Through Foreign Eyes: May 2008 Blog Archives

Lakaw is a journey is a step is a move. I love to travel around the world and this is my travel and travel gadget site. Welcome and Enjoy!

Roads destroyed, trees cut

0 comments | Saturday, May 31, 2008

I am saddened to see the trees in front of Cottonwood coffee shop in downtown Brookings cut to the ground.

The trees were a good source of shade. They also beautified the main street. Isn't it pleasing to see greens lining the streets? Too late, with the road renovations going on this summer, the trees were affected and had to go.

I wonder what their plans are along the alleys now that the trees are gone.

Visit the site wood and you'll see the sad scene.

Labels: Brookings South Dakota

posted by talk

at 5/31/2008 08:26:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Getting into the Social Spark!

0 comments | Friday, May 30, 2008

Social Spark (SS) arrives at a time when every blogger is eager to earn money online through paid posts. Social Spark is owed by the same company that has revolutionized on-line marketing and advertising via PPP.

How does it work? Companies pay bloggers to write about their products or services. However, SocialSpark is not only that. It addresses nearly every complaint advertisers, bloggers, and blog readers have had about paid posts since they went online a couple of years ago.

There are actually differences between SS and PPP. One, in SS, advertisers and bloggers are together in one community, creating veracity between both parties. Two, bloggers can directly post comments for advertisers and most importantly, bloggers can communicate with others bloggers. It is also very easy to get back links through friends you exchange message with.

Of course, all of the standard social networking features are present - profiles, friends, community discussions, etc. If you are up to the challenge, try Social Spark. There is nothing to lose here. Just create the buzz for the sponsoring company and you earn in return.

If you are still in doubt, try to check the profiles. You can even check mine if you like.

------
This post is sponsored by SocialSpark.

posted by talk

at 5/30/2008 04:45:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

NASA offers scholarship programs

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Students and faculty may explore and experience unique space and aeronautics content through NASA's education opportunities for higher education. Learn about ways to interact with NASA engineers and scientists in the following categories:

All Higher Education & Post Doctoral
Internships/Cooperative Education
Scholarships/Fellowship
Research
Institutional Science, Engineering & Technology
Principal Investigator Awards
Mathematics and Science Education Awards
Partnership Awards
Consortium Awards
Other Awards
Informal Awards

Click here for further details and contact information. You can also view an alphabetical list of all student, educator and faculty programs.

Labels: PhD blog

posted by talk

at 5/30/2008 04:44:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

L.A. policemen produce nice gears

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Another post about Police Gears!

If you want to know where to but good quality police gears, visit the LA Police Gear shop. It is a business founded by policemen from L.A.

The business has grown and changed greatly over the years and now serves the general public, military personnel, security professionals, and of course police officers!

What can you get if you buy from them? Only three important factors: extremely fast shipping, low prices, and outstanding service! What more can you ask for?

So wear that tactical gear and run towards LA Police Gear and shop for more. For convenience, everything is placed online for you.

posted by talk

at 5/30/2008 02:02:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Examples of SAS program codes for basic statistics

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The sample SAS program codes for basic statistics given below would compute the mean, median, variance, standard deviation, stem-and-leaf plot, box plot, and normal probability plot for each given variable.

A given dataset is use as an example.

*****
dm log 'clear';
dm output 'clear';

data Example;
input ID X1 X2 X3 X4;
datalines;
1 16 27 32 35
2 19 10 35 38
3 17 28 33 36
4 18 22 31 33
5 22 18 34 38
;
proc univariate data=Example plot;
var X1-X4 ;
title 'Summary Statistics';
run;
quit;

2. Correlation coefficients between each pair of the variables can be obtained by using the following procedure:

proc corr data=Example;
var X1-X4 ;
title2 'Correlation Coefficients';
run;
quit;

3. Three-dimension and two-dimension scatter plots of the data can be obtained by using the following procedures:

dm log 'clear';
dm output 'clear';

data Ex;
input ID X1 X2 X3;
datalines;
1 27 32 35
2 10 35 38
3 28 33 36
4 22 31 43
5 29 38 34
6 14 39 41
7 25 36 37
8 23 30 39
;
proc g3d data=Ex;
scatter x1*x2=x3;
title '3-D scatter plot';
run;

proc gplot data=Ex;
plot x2*x1;
plot x3*x1;
plot x3*x2;
title '2-D scatter plot';
run;
quit;

3-D and 2-D scatter plots can be used to display the data.

The 2-D scatter plot can be used to check the correlation between two variables. An apparent trend of the 2-D scatter plot indicates a strong correlation between two variables.
*****

Thanks to SDSU Math Department.

Labels: Multivariate Analysis - SAS codes

posted by talk

at 5/30/2008 10:32:00 AM Permalink

| 0 comments

Way to a debt-free life!

0 comments | Thursday, May 29, 2008

Are you in a big "debt" trouble? With so many people buried in debt right now, you are not alone. Debt can happen to anyone. But financial problems, from high credit card debt to a bad credit rating are not necessarily the result of poor money management.

Some circumstances that are beyond your control, such as the sudden loss of a job, unexpected huge bills, medical expenses, divorce or death of a spouse can present you to very difficult financial situations.

So if you are in this kind of situation, the best thing you can do is to get some consultations. You don't have to pay for anything to do that. There are quite a number of free consumer debt and credit card debt consultations online that you can find. They are totally confidential too!

You may try Actual Client Savings (ACS). They have highly trained debt consultants available right now to go over the options with you and help you determine which one may be right for you, to assist you in creating a solid plan to get you out of debt as quickly as possible. You can be assured they recommend debt management only when it is the most appropriate solution for you.

Get a debt management advice and get all your consumer debt and credit card debt relief!

Visit ACS and get the free e-book on “how to deal with the phone calls” -- a detailed guide with information and forms to help get the creditors off your back.

posted by talk

at 5/29/2008 11:10:00 AM Permalink

| 0 comments

Okra nutrition facts

0 comments | Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Here are some facts on okra (from the research of Ms. Sylvia Zook, PH.D (nutrition), University of Illinois .

"Okra is a powerhouse of valuable nutrients, nearly half of which is soluble fiber in the form of gums and pectins. Soluble fiber helps to lower serum cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease. The other half is insoluble fiber which helps to keep the intestinal tract healthy, decreasing the risk of some forms of cancer, especially colo-rectal cancer. Nearly 10% of the recommended levels of vitamin B6
and folic acid is also present in a half cup of cooked okra.

Okra is a rich source of many nutrients, including fiber, vitamin B6 and folic acid. He got the following numbers from the University of Illinois Extension Okra Page . Please check there for more details.

Okra Nutrition (half-cup cooked okra)
* Calories = 25
* Dietary Fiber = 2 grams
* Protein = 1.5 grams
* Carbohydrates = 5.8 grams
* Vitamin A = 460 IU
* Vitamin C = 13 mg
* Folic acid = 36.5 micrograms
* Calcium = 50 mg
* Iron = 0.4 mg
* Potassium = 256 mg
* Magnesium = 46 mg

These numbers should be used as a guideline only, and if you are on a medically-restricte d diet please consult your physician and/or dietician.

Ms Sylvia W. Zook, Ph.D. (nutritionist) has very kindly provided the following thought-provoking comments on the many benefits of this versatile vegetable. They are well worth reading.

1. The superior fiber found in okra helps to stabilize blood sugar as it curbs the rate at which sugar is absorbed from the intestinal tract.

2. Okra's mucilage not only binds cholesterol but bile acid carrying toxins dumped into it by the filtering liver. But it doesn't stop there...

3. Many alternative health practitioners believe all disease begins in the colon. The okra fiber, absorbing water and ensuring bulk in stools, helps prevent constipation.

Fiber in general is helpful for this but okra is one of the best, along with ground flax seed and psyllium. Unlike harsh wheat bran, which can irritate or injure the intestinal tract, okra's mucilage soothes, and okra facilitates elimination more comfortably by its slippery characteristic many people abhor. In other words, this
incredibly valuable vegetable not only binds excess cholesterol and toxins (in bile acids) which cause numerous health problems, if not evacuated, but also assures their easy passage from the the body.

The veggie is completely non-toxic, non-habit forming (except for the many who greatly enjoy eating it), has no adverse side effects, is full of nutrients, and is economically within reach of most.

4. Further contributing to the health of the intestinal tract, okra fiber (as well as flax and psyllium) has no equal among fibers for feeding the good bacteria (probiotics) .

5. To retain most of okra's nutrients and self-digesting enzymes, it should be cooked as little as possible, e.g. with low heat or lightly steamed. Some eat it raw.

Labels: Others

posted by talk

at 5/28/2008 12:31:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Dandelions are weeds -- really!

0 comments | Sunday, May 25, 2008

The cherry yellow flowers on your yard might be dandelions. Dandelions, in the United States, are considered weeds. Weeds have to be eliminated, though they seem to look good on the front yard. Sadly, I wonder why they are considered weeds. Just because they grow on your lawn and perhaps "pollute" your "very green" yard, it doesn't mean they don't beautify the place. They do. Watch them in early morning when they are in full bloom, aren't they beautiful?

This year, the dandelions grow by the dozen on our lawn. Despite the fact that I like looking at them, they have to be mowed. Considered weeds by most gardeners and lawn owners, Brookings law dictates "yards must be green" - in other words - "get rid of the dandelions!"

Don't you know that dandelions have several uses too? Here are few facts.
1. It is a medicinal herb.
2. It is a leaf vegetable. The leaves can be eaten cooked or raw in various forms, such as in soup or salad. The leaves are high in vitamin A, vitamin C and iron, carrying more iron and calcium than spinach.
3. Dandelion flowers can be made as dandelion wine.
4. Ground roasted dandelion root can be used as a coffee substitute.
5. A leaf decoction can be drunk to "purify the blood", for the treatment of anemia, jaundice, and also for nervousness.
6. "Dandelion and Burdock" is a soft drink that has long been popular in the United Kingdom with authentic recipes sold by health food shops.
7. The milky latex/extract has been used as a mosquito repellent.
8. Dandelion contains luteolin, an antioxidant, and has demonstrated antioxidant properties.

So stop the dandelion massacre. Leave them alone. Make use of them. They only appear on spring and summer, that is so short a time to even appreciate them.

Labels: Brookings South Dakota

posted by talk

at 5/25/2008 08:35:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Hillary Clinton [in Brookings] failed me

0 comments | Friday, May 23, 2008

Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton visited Brookings, South Dakota today for a town hall meeting at the Agricultural Heritage Museum. She arrived on the dot at the scheduled time of 5:30PM.

Since I am rooting for Hillary Clinton this coming U.S. election [although I really couldn't vote], I was eager to meet and see her in person. This was the best time to meet a soon-to-be president of the United States, so I thought. Also, the Agricultural Heritage Museum is just a stone-throw away from my office or from my house.

The place was open to the public. I was at the gathering area at exactly 4:00PM, as advertised, in time for the hall opening. Alas, there was already a long queue of mostly Americans (of course) and few curious foreigners (like me) eager to see Clinton.

It took more than 30 minutes to finally be a couple of meters near the gate, since secret agents were inspecting everyone head to foot upon entry. However, luck wasn't just on my side. Just as I thought I'd set foot in the hall and find my seat, officers blocked the entrance and announced that the hall was full. Damn! I was outside with other hundreds of Americans.

After about 20 minutes of standing outside, Hillary Clinton arrived. At first, it was hard to see her as she didn't even stand on the platform while delivering her speech. Knowing that I am so deficient in the height category, vis-a-vis, the American standards, I had to tiptoe most of the time to somehow get a glimpse of Clinton. I had to move my head left and right, trying to avoid the tall people in front of me and not to mention the press people and police officers crisscrossing the hall.

Yipee, Clinton's old blonde hair shimmered in the limelight, good enough to catch my attention and to fix my eyes on her. I took photos from where I stood, though I knew it would be blurred.

Hillary Clinton talked about a variety of things, which are included in her election platform:
1. Protection of the next generation through paying off the United States debt.
2. Reduction of outsourcing-bring more jobs back home.
3. Reduction of taxes within a balanced budget.
4. Shortage of teachers by providing a salary increase.
5. Fight terrorism with cooperation.
6. Support for universal coverage through affordable health care options for all citizens.
7. Support strengthening the Medicare program.
8. Restricting the number of troops in Iraq and limit war funding.

And more...

I love Clinton over Obama because I think the lady has the tested leadership skills to put the United States back on track. Obama? He is inexperienced and he loves to play with words. I don't want someone who just talks about it and whose views are very immature. I want to hear concrete plans and directions. I believe Senator Hillary Clinton is by far the best choice to be the next President of the United States.

After the Q&A, I was hoping Clinton to come out of the hall and shake hands with those unable to see her up close. She didn't. People waited long outside just to be informed afterwards that she had left the hall minutes ago.

Hillary Clinton failed me. I was upset not to get closer to her. She didn't even mind the chanting of the other hundred fellow "hopefuls" outside - "We want Hillary! We want Hillary!".

In that aspect, I was very disappointed. But in the end, I still went home quite amused. After all, I was almost there. Almost. Just 20 meters or so away.

Next time, I will be the earliest bird on the scene!

Labels: Brookings South Dakota

posted by talk

at 5/23/2008 11:49:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Boat Safe, Boat Smart

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Never ever operate a boat under the influence of alcohol! This might be a common advice you hear, but sometimes, we need to be constantly informed and educated since this is an important part of all outdoor activities.

Every year in Arizona, alcohol is directly related to fatal boating accidents. About half of all fatal boating accidents in Arizona were alcohol related in 2007 and 1/3 of all fatal boating accidents nationwide are alcohol related.

In 2007 Arizona watercraft law enforcement agencies arrested over 350 people who were operating watercraft under the influence (OUI) of alcohol.

Boating operating under the influence is just as complicated as driving a car. Alcohol affects the judgment. It makes one think he can function better than when he is sober. The legal limit for blood alcohol is .08 in both cases. The penalties are similar, too; like driving under the influence, operating a boat under the influence is a Class One misdemeanor. A sober operator should be designated.

However, unlike driving a car, boating safety education is not required to operate a boat in the state of Arizona. Educated boaters are 70 percent less likely to be involved in a boating accident. Arizona boating classes are offered in Arizona statewide, or can be taken online at Boating Education Online [www.azgfd.gov/boating]. In addition to learning about the effects of alcohol, a boating safety education course covers other "need to know" boating topics such as carbon monoxide poisoning, life jacket wear, required safety equipment, rules of navigation, and other boating safety laws and responsibilities.

Yes, the "the rules of the sea" should be followed. Don't operate a boat when you drink.

Watch the commercial:

So ready for your boating activity this summer? Watch this video.

Please remember to boat safe. It is advisable to take a boating education class in person or online first, before you head on for your summer trip.

posted by talk

at 5/23/2008 08:56:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Time of My Life Lyrics - David Cook's new song

0 comments | Thursday, May 22, 2008

Time of My Life Lyrics - American Idol Winner's Song 2008. This is David Cook's new single as the new American Idol. I love the lyrics of the song, very inspiring. Well, it is always like that every year - kinda cheesy yet it carries the "winning moment" feeling.

My foster parent called me and she said she cried after hearing David Cook's proclamation as the Idol of the year! The "Time of my Life" song fits well with David C's voice. It goes to show, the new AI is versatile and judge Randy was right, David C. can sing any song. [lyrics after the jump]

Time of my Life lyrics. Video can be seen here.
I’ve been waiting for my dreams
To turn into something
I could believe in
And looking for that
Magic rainbow
On the horizon
I couldn’t see it
Until I let go
Gave into love and watched all the bitterness burn
Now I’m coming alive
Body and soul
And feelin’ my world start to turn

And I’ll taste every moment
And live it out loud
I know this is the time,
This is the time
To be more than a name
Or a face in the crowd
I know this is the time
This is the time of my life
Time of my life

Holding onto things that vanished
Into the air
Left me in pieces
But now I’m rising from the ashes
Finding my wings
And all that I needed
Was there all along
Within my reach
As close as the beat of my heart

So I’ll taste every moment
And live it out loud
I know this is the time,
This is the time to be
More than a name
Or a face in the crowd
I know this is the time
This is the time of my life
Time of my life

And I’m out on the edge of forever
Ready to run
I’m keeping my feet on the ground
My arms open wide
My face to the sun

I’ll taste every moment
And live it out loud
I know this is the time,
This is the time to be
More than a name
Or a face in the crowd
I know this is the time
This is the time of my life
Time of my life
More than a name
Or a face in the crowd
This is the time
This is the time of my life.
This is the time of my life.
------

More American Idol updates, videos at emusicality.com.

posted by talk

at 5/22/2008 10:31:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

For beginners, look for cheap web hosting

0 comments | Monday, May 19, 2008

Those who are into blogging and are wanting to have their own domain and web hosting would certainly look for and chose cheaper deals, especially for beginners.

There are a lot of options you can choose from when getting a cheaper web host. What you have to make sure, though, before finally getting the deal close is the server functionality every second of the year. You want your site to be visible, without interruption, when readers visit your blog or site.

Look for other features too. You can see these features in the hosting plan you selected. What is the hard disk space? Will you be assured of a fast technical support when necessary? You need a 24-hour support!

I want you to check this site for more information about windows web hosting specifications and tutorials. It has a number of articles for beginners. You will enjoy reading the helpful articles.

posted by talk

at 5/19/2008 10:53:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

How to tell if someone is unhappy with married life

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There are always signs to know when you reach a point that you’re not happy with your marriage anymore. These signs are observable, not just by you but by people around you.

Why become unhappy with marriage anyway? One reason that is most likely to appear in surveys with marriage couples is compatibility. You and your partner are not just compatible with each other. Compatibility sometimes is learned more over time, even when you have kids already.

Compatibility is so hard to measure or to predict. Maybe the only solution to compatibility issues is going steady for a while with your partner without getting married first. Getting to know each other is a serious part of a relationship. This is where you develop friendship and a deeper understanding of each other's emotional capabilities.

So how to know if someone is unhappy with his/her married life?

1. He or she flirts with another party. Third party comes to the picture.
2. He or she tells friends about it.
3. He or she spends more quality time with friends than with his or her partner.
4. He or she doesn’t talk so much about his/her partner’s achievements.
5. He or she wastes time for himself/herself, instead of being with his/her partner often.
6. He or she never brags (or at least say) to his/her friends about how much he/she loves his/her partner.
7. For the wife, she talks about other men. For the husband, he talks about other women.

Are there more that you can add? Please leave a comment.

Labels: Blogging

posted by talk

at 5/19/2008 10:30:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Travel to Boston for fun and inspiration

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Ate Rose wants me to visit here again in Boston. If there is one city that I will recommend for everyone to visit, be it for mere fun or romantic getaways, it must be Boston, Massachusetts.

So, what is in Boston that makes me smile all the time in excitement? The answer: everything - so many things to do in Boston. Boston is a very historic city, also being the cultural center of the entire New England region.

I love the city the first time I saw it. Very romantic, the city was the site of many U.S. firsts, such as America's first public school, Boston Latin School (1635), and first college, Harvard College (1636), in neighboring Cambridge. Boston was also home to the first subway system in the United States.

If you want to visit Boston, here are some places you need to visit: Museum of Fine Arts, Plymouth Historic Cemetery, Salem Witch Museum, Plymouth Twilight Ghost, Boston Lighthouse, New England Aquarium and IMAX, and so much more.

On your trip or family sightseeing tours, try to contact Trusted Tours & Attractions - just to be certain your vacation time is spent wisely by visiting only the best tours, attractions and museums that our Boston has to offer!

Planning your next vacation? Looking for ideas on what to do? Sign up for the Trusted Travels eNewsletter and enter to win a $150 iTunes gift card Offer ends Saturday, May 31st, 2008.

Signing up is free. What about the Chicago things to do? That will be another post to come.

posted by talk

at 5/19/2008 12:02:00 AM Permalink

| 0 comments

Downtown Laundry is the answer

1 comments | Sunday, May 18, 2008

Having problems with your clothes washing machine or your dryer? In Brookings, South Dakota, all you need to do is drive yourself to the nearest 24-hour laundry shop and let the lines of washing machines and dryers do the job for you for only a few dimes.

Last night, my friend and I headed to "Downtown Laundry" shop to have our clothes dried. It was late at night, around 11PM and nobody was inside the shop except us. Probably, everyone in Brookings have these huge machines in their homes.

Anyway, waiting for 45 minutes for the clothes to dry wasn't bad at all. We enjoyed watching the "Saturday Night Live" on TV. Yes, there are two TVs inside, cable connected. There are magazines too to spend the time with.

I took pictures of Download Laundry of course. To those encountering problems with the shop, there are phone numbers available for you to call [see photo].

Labels: Brookings South Dakota

posted by talk

at 5/18/2008 08:25:00 PM Permalink

| 1 comments

GPS will help me track you

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I used to operate a GPS quite often for my teaching profession as a Civil Engineer who taught surveying, GIS and Remote Sensing to college students. The technology is simply awesome as it tracks satellites, many kilometers away from the earth's atmosphere, to know your exact location on earth.

Do you know that one of my favorite lectures was the one on GPS? I could use three hours of straight talking with just this topic. It was just so exciting to tell stories of this tool to students, of how this could be utilized by hikers, fishermen, outdoor enthusiasts, bikers, pilots, international travelers, or even an everyday motorists. With the real-time GPS Tracking system, it can locate in real-time and on demand vehicles, people and property from any web based computer. Then view these locations on our systems integrated maps.

Amazing indeed! Get yourself a personal GPS. It will be a great tool, I assure you.

posted by talk

at 5/18/2008 08:21:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Lawn mowing is an exercise -- make it a habit

0 comments | Saturday, May 17, 2008

Apart from jogging, lawn mowing twice a month must be part of my regular exercise in this town called Brookings (South Dakota).

The very first time I tried lawn mowing was last summer of 2007. If it wasn't because each household, as the law in Brookings dictates, is required to mow the lawn and to keep the yard clean, I would have not done it. You see, mowing is hardwork. Next, you'd get to lay yourself out in the sun. As an Asian whose skin is already dark, no way that I'd allow it to become darker. I easily get so brown that it'd take weeks or even a month to restore my "normal" color. So, I rather stay indoors and avoid the sun, if possible. Yet, the very first time I tried lawn mowing, I thought it was the one of the coolest things I could do.

Mowing makes me sweat a lot and therefore it is a good option for jogging. It is an exercise of the arms, controlling the mower as it rolls over the tall grasses and turns in each bend. It is also the best time to say hello to the neighbors and get to meet them personally. It is also a good way to show off what you've got -- say your abs or nice upper built as you go mowing half-naked (but I don't do that..LOL). You can pass through or at least get a peek on girls (half-naked too) lying on the grass suntanning themselves (when you do this, put on your sunglasses).

Today, my roommates and I decided to mow the lawn. Spring has started indeed and grasses are growing so fast. See the photos of my African housemate mowing while I watch and pose for pictures. LOL.

For SDSU students who detest lawn mowing, get an apartment and not a stand-alone house. Apartments mostly don't require tenants to mow, owners take care of the job.

To those mowing this summer, wear your headphones, sing as you cut the grasses merrily!

Labels: Brookings Fun

posted by talk

at 5/17/2008 07:54:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Where to select the best credit card

0 comments | Friday, May 16, 2008

I accompanied a friend to Wells Fargo bank today to open a new account. She has an existing account at First Bank and Trust (Brookings, South Dakota Branch) but, unfortunately, the bank rejected my friend's application for a credit card. I told her to get an account at Wells Fargo.

Owning a credit card in the United States is a requirement. I remember being rejected for a new phone application because I didn't have a credit history, being new to the U.S. soil at that time.

Establishments look into your credit history to see whether you are indeed capable of paying whatever monthly payment due to you. If you are all the time at fault in your credit card payment, most likely, your application for loans (house, cars, etc.), or even for a phone, would be rejected. Proper credit history backs your application approval. Bad credit means a bad financial status for you!

I am now starting to build a good history standing. Hopefully, when I get into big dealings sooner, companies/businesses would trust my financial records.

Do you want to know what type of credit card is useful for you? You should visit Credit Cards Club. They have the different credit cards grouped in categories, such as interest rates, business, prepaid as so on.

posted by talk

at 5/16/2008 11:17:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Benefits of jogging in SDSU - and running technique video

0 comments

I sometimes jog. But I've decided, just a few minutes ago, to jog more often. Last summer I jogged like three times a week, and I want to do it again.

Jogging inside the South Dakota State University (SDSU) premises is the best thing you can do when bored, or when you suddenly feel like a health buff who wants to shape the legs or trim the belly a bit. The SDSU campus environment in Brookings offers a great deal of peace, because there are hardly people jogging and criss-crossing the campus buildings. That means you can be alone while you jog. That means you will have all the fresh air you want, as long as you want. You can take in the breeze too, which is very pleasant at this time of the year when the summer season hasn't bloomed to its fullness yet.

You see, jogging in SDSU must be a recommendation I should give to all international students who are left behind in the campus this summer. Comm'on, get out of your room or your office, leave those projects behind at the moment, and head out to the door with your jogging shorts. I tell you, after half an hour of running, you'll feel relaxed, like everything in your system is new.

Besides, there are so many benefits in doing so.

Jogging makes the heart stronger.

Jogging speeds up the digestive system and can help to relieve digestive problems.

Jogging counteracts depression.

Jogging increases the capacity to work and lead an active life.

Jogging makes you burn fat and thereby helps to lose weight.

Jogging helps to reduce stubborn belly fat.

Jogging will improve your appetite.

Jogging will strengthen the muscles and bone density of your legs, hips and back.

Jogging makes you sleep better.

What else can you ask for? See you one day around the campus -- jogging.

Lastly, I want to share to you this video about running techniques.

Labels: South Dakota State University

posted by talk

at 5/16/2008 10:47:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Hurricanes can happen - be prepared

1 comments | Thursday, May 15, 2008

Lately, I've been seeing the devastations caused by tornadoes in some States. Oh my, the strength of a tornado or hurricanes could actually flatten a community! Thank God, there is no occurrence of tornado in South Dakota -- well, not yet.

Houses turned into planks of wood, as I watched news on TV. I wondered how the homeowners managed to survive.

Disasters are nature's fury and there is nothing people could do to prevent it from coming. All what we can do it is to prepare for it by making sure the house is insured. Home insurance protects the finances by covering the damaged property.

I am sure there are coverages for homeowners across the country that would fit your needs and deliver the best home insurance with the lowest rates.

posted by talk

at 5/15/2008 11:47:00 PM Permalink

| 1 comments

Boggle - how to play and win the game

0 comments

A couple of months ago, I bought a Boggle game. Boggle is a word game played using a grid of lettered dice, normally a 4 x 4 size, in which players attempt to find words in sequences of adjacent letters in a limited time.

It is a very challenging game. The words can be found horizontally, vertically or diagonally neighboring.

I had this game too when I was still in the Philippines and used to play it with friends, even joining student tournaments during college days.

Lately, I have been playing Boggle again, this time with American friends. It is so amazing to know that I could actually be at par with their vocabulary, sometimes even surpassing them. Modesty aside, there were games that I ruled over them. The good thing about playing with Americans is that, I get to learn new words that I haven't heard of yet.

Madeline has been my source of info in terms of biology terms since it is her field of expertise. There were many instances that I knew the words exist but couldn't exactly give the definition, Madeline was there to define them for me. If we couldn't agree of anything, we simply cross them off.

The technique of winning the word game is to write as many short words as possible in the time alloted. The minimum is a 3-letter word, so find those 3-letter words as fast as you can. Write them down and look for permutations. For instance, if you find the word "tea", most likely the words "eat" and "ate" are there too. This gives you 3 points if they don't have them on their list.

Once you think you have listed most, if not all, the 3-letter words, go for the long ones. The long words will give you more points. Think of unique words. Think of words with silent letters. Mostly, your opponents won't find them. Utilize the letter "y" and come up with words using it instead of a vowel, like "sky" or "try". Words that start with a vowel are hard to find too. Try to look for them. You can also look for words that start with a prefix, or words that end with "sh" or "er", like "goer". Don't forget to notice if there is a letter "s" on the grid. You can use it to make plural words. And gather points.

Boggle enhances the vocabulary and since I love word games a lot, I might be playing Boggle often this time.

Labels: Blogging

posted by talk

at 5/15/2008 11:15:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Comprehensive weight-loss surgery program

0 comments

Start your journey to a healthier and better life in three steps. Start it right with the right step. Take the JourneyLite program and experience weight loss safely and amazingly.

Journey Lite offers a comprehensive weight-loss surgery program that specializes in Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding which is also known as LAGB or the LAP BAND System procedure. The Lapband Adjustable Gastric Band is designed to help you lose excess body weight, improve weight-related health conditions and enhance quality of life. It reduces the stomach capacity and restricts the amount of food that can be consumed at one time.

Taking the first step will be easy as there are support groups, message boards, member forums, recipes, tips for success, nutrition education available for you. Everything is covered for a happier you. That guaranteed results are for life. Visit lapband doctor cincinnati for more.

posted by talk

at 5/15/2008 02:05:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Easy way to teaching kids math

0 comments

Math is not that difficult at all. I love math since I was a toddler because mom pushed me to do it – in a much pleasant way. She has this strategy to making me love what she teaches me.

To help children have a good math foundation, they must be taught at a young age and help them understand the basics. Parents play a big role in making that happen.

Practice is important to help kids do math more automatically. Through practice kids will slowly understand the numbers and relationships between them, most especially the logic of numbers and of math.

Here is a link to an essay: "The Socratic Method: Teaching by Asking Instead of by Telling" -- an example and explanation of how to use students' (including young children's) inherent reasoning ability to guide them gently and easily into an understanding of difficult ideas.

This link is for kids to learn math online.

What about Addition Flashcards, Count on a Number Line to Find the Sum, Pigs Will Be Pigs Math Stories? They are all here.

Four habits of highly effective math teaching - this is very informative too for math homeschooling.

Enjoy teaching your kids math.

posted by talk

at 5/15/2008 01:50:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Big Apple, here I come - again!

0 comments | Wednesday, May 14, 2008

I was in New York for a week last year. New York -- a busy city, very urbanized, everyone was in a rush for work or for meetings. True to its name, New York is the city that never sleeps. Oh man, there are so many things to do in New York city. When you get to visit it, it'd left you with so many ohhs and ahhs especially if you are a first-time tourist.

I had the most wonderful time touring every nook and cranny of the city with my cousins, then with friends. I visited places such as the St. Patrick's Cathedral at 50th Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. It is the largest decorated Neo-Gothic-style Catholic cathedral in North America. It is the seat of the archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, and a parish church.

Then I had the chance to visit ground zero, the place where the tragic September 11 bombing occurred that killed thousands of people. Standing at ground zero was a bit spookish.

Most of the time that I was in Manhattan, I was just shopping. Dude, was it good to shop at Time Square! The goodies were tempting and had I been alone, I would have emptied my bank account for clothes and shoes. Thank God I was with my cousin Mona! Somehow, she was my salvager. When she'd ask me that we go to some feminine store for her needs, that prevented me to shop for more. However, I still coughed up hundreds of bucks for personal luxuries.

Then there was the Empire State building! It is once again the tallest building in New York after the destruction of the World Trade Center. The Empire State Building has been named by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.

Why am I telling you this again? Because by next month, I'd visit the Big Apple again, this time with my sister.

I checked the website for Trusted Tours & Attractions for additional info of my next travel to NY. Trusted Tours and Attractions offers discounted tickets to the best sightseeing tours in 23 cities across America. Did I tell you that if you sign up for the Trusted Travels eNewsletter, you could enter to win a $150 iTunes gift card? The offer ends Saturday, May 31st, 2008.

posted by talk

at 5/14/2008 03:06:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Obsessed with a girl? Blame her...

0 comments

Some girls are dangerous. They think they have the control over men, especially when it comes to emotions.

Men are easy preys. Girls have the best tactics laid out, well planned to get their best catch. Since girls are "planners" of emotions, they begin by befriending the men, then eyeing for their weak spots, playing with their emotions, deceiving the men with a facade of falsehood.

The girls would make the men believe they are the princesses trapped in the tower whom in need of a rescue from the unsurmountable distress. They pretend they need a savior that would give them the happiness-ever-after life. They act as if they need men. They make up stories so real that men are lured into thinking they are the answers to the girls' dreams.

Girls laugh in silence while the men slowly fall in their traps. Poor guys!

That is why sometimes I would think men should not be blamed if they suddenly turned violent or different at an instant. Why would girls blame men for running after them, for following their every move, for suddenly being obsessed, when in fact, they, the girls started it all in the first place?

Didn't the girls initiated the flirting? Weren't they the ones who wanted to talk privately in the middle of the night? Should guys be blamed if they think something is going to prosper because girls made them feel there is hope for something special?

Men are easy preys. Almost always, girls take advantage of that.

If someone would ask me to testify against men who stalk women, I probably would say no. There is a reason why men do that. The stalking must not be blamed to the men alone, women have their share of the story too. And that part of the story have to be investigated as well.

Some girls are dangerous. I said "some". Are you one of the "some"?

Labels: Blogging

posted by talk

at 5/14/2008 02:38:00 AM Permalink

| 0 comments

High-quality online printer brings you the best deals

0 comments | Tuesday, May 13, 2008

VistaPrint is the best kept surprise in the business world! They make the best business cards and postcards.

Whatever your business is, VistaPrint will do the printed products to suit you -- in high quality. Imagine this: high-quality graphic design and full-color printing, without the premium price!

No wonder the company won the "Best Shopping Site" for 2007 in the annual competition conducted by European online research agency MetrixLab in cooperation with Nielsen/NetRatings. The company previously won "Site of the Year" and "Most Popular Site" for its Spanish site in 2005 and 2006.

VistaPrint’s products are printed at two of their state-of-the-art plants in North America and Europe. As a global company, they employ more than 1,000 people and operate 19 localized Web sites serving over 120 countries around the world.

The accompany announced lately that employees recently donated more than $12,000 to local charities, including the Greater Boston Food Bank and Arrels. This is the third year in a row VistaPrint employees have helped raise money for the Greater Boston Food Bank, but the first that employees from its European office raised money for a local charity like Arrels.

Let us all support VistaPrint’s endeavor and products. Right now, they are offering exclusively vistaprint coupons - from calendars to stamps to checks to business cards - all the links include 50% off upload fees!

posted by talk

at 5/13/2008 10:10:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Tip in buying a laptop: don't trust everything your friend says

2 comments | Monday, May 12, 2008

My friend Janet needs a laptop. She said she wanted to buy mine, a Toshiba, and suggested that I should buy a new one for myself. I thought about it for a while and decided to give in to her request. I charged her a couple hundred dollars less than the original price, although the laptop is just about 4 months old, because she is a friend. Had she been someone else, I would have said no.

Another Filipino friend of Janet told her that I am pricing her too much. That there are other brand new units that are cheaper. That Janet should buy a Windows XP processor since mine is Windows Vista. But isn't Microsoft stopping the mainstream support for Windows XP Service Pack? That would mean security holes could then be easily exploited.

I told Janet that she has to check the specifications of that "Compaq" laptop her friend is talking about. It might be cheaper but of less quality, or maybe it pales with the features that my "Toshiba" has. Mine is already installed with MS Office, which doesn't come with the purchase of a new one. It also has the necessary Virus and Spyware programs ready. It comes with a portable video cam too. I told Janet to go for whichever she feels is right for her use and be critical – feature-wise and pricewise.

What I don’t like about the comment from her friend was that, the person thinks I am overpricing Janet. Damn! Why do I have to do that? Money doesn’t count if you care for a friend who has been begging you for months for the laptop. I love the notebook I own, and if I have to keep it forever to myself, I will. But because I love Janet as a friend, I have to go against my own rule. Isn’t that enough to keep others shut up?

These people who don’t think before they say something must be insensitive beings. Think before you utter meaningless words. Otherwise, your words will be used against you.

Labels: Blogging

posted by talk

at 5/12/2008 04:14:00 PM Permalink

| 2 comments

South Dakota State University is now a ghost town

2 comments | Sunday, May 11, 2008

Ghost town is a term that is sometimes used in a deprecative sense to include areas where the current population is significantly less than it once was. Ghost town exactly defines the South Dakota State University campus in Brookings.

Alright, this happens every summer when students move out of campus with all their belongings, big and small. I saw a pick-up type vehicle this afternoon with a big refrigerator, a TV, couch, bike, bed and some other things piled on its back. University rule states that on summer months everyone must empty their dorm rooms, no matter who you are or what year level you are in. Even if you are an international student who doesn't have anywhere to go, you must move out. Learn to live like an NPA (No, not the New People's Army. In SDSU, NPA means No Permanent Address). Poor international student!

The South Dakota State University housing is a bit harsh in treating international students. My friend Janet called me for help when she was advised to find another place to stay as the student halls will be closed for summer. Thank God, she managed to find an apartment to stay and a roommate too!

As I've said in the beginning, the university campus is now a ghost town. Or maybe even the Brookings town itself. I still have to find out how the bars are populated this summer without the usual student hoppers who frequent beer bars on weekends. I bet, businesses will be a bit slow without the drinkers.

The cars that used to line bumper to bumper near my house are all gone. Not a single one of them left. Just this evening, I noticed no one was standing outside the dorm entrances where normally students chat and laugh aloud.

Brookings will be as lonely as me without the people around. Why me? I don't know. I just have the feeling right now that summer will be lonely. Of course, I wish it won't.

I need to beat this ghost-town feeling!

Labels: South Dakota State University

posted by talk

at 5/11/2008 01:29:00 AM Permalink

| 2 comments

Ashley should win the home makeover

0 comments | Thursday, May 08, 2008

I visited a site about home makeovers and checked out the 10 semi-finalist gallery. Tanya Memme, host of the A&E Emmy-nominated hit show "Sell This House" and Renuzit Tri Scents have teamed up to challenge Americans to transform their home using the new line of electric scented oil air fresheners.

Among the finalists, I voted for the best one. It has a very convincing explanation and demonstration of why their home needs a makeover and why Renuzit TriScents can help. The thing that I found nice about my choice is that, the video shows a house and a new-born triplet and is narrated by a 3-year-old Ashley, the eldest child. The narration goes like this:

I used to think
That I just might lose it
Before I was rescued
By my friends at Renuzit

You see my home got
“Tri-Scents” of its own
When Benjamin, Casey and Daniele
Came home
Among human odors
There’s not much riper
Than the triplet version
Of a stinky diaper
But Tri-Scents saved us
By clearing our air

So to ask another favor
Seems fairly unfair
See, my parents are helpless (that’s just how it works)
And they just bought a house
With way too many quirks
They can’t help but notice
The parts that look shoddy
Yet they don’t have a makeover bone in their body

My mom lately found herself
In quite a quandary
When detergent exploded
Where she does our laundry
And as it fell
To the floor with a boom
It did a reverse makeover
Of our cramped laundry room
It’s about as much fun
As water aerobics
This laundry closet
For claustrophobics
And all that glitters
Is not gold
Like the peeling fixtures
In this bathroom that’s old

My parents are nice
And they’re sweet as honey
But they’ve got no time
And they’ve got no money

We’ve got some nice rooms
And we’ve got some nice halls
But they have no idea
What to put on our walls

So I’ll take a makeover
Or whatever you can gimme
Or just a big hug
From Tanya Memme

Thank you Renuzit!

The voice of the 3-year-old Ashley is just so sweet for me not to vote for her. So my vote goes for this girl and her "triplet" siblings.

If you want to see the video and vote for Ashley or see the other semi-finalists, you have until through June 7, 2008 to do it. Ashley should win the $20,000 home makeover with Tayna Memme!

posted by talk

at 5/08/2008 07:08:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Feedjit - for real-time blog traffic

0 comments

If you are a blogger reading this, you probably have the Feedjit widget installed in your blog already. Most bloggers I know, pros or amateurs, are using Feedjit to track live traffic to their blogs.

Feedjit does three things. It give bloggers or webmasters:

1. LIVE TRAFFIC FEED - Which city and country your visitors are in
2. LIVE TRAFFIC MAP - See your visitors spatial locations
3. LIVE RECOMMENDED READING - Which page they visited on your website
4. LIVE PAGE POPULARITY - Daily stats showing your most popular page

Feedjit widgets are updated as each visitor arrives on your site - real-time updating!

Try the live traffic widget and see for yourself.

Labels: Blogging

posted by talk

at 5/08/2008 06:53:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Brazil - largest sugar producing nation

0 comments

While shopping I saw a brand of sugar made from Brazil. I thought of the Philippines for a while, since we also produce sugar locally. But I think our volume of production is not as much as those produced in other countries.

There are more than 100 countries that produce sugar, mostly in the tropical and sub-tropical zones of the southern hemisphere. Who tops the list? Brazil is the consistent high performer when it comes to sugar production.

The other top producers of sugar include: India, China, USA, Thailand, Mexico, Australia. Never I've seen the Philippines on the list.

I wonder how the sugar from Brazil tastes like, as it also comes from sugar cane, just like ours. Ah, it might be just as sweet.

Since Brazil is a sugar-cane country, a large portion of this sugar cane is also used in ethanol production. Ethanol is used in fuel for Brazil’s many automobiles, and exported around the world. The Brazilian government has stipulated that a certain percentage of all fuel in Brazil must be blended ethanol to save on the cost of importing petrol and increases the self sufficiency of the country.

To know more, please visit Sugar from Brazil.

Final thought: the costs of producing sugar from sugar cane are lower than those in respect of processing sugar beets.

posted by talk

at 5/08/2008 12:23:00 AM Permalink

| 0 comments

Whey protein supplements -- build those muscles

0 comments | Wednesday, May 07, 2008

What are the whey protein pros and cons? Could whey protein lose those few extra fats? Why do we need whey protein supplements in our body? Does it really represent the best protein source for muscle-building nutrition? Should it be part of your muscle-building diet?

My friend Val, who drinks it everyday would want to provide you with information and facts about the unique nutritional benefits of whey protein shakes.

People often freak out when they see guys casually preparing a whey protein shake using the “scary and unnatural” powder from a big plastic jar. Some of them, who have lactose allergies, have a good reason to freak out. Yet, others do that only because the “organic culture” drew a very vivid stereotype for use of steroids, making any performance-enhancing food supplements appear as POISON. Nevertheless, folks that care enough to read about whey protein lose their fears and start using the substance themselves. Not always, of course, but at least they lose the prejudice attitude toward the ones who drink protein shakes. It is all because protein is a vital nutrition for human beings and whey protein is this same nutrition extracted from milk.

Here is some simple reasoning for inclusion of whey protein to diets (just common sense, it is not about growing muscles or enhancing performance in sports).

Depending on their weight, mature people need 60 grams and more of protein a day. There is really no upper bound for amount of protein a day as it is impossible to consume so much food. To get a dose of daily required protein (60 grams) you should consume a pound of red meet (which has a high concentration of protein in it). If you can eat two pounds - go for it; the protein you get from that meat will not do you any harm. If the amount of protein in one meal exceeds 40-45 grams there is a great chance that it will not be absorbed into your body. However, the surplus of other nutrition elements such as fat and carbs that come from meat and other food will cause you all sorts of problems. By eating grilled meat you get just a little bit fatter than you need. When oil is used to prepare the meat, you will get several daily doses of fat before receiving enough protein.

There is no way that this passage is meant to advocate the vegetarian life style. To the contrary, it is premised on the fact that nutrition of animal origin is usually absorbed better in our bodies than a vegetable or a fruit. The last two kinds of food just mentioned usually come with minuscule concentration of herbal protein that is hard to digest. Getting protein from milk is actually a very healthy idea. But the truth is that you will have to drink more than two gallons of milk a day to get enough protein.

This is where whey protein comes to the rescue. Concentrations of protein in the whey protein powder vary from 70 to 85 percent depending on products and manufacturers. One serving size of the powder gives 1/3 of the daily protein requirement, PLUS there is almost zero fat.

The other side of the medal here is the taste of the shake. Even though the whey protein products come in numerous flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, banana, and so on, the shake based on just powder and water still tastes pretty bad. But here is where the creativity comes in handy. Some whey protein “barmen”-guru mix the substance with fruit juices, some with drinking yogurts, others with hot coco or even green tee.

There can be as many tastes as there are those enthusiastic fellows who turned toward whey protein powder to diversify and balance their nutrition sources.

****
Related article - WalMart: Body Fortress Premium Whey Protein review.

Labels: Product Review

posted by talk

at 5/07/2008 09:44:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Rent a car when you travel

0 comments

Plan your next summer vacation by getting a car-rental service, especially if you are planning to get out of the States – maybe head to Australia, Europe or South America. Why? When you rent a car, it will give you the liberty to tour the cities at your own pace, and visit them wherever you like. You don’t have to look into public transport schedules to see the tourist attractions. Renting a car gives you a traveler’s freedom!

When choosing the car rental service company, choose the one that has long been in business and has the service records to show and, most especially, is getting good reviews from customers.

Advantage Rent a Car is a privately held rental car company a wide range of services at more than 150 U.S. locations and 130 locations in 33 countries internationally. Now that is what I call linkage and good name. Check out the site for more info and don’t forget to visit the special offers.

posted by talk

at 5/07/2008 06:44:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Remove Mi.Mail.C/Mi.Mail.D worm and some Windows tips

0 comments

Detects and Removes the Mi.Mail.C/Mi.Mail.D Worm
Search and download mimailc_remove.vbs. Save the file to the folder of your choice. Double click the VBS file. The VB Script file will check your system for signs of infection, and notify you if any were found. If signs of infection were found, you'll be prompted to disinfect your system. This version removes the C and D variants of this worm.

Disable/Enable Set Internet Options in Win95/98
Search and download internetoptions.vbs and save this file to your hard drive. Navigate to where you saved it and double click the file. The VB Script file will check for the appropriate value and if not found will create it. If the value was found, it will be toggled to its opposite state and you will be informed that you need to restart. This script can be viewed in Notepad or any text editor, as to the specific Registry key and value that are updated.

Enable/Disable Recent Documents History in Windows
Search and download docshist.vbs and save this file to your hard drive. Navigate to where you saved it and double click the file. A confirmation dialog will appear and remind you to log off/back on or restart your computer. This script can be viewed in Notepad or any text editor, as to the specific Registry key and value that are updated.

Enable/Disable Find on the Windows Start Menu and the Windows-F key combo
Search and download find.vbs and save this file to your hard drive. Navigate to where you saved it and double click the file. The VB Script file will check for the appropriate value and if not found will create it. If the value was found, it will be toggled to its opposite state and you will be informed that you need to log off/back on or restart your computer. This script can be viewed in Notepad or any text editor, as to the specific Registry key and value that are updated.

Note: Your antivirus software may report these scripts/software as potentially malicious, or a possible virus. This is because the script writes to the System Registry.

Labels: PhD blog

posted by talk

at 5/07/2008 06:02:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Go for "green" shoes

0 comments

It is time to go green. Think green in all things you do, even in the things you wear. Go green for shoes? Why not?

Infinity Shoes is coming up with “green” shoes. The shoe company specializes in producing environmentally friendly footwear. They bring together recycled and natural materials such as car tires and organic cotton to create stylish shoes so you can be hooked and "green." Cool.

For ladies, try this – the Satire shoes. It is part of the simple line of sustainable sneakers, known as ecoSNEAKS. It has an organic cotton canvas upper and lining. Take this: it has a recycled car tire outsole! And for just about $55 and you can help the environment big time, it is worth the price.

What is the warm summer of course, without the sandals! Infinity Shoes offers some top choices for women ranging from high heels to flats. Yes, there are a lot of great styles to choose from like that of the seychelles shoes and minnetonka boots.

I am attracted to smart girls wearing sexy shoes. So, grab one for yourself and get your perfect summer smart-look. Check out the tsubo shoes collection. One more thing, when you purchase your pair of shoes, make sure they are wonderfully fashionable and oh-so comfortable.

Go green. Go Infinity Shoes!

posted by talk

at 5/07/2008 05:48:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Annalena - the girl at the Student Union

0 comments | Tuesday, May 06, 2008

I know it will come to this point of saying goodbye. Hard it may seem, but what is there to hold on? Goodbyes have to be said. Wishes of "till we meet again" have to be painfully wished. Annalena is saying goodbye to Brookings, South Dakota for a much better greener pasture awaiting her in another State.

You probably have read my article about her many months ago. She's my "girl at the student union". People who have read that article wondered of who she really is. I never revealed her name in the article, nor in the couple more that followed after that, but only clues of the way she smiles, walks, talks, how she inspires me, the color of her hair and the joy I secretly entertained that time as I watched her almost everyday at the Student Union.

Now, however, there is no keeping-it-to-myself. No secret anymore. She is leaving and I have to leave memories of her behind me. When we had the party last Sunday at my place for her, I couldn't help but think how time tumbled so fast that Anna would be gone in days. I thought of how I lost spending quality moments with her -- maybe at the coffee shop, maybe at church, maybe at a place where we could have enjoyed each other's company.

Last Sunday, I couldn't even look at her straight because I do not want to say goodbye. But I am happy she liked my gift. I gave her a charcoal portrait. I painted her the night before the party from a photo I took a year ago. It turned out okay after spending quite a time visualizing every detail of her face. I want the gift to be memorable. I want her to remember me by. I want her to know that for the short time that we've met and treasured each one as friends, this guy who secretly admires her many months ago is still admiring her today and will forever do.

I may leave some memories of her behind me. But the good ones, oh, I rather tag them along with me every single day.