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100 and Counting!!!
What's a Doula do anyway?
Emily, a new mommy and client of mine, interviewed me for her website,
I thought I might share.
Be sure to check out her website and Facebook page, Diapers and Dumbbells.
There are some awesome exercises, recipes, and stories of how one woman experienced her pregnancy, birth, and now parenthood.
Posted on February 13, 2013
I have had tons of questions about my experience working with a doula including everything from "What in the world is a doula?" to "do you need a doula and a midwife?". I had the pleasure of working with a fantastic doula during my pregnancy and childbirth and it is my pleasure to introduce to you, Kenny Shulman CD (DONA) to answer some of the many questions that I have received from my readers. Enjoy!
D&D: Tell us a little about your background and why you decided to become a doula
KS: After seeing my son complete college and retiring from my own business of being an independent recruiter, I chose to follow my passions. Two of these passions are empowering women and giving back to my community. The doula program at the YWCA was my first avenue for helping young women find their own voice within the medical community. It also provided the opportunity for me to offer free services for teens, women without homes, and others who might be having difficult times. A third passion of mine is every aspect of developing a thriving business. And thus Triad Birth Doula was born. Actually being able to witness new families being born…priceless!
What do doulas do?
A birth doula provides physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother and her partner before, during, and just after birth.
My personal services with Triad Birth Doula include the following:
- I will meet with you and your partner a few times before labor, as well as communicate by phone and email, to become acquainted; to explore and discuss priorities and any fears or concerns; to discuss and help you develop your birth plan; to learn how we might work best together. I also want to know your own best ways of coping with pain and fatigue and perhaps practice breathing, positions, and visualization.
- I usually wish to go with you for at least one doctor visit, preferably towards the end of your pregnancy. This gives me additional information so that I might best serve you.
- I prefer that you call me when you think you are in labor, even if you do not yet need me. I can answer questions and make suggestions over the phone. We will decide if I should come right then or wait for further change. I usually need approximately one hour to get to you from the time you ask me to come. We will also decide where to meet – at your home, the hospital, or the birth center. Except for extraordinary circumstances, I will remain with you throughout labor and birth. If there is a limitation on the number of people who may be present, it is to be assumed that I will always be present, continuously offering physical, emotional, and informational support.
- I usually will remain with you for one or two hours after birth; until you are comfortable and/or your family is ready for time together. I can also assist with initial breastfeeding.
- I am available to answer questions about the birth or your baby and would like to visit while you are still in the hospital. I would then like to get together about a week after you return home to see how you and your baby are doing, to deliver a special letter and CD to your baby, and to review your experience.
What should a pregnant woman consider when deciding if a particular doula is right for her?
She and her partner need to feel a sense of connection and trust with the potential doula. This is one of the most important, and intimate, times in a couple's life. They must feel comfortable with whom they are sharing. The woman also should feel nurtured and safe. Without these qualities, it is almost impossible to be an effective doula.
In addition, the couple should ask about her training and experience. References, in my mind, are a must. If there are special circumstances, this should be covered, such as experience with a VBAC or hypertension. I've always thought a good question might be if she, the doula, has any preference in the type of birth or environment.
What issues or areas of concern do you most advocate for women and babies in your practice?
My clients probably wish they had a dollar for every time I said "It is your body, your baby, your choice." And when a woman makes a choice, or a decision, it is my job to offer information so it can be an informed one. Most important, I wish every woman to know that no one has the right to do anything to her body, or her baby, without her consent. This belief of mine carries through to having an IV, eating during labor, wearing her own clothes, what and when medications are given to herself and to her baby, having her membranes stripped, help with breastfeeding, having a cesarean…the list can go on and on.
What type of training do doulas have?
First, I must say that in my opinion, a woman should not function as a doula without appropriate training and eventual certification. One of the main reasons for certification, other than proof of education, is that it demands accountability. A DONA certified doula cannot do just anything she wants but rather she has a Standard of Practice and a Code of Ethics.
As to the specifics of training, I can only speak to my governing body, which is Doulas of North America, International (DONA), the largest and oldest of the doula organizations. There is a combination of various classes, required reading, written papers, attending qualified births, numerous medical and maternal evaluations, and then a final, in depth, review by DONA. Once certification is acquired, there is then the process of continuing education, birth attendance, and re-certification every three years.
Which ares do you feel are most lacking in "traditional" hospital births today? Please know am generalizing. The concept that the woman is giving birth rather than being ill; that she is an intelligent, thinking woman; that her maternal instincts are strong and valid, that she is the only master of her own body. In addition, I feel there is a lack of training, experience, and support in natural childbirth (to include waterbirths), in the skin-to-skin concept, in the "Family Centered" Cesarean, in "Kangaroo Care". I know some areas of our country still need to work on supporting breastfeeding while others are bordering on obnoxious, due to (or lack of) government funding. And I am still very concerned about the "snowball" of interventions so many medical people wish to use.
You somewhat specialize in water births- what led you to this practice?
I first heard from Vicki Latham, a midwife, of the new possibility of waterbirth at Women's Hospital. After Vicki explained all of the reasons the water is so helpful to mother and baby, I became intrigued. After attending such a birth and seeing firsthand the difference it made, I was amazed, and continue to be so. Being that business minded person, I recognized the opportunity of making waterbirths my special niche. I now have attended over 30 births that have used the water, own two pools that I rent to my clients, and teach a class at Women's Hospital, Waterbirth Basics.
What are some things that a woman should know about water births? How it helps her and her baby; how it is safe for her and her baby; how it is not for every woman and every birth; that only midwives attend waterbirths. That many hospitals have not yet embraced waterbirths.
In your opinion why is "conventional" medicine so against water births?
My opinion (which, of course, doulas never have) …fear. Fear of liability. Fear of loss revenue. Fear of control.
How can our followers contact/follow you for more information?
My email is: firstname.lastname@example.com
My mobile is: 336.312.4678
My website is: TriadBirthDoula.com
My Facebook page is: facebook.com/TriadBirthDoula
From the Mouth of a Doctor!
True story….yesterday a doctor, as in MD, said she loved delivering with doulas.
"It makes for such a more peaceful birth."
She then says to the couple that a doula saves lots of money.
She said an anesthesiologist charges $1600 to perform an epidural…and that does not even include the medicine & equipment.
Thank you Ms Doctor!!!!


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Fontainebleau Las Vegas Takes TARP-Receiving Lenders to Court Over Canceled Loan
- Apr 27, 2009
The credit crunch continues to squeeze the life out of big construction projects across the country, but Fontainebleau Las Vegas L.L.C. doesn't plan on becoming a victim. One month after MGM Mirage was sued by its CityCenter project partner, the developer of the in-progress Fontainebleau Las Vegas casino-resort has filed a $3 billion lawsuit against a group of lenders that recently decided to back out of $800 million in prearranged financing–despite having received over $77 billion in federal assistance, including funds through the Troubled Asset Repurchase Program. Filed in the District Court of Clark County, Nevada, the lawsuit names a large group of lenders as defendants: Bank of America, N.A., Merrill Lynch Capital Corp., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation New York, Bank of Scotland, HSH Nordbank AG, New York Branch, Camulos Master Fund LP, and MB Financial Bank, N.A.The banks informed Fontainebleau on April 20 that commitments under an $800 million revolver loan had been terminated, citing unspecified events of default without offering specific details on the alleged default. Fontainebleau denies being in default in any way, and calls the lenders unscrupulous and their actions calculated, intentional, malicious and egregious, noting that defendants Bank of America and JP Morgan Chase have pocketed a respective $52.5 billion and $25 billion through TARP and additional forms of federal assistance. "These TARP and other funds were provided to the banks with one purpose: to ensure that these banks would begin lending again, and would continue to lend, rather than further constricting the flow of credit that is absolutely critical for any economic recovery," the Fontainebleau notes in the lawsuit. Work on Fontainebleau Las Vegas has already exceeded the 70 percent completion mark, and loss of the financing would likely bring the massive mixed-use casino project to a halt, putting the 3,300 construction workers at the site out of work and eliminating 6,000 full-time jobs the destination would create at its 25-acre location along the Strip upon its debut. Additionally, contractors and vendors far beyond Las Vegas would be negatively impacted. "For our local economy, we need the jobs this and other casino projects generate, so it's important from that standpoint that we don't have construction workers on projects stop like Echelon did," Jacob Oberman, director of gaming, research and analysis for CB Richard Ellis' Las Vegas-based global gaming group, told CPN. Boyd Gaming announced last August that it would delay construction of the $4.8 billion Echelon project due to inhospitable capital markets and the slumping economy. "In the case of Fontainebleau, we'll lose 3,000 jobs and gain zero," said Oberman. Despite their own financial challenges, two other major casino-resort developments, the $8.8 billion CityCenter and the nearly $4 billion Cosmopolitan, are still scheduled to open later this year and in 2010, respectively, bringing thousands of new jobs and, local officials hope, visitors undeterred by the struggling economy. The consensus among gaming industry experts in Las Vegas is that the highly touted CityCenter project will attract visitors from around the world. "The economy will be what it is the day before CityCenter opens, but the day after it opens, we think there will be significantly more demand than there is now," Oberman said. "There will be so much international press surrounding CityCenter; we have not had a mass-market property like that since 1998 and 1999 when the Bellagio and the Venetian opened. CityCenter is the most important of the projects that will open, but they all have incremental importance to the local economy." While work continues to move along on CityCenter, the behemoth project has its own legal issues. In March, MGM Mirage was sued by its Dubai-based co-developer Infinity World, which cited financial concerns about the continued viability of the development and MGM Mirage as a company. However, in the face of the lawsuit and the frosty lending market, MGM Mirage has managed to cull the necessary financing to keep CityCenter construction active. In mid-April, the company secured an amendment of its credit facility, which allowed it to pay $70 million in construction costs just in time.

subset: commoncrawl


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Most of us know at least one Road Traffic Victim… I wish this weren't so!
Today, November 20, is World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), road traffic crashes kill nearly 1.3 million people every year and injure or disable as many as 50 million more. They are the leading cause of death among people aged 10-24 years.
|Dad Esa -- Jeddah, 1950
It is a day I didn't know was commemorated. It is very dear to my heart as I lost my dad, Esa, to a drink driving accident in December 1973. He was 65. Dad had just retired from a long spell as a civil servant and had embarked on a new life in his preferred profession of being a lawyer in Bahrain when he was hit one night by a young man driving under the influence of alcohol.
To be robbed of a husband and father because of a drunk driver, in Bahrain out of all places, is beyond words or words that can appear in print.
Reckless and drink driving is something that happens on the roads all over the world. But I was shocked at the speed of driving and recklessness and disregard for all highway codes in Dubai since I have been in Dubai.
Why don't drivers signal? Why do they blind you with their headlights (I had one accident because of that)? Why do they drive so fast? Don't they have families? Why? Why? And why do drivers have to use their mobiles on the road? What is so urgent?
In October 2005, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution calling on governments to mark the third Sunday in November as World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. The day was created to give recognition to victims of road traffic crashes and the plight of their relatives who must cope with the emotional and practical consequences of their unexpected and tragic loss.
WHO and the UN Road Safety Collaboration encourage governments and NGOs around the world to commemorate this day to draw the public's attention to road traffic crashes, their consequences and costs, and the precautionary measures liable to prevent them.
In May 2011, the international community marked the start of the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020. Governments acknowledged the threat of road traffic deaths to health and development, and committed themselves to the Decade goal of saving five million lives and preventing 50 million injuries. Some used this occasion to release national Decade plans and new road safety legislation targeted at drinking and driving, speeding and using helmets, seat-belts and child car seats.
WHO says 3000 people die on the world's roads every day and several million are injured or disabled each year. About 124 people are dying every hour and hundreds are severely disabled and injured. It notes the Middle East and North Africa have above average road accident rates.
In Dubai, I found that the Suraya Foundation, a non-profit road safety organization, has partnered with educators, the media, the creative community and families who have been affected by tragic accidents to help spread the awareness of safe driving and educating the community on how safe driving can save lives.
Founder Mohd Shahnawaz knows first-hand what it is like to lose a loved one due to a reckless driving accident. His younger sister Suraya (read her story) was killed in a hit and run accident in March 2009. In honor of her memory, he has made it his goal to spread awareness on the dangers of reckless driving.
By spreading emotionally compelling messages through awareness campaigns and mass media, the Suraya Foundation is hoping to change the attitudes of rash drivers and get them to drive safely.
One of the Suraya Foundation campaigns is "Take the Oath," a project where you take a vow to be a safer driver on the road using a checklist as a guide.
WHO says UAE residents are seven times more likely to die in a car accident compared to UK inhabitants. Road accidents are the second major cause of deaths in the UAE, where car accident deaths have been increasing every year (except in 2009 when fatalities dropped 10 percent).
Most car accidents in the UAE, it says, are due to heedless driving. Experts suggest educating drivers and teaching them traffic safety and courteous driving rules could change this.
Indeed, last week I read about another accident, this time involving a cyclist… It was the case of another family robbed of a loved one.
An article in Daily Tech quotes UAE Police as saying traffic accidents dropped 40 percent in Abu Dhabi and 20 percent in Dubai in October, when millions of BlackBerry users around the world were disconnected for about four days.
On this day of remembrance, maybe it's a good time to take the oath and be a safe driver. Please drive carefully and responsibly and be safe.


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SANFORD — Corey Hertzog found the back of the net for the first time since the preseason Disney Pro Classic on Wednesday, helping the Orlando City Soccer Club advance past the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
The Lions easily dispatched the USL Premier Development League's Ocala Stampede, earning a 4-1 win at the Seminole Soccer Complex.
Hertzog scored in the 14th minute off an assist from Aodhan Quinn and added another in the 45th on a penalty kick to put Orlando City in front 3-0 at halftime. Hertzog also assisted on a give-and-go goal by Dennis Chin in the 28th minute.


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Congressman Virgil Goode (R-VA) Asks President to Support 2nd Amendment
Excerpt:Â A Republican congressman from Virginia is asking President Bush to order the Justice Department to submit a brief in a U.S. Supreme Court case that supports the rights afforded U.S. citizens under the Second Amendment. The request from Rep. Virgil Goode concerns a filing submitted by the Justice Department in a Supreme Court case over the legality of a handgun ban imposed by the District of Columbia.
Read More


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Call of Duty: Black Ops II - Nuketown Zombies
What do you need help on?Cancel X
Nuketown Zombies is set during the events of Moon, and after the end of the multiplayer level from the original Black Ops game. A group of radiation scientists are investigating the Nuketown remains and discover soldiers that have been revived by Element 115 from a nearby Nevada base. The zombie soldiers attack the radiation scientists and turn them, and after receiving a distress signal, the base in Nevada sends in CIA and CDC agents to investigate. Upon arrival in Nuketown the agents lose communication with Hangar 18 and become stranded...setting the stage for Nuketown Zombies.
If you're stuck in Call of Duty: Black Ops II - Nuketown Zombies, ask your fellow GameFAQs members for help.
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News Sections
Autopsy Conducted On Springville Woman's Body; Investigation Continues
Updated May 5, 2013 1:04 AM | Filed under: WBIW News
(SPRINGVILLE, IN) - Lawrence County authorities continue their investigation into a death in the Springville area.
Officials now say that there doesn't appear to be any criminal activity associated with the death.
Autopsy results from Cynthia Becker will now help investigators better determine what caused the death of the woman.
Becker was discovered by her husband face-down, in a pool of her own blood, mid-Tuesday morning.
Have a question or comment about a news story? Send it to email@example.com
1340 AM WBIW, Bedford's Place To Talk. Serving Lawrence and surrounding counties since 1948!
© 2019 Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. WBIW.com and Listen Live Powered by HPC


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Tickets For The 8th Annual John R. Wooden Classic Go On Sale October 21st
Oct. 17, 2001
WHAT: Ticket on sale for the 8th Annual John R. Wooden Classic
WHEN: Sunday, October 21st at 10:00 AM
WHERE: At all Ticketmaster locations including Tower Records, Robinsons May, Wherehouse Music, Tu Musica, Ritmo Latino, on-line at ticketmaster.com, and by phone at (714) 740-2000.
TICKET PRICES: $150, $90, $75, $65, $50, $37.50, $25, $15 and $10. One ticket allows admission into both games.
GROUP SALES: Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more, call (714) 704-2420.
EVENT INFO: The John R. Wooden Classic will take place December 8, 2001 at the Arrowhead Pond ofAnaheim. Game one begins at 1:30pm. For more information, visit woodenclassic.com or arrowheadpond.com.
GAME ONE: University of Arizona vs. Purdue University
GAME TWO: UCLA vs. University of Alabama
Basketball Pre-Game ShowTODAY | 6:30pm PTLive
TODAY | 7:00pm PTLive
Basketball Post GameTODAY | 9:00pm PTLive


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gerrymandering districts, we're all clustered together. So basically we got clusterfucked this election.
The solution: Have some of us from Dem heavy states (I'm looking at you, Massachusetts people, and you, Californians, and all you Brooklynites) move to swing states, states where a bunch more Democrats (and by "a bunch" I mean 10,000 to 100,000, or more) could make a yuge difference in the next elections*.
[To see the latest state-by-state vote totals for the 2016 Election, click here.]
Which states am I talking about? For starters, Florida. Where a lot of us Northeasterners plan on moving (eventually) anyway. But also Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin -- even Arizona (which was pretty close this election), North Carolina, or Texas. Better yet, find a county in those states that leans slightly Republican and move there.
We're doing our part (though we're not registered to vote in Florida... yet). Now it's up to you to do yours.
Also, please consider donating to environmental causes (I just gave $$$ to the Environmental Defense Fund), the ACLU (am about to give), Planned Parenthood (ditto), and other organizations that help protect people and our planet.
This has been yet another public service announcement.
*You know what could also make a huge difference? If people registered to vote and then actually voted. Especially all you young Democrats. Just look at these Election Turnout numbers. Pathetic.
Saturday Evening Musical Interlude
2 hours ago


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Tuesday, March 31, 2009
I'm a little busy0 comments Posted by Sarah at 3:52 PM
I know that I haven't been exactly good at writing recently but it's not because I don't like you all or anything I'm just busy once again.
I don't feel like writing a super-de-dooper long post today so everything is a recap of the past few days. I hope you don't mind but my mind can't even begin to write about everything I have been doing.
So without further aido here's the RECAP:
- We didn't go to a Irish Pub on St. Patrick's Day. Instead we went downtown into the city where you could drink for FREE for 3 hours after you paid a cover fee. That cover fee covered 4 bars, 1 green plastic cup that you drank out of, a t-shirt,beads,and a green plastic hat. We had a lot of fun and I def. got my french fries and some good drinks. :) Oh and since it was free drinks we couldn't get specialtiy drinks so therefore I didn't get my Thin Mint Drink. :( BOO!
- The boyfriend and I went to BINGO up the street from my apartment 2 weeks ago and I won $25.00 dollars! It was a really fun time plus they give you a free meal when you play. I went last week with my Stepmom and didn't win but it was still fun. I'm thinking this will have to be atleast a bi-weekly thing!
- The boyfriend left last Wed. up to his cabin so I was alone by myself for 5 days. I got a lot done and got to hang out with some people that I normally don't get to see.
- Saturday I went to NYC and saw Mamma Mia on Broadway with the boyfriend's family. Well at least all the girls in the family. It was so much fun and I felt like home going back to NYC. I just love it there. *I'll post some pics from the trip soon*
- Sunday the boyfriend got home and I was so excited to see him. :)
- Yesterday after work the boyfriend met me at my mom's house and we took her dog Izzie and his dog Pozy to a local park and we walked around for about 2 hours. It was a lot of fun and the dogs def. enjoyed it. It was so nice just to spend some alone time with the boyfriend and it was relaxing! After we dropped off Izzie we went back to the boyfriend's house and lifted weights, did our abs and hung out for a bit.
- Today is just another typical tuesday. Tonight is Weight Watchers like usual, going for a walk with my group after the meeting, and possibly seeing the boyfriend. Also food is a must since I don't eat for like 5 hours before my weigh-in. *I seriously better lose some weight tonight b/c I have been extremely good and have worked out like a mad women. If I go up tonight the weight watchers crew better watch out.*
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Happy St. Patrick's Day0 comments Posted by Sarah at 12:07 PM
I will be eating some of these:
(It's after my Weight Watchers Mtg. so I can have them hehe)
And drinking some of these:I'm sure the boyfriend will be drinking these:
Yes we don't eat the Irish Food but we definitely drink the "green" drinks. I'm so looking up a recipe for the bartender on Thin Mint Martinis. Those sound soooo good and well their green so I can't go wrong with that! Pretty much they are just like the Dirty Girl Scout Shot so I'm just going to ask for that but as a drink.
I hope everyone has a fabulous day and has some fun tonight. At least get one drink and join in on the festivities. WEAR YOUR GREEN!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Weekend Wrap-Up0 comments Posted by Sarah at 2:23 PM
So it's another Monday so you know what that means, The Weekend Wrap-Up.
Friday night I went grocery shopping at Target and got some incredible deals there and used my gift card to pay for the entire amount so it was definitely great to be able to shop there. After I went shopping I decided to get the rest of my ingredients that I needed to make my recipes for next week. I saved tons of money at the grocery store too. Very excited. Seeing as how my checking account has $1.00 in it till Friday I needed to save as much money as possible. Very excited. I went home and made this amazing recipe that I found on $5 Dollar Dinners. If you haven't been to that site, you MUST go now. Seriously amazing. No, no one is paying me to say anything or gush about it. I seriously am in love with this website. Although in Pennsylvania I can't find meat that is cheap I still learn how to plan healthy delicious meals for under let's say $8.00 in PA. It might be $5.00 there but it's $8.00 here, and well that's okay with me. I've been getting into cooking more and getting more ideas and so when I ran across this website I knew it was a match made in heaven. Anyways let's move on. :)
Saturday was such an awesome day. The boyfriend signed him and I up for PAWS-Abilities on Saturday and asked me to bring my mom's dog Izzie. Izzie goes on play "dates" with boyfriend's dog Pozy and so it was natural for us to bring our dogs to play with other dogs and see all the cool things at the event. PAWS-Abilities is an event to showcase dogs that have talents either "dressing" up, agility races, etc. The event also showcases service dogs. It was super cool watching some of the dogs dressed up and it was neat to see our dogs react to all the other dogs. My little Izzie is a mini daschund so she was surrounded by HUGE dogs all day. She was so fearless and couldn't have cared less. She thought she was tough so nothing bothered her, not even the Mastiffs or Great Danes. LOL. Pozy on the other hand is a Springer Spaniel and was super scared and very timid the entire day. She stayed right by Izzie's side and made sure that she couldn't get harmed. My mom decided to come along too and so did boyfriend's mom so they finally got a chance to meet. That was nice and they seem to have hit it off right away. That made me feel better since I was a nervous wreck for them to meet. My mom can sometimes say the weirdest things so I was just a little worried. I'll have more pictures once I get them from the boyfriend. The pictures are priceless and are so funny of the dogs.
Saturday night the boyfriend and I decided to do the St. Patty's Day thing since there were supposed to be some bars that were having specials and parties that night rather than having it on the actual day. We had invited almost everyone we knew to come out but everyone was busy so we just decided to go ourselves and have a good time. We dressed up in Green, wore beads the whole shebang and what do you know almost everywhere we went the parties were not there. I wish I could show you the boyfriend and I but because of Privacy Issues I can't. I can however show you this picture of me. I blurred out my face but you can still see what I'm wearing. :)
Sunday was just a typical Sunday. Nothing special. My brother came over and we made a pizza. A Homemade Pizza. Another recipe courtesy of $5 Dollar Dinners. Click Here and you can see the recipe for this awesome Pizza. Very delicious and we had a super fun time making it. In all hon esty though it really really simple to make. I was quite surprised.
How's was your weekend? Tell me all about it! I would love to hear from you! Have a great Monday everyone!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Another Giveaway0 comments Posted by Sarah at 11:35 AM
Over at Summer in Newport she is having a giveaway for a necklace of her very own. It is so gorgeous and I'm secretly hoping that I win. Please go over to her site and sign up to win this gorgeous necklace! The Giveaway end March 13th.
The Rules for Her Giveaway are as followed:
1. For one entry, just reply to this post with your name and email.
2. For two entries, become a follower of this blog (click "follow this blog" on the right hand side of Summer in Newport)and leave me a comment letting me know-including your email.
3. For three entries, become a follower and include this giveaway on your blog, linking back to my blog. Please leave a comment with your email letting me know you have done this so I can credit you properly.
Go check her out to try to win this awesome necklace. Good Luck!
Labels: Giveaways
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Drew & Ashley's Giveaway0 comments Posted by Sarah at 4:10 PM
So Over at Drew and Ashley they are having a giveaway. It's a secret giveaway but if you tell them something about yourself, your dislikes and likes in colors you might be the lucky winner.
Please visit this link and you can enter to win this secret giveaway. Please remember that this giveaway ends March 11th so hurry on over and enter!
The rules are as followed:
*Step 1* Comment on this post to enter your name into the drawing (you don't have to be a follower unless you just want to).
*Step 2* In your comment, tell me a few of your favorite colors, mention some words that describe your personality and tell me a color you DON'T like! Add whatever you want me to know about you.
*Step 3* Write a post that contains a link back to this post.
So what are you waiting for? Go over and check out this cute blog and enter to win the giveaway!
Good Luck
Labels: Giveaways
The Doors Are Slightly Open..0 comments Posted by Sarah at 10:27 AM
The boyfriend had his police officer test on Saturday morning. He had to get at least a 70 to pass the written portion to move on to the physical part and he PASSED. So next he moved on to the physical part and PASSED with flying colors. He out shined everyone and was #1 in the entire group. Out of more than 200 people that showed up he was #1!! I'm so proud of him. He really worked hard studying to make sure he could get this test and he passed. So next he moves on to filling out applications for the 3 different offices he could potentially work at. After he fills them out hopefully he gets interviews and they go from there. I'm so excited and proud of him and I believe that this could be the start of something great for him and I. :)
Our weekend was busy like usual but never less fun. On Friday I wasn't supposed to see him but since he was down about the job and everything I decided to come over and watch a movie with him and relax. On Saturday I cleaned all day and basically sat around till about 5 when I went out to dinner with the boyfriend's family. It was his grandfather's birthday so the entire family came out to a restaurant and it was a good time. After that we hit up a local bar before we headed to a Comedy Show. I met up with my friend, let's call her K there and the boyfriend's friend was along too. Out of the blue I saw someone I hadn't seen in years. We'll call her T. I was friends with T for years but she moved and we lost touch. I couldn't believe that I saw her and so we caught up and now have numbers so we can hang out again! I'm so excited about that. I never see anyone that I know when I'm out so it was great to see an old friend.
The Comedy Show was awesome. I know the girl who sells the tickets for the show because she is the little sister of one of my friends. The place was packed and she was getting annoyed with everyone that she just decided to comp. our tickets so we got in FREE to the show. Also the best part...Front row seats right on the stage. Freaking Awesome! It pays to know the right people. The show was funny and we had a few drinks which helped but it was hilarious. I have only been there once before but each time they are funny and don't disappoint. I'll show you guys all the pictures when I finally get them back from K.
After we got done with the show, K decided to part ways but the boyfriend, his friend and I decided to hit another bar and just chill out. I met up with my cousin who is the bouncer for the bar and we had a great time. We had a few Dirty Girl Scout Shots and had a few drinks. If you haven't had the Dirty Girl Scouts you are missing out. These things taste just like Chocolate Chip Mint Ice Cream. You can't taste the alcohol in them and they are so yummy. Be careful because if you order too much of them you will start feeling it though. LOL. Just a little information the next time you are out. I almost always get this shot and love it each time.
Sunday was daylight savings time so that threw me off but I did end up exercising and cleaning the apartment so overall that was a pretty productive day. We went out to eat at night to a new restaurant. Don't you love trying new places out? I know I do. Anyways this place was pretty cool. It looked like a neighborhood and looked like you were in a Fire Department as well. I know I'm not good at describing this but it really was awesome. They also had these huge bottles of Vodka and other liquors that were emptied but were once used for the bar itself. Very cool place. After that we just hung out for the rest of the day and played Mario Party.
Overall it was a great weekend full of fun. How was everyone weekend?
*Photos taken from Google Images*
Friday, March 6, 2009
Suck-It1 comments Posted by Sarah at 3:05 PM
Okay I know that the title of my post sounds kinda sorta gross but I don't mean it to be. Really I don't mean for it to sound gross, so get your heads out of the gutters. :)
I am talking about stupid bosses, co-workers, and jobs. They can all SUCK-IT!! My boyfriend has worked at a sales job for the past 4 months selling Uniforms, Rugs, Towels, ETC. He has made plenty of sales but not a ton because of the way the economy is right now. A lot of people could care less about floor mats and more about how they are going to pay their employees. The boyfriend's company let's call them Greedy Lawyers have all these really stupid rules. He has to go to 30 new businesses each day and each time he makes a sale he doesn't see commission on that sale for like 2-3 months. (He has yet to see commission for anything he has sold) This is bullshit in my opinion and is downright shady. He also has to call his boss each night to report about the day (she rides with him at least 2 times a week,she knows about his day), fax all these sheets to the company headquarters, and research on where he will go the following day. A few weeks ago they cut his pay in half to where no one could survive on that kind of salary. Let's just say that McDonald's employees are making more than him. He isn't getting health care and now he is getting paid squat. The only good thing is they reimburse for mileage and gas. However those take awhile to see too.
The boyfriend hates this job and wants to find a new one but right now it's hard. He found out about a Police Officer position and so he has been studying all this past week because he takes the 1st round of tests on Saturday.
So today boyfriend calls me at 9:30 AM (he gets to work at 7:30 AM) sounding really upset almost to the point of crying to tell me that they fired him or laid him off because his sales numbers weren't' what they were supposed to be for starting out. WHAT THE HECK?? ARE YOU SERIOUS? Boyfriend has made at least 7 sales that were huge for corporations in the past 4 months and he hasn't made enough. You have guys working with him that haven't made any sales in MONTHS and you lay off this guy? WHAT THE F? Also to make it more awesome one sales guy is in jail because get this, he was driving with a suspended license and the reason he was found out is because he had a DUI and another one so he's in jail because he can't make bail. So that guy isn't fired yet he is just on "vacation"! What a bunch of messed up crap.At least the boyfriend has a few positions that he is applying for and has the first round tomorrow for the Police Officer. I just kept trying to remind him that another door will open soon. He's worked really hard studying for this test that I just know he has to Ace it.
Wish him and I luck that he finds a new, better job soon.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
The Endless Days0 comments Posted by Sarah at 2:45 PM
My job consist of answering emails from the help email in the morning and answering phone calls throughout the day. Well I'm done with answering emails at about 9:30 and I get in at 8:30 and throughout the day I get maybe 14 calls. Yes some of them are long and drawn out but its incredibly boring when there is nothing to do.
The worst part of this is that my position is getting moved to a different agency where the entire help desk system will be implemented. 13 other people will have the exact same job I have now and the worst part is there will be nothing then for me to do. NOTHING. I'm getting really sick of this crappy job. I wish I could move to another position but they aren't hiring anywhere now and I can't interview for the newly created positions because get this I'm not qualified. I have been doing this job for a year and a half now. I think I'm overly qualified and could definitely be a supervisor but since I'm not management now they won't let me interview. BS I say. Well I guess I'll just have to keep reading those blogs, commenting, posting, researching other possible job opportunities, (such as pastry school, wedding planner, party planner, etc (more on that later)) daydreaming about moving to other states and daydreaming of vacations because I can't afford it with the stupid salary they give me now because I'm not management!
For all those people who are bored like I am here's some fun things to do while you're at work:
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Updates0 comments Posted by Sarah at 9:50 AM
Hey all you lovely readers! I'm so sorry I haven't been able to post in a while. I have been so busy!! I know you always here that and I'm trying to do better but really I have been busy.
So where to start? Hmm? Well Valentine's Day was simply fabulous. We went to a Hockey game (it was my first professional sports game) with the boyfriend and we had an excellent time there. I really got into the game and was screaming and cheering and overall it was a blast. It also helped that the team won!! Yippie! So after we got home from the game we went back and got changed so we could go to dinner later that night. We went to a really nice restaurant and the food was really really good. They had specials for valentine's day and the boyfriend and I had wonderful conversation and had just simply the best time. He made me feel like a princess! :)
Move over to Sunday the day after and we did our normal routine. Went to church, came back to his house, changed, ate brunch, lifted weights, ab workout, then take the dog somewhere to go outside. (I sound like a fitness freak don't I?) We decided to go to a local state park. We walked around for a bit and then decided to run about a mile. I felt like dying since I hadn't ran in about a month. It was good however and I felt so much better afterwards. After that we decided to go on a hike before heading back to the car. We were hiking and almost to the end of the trail when I slipped in the mud(it was extremely muddy since the snow had melted) and tripped on a rock and went down. I was in severe pain and instantly starting crying. The boyfriend came over and tried to calm me down but I was in such pain that I couldn't stop. He carried me down the rest of the mountain (what a prince charming) me sobbing the whole way down and got me in the car. I went back to his house where his parents said that I needed to go to the hospital. So the boyfriend and me went to the hospital where they did x-rays and whatnot and learned that I sprained my ankle badly. I was put in crutches and an air cast and told to stay off of it for the next 3 days. Move over to today and I'm still in some pain and it's still swollen so I have to go call the doctor and get it checked out. Pray that I just need to rest it more!
I have been going through a variety of difficult things in the month of February. I'm not going to go into all the details of everything but please pray for my family and for me to be able to deal with everything going on. To give you some insight into what has happened here is a recap of some things:
- The boyfriend turned 25 on the 17th (this is not bad however I just wanted to share!)
- Ankle Injury
- Mother found out she has two tiny brain aneurysms. Both are 2 mm's each so they don't operate they just monitor.
- Brother has been in a group therapy home and has been acting up for the last 2 months. The 26th was his birthday. After we left him he got into trouble and was arrested for riding in a stolen vehicle. Side note: My brother has bipolar disorder along with other mental health issues. He has been in group homes since he was 13 and is now 19. He doesn't have the mind of a 19 yr old but the mind of a 10 yr old. His hearing is soon and hopefully he learns his lesson.
- The boyfriend has been trying to get out of his sales job forever now and keeps looking but nothing is coming up. We would love to move but right now the opportunity isn't there. We keep praying and I keep praying that soon he will find a job he loves. He tries out Saturday to be a cop in a local township.
- The stress of everything has been overwhelming and at times I have been very snappy and rude to the ones I love especially the boyfriend. He is doing an amazing job listening to me and helping me out with everything. We are going strong however I need to be more patient and understanding knowing that he isn't the "bad guy".


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42101 arrived at Philden Station in the early hours of Christmas Day, attached behind Santa's Sleigh. With the model only being released by Auscision Models in August 2015, the four month wait to unwrap my newest locomotive on Christmas morning proved to be agonisingly long. So what were my initial thoughts of my first Auscision product joining Philden's locomotive roster?
|Auscision's 421 class locomotive comes tightly packed inside a beautifully presented box, and retails for $295.
The 421 class bulldog locomotive was a bit of an unusual addition to the NSWGR fleet when introduced back in 1965. Based on the 42 class NSWGR locomotives, these 1,800 horsepower locos were built with a No. 2 driving compartment on the flat end of the loco. There were only 10 of these locos built by Clyde Engineering in Sydney under license from EMD. Given the class designation of 421, the locos were numbered 42101 through to 42110. I grew up close to the railway line in Gosford, NSW and my fondest memories of watching trains as a kid occurred during the transition era. The dirtiest brown and yellow diesels (more correctly known as Indian Red livery) were quickly being repainted into the bright Candy Colour State Rail Authority livery. Suddenly everything old looked new again with a fresh coat of paint. So I chose locomotive 42101, the first to be repainted into the Candy scheme in September 1983 for some back to the Eighties retro-role-playing on Philden.
|It's back-to-the-eighties for now at Philden Railway Station.
With a 5 pole skew-wound motor, all wheel drive metal pick-up, die-cast chassis and 21 pin DCC socket and speaker enclosure hidden inside an easy lift highly detailed plastic body, this model is designed to run on 18" inch curves on anything from code 70 to 100 rail. But it was the external features that really impressed me straight away. Details such as sprung buffer plates, metal etched side mirrors and windshield wipers and highly detailed bogie side frames.
|That classic EMD Bulldog nose, spoiled only by the missing handrail to the right of the nose door.
Although the 421 class loco had previously been released by another Australian manufacturer in the past, the Auscision version is a marked improvement. Instead of moulded plastic handrails and staff exchanger boxes, the Auscision model has them in full detail, with separately applied metal parts and see-through etched metal grilles. Add to that the figures seated inside the driver's seat and a fully detailed cab compartment at both ends, it had all the hallmarks of a 5 star model. Right up until I noticed the missing hand rail beside the door on the nose of the No. 1 end. It seems that any model with a missing part is destined to make its way onto my layout! With 4 from my past 6 Australian model railway purchases arriving with broken or missing parts, it is just plain disappointing to pay top-quality price for a model that simply doesn't arrive in top quality condition.
|Underneath, the 421 class has switches to manually isolate the headlights for when in use in multiple.
Underneath, the 421 does have one neat feature. The headlights and marker lights are both easily isolated for those wishing to run their locos in multiple. I don't know if I'll ever use this feature running a single locomotive on a small bookshelf layout, but it's nice to know its there, and I'm sure plenty of room-sized modellers running lengthy trains will be shouting for joy at this feature.
|The grab irons on each side of the nose were an after delivery modification, and Auscision modeled both versions.
The headlights, marker lights and number boards all looked beautiful when running in standard DC mode. One thing I did notice however, was that the headlights on the No. 2 flat cab end appeared much brighter than on the No. 1 round nose end.
|The empty cab detail inside the No. 2 end looks real nice, although the headlights appear brighter for some reason.
Straight out of the box and onto the track, the locomotive performed flawlessly. It was quiet, responsive and performed exceptionally well at super-slow speeds. Measuring just 22 cm over the couplers, the locomotive is the perfect size for a bookshelf layout such as Philden. Ausicion's scale sized metal couplers appear to work perfectly with the genuine Kadee metal couplers that are on my Southern Rail Models and On Track Models' rolling-stock, and so far I have every indication to believe that my new 421 will outlive the majority of the NSWGR 421 class locos themselves. It's just a pity, a real pity, that the missing handrail on the nose of my locomotive has detracted from what would have been a certain 5 star model. It's a case of Deja vu that another new Australian model is going to require a replacement part to be mailed out.
|The separately applied air grilles, hand rails, staff exchangers and side mirrors are a real treat.
Review Card: Auscision Models NSW 421 class diesel locomotive
My Rating:
Final Thoughts: A would-be 5 star model that oozed quality in every respect, but was sadly let down by a missing handrail. Hopefully I'll have better luck next time.


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It's difficult not to sympathise with students, soon to face debts of up to £30,000 for a three year university course. It would be callous if generations of parents and graduates, who enjoyed comfortable maintenance grants, or paid relatively low tuition fees, felt otherwise.
That sympathy is certainly being tested by scenes of youthful nihilism, which last week accompanied anti-fees demonstrations in London and Belfast. The students' arguments are undermined whenever a minority of protesters misbehave.
Whether it is an act of disrespect at the Cenotaph, or the ludicrous Troubles throwback of teenagers chanting 'SS RUC' at police in Belfast city centre, some young people need to do some serious growing up, before their case can be taken seriously.
Any legitimate demonstration can attract hangers-on. 'Anarchists' and others aren't representative of the vast bulk of students, whose anxieties about the future of third level education in the UK are well-founded.
Some protest organisers, though, are decidedly ambivalent in their condemnations of misbehaviour. It has been a frequent refrain that while acts of vandalism are wrong, they are also 'understandable'. The National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts, for instance, advocates 'direct action', which even if it were non-violent, risks provoking trouble in response.
Even the more moderate demonstrations prominently feature the chant 'Tory Scum', which hardly helps foster a reasonable discussion. There's little doubt that the hysterical tenor of the protests is impeding a more fundamental debate about who has a right to third level education and how it should be funded.
A useful starting point is to acknowledge that 'free education' is a misnomer. Someone always has to pay the bill. And if more people stay in education longer then the price tag will be higher.
The conundrum is whether society as a whole should pay for university education or whether students, who benefit from it, should foot the cost? There is by no means a clear cut answer to this question.
All the main parties at Westminster currently believe that students should pay for their time at university, as they reap its rewards later in life. That solution is elegantly logical, but the counter-argument is that society benefits, both economically and culturally, from ensuring that its young people are highly educated.
The proviso is that so many people now go to university, that the cost substantially outweighs the benefits. Universities, for their part, are increasingly focussed on research, with the result that teaching is sometimes treated as an unwelcome intrusion on more important work, by staff.
The student slogan, 'no ifs, no buts, no education cuts', couldn't be further from the truth. The issue of university education is hugely complicated. Whichever party was in government, there would be some unavoidable questions to face and controversial decisions to take.
Should students pay for their education after they receive it, by servicing loans or paying a graduate tax? Despite the stigma attached to debt, the two solutions have remarkably similar outcomes. Either way most graduates pay for their degrees throughout their working lives.
Alternatively society at large can pay the bills, including people who missed out on a university education. That outcome wouldn't be as unfair as it is often portrayed.
We badly need potential doctors and dentists to see out their studies in order to provide us with the best healthcare. We also need highly educated captains of industry to create employment and humanities' graduates to cater for our cultural wellbeing.
If society went down that route, though, the economic equation couldn't be neglected. The number of young people currently going on to do degrees would be unsustainable. Inevitably, it entails a drastic rethink about whether university is really the most appropriate choice for between 40 and 50% of school-leavers.
If the coalition government decided to pursue that policy, the charges of 'elitism' would be just as shrill and insistent as the current outcry over fees.
As students protest against education cuts and fee hikes, they should remember that 'to govern is to choose'. In Northern Ireland the executive will make that choice, and it will be a tough one.


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Espa ol
Legendary singer, Diana Ross, dubbed the "Most Successful Female Music Artist Of The 20th Century," eight-time Grammy Award winner Anita Baker, and two-time Grammy winner Jill Scott are set to thrill fans at the 2008 Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Organizers of the annual Festival made the announcement on November 1 during their New York kick-off at the Providence Restaurant in Manhattan. Ross and Baker and slated for the January 24-26 event, billed as "The Caribbean's Biggest Party."Diana Ross is a global entertainment icon and a legendary musical treasure whose music has, for decades, inspired romance, happiness and joy. She kicked off her "I Love You" tour earlier this year in the U.S., featuring songs from her new Manhattan/EMI Music Marketing studio album, I Love You, as well as other solo hits and Supremes classics, including "Some Day We'll Be Together," and "I'M Coming Out." She's set to bring the curtains down on the festival on Saturday, August 26. Anita Baker, born in Toledo, Ohio, was one of the definitive quiet storm singers of the '80s with her debut album, Rapture, in 1986 which went on to become a platinum, Grammy winning smash that produced two all-time quiet storm classics in "Caught Up in the Rapture" and "Sweet Love." Baker is scheduled to perform at the Friday, November 25.Jill Scott is an R&B singer known for hits like "Gettin' In the Way," the Grammy winner "Cross My Mind," "Whatever" and the new 2007 song, "Hate on Me" from the album The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3. Scott is also currently starring in the Tyler Perry film, Why Did I Get Married. She is set to open the Jazz Festival on Thursday, January 24.Dubbed the "Art Of Music," the festival is a three-day musical event that welcomes 40,000 patrons each year. Since its start in 1986, it has become the showcase for unforgettable music on two stages, delicious Jamaican and international cuisine and an overall great time. International artistes that have performed at the festival include Alicia Keys, Kenny Rogers, Norah Jones, Julio Iglesias, Roberta Flack, Lou Rawls, Dionne Warwick, India Arie, Nancy Wilson, Earth Wind and Fire, Kenny G., Michael McDonald, Gladys Knight, Kool & the Gang, Al Jarreau,Branford Marsalis, Brian McKnight Harry Belafonte, Babyface, Stephanie Mills, George Benson, Erykah Badu, Gladys Knight, Michael Bolton, and many more. And only fittingly, well-knowns such as Ziggy Marley, Morgan Heritage, Third World, Toots Hibbert, Shaggy, Sean Paul Maxi Priest, Beres Hammond, Monty Alexander, Ritchie Stephens and many other Jamaican talents have made their mark on the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues stage. Also performing is Trinidad-born, UK-raised singer Billy Ocean, revered in the mid-70's to 80's for hits like "Caribbean Queen" and "Suddenly." Ocean recently returned to the touring circuit after an almost 15-year hiatus.Other artists to perform at the festival include reggae crooner, South African trumpeter and flugelhornist Hugh Masekela Ryan Shaw, an exciting new artiste whose music is described as "new school meets old school" Jessica Yap Yerba Buena and pianist Marjorie Whylie. Fans are being urged to grab tickets early as organizers will be printing a limited number to ensure the comfort level of fans is not compromised at the venue, the Aqueduct at Rose Hall, Jamaica.
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text:
New Functions( NR110 colorimeters )
Double Locating: Illuminating locating and cross locating
Double Measurement End Face: Large area measurement and small area measurement
New Integrating Sphere Design: More stable measurement
Equipped with Rechargeable High-Capacity Li-ion Battery
Product Advantages( NR110 colorimeters )
a. Built-in white plate parameters. No need to calibrate each time which realize rapid measurement.
b. Double Locating: Illuminating locating and precise cross locating.
c. Switchable Double Measurement End Face: Large stable end face and small concave-convex end face.
d. New Integrating Sphere Optical Path Design: Eliminating the stray light of main optical path and auxiliary optical path. Possessing the highest measurement stability and precision.
e. 4mm Measuring Aperture. The repeatability dE is 0.05~0.1. (Different model with different precision)
f. Equipped with rechargeable high-capacity Li-ion battery. No need to purchase battery repeatedly.
g. Configure CQCS3 software. Connect PC computer to realize more functions.
h. Having got SCM Metrological Certification, CE Certification, and ISO9001 Quality Management System Certification.
i. Hand-head structure: small and convenient; make the measurement easier.
j. Exquisite appearance: adopts traditional and fashionable aesthetic designs.
k. Spending huge sums on high-end mold. Product consistency approaches 100%.
l. High cost performance: large output, good quality, cheap products.
NR110 colorimeters Technical Specifications
Illuminating/Viewing Geometry
Measuring Aperture
Silicon photoelectric diode
Illuminating Locating/Cross Locating
Measurement End Face
Large stable end-face and small concave-convex end-face
Color Space
CIEL*a*b*C*h* CIEL*a*b*
Color Difference Formula
delta E*ab delta L*a*b* E*C*h*
Light Source
Light Source Device
LED blue light excitation
Errors Between Each Equipment
≤0.80 delta E*ab
100pcs standards 20000pcs samples
Standard deviation within E*ab 0.08
Average of 30 measurements of standard white plate
205×67×80 mm
Power source
Rechargeable lithium-ion battery 3.7V@3200mAh
Lamp Life
3 years, more than 1.6 million measurements
Charging Time
8 hours--100% electricity
PC Software
CQCS3 Software
Printer (optional)
Miniature thermal printer
Company information
Shenzhen 3nh Technology Co., Ltd.is a high-tech enterprise. We research, develop, produce and market photoelectric detection products in photoelectric detection technology field and color management field. After years of intensive research, 3nh launched NH series colorimeter with high precision and high stability, high definition ISO12233 resolution test chart, optical image test solution and specific standard illuminant which are widely used in plastic, electronic, paint, ink, textile, garment, printing and dyeing, food, medical, cosmetic, optical image test industries and the field of scientific research, school and laboratory. Our products are exported around the world. We can provide customization service which has been well received by customers.
3nh color meter/ colorimeter Images


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Learn How To Go To The Next Level Of ManifestingThursday, September 3rd, 2009
Whether you are new to The Law of Attraction or have been at it for years without much success there is a reason why. There is a new consciousness that is being birthed on the planet and the old ways of doing things will not work anymore, especially working long and hard.
Some of the reasons why traditional goal setting, vision boards, affirmations, and other Law of Attraction applications are not working is simply because it is not coming from spirit and source energy. You are connected with the Universe, Creator, God, or whatever you prefer to say that has much more power than trying to manifest something from the 3rd dimension. Additionally, your soul is the gateway to this connection and it always knows what is for your highest good.


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...today, consider beauty.
Suppose we begin to paint our Christian apologetics
in a different light.
Suppose we began to point folks to beauty...
...beauty in our lives
...in our relationships
...in nature
...in reconciliation
...in all of it.
Perhaps in using beauty as apologetic,
the rough edges of our sophisticated Christianity
would fall off.
Willard, Timothy (2014-10-14). Longing for More: Daily Reflections on Finding God in the Rhythms of Life (p. 274). Baker Publishing Group.


text:
Our Story
The Story of the Story Pirates
The Story Pirates aren't your typical swashbuckling sailors. We don't steal gold, pillage villages, or claim land; We're searching for a different kind of treasure: kids' wildest, most imaginative stories.
Story Pirates is a kid-centric media company and leading arts education advocate founded in 2004. It all started in a school auditorium in Harlem when a ragtag group of improv comedians put on an absurdist sketch comedy show inspired by stories written by kids. Since then, we've launched a hit radio show, a top 10 podcast for kids presented by Gimlet Media, and a sold-out live tour which performs from coast to coast.
We first received national attention in February 2008 when comedian Jon Stewart called the Story Pirates "crazy entertaining" on CNN. We're often described as "a mix between School House Rock and Monty Python," and have received widespread critical acclaim. The New York Times called Story Pirates "theatrical treasure," and many others dub it one of the best kids shows around.
In the past several years, we have expanded nationwide, with headquarters in New York City and Los Angeles. Our first book, Stuck in the Stone Age, debuts this March from Random House Kids.
A vocal proponent of arts education, Story Pirates partners with the non-profit Creative Minds Coalition to present life-changing literacy programs in hundreds of schools around the country.


text:
Li Po
Li Po (701-762 / Chu / Kazakhstan)
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Reaching The Hermitage
At evening I make it down the mountain.
Keeping company with the moon.
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text:
- International Aid and Development NGOs in Britain and Human Rights since 1945
- Humanity: An International Journal of Human Rights, Humanitarianism, and Development
- University of Pennsylvania Press
- Volume 3, Number 3, Winter 2012
- pp. 449-472
- 10.1353/hum.2012.0023
- Article
- View Citation
- Additional Information
UK international aid and development organisations such as Oxfam, Save the Children and Christian Aid have become some of the most prominent NGOs in the world. Born out of the humanitarian response to crisis, they have subsequently become significant players in the global debate about long-term development. From advocating an alternative path to development in the 1960s and 1970s they have come to articulate a rights-based approach in the 1990s. For NGOs, this was a logical consequence of "scaling up" their activities. However, as this article demonstrates, it was the result of more complex processes which have gradually brought these ever larger organisations into the development mainstream.
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I'm exploring the web to find sites I like
Road to San Luis Km 4, San Andres Island, Colombia
"Christmas and New Year at San Andres Island"
Posted by: Dot on Jan 3, 2013
see all reviews
This beautiful first-class resort, far from the hustle and bustle of the town center, but only 10 minutes away from the airport, is hidden between the ocean and the jungle in the area of Orange Hill
Share your experiences with others. Don't forget to send your review to Debbie by using an easy form.
"It is perfect for the young, smokers ,drinkers & Partys"
Posted by:
Bernard on Feb 1, 2005 >
1 contribution(s) Canada
Visited on: Feb, 2005
204 people found this review helpful
My wife and I just got back from San Andres Island .We flue out of Toronto with Air Transat Club Class ,verry nice ,the only way to go!
We stayed at the Hotel Marazul It is suppose to be 4 Star !!we only give it 3 ! or less ! Checking in was smoth also the welcome drink ,but when we got to the room we got a shock [ 129 ] the rooms are 40 years old and the door where frechly painted with oel paint still wet .We could not open the windows becouse no sceen and lots of noseem ,and they bite like heck.We complaint and got moved next day to 233 it was a lot better but never got bedspreads not always hot water ,not always towels and we tiped every day and gave out presents! The weather was perfext 30 every day ,also the drinks no complaints for the smokers free cigarets The food is ok if you stay for a week not for 2 weeks, People from Toronto paid 1040 for a week a good deal but we live in B.C. AND PAYED 3000 for 2 weeks and it was not woerthit .Also the free boat chuttle to aquaris Island is a jocke they only give you 1 hr and if your not ready you pay big time to get back.The beach and water at the Hotel is bad not to many people went in [weeds & dirty ] a lot of tourist from South America with there kinds and they are loud !! the circle Island tour was good and a must , you learn a lot !! the trip to town is also a must ,but tell every body to watch there step on the sidewalks in town they are 100 years old and verry uneven ! a lot of people where limping at the hotels ! Depature tax is now 30 U.S. and every body smokes at the Airport bad for non smokers,.like us .If you ever went to a 4 star Hotel in Cuba or Mexico don't go there you want like it . it is perfect for the young, smokers ,drinkers &Partys.
"We had a great trip but we consider it a 3 – 3.5* resort"
Posted by:
Janet/Rob/Carol/Kent on Mar 1, 2005 >
1 contribution(s) Canada
Visited on: Mar, 2005
214 people found this review helpful
Flight: AirTransat – no problems either way - however they do charge if your luggage is over 44 pounds. WE paid $10 each to reserve our seats ahead of time and that was worth the money. Since we had our seats already we didn't have to worry about being the first to arrive at the airport.
Resort: It is the nicest of the 5 Decamerons. I would give our room 3* - it was clean and the kingsize bed was comfortable. It could use updating but how long are you really in your room. The a/c is noisy but we didn't find that a problem. Friends of ours did have problems with their air not working. They continually complained and maintenance would come to look at it but they never really did anything. The 1 couple was eventually moved to another room where it was a bit cooler.
Food: I would give this 3*. We could always find something to eat. What was very important to our group was bacon and it was only served every other morning and then it was doled out –you couldn't help yourself. They consider sausages to be hotdogs and there was plenty every morning – just sliced differently. The snack bar was open at certain times of the day 12-5 in the afternoon and then again at midnight. You need to make reservations for dinner even if you are having the buffet – we had good meals at both a-la carte restaurants. You can also eat at the other resorts you just need to make reservations the night before. The Italian restaurant at San Juan was very good. One night we went out for dinner to the Rincon Seafood Restaurant – we had filet mignon and lobster tails – cost $53 US and it was an excellent meal.
$$$ - we brought American $ which was accepted everywhere. We exchanged a little into pesos but you can't change back to US when you leave. We found that the best exchange rate would have been US travellers chqs at the bank or use an ATM machine when you go into town. The ATM gave you approx 2000 pesos / CDN $ which was the same rate as the US $
We called home from downtown at a Telecom building. It was very reasonable.
Mostly Canadians visit this resort and Colombians vacation here from the mainland. Overall people were friendly. We found that a lot of the staff didn't speak English –we managed to communicate no problem. There is no pool bar but they have a pier bar instead and that was excellent. The Maryland has a pool bar so we took the free shuttle 1 afternoon and spent it there. Shuttles between the resorts are available at certain times of the day. Taxis are very reasonable approx $4 US so we did that a lot too.
"We had a great time"
Posted by:
Sue on Dec 1, 2005 >
10 contribution(s) Canada
Visited on: Dec, 2005
245 people found this review helpful
I visited the Royal Decameron Marazul with three other women (mid forties). The Marazul is one of five Decameron resorts and the good thing is you can visit them all and eat for free (with reservations) at any of them, returning to your own room at night. The Marazul is a little more 'up-scale' than the other resorts, very clean, staff very friendly and helpful. We stayed in rooms near the pool. Two of us didn't like the room (due to mold/mildew) so were moved to another room. The other two stayed by the pool and were quite satisfied with the room. No probs with changing the room. The food was plentiful and varied. Many different places to eat. The Japanese at the San Luis was a good experience. The International Restaurant at the Marazul was also good, but all of the restaurants were fine with a good selection. We visited the San Luis, the Maryland and the Aquarium and were very glad we had chosen the Marazul. Did not take the organized island tour but chose to take a taxi. We visited the 'blow hole' and Captain Morgan's Cave with the Coconut museum and the Pirates cave. Also a swimming hole with tons of fish, people were snorkeling there too. It cost us $10 each and we had an excellent tour guide who even took us into town shopping and told us the best places to shop. There is a rumour that the perfume is not all legit ?? Don't know if it is true but we did have our suspicions when sampling. We're pretty sure we got the genuine thing with the help of our guide. Without the help of our guide I bought a bottle of Baccardi at a little store in town and it has definitely been watered down (or something).
The shopping in town is great .. shoes galore (my favourite). Great little boutiques with nice items and great prices.
We took Mario's boat over to the Aquario island. It was a zoo when we arrived. Wall to wall (or maybe beach to beach) people waiting to leave. You have to pay to rent a chair to sit on. And, if you don't have beach shoes, you pay $3 to rent those. We were advised to go later in the day when there would be fewer people and sure enough 1/2 hour later most of the people had departed and the island was a nicer and calmer place to be. The water there is crystal clear and aqua blue it is quite rough and I scraped my shin on the rocks out there so watch out. (I wouldn't bother to do that activity again). Instead I'd take the catamaran from the Marazul beach - it's about $20.
The shows are a lot of fun. The Animation staff are very handsome and very funny ... the audience participates in the shows and it's just hilarious. There are also shows with dancers ... very entertaining. Two of us took the catamaran and one took the seadoo and had a great time. This is not really a place for singles .. very family oriented. All in all we had a great time. It's a beautiful island and the people are great. I always felt very safe. Staff work very hard so don't forget to be good to them.
"It is an extremely tourist-friendly spot where you can strike out on your own"
Posted by:
Bruce on Feb 1, 2006 >
4 contribution(s) Canada
Visited on: Feb, 2006
209 people found this review helpful
This is my fifth review on this site and covers a January 12-26, 2006 trip to San Andres staying at the Decameron Marazul. My wife and I are in our 50's and have had recent vacations to Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica. We tend to prefer smaller hotels away from large cities with easy access by foot or local bus to the surrounding area. I do speak some Spanish which is always helpful. First I'll give you a bit of background on the island, followed by a description of the hotel and finally some suggestions on what to do during your stay. While San Andres is familiar to people in the Toronto/Montreal parts of Canada it is much less known in other areas where it is not promoted. It is a very small island (8mi x2mi) located in the southwestern Caribbean 120 mi off the east coast of Nicaragua. In its early history it was settled by The Engish who brought Jamaican slaves there, but now it is owned by Colombia. Languages spoken include English, Spanish and a delightful creole blend of the two. Most people speak both of the major languages making it a culturally interesting place to visit.
Of interest to potential vistors from the north are the facts that: 1)It is warmer than Cuba and the Dominican Republic in January
2)It is an extremely tourist-friendly spot where you can strike out on your own, mingle with the locals and South American tourists, shop till you drop, and do it all at prices considerably cheaper than Mexico, Jamaica or the rest of the English speaking Caribbean.
The Decameron Marazul is located on the east shore about a 10 min drive from downtown San Andres and about 15 min from the airport (a remarkably busy place I might add) . It is the best of five Decameron hotels on the island (3 downtown and 1 farther away from downtown than the Marazul. Free transportation and use of all facilities including restaurants with reservations are provided to guests of all 5 hotels. We chose the Marazul because others on this site had reported the food selection was bigger (I would agree) and because of the free boat trips to the offshore islands.
"It is an extremely tourist-friendly spot where you can strike out on your own"
Posted by:
Bruce on Feb 1, 2006 >
4 contribution(s) Canada
Visited on: Feb, 2006
209 people found this review helpful
This is my fifth review on this site and covers a January 12-26, 2006 trip to San Andres staying at the Decameron Marazul. My wife and I are in our 50's and have had recent vacations to Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica. We tend to prefer smaller hotels away from large cities with easy access by foot or local bus to the surrounding area. I do speak some Spanish which is always helpful. First I'll give you a bit of background on the island, followed by a description of the hotel and finally some suggestions on what to do during your stay. While San Andres is familiar to people in the Toronto/Montreal parts of Canada it is much less known in other areas where it is not promoted. It is a very small island (8mi x2mi) located in the southwestern Caribbean 120 mi off the east coast of Nicaragua. In its early history it was settled by The Engish who brought Jamaican slaves there, but now it is owned by Colombia. Languages spoken include English, Spanish and a delightful creole blend of the two. Most people speak both of the major languages making it a culturally interesting place to visit.
Of interest to potential vistors from the north are the facts that: 1)It is warmer than Cuba and the Dominican Republic in January
2)It is an extremely tourist-friendly spot where you can strike out on your own, mingle with the locals and South American tourists, shop till you drop, and do it all at prices considerably cheaper than Mexico, Jamaica or the rest of the English speaking Caribbean.
The Decameron Marazul is located on the east shore about a 10 min drive from downtown San Andres and about 15 min from the airport (a remarkably busy place I might add) . It is the best of five Decameron hotels on the island (3 downtown and 1 farther away from downtown than the Marazul. Free transportation and use of all facilities including restaurants with reservations are provided to guests of all 5 hotels. We chose the Marazul because others on this site had reported the food selection was bigger (I would agree) and because of the free boat trips to the offshore islands.
"I would love to go back to the island, but would not stay in any of Decameron 'resorts'"
Posted by:
Canada on Feb 1, 2006 >
68 contribution(s) Canada
Visited on: Feb, 2006
219 people found this review helpful
This resort was advertised as a four star property, but I think even a three start rating would be generous. There were many things that I would not expect in a four star resort, some of which are listed below:
Hotel Grounds and Buildings:
The outside areas including the beach were well maintained and groomed. The inside was clean, but the furniture, which must have looked grand at some point a couple of decades ago, was dirty and stained. It looked like it belonged in a basement of a frat house, not a four start resort.
About the only thing in the room that wasn't broken or malfunctioning was the floor.
Ceiling: The dropped-ceiling tiles were dirty and deformed, some were shifted. There were holes in the ceiling. It made the room look like a cheap motel rather than a FOUR STAR hotel room.
Bed: The bed was hard and not very comfortable. I like hard mattresses, but this was just too much. The pillows smelled and there were occasionally unexplainable stains on the bed linen. yuck. We can just hope that the sheets were actually washed.
Electronics: The TV worked and there were about 20 channels in Spanish and all of 3 channels in English. The remote was broken. The fridge was simply disgusting. It was leaking a yellowish fluid. I would not put anything non-sealed in the it.
AC: There were two settings - OFF and F^^^^ freezing. Kept it off for the most part.
Other: The furniture was old and drawers didn't open.
Neither did the window.
Overall: the room was decrepit and smelled of mildew and mould. Barely usable. We were truly disappointed with how it looked. If there is one thing that I would single out as the biggest disappointment, and trust me it's not an easy choice, it would be the room.
There was the expected recycling that occurs in all-inclusive resorts, but truth be told, there was very little to recycle. The food selection was poor.
Breakfast: Pre-made scrambled eggs tasted like detergent. Juices were watered down and made from vegetables that were not ripe enough. The fruits were mostly green and tasteless (thanks, I can have that in Canada). There weren't any cold cuts, and there was only one type of cheese - processed. The bread/buns were often stale. The only thing worth eating was made-to-order omelette and we ate different variations each of the seven days we were there. Needless to say I won't have omelette for a while.
Lunches and dinners were much the same. I honestly don't think that they had a trained chef on staff.
The a la carte restaurants were not much better. In one (Caravelle) they prepared the food ahead of time and served it re-heated, which ensured quick service, but a really crappy dinner. In the other, the food was good for the most part except that I got sick from the grilled chicken...
Didn't really expect much since it was advertised as 'free domestic drinks and wine with dinner'. The wine was really bad...it would've been better used as vinegar on the salad...Everything else was OK I guess. Not a lot to chose from.
This was another big minus. I have seldom seen a place where staff are so openly concerned with their own comfort over that of the guests. Three people would manage to either stand around talking to each other or look busy while I was looking for someone to bring me coffee or wine or whatever. At the pier bar it would sometimes take over 15 minutes to get a drink.
Terrible. Dirty Water. Algae. Crabs. Completely unappealing. The only good part was that there was free transportation to the keys across from the hotel.
Activities and Entertainment:
Not much of either worth mentioning.
We loved the island, the nature, and the greenery but the resort was simply horrible. We visited Isleno and Aquarium and they were not much better. I would love to go back to the island, but would not stay in any of Decameron 'resorts'. I really feel ripped off. I don't expect to be treated like royalty, but I at least like to know that my business is appreciated.
Nolitours and Decameron - you miserably failed to provide a four star experience. Not even close.
"Have decided to return there some day in the near future"
Posted by:
Jackie on Feb 1, 2006 >
5 contribution(s) Canada
Visited on: Feb, 2006
222 people found this review helpful
we visited the island of san andres in January 2006 for our honeymoon. it was our first time leaving canada and we loved it so much that we made a packed to travel every year for our anniversary...we just hope all place are equivelant to san andres.
the marazul is by far the best Decameron resort on the island, we went to all the other ones either during the day or for the a la carte diner at night...we did enjoy the seafood restaraunt at the aquarium but my husband and i did venture off the resorts to eat at some seafood restaurants in town and it was fabulous. you could taste the freshness in the lobster compared to canada's! the marazul did have the best quantity and more to choose from then the others and i loved the fact that for breakfast they made me omelettes to my liking and fried eggs for my hubby! the scrambled eggs didn't look to appetizing cause they were premade in bulk and very wet looking but alot of the columbians seem to like them that way...the juice was to die for ...freshly squeezed or should i say blended..i realy enjoyed the watermelon juice the most. the one thing i did miss not having was bacon..but the rest of the food made up for it...fresh friut was in abundance..mango and papaya were my faves...the a la carte at the caravelle was very good as well, i had the shrimp and loved it and my husband had the fish( red snapper) i believe and loved it also.
the shopping was great...i have heard through other travelers that they were the cheapest prices they have seen compared to other caribbean islands. we stopped in to one jewelery store downtown called esmeralda's and my husband bought me the most beautiful emerald and diamond ring there for only $300 us and when i returned home i went and got it appraised and it is worth $1,200 in canada...what a bargain!!! but just a little hint to those looking to purchase an emerald...pick the darkest and clearest stone..they are the best quality!
i bought san andres t-shirts for $2.50 each for my family but you have to shop around to get a good price cause some places are $10 us and $5 us...we just happened to walk into the right little shop!
"I would highly recommend San Andres Island"
Posted by:
Patrick and Tammy on Feb 1, 2006 >
1 contribution(s) Canada
Visited on: Feb, 2006
316 people found this review helpful
San Andres Island, Decameron Marazul, February 16-23 2006
Patrick and Tammy, Ontario early 30's, love outdoors, getting off the resort
Flew Air Transat from Toronto to San Andres, we left about an hour behind schedule ( 0720 hrs )due to freezing rain. Good flight, the airport in San Andres is small and a little unorganized. Got through airport in about an hour and got a taxi ( provided by resort ) to the resort which is about a 10 minute ride. Had to wait till 1500 hrs to get in our room, but got our bracelets right away.
1 pool with wading area and swimming area, nice pool, water volleyball, relatively small but you never felt crowded, you could get a spot at the pool at any time of day.
Relatively small, rough sand, small swimming area, again not crowded.
The pier bar is open 24 hrs! , very nice view out on the water, usually only 1 bartender working so it could get busy at night, 1 other bar near pool open from about 1000-1700hrs and a bar in the lobby Hemmingways was open from about supper time to 2200 hrs, both nice. Luis at Hemmingways made awesome drinks and Marlee at the pier bar was great.
Buffet was smaller than a normal buffet but still good. The a la carte's were barbecue which we did not particularly enjoy and the International cuisine which we found to be actually quite good, not a lot of seafood at any of them though. We also went to the Italian a la carte at Aquarium and it was OK and the Japanese at the San Luis which was really good but more Chinese than Japanese.
We were in room 305, large room, 1 king size and 1 twin bed, table and chairs, big dresser, balcony. Air conditioning was fine until second last day went on the fritz in our building for a few h! ours but we told the staff in the lobby and it was fixed within a few hours. Hot showers were hit and miss if you tried before breakfast or supper. Pay for room safe. There is a fridge but only stocked with water. Small resort but our building was still quiet.
All very friendly and spoke GREAT english, a real surprise for a Caribbean country.
Did the jet skis at the resort $20 for two to ride and follow an employee out around Haines Cay and back, they had a speed regulator on the jet ski, went real slow, still good siteseeing trip.
We did the boat trip to Haines Cay and Aquario with Mario, which was free if staying at Marazul, very crowded, neat to see, you can walk from one island to the other in waist deep water, order drinks etc.snokeling is very good, take some bread and the fish go wild. We also did a group night cruise with Mario, he told some history of the island and it was ver! y nice to see things from the water at night. We took a taxi to the diving board on the west side of the island where the snorkeling was incredible, you pay 25 cents to get in and they give you bread for the fish.
We took the local bus right outside the resort to town (note there is only 1 town on the island) several times for 1100 pesos( 50 cents ) for shopping. The perfume and liqour were very cheap, name brand clothes etc were normal prices like at home.
Jhonny Cay was very hot, good prices for food, drinks, cost $10 to get there with Mario from the resort.
Went diving with Werner at Karibik diving in town- great time-see review in scuba diving section.
Also went to a local Restaurant called West View, small and very charming local authentic cuisine, our group were the only tourists there, paid about $30 for a dinner with two lobster tails, rice potatoes.
Also had a disco which we did not really check out, opened at 2300hrs and a small casino- about 15 slot machines and a roulette table.
The locals were very friendly and all spoke remarkably good english. This island was also very safe, we took the local bus and taxis several times during the day and night.
Money exchange is bizarre, if you go to a bank you have to give your passport which they photocopy and a fingerprint, we got about 2150 pesos to a US dollar. You could ask a cabbie or just anybody on the street and they would take you to a guy who would give you about 2050 pesos to a dollar. You can take free shuttles to the other Decameron resorts, we went to Aquarium and San Luis and thought the Marazul was nicer, also met people from the other resorts when they came to the Marazul and they seemed to prefer the Marazul.
We have been to Panama, the Mayan Riviera and Sosua in the Dominican Republic in the ! last 2 years and would highly recommend San Andres Island. We feel it matches or exceeds those places.
"A very nice and relaxing vacation and at a good price."
Posted by:
Dale & Stella from Wallaceburg, Ontario on Feb 1, 2007 >
1 contribution(s) Canada
Visited on: Feb, 2007
695 people found this review helpful
We stayed at the Decameron Marazul and this was our first time to a warm place for vacation. Check in was great and the staff was very friendly. Our room faced the pool and was not far from the beach. As far as the food goes the buffet was great for breakfast, but we had a hard time with the rest of the meals. We managed and went to other side of the island to eat at a seafood restaurant. The food was just different and the texture was not what we wre use to. Hey we didn't starve. The pier bar was exellent and Marlyn was always on the ball as far as keeping you in drinks all night. The regae band was nice to listen to also. didn't care to swim in the water at the beach. Too much seaweed for us,but you can go by boat with Mario to aquario cay and snorkle and walk across to hays cay. The water out there is something I have never seen before. Just beautifull. The day where nice and hot all the time. Did not go to the disco and only to the casino once, did not win any thing. The animation group were wonderful. They sure have lot of energy. Never a dull moment with them around. We went down town a couple of times and it was sure different to see how these people live and to go into the shops. There is a great store to buy duty free booze at good prices. We went to the Aquarium resort to eat and look around and it look real nice there. We thought this was a very nice and relaxing vacation and at a good price.
We have spent the last 20 years going to LasVegas once a year and no were else, so this was an eye opener as to what the sunny south has to offer. We sure will return again. The same day we got to SanAndres and called home to our daughter to say things were fine, her and her husband booked the four of us a trip in april 05 to Riu Palace , Cabo San Lucas Mexico This is a 5 star plus and just opened in December 04. Looking forward to that trip. Once again San Andres was just great and we will return. Any one wanting to ask any questions please email at firstname.lastname@example.com
PS. Dave And Moreen from Calgary who we met there , if you read this email me.
"Will we go back to Marazul"
Posted by:
Brad on Dec 1, 2007 >
4 contribution(s) Canada
Visited on: Dec, 2007
683 people found this review helpful
We recently enjoyed the first 2 weeks of December in San Andres. The first week we were at the Marazul. We had incredible meals, and were treated so well. The rooms were great and the staff couldn't do enough for you. I can't see anyone not enjoying them selves. We ate dinner at all the resorts and couldn't believe the great meals and fantastic presentation of each meal. Marley at the Pier bar is one of those people that goes out of her way to make you feel great and to have a great time.
Unfortunately we booked last minute and the Marazul was booked up for our 2nd week. We were moved down to the San Luis. The food at the San Luis was very good. Even at times better than the Marazul. Unfortunately the rooms at the San Luis reminded me of a old cabin. What dumpy rooms. Air Conditioner didn't work. They sent some one up twice to fix the air conditioner, but it was old and still worked like crap. We tried to get moved to any one of the other resorts but they said they were full.
Will we go back to San Andres? definitely! but we will be booking early so we can stay at the Marazul.
"We were sorry to leave and hope to return some day to this small piece of paradise"
Posted by:
Dale on Mar 1, 2008 >
4 contribution(s) Canada
Visited on: Mar, 2008
652 people found this review helpful
We are 3 couples in our mid 40's to early 50's.....we have travelled togethe to Mexico, Cuba and Dominican in the past and were looking for something different.
SAI delivered!.
The Marazul is a very pretty resort about 128 rooms. We emailed the resort a few days ahead and requested 3rd floor in the newer building with king size beds close to each other.....we got exactly what we asked for! Our room had an amazing view of the ocean and pier bar.
We arrived in SAI and were very quickly ushered thru customs and out to awaiting cabs. (they do rush you into the cabs but don't panic they know what they are doing)....4 to a cab so two couples in one and one couple in another. They put another couple going to the Marazul in their cab. Luggage is put in the trunk with bungie cords and you would swear at the speed and scary way they drive your luggage would end up all over the road before you got there, but all was well.
We arrived at the resort at about noon and were given our bracelets and were allowed to keep our luggage in a secure room where the Nolitours rep is. We were told to come back around 2:00 to check to see if rooms were ready. Off for a little tour of the resort and the pier bar......This is such a fun place to hang out either day or night. You meet the best people and the bar tenders are a blast, especially Marly who is fantastic.
We spent alot of time around the pier bar. You meet alot of interesting people, mostly Canadians and Columbian mainlanders.
We did get our rooms at 2:00 and we were very please with the size of the rooms and how clean they were.....we had a king size bed a table and two chairs and a couch....nice balcony. Spent the rest of the day just checking out the place, ate at the buffets that were surprisingly good all week, checked out the pool, beach and the pier bar again! We did eat at 3 different a-la-cartes and they were all very good, steak's were cooked as asked, seafood was very delicious and past was so yummy (steak house at Marazul, seafood at Aquarium and Caravelle at Marazul)
Shopping etc.:
We went to town one day and wondered the shops, none of us are much for dutie free shops with stuff we can buy in Canada so were happier with some of the smaller local shops both in town and outside of town that had local crafts etc.
If you are into Emeralds they have beautiful rings, bracelets, etc. but be careful where you buy. Check out the "big Juice" website on SAI and you will find all the information you need about where to buy Emeralds.
We spent one afternoon and an evening at the San Luis....great party atmosphere at night, nice beach and there are a couple of venders on the beach. I bought a beautiful hand carved mask, very large for $40.....
We hired a cabby (Raymond who parks at the San Luis who was full of information and alot of fun) for an afternoon and he took us on a tour of pretty well the whole island....lots of refreshment stops, blow hole, baptist church, and we stopped at the Isleno for drinks....(closed for renos but serves lunch and drinks to Decameron clients.)....I would love to try out this resort next time as it is right on the most beautiful beach....just needs a beach bar. We walked to Rocky Cay for a day and met the most interesting person who lives out on the little island with his dog and a hammock....great snorkelling again and a really good lunch(drinks and food included for Decameron guests) One of our best days was the snorkel tour with Mario and his wife.....what a day. They park right at the Marazul pier and you go out for over 2 hours....snorkel for over an hour and see more fish, coral, sea creatures than I have ever seen snorkelling! and then they take you to see and feed and touch the sting rays. You get out of the boat and you can actually hold them. They are very calm and will swim between your legs if you stand still.....Just amazing!! Make sure you get his CD with pictures of you and your group snorkelling....fantastic....
We spent another afternoon on Aquaro Cay with the Big Juice crew and again snorkelled, drank more and met some great people. Bibi's place is a small restaurant on the Cay that serves fish about as fresh as you can get it......we watched the guy fishing, then clean the fish then bring to the kitchen.....
We went kayaking in the mangroves beside the Marazul (used free kayaks at the resort) One week was just not enought to enjoy this island. The people that live there are the friendliest people you will meet anywhere.
The island is only about 15 miles by 5 miles so it is very small but it just seems so large with culture and life that you are sure that you missed something you would want to see next time.
If you are used to 5* accomodations and are expecting that, SAI is not for you....The Marazul is the nicest in presentation but you won't find the miles of marblel or meandering pools or pool/beach boys that bring you drinks but what you will find is hot weather, great people, amazing snorkelling, very clean accomodations and fabulous food......
We were sorry to leave and hope to return some day to this small piece of paradise.


text:
"Colin" is a zombie movie shot in a camcorder with total budget less a set of DVDs! The director is British, Marc Price, who said his movie will get its own DVD plus playing on theaters for Halloween.
How $70! He managed to get volunteers actors from face book. Borrowed and self taught makeup and special effects … Still free! The $70 was spent on "a crowbar and a couple of tapes, and some tea and coffee — just to keep the zombies happy." Price said


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Your voice, your cause and Neuro Linguistic Programming
Do not raise your voice has always been my mantra when talking to another. I despise and do not see the need to raise the tone of voice when conversing with another. Though unbearably needed when arguing and making a … Continue reading
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