text:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Late Thursday night, President Trump effectively ended Obamacare with the stroke of a pen, precisely following the recommendation Infowars.com first exclusively published on April 28, 2017.
In a press release issued from the White House on Thursday, President Trump announced that based on guidance from the Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Human Services has concluded that there is no appropriation for cost-sharing reduction payments to insurance companies under Obamacare.
"In light of this analysis, the Government cannot lawfully make the cost-sharing reduction payments," the White House press release stated.
The press release went on to explain that the House of Representatives sued the previous administration in Federal court for making these payments without such an appropriation, and the court agreed that the payments were not lawful.
"The bailout of insurance companies through these unlawful payments is yet another example of how the previous administration abused taxpayer dollars and skirted the law to prop up a broken system," the press release concluded.
Congress needs to repeal and replace the disastrous Obamacare law and provide real relief to the American people.
In a separate press release from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Acting Secretary Eric Hargan and the Centers for Medicare Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma released the following statement announcing that cost-sharing reductions payments will be discontinued immediately based on a legal opinion from the Attorney General:
"It has been clear for many years that Obamacare is bad policy. It is also bad law. The Obama Administration unfortunately went ahead and made CSR payments to insurance companies after requesting – but never ultimately receiving – an appropriation from Congress as required by law.
"In 2014, the House of Representatives was forced to sue the previous Administration to stop this unconstitutional executive action. In 2016, a federal court ruled that the Administration had circumvented the appropriations process, and was unlawfully using unappropriated money to fund reimbursements due to insurers.
"After a thorough legal review by HHS, Treasury, OMB, and an opinion from the Attorney General, we believe that the last Administration overstepped the legal boundaries drawn by our Constitution. Congress has not appropriated money for CSRs, and we will discontinue these payments immediately."
The article Infowars.com published on April 28, 2017, had advised that President Trump could put an end to Obamacare on his own, without requiring Congress to take any action at all.
The article next asked how that was possible?
What follows is the answer to that question that Infowars.com published in April.
All President Trump must do to "repeal" Obamacare is sign an Executive Order instructing the Solicitor General to withdraw the Obama administration's appeal in the federal district court case U.S. House of Representatives v. Burwell, (130 F. Supp. 3d 53, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, 2016).
The result will be to immediately defund the low-income insurance company subsidies being paid by the federal government under Section 1402 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), causing Obamacare to collapse, almost immediately.
The point is Congress never funded any taxpayer funds to pay the low-income insurance subsidies that are at the heart of making the ACA work.
What is at issue is Section 1402 of the ACA – a section written to provide federal subsidies to insurance companies for insurance purchased on state insurance exchanges to cover the difference between the capped maximum a low-income purchaser could be expected to pay and the amount the insurance cost.
Without funds provided by Congress to pay the low-income insurance subsidies under 1402, Obamacare collapses almost immediately.
No insurance company can long afford to provide low-income health insurance at a discount, unless the federal government pays the difference between what the insurance truly costs and the limited amount low-income purchasers can pay.
The problem is that Congress refused to pass an appropriation to fund Section 1402, leaving the Obama administration scrambling to find funds somewhere else in the federal budget that could be diverted to pay the low-income insurance subsidies.
Infowars.com has proved through an analysis of the Treasury Department balance sheets that the Obama administration found a solution in August 2012, when the Treasury Department decided that earnings confiscated from the Government-Sponsored Entities (GSEs) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the "Net Worth Sweep" (NWS), could be diverted to pay the ACA low-income insurance subsidies.
The record contained in the Treasury Department balance sheets shows through 2013 a direct diversion of the NWS into line items used to fund Obamacare.
After 2013, the Obama administration continued the NWS (ultimately confiscating some $260 billion from Fannie and Freddie), but the one-for-one diversion of the Fannie and Freddie funds going into line items used to fund Obamacare is less clear, suggesting Treasury grew more clever after 2013 in hiding the diversion within the Treasury general account used as a slush fund.
The House of Representatives filed a federal district court case against then Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Matthews Burwell to stop the Obamacare from diverting federal funds to pay the ACA low-income subsidies.
On May 12, 2016, U.S. District Judge Rosemary Collyer, in the case U.S. House of Representatives v. Burwell, ruled against Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Matthews Burwell.
Judge Collyer decided HHS Secretary Burwell had no constitutional authority to divert funds Congress appropriated to one section of the ACA to fund Obamacare subsidy payments to insurers under another section of the ACA, Section 1402 – the clause defining the insurer subsidies – when Congress specifically declined to appropriate any funds to Section 1402 for paying the insurance subsidy.
"Paying out Section 1402 reimbursements without an appropriation thus violates the Constitution," Judge Collyer concluded.
"Congress authorized reduced cost sharing but did not appropriate monies for it, in the Fiscal Year 2014 budget or since," she stressed.
The Obama administration appealed the District Court decision in U.S. House of Representatives v. Burwell to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, deciding on its own authority that federal funds could continue to be diverted from other budgetary purposes to continue paying the insurance subsidies as long as the case was under appeal.
The point is that if the Trump administration simply decided to drop the Circuit Court appeal in Burwell, the District Court decision would become established law.
The result would be the Trump administration would be forbidden from diverting federal funds to pay the ACA insurance subsidies, with the result Obama care would implode.
"The Obama administration appealed the decision, but if the Trump administration were to drop that appeal, the subsidies would disappear," commented Julie Rovner, Kaiser Health News, in an article published on April 9, 2017.
If insurance companies were forced to take a loss by absorbing the cost above what low-income insured could afford to pay for the insurance coverage required under Obamacare, no insurance company could afford to provide health insurance to low-income insureds under the ACA.
Once President Trump withdraws the Obama administration appeal in U.S. House of Representatives v. Burwell, Obamacare becomes history.
To revive Obamacare, Congress would have to pass a resolution funding ACA Section 1402, something even RINOs like Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell might find politically suicidal to do.
The Emergency Election Sale is now live! Get 30% to 60% off our most popular products today!


text:
The Chinese Colouring Book: Large and Small Projects to Enjoy
Author(s): Elaine Hamer
More and more adults and older children are turning to colouring; a hobby that is nostalgic, creative and therapeutic all at the same time. The Chinese Colouring Book provide beautiful Chinese designs to colour that are a step beyond children's favourites. The paper is perfect for colouring using marker pens, coloured pencils, crayons or paints, and the designs are printed on just one side of the paper to avoid show-through. There are small, simple motifs that are perfect for colouring in when you have just a few minutes to spare, as well as more absorbing projects for when you have more time. At the front of the book are some ready-coloured images to inspire you, and if you want to colour a favourite image again, they can all be downloaded as PDFs from our website www.searchpress.com. Those who prefer to work onscreen can scan the images from the book and use their favourite software to colour them. Whether you colour for relaxation or wish to incorporate the pictures into larger, more creative projects, there is something for everyone in this beautiful book. Note: The designs used in this book were previously published as Chinese Designs, in the Design Source Book series (published by Search Press, 2003).
Product Information
Elaine Hamer is a professional illustrator and she has worked on a variety of publications, including cookery and children's titles. She uses pencil, gouache and watercolour to create beautiful stylized, decorative and highly detailed illustrations. Elaine also works as a jewellery designer/maker and until moving into Kent lectured in jewellery making, art and design in the Midlands. She has two children, a son and daughter, and now lives in Kent with her husband.
General Fields
- : 9781782212140
- : Search Press Ltd
- : Search Press Ltd
- : November 2014
- : 279mm X 216mm
- : United Kingdom
- : books
Special Fields
- : Elaine Hamer
- : Paperback
- : 741.2
- : 80
- : 16 colour; 66 black & white

subset: commoncrawl


text: Check out the flavor of 'Nawlins in this book trailer for my new novel FLYING SOLO. The book is available on Amazon in print or Kindle. In addition, you can get your own personalized copy by ordering from AgeView Press. www.ageviewpress.com Order today! All proceeds from the sale of this book go to purchasing medical equipment for my son Harrison who has Duchenne's muscular dystropy. We need a wheelchair van with airconditioning!!! Thanks for your support!


text:
Along with npm 5.2 came a new utility, npx, to help with a few popular npm binary execution tasks and give your workflow a boost. In this quick post we'll go over a few of the most popular use cases.
If you have npm >5.2 installed, npx should already be available. You can run this to make sure:
$ which npx
If for some reason it's not available, you can install it or update it with this command:
$ npm install -g npx
Shorthand for Calling Local Binaries
Normally, if you want to run a binary that's installed locally with your project instead of globally on the machine, you'd have to type the following:
$ ./node_modules/.bin/jest
In this example we're running the locally-installed jest binary
Well, no more! With npx it's now as simple as running the following:
$ npx jest
One-Off External Binary Execution
For global binaries that you don't use very often, you can opt out of having the binary installed on your local machine entirely and instead use npx to download and execute the binary on the fly when needed. This is a popular use case for build tools like Create React App or the webpack CLI. It ensures that you always use the latest version of a generator or build tool without having to upgrade each time you're about to use it.
Here's an example using Create React App to start a new React project, where create-react-app doesn't need to be on the local machine:
$ npx create-react-app best-todo-app-ever
Here's another example, this time with http-server, to start an http server in the current directory:
$ npx http-server
And, of course, the obligatory cowsay example:
$ npx cowsay Alligator.io!
_______________ < Alligator.io! > --------------- \ ^__^ \ (oo)\_______ (__)\ )\/\ ||----w | || ||
Testing Out A Different Package Version
You can also specify a specific version of a package to use. For example, let's run the latest version of uglify-js:
$ npx uglify-js --version
At the time of this writing, the outputted version information is:
uglify-js 3.1.3
Now, we can run the latest version of uglify-js in the 2.x.x series:
$ npx uglify-js@2 --version
And here's the output:
uglify-js 2.8.29
So with this, you can easily run UglifyJS using the version of your choice:
$ npx email@example.com main.js -o ./dist/main.js
This can be a good way to compare how a newer version of a binary performs before upgrading. You can try with running your locally installed binary first and then run with the latest version using npx and compare the outputs or results.


text:
For the 2016-17 school year, I've decided to take on my own personal challenge. I have been moved and inspired by the We Need Diverse Books movement and see clearly how much greater representation of different cultures, genders, sexuality, sizes and ideas in literature (particularly youth literature) would directly impact my very diverse population of students. So for the next school year, starting in September 2016, I am challenging myself to read only books featuring characters, stories, or information related to under-represented groups of people. I'm calling it Reading in the Margins (nod to Hattie Maguire for the title inspiration) because I'm seeking the stories of people and groups who are often marginalized in literature. My interpretation of marginalization includes those featuring minority races and ethnic groups, non-traditional gender and sexuality identification, under-represented religious affiliations, oft-forgotten health and disability categories, and probably many other representatives that I have not yet considered. I fully expect my parameters to be fluid, changing and shifting as I discover new titles and texts and as I ponder those students I know who rarely see themselves in the literature that is available to them.
I plan to blog about my experience and, as always, feature my favorite titles in my Friday Book Reviews. I am also hope that in the scope and depth of my reading, I am able to draw some conclusions that would be valuable enough to share with other teachers, librarians, etc.
I would like to focus on the newest books released that meet my parameters so that I may expose myself and anyone who cares to join me in my challenge to new and exciting titles.
Do you know of a new book (Summer 2016 or later) that features marginalized character(s) that meet the parameters stated above? Comment below to share the title. I plan to spend this summer building an epic, diverse, and exciting reading list!
***Update - I was unfamiliar with the In the Margins book award, selected by Library Services for Youth in Custody, when I named and then posted my reading plan. I am in no way affiliated with this award, but I appreciate what it stands for and will likely use it as a source for reading ideas throughout the next school year.***


text:
Mooresville's form of government is the Mayor-Council Government found in most Alabama cities and towns. The mayor is the chief executive officer of the municipality and has general supervision and control over all other officers and affairs of the city or town. There are two variations of the mayor-council form of government:
In Municipalities with less than 12,000 in population, the legislative functions are exercised by the council which is generally composed of the mayor and five council members. (Up to seven council members are permitted in municipalities which are districted.) The mayor presides over all deliberations of the council. At his or her discretion, the mayor may vote as a member of the council on any issue coming to a vote except in the case of a tie vote, in which event he or she must vote. The mayor may never vote more than once on any issue that comes before the council. All of the legislative powers of the municipality are exercised by the council acting as a whole.
The Town Council meets the third Tuesday of every month at 6:00 PM in the Stagecoach Tavern.
Mooresville Town Council
Mayor – Margaret-Anne Crumlish Email 256-509-0422
Place 1 – Travis Hensley Email 256-584-3717
Place 2 – Mike Sprader Email 205-601-3057
Place 3 - Nikki Sprader Email 256-445-2590
Place 4 – Leann Barr Email 205-915-5916
Place 5 – Rush Mitchell Email 256-655-0694
Clerk – Nancy Payne Email 256-777-3358
Pictured, left to right: Mike Sprader, Leann Barr, Rush Mitchell, Margaret-Anne Crumlish, Nikki Spader, & Travis Hensley


text:
A petition has been posted online requesting that Verizon holds off on replacing 3G towers in Lakewood in ordeer to accomodate the large population of citizens who eschew smartphones and still use the 3G services.
According to the petition:
Verizon has announced that they will end 3G service in 2019, and will instead focus on maintaining 4G and developing 5G. They have already stopped fixing broken 3G towers, and 3G service is already spotty in many areas.
Lakewood, NJ boasts a large demographic of Orthodox Jews. Many of them abstain from using smartphones, with the objective to avoid the immorality and culture that has become synonymous with the internet. Verizon has a large customer base in Lakewood that uses flip-phones, the vast majority of which utilize the 3G network.
It is perfectly understandable that Verizon wishes to advance technology and shed the extra expenses involved in servicing and maintaining the 3G cell towers. Nevertheless, we respectfully ask that you consider departing from that policy in order to accommodate your customers in Lakewood, and continue to upkeep their local 3G towers as long as it is feasible to do so.
To join the petition, CLICK HERE.


text:
Marsden Hartley's eyes
Marsden Hartley's eyes
stare out of Helen Stein's portrait
into this Gallery ringed by his portraits
of the boulders of Dogtown
the paintings mostly red
or green, but always blue
like his eyes that stared outward
when the oils were wet
where the granite sat against the sky.
(Cape Ann Museum September 28, 2012)
Dan Wilcox
Dan Wilcox is the host of the Third Thursday Poetry Night at the Social Justice Center in Albany, N.Y. and is a member of the poetry performance group "3 Guys from Albany". He is a frequent visitor to Gloucester and his book of poems Gloucester Notes is forthcoming this year from Foothills Publishing. You can read his Blog about the Albany poetry scene at dwlcx.blogspot.com


text:
Tropical Still Life
January 16, 2009 in contest, Food Photo 101, Food Porn
(Don't forget to enter Lou Manna's "Best Looking Food of 2009 contest†to win everything you could possibly need for food photography! See my previous post for details. Contest ends February 16th, 2009)
You would think that I might have all sorts of time to dive back into food photography now that I have been laid off but its not been the case. I have been doing something MUCH more important – reconnecting with the family who I had to spend a lot of very stressful time away from this past year (really took a toll on us all).
I am trying to ease back into the wonderful world of food photography by doing some shots for Lou Manna's contest (see above for details) – while also job hunting, an activity that takes precedence over any projects.
I am not certain that this batch of photos really hits on what is needed to win this contest of Lou's. There isnt a whole lot of obvious styling – its much more subtle – its about the shape of the plate curves and the chunks of papaya. I consider this a study of the very odd looking papaya and, at base, I hope you learn something about this fruit and also are not repulsed by the odd black seeds and how they cling to the interior.
Some of these are more and others are less suitable for possible contest submissions. I would love to hear from you if you think any of these have an ineffable quality that you find arresting. Its ok if you dont find that in any, would like to hear about that too.
Here is an impromptu shot of the fruit after I hacked it to bits. People seem to like this one too (sans the label – a bit of photoshopping can deal with that)
This one plays with depth of field on a more obvious level.
I will be doing more studies before the contest deadline, I am not sure that this set represents the level of skill and styling that is competitive enough.


text:
Her transitions are now established. She's a lot straighter to ride, and she loves to jump... yipeeee!!
We dragged some cut down tree branches into the menage the other day and popped them under a fence. I was sitting tight expecting at least a little look or a balloon jump, but nope. She just popped over it sweet as pie! We have also done little skinnies and once she locks on she goes. I mean don't get me wrong we have had our fair share of moments! Like feet been planted, testing out the reserve gear and a few bucks thrown in for good measure!! The worst was her quick tendency to handbrake stop.. Luckily I had my Dublin grip breeches so no eating dirt yet! She is a real poppet to handle, much like a dog. I think we owe a lot of that to Helen & Laura Wild who did the most brilliant job a long with mother Harrold breaking her in. The plan for Goldie next is to take her on the farm ride at Somerford to experience some real life XC jumps.
The following day was the BRC Horse trial qualifier at Osberton. We had another great day scoring a 29.7 double clear to win our section! The EMDG team also won so we are all off to the champs for another year yippeee!! Next up Breckenbrough in a few weeks.


text:
If you've been reading the blog for a while, you know how I felt about this move, which I talked about in this post. It wasn't something I wanted but it was the best thing for D's career. We knew it would be temporary if we wanted it to be and that is what I hung on to. I could do anything for a little while.
We've become closer as a couple, learned that no amount of money could buy what we left in Florida and realized what we really want out of life.


text:
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Saints and Feasts of August
The Month of August in the Orthodox Church
Martyrology of the Month of August (Fresco)
First Sunday of August - Saints and Feasts of the First Sunday of August
1 - Saints and Feasts of August 1
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 5:00:00 PM
Labels: Saints of August
What I Looked For and Found in the Orthodox Church
By His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas
of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki
In the Church I met rare people, with virtue and authenticity, mature, cultured, true Christians, gentle souls. I met, dare I say, saints. I did not meet such people generally in my life. These Christians stood out differently from other people. I have to admit, I never saw signs or miracles. They were not needed.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 9:16:00 AM
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Hieromartyr Kosmas the Aitolos (+ 1779) [1 of 2]
|St. Kosmas Aitolos (Feast Day - August 24)
By Monk Moses the Athonite
The great Equal to the Apostles, the enlightener of the enslaved Nation, the wondrous, holy, glorious and beloved by the people Hieromartyr, was born in the village of Mega Dendron of Aitolia in 1714. Specifically he was from between the villages of Mega Dendron and Taxiarchae of the Trichonida Mountains in a district called Apokouro. His parents were from Epirus: "The parents of a pious son, by whom he was brought up and educated in the education and admonition of the Lord, as the Apostle says."
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 12:00:00 PM
How One Is Led From Unbelief To Belief
By Elder Teofil Paraian
I don't know if anyone can say that they led someone else to faith by their own power.
I have followed cases, as much as I am able, where people were led to the knowledge of God back in the olden days and in our time now. As many cases as I was able to follow I learned from.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 11:05:00 AM
Friday, August 29, 2014
Saint John the Baptist Resource Page
September 5 - Holy Prophet Zechariah and his Wife Elizabeth
Holy Prophet Zechariah, Father of John the Baptist, Resource Page
September 23 - Conception of Saint John the Forerunner
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 5:30:00 PM
Labels: St. John the Baptist
The Attributes of the Honorable Forerunner and Baptist John
By His Eminence Metropolitan Hierotheos
of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou
When the priest, my beloved brethren, does the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy and every other service, he commemorates after Christ various saints in the following order, namely the Panagia and Mother of Christ, the Honorable Cross, the Angels, the Honorable Forerunner and Baptist, the Apostles, the Martyrs, the venerable Fathers, the saints of the day and lastly all the saints. It thus seems clear that the Honorable Forerunner has a high position, between the Panagia and the Apostles. And this shows the great importance the Church gives to the person of the Honorable Forerunner.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 11:17:00 AM
Thursday, August 28, 2014
A Conversation With Elder Ephraim of Arizona
The following conversation was recorded by monastic spiritual children from Greece of Elder Ephraim of Arizona, formerly of Philotheou, who visited him in May 2014 at the Sacred Monastery of Saint Anthony the Great in Arizona.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 3:26:00 PM
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
When the Panagia Wept Before World War I and World War II in Rhodes
By John Sanidopoulos
Panagia Katholiki was built over the ruins of an ancient Byzantine church, and according to an inscription over the door of the narthex it was built in 1839. The epithet "Katholiki" implies that she is universally venerated.
Last week a strange phenomenon took place in Kremasti, Rhodes in the Cathedral of Panagia Katholiki a few days before its feast, which celebrates annually on August 23rd in honor of the Apodosis of the Dormition of the Theotokos. An oil lamp hanging in front of the icon of the Panagia began to swing without ceasing, causing hundreds of Rhodians and beyond to come and witness the strange phenomenon and venerate the Panagia.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 7:15:00 PM
Labels: Catholicism and Papacy, Orthodoxy in the Dodecanese, Theotokos Icons, Theotokos Miracles, Theotokos Shrines
The Life and Lore of Saint Phanourios
|St. Phanourios the Great Martyr and Newly Revealed (Feast Day - August 27)
By Dr. Helen Rossidou-Koutsou (Philologist - Byzantinist)
Little and vague is our knowledge from written tradition concerning the life of Saint Phanourios (as shown by his synaxarion).
His holy icon was found accidentally on August 27th sometime after 1350, in the ruins of a church in Rhodes. Since then it was established to celebrate the Saint on the day of the discovery of his icon.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 10:49:00 AM
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Pouqueville on Greek Fasting Practices in 1798
Francois Pouqueville in front of Ioannina (Collection du Chateau de Versailles)
When Francois Pouqueville was held hostage by the Turks in Ottoman Greece in 1798, he gained the respect of the Turks and Greeks alike as a physician, treating and curing the people who were unaware of French medical techniques. One of the practices of the impoverished and enslaved Greeks that made him question their sanity was their rigorous faithfulness and honor of the fasts of the Orthodox Church, despite having practically nothing to eat otherwise. The following is taken from his book Travels in Greece and Turkey (ch. 12):
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 11:56:00 AM
Labels: Fasting, Ottoman Occupation
Monday, August 25, 2014
Thoughts and Opinions on Peace from Orthodox Christian Youth
The Association of Orthodox Youth of the Sacred Metropolis of Ierissos, with the prayers of His Eminence Metropolitan Theoklitos, organized the 12th Functional Youth Meeting at the Sacred Shrine of Megali Panagia in Halkidiki, titled "Peace in our Troubled World", in August 2014.
There they studied peace with God, peace with themselves, peace with others and peace in the Church. There were also extensive discussions.
Some thoughts and opinions were very important. We have written them down, offered them and distributed them for the youth of our age.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 2:35:00 PM
Labels: Christian Living, Virtue, Youth Ministry
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Sunday as the Lord's Day According to St. Kosmas the Aitolos
Sacred Metropolis of Gortynos and Megalopoleos
Dimitsana - Megalopolis
Sunday 24 August 2014
A Sermon of the Metropolitan
1. Today, my Christian brethren, the 24th of August, our holy Church celebrates the memory of a great Saint, that of the Holy Hieromartyr and Equal to the Apostles Kosmas the Aitolos. He was an Athonite Hieromonk who was pained when he heard that many Christians in our enslaved Greek nation were uncatechized, and thus they changed their beliefs. This is why, with the blessing of his Elder, he left the Monastery and went on an apostolic journey, which brought him to be martyred for the love of Christ.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 5:48:00 PM
The Panagia is Making Her Presence Known in Rhodes
On Wednesday, 20 August 2014, Orthodox faithful in the Sacred Church of Panagia Katholiki in Kremasti, Rhodes were speaking of a miracle they all witnessed.
More specifically and according to what has so far become known, a tall woman dressed in the black of an employee at a security company entered the church on Wednesday night. She went to the central oil lamp hanging before the icon of the Panagia and gave it a swing, then she left the church and disappeared without being noticed by those in attendance.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 11:08:00 AM
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Icon of St. Innocent of Moscow Begins Weeping at Khabarovsk Orthodox Seminary
On August 20th a strange phenomenon was witnessed in Khabarovsk when it was observed that the icon of the patron of the Theological School in the region, Saint Innocent (Veniaminov) of Moscow and missionary to Alaska, began weeping. This icon is in the chapel of the seminary.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 12:25:00 PM
Labels: Miracles, Orthodoxy in Russia, Weeping Icons
Friday, August 22, 2014
The Unique Fresco of the Smiling Panagia in Cappadocia
A unique fresco from the 11th century in the Central Anatolian Gumusler Monastery, also called Eski Gumus (Old Silver) Monastery, depicts the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child smiling. This famous rock-cut Monastery was only rediscovered in 1963 and the smile may have been added during the restoration process.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 4:24:00 PM
The Place of the Theotokos in the Orthodox Church (2 of 2)
Question: The Fathers, speaking the language of theology with inspiration, have established "She Who is Wider Than the Heavens" (Πλατυτέρα των Ουρανών) as being between that which is created and that which is uncreated. What does this mean?
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 11:24:00 AM
Thursday, August 21, 2014
That the Qualities of the Soul Exist by the Grace of God
By St. John of Damascus
The soul, accordingly, is a living essence, simple, incorporeal, invisible in its proper nature to bodily eyes, immortal, reasoning and intelligent, formless, making use of an organized body, and being the source of its powers of life, and growth, and sensation, and generation, nous being but its purest part and not in any wise alien to it; (for as the eye to the body, so is the nous to the soul); further it enjoys freedom and volition and energy, and is mutable, that is, it is given to change, because it is created.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 5:54:00 PM
Labels: Anthropology, St. John of Damascus
The Place of the Theotokos in the Orthodox Church (1 of 2)
The following is taken from an interview on a Cypriot radio station in May of 1989 with Archimandrite Vasilios of Iveron.
Question: A famous hymn of our Church calls the Panagia "heaven": "She showed herself to be the heaven and temple of divinity" (Αὕτη γὰρ ἀνεδείχθη οὐρανὸς καὶ ναὸς τῆς θεότητος). Fr. Vasilios, would you like to discuss a little the place of "She Who is Wider Than the Heavens" (Πλατυτέρα των Ουρανών) in our Orthodox Church?
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 11:36:00 AM
Labels: Mariology
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Eldress Anastasia and the Monastery of Our Lady of the Angels in Kerkyra
The Monastery of Our Lady of the Angels is in the village of Riglades in the southern part of the island of Corfu (Kerkyra).
An inscription in the Monastery indicates it was constructed in 1656, but sources say it was built between 1696-1700 by the family of Barlaam Kapodistrias to honor the Panagia who saved his sons from drowning.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 2:01:00 PM
The Prophet Samuel, the Fruit of Noetic Prayer
|Holy Prophet Samuel (Feast Day - August 20)
By His Eminence Metropolitan Hierotheos
of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou
The person of the Prophet Samuel, who we celebrate today, holds a great place in the Old Testament, as well as in the Church of Christ. He is one of those people who paved the way for the incarnation of the Son and Word of God and was obedient in all things to the will of God throughout his life. In today's homily we will highlight some points of his life.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 11:04:00 AM
Labels: Childless Mothers, Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos, Mothers, O.T. - 1 Samuel, Old Testament Saints, Parenthood, Saints of August
"The Seer: The Life of the Prophet Samuel and its Relevance Today" (New Book by Metr. Hierotheos of Nafpaktos)
The Seer describes the life and work of the Prophet Samuel, called 'the Seer' and 'the man of God' by his contemporaries, who lived in the period of the Old Testament and is a saint of our Church (Aug. 20).
The author examines the fascinating life of the Prophet and uses events from it to illustrate the relationships between parents and children, spiritual fathers and their disciples, and rulers and those they rule from a theological perspective.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 9:26:00 AM
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
An Eye-Witness Testimonial About the Annual Bright Cloud of Mount Tabor
Every year on August 6th according to the Julian Calendar followed by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, a bright cloud descends on Mount Tabor during the All-Night Vigil Service for the Feast of the Holy Transfiguration of Christ.
The following testimony comes from an older couple who travelled to the Holy Land a few years ago, and the husband was moved when he recounted his experience on Mount Tabor.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 1:03:00 PM
Saint Kosmas Aitolos Honored in the Village of Tsouka Where He Preached
To celebrate the 300th anniversary of the birth of the great missionary and martyr St. Kosmas the Aitolos, the village of Tsouka in western Fthiotida took the opportunity to honor him on Sunday August 17th.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 11:39:00 AM
200 People Baptized Orthodox in the Nyamazi River of Rwanda
Georges Mana
August 18, 2014
News from the Orthodox Diocese of Burundi and Rwanda:
Today on 17th August 2014, His Grace Bishop Innocentios Byakatonda has baptized 200 people in the Nyamazi River located in the Kirehe District of the Eastern Province of Rwanda. After the baptism His Grace Bishop Innocentios conducted the Divine Liturgy in that valley where over 800 people were present.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 10:33:00 AM
Labels: Missions, Orthodox Converts, Orthodoxy in Africa
Monday, August 18, 2014
Rocket Dropped in Orthodox Church in Ukraine Does Not Explode (photos)
Porphyry D. Staphyla
August 17, 2014
Dimpe News
On the night of the 16th into the 17th of August, the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in the town of Mospyne in the region of Dontesk was hit by a rocket 1.5 meters in length by a Grad missile launcher. It entered the church after a strange orbit.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 5:51:00 PM
Labels: Orthodoxy in Ukraine
First Divine Liturgy Since 1922 Takes Place in the Last Surviving Orthodox Church in Smyrna
Stratis Balaskas
August 18, 2014
A historic moment was experienced on Sunday morning in Smyrna (Izmir) for those who attended the first Divine Liturgy since 1922 in the renovated Church of Saint Boukolos (Ayavukla). This church is dedicated to the patron saint of Smyrna and is the only Orthodox Christian Church to not burn in the catastrophe of 1922. It is located in the district of Basmane and was recently renovated by the City of Izmir. From 1922 until the renovation it was used as a warehouse then as a classical music concert hall and opera house, and later initially as an archaeological museum and then as a repository of antiquities, until it was repaired.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 5:07:00 PM
Saints Floros and Lavros as Models for our Lives
|Sts. Floros and Lavros (Feast Day - August 18)
By Protopresbyter Fr. George Papavarnavas
Saints Floros and Lavros were twin brothers. They entered life on the same day and they also departed it on the same day, after giving their testimony for Christ and sealing it with the blood of their martyrdom. They lived in the first Christian centuries during a period of persecution, however it is unknown exactly when. They came from Byzantium and were catechized in the faith of Christ by Saints Proclus and Maximus, who were also martyred for Christ. Also, from these Saints they were also taught the art of stonemasonry, which they practiced and made their livelihood with. After the martyrdom of their teachers they left for Illyria and settled in the city of Ulpiana, where they continued practicing their trade. The prefect admired their skills and gave them a blueprint and the required money to build a temple to idols. The Saints distributed the money to the poor and when they built the temple - by the Grace of God and with the help of an angel, who helped and served them - they demolished the idols with the poor, and they consecrated the temple and dedicated it to the worship of the true God.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 10:30:00 AM
Labels: Early Christian Martyrs, Saints of August
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Fr. John Romanides Resource Page
"My good friend, the most pious Presbyter John Romanides, is not an ordinary theologian. He learned theology in two or three Universities and with the help of asceticism which illumined his soul. He knows four languages and is deeply educated. He is literally a monk, fed by the Holy Fathers and the holy liturgical life of the Orthodox Church, singing hymns to God 'seven times a day'."
- Elder Theoklitos Dionysiatis (Athonite Flowers, 1962)
"Take every class you can from Fr. John Romanides. He teaches the truth."
- Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra (advice to a theology student)
Theology in Greece in the 1960's
Eldress Eulambia Romanides (+ 1980)
Saint Paisios the Athonite and the Clairvoyant Eldress Eulambia Romanides
The Repose of Fr. John Romanides (+11/01/2001)
The Relationship and Correspondence Between Fr. George Florovsky and Fr. John Romanides
My Teacher Fr. John Romanides and my Spiritual Father Fr. George Florovsky
The Theologian of Empirical Theology
Not A Licensed Theologian
Talking About The Devil
New Book About Fr. John Romanides' Orthodox Dogmatics Presented In Athens
The Theological Legacy of Fr. John Romanides Ten Years After His Repose
Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos Lecture on Fr. John Romanides (video)
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 3:34:00 PM
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Life and Veneration of Saint Stamatios of Volos (+ 1680)
|St. Stamatios of Volos (Feast Day - August 16)
Biography and Martyrdom
Information about the life of Saint Stamatios come from three sources: his contemporary John Kariophyllis, who wrote a short account about the Neomartyr, Saint Nikodemos the Hagiorite also wrote about him in his New Martyrology, in which he refers to his source John Kariophyllis but also indicates a different date for his martyrdom, and the Athonite monk Iakovos Kophos of New Skete, who along with the martyrdom also wrote a Service of Praise in his honor in 1860.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 2:03:00 PM
A Tenth Century Icon of the Holy Mandylion from Sinai
By Hierodeacon Silouan Peponakis
In the Old Testament, in the books of 1 and 2 Deuteronomy, there is clear reference to the prohibition of the worship of other gods, as well as a prohibition against the depiction of divine images as a prerequisite to the realization of this divine commandment given to the chosen people for their entrance into the Land of Promise. The Promised Land is a prefigurement, an image of the Kingdom of God (Leonid Ouspensky, The Theology of the Icon in the Orthodox Church).
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 11:08:00 AM
Labels: Acheiropoieton, Iconography, Saints of August
Friday, August 15, 2014
Dormition of the Theotokos Resource Page
That the world-saving Maiden died is no marvel,
Since, in the flesh, the world's Maker died also.
God's Mother lives forever, though she died on the fifteenth.
The Holy Cross (August 1-15)
Holy Cross Resource Page
Synaxarion for the Forefeast of the Procession of the Holy Cross
Feast of the Procession of the Venerable Wood of the Cross From August 1 - 14
The Healing Properties of the True Cross in Constantinople
August 1 - Synaxis of Panagia Tavriotissa
Synaxis of Panagia Tavriotissa at the Church of Saint George in Tavros of Attica
August 6 - Transfiguration of Christ
Transfiguration of Christ Resource Page
August 12 - Annunciation of the Metastasis of the Theotokos
Synaxarion of the Annunciation of the Metastasis of the Theotokos
About the Feast of the Dormition
Synaxarion of the Dormition of the Theotokos
Dormition of the Theotokos: Epistle and Gospel Reading
History of the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos
History of the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos
The Dormition of the Theotokos
On the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos
The Fast and Preparation for the Feast of the Dormition
Why We Fast for the Dormition of the Theotokos (St. Symeon of Thessaloniki)
The Dormition Fast
The Dormition Fast
Fasting Resource Page
Monk Moses: "The Mother of God's Fifteen Days of August Has Arrived"
August: the Month of the Panagia - the Summer Pascha
August 15th: "The Summer Pascha"
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 5:00:00 PM
Labels: Dormition Fast, Mariology, Saints of August
The Genuine and True Celebration of the Dormition of the Theotokos
By His Eminence Metropolitan Hierotheos
of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou
The hymns compiled by the hymnographers of the Church for Christians to celebrate feasts, as well as today's feast of the Dormition of our Panagia, are masterpieces, as much in the structure, images and cosmetic adjectives they use, as well as in their content, which respond to the great existential problems of man, such as about life and death. When reading carefully these hymns one is amazed by their wisdom and beauty.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 12:51:00 PM
The Three Ways the Theotokos Magnified the Lord
By His Eminence Metropolitan Hierotheos
of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou
In today's great feast of the Mother of God, the Dormition of the Theotokos, my beloved Christians, the Church has arranged that during the Service of Matins the Gospel passage that should be read is the one that refers to the visit of the Panagia to Elizabeth after her Annunciation and the conception of Christ. As soon as Elizabeth called her the mother of the Christ and showed her deep respect, the Panagia poured out a hymn and doxology to God. The first verse of this doxology says: "My soul magnifies the Lord" (Lk. 1:46). In other words: "My soul glorifies the Lord".
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 11:42:00 AM
Labels: Dormition Fast, Mariology, Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos, N.T. - Luke, St. Nikodemos the Hagiorite
Thursday, August 14, 2014
The Divinely Exquisite Fifteenth of August
By Monk Moses the Athonite
The Orthodox Church ascribes especial great honor to the person of the Panagia. This honor is shown in the close relationship of the Most-Holy Theotokos with mankind. The Panagia is the greatest and best offering of humanity to Divinity.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 6:54:00 PM
Labels: Dormition Fast, Mariology, Monk Moses the Athonite
The Theotokos and Mother of the Light
By His Eminence Metropolitan Hierotheos
of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou
The feast we are festively celebrating in the middle of August indicates to us the all-revered person of our Panagia. The feast is designated as the "Dormition of our Most-Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary". In these words are hidden the entire mystery of our Panagia, which is associated with the mystery of Christ. In the sermon today we will make a short analysis of the words in this title "Dormition of our Most-Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary".
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 4:19:00 PM
Holy Prophet Micah as a Model for our Lives
|Holy Prophet Micah (Feast Day - January 5 & August 14)
By Protopresbyter Fr. George Papavarnavas
The Prophet Micah was born in Moresheth, which is why he is called "the Moreshite". He belonged to the tribe of Judah and is among the twelve lesser prophets. Micah lived in Jerusalem from 748-696 B.C. during the reigns of kings Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, when the Kingdom of Judah suffered from continuous invasions from the Assyrians. He was almost a contemporary of the Prophet Isaiah. His book, written in the Hebrew language, is distinguished for its eloquence and clarity of phrases and consists of seven chapters. The first three chapters announce the destruction of Samaria. In the next two he prophesied the incarnation of the Word of God, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 12:54:00 PM
Labels: Divine Justice, God, O.T. - Micah, Old Testament Saints, Saints of August, Saints of January
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Saint Porphyrios and the Depressed Man with AIDS
At one time, I took a sick person to him [Elder Porphyrios] who was diagnosed with AIDS. Some of my friends who knew that I was friendly with Elder Porphyrios of Athens and Oropos, Greece (+1991) asked me to help this sick person who was extremely depressed. The AIDS victim was in really bad shape and he wanted to commit suicide. When I heard that he wanted to commit suicide, I sent him to another priest who was also a doctor. His name is Fr. Stamatis. The sick person went to this priest but the priest advised him to go and see Elder Porphyrios.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 5:50:00 PM
Labels: Despair, St. Porphyrios of Kavsokalyva, Suicide
Saint Porphyrios Speaks of an Incident of an Attempted Suicide
St. Porphyrios of Kavsokalyva speaks of an incident of an attempted suicide of a young woman who was slandered, and the love and providence of God.
The post-war years were very difficult, and people struggled to live. As I said, at that time I was at the Polyclinic. I remember many incidents from that time. Listen to one of them.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 12:45:00 PM
Labels: St. Porphyrios of Kavsokalyva, Suicide
The Suicide Phenomenon
By His Eminence Metropolitan Hierotheos
of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou
Suicide or self-murder is an ancient phenomenon, which is often accompanied by the phrase "desperate step", declaring it an act of despair, that is, a lack of rationality and hope. Suicide is essentially a lack of meaning for life, an identification of life with small goals, with economic goods, and shows an aimless life.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 11:18:00 AM
Labels: Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos, Suicide
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
The Dream of Elder Ephraim of Katounakia
In a dream I saw that I went to my village, where I was born.
I didn't go to my paternal home, but I went to the church.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 11:14:00 AM
Labels: Elder Ephraim Katounakiotis, Holy Baptism
Archbishop Irinaios of Crete: "We Need a New Direction and New Course"
Helen Bouchalaki
July 1, 2014
In the context of change and upheaval in every human life in general and in Crete in particular, News Creta spoke with Archbishop Irinaios of Crete. Here is the interview:
- We are living in strange and difficult times in which all of humanity is possessed with uncertainty and anxiety. Particularly on the island of Crete do you judge that this phenomenon is more limited?
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 10:45:00 AM
Labels: Christianity Today, Orthodoxy in Crete, Secularism
Monday, August 11, 2014
Holiness and Martyrdom in our Times: A Beneficial Interview
Holiness, asceticism, discernment and martyrdom are great riches of our Church that move us, attract us, transform us and save us from the distractions and lies of this world in every era.
In an interview with His Eminence Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou, he gives answers to the questions of a journalist (George Theoharis from Agioritikovima.gr) on these issues, and speaks of other aspects of ecclesiastical life.
Question: Your Eminence, many people are unsure if saints exist today. What do you say?
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 5:17:00 PM
Labels: Christian Living, Christianity Today, Lay Holiness, Martyrdom, Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos, Modern Saints and Elders, Mount Athos, Saints
The Underground Church of the Prophet Elijah in Australia
About 800 kilometers north from Adelaide, in the region of South Australia, there is a unique monument, not only of Serbian but also of world culture and architecture. It is the Church of Prophet Elijah, completely situated underground.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 12:23:00 PM
Labels: Orthodoxy in Australia, Prophet Elijah
A Snake of the Panagia Has Finally Appeared in Kefallonia (2014)
According to news sources from Kefallonia, the first and only snake so far made its appearance in the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in the village of Arginia at 1:00 in the morning on Monday, August 11th, and this was followed by the bells joyfully peeling for the delightful and much anticipated event.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 11:41:00 AM
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Announcement from the Patriarchate of Jerusalem on the "Blinking" Icon of the Panagia
Official Announcement from the Patriarchate of Jerusalem Posted on its Website
The Icon of the Panagia in the Church of the Resurrection
August 8, 2014
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 7:04:00 PM
Labels: Orthodoxy In Holy Land, Theotokos Icons
Saint Lawrence of Rome as a Model for our Lives
|St. Lawrence of Rome (Feast Day - August 10)
By Protopresbyter Fr. George Papavarnavas
Archdeacon Lawrence lived in third century Rome and was involved in significant work, especially in the field of welfare. The Pope of Rome, Sixtus II, who is registered in the list of saints of the Orthodox Church as a venerable martyr, entrusted to him the management of ecclesiastical property. During the persecution Saint Lawrence was arrested and the pagan ruler ordered him to hand over the treasures of the Church. Then he asked for some time in order to gather them and he returned with a large convoy of wagons, which were full of the poor, the disabled, widows and orphans. He explained to the angry ruler, that these are the treasures of the Church, since all her material wealth is stored in them. A mandate was then given for him to be tortured harshly, and the angry pagans tortured him and roasted him alive on an iron grill. His relic was received by a devout Christian named Hippolytus and he buried him. This became known and Hippolytus was arrested and he also sealed his testimony for Christ with the blood of his martyrdom, after having endured cruel tortures.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 10:05:00 AM
The Importance of Attending Church
By Elder Teofil Paraian
I insist on everyone to go to, if not every service, at least to the Divine Liturgy. And if someone happens to not go to the Divine Liturgy, I do not even sit down and talk with them. Because I have nothing to say to them.
For example:
When I asked someone what he does at the time he should be in church, he replied: "I watch television."
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 8:21:00 AM
Labels: Church Attendance
Saturday, August 9, 2014
The Orthodox Church in Mesopotamia
By A.K.
Mesopotamia, the mythical East, the land of Eden, Babylon, the Persians and the Arabs, is in a constant turmoil of war.
The Church there was founded through the preaching of the Apostles Thomas, Thaddeus and others of the Seventy.
We will make a brief mention and tribute to this Church so that we will remember it and be moved to pray for it to the Lord and for our brethren there.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 12:19:00 PM
Friday, August 8, 2014
Prayer to Heaven and Death from Heaven
By His Eminence Metropolitan Hierotheos
of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou
Not long ago we followed the ceremony in the gardens of the Vatican for peace in Palestine and in the Middle East in general, and this event was brought together by the Pope. This event was attended by the leaders of Israel and the Palestinian Authority and the religious leaders of Orthodox, the various Christian Confessions, the Jews and Muslims. During the musical break, where it took the position of a "musical meditation", each religious leader read various passages from religious books that specifically refer to peace.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 12:13:00 PM
Labels: Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos, Middle East, Politics, War
Saint Aimilianos of Cyzicus as a Model for our Lives
|St. Aimilianos the Confessor (Feast Day - August 8)
By Protopresbyter Fr. George Papavarnavas
Saint Aimilianos lived in the 8th and 9th century and he was Bishop of Cyzicus from 787 until 815. He was a fervent and zealous confessor of the Orthodox faith who struggled vigorously against the heresy of the Iconoclasts and stood up for the restoration of sacred icons. The heretics fought against him in every way, and he was tried through a variety of temptations, afflictions, persecutions and exiles.
Posted by John Sanidopoulos at 11:18:00 AM
Labels: Iconoclasm, Priesthood, Saints of August
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
To read more about supporting the ministry of the Mystagogy Resource Center, either as a monthly supporter or an annual supporter, please visit the DONATE page.
Thank you!


text:
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Body Language (11/25/10)
TITLE: The Gift | Previous Challenge Entry
By Debbie Johnson
I was lost in Beijing. I did not even know the name of my hotel. Near tears, I walked first one way, then another, trying to find the way back toward something familiar around crowds of Chinese in thick dark jackets with bowed shoulders who seemed to take no notice of the tall foreigner in a pink coat. My 30-word vocabulary was not enough, even the word "hotel" failed me. Or perhaps no one wanted to be seen with someone from the outside. Surrounded by millions of Chinese in the nation's capital, I felt completely alone. Time passed. The cold penetrated my coat. Fear gripped me. I prayed.
Finally I stepped in the pathway of one more quickly moving Chinese, a young woman, and pled with my eyes. "Hotel," I said, and showed her my hotel card while pointing this way and that, raising both hands in question. This time the dark jacket stopped. This time the burdened eyes looked into mine and I saw pity. She reached out her hand and took first my card, then my arm and motioning with the other, began ushering me back. With the comfort of that hand on my arm, the fear let me go and my tears began to fall.
It took a long time to walk back to the hotel. It was long enough for me to grow weary and worry about how far I had taken this gracious woman from her own responsibilities, long enough for me to wonder at her kindness as she pulled and pushed me silently around the crowds and down the streets with her hand.
When I finally saw the hotel, I stopped, sensing it might be dangerous for her to come with me further. Bowing slightly, with all the feeling I could offer I said, "Shi shi," smiling my thanks down at her. Then pulling up the bag of oranges purchased before realizing I was lost, I placed them into her hands. She quickly pushed them back. I tried thrusting them back at her, the polite Chinese dance of giving several times before the other receives, knowing her family had little, longing to give her something back for her sacrifice. I asked her with my eyes and all my heart to take them. Holding her arms firmly on her sides, she shook her head and hurried into the dusk.
Perhaps it was not safe for her receive a present from me. After all, it was 1985. Spies were everywhere. But if I understood the message of her eyes, I caught a desire to help me without payback of any kind.
I walked the half-block back to the hotel, relieved, safe, and somehow shaken by one young woman's selfless gift.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.


text: Non-dom tax update 13 July 2018 Trust & Corporate 0 comments Share Following the end of the tax year on 5 April, many long-term non-doms (broadly speaking, those who have been UK-resident for 15 years) will be completing a tax return on a worldwide basis for the first time. Some points for them to bear in mind: the 2017/18 tax return is due by 31 January 2019, but better to deal with it early; all sources of income and gains arising both in the UK and outside the UK will need reporting; it may be possible to obtain relief for amounts which have suffered foreign taxes; where non-UK assets have been sold, they are likely to have been rebased to their value on 5 April 2017, thus reducing the taxable gain. If the asset is, say, a listed security, the market value will be easy to obtain. But for other assets, say property, a valuation may be required; where an individual is a settlor or a beneficiary of a non-UK trust or a shareholder in a non-UK company, it is important to ensure that no reporting is required; untaxed income or gains arising overseas before 6 April 2017 and brought to the UK will need reporting on the tax return. Although non-UK income and gains arising in 2017/18 will be taxed in the UK, and so in theory can be brought there without further tax charges, great care is needed as there are very strict rules regarding transfers from non-UK bank accounts. Moreover, potentially helpful 'unmixing' relief is only available until 5 April 2019. For further information on and how Moore Stephens can assist with the requirements, please contact a member of our team. non doms


text:
Intimate Estate Wedding
I love when a couple chooses a special location for their wedding! Hilary and Josh wed at a family estate and embraced a country and rustic flair for their big day! How sweet are all of the rustic details they incorporated, like antique oil lamps and books? And make sure you check out the pictures of their pup! I always love when a couple includes their fur-baby in their wedding ceremony. Enjoy this estate wedding! xoxo, Jessica
Hilary + Josh
April 11, 2015
Nashville, Tennessee | Family Home in Nashville
What was your budget?
My wedding budget was around $13,000, which was difficult to do for a dream wedding. My wedding dress was $300, my ceremony location was free, the DIY ceremony decor averaged around $150, minus the fireplace antique that was my grandmothers. That was also free! The horse and carriage was $300 per hour, which I thought was a steal! Tux rentals were 100 each Dresses the bridesmaids purchased. Florals were all hand made off a website for under $150. Our food and reception was the most cost and we had a simple ceremony at a small banquet hall close by. The one thing I wanted to splurge on was my wedding photographer. Photos were the most important thing.
How many guests did you have?
We had around 80 guests at our wedding.
What creative or personal aspects did you include in your wedding?
My husband is a graphic designer and he made the wedding invitations and save-the-dates. I loved that he created our invitations and many of the signs at the reception.
What was the biggest thing you did to save money?
I got married in my fathers back yard, which was ten times more gorgeous than a indoor ceremony. That saved us transportation cost. We also did not rent any limos. Everything was very close and we carpooled to our reception.
What's the best advice you have for planning your wedding now that you're on the other side?
Do not procrastinate! It helps to save on budget when you have the time to plan as many things you can take on yourself, instead of paying someone else to do them. I loved that Josh and I worked together to make our dream wedding come true.
What was your biggest splurge?
Our wedding photographer, Morgan Lindsay Photography. I wanted to remember our photos and feel like superstar. Morgan has a way of making you feel beautiful and calm.
What was your favorite detail?
The dried lavender I chose to carry instead of a real floral bouquet.
What is the most memorable moment of your day?
When Josh did a back flip during our grand entrance into the reception!
Wedding photographer: Morgan Lindsay Photography • Wedding Dress : Allure Bridal • Bridesmaids dresses and Tux: David's Bridal • Cake: Mick's Creative Cakes • Hair and Make-up: Salon 206 • Horse and Carriage: Southern Comfort Carriage • Brides Shoes: Zoey Flip Flop


text:
The rise of e-commerce has delivered a massive uplift in export confidence for Australian businesses. Research from the DHL Export Barometer 2017 shows export confidence is at its highest level since 2011.
55 per cent of exporters reported an uplift in orders in the past year, with online channels generating the highest increase in revenue.
DHL's annual survey into Australian exporter confidence found that two-thirds (67%) of exporters surveyed expect sales to increase over the next 12 months, mirroring the attitudes surrounding export confidence that reached its peak in 2007 and 2010.
CEO for DHL Express Oceania, Gary Edstein, said the uplift in confidence was a great indicator that the Australian e-commerce market is in good shape.
"We're seeing innovative businesses gain significant traction on the global scale, encouraged by the ease of access to larger international markets via e-commerce and online channels," Edstein said.
"In particular, we've seen a rise in the number of newer exporters, those that have been exporting for fewer than five years, who now make up around one-third of Australian exporter landscape."
We're seeing innovative businesses gain significant traction on the global scale
With employment growth also on the rise, the study also revealed over half of those surveyed were considering increasing staff numbers in the coming year.
Tim Harcourt, JW Nevile Fellow in Economics, UNSW Sydney and Host of The Airport Economist, told Kochie's Business Builders that the research shows it is getting easier, not harder, to do business on the world stage.
"Optimism in exporting has numerous positive knock-on effects for Australian businesses and the economy overall including increased revenue and more job prospects."
The picture of just how important e-commerce has become to Australia's economy can be easily quantified when you look at the figures.
A massive 78% of Australian exporters generate orders from online channels – and nine in ten (89%) of those who export consumer goods source orders online, while 85% of small businesses (those with up to four employees)said they generate business online.
Edstein said the face of Aussie online trading has changed significantly in the past five years. More and more businesses are choosing to bypass the middle-man and send their products directly to consumers, where previously they would have engaged in a retail partnership.
The number one export destination for Aussie producers is New Zealand (61 per cent) followed by USA (48 per cent), Europe (38%) and the UK (36%). In North East Asia, China (35%) and Hong Kong (27%) lead before the other FTA markets of Japan and South Korea.
"There is a focus on English-speaking countries which can be linked to the increase of newer exporters, who are more likely to test the waters with traditional export markets including New Zealand and the USA before expanding further afield," commented Harcourt.
Join our #campaignforoptimism send us your positive business stories. #growyourbiz
Want more? Get our newsletter delivered straight to your inbox! Follow Kochie's Business Builders on Facebook, Twitter, Instagra


text:
These YouTubers Are This Generation's Rock Stars
On tour with Our 2nd Life—and the marketers that are wooing them
On Our 2nd Life's tour bus, 15-year-old Trevor Moran's mother, Nicole, pleads with her bundle of energy to sit down. But he's got to direct that energy somewhere—so why not make it productive? She tells her baby-faced YouTube sensation he's about to be interviewed for Invisalign, the brand of teeth straighteners that are an alternative to metal braces, and he busts out a toothy grin and bats his eyelashes.
"I use Invisalign!" he declares.
For the short video promotion, Moran will rake in something like $1,500. The kid is no stranger to having cameras in his face, considering he's been a vlogger since the age of 10 and most recently has been living with a documentary crew following the vlogging supergroup Our 2nd Life, of which he is part, during its first headlining tour.
Between touring and endorsements, Moran and the five other boys who make up O2L—Ricky Dillon, Jc Caylen, Kian Lawley, Sam Pottorff and former member Connor Franta—stand to earn in the five to six figures for about four weeks on the road. That haul can grow if the vloggers manage to secure, say, a $1,000 to $2,000 sponsored Instagram photo or $40,000 to $50,000 for a customized branded video, according to insiders.
What makes these guys bankable to advertisers like Invisalign? The legions of loyal teen fans who not only follow them online but who also fill arenas just to catch a glimpse of them. Those fangirls (and a few fanboys)—the same demo that's tuning out of traditional media like TV and magazines in favor of streaming video, social media and mobile devices—happily claw at a barrier 100 feet away to just snap a picture of O2L's tour bus.
Making the Brand
The formula behind O2L and other "collab channels" like The Station (whose members founded Maker Studios, which was acquired in March by Disney for $500 million-plus) is simple: A group of YouTube publishers uploads videos to the same channel, guaranteeing regular updates. In O2L's case, the guys pick a weekly theme, and each is assigned a day of the week. New videos on O2L's main YouTube channel—which has grown to 2.3 million subscribers over the last two years—easily clear hundreds of thousands of views apiece. We're not talking about high-quality video here; most footage features teens sitting alone in their bedrooms, answering fans' questions about their lives—which emojis they prefer, for example—or blathering on about minutia like waiting for their Ikea furniture to be delivered. Popular clips involve crowd-sourced topics some parents may not want their kids to see—from reading erotic fan fiction about themselves to baking penis cakes. The Brady Bunch it ain't.
But they are connecting, big time. Individually, each O2L member boasts more than 1 million followers on social media. The most popular, Franta, has 3 million subscribers on his YouTube channel, almost 2 million Instagram followers and 1.8 million followers on Twitter. And there's a response from the audience. For example, Pottorff's innocuous two-letter tweet on Aug. 2—"Hi"—was retweeted 2,000 times and favorited 10,000 times.
"They are highly entertaining and highly engaging," explains Larry Shapiro, head of talent at Fullscreen, which manages O2L and most of the boys individually, except for Moran and Pottorff. To Shapiro, a former agent at Creative Artists Agency, the appeal of signing O2L lies in the kids' natural charm, a far cry from manufactured boy bands. The idea to create the channel was hatched by the boys after they roomed together during VidCon in 2012. Lawley and Pottorff had been working on a collaborative channel and became friends with Dillon after admiring his vlogs. Dillon introduced them to Caylen and Moran, who he had discovered on YouTube. And Caylen knew Franta from another collaborative channel. (The group had a seventh member, Ricardo Ordieres, who left to pursue a radio career in April 2013.) "Connor just snuck in and was like, 'Hey guys!'" Lawley jokes, mimicking Franta.
Shapiro notes that the O2L boys converse directly with their audience, creating a stronger fan connection than most teen heartthrobs. A quick good-night tweet is greeted with a swoon from millions of fans. They've become friends to fans as opposed to idols, Shapiro observes, adding that when they partner with companies, their campaigns feel more honest. "This distribution channel that brands are tapping into is a living, breathing organism," he says.
Hitting the Road
Seeing great marketing potential, live entertainment company DigiTour Media tapped O2L to headline a 16-city tour from late May to late June, sponsored by Invisalign and Tattify. Along with supporting YouTube and Vine acts, the tour sold 25,000 tickets at an average of $50. The group also squeezed in main-stage appearances at DigiFests in New York and Toronto, festivals featuring online stars that sold 17,500 tickets total. Not only did fans turn out, but marketing execs from Disney and Delta came to check things out, too.
In 2010, Meridith Valiando Rojas and Christopher Rojas founded DigiTour Media, which claims to be the first group to send Internet stars on tour. An ex-A&R rep for Columbia Records, Valiando Rojas firmly believes that online celebrities are this generation's rock stars. "That was my mission with my partner: How can we create what teens want in a festival?" Valiando Rojas says. "It's all being sourced from social because that's what teens want."
The bigger payoff for acts like O2L may involve their hooking up with marketers and media outlets. MTV enlisted the group to create promos and be social media correspondents for its Movie Awards this past April. Tina Exarhos, MTV evp of marketing and multiplatform creative, says the boys were "one of the main forces" behind the online success of the event. "They're rock stars in their own right, but they're influencers like journalists in their own ways," she says. "It's different, for good or bad."
O2L members have also struck individual deals with brands like AXE, Hulu, AT&T and Warby Parker. Coca-Cola used Franta for its #THISISAHH campaign in April.
"O2L are the right amount of edge and are contemporary with great values," says Kelly Mullens Brown, president of marketing, strategy and communications at Ryan Seacrest Enterprises, which worked on the Coke campaign. "If you're talking to kids, you want someone who talks to kids in their own language."
Jim Venable, Align Technology's group marketing manager for teen consumer marketing, says Web talent know best how to speak to young Invisalign users. "Social media was created by teens for teens," he notes. "In order for us to resonate with them, we have to have permission to talk with them, and it has to be authentic and genuine. You just don't do that in a recorded spot on TV."
Just being relatable and trustworthy doesn't necessarily make a YouTube star ready for prime-time ads, though. One marketer who worked with one of the boys reveals he needed training to maintain a credible tone and a more mature, polished look for a campaign.
Meanwhile, sending them on tour comes with its own set of challenges, as Rojas admits. Onstage, only Dillon and Moran possess traditional performing talent—singing, to be precise—so O2L's act is essentially a mashup of Q&As, live challenges and simple dance steps. The content barely seems to matter. The group's patter is barely discernible over the hordes of screaming fans.
Going Backstage
The tour itself is a rolling caravan of chaos and marketing appearances. ("I'm not pleased with the way it was organized," confesses Pottorff's manager Naomi Lennon, president of uFluencer Group. "I thought that they would consider that they are so young.") The largest event on O2L's schedule is the sweltering New York DigiFest, held June 6 in the parking lot of Citi Field. About 12,500 fans turned out to see the acts. They also were exposed to experiential marketing from sponsors Invisalign, Iconix Brand Group, Dormify and Instagram. But the real attraction of the day was the meet and greet. "I just want to take a selfie with Sam," gushes one girl.
O2L sells 150 VIP experiences for $75, allowing the fan to snap one photo with the group. Things quickly devolve, though. A metal barrier precariously tips as fans surge and security barks at the kids to back off. After failing to get a staffer to hand Franta a fan letter, one smitten fans hurls it at the star. "I love you so much! I told you that already. Do you remember?" she pleads. Another girl sobs as she has her pic taken. "Lucky bitch!" snaps another.
When the boys head back to the bus four hours later, Fullscreen manager Andrew Graham informs them they have another meet and greet. Franta—the most levelheaded of the bunch—has had it and storms to the back of the bus. Moran's mom says he can't make it due to meetings with marketers. Only Dillon, Caylen and Lawley honor the obligation.
Franta gets snippy with a brand rep who stops by. She's disappointed to discover he missed the meet and greet—blowing off a scheduled appearance is a major no-no with her brand. She ultimately decides that O2L is not a viable partner for her brand—in part because of the kids' sometimes risqué topics. "They're online, so they don't have to deal with the same rules. And they're kids," she says. "But that's what gets them the eyeballs."
Pottorff, meantime, is missing from the day's events. In the middle of an earlier interview, he slumped to the floor—ostensibly the result of his diabetes (his manager cites exhaustion). When Pottorff is roused to fulfill his DigiFest obligations, he brings surprising energy. He's rushed back to the bus to rest up after the first 10-minute routine, though—he's due back in a couple hours to kiss a girl onstage as part of an Invisalign promotion.
'A New Chapter'
By the time the tour comes to an end at VidCon in Anaheim, Calif., the madness has grown exponentially. It's O2L's last performance on the schedule, and the final time all six of the boys will appear together. Getting them from the Hilton to the venue is a feat that involves guards, private cars and freight elevators. Despite all that, teens manage to dive-bomb them with smartphones.
Before their Anaheim Arena performance, Graham calls for a group meeting, reeling off a litany of words the boys are not allowed to say—"fuck," "shit" or any swearing for that matter. "This affects the future of them inviting us back. Please, please, please do this for me," Graham pleads. Though the boys' eyes glaze over at the admonishment, the performance goes off without a hiccup, or a curse.
The following Monday, Franta announces his departure from the group via—what else—a video titled A New Chapter. Twitter goes nuts—at the time of its release, the video accounts for four of the top trending terms worldwide. "My videos are very experience based and I tell every detail in my life, but there's obviously many things they don't know about me," says Franta.
His fellow O2L members voiced support for his decision. "It's just a little complicated right now. We're all friends. We love each other. What we created over these past two years, it will live on, no matter what," says Caylen.
With or without Franta, the group keeps getting more massive. O2L won a Teen Choice Award while Franta was nominated in the Web Star: Male category. But fame can also be fleeting. MTV, which was considering O2L for its Video Music Awards coverage Aug. 24, says it has decided to bring in "new leading social faces and creators," says Exarhos. Only Dillon has been confirmed. "One, these kids are young. Two, there's the expectation that there will be rapid evolution among who's popular," says the exec.
Franta says he wants to write a book and design clothes—meanwhile, he has resumed vlogging. As for the other members of O2L, Dillon and Moran are making music, Lawley is pursuing modeling, Caylen is working on a clothing line, and Pottorff and Dillon want to act. All the while, they continue to build content on their own video channels and on O2L.
Graham says O2L doesn't see TV or recording music as a next step—rather, they're just arrows in the quiver. The goal is to become a multiplatform force. "In any way you can program or commercialize an individual brand, that's what they want to be," he says.
Of course, online video remains at the core of those ambitions. With all those adoring fans following them on YouTube, why would they ever want to leave?


text:
'I'm really looking forward to the last 3 games' – Mario all smiles for what's to come
©Focus Images Limited www.focus-images.co.uk +447814 482222
Ignore the noise – Norwich City are on the brink of something special and Mario Vrancic cannot wait for the three shots at sealing the deal.
While it's been far from plain sailing in the Championship leaders' three successive draws, leaders they remain – a maximum of five points away from sealing promotion and the title, with an Easter Monday trip to Stoke (3pm) first up.
And City will head there 11 games unbeaten thanks to Vrancic's stunning late intervention against Sheffield Wednesday, and buoyed by the prospect of what is potentially to come.
"We are very focused and sometimes you just can't play as convincing as we have a done a few times this season," said Vrancic.
"Every opponent is different but honestly we are very focused, we don't have any fear that we are going to miss that big chance.
"I mean, we are in an amazing position now and it's up to us. We have three games to go and we need to settle down to recover from Friday. The next one is just a few days later and we need to refocus, analyse Stoke as well as possible.
"It's a quick turnaround. Stoke are a big team with big names, so let's see. We are aware it's not done yet – but I'm really looking forward to the last three games."
MORE: Norwich City 2-2 Sheffield Wednesday – How the Championship unfolded Keeping such focus would prove no mean feat given the prize on offer – the cliched dream of Premier League football is just that, because so many players would love for it to happen.
"It's why I came to England – to play in the Premier League, to try to get promotion with my club. It would mean a lot. A dream for every player. And also for the supporters, we are trying to give them something back.
"To be honest, I haven't paid a lot of attention to Sheffield United or Leeds. I can only talk about myself and I'm just focusing on us, on our performance and we have it in our hands. We just need to focus and not care that much about those two clubs."
Whatever Norwich City do achieve this season, Vrancic has played a key role throughout the campaign – including on Good Friday.
"I scored also at Leeds two goals, also in a very important game when we brought three points back," he added.
"This is crunch time now and it seems important – but every goal is important. Like my penalty late against Wigan at home, back in October I think.
"But Friday's goal does seem to be one of the most important, especially in this crunch time. It's a nice habit to be scoring these goals. What should I say – it's my job, right?"
• For the latest Norwich City news and opinion follow Michael Bailey on the following channels…
Michael Bailey on Twitter @michaeljbailey
Michael Bailey on Facebook @mbjourno
Michael Bailey on Instagram @mrmichaeljbailey


text:
A consumer's need to touch and feel products affects their buying decision.
Tactile marketing capitalises on the most basic human need of physical contact by creating a connection between a product and a consumer. Marketing psychology suggests that a product's texture, shape and weight can influence a consumer's purchase decision.
Tactile marketing is useful as it lets consumers assess a product's value, functionality and durability. This is an experience digital is unable to provide. It can also improve customer satisfaction and aid conversions.
Content marketers can use tactile marketing to build relationships with leads through print newsletters and send personalised invitations via direct mail for enhancing brand recall. Another strategy is to send customised gifts or coupons to encourage sales and catalogs to keep customers updated on product information and promotions.
[6 minute read]


text:
MYOPIA CONTROL VOL 2, PART 1 of 4, BY BENJAMIN V CLINGAN, OD
We have talked about myopia control before on this blog. I wanted to update everyone on some new studies and products. Myopia (near-sightedness) generally increases as children age. More efforts and new products are being designed to slow this progression. We have mentioned most of them in previous posts: multifocal contact lenses, progressive addition lenses… Read More »
- Posted on: Oct 24 2018


text:
How it Works
Let horses lead you to a better way-The Eagala model creates real opportunities for honest feedback in a real time setting, helping you uncover problems and find real solutions so you can experience life in a whole new way. Eagala is a 100% ground-based. You do not need to be a rider to get started. Absolutely no prior horse experience is required.


text:
A while back I wrote a short series of articles on programatically manipulating taxonomies in WordPress. If you didn't see the series it included :-
- The Hidden Value of Custom Taxonomies.
- How to Add a Custom Taxonomy To Your Theme.
- How To Programatically Add Terms to a WordPress Taxonomy and
- De-registering A Custom WordPress Taxonomy.
But what do you do if you are not a coder? Well to make life easier I have created a plugin which will give users of WordPress greater control over the taxonomies that are available to them. I have called this plugin the Taxonomy Toolkit and it has the following features:-
- The adding and removal of terms from posts en-mass.
- Adding and removing your own custom taxonomies for finer control over how your data(posts) is displayed on your website.
- Adding and removing terms from built in taxonomies, taxonomies added by other plugins and custom taxonomies added using the toolkit.
The plugin follows the WordPress coding standards to ensure that the plugin is built in a robust and maintainable way.
Here are a couple of screenshots.
So where can I get this plugin? Well it should be available soon on CodeCanyon, the Envato website. I will post an update here as soon as it is.


text: Lifestyle / skunks Latest Pet Craze: 'Affectionate' Skunks They're friendly and clean, says owner By Matt Cantor, Newser User Posted Apr 17, 2011 6:38 AM CDT Copied A young skunk peers out of a basket at a zoo in Berlin. (Getty Images) View 1 more image (Newser) – Busby walks on a leash, "follows the kids around," snuggles with his owner at night, and rarely stinks up the house. It's an impressive feat—for a skunk. He's one of some 2,000 kept as pets, the Daily Mail reports. "He's incredibly affectionate and sociable," says his owner. "Busby made a stink once and it just smelled slightly of garlic. But since we've trained him, there have been no problems." story continues below "He has a litter tray and uses that like a cat," she adds. Indeed, "the dogs make more mess." Skunks weigh up to 18 pounds, are 15 to 37 inches long, and usually live about 10 years—and they can cost up to $2,500, the Mail notes. Fortunately, "if they are trained properly when they are younger," says a breeder, "then there is no need to worry about them spraying." (Read more skunks stories.) View 1 more image


text:
Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Patients Show Similar Issues with Postural Control in Study
Patients with fibromyalgia and patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) both show similar differences in postural control in comparison with healthy subjects, researchers found in a study. The study, "Lower regulatory frequency for postural control in patients with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome," appeared in the journal PLOS ONE. Patients with fibromyalgia and CFS exhibit a 50 to 70 percent overlap in symptoms, such as pain, and several diagnostic criteria are common between the two conditions. Deficits in balance and postural control have also been reported in patients with these disorders. In this study, researchers set out to investigate similarities and differences in postural sway and the underlying control strategies between fibromyalgia and CFS, compared with healthy subjects in a control group, with the goal of deepening knowledge about fibromyalgia and CFS to better understand the symptoms that appear when pain and fatigue become chronic. They analyzed 75 women — 25 each in fibromyalgia, CFS, and control groups — ages 19 to 49. Investigators chose this age range based on the observation that most patients diagnosed with either condition are young to middle-age women. Participants were required to stand quietly for 60 seconds on a force platform in each of three


text:
This month passed by both fast and very slow at the same time. If you've been reading my posts from this month, you will have seen that I started another chapter in my life, in order to close another. I've concluded my first month as a trainee/graduate at my company and boy, this month was a lot of work. I'm sure it will only get harder on me, but my colleagues are lovely folks and in the end I'm doing it for me. This month's favourites are a mishmash of random things that have dragged me through the past few weeks and showed me the silver lining.
OSKIA Renaissance Gel Cleanser
I've been using this cleanser day and night, because it's brilliant. The name is rather misleading, as it might look like a gel, but once you massage it into your skin, it feels and acts like an oil. Packed with gorgeous ingredients such as Vitamin A, C and E, as well as Fruit Enzymes making it nourishing for the skin and adding radiance immediately post-wash. Add a bit of water to it and it emulsifies into a milky consistency. I like to use lukewarm water to wash this off, but feel free to use a muslin cloth or flannel if that has your preference. Once you're done, I doubt your skin has looked (nor felt) better. The cleanser to go for when you need something hassle-free, effective and that will leave your skin smooth and radiant.
Rather a random pick, but as I've been commuting it's been in my bag every day. I use it mainly to jot down blog ideas or blog posts or add things to my never-ending to-do list. I'm not quite sure where it's from, as I got this from one of my friends as a Christmas present. She knows me very well to gift me stationary (I luurve stationary) and something that's pretty. The text "Think. Write. Create." couldn't be more spot on. Ah, and to go with the notepad, I, of course, always carry a pen or two around. Just in case.
AHAVA Active Moisture Gel Cream
Featured not too long ago on my blog, I've seriously slapped this cream on twice a day, every day in the first 2,5 weeks of the month – it is that good. I won't repeat myself twice, but having suffered from seriously flaky skin and flaky spots (big sigh) nothing worked, no matter how beautiful the products were. After only a few days of wearing it, I saw minor improvements. By the time the week ended, my severely de-hydrated skin had quenched its thirst and now there ain't no flake on my face. I swear I'm not being paid to say this.
AHAVA Dermud Intensive Hand Cream
I'm a hand cream freak, and I got this recommended by my colleague at the office —I haven't used anything else on my hands since. It is perfect for dry and sensitive hands and contains minerals sourced from the Dead Sea. It's all nasties-free and keeps my hands moist for so long. Although it doesn't smell the best, it works so well and I couldn't recommend this enough. In fact, I've gotten my mum, sister and aunt one tube each. It's been my desk-staple for the past few weeks and besides it great moisturising properties, it is absorbed by the skin almost instantly, so you won't have to tap away with sticky fingers.
Another bit that has been featured quite recently on the blog, which is what I've been using on and off in the past few months and have been using it quite regularly in the last week of February. I know it is not marketed as a beauty moisturiser, or heck, not even a face moisturiser, but it works for me this way. I squeeze out an amount as big as a pound coin and apply it on my face. There isn't a particular way how I apply it – I just rub it on. The scent is rather particular (it makes me think of nature) and as it's a rather thin cream, it is a gem to blend onto the skin. When I wake up, I always end up smirking, as my face just looks less red and irritated when I wear this. Not kidding.
Stila Color Me Pretty Blush Palette
Which was a big hit during Christmas time, became a big hit to me in February. I've always been intrigued with the blushes and kind of fell in love with them this month. It's nearly been the only things I've been wearing on my cheeks, which then again isn't that difficult as it is packed with 4 different shades and 1 highlighter. My favourites have been Gerbera, Petunia and Rose. All three are very different colours, yet they are similar in their opacity, creaminess and longevity. I do my make up at 7.30 (am) and when I get home at 8 (pm) my cheeks still have a flush of colour. Booyah.
What have you been loving this month?


text:
Crocodiles are very dangerous predators, and yet all animals are potentially capable of forming something resembling a bond with humans. The man portrayed in this video has managed to more or less establish something of a bond with a crocodile. They met when the crocodile was ailing, and he managed to nurse him back to health gradually enough. They managed to exchange something resembling affection in addition to everything else that they shared.
Today, the man still has an established bond with the crocodile, and he continues to swim with him. The animal seems to be relatively docile around him, although the man has some stories about the moods that the crocodile experiences. The video is largely a matter of the man telling their story, but the footage is of him and the crocodile interacting. Many people on Facebook would find this video both fascinating and dramatic, and they will have their own personal opinions about the risk the man is running.


text:
What would you like to know?
Mortgage Calculator
What is your availability for a viewing?
4383 W 15th Avenue, Vancouver
This home is NOT for everyone! Built by Georgie Award Winning builder, Abstract Homes, this is their #1 Signature Home. GEORGIE AWARD 2020 Finalist in 2 Categories 1. Best Custom Home 2. Fortis - Best Innovated Feature (Warmboard) HAVAN AWARD 2020 Finalist in 3 Categories 1. Best Custom build 1.5 – 2 mil. 2. FortisBC Award for Excellence in Energy Efficiency in New Residential Construction 3. Excellence in Building Science Innovation in Residential Construction Words and Pictures Cannot Express How Magnificent This Home Shows. Features Never Before Seen in a Luxury Home. Must see to believe. Open House on Sat (Aug 1) 2-4pm, By appointment only; 1 group at a time, need to wear mask.
Taxes (2019): $7,558.83


text:
Courses Taught by Dale O. Ritzel, Ph.D.
Send comments or questions about any of the courses to Dr. Ritzel
NOTE: At this time the driver education teacher
preparation endorsement courses at Southern Illinois University
Dr. Frank J. Gruber IV Ph.D., Director, Traffic Safety
Institute, Northern
Dr. Robert Bates, Eastern Illinois
to complete (17 out of 24 semester hours needed) for meeting the
*HED 412s online course, every semester - Driver Task Analysis: Introduction (This is the former HED 302s)
*HED 413s online course,
every semester - Injury Prevention and Safety (This is the former
HED 313s)
- Injury Prevention and Safety (This is the former HED 313s)
*HED 442s (distance learning/ILP course format for students enrolling both on and off campus) - Driver Education On-street and Driving Simulation (works with Master Driver Education Teacher in a public school for on-street and driving simulation teaching with multiple-vehicle driving range program being conducted at the Safety Center, SIUC)
*HED 443s (distance learning/ILP course format for students enrolling both on and off campus) (make sure you read thoroughly the requirements in HED 443s in teaching in a public school and doing Web assignments on the course Web page) - Driver Education Classroom Instruction (works with Master Driver Education Teacher for classroom teaching)
*HED 445 - Advanced Driver Education Instructor Training
HED 485 Global Health Education - Travel/Study Course in Germany May 2012 (course was cancelled)
register for these courses as a Web based, ILP or distance learning class go to
the Office of Distance Education,
on the semester the distance learning courses can be either ILP (individualize
learning program) courses or Online, Wed Based courses. You will need to check on either area to find
the courses.
need to check out the getting started section at the Office of Distance Education. Depending upon your status, you can register
as an undergraduate student or graduate student. They show you how to register for either ILP
or as online courses.
*In any situation, you have to be admitted to SIUC to be enrolled in any of the above courses.
*You need to contact the Office of Distance Education if you have any questions at contact any of the people at http://distanceed.siuc.edu/team-members.
Have a nice injury free day!
Updated 25 September 2012
© Dale O. Ritzel 1999-2012


text: San Antonio Property Management We specialize in full service property management for residential single & multiple family homes near Fort Sam Houston and the surrounding San Antonio area. We are dedicated to maximizing the performance of your real estate investments. The personal service we provide to our clients is the key to maximizing our client's return on their investment and keeping the tenants happy. From the beginning our style and attitude regarding the management of San Antonio real estate, whether it is a single-family San Antonio home or a multiple unit, is the same. It is our intent to make your property an income producing asset and the property management that we provide is the most critical aspect in attaining that goal. We use many sources to find the best available tenants for your San Antonio home. We conduct detailed research on each tenant including past rental history a criminal and credit background check. We want to ensure our San Antonio property owners that tenants will treat the property as it were their own. We want to put only the best tenants in to your properties so we have certain requirements that each prospective tenant must meet. Read our rental requirements, application standards and other important information for tenants. Application Owner Tenant Pay Rent Listings For a complete explanation of our services, fees, and copies of our Property Management Agreement and our Policy & Procedures, just fill out your information below and we will be in touch. Name* First Last Email* Phone*NoteCAPTCHACommentsThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.


text:
On another note, bu neng shuo de mi mi, i'm currently going through a difficult phase right now. I shouldn't blame the army but I blame only one person.
On another other note, I need 10 of that blue coloured note. Just sayin'.
On another note, I wanna be an illustrator, for now. I want to be in the front page of the Illustrated Swimsuit Magazine!


text:
Protect your website's HTML code and design from theft.
This software is not reviewed yet.
Easily create your websites using this multi-award-winning HTML editor.
Easily make website-wide modifications with ChangeSite.
ClipSafe protects data you copy to the clipboard from accidental erasure.
Create Web site image maps with this easy to use tool from Multimedia Australia.


text:
- Font:
- +
- -
ROME — Italy's lower chamber of parliament has approved legislation that would cut the length of trials in Italy and effectively end an ongoing bribery case against Premier Silvio Berlusconi.
The lower Chamber of Deputies approved the bill 314-296, amid protests inside and outside the chamber. It now passes to the Senate, where Berlusconi's coalition has a majority.
It's the latest piece of legislation that critics say is tailor-made to suit Berlusconi's interests. The bill approved Wednesday cuts the length of trials for some defendants who haven't been previously convicted.
The measure would effectively end a trial where Berlusconi is accused of bribing British lawyer David Mills to offer false testimony. Berlusconi denies wrongdoing.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


text:
Bailey Briggeman
Bloomington, Indiana, United States
I am a 19 year old student from Indianapolis currently attending Indiana University! I am planning on majoring in Human Development and Family Studies in order to pursue a carreer in counseling.
Previously, I attended Roncalli High School and graduated in May of 2014 with a 3.9 GPA. I recieved an Academic Honors Diploma and was a member of the National Honors Society. I successfully completed 3 AP classes and 2 honors courses my senior year. In high school, I was a 4-year varsity cheerleader as well as the captain of my squad for 2 of those years. Additionally, my squad nominated and awarded me with the Most Valuable Cheerleader award 2 years in a row. I was also actively involved in photography club, french club and the advanced sewing club.
Between my junior and senior year, I participated in a 2 week excursion to Colorado for my school's Summer Field Study program. This program allowed me to travel to Estes Park, Colorado where I was able to camp out under the stars, provide for myself and make lasting connections with new frends while living in the wilderness. This trip allowed me to grow as an individual and learn to take care of myself responsibily as an adult.
Over four years of high school, I have completed more than 160 hours of service. Some of the service I have completed includes coaching my church's 7-8th grade CYO cheerleading squad, participating in Dance Marathon, volunteering at The Lord's Pantry and other shelters, serving as a Group Leader for Freshman Orientation and being a Tour Guide for my high school. I also volunteered my time through cheerleading by designing logos and spirt wear for my squad, volunteering at local cheerlading clinics and camps, and creating dances and routines for my squad to perform.
Over this past summer, I worked as a Nanny for a family in my neighborhood. This job allowed me to learn to take care of others, especially children, and gave me a large lesson in responsibility. It taught me to have fun while remaining in charge and also to care for others before myself.