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	<title>trips &amp;laquo; WordPress.com Tag Feed</title>
	<link>http://wordpress.com/tag/trips/</link>
	<description>Feed of posts on WordPress.com tagged "trips"</description>
	<pubDate>Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:55:00 +0000</pubDate>

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<title><![CDATA[Im taking charge- NEXT TRIP- Everglades national park- Nov-Dec]]></title>
<link>http://tmacwright.wordpress.com/?p=359</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:47:01 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>carustol</dc:creator>
<guid>http://tmacwright.sv.wordpress.com/2008/10/07/im-taking-charge-next-trip-everglades-national-park-nov-dec/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Finally the time is almost here for me to prove that i have the mental capacity for an IM&#8230; wit]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Finally the time is almost here for me to prove that i have the mental capacity for an IM... with less than 4 weeks left, I feel ready!!!</p>
<p>WHich means...whats our next adventure????</p>
<p>The lifestyle of triathlon left me dry so i say we explore our state doing other things we will like, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, camping, hiking...</p>
<p>We have a true gem in our backyard...the everglades...</p>
<p><a href="http://tmacwright.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/m_everg21.gif"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-361" title="m_everg21" src="http://tmacwright.wordpress.com/files/2008/10/m_everg21.gif" alt="" width="384" height="353" /></a></p>
<p>Ever wondered what is beyong those mangroes on the way to the keys?? well i often did and never felt compelled to look it up, well...today i finally took out  a map and was amazed to see all the hiking trails and camping sites around those areas...it looks amazing!!!I AM UBBER EXCITED!!!</p>
<p>So, i was gonna plan a surprise trip(Since im like really turned on by surprises!) , but i think it be best if we decide together where in the evreglades we would like to go.</p>
<p>They suggest a 2 night trip for starters. Camping/ kayaking/hiking...I've printed out all the different sites where you can reserve the different places, there is frontcountry camping and backcountry camping...you can be inside the "woods" or by the beach or elevated platforms called "chikees".</p>
<p>We would also want to probably rent a kayak that you can fish in.</p>
<p>The idea is to have your kayak be your boat..so we can go to the different islands and explore the ones we want and not and then move on...I think this would be amazing...</p>
<p>Maybe you and I can do one(during wet season Nov) and then we can bring Joshy (Dry season)...i think he would really like this a lot...</p>
<p>Just spend a few seconds looking at the map on this site, you can play with it...:</p>
<p>http://www.nps.gov/ever/</p>
<p>anyways, I also know where we can rent the kayaks that have the fishing available...we can wither start from the keys or from florida city, obviously depends on which area we want to explore.</p>
<p>SOOOOO EXCITING!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Attending]]></title>
<link>http://kristof.wordpress.com/?p=252</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:23:57 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>kristof</dc:creator>
<guid>http://kristof.sv.wordpress.com/2008/10/07/attending/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[
Morgenvroeg organiseert de AB een wedstrijdje felbegeerde-tickets-bemachtigen.
Fingers crossed!
ps:]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://img.skitch.com/20081007-1eg2m96kmfd78pcn16fntxchui.jpg" alt="attending bloc party" /></p>
<p>Morgenvroeg organiseert de AB een wedstrijdje <em>felbegeerde-tickets-bemachtigen</em>.<br />
Fingers crossed!</p>
<p>ps: Ferme <a href="http://www.abconcerts.be">AB-site</a>, <a href="http://www.netlash.be">Netlash</a>!</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Kalymnos - Day 2 and 3]]></title>
<link>http://cogo.wordpress.com/?p=469</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:46:49 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>christer</dc:creator>
<guid>http://cogo.sv.wordpress.com/2008/10/07/kalymnos-day-2-and-3/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A couple of days have gone by here now. This is by far the best place I have ever been to for climbi]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A couple of days have gone by here now. This is by far the best place I have ever been to for climbing. Absolutely stunning!</p>
<p>We arrived here yesterday around 16:30 and quickly found a place to stay. I think the place we are staying at is called Artemis Studios or something like that. I'll take some pictures of the place later on.</p>
<p>After we stashed our bags yesterday we headed out for a quick climb. We went up to the Afternoon wall close to the Grande Grotto. It took us about 35 minutes to walk up there. I guess the stairs at work will be a walk in the park after a couple of weeks here!</p>
<p>We managed to do one long climb (6b, ~40m) before dark, which apparently is around 19:00. After that we scrambled down the rather steep hill in the dark and headed back to our place for a quick shower. After that we went to a place next to Artemis called Fatolitis Snack Bar for some beers and some nice Greek salad. And that's how yesterday went by.</p>
<p>Today we got up a bit late and went to Fatolitis for some nice breakfast. Eggs, bacon and sausages is a pretty good start to a days worth of climbing.</p>
<p>After breakfast we headed over to a crag on the right side of Grande Grotto for some easier routes. We did 4 routes from 6a+ to 6c and then took a lunch break. After that we headed over to the place we went to yesterday to do a long climb next to the one we did. It was a 6b+ at round 40 meters I think. I will do some notes in the guidebook I bought yesterday and write down some more info on the crags and climbs later on.</p>
<p>I have not been able to take any pictures yet, but I'll bring my camera tomorrow and see if I can snap some. When it's only two of us it's not that easy to take a lot of pictures. We have met many nice climbers here so maybe we'll team up with some others later on so I can take some climbing pictures. It would be cool to try and take some pictures while hanging in the wall. Climbing pictures taken from below is usually pretty boring to look at. Kåre has brought his 10-22mm lens so maybe I'll try to use that a couple of times.</p>
<p>Anyways, now it's time for some dinner and some more beer. We headed back to the camp a little earlier today to have some light while scrambling down from the crags! It's about 19:30 here now so it's getting pretty dark. You'll hear more from me later on!</p>
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<title><![CDATA[28 Sep 2008]]></title>
<link>http://spreadourlove.wordpress.com/?p=17</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:49:48 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>spreadourlove</dc:creator>
<guid>http://spreadourlove.sv.wordpress.com/2008/10/07/28-sep-2008/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Our first mission trip has been successfully completed.
 
On this sunny Sunday afternoon, everyon]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Our first mission trip has been successfully completed.<br />
 <br />
On this sunny Sunday afternoon, everyone arrived at the designated block to pack the supplies into goodie bags. While we were at it, there were already several elderlies crowding around us looking. Slowly, they asked if we could pass them their goodie bags first, haha, so anxious. You see, Lions Befrienders had sent them a letter some time ago informing that there would be a group of us coming to distribute goodie bags to them. It was a happy thought knowing that they have been looking forward and waiting for us :)<br />
 <br />
So after packing, we proceeded to our designated units. The block wasn't as old as we thought it would be. From what we understood from one of the elderlies, the government has just refurbished the block sometime last year. Which is a good thing, the lift reaches every storey, the place is cleaner and brighter on the whole, thus provides them more convenience and comfort.<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-18" title="di_grad1_023" src="http://spreadourlove.wordpress.com/files/2008/10/di_grad1_023.jpg" alt="" width="388" height="276" /><br />
Many of them stay alone in their one-room flat. Some of whom have difficulty walking, some difficulty in hearing. The oldest elderly on our list is over 90 years old! Here's a look at how their home look like.<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-20" title="p1040435" src="http://spreadourlove.wordpress.com/files/2008/10/p1040435.jpg" alt="" width="390" height="305" /></p>
<p><a href="http://spreadourlove.wordpress.com/files/2008/10/p1040437.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19" title="p1040437" src="http://spreadourlove.wordpress.com/files/2008/10/p1040437.jpg" alt="" width="392" height="315" /></a></p>
<p>Most of them were pretty friendly, taking some time to chat with us, while some invited us into their house for drinks. One granny even gave us some wise advice on how to live wisely! :) On the other hand, we also took the chance to know more about them, if they stay alone, if they work, what do they like to eat, and to enquire what items they would prefer us to give the next time.<br />
 <br />
Overall, it was an enriching experience, and we're all looking forward to our next visit during the end of this month. Hope that they would slowly feel comfortable with us, open up more to us, so we can help them in other ways if necessary.</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Tierra Santa III: los judíos]]></title>
<link>http://carretescaducados.wordpress.com/?p=184</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:03:49 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>pol</dc:creator>
<guid>http://carretescaducados.sv.wordpress.com/2008/10/07/tierra-santa-iii-los-judios/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Para unos ojos occidentales, para una mirada europea, ver a los judíos en acción es un espectácul]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Para unos ojos occidentales, para una mirada europea, ver a los judíos en acción es un espectáculo sin precedentes. Hay que decir que son celosos de su tradición hasta límites insospechados... Aunque a veces también hacen gala de sus raíces farisaicas.</p>
<p>Son imágenes que me impresionaron. Que las disfrutéis. Saludos.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-185" title="25" src="http://carretescaducados.wordpress.com/files/2008/10/25.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="357" /></p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-186" title="05" src="http://carretescaducados.wordpress.com/files/2008/10/05.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="366" /></p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-187" title="23" src="http://carretescaducados.wordpress.com/files/2008/10/23.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="357" /></p>
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<title><![CDATA[Voy a Marruecos]]></title>
<link>http://dcummins524.wordpress.com/?p=49</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:46:58 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>dcummins524</dc:creator>
<guid>http://dcummins524.sv.wordpress.com/2008/10/07/voy-a-marruecos/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[So it is slowly hitting me that i&#8217;m gong to Morocco TOMORROW!!!  we leave in a grand total of]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>So it is slowly hitting me that i'm gong to Morocco TOMORROW!!!  we leave in a grand total of under 16 hours!!!  that's right, it will be an early morning for me tomorrow because we are meeting at 4am just down the street and i need to pack and do homework yet before i leave.  this is all very exciting!  just realizing that i will be riding camels in the desert in a matter of DAYS is enough to make me giddy!  uhg, it will be so much fun!  granted, i have no idea if any of my friends are going and i fear that most of them will not be because it costs so much, but still!  i will be in the desert in AFRICA.  AFRICA, AFRICA AFRICA!!!  when the heck else will i be albe to ride camels and spend the night in the african desert?!?  i hope many more times, but in reality it may never happen again so i'm planning on doing as much as possible.  they warn us that we may get really sick, digestively, from this trip, but i hope that won't hold me back from anything!  i want this trip to be fantastic, and even if i get sick, it will be a once in a lifetime experience that i really don't think i ought to complain about.  i have so many friends studying abroad and doing wonderful things, visiting so many countries, but i imagine riding camels in AFRICA is fairly unique to the isa program.  granted, i don't get to learn to surf/snorkel/scuba, but in my mind, camels trump all of that!</p>
<p>i think i've caught my second wind, and i'm hoping that there are many gusts because this second is rather early in my trip, because i have booked a ticket to Paris for Dec 13th, after my program ends.  i'm thinking of staying a few days (ok, 2) to go to the Louvre and the Eiffel tower, then heading to Glasgow Scotland, then Dublin, then back to Madrid to head home.  All three other locations would be hit in a matter of 5 days (dec. 13-17) because my flight back home is at like 8am on the 18th.  this is so exciting!  i should book my tickets to the other 2 soon, and hostels, so they are cheap (and they're looking like they're about €20-30 each way).  I'm trying to save about €300 for this trip, but i'm sure all of it will be worth it!!  I'M IN STINKIN EUROPE AND I OUGHT TO SEE IT WHILE I'M HERE!!  that's my motto right now, and i'm hoping it will justify all of my expenses while i'm here!  i only have about €1800 left, so let's hope it lasts.</p>
<p>I'm listening to my itunes right now, and i must say that my random mix is quite appropriate!  i started this post on "life is a highway" by rascal flatts, then "my God's enough" by barlow girls (i think...), now "hawiian roller coster ride" by jump5.  it's quite uplifting and makes me really excited for the next 2.5 months!  i have so much time here, and if i really put my faith in Christ, then He will provide.  i just need to remember that.  He sure is providing a lot of excitement right now, and i will be counting down the hours until morocco!  sadly, that still includes 4 hours of class and some homework...  on that note, i ought to go do something more productive, tarea then?</p>
<p>ciao, d</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Maldives Day 3]]></title>
<link>http://ennairda.wordpress.com/?p=792</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 07 Oct 2008 09:58:32 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>alt.ayu</dc:creator>
<guid>http://ennairda.sv.wordpress.com/2008/10/07/maldives-day-3/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[This is going to be a short entry but I thought I&#8217;d just talk a little about the local island ]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This is going to be a short entry but I thought I'd just talk a little about the local island we visited on Day 3 of our trip. As usual we woke up to a beautiful dawn.</p>
<p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2880119571_6b6a5df79b.jpg?v=0" alt="" /></p>
<p>This was a day we wanted to spend leisurely - as if the fishing days weren't leisurely enough but I mean, we could choose to either fill the day with strenous water sports like wind surfing or something, or just have a laid back day and lounge at the beach. We thought we would be going to the Local Island in the morning and have the Dolphin Safari in the evening. In the end, I decided we didn't have to go for Dolphin Safari. After all, we saw the dolphins the day before and it was a beautiful sight. Moreover we didn't have to crowd around the boat and take pictures no one can see. The memory of the dolphins was wonderful and was good enough for me. </p>
<p>The Maldivians are Sunni Muslims. So in order to respect their culture, we had to dress appropriately when visiting the local islands or the City of Male. We took a boat ride for about 30 minutes and arrived at this very desolated island. I couldn't remember the name of the island now, but this was what greeted us when we arrived. </p>
<p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3124/2880131219_2710af43dd.jpg?v=0" alt="" /></p>
<p>There are signs of a community no doubt. But it was really very quiet. You can see the white banners in the photo above. They seem to be some political outbursts of sorts, depicting in both Maldivian and English that 'there is a need for change'. </p>
<p>Many parts of the island were under construction and they seem to be building a lot of residential homes. Most of where we went to looked like this. </p>
<p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3208/2880973998_485f9d0d5d_m.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p>Since it was the month of Ramadan, most of the people were indoors resting, or they were out lounging of makeshift 'chairs' like these. </p>
<p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3053/2880318171_91dc6bb1d4_m.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p>We walked around a lot and there were only a handful of people. Here we are at the mosque, which was also empty. </p>
<p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3172/2881193142_f6d199fdf4_m.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p>We didn't see much while walking around but we heard the primary school kids singing the school song during assembly. We also saw a couple of carpenters who were quite amused by tourists and one of them used his hp to take a photo of us! All around we saw signs of a community like a soccer field with fresh scores from the weekend before, political banners, schools, shops, a mosque and all that. But we hardly saw anyone. After more walking around, we saw this little kid playing with cards on his own. He wasn't shy and didn't run away. But he didn't want to look up either. </p>
<p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3080/2880380879_a6dbe1950f_m.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p>Here's AS with our guide</p>
<p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3220/2880161923_e55b687001.jpg?v=0" alt="" /></p>
<p>He's the same guide who took us night fishing. After the visit to the local island, we realized that not everyone was as fortunate as our guide or his other colleagues in the resort to have a good job. This guide had a 'surfer dude' friend (named by yours truly so because he really looked like one!) on the local island who has a gift shop. The whole island was so quiet and had only a handful of shops operating. These are the shops that catered for the locals and occasionally the tourists who needed a drink or something. The shelves are almost bare and have only ten or less of each product. Most of the other shops which were open were the tourist gift shops, one of which owned by the friend of our guide. Looking at how little visitors there are, we wondered how they actually make a living. </p>
<p>AS took a picture of this on one part of the island. </p>
<p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3204/2881220680_446963ce21_m.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p>It was really different from the resort islands of Maldives. I didn't go to Male and don't know what the city is like but from what I hear, it seems much more different what what we've seen in the local islands. The heartening thing I guess is that schools are provided for even in these quiet little islands. So young children still get basic education even though they may not live in the city center. Looking at the seas near our resort and looking at the 'beaches' of the local island, I can't help but feel very fortunate. </p>
<p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3097/2881197588_e90b7faf6f.jpg?v=0" alt="" /></p>
<p>On another note, to remember our trip and our swim with the Manta, AS and I bought ourselves these Manta Ray pendants from the friend of our guide.</p>
<p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3133/2881228116_ec6718c66a_m.jpg" alt="" /></p>
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<title><![CDATA[Catch up...]]></title>
<link>http://thelonelystar.wordpress.com/?p=144</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 07 Oct 2008 06:38:55 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>mateoclarke</dc:creator>
<guid>http://thelonelystar.sv.wordpress.com/2008/10/07/catch-up/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Much has happened in my life since the last time I have checked into this, my virtual and public dia]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Much has happened in my life since the last time I have checked into this, my virtual and public diary.  Apparently the whole world has had their heads chopped off by axe wielding <a href="http://joseluisalonso.files.wordpress.com/2006/11/warrant-dirty-rotten-filthy-stinking-rich.JPG">bigwigs </a>in <em>Nueva York</em>.  I don't have any chicken blood on me yet, thankfully I have no investments.  And the good news is the dollar is temporary getting stronger to the Chilean peso, so the few ones that I have are worth more.</p>
[caption id="attachment_145" align="aligncenter" width="348" caption="THE SKY IS FALLING!"]<a href="http://thelonelystar.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/chicken-little.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-145" title="chicken-little" src="http://thelonelystar.wordpress.com/files/2008/10/chicken-little.jpg" alt="THE SKY IS FALLING!" width="348" height="428" /></a>[/caption]
<p>A few weeks ago, I did make a small investment on a trip to the North of Chile.  Me and my grand travel buddy Will adventured through the two big port cities of the north, <strong>Iquique </strong>and <strong>Arica</strong>, before cutting down through the luxurious desert of <strong>Atacama</strong>.  We got some surfing in on the cost and some camping in in the desert.  Very good trip.  Traveling is almost always a good investment.</p>
[caption id="attachment_146" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Volcanos, Salty Lakes, and lot of Stars..."]<a href="http://thelonelystar.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/norte7.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-146" title="norte7" src="http://thelonelystar.wordpress.com/files/2008/10/norte7.jpg?w=300" alt="Volcanos, Salty Lakes, and lot of Stars..." width="300" height="225" /></a>[/caption]
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2102208&#38;l=510ac&#38;id=2812056">Click here for more photos of the trip!!!</a></strong></p>
<p>Since then I have been to two <strong><em>futbol</em> </strong>matches.  One here in Vina where my team <strong><a href="http://www.evertonchile.cl/">Everton</a></strong>, reigning champ, beat <a href="http://www.colocolo.cl/">Colo-Colo</a>, the most successful team in Chile.  The other game was in Santiago.  The <em>gran clasico chileno</em> between the two most popular teams in Santaigo, Colo-Colo and <a href="http://www.udechile.cl/">La Universidad de Chile</a>, more simple know as "La U".  Colo-Colo playing at home won 2-0 in a very entertaining match.  I wished I had taken my camera because the crowd was beautiful, but I was warned about thugs, punks and <em>flaites</em>.  I wanted to see the Chilean national team take on the dirty, dirty <a href="http://www.blogdecine.cl/wp-content/themes/blogdecine.cl/images/2008/06/diego_maradona.jpg">Argentines</a>, in Santiago for World Cup Qualifying, but tickets were too expensive.  The dollar isn't that strong.</p>
<p>Another investment I have made is in my lightly used, brazilian surfboard.  Today was the first day, of many to come, spent out on the waves alone before <a href="http://files.colonies.com/userdata/460825/galleryphoto/490359/500x500_5_0_0.jpg">sunset</a>.  I really want to get good before I'm 5 hours away from a beach at home in Texas.  This will require dedication and many hours on the water.  I am prepared.</p>
<p>More to come soon, after I get my passport stamped in <a href="http://www.univision.com/content/content.jhtml?chid=5&#38;schid=1310&#38;secid=1316&#38;cid=548039&#38;pagenum=2">Argentina</a>.</p>
<p>PS: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2099216&#38;id=2812056">here is a link to my pictures from August...</a></p>
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<title><![CDATA[Yosemite...]]></title>
<link>http://triplehd.wordpress.com/?p=81</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 07 Oct 2008 03:35:01 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Holly J</dc:creator>
<guid>http://triplehd.sv.wordpress.com/2008/10/06/yosemite/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[is the name of a tribe of Native Americans who lived in eastern California up until the 1880s, and i]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>is the name of a tribe of Native Americans who lived in eastern California up until the 1880s, and it's the National Park we camped in last weekend as well! The views are glorious!  Down in Yosemite Valley you can look up at the domed granite cliffs, or you can drive up and around on the North or the South to see the same breath-taking Half Dome, El Capitan, The Three Brothers, Echo Peaks, Cathedral Peaks, and so on.<a href="http://triplehd.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/img_2492.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-86" title="Yosemite Valley" src="http://triplehd.wordpress.com/files/2008/10/img_2492.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>
<p>You would not believe the effect that listening to John Denver Greatest Hits :) while driving to 10,000 feet elevation along Tioga road would have on you until you try it!  And what if your cute kids are totally into some of your favorite music?  It adds even more punch to the "rocky mountain high" that you're on.  HA!  Jenny, remember how we listened to Troy and Travis' cool music over and over until we had every word memorized?  I told the kids how we would argue over who had the words right.  I admit that I also told them that you eventually gained a respect for my wonderful memory for lyrics...wouldn't you agree? Hee Hee.</p>
<p>This is me, detaching the camera-case Velcro from my lovely camping sweater for the third time.  Hand-me-down sweaters made of acrylic yarn are very sticky, people.  I'm gonna have to keep a tighter surveillance on the location of the camera in the future...I guess I thought it was funny enough to share, though.  Hmmm.<a href="http://triplehd.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/img_2518.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-87" title="Holly &#38; Camera Case" src="http://triplehd.wordpress.com/files/2008/10/img_2518.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://triplehd.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/img_2494.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-88" title="img_2494" src="http://triplehd.wordpress.com/files/2008/10/img_2494.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>
<p>I have to say that I "stand all amazed" that the wonderful world of nature goes on all around us, in it's majesty, whether humans notice it or not.  The world spins, the insects buzz, trees grow, trees house other animals, drop seeds, burn sometimes, and fall over other times.  Little animals find their food and store it, birds stay together flying around and playing, and the effects that the flow of water bring all year round keep it all continually changing.</p>
<p>We took good food, a couple of frisbees, and gear.  I'm glad that we had a secluded spot--glad for ourselves as well as potential neighbors--and the kids found plenty to explore.  Rachel found herself flat on her tummy every half hour it seems, but enjoyed herself nonetheless.  She takes to rough terrain with a lot of courage, but doesn't have the balance she needs to stay upright all that much!  We played the awesome game I learned at girl's camp where a couple of people are the rescue team and they wait in a hidden spot until the "lost" people call them to come find them in the wilderness.  The exciting part is that the lost people have laid down an intricate set of clues for the rescue team to follow to their hiding spot.  Sticks set up to look like arrows, words spelled out in sticks, such as "31 steps North," pathways dug out of the pineneedles, and other landmarks that would point the way to the location of the stranded hikers.</p>
<p>So, while a couple of times I felt a little put-out that meal preparation and clean-up took the bulk of 5:30-7:30 p.m., I also realized that we had the time for it!  Here is the wonderful enlightenment that allows me to be at peace with my work even at home: I have the time to do this valuable task, and I am going to do it.  There is no hurry.  Janelle and Derek felt wonderful about being old enough to do most of the fire-starting and tending, and Christine and Melissa felt very grown-up about helping me cook at the stove.  Especially the little girls couldn't believe <em>they were actually </em>cooking at the stove!<a href="http://triplehd.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/img_2528.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-89" title="C &#38; M Cooking at Camp" src="http://triplehd.wordpress.com/files/2008/10/img_2528.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>
<p>The weather was accommodating, the site was private enough, and the views were fantastic.  This was another great camping trip!</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Home Sweet Home]]></title>
<link>http://amazenyou.wordpress.com/?p=26</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:39:26 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>amazenyou</dc:creator>
<guid>http://amazenyou.com/2008/10/07/home-sweet-home/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Well, I&#8217;m home from a great weekend vacation. 
 
I went up to the Smokey Mountains in North ]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Well, I'm home from a great weekend vacation. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I went up to the Smokey Mountains in North Carolina for a weekend to just chill out, something I really needed. I intended on doing a live stream from up there but the wi-fi crapped out, oh well. </p>
<p>I'm thinking of setting another live stream for thursday, perhaps. Got a funny "from the road" story as well as videos and stories from riding a nearly 4000 foot chairlift... It was insane. </p>
<p>Anyway, I'm home and back online. </p>
<p>See you all soon, </p>
<p>C</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Seattle Trip!]]></title>
<link>http://asuartmuseum.wordpress.com/?p=98</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:20:10 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Diane</dc:creator>
<guid>http://asuartmuseum.sv.wordpress.com/2008/10/06/seattle-trip/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[
Contemporary Art Encounters
Feb. 22 – March 1, 2009
The Emerald City: Seattle, Washington 

Comin]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://asuartmuseum.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/mus1006.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-99" title="mus1006" src="http://asuartmuseum.wordpress.com/files/2008/10/mus1006.jpg?w=500" alt="" width="500" height="291" /></a></p>
<p><span class="red style38"><strong>Contemporary Art Encounters</strong></span><span class="style37"><br />
<strong><span style="font-size:small;color:#666666;font-family:Verdana;">Feb. 22 – March 1, 2009</span></strong></span><strong><br />
</strong><span class="style37"><span style="font-size:small;color:#666666;font-family:Verdana;">The Emerald City: Seattle, Washington </span></span><strong><br />
</strong><br />
Coming in February, join the ASU Art Museum and the Ceramics Research Center curators on a trip to one of the country's most active and eclectic art centers. The trip will include exclusive tours of private art collections, studios, galleries and museums where we will meet with artists, dealers, curators and collectors. Our itinerary will explore the range of media and formats employed by contemporary artists, from ceramics and glass, to video and mixed-media installation. We will stay in a boutique hotel in the center of the city, surrounded by restaurants, galleries, unique shops and local sites. Please check back soon for a detailed itinerary and pricing information. Space is limited!<br />
For more details, visit: <a title="http://www.maildogmanager.com/link.html?url=1217&#38;client=hcfa&#38;campaign=572&#38;email=diane.wallace@ASU.EDU" href="http://www.maildogmanager.com/link.html?url=1217&#38;client=hcfa&#38;campaign=572&#38;email=diane.wallace@ASU.EDU">http://asuartmuseum.asu.edu/trips/index.html</a>.</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Se acerca el dia...]]></title>
<link>http://mgat5.wordpress.com/?p=760</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:01:10 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Mommy</dc:creator>
<guid>http://mgat5.sv.wordpress.com/2008/10/06/se-acerca-el-dia/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Estamos a menos de 10 dias!! Enrrumbamos a Lima a ver a tus abuelitos, tias, primos y TODA la famili]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Estamos a menos de 10 dias!! Enrrumbamos a Lima a ver a tus abuelitos, tias, primos y TODA la familia... esta semana va a ser un poco agitada, tenemos que dejar varias cosas finalizadas y asegurarnos que las maletas esten empacadas con todo lo que necesitamos.</p>
<p>El miercoles vamos al doctor a que te pongan la vacuna para la influenza, el jueves y viernes mami trabaja... sabado vamos a comprar lo ultimito que necesitamos y despues de almuerzo al Pumpkin Patch para escoger nuestra calabaza!! Domingo empacamos todo, lunes nuestra clase... martes correteamos para dejar todo listo y el miercoles partimos. :)</p>
<p>Alla vamos familia!!! Por favor, todos crucen los dedos que el viaje sea "placentero"... y sin inconvenientes!!</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Life Step]]></title>
<link>http://misslissa.wordpress.com/?p=788</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:20:41 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>sweetlywild</dc:creator>
<guid>http://misslissa.sv.wordpress.com/2008/10/06/life-step/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[I just reached a monumental point in my life.  That point when for the first time one rents a car.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I just reached a monumental point in my life.  That point when for the first time one rents a car.  I'm taking a trip at the end of October with my boyfriend to go visit some of my family who will be visiting Cape May, NJ.  I tried to make the trip down to meet them last year, but before 25 there are so many ridiculous fees they charge you for when renting a car.  I am now 25 and can say that I just got a ridiculously good deal for renting a car in New York thanks to Priceline.  I love that I can put in what <em>I</em> want to pay, now what they want me to pay.</p>
<p>So, on Halloween weekend, rather than dressing up in a slutty costume like everyone else my age (who doesn't have kids), I will br driving my first rental car to a beach town 3 hours away to catch hawks with my aunt and uncle.  And I couldn't be more excited!</p>
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<title><![CDATA[B-day!]]></title>
<link>http://ingridgomes.wordpress.com/?p=108</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:07:10 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>ingridgomes</dc:creator>
<guid>http://ingridgomes.sv.wordpress.com/2008/10/06/b-day/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[
Direct from Dam Square - Amsterdam!
The Party Season just started!
I&#8217;m 28&#8230; (o:
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://ingridgomes.wordpress.com/files/2008/10/dscf0068.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-109" title="Cheers!" src="http://ingridgomes.wordpress.com/files/2008/10/dscf0068.jpg?w=225" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a></p>
<p>Direct from Dam Square - Amsterdam!</p>
<p>The Party Season just started!</p>
<p>I'm 28... (o:</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Trusting In Adversity]]></title>
<link>http://compassionjuli.wordpress.com/?p=1133</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:35:34 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Juli Jarvis</dc:creator>
<guid>http://compassionjuli.sv.wordpress.com/2008/10/06/trusting-in-adversity/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[
TRUST IN GOD
Yeah!  We’re in Miami!  We spent last night here &#8212; Jane and I sharing a room]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><!--StartFragment--></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>TRUST IN GOD</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Yeah!<span>  </span>We’re in Miami!<span>  </span></span><span>We spent last night here -- Jane and I sharing a room -- and spent the evening in a lot of uncontrollable laughter and giggling.<span>  </span>One of my Advocates called from the airport and woke us up at midnight in a panic; she didn't know how to get to our hotel.  I was seen leaping out into the hallway saying, (a la Buzz Lightyear) "To Eternity and Beyond!"  I felt like I was heading out "beyond the call of duty" to rescue a fellow Advocate!  So the giggles began.<span>  </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>What was the view from our room? – a construction site.<span>  </span>It wasn’t until we were on the elevator with a man that he viewI realized how God had taken care of us.<span>  </span>He said, “Good thing it’s the weekend, huh – can you imagine what it would’ve been like if they were working?”<span>  </span>And then, as he stepped off the elevator, he said “God bless you ladies.”<span>  </span>We looked at each other and Jane said, “The Elevator Prophet.”<span>  </span>Yes, God is present and taking care of us; He even cares about the smallest details.<span>  </span><span> </span>And He sent that man to remind us.<span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>I have been thinking a lot about the issue of <a title="Trust" href="http://compassionjuli.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/who-will-i-trust/">trust</a>.<span>  </span>It keeps coming back to me.<span>  </span>Mindy said she had been afraid of the hurricanes and kept watching the weather channel.<span>  </span>Then she went to her Pastor to ask him to pray about it and he said, “Mindy, I detect an issue of trust.<span>  </span>You aren’t in control, are you?<span>  </span>You can’t control the weather, the pilot or anything about this trip, but you know who can.<span>  </span>Trust Him.”<span>  </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Now we have a more serious and uncomfortable situation before us.<span>  </span>It’s midnight and we’re still in Miami.<span>  </span>We were supposed to have flown out at 7:35pm, but here we are still.<span>  </span>We’ve had mechanical problems, paperwork problems and now they’ve had to bring in a new crew.<span>  </span>They finally decided to have us deplane and return to the terminal.<span>  </span>It’s been a long ordeal, but let me tell you – there’s no better group to be with in a situation like this than a group of <a title="Advocates" href="http://www.compassion.com/share/volunteer/default.htm">Compassion Advocates</a>.<span>  </span>We’ve told our stories to each other, made friends with a delightful young advocate from Australia, and we’ve shared our food (with free vouchers from the airline) with others.<span>  </span>Some have had a slumber party and others enjoyed pizza parties.<span>  </span>We’ve made friends with passengers and crew.<span>  </span>One of the flight attendants said to me, “What is this Compassion about anyway?”<span>  </span>They were all interested in hearing about our ministry (I think they were surprised that after 3 hours on the plane, no one had gotten mad at them or demanded anything).<span>  </span>We had a nice long talk about children in poverty, and she took my business card.<span>  </span>A young man that is a border agent with the Coast Guard spoke with me a long time and is interested in sponsoring a child.<span>  </span>I’ve watched several other Advocates sharing with others on the flight, in some cases sharing child packets.<span>  </span>We’ve made new friends and helped mothers with small children.<span>  </span>Mindy has lots of chocolates to hand out; that helps the tired mother as well as the child.<span>  </span>We’re making the best of it, and there’s been much laughter.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://compassionjuli.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/100_2307.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1136" title="100_2307" src="http://compassionjuli.wordpress.com/files/2008/10/100_2307.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a><a href="http://compassionjuli.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/100_2310.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1137" title="100_2310" src="http://compassionjuli.wordpress.com/files/2008/10/100_2310.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How can we laugh in this situation?<span>  </span>Why do we not worry about mechanical problems?<span>  </span>Why do we not demand our rights, or a solution to the problem?<span>  </span>Because we know who we can trust, and He has everything under control.<span>  </span>And – best of all – we can’t wait to see what else He has for us in the Dominican Republic.<span>  </span>If waiting for hours in the airport can be this much fun, what will it be like when we reach our destination?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">UPDATE!  We reached out destination!  I'm posting this from the Dominican Republic -- we arrived at the motel at 6am this morning!  And we're up and ready to go!  Just meeting friends again is a huge thrill!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p><!--EndFragment--></p>
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<title><![CDATA[Hoteles de hielo]]></title>
<link>http://rcilatam.wordpress.com/?p=28</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:52:48 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>rcibloglatam</dc:creator>
<guid>http://rcilatam.sv.wordpress.com/2008/10/06/hoteles-de-hielo/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ 
Hoteles de Hielo
Falta algunos meses para que empiece  invierno y es tiempo en donde se empiezan]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p> </p>
[caption id="attachment_27" align="aligncenter" width="468" caption="Hoteles de Hielo"]<a href="http://rcilatam.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/hoteleshielo.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-27" title="hoteleshielo" src="http://rcilatam.wordpress.com/files/2008/10/hoteleshielo.jpg" alt="Hoteles de Hielo" width="468" height="194" /></a>[/caption]
<p>Falta algunos meses para que empiece  <span style="color:#3366ff;"><strong>invierno</strong></span> y es tiempo en donde se empiezan a construir insólitos <strong><span style="color:#3366ff;">hoteles de hielo</span></strong>, cuyas habitaciones garantizan una noche confortable sobre una piel de reno. <span style="color:#3366ff;"><strong>¿Has pensado en hospedarte en un hotel así tan peculiar?</strong></span></p>
<p><!--more-->Estas son alguna de tus opciones:</p>
<ul><img class="size-medium wp-image-825 alignleft" style="margin-left:20px;margin-right:20px;" title="iglo" src="http://viajetips.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/iglo.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="133" /> </p>
<li><span style="color:#3366ff;"><strong>Alta Igloo Hotel:</strong></span><br />
Se encuentra en la ciudad de Alta, en plena Laponia noruega, presume de ser el hotel de hielo más grande del país y el más septentrional del mundo, con capacidad para 80 personas, un bar de hielo y hasta una capilla y una sala de reuniones.Se construyó por primera vez en el invierno de 2000, y cada año, en cuanto la temperatura baja lo suficiente,se vuelve a edificarse. Todo es de hielo: desde las camas hasta los vasos.</li>
</ul>
<ul><img class="size-full wp-image-826 alignleft" style="margin-left:20px;margin-right:20px;" title="icehotel" src="http://viajetips.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/icehotel.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="132" /> </p>
<li><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;">Icehotel</span></strong><br />
En Escandinavia, se encuentra a los pies del valle de Gudbrandsdal, dentro del Winterpark, un parque de ocio único en Europa, que abre sus puertas a la caída del sol. Cuenta con una catedral de hielo en la que se celebran bodas y conciertos y con capacidad para 40 huéspedes en habitaciones en las que la temperatura oscila entre los –3 y los –7 grados, pero en las que, aun así, es posible conciliar el sueño gracias a sus sacos de dormir dispuestos sobre pieles de reno.</li>
</ul>
<ul><img class="size-full wp-image-827 alignleft" style="margin-left:20px;margin-right:20px;" title="castillokemi" src="http://viajetips.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/castillokemi.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="133" /> </p>
<li><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;">Castillo de Nieve de Kemi:</span></strong><br />
En Finlandia, es todo un reto al talento de los artistas locales, algunos de los cuales se han formado en las universidades en las que recientemente se han abierto nuevas cátedras de estudiossobre la arquitectura de hielo. Sólo algunas de las más pasmosas esculturas de hielo que lo decoran se conservarán para el año siguiente. El resto, sus alrededor de 20 habitaciones dobles, su puñado de dormitorios para grupos pequeños y hasta la suite nupcial.</li>
</ul>
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<title><![CDATA[Fall Körhelg 2008]]></title>
<link>http://swedenland.wordpress.com/?p=85</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:08:35 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>swedenland</dc:creator>
<guid>http://swedenland.sv.wordpress.com/2008/10/06/fall-korhelg-2008/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Everyone, thanks for the warm comments on my last post.&nbsp; Thanks for praying/thinking about my f]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Everyone, thanks for the warm comments on my last post.&#160; Thanks for praying/thinking about my family and all, I think I'm better now and I'm not sure if it'll really hit me until I get home.</p>
<p>On Friday I left to go on the Körhelg (Choir Weekend) with V-dalakören (V-dala choir) to Järlåsa and I just got back yesterday~</p>
<p>I think it was an adventure from the start. I met with Evelina who had brought me a sleeping bag and a little blow up mattress type thing that Ulrika had let me borrow, but she wasn't going to come until Saturday.&#160; Anyway, yes so we met at Ekonomikum and took the Sala bus line to our little cabin/house dealio.&#160; It kind of reminded me of our old girl scout cabins and such.&#160; But, the place I guess can be rented out for weddings and all that fun stuff.</p>
<p>So, we took a looong walk into the woods to find the cabin thing and when we did we all got settled in.&#160; And of course, we sang!&#160; It's choir practice/weekend/fun/adventure after all.&#160; It really reminded me of band camp.&#160; We would sing, eat, sing, eat, and that consisted of our time.&#160; So, we had hot dogs our first night, I don't usually like hot dogs, but these were really good haha.&#160; And on Saturday we also did the same thing and we had fika as well.&#160; 2 fika in one day, it was like a dream come true!&#160; I love fika cakes and cookies.&#160; So delicious.</p>
<p>Anyway!&#160; The real adventure came on Saturday night.&#160; Saturday ingeneral was a bit hard to focus on.&#160; I didn't sleep well the night before because my makeshift bed fell apart in the middle of the night and I ended up on the floor, the room was also extremely hot, (which I personally think is better than extremely cold, like here at Flogsta) and yeah...so I got maybe an hour or two of sleep that night.</p>
<p>Saturday we practiced more, but then we all split off because us newbies to the choir weekend had to perform a Spex, which is a funny comedy of sorts, usually a parody of something, but this time it was just a funny skit.&#160; We decided to have a circus theme since 3 people in our group can juggle.&#160; Martin is especially good, he can juggle 2 balls and an apple, and take a bite out of the apple, and keep going, without dropping anything.&#160; He really belongs in a circus.&#160; So yes, we had jugglers, Maike, Eugene, and I formed the exchange student triangle, and Gustav was the "lion" lol.&#160; After that we all sang a song from Monty Python, though the beginning part 2 of the swedish guys changed the lyrics to funny stuff in Swedish and yeah.&#160; So, that was our plan for our spex later in the evening.</p>
<p>After our practice of the spex, we all got dressed up and went downstairs for our "formal" dinner.&#160; We had a weird way of picking who we would sit by.&#160; We all had to draw a paper, the guys I believe had a character, and the girls had to sing the theme song from whatever was on our paper.&#160; I got Beauty &#38; The Beast, so I sang that and I ended up being paired with Marvelous Martin, not to be confused with Machine Dish Washer Martin who I was going to do the spex with, though he did sit across from me.&#160; I also sat near Amelie and Karin who has the 3rd best dog in the world, Ville! Sooo cute~! Before I forget, earlier in the day we had learned everyones names by going in a circle and playing a game like "Patrik the penguin" etc etc... So, if I describe people later by that, you'll know why: hence Marvelous Martin and Machine Dish Washer Martin.</p>
<div class="mceTemp">
<dl class="wp-caption alignnone">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><img title="Choir Weekend Dinner" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3020/2917787163_8af26930e7.jpg" alt="Körhelg Dinner" width="500" height="375"></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">Körhelg Dinner</dd>
</dl>
</div>
<p>So, dinner was delicious.&#160; It was like a gasque.&#160; We had a 3 course meal (Bread-stuff that tasted like licorice to me because of the olives (starter), Salmon &#38; Rice (entre), and New York Style Blueberry Cheesecake (dessert))and plenty of singing and toasting.&#160; I drank water mostly, aside from a drink I had before the actual dinner, which tasted more like delicious juice! Alcohol is usually nasty, but this was actually pretty good.&#160; So, while people were getting drunk throughout the night, I got to laugh at them, because I uh...wasn't?&#160; But, basically after you sing a song you do this formal way of toasting, that's really a process.&#160; I'll show everyone once I get home.&#160; But, yes you sing after a speech or something special, then you drink.&#160; Or you make a "tsss tssss" sound, and the person in charge (Sofia) gets up and starts a song that we've been learning in choir or something most people know, and after that people drink again with a toast.</p>
<p>There were 3 songs that were especially fun to sing.&#160; Helan går (toast song of sorts), the ABBA parody song, and Circle of Life.&#160; Circle of Life was the most entertaining though because out of nowhere Fabian (I think?) got up and started singing it and then the rest of the choir joined in, so I joined in with the sopranos singing what I thought they would be singing (which luckily they were haha).&#160; It was so much fun.&#160; A few more songs that came about just in our little section of the table was 'Bumbi Björnarna', the swedish version of Gummi Bears, which I just so happen to have! I was amazed, because I knew it and I didn't learn it at choir.&#160; And also when Machine Dish Washer Martin and I sang Aladdin's "A Whole New World" together, but I did English Jasmine parts and he did the Aladdin parts in Swedish, so it was amusing. XD The most funny though is still the ABBA parody song about spanking and stuff lmfao.&#160; This choir loooves ABBA. Smiska här, smiska där, piska mig, piska dig~HEJ~ (Sing it to the tune of numanuma...and stuff lmao)</p>
<p>After dinner, we all did our spex and that was entertaining, I think the others watching were amused. So yay~&#160; Aaand yeah, then it became more chaotic and we eventually cleaned up and I talked with Kool Karin (not Ville Karin) and we all danced a bit or went and sang.&#160; Eveeentually we all went to sleep.</p>
<p>Then the next morning, the sopranos (meee) had to get up and do breakfast and such.&#160; We all cleaned up then and played some games before heading to the bus stop to go back home.&#160; It was pouring cold rain that day, so yeah.&#160; Some people drove back, some people offered to take people, but after all of that cheesecake and stuff, I just walked to the bus stop.&#160; Probably not the brightest idea with only having a hoodie and such on.</p>
<p>When I got home I definitely had a warm shower and it was amaaazing, let me tell you!&#160; I also found out when I got home that Matthias will be going back to Germany with his mom, so things are all packed up.&#160; I hope he doesn't have any brain damage and gets out of this okay. =\&#160; He'll be in my thoughts.</p>
<p>Also, my doorbell was rang a few minutes ago, so I went to check and see who it was.&#160; We don't have a peep hole, so I couldn't tell if I knew the person or not.&#160; Well, they started to speak to me in french, and then realized I wasn't french.&#160; Which was fine, and I thought maybe they would leave. But, no.&#160; Instead she whipped out her bible.&#160; And they started asking me about what I thought about the future and if I thought it was scary or something.&#160; I told them no, the future isn't scary when you live in the here and now.&#160; So she read me some prophecy in Isaiah. Or something.&#160; And asked what I thought of that and if I thought it was a real one, and I said no.&#160; Because I think to make the world perfect and nice we have to work towards that.&#160; I think the bible is a fine guide, like most mythology books on morals and stuff, but I don't think it predicts the future.&#160; Theeen after a few minutes, she whipped out The Watchtower.&#160; I'm not even kidding.&#160; Back home I just don't answer the door if they come, so I've managed to not get involved, but it majority athiest Sweden...this happens? What's going on?&#160; It's especially amusing because I watched 'Zeitgeist' last night (well part 1 &#38; 2, I need to finish it) which taught/reminded me of a lot.&#160; Put puzzle pieces together, that I didn't know where to put before.&#160; So, I have an even different view on Christianity than what I had before I left for Sweden.</p>
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<title><![CDATA[KWB Bełchatów 05.10.2008]]></title>
<link>http://ciameq.wordpress.com/?p=597</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:13:36 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>ciameq</dc:creator>
<guid>http://ciameq.sv.wordpress.com/2008/10/06/kwb-belchatow-05102008/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[
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<title><![CDATA[German Studies Tiramisù meeting!]]></title>
<link>http://nualadiefee.wordpress.com/?p=443</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 06 Oct 2008 09:33:53 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Jaqui</dc:creator>
<guid>http://nualadiefee.sv.wordpress.com/2008/10/06/german-studies-tiramisu-treff/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[it was a wonderful weekend in Dresden!
After a long long long while we had finally a get-together wi]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>it was a wonderful weekend in Dresden!</p>
<p>After a long long long while we had finally a get-together with almost all German Studies 2005 classmates!! :-)</p>
<p>We've met at Elisa's place, made tiramisù (an authentic one, since Elisa is Italian!) and enjoyed some lasagna, too!</p>
<p>I was missing these fellows a lot! - and it was very good to enjoy the warm feeling of being among good old friends!  :-)</p>
<p>here some pictures:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ipernity.com/doc/jaqui/3126860"><img style="border:0;" src="http://u1.ipernity.com/9/68/60/3126860.bdb39ce6.500.jpg" border="0" alt="German Studies Tiramisù Treff Oktober 2008" width="450" height="338" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.ipernity.com/doc/jaqui/3126859"><img style="border:0;" src="http://u1.ipernity.com/9/68/59/3126859.ad86c651.500.jpg" border="0" alt="German Studies Tiramisù Treff Oktober 2008" width="450" height="338" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.ipernity.com/doc/jaqui/3126857"><img style="border:0;" src="http://u1.ipernity.com/9/68/57/3126857.e181be69.500.jpg" border="0" alt="German Studies Tiramisù Treff Oktober 2008" width="450" height="338" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.ipernity.com/doc/jaqui/3126856"><img style="border:0;" src="http://u1.ipernity.com/9/68/56/3126856.91bbbe27.500.jpg" border="0" alt="German Studies Tiramisù Treff Oktober 2008" width="450" height="338" /></a></p>
<p>here also the pictures taken by Nadja (hm, the site is in Russian...)</p>
<p><a href="http://foto.mail.ru/mail/nadja1980/2">http://foto.mail.ru/mail/nadja1980/2</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>... I am feeling happy!  :-)</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Breathtaking Jageshwar]]></title>
<link>http://tikulicious.wordpress.com/?p=68</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 06 Oct 2008 06:55:27 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>tikulicious</dc:creator>
<guid>http://tikulicious.sv.wordpress.com/2008/10/06/breathtaking-jageshwar/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[


With a passion for driving and a desire to explore new places, we decided to explore some untouch]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_UUmboXGQBlU/R6rK3BRdelI/AAAAAAAAAE4/HnNHY8MV27M/s1600-h/images3.jpg"><img style="display:block;width:173px;cursor:hand;height:203px;text-align:center;margin:0 auto 10px;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_UUmboXGQBlU/R6rK3BRdelI/AAAAAAAAAE4/HnNHY8MV27M/s320/images3.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="105" height="203" /></a></p>
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<div>With a passion for driving and a desire to explore new places, we decided to explore some untouched places around <span style="color:#ff0000;">Ranikhet and Almora</span>, region.<br />
The whole area is dotted with remote picturesque places which can leave you asking for more .<br />
We made Ranikhet as our base. The place has some power to hold you, be it any time of the season .It also is a second home to us so we could relax and workout <a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_UUmboXGQBlU/R6rKdBRdejI/AAAAAAAAAEo/iYrfotkBTb4/s1600-h/images.jpg"><img style="float:right;width:174px;cursor:hand;height:167px;margin:0 0 10px 10px;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_UUmboXGQBlU/R6rKdBRdejI/AAAAAAAAAEo/iYrfotkBTb4/s320/images.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="174" height="116" /></a>which destination to select for a day trip .<span style="color:#ff0000;">Jageshwar </span>in Almora district came as a unanimous choice. A temple town buried deep in the heart of Himalayas.</p>
<p><span style="color:#3366ff;">RANIKHET</span>-<br />
AT 1829meters above sea level Ranikhet has the best combination of majestic Himalayas, lush green forests, hidden nature trails and lot of places of interest to visit. A<br />
Perfect balance of old and new. It also offers an interesting mix of hill and military cultures. One can spend hours just admiring the majestic Bhagirathi peaks in the west to Nanda Kot in the east. The place has preserved its virginity and pristine charm<br />
In every season there is something to come back to in this place ,be it the riot of colors in the skies during the sunse<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_UUmboXGQBlU/R6rKpRRdekI/AAAAAAAAAEw/U7glgQPv35Y/s1600-h/images2.jpg"><img style="float:left;width:149px;cursor:hand;height:135px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_UUmboXGQBlU/R6rKpRRdekI/AAAAAAAAAEw/U7glgQPv35Y/s320/images2.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="149" height="79" /></a>t, variety of local flowers or trees laden with fruits of the season. The air is fresh and cool and one can enjoy the scenic beauty through mist and clouds and sun playing hide n seek among tall pine trees. Or one can add to the excitement with an evening of power packed volleyball or football matches between one of the stationed regiments, cheered by the local crowd.<br />
An half an hour drive will take you to Chaubatia. The orchards famous for variety of exotic flora and delicious apples. The view is scintillating. The evenings are made even more serene by ringing bells of Herakhan and ancient Jhoola devi temples. A few kilometers from Ranikhet are the magnificent Kalika golf course.<br />
The nights are also beautiful especially if it’s a full moon night. It casts a spell on you.<br />
We decided to start early and packed some sandwiches for our two very exited kids. it was a great day for driving and we had a long way to go. We took the instructions from our army friends and set off to Almora reroute to Jageshwar.<br />
<span style="color:#3333ff;"><br />
ALMORA</span>-<br />
Almora is nestled in the lap of nature with great view of Himalayas and lovely colorful houses built on the slopes, it also has great bio diversity. Famous for the local bal-mithai, Surrounded by thick pine forest, this place is unique in its traditions and culture.<br />
Two lovely rivers Kosi and Suyal flow along Almora making it even more beautiful. Apart from the main Almora town one can go to<span style="color:#3333ff;"> BINSAR, JAGESHWAR, BAGESHWAR, BAIJNATH, AND</span> <span style="color:#3366ff;">GANNATH</span>, known for its natural caves and Shiva temple. Almora is filled with scenic beauty and the town has maintained its ancient tradition which is different from other hill stations.</p>
<p>We filled the petrol tank full, as there is no petrol pump on the way to Jageshwar .The drive past the old Almora town, gliding on the long and winding road, was an experience I will remember for a long time .Lush green pine and fur forest on one side and deep enthralling valley with majestic Himalayan ranges as a backdrop lift us spellbound.<br />
The fresh sweet smelling breeze brushing past the trees made a whistling sound, somewhere some bird call could be heard breaking the silence ,the small villages looked painted in rainbow colors ,full of vibrant seasonal flowers and bubbling brooks filled the us with awe.<br />
A slight drizzle had started and the fragrance of the wet soil, mixed with the mountain air was intoxicating. <a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_UUmboXGQBlU/R6rMxBRdenI/AAAAAAAAAFI/2BTXgjzOe3M/s1600-h/jageshwar.jpg"><img style="float:right;width:340px;cursor:hand;height:169px;margin:0 0 10px 10px;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_UUmboXGQBlU/R6rMxBRdenI/AAAAAAAAAFI/2BTXgjzOe3M/s320/jageshwar.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="340" height="141" /></a><br />
<span style="color:#cc0000;">JAGESHWAR</span>-<br />
It took us approximately three hours to reach pilgrimage town of Jageshwar, 5000 ft up in the Kumaon hills .As we approached the little settlement it seemed we have come in some other mythical world . Cluster of 150 Ancient Shiva temples made of gray stone built centuries ago, stood silently surrounded by the mesmerizing natural beauty.<br />
The whole place gave me a feeling of spiritual calm and peace. Embellished with the tall deciduous deodar trees and winding river Jata Ganga, which finds its way to the side of the temple complex.<br />
Jageshwar is the 8th Jyotirling among the twelve and has great religious value. Giant deodar trees stand as guards all across the area .the temples are of archaeological importance and one can spot signs put up by ASI everywhere.<br />
The architecture of these temples especially the mritunjaya and jyotirlinga temples is worth a look the carvings ,the courtyard and ancient things like pots etc. brought out in excavations can kept us hooked for a long time. The archaeological museum has idols and exquisite statues dating 10th century. One can also take an excursion to virddha Jageshwar which is worth a look.<br />
Apart from the religious aspect of the place one finds the old wooden houses pained carefully with vibrant colors and exquisitely carved panels all add to the glory of this place. The people are helpful and ever smiling. We stayed at Jageshwar for four hours and apart from offering prayers at al the temples, enjoyed the slight drizzle,a magnificent rainbow and cool water of the stream flowing nearby. It’s truly a magical experience which captivates you and holds you to the place.<br />
With a heart filled with serenity, peace and calm we started our drive back to Ranikhet, pledging to return and stay longer.<br />
On the way back we encountered a heavy downpour and driving through the rain on the serpent like road was an experience by itself. Visibility was poor but we had to go on to reach our destination before dark. The rain stopped as suddenly as it had started and we managed to reach Almora without any problem. Here we got some famous local mithai packed and had or much needed cup of sweet tea. As there was still a little time on our hand we decided to go down to Koshi River and spend some time enjoying the cool clear water. Children had great time playing with local kids, who were having a swimming competition .The water glittered with the golden rays of the setting sun and the beauty of the place increased manifolds.<br />
We reached Ranikhet at night just in time for a good, home cooked meal, at the army guest house, where we were staying .The night was beautiful and cool and very quite. Here the nature’s beauty overwhelms you with its sheer abundance.<br />
Though a very short trip we really enjoyed every moment of it .I would love to go back and spend a few days there exploring and reliving the enchanting experience.</div>
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<title><![CDATA[Dharamshala Adventure]]></title>
<link>http://tikulicious.wordpress.com/?p=66</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 06 Oct 2008 06:51:43 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>tikulicious</dc:creator>
<guid>http://tikulicious.sv.wordpress.com/2008/10/06/dharamshala-adventure/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Summers had set in and we were ready to explore yet another destination. We were offered accommodati]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#003333;"><span style="font-size:medium;">Summers had set in and we were ready to explore yet another destination. We were offered accommodation in Dharamshala and so, instead of going to the unexplored places, we normally go to, we decided to visit the land of His Holiness Dalai Lama.<br />
We went to Dharamshala from khajjiar which is near Dalhousie. It was a six nights five day trip.</p>
<p>Dharamshala lies on a spur of the Dhauladhar range, the Pir Panjal region of the Outer Himalayas; and commands majestic views of the mighty Dhauladhar ranges above, and the Kangra Valley below.</p>
<p>It is the land of awesome peaks, of Tibetan monasteries, and of meandering streams cascading down the majestic mountains rising up to 4000 feet. The gorges, wild daisies growing like a carpet of yellow n white, the springs leave you asking for more.</p>
<p>The main town is divided into two halves .The lower and the upper Dharamshala.<br />
Upper Dharamshala has a distinct character of its own and is influenced by the Buddhist culture .It is known as McLeodganj and is the seat of Dalai Lama. This place reflects the Tibetan way of life and is tranquil n serene .The crisp breeze is filled with the chanting of hymns n tinkling of prayer wheels. It’s a world in its own. Heavenly, calm and breathtakingly beautiful. The locals are friendly and warm people and one can easily relate to them. The evening prayers, the meditating monks, the laughter of the little children dressed in maroon outfits, the mighty statue of Lord Buddha in gold, just takes your breath away. It was a treat to our spiritually starved soul.</p>
<p>Apart from the spiritual stuff, the place offers some of the mouthwatering Tibetan food, from thupkas and dimsums, to a wide variety of local food, hand woven carpets, artifacts and spiritual music and books. The place is a heaven for food lovers, the constant flow of westerners has added to its flavor with German bakeries offering delicacies, out of this world.<br />
One can spend hours at this captivating place, walking down the trek routes, all along the hills.</p>
<p>The lower Dharamshala is a traveler’s base camp and a place where you can see people from across the world. It’s a busy town dotted with cyber cafes, crowded market place, restaurants, eateries, cafes and local shops.</p>
<p>The place is known for its beauty, elegance and charm that it expresses through the natural scenarios and the mystic ambience. The coniferous forests and the snow capped mountains are a welcoming treat from the hustle bustle of the city life.</p>
<p>We were in a mood to chill out completely and didn’t want to go to usual places of tourist interest .Both the kids were ecstatic to find video parlors, cyber cafes n their favorite eating joints, and that was a bliss .We were left to do our own bit.<br />
Loaded with ample supply of booze and the task now was to relax and find a good German café .Tucked on a hill side our search ended at a lovely café which not only offered great food but also had board games like Dominos, chess and carom and regular sessions of guitar playing.</p>
<p>The whole day, we explored the spectacular places like Bhagsunag waterfalls; the side of the rocky hill had been cut and paved with stones, to create a walkway to the waterfall. the path is approximately 1.5km. And very steep .it is a place one can spend hours without tiring..The water is fast and cold and one can sit on the huge boulders admiring the beauty surrounding the place.Bhagsunag also has an ancient temple of Shiva and is the ceremonial temple to First Gorkha Rifles. The monasteries and the nature trails in the forests, the local kotwali bazaar, church of St.John nestled between the wilderness and built in Gothic style , war memorial are the other places we explored , and, in the evening we returned to the café for steaks n barbeque, freshly baked breads n cakes. The owner, a young lad from Goa, was a friendly soul and after a little negotiation, allowed us to have our drinks at the far side of the café, dominated by the westerners. These hippies and regular travelers lived in their own world of dope n drinks and had little to do with anyone around .The music from their guitars and flutes floated sweetly in the night air. It was an experience of a life time for us.</p>
<p>Playing chess till the darkness and the cold enveloped us, we were transported to some other world .Slowly the crowd thinned and even our party broke up, but I was not in a mood to give up the intoxicating experience of the night life and persuaded our friend to stay on . Promising rest of the family, to return to the hotel, at dinner time.</p>
<p></span></span><em><span style="color:#003333;"><span style="font-size:medium;">It was our last night there at Dharamshala, and we wanted to make the most of it. Walking down the narrow lanes in the starlight, we saw a totally different aspect of the majestic Dhauladhars .Though most of the hill stations look the same at night; here something was captivating the senses. The air was pure n cool mixed with a heady cocktail of incense sticks and aromas coming from various road side food joints. We came across groups of hippies huddled together smoking pot or something similar.<br />
One thing that I regretted, was taking my handy cam and not the digital camera or any other Camera for capturing the enchanting beauty of the place.</p>
<p>The nights are alive in Dharamshala, with so many soul cafés organizing rave nights, full of trance and techno music and dance .there are new events every night and places are mainly frequented by hippies and youngsters visiting the place.<br />
Though I was very excited to go for an adventure of a different kind, the on growing pressure from the two male members of the group made me change my plans.<br />
We reached the hotel well after the dinner time and sneaked into beds, only to be awakened and scolded for being so irresponsible .After a bit of buttering up things calmed down and we offered the angry lot, some scrumptious baked stuff, we had got packed on our way back.<br />
No one was in mood to sleep so we kept chatting till the wee hours and then after a quick nap, packed our bags to say good bye to this celestial place. Getting up at around six we started our drive back to Delhi, full of happy memories and a longing to come back to this heaven on earth as soon as possible</span></p>
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