Jan 30, 2011
Jan 29, 2011
Rugby Fever
What beautiful weather we've had so far this weekend! Today was the perfect day to watch the Lee rugby matches (and watch the ATL Renegades defeat the UTK boys) and get a nice bike ride in. As my Saturday evening goes, nothing says "I don't feel like doing any homework" better than reading an entire non-class related book, looking at Harvard graduate programs, eating dark chocolate (which, by the way, has almost nothing to do with productivity), and memorising the biographies of all the Oxford University Rugby boys. Yes, this has been a great Saturday.
Jan 11, 2011
China seeks more for rural poor amid pressing needs of economic transformation
By Xinhua Writer Zhu Shaobin.
SHAOXING, Zhejiang, 10 Sept 2010
As countries from around the world share their visions of "Better City, Better Life" at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, experts say the rural poor should not be forgotten, as improved livelihoods in rural areas are key to achieving sustainability and economic transformation.
"There is no doubt China's growth over the past three decades has been remarkable, but this growth has not been trouble-free," said Eric Maskin, professor of social science at Princeton University and Nobel laureate in economics in 2007.
China's fast economic growth has come with side effects, the most notable of which has been an increase in income inequality, especially that between cities and the countryside, Maskin said at a forum held Thursday and Friday in Shaoxing City in eastern China's Zhejiang Province.
The two-day forum discussed how rural areas can reduce the economic gap with cities, amid the broad and pressing need of economic transformation.
Li Yang, vice president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that income distribution amid China's fast urbanization has not been satisfactory. He noted that in China, the Gini Coefficient, the main gauge to measure income disparity, is very high.
Li said the Index was 0.475 in 2007. But estimates put the figure at 0.5 nowadays, far exceeding the United Nations' target of 0.4.
China's income gap between rich and poor is largely due to gap between cities and the countryside, said Li, adding that the urban-rural divide contributes 40 percent of the unequal income distribution of China.
"China's big urban-rural gap is mainly reflected in three things: income; infrastructure and facilities; and social rights," said Ke Binsheng, President of China Agricultural University.
Ke said the urban-to-rural income ratio has widened from 2.56 in 1978 to 3.33 in 2009 as China's 200 million-strong pool of migrant workers do not enjoy equal access to education and health care.
"It has become a great challenge in developing countries to speed up the process of modernization through rural-urban interactions," said Zhang Xiaoqiang, vice minister of China's National Development and Reform Commission, the country's top economic planning body.
Zhang said the divide seriously impedes the process of building an overall well-off society in China, adding that the integration of rural areas with cities is a major task for the transformation of China' s economic growth pattern.
Greater efforts must be made in establishing comprehensive public services for both cities and rural areas, Zhang said, adding that the building of infrastructure and facilities in the countryside is also important.
"Only if roads are built and electricity networks are well equipped can rural areas expect more social resources, such as capital investment," said Li Yang.
Public services equalization for cities and the countryside is the most important way to narrow the divide, Li Yang said.
Maskin also suggested more job training and education be provided to low-skilled workers, to allow this group themselves to narrow the gap.
SHAOXING, Zhejiang, 10 Sept 2010
As countries from around the world share their visions of "Better City, Better Life" at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, experts say the rural poor should not be forgotten, as improved livelihoods in rural areas are key to achieving sustainability and economic transformation.
"There is no doubt China's growth over the past three decades has been remarkable, but this growth has not been trouble-free," said Eric Maskin, professor of social science at Princeton University and Nobel laureate in economics in 2007.
China's fast economic growth has come with side effects, the most notable of which has been an increase in income inequality, especially that between cities and the countryside, Maskin said at a forum held Thursday and Friday in Shaoxing City in eastern China's Zhejiang Province.
The two-day forum discussed how rural areas can reduce the economic gap with cities, amid the broad and pressing need of economic transformation.
Li Yang, vice president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that income distribution amid China's fast urbanization has not been satisfactory. He noted that in China, the Gini Coefficient, the main gauge to measure income disparity, is very high.
Li said the Index was 0.475 in 2007. But estimates put the figure at 0.5 nowadays, far exceeding the United Nations' target of 0.4.
China's income gap between rich and poor is largely due to gap between cities and the countryside, said Li, adding that the urban-rural divide contributes 40 percent of the unequal income distribution of China.
"China's big urban-rural gap is mainly reflected in three things: income; infrastructure and facilities; and social rights," said Ke Binsheng, President of China Agricultural University.
Ke said the urban-to-rural income ratio has widened from 2.56 in 1978 to 3.33 in 2009 as China's 200 million-strong pool of migrant workers do not enjoy equal access to education and health care.
"It has become a great challenge in developing countries to speed up the process of modernization through rural-urban interactions," said Zhang Xiaoqiang, vice minister of China's National Development and Reform Commission, the country's top economic planning body.
Zhang said the divide seriously impedes the process of building an overall well-off society in China, adding that the integration of rural areas with cities is a major task for the transformation of China' s economic growth pattern.
Greater efforts must be made in establishing comprehensive public services for both cities and rural areas, Zhang said, adding that the building of infrastructure and facilities in the countryside is also important.
"Only if roads are built and electricity networks are well equipped can rural areas expect more social resources, such as capital investment," said Li Yang.
Public services equalization for cities and the countryside is the most important way to narrow the divide, Li Yang said.
Maskin also suggested more job training and education be provided to low-skilled workers, to allow this group themselves to narrow the gap.
Jan 8, 2011
Leafs Game in Blueland
The Leafs OWNED the Thrashers last night... I had a blast with Anna at her first NHL game! Woohoo!!
Jan 7, 2011
China needs more resources for skills training of rural people
BEIJING -- Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu said Monday the nation needs more resources to conduct skills training of farmers and migrant workers.
The country should encourage more people and social resources to take part in charity projects in this field, Hui said at a ceremony to mark the 15th anniversary of a charity project run by the National Association of Vocational Education of China (NAVEC).
The NAVEC project has trained more than 6.4 million urban and rural needy people over the past 15 years.
Rural people who leave their hometown for cities should have more vocational skills while those staying at home should learn more farming techniques, Hui said.
Last year 145 million rural residents, or over one tenth of China's total population, left their hometown to work in cities.
The NAVEC project tries to help unemployed people in the countryside through skills training and vocational education, Hui said.
The association has financed about 430 million yuan ($63.24 million) for the project over the 15 years.
Source: chinadaily.com (click for article)
The country should encourage more people and social resources to take part in charity projects in this field, Hui said at a ceremony to mark the 15th anniversary of a charity project run by the National Association of Vocational Education of China (NAVEC).
The NAVEC project has trained more than 6.4 million urban and rural needy people over the past 15 years.
Rural people who leave their hometown for cities should have more vocational skills while those staying at home should learn more farming techniques, Hui said.
Last year 145 million rural residents, or over one tenth of China's total population, left their hometown to work in cities.
The NAVEC project tries to help unemployed people in the countryside through skills training and vocational education, Hui said.
The association has financed about 430 million yuan ($63.24 million) for the project over the 15 years.
Source: chinadaily.com (click for article)
Jan 5, 2011
Christmas Expeditions
I flew with my Dad to Toronto so we could spend a week visiting our family and friends. It was a bit hectic, but I think we all enjoyed "catching up" with everyone. Special thanks to Mr. Fisher for the amazing sushi, Aunt Grace for hosting two Kooistra get-togethers, and Grandma for having us at her B&B (and also getting up at 6:45am with me to go the running track). We also stayed four nights at the Toronto Hilton Suites, which was basically like living in a hotel. It was so much fun -- and our suite felt like an apartment!
My dad and I stayed a day longer in Toronto thanks to Delta Airlines, who overbooked the flight. We volunteered to give up our seats and received $1500 in flight vouchers and were put up at the beautiful airport Sheraton. We ate at the hotel bar and watched Canada play in the world juniors (hockey) tournament... and had a great time sharing travel stories with a couple from Oakville.
Back in Atlanta with an hour of sleep, I had to quickly clean the house and get ready for the arrival of my two best friends from Ontario, Katie and Kaitlynn. They spent 5 days with me down here and we had a blast! We took a road trip to Nashville for New Years and stopped in Chattanooga along the way. After Nashville we drove east to the Cookeville area and explored Burgess Falls, Cane Creek Falls, and Fall Creek Falls. We climbed all the way down to the bottom of the "big" falls at Burgess and got completely soaked from the mist shooting down. Luckily we had a suitcase full of spare clothes to change into. And although we got screwed over by the iPad navigation system (Katie almost threw it out the window), we made it back to Cleveland alive. Somehow.
Kristin's car broke down that same night, so she was in Cleveland and let us crash at her apartment for the night, even though she was headed out to Atlanta for the Passion conference. I gave the girls the "grand tour" of Lee University (which took a total of 5 minutes by car, haha) and then we headed back to Atlanta -- after stopping for 2 hours at McKay's used book store, of course. The rest of the week we spent hanging out in Kennesaw... watching movies, get-get-gettin' in the hot tub (it's from a country song), hiking up Kennesaw Mountain with Callie and Duke, and shopping. Now it's back to just my mum and I at home and I'm preparing to leave for school again! One more semester and I'm done. Woohoo!! Click my Picassa page for more pictures.
My dad and I stayed a day longer in Toronto thanks to Delta Airlines, who overbooked the flight. We volunteered to give up our seats and received $1500 in flight vouchers and were put up at the beautiful airport Sheraton. We ate at the hotel bar and watched Canada play in the world juniors (hockey) tournament... and had a great time sharing travel stories with a couple from Oakville.
Back in Atlanta with an hour of sleep, I had to quickly clean the house and get ready for the arrival of my two best friends from Ontario, Katie and Kaitlynn. They spent 5 days with me down here and we had a blast! We took a road trip to Nashville for New Years and stopped in Chattanooga along the way. After Nashville we drove east to the Cookeville area and explored Burgess Falls, Cane Creek Falls, and Fall Creek Falls. We climbed all the way down to the bottom of the "big" falls at Burgess and got completely soaked from the mist shooting down. Luckily we had a suitcase full of spare clothes to change into. And although we got screwed over by the iPad navigation system (Katie almost threw it out the window), we made it back to Cleveland alive. Somehow.
Kristin's car broke down that same night, so she was in Cleveland and let us crash at her apartment for the night, even though she was headed out to Atlanta for the Passion conference. I gave the girls the "grand tour" of Lee University (which took a total of 5 minutes by car, haha) and then we headed back to Atlanta -- after stopping for 2 hours at McKay's used book store, of course. The rest of the week we spent hanging out in Kennesaw... watching movies, get-get-gettin' in the hot tub (it's from a country song), hiking up Kennesaw Mountain with Callie and Duke, and shopping. Now it's back to just my mum and I at home and I'm preparing to leave for school again! One more semester and I'm done. Woohoo!! Click my Picassa page for more pictures.
Dec 22, 2010
Dec 20, 2010
Wilderness Volunteers
I spent about four hours today reading Backpacker magazines, and came across this cool non-profit organisation called "Wilderness Volunteers". Anyone can sign up to camp out at a national park for a week and help restore/maintain trails. Some of the places you can go are: John Muir NP, Yellowstone NP, Glen Canyon NP, Zion NP, Yosemite NP, Denali NP, Glacier NP, Acadia NP, etc etc etc!! Check out the program's website:
Dec 17, 2010
Great Resource for Healthful Living
I just stumbled upon a site called Evolving Wellness. It appears to be a Canadian site (score!) and it's very useful for those of you looking for ideas for healthful living -- food & nutrition, environment, chemicals & health, natural products, recipes, etc. It is amazing -- check it out!
Also, I haven't tried this particular flavour yet, but LÄRABAR has a new product line called JŎCALAT.
JŎCALAT is Fair Trade Certified™ chocolate in its purest form. Harmonizing with fruits and nuts, each flavor contains no more than seven simple ingredients. Deliciously rich. Organic. No added sugars. Free of dairy, soy and gluten. A wholesome indulgence you can feel good about eating.
Also, I haven't tried this particular flavour yet, but LÄRABAR has a new product line called JŎCALAT.
JŎCALAT is Fair Trade Certified™ chocolate in its purest form. Harmonizing with fruits and nuts, each flavor contains no more than seven simple ingredients. Deliciously rich. Organic. No added sugars. Free of dairy, soy and gluten. A wholesome indulgence you can feel good about eating.
Dec 16, 2010
NHL Fever
So my amazing boss got me corporate tickets for two NHL games -- looks like I'm going with some friends to see both Boston and Toronto take on Atlanta. I can't wait!!! In other news, I'm flying to Toronto next Wednesday just in time for the annual Kooistra girls' ornament exchange. ♥ Then, I'll attend a few dinner parties and spend some good quality time with friends over coffee (fresh Tim Horton's, perhaps, if I can stomach it). Pretty soon I'll be coming back to ATL with Katie and Kaitlynn for some New Years adventures ~ I'm thinking a roadtrip to Nashville is in order. The Opryland Hotel is so gorgeous this time of year, so I think we'll see that and spend some time sightseeing downtown Nashvegas. :)
Wintry Weather... Well, Kind Of.
I'm about to start teaching a class called "Winter Driving for Southerners -- Why the Threat of Ice Does Not Constitute Driving 30 km Below the Speed Limit". Maybe I should take my hockey skates out and see if I can get to work faster in those. :) It's perfect walking weather, though, and I love being the only one outside at night when I take Callie and Duke out for a walk/run. Sometimes I sleep with my window cracked just so I can breathe in the cool, crisp air. Love it.
Dec 7, 2010
CARE International Conference
In March 2011 (during Lee's Spring Break, might I add) I am trekking up to Washington D.C. for CARE International's annual conference. If anyone is interested in going with me, please let me know! :) See links below for more info.
CARE homepage | CARE conference | CARE the girl effect
CARE homepage | CARE conference | CARE the girl effect
Dec 6, 2010
Dec 4, 2010
The Importance of Community
As someone who is a self-starter and very motivated, I oftentimes find it hard to be in large groups. I have a small, tight knit group of friends and spend a lot of time doing things alone -- cycling, reading, working, playing piano, etc. Although I like the feeling of being alone in a crowd, i.e. reading in the library as opposed to reading at home, the "alone-ness" often turns into loneliness. I found a great article on the subject of singles and living in community (click here) and continue to remind myself of the quote by John Donne, "No man is an island, entire of itself. Each man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main". Enjoy. :)
On an entirely different note, if you're looking for easy-yet-delicious recipes for the holiday season, check out Slow-Cooker Tapioca Pudding (click here) and Slow-Cooker Apple Crisp (click here). Mmmm.
On an entirely different note, if you're looking for easy-yet-delicious recipes for the holiday season, check out Slow-Cooker Tapioca Pudding (click here) and Slow-Cooker Apple Crisp (click here). Mmmm.
Dec 2, 2010
Handel's Messiah
My mom and I went to see/hear the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra perform Handel's Messiah and it was spectacular! I've heard sections of it growing up -- a byproduct of growing up in the church, I'm sure -- but there was nothing like hearing all of the songs in order, and live.
Nov 26, 2010
Washington DC
This weekend I'm in Arlington/DC/Alexandria area with Jason, Randy, Linn, my parents and my dad's parents. It's so nice to be back in "civilisation" again and in an actual city. Sorry Atlanta, but you don't qualify as an actual city in my books. lol. The weather is nice and crisp -- perfect walking weather!! I can't wait to take the metro into downtown DC tomorrow and explore. :)
Nov 21, 2010
Come What May
All of a sudden reality hits and I am left wondering about the impact I have on others' lives. Life definitely is not predictable. Never have I been more thankful for a loving, caring God who says you don't have to do this alone. Being able to accept grace and more forward at a time of utter confusion is not my forte, but I'm getting better. I just have to keep reminding myself where my identity lies.
"The sense of being led by an unseen hand which takes mine, while another hand reaches ahead and prepares the way, grows upon me daily." - Frank Laubach
"The sense of being led by an unseen hand which takes mine, while another hand reaches ahead and prepares the way, grows upon me daily." - Frank Laubach
Nov 19, 2010
Family Weekend
My family is home!!! Well, Duke has always been here, but I thought I'd show off his blonde hair. Haha.
Nov 8, 2010
Nov 2, 2010
Nov 1, 2010
GREAT WEEKEND
Coffee and wandering around the Borders book store
Exploring the biggest wine/liquor superstore ever
Late-night sushi, mmmmmm....
Day-trip to Chattanooga/Lookout Mtn with Mom (Rock City & Ruby Falls)
Painting my room (still, yes) and movies, movies.
Exploring the biggest wine/liquor superstore ever
Late-night sushi, mmmmmm....
Day-trip to Chattanooga/Lookout Mtn with Mom (Rock City & Ruby Falls)
Painting my room (still, yes) and movies, movies.
Oct 28, 2010
Paint, Scotland & Mountains
An odd title, perhaps, but it's a true fusion of current events. This week I am painting my room blue and light cappuccino/brown, trying to finish up a Scotland photo book, and am heading to Lookout Mountain on Saturday morning. Work has been terribly light this week, unfortunately. But the weather has been beautiful and the leaves are GORGEOUS! Peace.
Oct 25, 2010
Oct 22, 2010
Tonight's Playlist
So, I'm doing some work on my Scotland scrapbook tonight, which is kind of boring without some good music. (Yes, I am ashamed that I'm a good 2-3 yrs behind on my travel photo-books). Here's what I'm rocking out to:
- Swedish House Mafia (ft Pharrell) - ONE
- Labrinth - LET THE SUN SHINE
- The Fragrance - 1901 (cover)
- Telepopmusik - BREATHE
- Boyce Avenue - TEENAGE DREAM (cover)
- Temper Trap - FADER (favourite!)
- Pendulum - WITCHCRAFT (raaaaave)
- Matt & Kim - DAYLIGHT
Oct 10, 2010
Ernesto "Che" Guevara
Last night I woke up in the middle of the night and decided to watch a movie. I picked "The
Thanksgiving
Happy (Canadian) Thanksgiving!
Today I am thankful that, amongst other things, God has not given up on me despite the innumerable times I fail. I am also thankful for the vast amount of resources by which I am surrounded. God has truly blessed my family and I don't reflect enough on His provision in my life.
Today I am thankful that, amongst other things, God has not given up on me despite the innumerable times I fail. I am also thankful for the vast amount of resources by which I am surrounded. God has truly blessed my family and I don't reflect enough on His provision in my life.
Oct 3, 2010
Stars Concert
Last night I went to a Stars concert with Randy and two of his buddies. The opening act was Wild Nothing and they were actually pretty good. The concert was so long though, and I struggled to stay awake. It was after midnight when it ended...
It was an entertaining show for the most part, as I think the male lead was drunk. He just started mumbling words and knocking over his keyboard at the end.
Some hilarious memories include Alex's lion touque, the "lucky pillow" (I knew I should've rephrased that, haha), getting lost in downtown ATL, getting cut off at the pumps by the creeper decked out in Lamborghini gear, and almost having several guys jump in my car when I pulled up to wait for Randy. Haha. Good times.
Sep 29, 2010
Canada Post and other adventures...
Dear Canada Post: I'd really appreciate if you would stop sending me letters EIGHT MONTHS late. Your tardiness is a bit ridiculous, if you ask me.
(Which you haven't, but hey.)
In other news, I'm taking a watercolour painting class with my mom starting next week. I am very excited to acquire a new skill and exercise the left part of my brain. My mom and I recently arrived home from a long weekend in Hilton Head, South Carolina, which I will be posting pictures of soon. =)
(Which you haven't, but hey.)
In other news, I'm taking a watercolour painting class with my mom starting next week. I am very excited to acquire a new skill and exercise the left part of my brain. My mom and I recently arrived home from a long weekend in Hilton Head, South Carolina, which I will be posting pictures of soon. =)
Sep 22, 2010
Thoughts on War
I just watched a docudrama on the Rwandan genocide in 1994. Between this film and the recent reading I've done of WWII accounts, I am incredibly saddened at how brutal humans can be to each other. Exterminating an entire people group via concentration camps or slashing people to death with machetes is unfathomable to me, as young and naïve as I may be. (Actually, morality hardly depends on age, in my opinion.) Anyway, after the film ended I just sat and cried for a bit, wondering why history repeats itself over and over, and why there is so much hatred in this world.
We need not look only to the past to learn of mass violence and war.
- The LRA insurgency in northern Uganda, Congo, and Sudan
- Congo War in the Dem. Repub. of the Congo (formerly Zaire)
- Drug wars in Mexico
- Civil wars in Palestine, Somalia, Ivory Coast, Georgia (not to mention civil unrest in several other nations)
- America's "Operation Freedom" wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
- Arab-Israeli conflicts
And the list goes on and on.
All of this to say that the world is far from where it should be.
I don't really know how I should end this post, but I do feel a glimmer of hope b/c I know that I can help make a difference, as small as my contribution may be. I want to help women gain a foothold in developing and underdeveloped nations so they can improve the quality of life for their families. The key to economic growth and sustainable change is women; I feel very strongly about this.
Sep 21, 2010
Today's Playlist
Breathe - Télépopmusik / Airplanes - BoB & Hayley Williams / Ready to Start - Arcade Fire
Here I Am - David Morales ft. Tamra Keenan / Electrify - Mutemath / A Thousand Miles - Vanessa Carlton
The Funeral - Band of Horses / Stereo Love - Edward Maya ft. Vika Jigulina
Here I Am - David Morales ft. Tamra Keenan / Electrify - Mutemath / A Thousand Miles - Vanessa Carlton
The Funeral - Band of Horses / Stereo Love - Edward Maya ft. Vika Jigulina
Sep 19, 2010
This weekend has been great -- very relaxing and enjoyable. I was able to finish rereading a book called "Number the Stars", which is a story based on real events in Denmark during WWII. Very interesting. That is the second book I've read this week dealing with WWII events. I am continually dumbfounded by the scope of the Nazi takeover and how it affected people all over the globe. Germany has had quite a violent 20th century, with the two world wars followed by the RAF violence in the 70s. And of course the Berlin Wall, which lasted from 1961 to Nov 1989.
Except there was no breeze.
Finally, after trying to sleep on every floor of the house, I decided it was too hot everywhere and finally shut all the windows. The thermostat indicated that the house's internal temperature was 88*F -- a bit hot for mid September if you ask me! Yikes! Hopefully it'll cool down in the next few weeks. :) I fancy fall weather.
Sep 6, 2010
Aug 27, 2010
Back on crutches again... this is exactly the reason why I bought a pair years ago. If you're out there and feel like sending up a quick prayer for me, I'd appreciate it. And please also pray that my mouth heals quickly from my surgery... it's been 6 days and I'm still a bit swollen and very sore. It's hard to keep positive about all this; even harder to grasp that God is somehow with me in my pain.
Aug 23, 2010
Wisdom Teeth
Recovering from the operation is sooo not enjoyable. Hopefully my mouth heals quickly...
Aug 22, 2010
Pray for Flood Victims in Pakistan
The flooding, which began late-July, is still a huge problem for millions of Pakistanis. Relief isn't being brought quickly enough to meet victims' needs, despite the United Nations and several countries pledging aid to this nation. Many fear that diseases are spreading quickly, especially considered the state of hunger/malnutrition many face. Please pray for the people affected by this heavy flooding! It's been 3 weeks and there is so much devastation. Can you imagine losing loved ones, your home, your livelihood, and waiting for food packets? Below are some pictures from MSN-BC (Getty images). Read a recent article here.
Aug 17, 2010
Nan :)
This past weekend I met a 65-year old woman who is biking across Canada. Her name is Nan, and she's from British Columbia. I was quite inspired by her, especially since it's my dream to do the same route when I graduate (and with the same tour). She was spending a few nights at my Grandma's bed and breakfast, so I had the opportunity to spend 2 hrs chatting with Nan about her summer. Best of luck with the final stretch, Nan!!
Aug 3, 2010
Last Weekend
This past weekend was amazing... I drove up to Cleveland and got to hang out with some friends (Kristin, Emily, Bri, Nikki, Lauren, Blake, etc etc) before the end of summer. I also went out with my friend Abid Khan and his wife Aiman (and their newborn baby Hasaan!). They treated me to Indian food and then had me over for tea. It was wonderful. And then I had a run-in with the police a few hours later (don't even ask). I don't know if I should be offended that I was asked "Do you have any guns or knives in your car?". I'm an innocent, blonde, college-aged female - what do you think?! Of course not! Definitely don't want to relive that experience. After it was established that I was not armed, the officer was actually pretty nice, so I'm thankful it ended well.
Anyway, good luck to Bri and Ryan as they head off to South Korea in the next few weeks - you will be missed. And to the plethora of other people going their own ways, much like a modern day Diaspora - good luck with everything. :) I can't believe how quickly the years go by.
Jul 31, 2010
Jul 30, 2010
Need a refreshing summer drink? Try mixing a bit of Malibu with crushed pineapple, and then blend with 2 frozen coconut milk ice cubes. Delish.
Actually, coconut milk is really good for you especially if you buy the light version (no artificial stuff, it's just with less fat). What I do is open a can of coconut milk and pour it into an ice cube tray -- that way I can pop a few cubes into a smoothie or drink.
Which brings me to a great smoothie recipe. 2 coconut milk ice cubes, a spoonful of flaxseed (ground or whole, doesn't matter which although I've heard ground seeds are easier for the body to digest), some milk, frozen mangoes and berries, a spoonful of vanilla protein powder..... and BLEND to your heart's content. Personally, I love my smoothies very thick (not liquidy at all) so I add very little milk. If you like frothy, creamy smoothies you'd probably enjoy adding 1/2 a banana.
Last but not least, if you're looking for a refreshing evening wine you've got to try Sangria. I really like Cruz Garcia Real Sangria from Spain... it's fruity (natural citrus flavours), lightbodied, and a delicious red wine. If you are more of a white wine person, try Sangria Blanca. I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds promising. :)
Jul 22, 2010
Jul 18, 2010
Workaholic
Today I have fully embraced the fact that I am indeed a workaholic.
And that's okay, because I love work and want to dedicate my life to making a difference in this world.
I am constantly realising that I don't have to feel guilty about what I love or who I am.
I am me, and I love work.
Yes, I also love fun, but at the end of the day I can't sleep until I feel like I've accomplished something.
Hence the 2:30 a.m. bedtime some nights.
Anyway, I found an interesting article on multi-tasking and how it can be counterproductive. Check it out HERE. :)
Jul 6, 2010
Psychic Octopus...
Wow, I can't believe this... but I just read a BBC news article on an octopus in Germany who has predicted a Spanish victory in tomorrow's World Cup game. Check out this link for the story. Craaazy...
Jun 29, 2010
I am reading an amazing book called Finding Alice... it's about a female university student who, in her senior year, starts developing signs of schizophrenia-paranoid. As her mental illness progresses, she ends up locking herself in her apartment for weeks and then hitch hiking to another city to live on the streets. It is a heart-wrenching story (fictional, I believe...but it gives you a first-hand idea of what people with this disorder are dealing with) that reminds me of the movie A Beautiful Mind . John Nash, a Nobel prize winner, dealt with the same illness as Alice, the main character in this book. I am not finished it yet, but I can't put the book down!! (Which is not a good thing when this is my only day off this week and I have an economics exam tomorrow night). Anyway, I highly recommend this novel!
Jun 17, 2010
(FIFA) Fútbol Update
- Argentina defeated S. Korea 4-1 (I totally predicted this)
- Greece won against Nigeria, 2-1... interesting game.
- Mexico beat France 2-0, which was surprising. Vive Mexico :)
OLE OLE OLE OLEEEEEEE...
Jun 14, 2010
First Dutch Victory
I watched part of the 2nd half of the Netherlands vs. Denmark game this morning... and watched the Orange score their second goal and win the game! Woot!!! For those of you who don't know, all of my grandparents are landed immigrants from Holland. I grew up in a Dutch community and we take our football allegiance very seriously :) Here are a few pics of the team -- from fifa.com. Peace!
Jun 4, 2010
Cambodia Project Makes News
The Cambodia "business plan project" I was part of this past semester made the university headlines this past week. :) I am so excited to see the ideas implemented over there. Check out the site for our project partner: People for Care and Learning (PCL) and the news article.
I ♥ Nannying
This summer I'm a part-time nanny for a wonderful 7-yr old boy. It's a great deal of fun -- today we played around outside and went exploring in a forest, made pancakes, went to a bookstore, cruised the neighbourhood in a golf cart, drew some pictures, and dressed up in crazy masks and ran around with BB guns. Love it!
Jun 2, 2010
Bowling Balls
If arachnophobia is a fear of spiders, what on earth do you call a "fear of getting your fingers stuck in a 10-pin bowling ball"? Just curious. Not that I suffer from this or anything...
May 25, 2010
Wedding... now back to class
Classes start tomorrow at KSU... hello Macroeconomics and American Government. Oh well, it's only 8 weeks so I'm sure it will fly by pretty quickly. And I have another wedding to look forward to attend in August (in Canada). My mom and I just spent the weekend in Niagara to attend Michelle's wedding. It was beautiful!! And now she and Brian are on their honeymoon in Panama. : )
May 20, 2010
Ontario-bound
In less than ten hours, I'll be on a plane headed north. :) It's my cousin's wedding on Saturday, so my mom and I will be spending the weekend in beautiful St. Catherine's, Ontario. Oh, wine country, how I miss you. Seriously, though, it's the most beautiful place to be in the summertime. The whole Niagara-on-the-Lake area is full of vineyards and estates, bike paths along the Niagara River, bed-and-breakfasts, and all sorts of leisurely activities. Picture perfect. Anyway, I'm excited about the getaway, but kind of bummed that I won't be up there longer to visit family and friends. But I'm blessed to get to see the wedding. ♥
May 18, 2010
10K TRAINING
Today is the day I begin training for a 10K... and however unfit I have become over the past 2 years, this is my "summer of fitness" and I have high hopes for success. I'm joining a group of runners to help keep me motivated and on track. In other news, this weekend is my cousin Michelle's wedding. : ) My mom and I are heading up to St. Catherine's-Niagara Falls area on Friday and I am very excited. Below is a picture of Michelle and I back in 2006.
May 17, 2010
Moving Out... and Lacrosse
So I moved out of my place in Cleveland this past Saturday. What a job! *whew*
Anyway, I'm back in Kennesaw and trying to enjoy my full week off. :)
Mom and I are leaving for Niagara Falls on Friday to see Michelle's wedding.
Last night I got to see my youngest brother Randy play lacrosse... here are a few pics.
Anyway, I'm back in Kennesaw and trying to enjoy my full week off. :)
Mom and I are leaving for Niagara Falls on Friday to see Michelle's wedding.
Last night I got to see my youngest brother Randy play lacrosse... here are a few pics.
May 13, 2010
Harrison Bay State Park
One day after work I went on a random drive. Had no clue where I was going. All of a sudden I saw a sign for a state park. I thought, "Hmmmm... I wonder where this goes". So I started heading in the direction the sign pointed me toward. Twenty minutes later, I see a huge body of water and think "NO WAAAY! I had no clue this was here!"
I started exploring, and found a cozy little spot under a tree. It was nice and sunny out, and I fell asleep listening to the birds chirp and the water lap against the rocks. How peaceful. : )
I'm trying to re-learn how to relax. It was definitely a hectic semester.
I started exploring, and found a cozy little spot under a tree. It was nice and sunny out, and I fell asleep listening to the birds chirp and the water lap against the rocks. How peaceful. : )
I'm trying to re-learn how to relax. It was definitely a hectic semester.
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