text:
The other night, while staying over at my in-laws’ place in the countryside, my husband and I were just about to get ready for bed when it hit us.
Oh crap, we’d left the laundry in the washing machine all afternoon. We’d forgotten to hang it out to dry.
We bounded downstairs to the laundry room with flashlight in hand, and fully expected to spend 10 to 15 minutes doing what we should have done more than six hours ago.
Except, when I ran over to the washing machine, it was empty. Totally empty. And when I turned my head, sure enough, there was our laundry, neatly hung on clothes hangers on a bamboo rack.
As much as I felt relieved that I’d been saved the trouble of doing that laundry this evening, a slight sense of guilt pricked me.
Once again, my mother-in-law had done housework for me. Housework I could have easily done for myself…and should have done, given it was my laundry.
It’s embarrassing to admit that I’m in my thirties and still enjoy laundry assistance from my mother-in-law whenever we stay at her home in the countryside of Zhejiang Province. But it’s true. This sort of thing happens ALL the time.
Yes, it’s true. My mother-in-law has been known to hang up my clothing left in the washing machine…and she’s even done entire loads of laundry for us.
Here’s what usually happens. Either I put the clothing in the washing machine, but stupidly forget to hang it up on time (like I mentioned in the introduction). Or, my mother-in-law grabs my dirty clothing without telling me, and does the entire load for me (this happened ALL THE TIME when I stayed with my in-laws during the summer of 2011).
Sometimes, though, I do ask for her help. The other day, we were in a hurry to leave their house and I had just thrown a load of laundry into the washing machine. So I asked her if she could hang it and she said, “No problem” with a smile.
So now you know one of my biggest dirty secrets.
When we stay with my in-laws at their home, there’s one thing we can count on – three square meals, all home-cooked by my mother-in-law. Always.
This is the complete opposite of how things work at my parents’ home back in the US. There, the assumption is we’re on our own and have to make our own meals (or buy them). Unless, of course, my dad or mom specifically asks us to join them for a meal (or invites us out).
The difference totally blew my husband’s mind.
Anyhow, here at my in-laws’ home in China there’s never any concern about cooking. Everyone knows that when it’s lunch and dinner, my mother-in-law’s voice will echo through the corridors – time to eat! – and we’ll all come bounding down the stairs.
It’s a strange place for me. I spent so many years handling all my cooking (and enjoying much of it). Now, when I’m staying with my in-laws, I just show up to eat at the table.
I have spent some time with my mother-in-law in the kitchen, learning how to cook from her. (She taught me how to make vegan Chinese-style flatbread, for example.) But in many ways, I feel foreign in her kitchen, a feeling that has nothing to do with my nationality, actually. After all, she uses a fire-powered wok to do the majority of her cooking, and I honestly have no idea how to manage the fire. Given how clumsy I am, I might just burn down the kitchen if I tried!
Now that I think about it, maybe it is better to leave the cooking to a woman who won’t cause a conflagration in the kitchen.
When a friend of mine — also a Western woman with a Chinese husband – posted in a private chat about how guilty she felt because her mother-in-law gave her some cash to buy a new laptop (her old one crashed), oh, how I could sympathize.
I thought about the many Chinese New Years that had passed since John and I returned to China in late 2013, and how his parents always gave us heaping hongbao filled with more money than adults in the family should have.
I remembered how my mother-in-law handed over an additional stack of bills last year because my husband was starting his business (and she wanted him to have some “lucky money”).
I even thought of the numerous times when my mother-in-law spent money on us that she totally shouldn’t have spent. Like buying those new coats for John for Chinese New Year (which prompted me to buy new clothes to make her happy). Or the comforter she bought for me to stay warm during the winter. Or even the way she purchased all of the basic necessities for our apartment in 2014.
#4: We’ve lived with my in-laws. A lot.
In America, the ultimate badge of adulthood is having your own place, separate from mom and dad.
Well, the most embarrassing thing I could mention on this list is the fact that we’ve lived in the same house as my in-laws – for long periods of time.
Even now, we divide our time between an apartment in Hangzhou and their home. Heck, they added an entire suite to the house just for my husband and me, which proves how welcoming they are.
It’s worlds away from America. I can guarantee you that if I asked my American friends and classmates, none of them would say that their parents or in-laws renovated their homes so they could live together. It’s just not done there.
As embarrassing as it is to admit this, I have to confess I’m also grateful. This suite they’ve provided us is symbolic of the incredible support they’ve given me and my husband.
Life isn’t always easy for John and me. But knowing that we have a couple of incredibly loving parents behind us – willing to do things that I’m a little embarrassed to talk about – makes the hard times a little more bearable.
If you’re all grown up, is there anything you’re embarrassed that your parents or in-laws still do for you?
LOL, you do laundry like Andy. Except I’m willing to bet that you really do forget to collect it from the washer, whereas I suspect Andy “forgets” so I will finish doing the laundry for him.
Only problem is that he sometimes forgets to tell me he put in laundry while I’m gone and it sits in the washer for days. MILDEWING!
I don’t get red envelopes. 🙁 Jealous.
Wow… it’s great you have so supportive in-laws.
But I don’t think I could handle someone else doing my laundry and cooking. When my Filipino husband and I first got married, my sister-in-law kept taking over the cooking – she wouldn’t let me do it and she wouldn’t teach me how to cook Filipino dishes. This left me feeling totally useless as a wife, because I wanted to fulfill the role of taking care of my husband (an important element of the culture here).
When we moved out and built our own home things radically changed for the better. We now have privacy and can really relax together.
But each to his own of course! You have done really well to adjust to such a profoundly different environment to that in America.
Thanks for sharing Hope! It was an adjustment — and as you say, it’s certainly not for everyone.
True that, typical Chinese parents, last time my girlfriend and I visited my parents , they took care of almost everything(of course, I, as an “typical” Chinese kid, was and still am used to that), and before we left, she tried to give my girlfriend somethinkg like 5000 yuan.
Wow, that sounds a lot like my in-laws!
You’re lucky to have such wonderful in-laws, especially with your mother-in-law cooking three meals a day.
I don’t have any trouble having someone wash my clothes. When I visit my youngest daughter (the cleanest one in the family) she washes my clothes with hers and brings them back to me folded.
That is sweet your in-laws were so welcoming.
Hey Jocelyn, great post as always! Just wanted to let you know I have also nominated you for the Blogger Recognition Award – thanks for being the grandmistress of AMWF blogs and thanks for introducing me to all the wonderful WWAMs in this world!
Aw, thanks for the nomination Laura, I’m so touched! Yeah, it is great to be connected to all of these fabulous WWAMs!
I share the four points with you, Jocelyn!(and it is, indeed, somewhat embarrassing). I see now that many Chinese in laws will do whatever it takes to spoil us. My father in law, for example, will sometimes go out early in the mornings to get us something delicious for breakfast, as well as 火龙果 for me (my favourite fruit and utterly tasteless when I buy it imported in my country). He cleans, sweeps the floors, and generally keeps the house neat and spotless. He’s like a cleaning hurricane, leaving no trace of the toys/crayons of our kids.
My mother in law, on the other hand, locks herself in the unbearably hot kitchen (in an already unbearably hot Nanjing) and cooks healthy meals, as well as doing other housework and taking care of my brother in law’s little boy.
Never, not even once, do they complain to anybody nor ask for gratitude. They fully sacrifice themselves in the most discrete way, but the effect of their actions is greater, like a sort of domestic “为无为”.
We’ll be in China for the summer, ready to be spoilt rotten again (I feel guilty for that, already).
Your in-laws sound so much like mine. (My father-in-law loves getting up early to buy tofu at the local market!) My mother-in-law is the epitome of sacrifice. Everything she does is for family and it’s extraordinary.
Have fun during your summer in China!
My wife’s parents had long since passed away when we married, and her second mother lived with her fifth younger brother, so there was never a parent’s home in the countryside. However, that never prevented the rest of the family showing us hospitality similar to that you describe. When we went to fifth younger sister’s home in a compound for retired military, third younger brother’s home in Alhambra, fourth younger brother’s home in Monterey Park, or our “ch’in chia (qin jia)” stepson’s wife’s parent’s home high up on the slopes of Kuan Yin Shan outside of Taipei, everyone went well out of their way to see that we were comfortable and well fed, and that I was never left out of the conversation with the language changed from Mandarin to Minnan.
Our experience in China is a reflection on Western and American ideas of the individual and the community. A lot of the angst of young Americans may start with the separation anxiety forced upon us by our culture, that pushes us apart instead of drawing us in together, and by the pounding refrain of compete, compete, compete, which early on sets us against one another (Chinese usually wait until they get into business). Western philosophy’s preoccupation with the individual over the group, existence before essence, alters our social relations everywhere we turn. Chinese would just laugh at Sartre and tell us the essence and existence go together.
Don’t be embarrassed about all this. Step back far enough to see both cultures in clear perspective. And next time post about all the things you have discovered you can do to return their kindness to your family.
You are blessed to be experiencing “essence” together with “existence.” Enjoy.
James, thank you so much for the thoughtful comment. How lovely that your wife’s family has been so hospitable towards you.
You make a good point — you have to wonder if America has it wrong in pushing kids out so early.
Great care from parents never end in China. But some time that leads to downfall of self-care ability of their children. Never grown up even in college.
Looks like another Western woman joined the club here.
Thanks AG. Yes, there’s a balance to be sure. Thank you also for sharing the news of the couple!
I think it’s interesting that somehow it is part of Chinese hospitality, right? Also, has to do with being family as well. Parents are still there to try to “help” you out. I do agree of the embarrassment when your mother-in-law finishes your laundry. It’s the same embarrassment I felt last year when my dad cleaned my bedroom at home when I lived at school. or when my dad folds all the laundry in the laundry room, including mine. T-T (only does this when he’s tired of how messy the laundry room is.
I can’t accept money, maybe gifts. Every time my friend and I talk on the phone I argue with him and tell him I don’t want him to pay for my round-trip flight from SH to CQ and he’s telling me no worries. I eventually gave up.
I think it’s more of a mutual benefit, you help them out and they help you out, it’s beneficial.
Jocelyn, I have been following your blog for some time now. Remember, I emailed you last year that I had read every single posts on your blog.
I’m not surprised that John’s family has been so helpful and hospitable towards you. You deserve it.
P/S There are meaty posts of substance on your blog; from yourself and other bloggers. Thank you so much for the share. I also enjoyed your post on 5 things you leart from the Chinese countryside etc. Life’s simplest pleasures.
LOL. So true! My parents still do our laundry, do all the dishes and cook for us whenever we visit them. They do the same when they come to visit us. Only exception is the laundry since they are not familiar with the washing machine we use. My mom always say, “you don’t know how I clean dishes! I like it my way.” It’s tiring to argue with her. The money thing also. They always try to give us money. I was like, “Mom, we are the one making money now!” oh well…. guess it’s a good problem to have!
Your inlaws are so sweet! They feel like it’s their duty to their son. I had the same experience when I was married to “Cai” in that my inlaws sacrificed their happiness and well-being to drop everything to help us in the US. They kept telling me it’s their duty. I know it helped us out a ton. But my mom also went way above and beyond and she’s not Chinese. She quit her job when I moved back home so she could help me with Jake. My parents renovated their basement to add a bedroom and full bathroom so my uncle could move down there when Jake and I took over his room and bathroom upstairs. Parents show their love in many ways!
Wow, your mother-in-law actually uses a washing machine? My parents-in-law own a washing machine, but rarely use it. When we stay with them, my mother-in-law insists on doing my laundry as well, but by hand! She says she doesn’t need a washing machine because “我就是洗衣机” (she is the washing machine). I have tried to stop her, but it’s no use. Once when she was washing my clothes, she found a pair of my underwear had a hole in it, so she bought me new ones, talk about embarrassing!
Awww I don’t know if this is embarrassing! I think parents will always be parents no matter what (when I go home to visit and attempt to do my own laundry, my mom will scoop up my clothes from the dryer and fold them on my bed before I can even get to it!).
In America living with your parents until your early 30s isn’t as taboo as it used to be (it’s hard to stake out a living these days), so I think times are changing.
I think my boyfriend and I will experience all of the above things with his Chinese in-laws sooner or later. They already cook and clean our house for us every time they come down to visit. I wish I could say I was embarrassed, but I’m actually really happy to be spoiled once in a while!

tokenized:
The other night , while staying over at my in - laws ’ place in the countryside , my husband and I were just about to get ready for bed when it hit us .
 Oh crap , we ’d left the laundry in the washing machine all afternoon . We ’d forgotten to hang it out to dry .
 We bounded downstairs to the laundry room with flashlight in hand , and fully expected to spend 10 to 15 minutes doing what we should have done more than six hours ago .
 Except , when I ran over to the washing machine , it was empty . Totally empty . And when I turned my head , sure enough , there was our laundry , neatly hung on clothes hangers on a bamboo rack .
 As much as I felt relieved that I ’d been saved the trouble of doing that laundry this evening , a slight sense of guilt pricked me .
 Once again , my mother - in - law had done housework for me . Housework I could have easily done for myself … and should have done , given it was my laundry .
 It ’s embarrassing to admit that I ’m in my thirties and still enjoy laundry assistance from my mother - in - law whenever we stay at her home in the countryside of Zhejiang Province . But it ’s true . This sort of thing happens ALL the time .
 Yes , it ’s true . My mother - in - law has been known to hang up my clothing left in the washing machine … and she ’s even done entire loads of laundry for us .
 Here ’s what usually happens . Either I put the clothing in the washing machine , but stupidly forget to hang it up on time ( like I mentioned in the introduction ) . Or , my mother - in - law grabs my dirty clothing without telling me , and does the entire load for me ( this happened ALL THE TIME when I stayed with my in - laws during the summer of 2011 ) .
 Sometimes , though , I do ask for her help . The other day , we were in a hurry to leave their house and I had just thrown a load of laundry into the washing machine . So I asked her if she could hang it and she said , “ No problem ” with a smile .
 So now you know one of my biggest dirty secrets .
 When we stay with my in - laws at their home , there ’s one thing we can count on – three square meals , all home - cooked by my mother - in - law . Always .
 This is the complete opposite of how things work at my parents ’ home back in the US . There , the assumption is we ’re on our own and have to make our own meals ( or buy them ) . Unless , of course , my dad or mom specifically asks us to join them for a meal ( or invites us out ) .
 The difference totally blew my husband ’s mind .
 Anyhow , here at my in - laws ’ home in China there ’s never any concern about cooking . Everyone knows that when it ’s lunch and dinner , my mother - in - law ’s voice will echo through the corridors – time to eat ! – and we ’ll all come bounding down the stairs .
 It ’s a strange place for me . I spent so many years handling all my cooking ( and enjoying much of it ) . Now , when I ’m staying with my in - laws , I just show up to eat at the table .
 I have spent some time with my mother - in - law in the kitchen , learning how to cook from her . ( She taught me how to make vegan Chinese - style flatbread , for example . ) But in many ways , I feel foreign in her kitchen , a feeling that has nothing to do with my nationality , actually . After all , she uses a fire - powered wok to do the majority of her cooking , and I honestly have no idea how to manage the fire . Given how clumsy I am , I might just burn down the kitchen if I tried !
 Now that I think about it , maybe it is better to leave the cooking to a woman who wo n’t cause a conflagration in the kitchen .
 When a friend of mine — also a Western woman with a Chinese husband – posted in a private chat about how guilty she felt because her mother - in - law gave her some cash to buy a new laptop ( her old one crashed ) , oh , how I could sympathize .
 I thought about the many Chinese New Years that had passed since John and I returned to China in late 2013 , and how his parents always gave us heaping hongbao filled with more money than adults in the family should have .
 I remembered how my mother - in - law handed over an additional stack of bills last year because my husband was starting his business ( and she wanted him to have some “ lucky money ” ) .
 I even thought of the numerous times when my mother - in - law spent money on us that she totally should n’t have spent . Like buying those new coats for John for Chinese New Year ( which prompted me to buy new clothes to make her happy ) . Or the comforter she bought for me to stay warm during the winter . Or even the way she purchased all of the basic necessities for our apartment in 2014 .
 # 4 : We ’ve lived with my in - laws . A lot .
 In America , the ultimate badge of adulthood is having your own place , separate from mom and dad .
 Well , the most embarrassing thing I could mention on this list is the fact that we ’ve lived in the same house as my in - laws – for long periods of time .
 Even now , we divide our time between an apartment in Hangzhou and their home . Heck , they added an entire suite to the house just for my husband and me , which proves how welcoming they are .
 It ’s worlds away from America . I can guarantee you that if I asked my American friends and classmates , none of them would say that their parents or in - laws renovated their homes so they could live together . It ’s just not done there .
 As embarrassing as it is to admit this , I have to confess I ’m also grateful . This suite they ’ve provided us is symbolic of the incredible support they ’ve given me and my husband .
 Life is n’t always easy for John and me . But knowing that we have a couple of incredibly loving parents behind us – willing to do things that I ’m a little embarrassed to talk about – makes the hard times a little more bearable .
 If you ’re all grown up , is there anything you ’re embarrassed that your parents or in - laws still do for you ?
 LOL , you do laundry like Andy . Except I ’m willing to bet that you really do forget to collect it from the washer , whereas I suspect Andy “ forgets ” so I will finish doing the laundry for him .
 Only problem is that he sometimes forgets to tell me he put in laundry while I ’m gone and it sits in the washer for days . MILDEWING !
 I do n’t get red envelopes . 🙁 Jealous .
 Wow … it ’s great you have so supportive in - laws .
 But I do n’t think I could handle someone else doing my laundry and cooking . When my Filipino husband and I first got married , my sister - in - law kept taking over the cooking – she would n’t let me do it and she would n’t teach me how to cook Filipino dishes . This left me feeling totally useless as a wife , because I wanted to fulfill the role of taking care of my husband ( an important element of the culture here ) .
 When we moved out and built our own home things radically changed for the better . We now have privacy and can really relax together .
 But each to his own of course ! You have done really well to adjust to such a profoundly different environment to that in America .
 Thanks for sharing Hope ! It was an adjustment — and as you say , it ’s certainly not for everyone .
 True that , typical Chinese parents , last time my girlfriend and I visited my parents , they took care of almost everything(of course , I , as an “ typical ” Chinese kid , was and still am used to that ) , and before we left , she tried to give my girlfriend somethinkg like 5000 yuan .
 Wow , that sounds a lot like my in - laws !
 You ’re lucky to have such wonderful in - laws , especially with your mother - in - law cooking three meals a day .
 I do n’t have any trouble having someone wash my clothes . When I visit my youngest daughter ( the cleanest one in the family ) she washes my clothes with hers and brings them back to me folded .
 That is sweet your in - laws were so welcoming .
 Hey Jocelyn , great post as always ! Just wanted to let you know I have also nominated you for the Blogger Recognition Award – thanks for being the grandmistress of AMWF blogs and thanks for introducing me to all the wonderful WWAMs in this world !
 Aw , thanks for the nomination Laura , I ’m so touched ! Yeah , it is great to be connected to all of these fabulous WWAMs !
 I share the four points with you , Jocelyn!(and it is , indeed , somewhat embarrassing ) . I see now that many Chinese in laws will do whatever it takes to spoil us . My father in law , for example , will sometimes go out early in the mornings to get us something delicious for breakfast , as well as 火龙果 for me ( my favourite fruit and utterly tasteless when I buy it imported in my country ) . He cleans , sweeps the floors , and generally keeps the house neat and spotless . He ’s like a cleaning hurricane , leaving no trace of the toys / crayons of our kids .
 My mother in law , on the other hand , locks herself in the unbearably hot kitchen ( in an already unbearably hot Nanjing ) and cooks healthy meals , as well as doing other housework and taking care of my brother in law ’s little boy .
 Never , not even once , do they complain to anybody nor ask for gratitude . They fully sacrifice themselves in the most discrete way , but the effect of their actions is greater , like a sort of domestic “ 为无为 ” .
 We ’ll be in China for the summer , ready to be spoilt rotten again ( I feel guilty for that , already ) .
 Your in - laws sound so much like mine . ( My father - in - law loves getting up early to buy tofu at the local market ! ) My mother - in - law is the epitome of sacrifice . Everything she does is for family and it ’s extraordinary .
 Have fun during your summer in China !
 My wife ’s parents had long since passed away when we married , and her second mother lived with her fifth younger brother , so there was never a parent ’s home in the countryside . However , that never prevented the rest of the family showing us hospitality similar to that you describe . When we went to fifth younger sister ’s home in a compound for retired military , third younger brother ’s home in Alhambra , fourth younger brother ’s home in Monterey Park , or our “ ch’in chia ( qin jia ) ” stepson ’s wife ’s parent ’s home high up on the slopes of Kuan Yin Shan outside of Taipei , everyone went well out of their way to see that we were comfortable and well fed , and that I was never left out of the conversation with the language changed from Mandarin to Minnan .
 Our experience in China is a reflection on Western and American ideas of the individual and the community . A lot of the angst of young Americans may start with the separation anxiety forced upon us by our culture , that pushes us apart instead of drawing us in together , and by the pounding refrain of compete , compete , compete , which early on sets us against one another ( Chinese usually wait until they get into business ) . Western philosophy ’s preoccupation with the individual over the group , existence before essence , alters our social relations everywhere we turn . Chinese would just laugh at Sartre and tell us the essence and existence go together .
 Do n’t be embarrassed about all this . Step back far enough to see both cultures in clear perspective . And next time post about all the things you have discovered you can do to return their kindness to your family .
 You are blessed to be experiencing “ essence ” together with “ existence . ” Enjoy .
 James , thank you so much for the thoughtful comment . How lovely that your wife ’s family has been so hospitable towards you .
 You make a good point — you have to wonder if America has it wrong in pushing kids out so early .
 Great care from parents never end in China . But some time that leads to downfall of self - care ability of their children . Never grown up even in college .
 Looks like another Western woman joined the club here .
 Thanks AG . Yes , there ’s a balance to be sure . Thank you also for sharing the news of the couple !
 I think it ’s interesting that somehow it is part of Chinese hospitality , right ? Also , has to do with being family as well . Parents are still there to try to “ help ” you out . I do agree of the embarrassment when your mother - in - law finishes your laundry . It ’s the same embarrassment I felt last year when my dad cleaned my bedroom at home when I lived at school . or when my dad folds all the laundry in the laundry room , including mine . T - T ( only does this when he ’s tired of how messy the laundry room is .
 I ca n’t accept money , maybe gifts . Every time my friend and I talk on the phone I argue with him and tell him I do n’t want him to pay for my round - trip flight from SH to CQ and he ’s telling me no worries . I eventually gave up .
 I think it ’s more of a mutual benefit , you help them out and they help you out , it ’s beneficial .
 Jocelyn , I have been following your blog for some time now . Remember , I emailed you last year that I had read every single posts on your blog .
 I ’m not surprised that John ’s family has been so helpful and hospitable towards you . You deserve it .
 P / S There are meaty posts of substance on your blog ; from yourself and other bloggers . Thank you so much for the share . I also enjoyed your post on 5 things you leart from the Chinese countryside etc . Life ’s simplest pleasures .
 LOL . So true ! My parents still do our laundry , do all the dishes and cook for us whenever we visit them . They do the same when they come to visit us . Only exception is the laundry since they are not familiar with the washing machine we use . My mom always say , “ you do n’t know how I clean dishes ! I like it my way . ” It ’s tiring to argue with her . The money thing also . They always try to give us money . I was like , “ Mom , we are the one making money now ! ” oh well … . guess it ’s a good problem to have !
 Your inlaws are so sweet ! They feel like it ’s their duty to their son . I had the same experience when I was married to “ Cai ” in that my inlaws sacrificed their happiness and well - being to drop everything to help us in the US . They kept telling me it ’s their duty . I know it helped us out a ton . But my mom also went way above and beyond and she ’s not Chinese . She quit her job when I moved back home so she could help me with Jake . My parents renovated their basement to add a bedroom and full bathroom so my uncle could move down there when Jake and I took over his room and bathroom upstairs . Parents show their love in many ways !
 Wow , your mother - in - law actually uses a washing machine ? My parents - in - law own a washing machine , but rarely use it . When we stay with them , my mother - in - law insists on doing my laundry as well , but by hand ! She says she does n’t need a washing machine because “ 我就是洗衣机 ” ( she is the washing machine ) . I have tried to stop her , but it ’s no use . Once when she was washing my clothes , she found a pair of my underwear had a hole in it , so she bought me new ones , talk about embarrassing !
 Awww I do n’t know if this is embarrassing ! I think parents will always be parents no matter what ( when I go home to visit and attempt to do my own laundry , my mom will scoop up my clothes from the dryer and fold them on my bed before I can even get to it ! ) .
 In America living with your parents until your early 30s is n’t as taboo as it used to be ( it ’s hard to stake out a living these days ) , so I think times are changing .
 I think my boyfriend and I will experience all of the above things with his Chinese in - laws sooner or later . They already cook and clean our house for us every time they come down to visit . I wish I could say I was embarrassed , but I ’m actually really happy to be spoiled once in a while !


text:
Bristol's decision to trial vinegar as a weedkiller in place of glyphosate grabbed headline-writers' imaginations. But with a wide choice of proven chemical-free weed control strategies available, might this experiment be "set up to fail"?
EXCERPT: This is not what pesticide-free policies should look like. If anything smells fishy, it is the design of this trial. Has it - as Pesticide Action Network UK says - been "set up to fail"? Many other effective alternatives exist, as PAN-UK point out, and are already in use in other European and UK cities.
* Bristol's decision to trial vinegar as a weedkiller in place of glyphosate certainly grabbed headline-writers' imaginations, writes Harriet Williams. But with a wide choice of proven chemical-free weed control strategies available, might this experiment be "set up to fail"?
It's billed as an "eco-friendly alternative" to herbicides, but sadly it's not one that is tremendously effective for weed control in large public spaces.
So, has "vinegar-gate" left us any the wiser about what local authorities should be using for weed control?
Our experience in speaking to people in Bristol is that many people are simply not aware that glyphosate is being sprayed in roads, housing estates, parks, and play areas. When they do become aware, the vast majority of people support an outright ban on this practice, or much tighter restrictions on its use. In the latest results of our rolling online survey, only 8.6% of respondents agree that herbicide sprays are a 'wholly acceptable' means of weed control.
Another respondent said, "I saw a family out last autumn innocently gathering fallen leaves, and felt obliged to advise them to keep clear of the sprayed areas. No signs anywhere that this was going to be done."
* It applies only to a small area of the city, and leaves the door wide open to the return of glyphosate should the trial be deemed a failure.
* At the same time it invites failure by choosing vinegar ahead of more credible technologies for safer weed control.
* Worse still, large tracts of land will not receive any weed control at all as the Council's regular spray contractors down tools for the duration of the trial.
Thanks to "vinegar-gate", more people know that local authorities have a problem when it comes to dealing with plants in the wrong places. In Bristol and other urban areas, it can only be a matter of time before local politicians listen to public opinion and stop dousing our streets in unsafe chemicals.

tokenized:
Bristol 's decision to trial vinegar as a weedkiller in place of glyphosate grabbed headline - writers ' imaginations . But with a wide choice of proven chemical - free weed control strategies available , might this experiment be " set up to fail " ?
 EXCERPT : This is not what pesticide - free policies should look like . If anything smells fishy , it is the design of this trial . Has it - as Pesticide Action Network UK says - been " set up to fail " ? Many other effective alternatives exist , as PAN - UK point out , and are already in use in other European and UK cities .
 * Bristol 's decision to trial vinegar as a weedkiller in place of glyphosate certainly grabbed headline - writers ' imaginations , writes Harriet Williams . But with a wide choice of proven chemical - free weed control strategies available , might this experiment be " set up to fail " ?
 It 's billed as an " eco - friendly alternative " to herbicides , but sadly it 's not one that is tremendously effective for weed control in large public spaces .
 So , has " vinegar - gate " left us any the wiser about what local authorities should be using for weed control ?
 Our experience in speaking to people in Bristol is that many people are simply not aware that glyphosate is being sprayed in roads , housing estates , parks , and play areas . When they do become aware , the vast majority of people support an outright ban on this practice , or much tighter restrictions on its use . In the latest results of our rolling online survey , only 8.6 % of respondents agree that herbicide sprays are a ' wholly acceptable ' means of weed control .
 Another respondent said , " I saw a family out last autumn innocently gathering fallen leaves , and felt obliged to advise them to keep clear of the sprayed areas . No signs anywhere that this was going to be done . "
 * It applies only to a small area of the city , and leaves the door wide open to the return of glyphosate should the trial be deemed a failure .
 * At the same time it invites failure by choosing vinegar ahead of more credible technologies for safer weed control .
 * Worse still , large tracts of land will not receive any weed control at all as the Council 's regular spray contractors down tools for the duration of the trial .
 Thanks to " vinegar - gate " , more people know that local authorities have a problem when it comes to dealing with plants in the wrong places . In Bristol and other urban areas , it can only be a matter of time before local politicians listen to public opinion and stop dousing our streets in unsafe chemicals .


text:
Outsourcing often gets a bad rap, particularly from unions and job hunters, but according to Jacqui Miller, founder of Dynamic Business Outsource Solutions, one of the world’s leading outsource companies with centres based in the Philippines, outsourcing is actually a positive thing to do that helps to accelerate business growth and financial wellbeing.
“I think it’s really important to set the record straight and let people know that outsourcing, or rightsourcing as we call it, is an extremely sensible approach to business growth and operations,” Jacqui said today.
Jacqui Miller knows what she is talking about. Having been involved in founding many start-ups in various industries including hospitality, marketing and travel, Jacqui understands the challenges businesses face when starting up and scaling to enable growth.
“Rightsourcing is about selecting the right or best source of services that suits the business whether it be in-house or using outside third party services that virtually become an extension of your business,” Jacqui added.
“Outsourcing has been around for some time in the business sphere, but has only been available to the big end of town. Now small to medium size business owners can also utilise these services giving their businesses a fighting chance to compete and grow.
“The key to building and growing a small to medium size business or startup is working with the right people and making the most of the limited resources you have. Over the span of my career I’ve seen the positive impact rightsourcing can have on the success of a business, whether it be a large company or small enterprise.
The Diversity ‘The State of Offshoring 2017’ research report identified that while cost pressures are the main factor driving businesses to offshore and offshoring plays a critical role in making businesses more competitive, it also has a positive impact on the economy as it allows businesses to compete globally and grow faster.
The report also states that in many cases, businesses leverage offshore teams to supplement their local employees by removing time-consuming and low-value tasks. Research conducted by leading organisations has identified that employees spend 80% of their time on low-value tasks, whereas they’re only able to spend 20% on the tasks that grow businesses – dealing with client queries, providing a high level of service or working on strategic objectives aligned with organisational goals.
“Businesses that rightsource are more confident financially because tasks that are not required to be done inhouse are undertaken elsewhere for much less cost – meaning the business has more money to invest in other places,” Jacqui added.
“Thanks to technology, rightsourcing is incredibly easy. People can work from anywhere as long as they have access to the internet and most businesses operate with cloud based systems whether they be for communication, accounting, sales, or marketing.
“Many business owners attempt to run all aspects of the business themselves, but this can be difficult if the business is new, the team is small, or the expertise isn’t there. To grow and be successful, you’ve got to share the load, especially with someone who can do it better and faster, and this often means working with experts in the field needed.
“Rightsourcing enables small businesses to compete and grow by reducing wage costs and increasing productivity. It gives businesses, especially start-ups, the two most important aspects needed for success: more time and money.

tokenized:
Outsourcing often gets a bad rap , particularly from unions and job hunters , but according to Jacqui Miller , founder of Dynamic Business Outsource Solutions , one of the world ’s leading outsource companies with centres based in the Philippines , outsourcing is actually a positive thing to do that helps to accelerate business growth and financial wellbeing .
 “ I think it ’s really important to set the record straight and let people know that outsourcing , or rightsourcing as we call it , is an extremely sensible approach to business growth and operations , ” Jacqui said today .
 Jacqui Miller knows what she is talking about . Having been involved in founding many start - ups in various industries including hospitality , marketing and travel , Jacqui understands the challenges businesses face when starting up and scaling to enable growth .
 “ Rightsourcing is about selecting the right or best source of services that suits the business whether it be in - house or using outside third party services that virtually become an extension of your business , ” Jacqui added .
 “ Outsourcing has been around for some time in the business sphere , but has only been available to the big end of town . Now small to medium size business owners can also utilise these services giving their businesses a fighting chance to compete and grow .
 “ The key to building and growing a small to medium size business or startup is working with the right people and making the most of the limited resources you have . Over the span of my career I ’ve seen the positive impact rightsourcing can have on the success of a business , whether it be a large company or small enterprise .
 The Diversity ‘ The State of Offshoring 2017 ’ research report identified that while cost pressures are the main factor driving businesses to offshore and offshoring plays a critical role in making businesses more competitive , it also has a positive impact on the economy as it allows businesses to compete globally and grow faster .
 The report also states that in many cases , businesses leverage offshore teams to supplement their local employees by removing time - consuming and low - value tasks . Research conducted by leading organisations has identified that employees spend 80 % of their time on low - value tasks , whereas they ’re only able to spend 20 % on the tasks that grow businesses – dealing with client queries , providing a high level of service or working on strategic objectives aligned with organisational goals .
 “ Businesses that rightsource are more confident financially because tasks that are not required to be done inhouse are undertaken elsewhere for much less cost – meaning the business has more money to invest in other places , ” Jacqui added .
 “ Thanks to technology , rightsourcing is incredibly easy . People can work from anywhere as long as they have access to the internet and most businesses operate with cloud based systems whether they be for communication , accounting , sales , or marketing .
 “ Many business owners attempt to run all aspects of the business themselves , but this can be difficult if the business is new , the team is small , or the expertise is n’t there . To grow and be successful , you ’ve got to share the load , especially with someone who can do it better and faster , and this often means working with experts in the field needed .
 “ Rightsourcing enables small businesses to compete and grow by reducing wage costs and increasing productivity . It gives businesses , especially start - ups , the two most important aspects needed for success : more time and money .


text:
The Live chat app is much more involved than your normal client. You’ll have the ability to see every one of the visitors which are on your site at any given time, in addition to their own IP address, their own referral origin, their local time, working system and much more. Though some of the information is going to be a whole lot more beneficial than the remainder, it is going to help keep you (or your designated chat operators) as educated on your customers as possible if they are needing any assistance. They provide 10 days free trial, no credit card needed.
Once you install an account, You’re brought to a website that looks a little old fashioned. It seems like it’s packed with advertisements, but it’s only a site edition of ProvideSupport. If you wont let this disturb you too much, you may read the next steps that you ought to take, like customizing your chat messenger window, then add chat buttons for your emails, create a set of predefined answers and a lot more.
In Provide Support you can Personalize your operator’s console along with your greeting message and company’s logo. You can also put in your operator’s picture so the chat looks more personal. The live chat button on the site can be either chosen from an existing gallery, or you can upload your own picture. The chat messenger can be customized with colour schemes and styles that fit your website’s main theme.
Provide Support offers She capability to move ongoing chats involving agents. Another agent can follow the case and answer within seconds. It is helpful when an agent doesn’t possess the knowledge to solve the case. Thanks to transferring talks there’s no delay, which increases customer satisfaction.
I am not a avid fan of The appearance of Provide Support port. I overlook that the personalization when it concerns the whole website. The picture on the home page is a Stock image which gives you the impression that everything there doesn’t have any personality as well. The video tutorial I saw felt automated, like it was not the actual person talking.
With ProvideSupport you Can provide personalized service. A geographical demonstration of real time visitor information gives you an insight into what customers are looking for. You’ve got tons of customization options that you may use in your chat.
Live Chat From Provide Support could be attempted with no price for 30 days. All attributes (outside of further operators) could be accessed with this free time trial interval. Provide Support won’t always harass you in the event that you don’t take advantage of the supply, possibly, and charging going forward is quite straightforward.

tokenized:
The Live chat app is much more involved than your normal client . You ’ll have the ability to see every one of the visitors which are on your site at any given time , in addition to their own IP address , their own referral origin , their local time , working system and much more . Though some of the information is going to be a whole lot more beneficial than the remainder , it is going to help keep you ( or your designated chat operators ) as educated on your customers as possible if they are needing any assistance . They provide 10 days free trial , no credit card needed .
 Once you install an account , You ’re brought to a website that looks a little old fashioned . It seems like it ’s packed with advertisements , but it ’s only a site edition of ProvideSupport . If you wo nt let this disturb you too much , you may read the next steps that you ought to take , like customizing your chat messenger window , then add chat buttons for your emails , create a set of predefined answers and a lot more .
 In Provide Support you can Personalize your operator ’s console along with your greeting message and company ’s logo . You can also put in your operator ’s picture so the chat looks more personal . The live chat button on the site can be either chosen from an existing gallery , or you can upload your own picture . The chat messenger can be customized with colour schemes and styles that fit your website ’s main theme .
 Provide Support offers She capability to move ongoing chats involving agents . Another agent can follow the case and answer within seconds . It is helpful when an agent does n’t possess the knowledge to solve the case . Thanks to transferring talks there ’s no delay , which increases customer satisfaction .
 I am not a avid fan of The appearance of Provide Support port . I overlook that the personalization when it concerns the whole website . The picture on the home page is a Stock image which gives you the impression that everything there does n’t have any personality as well . The video tutorial I saw felt automated , like it was not the actual person talking .
 With ProvideSupport you Can provide personalized service . A geographical demonstration of real time visitor information gives you an insight into what customers are looking for . You ’ve got tons of customization options that you may use in your chat .
 Live Chat From Provide Support could be attempted with no price for 30 days . All attributes ( outside of further operators ) could be accessed with this free time trial interval . Provide Support wo n’t always harass you in the event that you do n’t take advantage of the supply , possibly , and charging going forward is quite straightforward .


text:
Vernal presents a selection of new multi-media works that use stories, myths, and legends passed down from various cultures to explore ideas related to, among others: spring and renewal; cycles of life and changing seasons; love and loss; life after death; and flowers. Stories taken directly from Greek mythology that explain the creation of spring flowers like hyacinths and narcissus, and from Norse mythology and the legend of Valhalla are examples that are used as points of departure for personal investigations of the exhibition’s themes. By freely combining parts from these various stories, sampling and altering visual references from historic sources, and layering in elements that reference my own personal interpretations and affinities with the stories’ various characters, I seek to introduce new perspectives and offer viewers new points of access from which to enter these timeless tales.
These works, which amount to a series of fractured narratives, made alone and under the name bourbon, in collaboration with Loretta Bourque, are extremely personal and distinctly colored (stained)by recent events in my life. These challenges have made me question my very foundation, and at times have prevented me from moving the work forward, but ultimately they have lead me back to the exhibition’s central themes with a renewed focus. I acknowledge that in making this work I am borrowing freely from the mythologies of cultures outside my own. I respect the fact that the juxtaposition of imagery and iconography from various religious sources may create tension within the work and even with some viewers, but this is not a primary goal, rather a byproduct of my working process, which is by nature collaborative and uncensored. I am indebted to the many artists who have explored the show’s themes before me, and from whom I have borrowed and quoted liberally. I offer these works in homage to them, and as tribute to those who in leaving this world have given me great cause to complete them. It is also with much gratitude I dedicate this exhibition to my family and friends who have given me the space and time I have needed to begin to see again the first green of spring in every challenge; and a sense of renewed optimism that comes to me like when I see the first crocus of spring or get a whiff of the almost-too -much smell of hyacinths at their peak. If I have accomplished nothing else in this work, I hope that in sharing the beauty of a single flower, that I might spark a light of hope in someone else who might be struggling to see that the part of them which they think they may have lost is still there. Like a spring flower, it has only been laying dormant, waiting for the perfect moment to re-emerge and bloom again for all to see.
I am a writer of letters. For me, written correspondence permits a naturalness of expression – of intimacy, connectedness, and affection – that is different from communication through technological means. The letter writing tradition also plays a vital role across my creative practice, and my current work is based upon on it.
For these works, I began by writing love letters between a fictional woman invoked from another plane, and me. The letters share both the mundane and the precious — as love letters, they build an intimate vocabulary. Marked by the dates, the repetition of such an interchange captures not just the passage of time, but an evolution of two hearts merging. Once transcribed, the letters are torn apart and woven into the painting; small sighs amid the intensity of texture and the energetic gestures of blue paint.
They are blue for a reason. What that reason is, I still don’t know.
Although my painting has included the same themes for many years, I did not begin to include love letters until 2018.

tokenized:
Vernal presents a selection of new multi - media works that use stories , myths , and legends passed down from various cultures to explore ideas related to , among others : spring and renewal ; cycles of life and changing seasons ; love and loss ; life after death ; and flowers . Stories taken directly from Greek mythology that explain the creation of spring flowers like hyacinths and narcissus , and from Norse mythology and the legend of Valhalla are examples that are used as points of departure for personal investigations of the exhibition ’s themes . By freely combining parts from these various stories , sampling and altering visual references from historic sources , and layering in elements that reference my own personal interpretations and affinities with the stories ’ various characters , I seek to introduce new perspectives and offer viewers new points of access from which to enter these timeless tales .
 These works , which amount to a series of fractured narratives , made alone and under the name bourbon , in collaboration with Loretta Bourque , are extremely personal and distinctly colored ( stained)by recent events in my life . These challenges have made me question my very foundation , and at times have prevented me from moving the work forward , but ultimately they have lead me back to the exhibition ’s central themes with a renewed focus . I acknowledge that in making this work I am borrowing freely from the mythologies of cultures outside my own . I respect the fact that the juxtaposition of imagery and iconography from various religious sources may create tension within the work and even with some viewers , but this is not a primary goal , rather a byproduct of my working process , which is by nature collaborative and uncensored . I am indebted to the many artists who have explored the show ’s themes before me , and from whom I have borrowed and quoted liberally . I offer these works in homage to them , and as tribute to those who in leaving this world have given me great cause to complete them . It is also with much gratitude I dedicate this exhibition to my family and friends who have given me the space and time I have needed to begin to see again the first green of spring in every challenge ; and a sense of renewed optimism that comes to me like when I see the first crocus of spring or get a whiff of the almost - too -much smell of hyacinths at their peak . If I have accomplished nothing else in this work , I hope that in sharing the beauty of a single flower , that I might spark a light of hope in someone else who might be struggling to see that the part of them which they think they may have lost is still there . Like a spring flower , it has only been laying dormant , waiting for the perfect moment to re - emerge and bloom again for all to see .
 I am a writer of letters . For me , written correspondence permits a naturalness of expression – of intimacy , connectedness , and affection – that is different from communication through technological means . The letter writing tradition also plays a vital role across my creative practice , and my current work is based upon on it .
 For these works , I began by writing love letters between a fictional woman invoked from another plane , and me . The letters share both the mundane and the precious — as love letters , they build an intimate vocabulary . Marked by the dates , the repetition of such an interchange captures not just the passage of time , but an evolution of two hearts merging . Once transcribed , the letters are torn apart and woven into the painting ; small sighs amid the intensity of texture and the energetic gestures of blue paint .
 They are blue for a reason . What that reason is , I still do n’t know .
 Although my painting has included the same themes for many years , I did not begin to include love letters until 2018 .


text:
You guys, I am so behind!
I’ve had Amazon Prime for years, but I used it primarily (pun, sorry) for the free shipping, video streaming, Kindle Lending, and Prime Day sales.
But I was totally missing out!
Did you know about Prime Reading? You probably do. As I said, I’m behind. I recently went camping and wanted to load up my Kindle with things to read by the fire. While I was browsing, I came across this new-to-me-but maybe-not-to-the-rest-of-the-world feature and about danced a jig.
Tons of free things to read! I loaded up and took my devices to the mountains. There’s nothing like relaxing by a fire in total darkness with a nice book to read.
The fire where actual Prime Reading took place.
Okay, now back to Prime Reading itself. If you’re already a member of the Amazon Prime program, it’s included at no additional charge (unlike the Kindle Unlimited program). You don’t even have to own a Kindle. All you need is a device of your choosing and the free reading apps.
Boom! You get access to tons of books and magazines. And they are actually items you’d want to read! Seriously, go look. You’ll find something to enjoy or mock (whatever suits you).
Choose your books or magazines from the Prime Reading selection.
When you’re done, return the item.
You can check out 10 items at a time! TEN!
Even if you hate the book, you’re not losing any money. It’s risk-free reading from your couch. No trip to the library needed.
I didn’t know about Prime Reading, but it makes me much more willing to pay the new, higher price. And it makes me wonder what else I’m missing out on.
So are you already using Prime Reading? If so, what should I check out next? Or are you just as behind as me?
I’m so behind also! I think I used it once last year but was confused and thought it was Kindle Unlimited. I saw the 10 books thing but didn’t understand when I couldn’t check out another book (which was the K-unlimited) I still probably haven’t returned that first book! Ha!
That’s exactly what I thought! I didn’t know Prime Reading was a different thing. I morphed it with Kindle Unlimited and the Kindle Owner’s Lending Library. There are so many ways to get lots of books for a good price!

tokenized:
You guys , I am so behind !
 I ’ve had Amazon Prime for years , but I used it primarily ( pun , sorry ) for the free shipping , video streaming , Kindle Lending , and Prime Day sales .
 But I was totally missing out !
 Did you know about Prime Reading ? You probably do . As I said , I ’m behind . I recently went camping and wanted to load up my Kindle with things to read by the fire . While I was browsing , I came across this new - to - me - but maybe - not - to - the - rest - of - the - world feature and about danced a jig .
 Tons of free things to read ! I loaded up and took my devices to the mountains . There ’s nothing like relaxing by a fire in total darkness with a nice book to read .
 The fire where actual Prime Reading took place .
 Okay , now back to Prime Reading itself . If you ’re already a member of the Amazon Prime program , it ’s included at no additional charge ( unlike the Kindle Unlimited program ) . You do n’t even have to own a Kindle . All you need is a device of your choosing and the free reading apps .
 Boom ! You get access to tons of books and magazines . And they are actually items you ’d want to read ! Seriously , go look . You ’ll find something to enjoy or mock ( whatever suits you ) .
 Choose your books or magazines from the Prime Reading selection .
 When you ’re done , return the item .
 You can check out 10 items at a time ! TEN !
 Even if you hate the book , you ’re not losing any money . It ’s risk - free reading from your couch . No trip to the library needed .
 I did n’t know about Prime Reading , but it makes me much more willing to pay the new , higher price . And it makes me wonder what else I ’m missing out on .
 So are you already using Prime Reading ? If so , what should I check out next ? Or are you just as behind as me ?
 I ’m so behind also ! I think I used it once last year but was confused and thought it was Kindle Unlimited . I saw the 10 books thing but did n’t understand when I could n’t check out another book ( which was the K - unlimited ) I still probably have n’t returned that first book ! Ha !
 That ’s exactly what I thought ! I did n’t know Prime Reading was a different thing . I morphed it with Kindle Unlimited and the Kindle Owner ’s Lending Library . There are so many ways to get lots of books for a good price !


text:
New York, NY - January 15, 2014 - Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that he has received a commitment that John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) will be assigned additional customs agents as the result of increased appropriations for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as part of the Fiscal Year 2014 Appropriations bill. This bill has boosted CBP’s funding by $165.7 million in order for the agency to hire 2,000 new agents nationwide. Specifically, the bill increases CBP’s overall budget to $10.6 billion, which is over $220 million more than FY2013. Schumer explained that $165.7 million of the new funding was explicitly prescribed “for the purpose of hiring, training, and equipping new U.S. customs and border protection offices.” During a confirmation hearing today, Schumer secured a commitment from Gil Kerlikowske, who is currently undergoing the confirmation process to be Commissioner of CBP, that he would commit to bringing an adequate portion of these new agents and resources to JFK once he has been confirmed.
In September 2013, Schumer made an appeal to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to implement new measures that would help alleviate incredibly long lines for travelers using customs at JFK and he continued his push at a confirmation hearing today for Kerlikowske. Schumer’s appeal comes after a report revealed that customs lines at JFK Airport were among the longest wait times in the country. According to the report, the average delay during peak hours could be two hours or more.
On July 1, 2013, at 6 am, the wait was 140 minutes.
On August 3, 2013, at 4 pm, the wait was 120 minutes.
On August 24, 2013, at 4 pm, the wait was 3 hours.
Schumer has long advocated measures to decrease these wait times, including a personal call in September to then-Acting DHS Secretary Rand Beers, during which Schumer asked Beers to approve and install new automated Passport kiosks, as well as assign additional Custom and Border Patrol agents at JFK. Schumer also urged his colleagues to boost funding for the Customs and Border Protection in the Fiscal Year 2014 Appropriations bill, above the current 2013 levels and called current DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson to press his case.
Today, Schumer announced that the recently released appropriations agreement called for $165.7 million to hire 2,000 new agents nationwide, and that he has received a commitment from Gil Kerlikowske that, when confirmed as Commissioner of CBP, he will assign an adequate portion of these new agents to JFK. These additional agents will enable the airport to decrease wait times and continue to be a major economic driver.

tokenized:
New York , NY - January 15 , 2014 - Today , U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that he has received a commitment that John F. Kennedy International Airport ( JFK ) will be assigned additional customs agents as the result of increased appropriations for Customs and Border Protection ( CBP ) as part of the Fiscal Year 2014 Appropriations bill . This bill has boosted CBP ’s funding by $ 165.7 million in order for the agency to hire 2,000 new agents nationwide . Specifically , the bill increases CBP ’s overall budget to $ 10.6 billion , which is over $ 220 million more than FY2013 . Schumer explained that $ 165.7 million of the new funding was explicitly prescribed “ for the purpose of hiring , training , and equipping new U.S. customs and border protection offices . ” During a confirmation hearing today , Schumer secured a commitment from Gil Kerlikowske , who is currently undergoing the confirmation process to be Commissioner of CBP , that he would commit to bringing an adequate portion of these new agents and resources to JFK once he has been confirmed .
 In September 2013 , Schumer made an appeal to the Department of Homeland Security ( DHS ) to implement new measures that would help alleviate incredibly long lines for travelers using customs at JFK and he continued his push at a confirmation hearing today for Kerlikowske . Schumer ’s appeal comes after a report revealed that customs lines at JFK Airport were among the longest wait times in the country . According to the report , the average delay during peak hours could be two hours or more .
 On July 1 , 2013 , at 6 am , the wait was 140 minutes .
 On August 3 , 2013 , at 4 pm , the wait was 120 minutes .
 On August 24 , 2013 , at 4 pm , the wait was 3 hours .
 Schumer has long advocated measures to decrease these wait times , including a personal call in September to then - Acting DHS Secretary Rand Beers , during which Schumer asked Beers to approve and install new automated Passport kiosks , as well as assign additional Custom and Border Patrol agents at JFK . Schumer also urged his colleagues to boost funding for the Customs and Border Protection in the Fiscal Year 2014 Appropriations bill , above the current 2013 levels and called current DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson to press his case .
 Today , Schumer announced that the recently released appropriations agreement called for $ 165.7 million to hire 2,000 new agents nationwide , and that he has received a commitment from Gil Kerlikowske that , when confirmed as Commissioner of CBP , he will assign an adequate portion of these new agents to JFK . These additional agents will enable the airport to decrease wait times and continue to be a major economic driver .


text:
Now how do you suppose a chewing gum company would try to sell more chewing gum?
If you think it’s by touting the scientific evidence that chewing gum helps prevent gum disease, you would be wrong.
If you think it’s testimonials from dentists singing gum’s praises, you would be wrong.
If you think it’s gorgeous girls talking about sweetening one’s breath before a kiss, you would be wrong.
Wrigley knows nothing sells gum like emotion.
So, how are you selling your product — your station?

tokenized:
Now how do you suppose a chewing gum company would try to sell more chewing gum ?
 If you think it ’s by touting the scientific evidence that chewing gum helps prevent gum disease , you would be wrong .
 If you think it ’s testimonials from dentists singing gum ’s praises , you would be wrong .
 If you think it ’s gorgeous girls talking about sweetening one ’s breath before a kiss , you would be wrong .
 Wrigley knows nothing sells gum like emotion .
 So , how are you selling your product — your station ?


text:
Amid a contentious government shutdown, Speaker Nancy Pelosi has written President Trump a letter, suggesting that in lieu of delivering a State of the Union speech, as the president intends, he submit his address in writing.
Although Americans today are accustomed to seeing the president deliver the SOTU, Pelosi notes in her letter that “during the 19th century and up until the presidency of Woodrow Wilson, these annual State of the Union messages were delivered to Congress in writing.” Pelosi also notes that a SOTU has never been delivered amidst a government shutdown.
Although the State of the Union started as an oral address–both George Washington and John Adams delivered speeches to Congress–Thomas Jefferson was the first to balk at the tradition.
Jefferson had several reasons why he believed a written address was superior to a speech. First of all, the third president nursed a fear of public speaking. He also believed that a letter was more efficient than a speech–that it would take less time to read than to listen, and that a written document would give legislators time to think about their response. Historians have also noted that giving a speech had a king-like aura, something that a republican like Jefferson would abhor.
Then again, Jefferson could have simply found trudging to Congress to give a speech inconvenient.
In any case, the tradition that Jefferson set remained for over one hundred years, until Woodrow Wilson decide to return to the ways of Washington and Adams, and give a speech before Congress instead of simply sending a letter.
Since then, a spoken SOTU has indeed become a national habit, even more so than in Wilson’s day thanks to mass communication tools like radio, television, and internet.
That’s not to say that the written version of the SOTU has been abandoned entirely–as lame duck presidents, Truman, Eisenhower, and Carter chose to submit a written message instead of giving a speech before Congress.
Whether or not Trump will heed Pelosi’s advice has yet to be seen, and certainly a president might balk at giving up the bully pulpit power of television. In any case, we’ll leave you with a cartoon of Theodore Roosevelt, who was thoroughly dismayed that Wilson had the idea of a SOTU speech, something that Roosevelt himself would have enthusiastically embraced.

tokenized:
Amid a contentious government shutdown , Speaker Nancy Pelosi has written President Trump a letter , suggesting that in lieu of delivering a State of the Union speech , as the president intends , he submit his address in writing .
 Although Americans today are accustomed to seeing the president deliver the SOTU , Pelosi notes in her letter that “ during the 19th century and up until the presidency of Woodrow Wilson , these annual State of the Union messages were delivered to Congress in writing . ” Pelosi also notes that a SOTU has never been delivered amidst a government shutdown .
 Although the State of the Union started as an oral address – both George Washington and John Adams delivered speeches to Congress – Thomas Jefferson was the first to balk at the tradition .
 Jefferson had several reasons why he believed a written address was superior to a speech . First of all , the third president nursed a fear of public speaking . He also believed that a letter was more efficient than a speech – that it would take less time to read than to listen , and that a written document would give legislators time to think about their response . Historians have also noted that giving a speech had a king - like aura , something that a republican like Jefferson would abhor .
 Then again , Jefferson could have simply found trudging to Congress to give a speech inconvenient .
 In any case , the tradition that Jefferson set remained for over one hundred years , until Woodrow Wilson decide to return to the ways of Washington and Adams , and give a speech before Congress instead of simply sending a letter .
 Since then , a spoken SOTU has indeed become a national habit , even more so than in Wilson ’s day thanks to mass communication tools like radio , television , and internet .
 That ’s not to say that the written version of the SOTU has been abandoned entirely – as lame duck presidents , Truman , Eisenhower , and Carter chose to submit a written message instead of giving a speech before Congress .
 Whether or not Trump will heed Pelosi ’s advice has yet to be seen , and certainly a president might balk at giving up the bully pulpit power of television . In any case , we ’ll leave you with a cartoon of Theodore Roosevelt , who was thoroughly dismayed that Wilson had the idea of a SOTU speech , something that Roosevelt himself would have enthusiastically embraced .


text:
Use the Remove-EdgeSubscription cmdlet to remove Edge Subscription from the Exchange organization and from the subscribed Edge Transport server.
Synchronization of information from Active Directory to the Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS) instance stops.
All the accounts stored in AD LDS are removed.
The Edge Transport server is removed from the list of source servers for any Send connector.
If the Edge Transport server is the only source server for any Send connector, the Send connector is removed.
This example removes Edge Subscription for the Edge Transport server named Edge1.
If you don't specify the Force switch, the command will inform you that the removal of the replicated recipient data from AD LDS can take a long time and will give you the option to cancel the operation.
The Identity parameter specifies the identity of the Edge Transport server for which you want to remove Edge Subscription. The identity is expressed as the host name of the Edge Transport server.

tokenized:
Use the Remove - EdgeSubscription cmdlet to remove Edge Subscription from the Exchange organization and from the subscribed Edge Transport server .
 Synchronization of information from Active Directory to the Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services ( AD LDS ) instance stops .
 All the accounts stored in AD LDS are removed .
 The Edge Transport server is removed from the list of source servers for any Send connector .
 If the Edge Transport server is the only source server for any Send connector , the Send connector is removed .
 This example removes Edge Subscription for the Edge Transport server named Edge1 .
 If you do n't specify the Force switch , the command will inform you that the removal of the replicated recipient data from AD LDS can take a long time and will give you the option to cancel the operation .
 The Identity parameter specifies the identity of the Edge Transport server for which you want to remove Edge Subscription . The identity is expressed as the host name of the Edge Transport server .