and Turks and Caicos.
How do they decide on a destination? "A travel agent helps us narrow down our choices," said Janice Uthe, of Bowie, Md. "She finds options, prices them, and then we make a decision."
"The bonding starts on the plane: meeting up at the airport, adjusting seats to sit together, having a mimosa or two and getting a head start on relaxing," Uthe added.
The group prefers all-inclusive resorts so they don't have to labor over splitting meal bills or worry about who drinks and who doesn't.
The Traveling Ladies choose oceanfront properties in warm, sunny climates, preferably in locales most of them have never visited. Some book single rooms, and others double up to reduce costs. They book early to lock in favorable hotel and airline rates and to secure rooms next to each other.
They boast about another cost benefit of traveling with girlfriends: They can haggle when shopping, usually very successfully, and get "group rates" for clothes and jewelry purchases.
Though this was the most expensive trip they had taken, the boutique property with only 63 units meant not having to save beach chairs or fuss with dinner reservations.
Plus, cooking lessons, tequila tasting, afternoon tea, access to the spa and wellness assessments gave them activities to bond over.
"The larger group broke up into smaller groups during the day, and everyone did what they wanted," said Jeannine Schroeder, of Arlington, Va. "I like to paint or read on the beach, some went shopping, some visited the spa, and others went snorkeling, etc."
A whale-watching excursion in nearby Cabo San Lucas added a "wow" factor to the trip. "We also saw whales surfacing just off the beach from the patio of our room," Schroeder said. "It was amazing."
Every evening the ladies met at dinner to share experiences and plan the next day. They lapsed into "shop talk" only occasionally.
"People often comment on what fun we're having," said Amy Lakroune, of Arlington, Va.
For these ladies — and many girlfriends — being together is more important than the destination. Girlfriend getaways are a welcome escape from the stress of juggling careers, caregiving and other responsibilities, allowing women time to nurture their friendships.
"Traveling with friends is easier than traveling with family," Schroeder said. "On a trip with friends, everyone is on their best behavior."
When they return home, the ladies share memories again by posting digital pictures on a photo-sharing website — and planning their next getaway.
If you go
Zoetry Casa del Mar Los Cabos, Baja, Mexico; 888-496-3879; zoetryresorts.com/casadelmar
Promotional rates start from $288 per person per night double occupancy.
The Traveling Ladies paid about $2,400 per person for their four-night trip, including airfare.


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Scientists Develop Light Bulb of the Future
Scientists have developed an entirely new light bulb that could potentially replace the typical buzzing, fluorescent lights in offices and commercial spaces.
The team at Wake Forest University said on Monday it has created a lighting solution twice as efficient as traditional fluorescent bulbs that don't shatter, flicker or hum. Because the bulbs are based on polymer electroluminescent (FIPEL) technology, they give off a soft white light, so rooms can be free from a yellow tint usually emitted from fluorescents (or, in the case of LEDs, blue).
"People often complain that fluorescent lights bother their eyes, and the hum from the fluorescent tubes irritates anyone sitting at a desk underneath them," said David Carroll, the scientist leading the development of this technology at Wake Forest. "The new lights we have created can cure both of those problems and more."
To develop the bulbs, the team said it used a nano-engineered polymer matrix to convert the charge into light. It consists of three layers of moldable white-emitting polymer, which is blended with a small amount of nanomaterial. When stimulated, this material glows to create bright white light, which is comfortable for the human eye to view.
The material can also made in any color and shape, which welcomes flexibility in office spaces or even household lamps.
Carroll said the new technology could also be used for large display lighting, such as store marquees or signs on buses. The university is working to manufacture it and sell it to consumers in 2013.


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Free shipping for orders over 35 €.
Up to 100 days for returns.
- 100% Medium Weight Cotton
- Colour is spread directly onto the fibers
- Design will not wash away nor fade (dye enters the fiber)
- Long lasting color (years)
- Eco-friendly
- Oekotex Certificate (free of chemicals harmful to body)
Most manufacturers use petrol (plastic) inks which stick to the surface of the T-shirts. These inks create a rough surface and contain toxic phthalates. But our T-shirts are different! They are printed with the finest water-based inks, which guarantee a beautiful 3D effect. The colour is spread directly onto the fibres, so it doesn't wash off.
Our shirts are made of 100% pre-washed cotton (even the fiber holding the T-shirt together is cotton). If you follow the washing instructions (cold water, 30ºC) not only the T-shirt keeps its original proportions, but the motif lasts for many years.
The Mountain products have 100% Oekotex certificate (one of the highest standards in the world) which guarantees that the T-shirts don't contain any chemicals harmful to the human body.
The Environment
Our T-shirts are printed with water-based colours and inks which are enviromentally friendly. All manufacturing processes ensure the protection of our Earth, air and water.
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If the goods did not fit nor meet your expectations, you can easily return it within 100 days. You can either return the product and we will exchange it for another one (you don't pay any postage for the second delivery) or you can return the product and we will refund the money to your bank account.
We accept only unwashed and unworn goods with original labels for exchange/return. Due to hygienic reasons we do not accept underwear (trunks, shorts, briefs, etc.), swimwear, socks, face masks tried on.


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Kinabalu National Park, MalaysiaKirsty Turner
Covering 754 square kilometers, Kinabalu National Park features a large number of natural attractions such as waterfalls, gardens and the Poring Hot Springs, where the warm mineral waters are the perfect place to soak away aches and pains after a hard day of mountain climbing or trekking through the forest.
Mount Kinabalu towers 4,095 meters above northern Borneo. Climb to the top for spectacular views and for the unparalleled sense of achievement that conquering this mighty mountain brings. It is possible to climb to the summit and back in about four hours, although it is better to allow a couple of days and take an overnight break at Laban Rata as the best views come in the early morning.
Unlike many other mountains of its loftiness, there are no special mountain climbing skills needed to scale Mount Kinabalu, although potential climbers should be reasonably fit. However, the park staff recommend that those planning to climb the mountain hire a guide as the mountain can be rather dangerous.
Kinabalu National Park has its own museum, where visitors can learn about the area's flora and fauna before climbing the mountain or taking one of the marked trails through the forest. There are also a number of places to spend the night within the park, with options ranging from dorm beds to pretty chalets.


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Red Marquee
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Give your classroom a glamorous makeover with these fancy awnings. Mix and match your favorite patterns and colors to create the perfect themed classroom. Hang these sturdy awnings over your bulletin boards and entryways, organize work areas, or make fun learning corners. Approx. 24" W x 12-1/2" H x 8" D.
Showing 1 to 1 of 1 (1 Pages)


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- Introduction
- What Is Inflammation?
- What Is IRIS?
- How Is It Diagnosed?
- Who Is at Risk?
- What Are the Symptoms?
- How Do You Treat IRIS?
- What Can Help to Ask My Doctor?
- Special Concerns for People Living With HIV
- Special Concerns for Women, Children and People Over 50
- What Does the Research Show?
- Commentary
It's a mouthful of a phrase, but immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is a serious condition that can be challenging to diagnose and treat. The main concern with IRIS is the inflammation that it causes. Though research is beginning to sort out the condition, it is still not well understood.
It's not clear who will more likely experience IRIS, though it most often occurs in people with severely damaged immune systems shortly after they start taking HIV therapy. More study needs to tease out its risk factors and to find screening tools to help predict and manage the condition.
The symptoms are also found in HIV-negative people. However, this publication provides an overview of IRIS within the context of HIV disease. It presents ways to assess your risk and identify the condition.
What Is Inflammation?
Inflammation means to put on fire, and it's a complex response that results when your body attacks germs or repairs damaged tissue. A simple example of it is the redness, swelling and soreness that emerges around a cut as it's healing. For your immune system to repair the damage and clear any infection that's present, cells and fluids are recruited to the site of the damage. This shows up as swelling, redness and pain.
Inflammation can appear nearly anywhere in your body. It can occur in an organ like the liver, in lymph nodes, in nerve fibers, and even in areas outside organs like your immune system. Inflammation can be acute or chronic.
Acute inflammation is when your body first responds by sending white blood cells to the damaged area. Your circulatory and immune systems assist in the process. For the most part, acute inflammation is normal and healthy.
By contrast, chronic inflammation persists over time. In this case, your body shifts the types of cells that are present. This causes a situation where cells and tissues are healed and destroyed at the same time. While it's not well understood, chronic inflammation is thought to be unhealthy and possibly linked to a number of serious diseases including heart disease and Alzheimer's.
What Is IRIS?
IRIS is a serious condition that can occur shortly after a person starts HIV therapy for the first time. It can also occur in people who restart their meds after a time being off them. IRIS happens when your immune system recovers too quickly. It can start to "overwork" and respond to other infections that may or may not have been diagnosed before starting therapy, even ones that may have already been under control.
When your immune system responds in this way it results in inflammation, and the inflammation that flares up can cause symptoms, sometimes severe. For some, these symptoms can be life-threatening. Though most cases of IRIS resolve after a few weeks, the symptoms may be mistaken by you or your doctor as HIV disease progression or another condition. IRIS is a paradoxical situation because, as your immune system responds to an infection, the inflammation that occurs actually makes your symptoms worse.
Most people who start their first regimens do not develop IRIS. And of those who do, many cases resolve on their own. However, it's wise to report these symptoms to your health provider as soon as possible.
When IRIS does occur, it happens more often in people with TB and other mycobacterial infections, accounting for about 2 in 5 of the total IRIS cases. However, many other bacteria and viruses can contribute to IRIS. The box at right provides a list of the known infections. Some chronic conditions, particularly autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or Grave's disease, may become aggravated by IRIS.
- CMV, or cytomegalovirus
- Crytococcal meningitis, or Cryptococcus
- Eosinophilic folliculitis
- Hepatitis B and C
- Herpes, or HSV
- Herpes zoster, or Shingles, Varicella-zoster, VZV
- Human papillomavirus, or HPV
- Kaposi sarcoma and Castleman's disease, or HHV8
- MAC, or Mycobacterium avium complex
- PCP, or Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia
- PML, or progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (caused by the JC virus)
- TB, or Mycobacterium tuberculosis
How Is It Diagnosed?
A differential diagnosis is normally used to identify IRIS. This is when the diagnosis is narrowed down from a list of possibilities until one emerges as the best. A differential diagnosis will consider the failed treatment of the current infection, a possible new infection or malignancy, and drug side effects (especially with hepatitis).
One important thing to consider after starting therapy is the amount of decrease in HIV levels (viral load). IRIS tends to occur when there's a large drop in HIV levels. An example of this would be going from 100,000 copies of HIV down to about 500, which shows a strong response to therapy but an increased risk for IRIS.
This is another paradox about IRIS, because getting viral load to an undetectable level as soon as possible is one goal of HIV therapy. Should this happen, it's the most likely time that IRIS will occur. Therefore, closely checking HIV levels is an important way to help diagnose possible IRIS. Other tests can also assist the diagnosis, such as white blood count and C-reactive protein, which indicate inflammation. The higher the levels, the more likely major inflammation is taking place.
Who Is at Risk?
In general, people with more severely damaged immune systems before starting HIV therapy are most at risk for IRIS. You and your doctor should be aware that IRIS is possible after starting therapy; especially if it's known that another infection was or is present and even under control. Possible risk factors are listed below. The more of these risks you have, the more likely that IRIS can result.
- People with CD4 counts below 100 before starting therapy.
- People who start HIV therapy for the first time, or re-start therapy after a time off their meds.
- People with greater drops in HIV levels (2.5 logs or more) due to therapy, though IRIS has been seen in people with drops of 1.0 log.
- People with a diagnosis of another infection before starting therapy. (See box.) The closer the appearance or diagnosis is to starting therapy, the higher the risk.
- People who start on protease inhibitor regimens boosted with Norvir (some evidence).
What Are the Symptoms?
Symptoms of IRIS can be dangerous. They usually appear within 2-6 weeks of starting HIV therapy. For some, the symptoms may improve and resolve on their own. For others, the symptoms may persist or get worse and become life-threatening. In any of these cases, these symptoms should be brought to the attention of your health provider.
Common symptoms of IRIS include fever, swollen lymph nodes, skin lesions and rashes, changes in breathing, pneumonia, hepatitis, abscesses and eye inflammation. Although less common, some people can experience short-term cognitive or mental changes, including memory problems and personality shifts. Though IRIS can react to a specific infection like TB, IRIS symptoms may not appear like the symptoms originally did for the TB. This can hold true for other infections.
IRIS symptoms are mostly different than and should not be confused with the possible side effects from starting HIV drugs, like fever or skin rash. If side effects do occur, they usually appear soon after starting your meds. Within a few weeks your body usually adjusts to them and they go away. However, there may be some overlap of time between drug side effects and IRIS symptoms, which is one reason it's challenging to diagnose IRIS. It's wise to pay close attention to and report any and all symptoms to your health provider.
How Do You Treat IRIS?
No standard of care is currently in place for treating IRIS, so the best way to treat it is unknown at this time. However, it's important to address the condition as soon as symptoms appear. Current treatment is based mostly on case reports and other anecdotal data.
Treating IRIS usually starts by treating the active infection, like TB or herpes. HIV therapy is usually continued as well, unless IRIS becomes life-threatening. To reduce the inflammation, you may be prescribed NSAIDs and/or corticosteroids. More research is currently looking at this issue.
Starting HIV therapy while an active infection persists is a controversial issue, and it may be dangerous. However, there are not a lot of data to help guide this type of decision. In fact, several studies show that the closer another infection is diagnosed before starting HIV therapy, the more likely IRIS will occur.
Therefore, deciding to start therapy can be especially troubling for you and your doctor if the infection becomes severe or if your immune system doesn't respond. Still, if the immune system is stable and other health markers suggest treatment could be successful, holding off on starting HIV therapy may be the best option until the active infection has been resolved.
What Can Help to Ask My Doctor?
- Am I at risk for IRIS? How many risk factors do I have?
- What types of symptoms should I be aware of? What should I do if I have them?
- How do I tell the difference between IRIS symptoms and side effects from the HIV drugs?
- Is there a regimen I can take that is less associated with IRIS?
- Can starting HIV therapy make my herpes (or other infection) worse? How do we manage that?
Special Concerns for People Living With HIV
Before starting HIV therapy, especially if you have a severely damaged immune system (low CD4 count and high HIV level), it may be wise to aggressively diagnose any possible infections. Some infections may appear as though they're well under control, such as TB disease. Some may have resolved many months or even years ago.
However, other infections may have occurred without you noticing their symptoms, like herpes or HPV. This is called a subclinical infection -- something that hasn't been diagnosed or noticed yet. Talking to your doctor, taking a thorough medical history, and checking a full range of blood tests can go a long way in diagnosing other possible infections.
Special Concerns for Women, Children and People Over 50
Few if any data show that women, children or people over 50 have any special concerns around IRIS. So far, it does not appear to affect these populations more often or severely.
What Does the Research Show?
The research on predicting and diagnosing IRIS is still in its early stage, though more discovery releases new information every few months. Below is some recent study information.
Asthma Medicine
A type of immune chemical, called a leukotriene, causes different types of inflammation. Drugs that reduce these levels in the body, called leukotriene inhibitors, are commonly used to treat asthma. Since it's thought that leukotriene inhibitors affect other inflammation in the body, they may be useful for treating IRIS.
Encouraging results have been reported by doctors in London who used a common asthma medicine, Singulair (montelukast), to treat IRIS in a 59-year-old man. After five months off therapy, he restarted on a protease inhibitor regimen boosted with Norvir. IRIS appeared a few weeks later as a skin rash, and prednisone was used. His health improved somewhat but then the rash returned along with a fever and rapid heart beat. Singulair was prescribed and within five days his symptoms had settled.
The doctors suggest that leukotrienes may play a role in IRIS. Although this case does not prove that this therapy works, it may open up new research into using leukotrienes to treat IRIS. If this turns out to be true, then already approved drugs may be easily adapted to treat the condition.
Gene Markers
Finding ways to diagnose earlier who will develop IRIS will allow for better strategies for its prevention and treatment. One study at CROI 2008 reported results of 28 people with and 38 without recent cryptococcal meningitis who started HIV therapy. Researchers looked at 85 genes that were related to cells of the immune response and reproduction of the meningitis. Results showed that using certain gene markers may help predict IRIS before it becomes a problem. More study is needed.
Immune Markers in TB Disease
One study at CROI 2008 reported disappointing results of finding immune markers that would adequately predict IRIS in TB disease. A Thai study showed that IL-12 and serum IL-2, among other markers, did not show differences between those who did and did not develop IRIS. However, a second study reported that they're looking at other markers, such as regulatory and effector T cells, monocytes and macrophages. Results will be forthcoming.
If another infection besides HIV is present before starting therapy, IRIS is more likely to develop. As well, the greater the drop in HIV levels (2.5 logs or more) and the fewer CD4s before starting therapy (below 50), the more likely it will occur. However, IRIS has also been seen in people with somewhat higher CD4s (below 100) and less dramatic drops in HIV levels (1.0 logs or more).
Much has been learned about IRIS, though a good deal more still needs to be understood. Current research is answering more of these questions, especially ways to test for whom is more likely to develop IRIS and more specific answers for knowing when it may happen. It's wise for those who face first line therapy to understand your risks, especially if your immune system is severely damaged. Reporting your symptoms can help inform your doctor of a situation that may need to be more closely managed and treated.