You spend so much of your life trying to forgive someone for things they’ve done. You accept them as they are now and you don’t forget them as they were. Balancing these two perceptions of one person can be draining and confusing. So you move forward you take them in as they are. If you are to judge them or deem their actions, you do it from today forward. Are they constantly retracing their bad steps, are they constantly reinventing themselves, are they standing still? The same could be asked of how you respond to them. Sometimes these possibilities overlap and you find that you both fall into the same pattern of behavior, almost instantaneously, sometimes your respond to their new behavior as if they’re failing again, sometimes you respond to their familiar in an all new way. Any of these can happen and when they do they all lead to the same place. Miscommunication and misunderstanding and missed connections and missed opportunities.

The burden of change can be anyone’s charge, but someone has to be the first to alter. There is no place, no room for pride and absolutism when facing someone that may or may not continue to act the same way. Is amnesia the answer the answer? If both parties approach every situation without any memory of history, then the outcome is even less predetermined. Again, the result may turn out to be the same as they chance for familiar patterns to form is very high as memories do not determine our nature and our nature is what determines our acts.

Nature can be altered, but then we have to deal with the side effects. What if we are familiar with what we know and expect in a way that we are comfortable by that which happens? Simple conditioning that allows us to prepare for what is coming and therefore shield ourselves from further pain. One could step outside of the conditions and throw caution to chaos and approach the situation in a non-traditional manner and perhaps create a new, unusual, unpredictable and possible better outcome. Instead of an equal and opposite reaction, an equal and obtuse reaction occurs in its place. If the expected is replaced by the unexpected then nature takes a turn.

Perhaps the burden is on the recipient. The recipient must,by nature, act in response. Other than passivity, there is only action. If the action is the unexpected by way of the unfamiliar, then the possibility of lasting change greatly increases. Of course, this is babbly and gibberish, but what if more of the unusual occurred in response to the usual? If nothing else, things would be a lot more interesting.

I couldn’t say it any better, so I just highlighted the salient points.

God Bless

A National Nightmare, Indeed

By David Limbaugh
November 24, 2009

In a Democratic fundraising speech in Iowa over the weekend, Vice President Joe Biden told party loyalists that opponents of the Obama administration’s agenda “should be worried about us, for we are their worst nightmare.” Duh.

Finally we can agree on something, Joe. Even the liberal New York Times reports that at the current level of federal spending, the annual interest on the national debt will exceed $700 billion by 2019 — compared with $202 billion this year. Some forecasters predict it will be much higher. This additional half-trillion dollars a year in interest is more than our current combined expenditures on education, energy, homeland security and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Oh, and the Times isn’t even factoring in the cap-and-trade nightmare you and Barack have in store for us, Joe — you know, that urgent legislation to catapult the nation back into Third World status based on hysteria generated by fraudulent science and corrupt zealots and politicians.

Nor is the Times including in its calculations the additional debt that would result from Obamacare.

Joe, when The New York Times is sounding the warnings over the exploding national debt, you and Barack insist not only on not reversing your disastrous course but also on making it worse. How can reasonable people assume anything other than that you are trying to run this nation into the ground financially?

Don’t dare keep telling us your hyper-ambitious spending is a necessary evil required to deliver us from a financial crisis you inherited. Whatever crisis we face is debt-related, purely and simply. Everything else is manageable. Yet you all are deliberately increasing our indebtedness as far as the eye can see, without the slightest pretense of scaling back in this millennium. In fact, you are laboring to establish further entitlements and institutional changes that would generate exponential burdens on our debt and would be enormously difficult for any responsible and financially sane successor to undo, much less reverse.

Adding insult to injury, you are spending this money not to improve (“stimulate”) the economy — which even the most politically and economically illiterate should now realize — but to restructure American society, dismantle our free enterprise system and impose in its place a command-control economy and political system — in which life’s decisions, including over our private health care, are dictated from Washington.

But while you and Barack are hoisting your wrecking ball, could you please spare us the pseudo-sanctimony and transparent populism in telling us that it will take “grit and determination” to outlast the “special interests” on Wall Street and the insurance industry to pass your destructive agenda?

You both know better. When you have to bribe Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., with a larcenous $300 million addition to your Senate bill (I know, you’re pretending it’s just Harry Reid’s bill) that’s specifically earmarked just for her state — at the expense of the rest of the states and the national interest — something smells to high heaven. You could at least have the decency to admit this provision to raise the bill’s cost by increasing Medicaid subsidies for “certain states recovering from a major disaster” is not even motivated to help Louisiana, but to buy Landrieu’s vote. And you want to talk to us, Joe, about the corruption of special interests?

Special interests, Joe? Is that how you describe 56 percent of the American people, who now oppose Obama’s plan? And that’s without even knowing the half of it. Or maybe you would describe them as dangerous protesters or domestic terrorists?

But, Joe, I do applaud you for your candor in telling your fawning supporters, “I can tell you with absolute certainty: (Barack’s) resolve has never waivered for one instant.”

Bull’s-eye, Joe. You and Barack believe you know better than the American people what is good for them, and you only care what they think to the extent that it makes your job more difficult when they oppose you.

But if you told the truth about your plan — that it would cost dramatically more than you pretend (especially considering that the benefits wouldn’t begin to be paid until 2014 and that taxes would increase almost immediately); that the public option would subsume private care; that the federal government would ration care; that medical choice would be drastically reduced; that you are still trying to secure federal funding for abortion; that you intend to cover currently illegal immigrants; that after all your hype about promoting this bill to achieve universal coverage, millions would remain uninsured and penalized, to boot; that medical quality would be seriously reduced; and that overall costs would increase — your support for the bill would be in the single digits.

So keep chanting it, Joe; you are indeed a national nightmare.

—

David Limbaugh is a writer, author and attorney. His book “Bankrupt: The Intellectual and Moral Bankruptcy of Today’s Democratic Party” was released recently in paperback. To find out more about David Limbaugh, please visit his Web site at www.DavidLimbaugh.com.

“Love is like singing a song a thousand times but feeling like it is just the first time you will sing it.”

Habang sinusundan ko ang mga yapak ng aking mga paa sa Robinson’s Place Manila sa may Padre Faura st. malapit sa

robinson's place manila, midtown

UP Manila upang maghanap ng libro, naisip ko na maghanap ng mga bagay na kakaiba sa mga taong makikita ko doon. Siyempre, araw araw, marami kang makikitang iba’t-ibang taong sumasadya doon para mag-shopping, manood ng sine, kumain sa iba’t ibang kainan at ang least na pwedeng gawin ay ang tumambay doon, pero, it is just, na-challenge akong maghanap ng something to think about and to ponder on sa mga tao na magbibigay ng ibang kahalagahan ng lugar na iyon.

Dumaan ako sa padre faura entrance na kahit may metal detector sa pinto at tumunog ng ako’y pumasok ay parang wala lang, design lang ng mall para masabing maganda ang level of security nila doon. kinapkapan ako ng guard na parang hinipuan lang sa likod.

Siyempre, medyo malaki ang lugar na iyon pero definite naman iyong pupuntahan ko kaya walang problema sa akin, dumeretso lang hanggang sa makarating sa escalator, malapit sa Jollibee.

Dumeretso ulit hanggang masilayan ang mas maraming  tao sa food court at marinig na naman ang pamilyar na tunog sa malaking pabilog na telebisyon sa gitna noon, malapit sa may fountain na hindi pinapagana. Napagtanto ko naman na siguro, pag mas maraming tao lang binubuksan ang fountain na iyon.

Dadaan sana ako sa tom’s world ng narating ko ang powerbooks at nakabili ng librong kailangang bilin pero may umagaw ng pansin ng tumingin sa paligid habang nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad.

May dalawang taong nag-uusap. Hindi ko man alam kung sino sila, kung ano ang pinag-uusapan nila ngunit parang may iba lang sa kanilang mga tingin at hindi ko maintindihan ang mga ngiti sa kanilang mga labi.

Halos dalawa o tatlong oras silang nakatayo doon, nagtaka ko, bakit sa tagal noon ay hindi pa rin sila nangangalay.  Nandoon pa rin sila, nag-uusap. Nandoon pa rin sila, nakatingin lang lagi sa kawalan.

Sabihin na rin nating sa puntong pinanood ko sila ay matatawag na akong paparazzi o stalker o spy o kahit ano pang nakikialam sa buhay ng iba. Siguro, ang mga ngiting iyon ang nagudyok sa akin at mga tingin na iyon ang nagpatigil sa aking mga paa na magpatuloy sa tinatahak nitong landas.

Nagsimula akong mag-isip kung sino nga ba ang dalawang taong iyon.

Ang isa’y napagkamalan ko pang babae sa haba ng buhok niya pero kung titingnan naman ay kahit mga bading ay hahabulin ito sa itsura niya. Ang isa nama’y isang babaeng maganda naman at kahit sino ay mapapaibig basta makasundo lang niya at maging kaibigan ng matagal-tagal.

Ilang sandali ay parang paalis na sila at parang pupunta sa direksiyon kung nasaan ako. Bago umalis sa kinalalagyan ay nagulat akong niyakap niya siya. At di ko na rin naisip kung ano ba talaga mayroon sa dalawang taong iyon.

Naghawakan ng kamay sandali at pumunta na sa bookstore dahil nalaman kong nandoon ang mga kaibigan nila. Hindi ko alam, parang  may kakaiba.

Tinuloy ko na ang araw ko sa mall na iyon at nagpakasaya sa natitirang oras bago ko sunduin ng nanay at tatay ko sa labas gamit ang ssakyan namin.

Paglabas ko, nakakita naman ako ng maraming foreigner na may mga kasamang mag pinay, magkahawak kamay.

holding hands

Humangin sandali at napatingin ako sa kalangitan, ang init ng araw ay pumasok sa aking katawan. At iyon, biglang nagdilim, pinayungan pala ko ng nanay ko at nandoon na rin si itay, nag-iintay sa sasakyan.

Sumakay na ako at umandar na ang sasakyan naming pauwi sa bahay namin.

Nakita ko na naman ang dalawang iyon, pauwi na din pala sila.

Nag-aantay siguro ng masasakyan ang dalawang iyon at bago umalis ay naghawak kamay ulit at nagpalitan ng mg atingin at ngiti na sa tingin ko’y sila lang ang makaiintindi. Makararamdam ng bawat pagkilos nilang iyon.

Sabay tanong ko sa aking nanay,

“Mommy, ano po bang mayroon sa dalawng tao, saing lalaki at isang babae tapos magkahawak ng kamay, tapos nagngingitian, maghapong magkausap at parang ayaw ng maghiwalay? “

“Saan mo naman natutunan iyan anak.”, biglang singit ni itay.

“paglaki mo, malalaman mo kung ano ba ang ibig-sabihin noon.. mararamdaman mo kung gaano kasarap maradaman ang bagay na iyon at mauunawaan mo na ikaw din, ikaw din ay isang taong magmamahal at maghahanap ng isa pang taong makakasama mo sa habang buhay. Parang kami ng itay mo….”

“Aaaaaaaaah…ganoon..” nasabi ko na lang sa kanila. Hindi ko pa rin maintindihan. Ano kaya. Magulo pa din. Kahit 10 years old pa lang ako, hiniling ko kay Bro na sana maintindihan ko na iyon para alam ko na kung kailan mangyayari ang bagay na iyon sa akin.

Para kahit sa huling taon ko na mabubuhay ako, natuto na kong magmahal.

A very quick 6-year history (with the nitty-gritty likely to follow another time):

My father died suddenly 9 years ago and my mother, independent, yet struggling with severe arthritis, was living 2000 miles away from me in the snow-belt capital of the mid-west. I live in a very mild southwest desert climate and after 6 years of watching her slip-and-slide on the ice, struggling with an old two-story basement home and watching her make tiring 3-month long journeys to the desert every winter, I decided that she needed to move to Arizona. Specifically, near me.

Our two-story home would have been an accident-waiting-to-happen as far as my mother was concerned, so my husband (we’re since divorced) and I took out a new 30-year mortgage and built a ranch-style house with my mother in mind: A large bedroom with an attached bath, customized to her needs, as well as making sure she had a private den (which she never used). We customized the swimming pool steps (everyone has swimming pools here in the desert), attempting to make it easier for her – and even added a heated spa after she mentioned she’d like one. And to make it more like home for her, I bought a beautiful Thomasville hutch to showcase her treasures (she gave her old dining room furniture and two hutches, and a piano, to my nephew, Rick).

But fast-forward to the present …

After a year on Facebook and seeing my sister and her 30-year old son, Rick, post picture-after-picture, month-after-month of their family’s events – my sister’s birthday, Rick’s children’s birthdays, Halloween photos, family Christmas gatherings and so on, I was deeply hurt – and hurting for my mother, that my sister and her son seemed to feel it was an imposition and inconvenience to pick up my mother and let her enjoy these events with her daughter, grandson and great-grandchild. So, in a typical PMS moment, I sent Rick the following letter:

“…I’m astonished and so disappointed at all the “family” times and joyous occasions you have – that your only surviving Grandmother is never invited – never has the joy of experiencing…

… is it too much to expect – too much trouble – to have YOUR Grandmother at the children’s birthday parties? Visiting at Halloween to see the children in their costumes? And the list goes goes on and on.

I just can not believe all the times your Grandmother has been excluded – by both you and your mother – when it comes to your children. Her Great-Grandchildren. I am disgusted to think that it’s too much of a burden for you, and saddened that you don’t realize how much your grandmother loves you and your children, and would do anything in the world for you…

I could go on-and-on, but what’s the point. I can only hope that one day – before it’s too late – you’ll open your eyes and see what you’re missing. And what your own children are missing.”

The reply?

My nephew replied directly to my mother, saying in part: “ … my relationship was strained with my aunt when I, along with other family members, felt that she stole your life saving and personal belongings so she could get her big house…”

Do you want to talk about tears?

It was more like a monsoon that lasted several days.

Years ago, as I was planning for my Mother’s move, friends and business associates warned me that this would happen. It’s just so ironic that the one who risks the time, the money and possibly even one’s heath and marriage, never gets even a simply thank you from their siblings. Only blame and criticism.

Betty’s Daughter

November 24, 2009

Ten schools in a Dorset town may have to take on extra pupils each as pressure increases on school places…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: diploma. The blog is also related to: classes.

“…so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.” I was very much afraid, but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven” (Nehemiah 2:2-4 NIV)

Nehemiah was heartsick because he wanted to unite the Jews and remove the shame of Jerusalem’s broken-down walls. In so doing this would bring honor and glory to God and restore the reality and power of God’s presence among his people.

How many times have we been asked the same question by a friend or family member? “Why do you look so sad?” Out of fear of chastisement or even a nonchalant response we respond, “I’m not sad, there is nothing wrong, everything is just fine.” Our heart cries out, “I am so distressed; I am in chronic pain; everything is going wrong. There is trouble all around me, there is…..” But instead we say nothing.

Lately the Lord has been teaching me to share my heart with those who ask. The Word of God encourages us to bear one another’s burdens. I realize there are those who ask how we are feeling or how things are going; in all reality they really do not want an honest answer. To them it’s a figment of speech; they really do not want to hear our “woes”. But there are others who are truly concerned and desire to know how they can pray for us or even assist us in our time of need.

These past few months have been extremely difficult for my family and me in numerous ways; at the same time we have been truly blessed as others have voiced their concern regarding my chronic illness and our needs. Some have even been able to supply our needs while others continue to storm the gates of heaven with our requests.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, May we boldly share our needs with one another and storm Your glorious throne of grace with supplications in love. In Jesus name, Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michele Williams currently lives in a small farming community in Pennsylvania with her husband of 35 years along with one dog and two cats. She enjoys spending time their beautiful grown daughter, son-in-law and an awesome teenage grandson.

Philippians 3:13-21

Forgetting those things which are behind . . . I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

A certain businessman was notorious for saving almost everything that came across his desk — especially correspondence. Consequently, the files in his office were bulging. One day his secretary asked if she might dispose of all the old, useless material. The man was reluctant, but finally said, “Well, all right, but be sure you make a copy of everything before you throw it away.”

That’s the way some Christians handle their sins. They know that Jesus paid the penalty, but somehow they can’t let go of the guilt. It’s as if Christ’s suffering were not enough, and they must contribute some of their own anguish by continually lamenting their failures. They want to keep copies of everything they’ve done. How foolish!

The apostle Paul wanted nothing of this. He accepted as an accomplished fact the removal of all his guilt before God because Christ’s death had marked PAID IN FULL over his account. The memory of earlier days remained vivid, but it didn’t weigh him down.

Everything that happens to us is retained in that remarkable filing system called “memory.” A wise forgetfulness based on Christ’s atoning sacrifice can keep all guilt feelings from cluttering up our life. —dennis de haan

The Lord forgives our sins because of Calvary, and He Himself remembers them no more; so let us not be burdened with their memory, but look ahead to all He has in store. —hess

Guilt is a burden God never intended His children to bear.

November 13, 2009

 Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) 28 ““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” “

 As I was praying this morning these verses came to mind.  As I prayed about what God was showing me, I realized that I had not seen a simple truth in this passage.

 You see, the yoke was placed on oxen to control them.  The heavier the yoke, the less freedom the oxen had.  The burden acted the same way; a beast with a heavy yoke and a heavy burden simply did not have the ability to get out of control. 

 Now, we are not beasts, but the lesson is powerful.  When we surrender ourselves to God, we are agreeing to put on the yoke and to carry the burden He has laid out for us.  We are trusting Him with our whole life.  But He says, by proclaiming His burden light, and His yoke easy, that He trusts too!

 He trusts us to stay on the path.  He trusts us to follow where He leads.  He trusts us to plow straight furrows and not tear up the fields.  In other words, God allows us tremendous freedom.

 God trust you to carry out His will and purpose for your life.  He doesn’t guide you with a rod of iron, or steer your with a heavy hand.  He lays His light yoke upon us, so that we know He is there for guidance.  He gives us a light burden, so that we might have a purpose and recognize our worth.  And then God gives us our head…that means He lets us chose our path.

 Can you feel His gentle hand guiding you?  Are you paying attention to where you are going?  Are you responsive when He wants to correct your course, or do you ignore Him? 

 Lord, help me to feel your hand of guidance.  Help me to surrender my will to yours.  Help me to be worthy of your trust and help me to carry out your will as a faithful servant.  In Jesus name, Amen.

I visited my local Barnes & Noble this weekend.  Honestly, I need more books like my girls need more stuffed animals… NO!

I am learning to say no to frivolous spending, but then I saw it. A new book from Robert Jordan.  This is quite a feat because Mr. Jordan died a few years ago.

When he died, I was on his 10th book of his ‘Wheel of Time’ series, I decided to set them aside… and in my mourning I purchased the last one without ever reading it.

Another dude co-authored it. Probably a fantasy lover and ‘Wheel of Time’ series nerd like me. So anyway, I am excited, but I am definitely reading them again from the beginning.

I love his stories, but there are just too many characters to keep track of in my opinion. A dude that was just a cardboard character in the first few books, just referred to in conversation by the 3 main characters turns out to be more of a secondary if not primary character later on.  That drives me nuts. Yeah, i know, I’m just jealous.

So, that got me thinking. What do I have left to do before I die?  I’m sure Robert Jordan wanted to complete his series before he kicked the proverbial bucket, but he never got to. How sad.

I used to have a big list that I would stress out about, but I gave that list over to the Lord. Now, I have asked Him to guide me in what is really important.  People are more important than any personal expression of creativity.

I still have the burden to write and draw, I now have a peace in terms of time. I’m not here to build my kingdom, but His.

i am PRO at this disclaimer stuff. PRO at beating myself up. reciting the lies about myself to myself. hating myself. hating at certain situations. hating my life. hating my situation.

i am pro at beating myself up. the whole class did “…” but I “…we don’t talk about me.” God made her beautiful… but me… not so much.  She has so many strong friends and whatnot…but me? not so much… God must hate me… or I must not be Christian enough.  My faith must not be strong enough. or I might be good at this but this social awkwardness really outweighs all other parts of my character/who God made me to be. I stink. I’m worthless. No one really actually cares. No one loves me. I don’t have quality friendships because i’m not quality myself. i don’t have friends because i’m too awkward to bear. i’m too much of a burden. i’m too much of a have-to. i’m too much of a drag.

That is a tiny snapshot of all the disclaimers I hold on to. There is a multitude more. No bueno.

My disclaimers aren’t the ones that matter. Thankfully.

For everything that has ever happened ever, God is a universal disclaimer. it’s the “but God…” that gives us hope. His disclaimer gives us life in a world and mindset of death. God claims to set the captives free and disclaims the views of the world. God claims victory. God claimed victory. Victory has been won. God has already interjected. Already. He HAS overcome the world. It’s a done deal. We are secured.

But God, will save the day, and all will say “My Glorious.”

But God.

That’s an interjection. He interjected our lives. Crossed our paths. And showed us what life could be. He paved the way. He but’d sin. He but’d suffering. He but’d anything bad. He has won for us.

But God. But God. But God.

I need some more God disclaimers instead of my own typical disclaimers.

Working the “But God,”

coop

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said that from 1 January 2010, overseas students who require a new visa to complete their studies at another school or college will be exempt from paying the $540 student visa application charge.

Senator Evans said that although most students will be able to complete their studies on their existing student visa, some may need to enrol in a new course that finishes after their existing student visa expires and will require a new visa.

Twelve education providers have closed in 2009, affecting about 4,700 students. ‘In situations where an education provider can no longer offer a course, the government’s primary concern is the welfare of the student,’ Senator Evans said. ‘We understand that these situations are not the fault of the student and the introduction of a fee exemption will ensure they are not shouldered with an additional financial burden.

In the interim, students will be able to apply to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship for a refund of their visa application fee if they’ve been affected by the closure of an education provider in 2009 and have had to apply for a new student visa. Senator Evans said the government is also increasing the minimum financial requirements for overseas students to ensure they can meet their living costs while in Australia.

From 1 January 2010, prospective overseas students will need to demonstrate that they have access to at least $18000 a year to fund their living costs in Australia, instead of the current $12 000.

The new figure better reflects student costs in Australia and is consistent with information published for international students in Australian Education International’s (the international arm of DEEWR) ‘Study in Australia’ guide.

Living costs are one component of the financial requirements for a student visa. Students must also have sufficient funds for tuition fees, travel costs and costs of any dependents.

‘It is important that students understand these financial requirements are only the minimum amount required for a student visa,’ Senator Evans said.

‘International students can supplement their income through part-time work in Australia but the primary purpose of a student visa is to study and students should not rely on part-time work to meet their expenses.

‘Prospective students are encouraged to conduct their own research so they can make an informed decision about what study in Australia will cost.’

DIAC will also make an assessment of whether the funds demonstrated by students will be available to them while they are in Australia.

‘The Australian Government values international students and is determined to make sure they have a rewarding and successful study experience in Australia, without financial hardship,’ Senator Evans said.

The latest measures will be implemented through regulation change later this month subject to approval by Parliament and the Governor-General.

The changes will support the enhanced integrity measures for the student visa program announced in August this year. Those measures included:

• upgrading the interview program to build a strong evidence base around fraud
• removing or restricting eVisa access for some agents where there is evidence of fraud or inactivity
• restricting access to eVisa for some segments of the caseload if analysis demonstrates restricted access would allow for better control of fraud.

The measures target parts of the student visa caseload in India, Mauritius, Nepal, Brazil, Zimbabwe and Pakistan.

Since these enhanced integrity measures were introduced, there has been an increase in the number of applications being withdrawn, from five per cent in July to 17 per cent in September.

The new figure better reflects student costs in Australia and is consistent with information published for international students in Australian Education International’s (the international arm of DEEWR) ‘Study in Australia’ guide.

Living costs are one component of the financial requirements for a student visa. Students must also have sufficient funds for tuition fees, travel costs and costs of any dependents.

‘It is important that students understand these financial requirements are only the minimum amount required for a student visa,’ Senator Evans said.

‘International students can supplement their income through part-time work in Australia but the primary purpose of a student visa is to study and students should not rely on part-time work to meet their expenses.

‘Prospective students are encouraged to conduct their own research so they can make an informed decision about what study in Australia will cost.’

DIAC will also make an assessment of whether the funds demonstrated by students will be available to them while they are in Australia.

‘The Australian Government values international students and is determined to make sure they have a rewarding and successful study experience in Australia, without financial hardship,’ Senator Evans said.

The latest measures will be implemented through regulation change later this month subject to approval by Parliament and the Governor-General.

The changes will support the enhanced integrity measures for the student visa program announced in August this year. Those measures included:

• upgrading the interview program to build a strong evidence base around fraud
• removing or restricting eVisa access for some agents where there is evidence of fraud or inactivity
• restricting access to eVisa for some segments of the caseload if analysis demonstrates restricted access would allow for better control of fraud.

The measures target parts of the student visa caseload in India, Mauritius, Nepal, Brazil, Zimbabwe and Pakistan.

Since these enhanced integrity measures were introduced, there has been an increase in the number of applications being withdrawn, from five per cent in July to 17 per cent in September.

And to date, more than 150 agents have had their eVisa access suspended due to evidence of fraud or inactivity.

More information on the changes will be available on the department’s website in coming days.
See: What’s New for Students and Sponsored Training?

When a person looses a loved, it seems as though their world crashes around them. However, as for everyone else the world just goes on as normal. No one can bring that person back into their life, no one knows exactly how that person impacted their life and what the mourning of that loved one looks like. How can one just say, “Get over it, It’s been a years!”. I don’t understand the human brain and how they think because everyone is different. Although, I do understand losing someone that is so special, they don’t know what to do with out that person. I personally haven’t experienced much death in my life, However, not until recently did mourn the death of somebody I never knew. Weird, Right? I don’t think so. My Husbands Dad passed away four years before I met him. Little did I know I was going to cry over someone I never met. For Eight years now,from time to time my husband (Scott), Wears a rubber-band around his wrist. I didn’t realize it at first when we were dating. It was not on all the time, but randomly. One day, I asked about it. He looked down at the rubber-band, and said ” Whenever I miss my dad, I put a rubber-band on my wrist”. Just so you know, I am biased, but seriously, my husband is one of the most amazing men alive. He takes care of me like I am a princess, he is the most amazing Husband and Father and above all, his heart for God is on fire. From What I hear, He looks just like his Dad, I have seen pictures, which is true. Lately more and more, I hear that his personality, character, wisdom, Humor, and Integrity is very similar to his dad. It sad to think that the one person that My husband has molded himself and aspired to be to be an example of, I will never get to meet him here on earth. My Children will never meet this incredible man, and my Husbands Dad is gone. Thankfully, as a Christ Follower I look forward to seeing and meeting all the people that have gone to heaven again. I’m excited that I will get to meet him. I know that it is pain here on earth, but I know that my husband finds comfort in the fact that his Earthly father is up in Heaven rejoicing with our Heavenly Father. I will never understand what my Husband goes through on a daily basis because of loosing his Dad so early in Life. However, I know that I can comfort him in prayer and Sympathy maybe even empathy, but I won’t ever feel what He feels. I LOVE YOU SCOTT WITH ALL MY HEART!

not gonna lie, I feel like nothing more than a burden. I think it’s hard not to. I mean, I don’t have friends. I don’t have fellowship. I don’t have family. I hang out with people rarely. And the people I hang out with are really cool. Like awesome. Like beyond awesome. And I love them to death and look up to them greatly because they point straight to God. But I don’t have any peers who will talk to me. Love on me. Understand me. Attempt to understand my heart. Keep me accountable. Not forsake me. Help me struggle through what I struggle with. And while I can distantly sometimes help others, I’m not really giving as much as I could give to my peers because they don’t understand it.

But nonetheless, i feel like a burden. I feel like leaders are talking to me because they have to or because i have no friends. I mean i need human relationships so I’m glad I have such awesome leaders. But the more I hang out with mature people, the less I want to know the immature. My heart longs for maturity in others, maturity in relationships. And so hanging out with oldies creates even more distance between my peers and I.

But they have lives too. And so as they teach me more and more, I draw closer and closer to the Lord. But not really them because I know they have lives. I know they have their own friends. I know they have their own bffs. I know they have their own whatevers.

So i’m just left in this awkward middle ground, trying to be certain of what I do not see. Because I don’t see fellowship. I don’t see friends. I don’t have fellowship. I don’t have friends.

So I’m standing in the middle of the road. With God by my side. But not really any “friends.”

It’s lonely. Spending Friday nights alone isn’t fun. Being alone in a room full of people isn’t fun. Not being able to connect with others isn’t fun. Not being able to call anyone when I’m struggs isn’t fun. Not having a shoulder to cry on isn’t fun. Swimming against the tide ain’t fun.  And I hate feeling like a burden. But I need to remember the truth God speaks about me. I need to remember Him in all things. And that He has a plan for my life.

how to flip from burden to blessing? one way… God.

however, i was never a legit gymnast.

clinging on to the One who should be clung to,

coop

Mark 4:35-41

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Emilie, wife of 19-century German pastor Christoph Blumhardt, envied his ability to pray for his parishioners and then effortlessly fall asleep. So one night she pleaded “Tell me your secret!”

He answered, “Is God so powerless that my worrying would help the well-being of our parish?” Then he added, “There comes a moment each day when we must simply drop what weighs on us and hand it over to God.”

One evening Jesus and His disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee. Weary after a long day of ministry, He fell asleep in the stern of the boat. A fierce squall suddenly arose — so fierce that even the Lord’s fishermen-turned-disciples were terrified. But Jesus continued to sleep serenely until His frightened followers woke Him, crying out, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38). You see, Jesus was in the habit of entrusting Himself to His heavenly Father. Having made that commitment, He could sleep through the turbulent squall.

When worries begin to gnaw at our mind, let’s surrender them to the Lord and not take them back again (1 Peter 5:7). That’s the secret of soul-serenity when we’re on life’s storm-tossed sea. —vernon grounds

Jesus knows the pain you feel, He can save and He can heal — take your burden to the Lord and leave it there. —tindley

Drop what weighs you down by giving it to God.

Reportedly written by Sherry Hackett, the widow of Buddy Hackett.

“WE NOTICED”

President Obama:

Today I read of your administration’s plan to re-define September 11 as a National Service Day. Sir, it’s time we had a talk………

During your campaign, Americans watched as you made mockery of our tradition of standing and crossing your heart when the Pledge of Allegiance was spoken. You, out of four people on the stage, were the only one not honoring our tradition.

YES, “We noticed.”

During one of your many speeches, Americans heard you say that you intended to visit all 57 states. We all know that Islam, not America has 57 states.

YES, “We noticed.”

When President Bush leaned over at Ground Zero and gently placed a flower on the memorial, while you nonchalantly tossed your flower onto the pile without leaning over.

YES, “We noticed.”

Every time you apologized to other countries for America’s position on an issue we have wondered why you don’t share our pride in this great country. When you have heard foreign leaders berate our country and our beliefs, you have not defended us. In fact, you insulted the British Crown beyond belief.

YES, “We noticed.”

When your pastor of 20 years, “God-damned America” and said that 9/11 was “America’s chickens coming home to roost” and you denied having heard recriminations of that nature, we wondered how that could be. You later disassociated yourself from that church and Pastor Wright because it was politically expedient to do so.

YES, “We noticed.”

When you announced that you would transform America, we wondered why. With all her faults, America is the greatest country on earth. Sir, KEEP THIS IN MIND, “if not for America and the people who built her, you wouldn’t be sitting in the White House now.” Prior to your election to the highest office in this Country, you were a senator from Illinois and from what we can glean from the records available, not a very remarkable one.

YES, “We noticed.”

All through your campaign and even now, you have surrounded yourself with individuals who are basically unqualified for the positions for which you appointed them. Worse than that, the majority of them are people who, like you, bear no special allegiance, respect, or affection for this country and her traditions.

YES, “We noticed.”

You are 9 months into your term and every morning millions of Americans wake up to a new horror heaped on us by you. You seek to saddle working Americans with a health care/insurance reform package that, along with cap and trade , will bankrupt this nation.

YES, “We noticed.”

We seek, by protesting, to let our representatives know that we are not in favor of these crippling expenditures and we are labeled “un-American”, “racist”, “mob”. We wonder how we are supposed to let you know how frustrated we are. You have attempted to make our protests seem isolated and insignificant. Until your appointment, Americans had the right to speak out.

YES, “We noticed.”

On September 11, 2001 there were no Republicans or Democrats, only Americans. And we all grieved together and helped each other in whatever way we could. The attack on 9/11 was carried out because we are Americans.

YES, “We noticed.”

There were many of us who prayed that as a black president you could help unite this nation. In six months you have done more to destroy this nation than the attack on 9/11. You have failed us.

YES, “We noticed.”

September 11 is a day of remembrance for all Americans. You propose to make 9/11 a “National Service Day”. While we know that you don’t share our reverence for 9/11, we pray that history will report your proposal as what it is…a disgrace.

YES, “We noticed.”

You have made a mockery of our Constitution and the office that you hold. You have embarrassed and slighted us in foreign visits and policy.

YES, “We noticed.”

We have noticed all these things. We will deal with you. When Americans come together again, it will be to remove you from office.

Take notice.

Psa 118:8-9 NIV  It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.  (9)  It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.

We can’t ignore it any longer…

The Fort Hood Shooting and the Soldier’s Burden.

The detention deputy was sitting at his desk when the inmate attacked. The deputy is 64; the inmate 40 years his junior.

Deputy Kenneth Moon had another disadvantage: He was the sole deputy in a jail pod that houses 62 inmates. The only nearby people who could help him were there because they have been charged with attempted murder, home invasion, drug dealing.

And yet they did.

The first one, Jerry Dieguez Jr., is in jail on an armed home invasion charge. When he saw inmate Douglas Burden put Moon in a chokehold, Dieguez didn’t hesitate.

He ran behind the desk and landed a haymaker of a punch on Burden.

Inmates Hoang Vu and Terrell Carswell also provided backup. Vu is charged with attempted murder; Carswell with robbery, marijuana possession, cocaine trafficking and failure to register as a sex offender. He also has a charge of obstructing an officer.

While Dieguez, Vu and Carswell kept Burden off the deputy, another inmate came charging over.

David Schofield, who’s in jail on aggravated assault and battery charges, reached over to the deputy, took his radio and called for help.

The inmates are credited with saving their jailer’s life.

“Their past acts aside, you know, you’ve got to applaud them for what they did,” said sheriff’s Col. Jim Previtera.

Previtera said Burden had Moon in a classic chokehold, one used in martial arts.

“It cuts off the blood supply,” he said, “and if it’s applied properly can actually crush the windpipe or the trachea.”

Deputies eventually restrained Burden, 24, and put him in confinement. He has been in jail since March 14 on driving under the influence and drug trafficking charges, records show. A charge of battery on a law enforcement officer has been added after Monday’s attack.

The sheriff’s office will send letters to the rescuers’ attorneys to be used in court on the inmates’ behalf, Previtera said.

That so many  inmates came to Moon’s rescue “speaks volumes for the respect he’s garnered from these men under his control and in his custody,” he said.

Haydee Oropesa, attorney for inmate Hoang Vu, said she hopes the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s office takes into account Vu’s actions.

“He is an inmate that acted with care and compassion to another human being,” Oropesa said. “I hope it does help him.”

Chris Watson, felony bureau chief with the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office, said the action taken by the  inmates won’t wipe out the charges against them but might help during mitigation to possibly receive a lesser sentence.

“Is it possible that what they did could help these gentlemen?” Watson said. “I think yes. It’s possible.”

“We are certainly happy that someone stepped in to help someone who is in a vulnerable position,” Watson said. “That people stepped up and protected the deputy is a great thing.”

Watson said he has been at the Orient Road and Falkenburg Road jails and met with inmates in the open area where they are held. He said it can be intimidating seeing so many people in one closed in area.

“You have an appreciation for the risk those deputies take,” Watson said.

Deputy Anthony Brown works in the unit and knows Moon and many of the inmates. He said the inmates’ actions showed there is more to their character than the crimes they are charged with.

“You would think that they would walk away, so somewhere in their hearts, there must be some goodness,” Brown said.

Brian Rogers is the sheriff’s office’s trainer for detention deputies. He said Moon did not have his radio holstered on his hip when he was attacked. The radio has a panic button that sends out a signal to jail officials that a deputy needs help.

“I don’t think he had his radio on him at the time,” Rogers said. “I think he just got surprised. The radio was on his desk and now he’s kind of left helpless without any type of communication.”

Moon, a 22-year veteran, is home recuperating from his wounds.

He was stunned after watching the surveillance video of the incident.

“He is understandably shaken by this sudden, random and violent attack, and clearly he recognizes the ramifications of what could have happened in this situation,” Previtera said.

BY Josh Poltilove and Jose Patino Girona

LINK/PIC

I am a burden. It’s as simple as that. Those who care carry me on their shoulders. It’s not how it should be, but it’s the way it is.

I don’t want it to be this way.

I just don’t have the stones to do it on my own.

The kindest thing I could do for my self is not be here, I’ve tried, she pulled me back.

Biggest mistake of her life?

Tanzan and Ekido, two monks, were once traveling together down a muddy road. A heavy rain was falling.

Coming around a bend, they met a lovely girl in a silk kimono and sash, unable to cross a large mud puddle stretching across the road.

“Come on, girl,” said Tanzan at once. Lifting her in his arms, he carried her over the mud.

Ekido did not speak again until that night when they reached a lodging temple, then he no longer could restrain himself. “We monks don’t go near females”, he told Tanzan, “especially not young, lovely ones. It is dangerous. Why did you do that?”

“I left the girl there”, said Tanzan. “Are you still carrying her?”

Alright – why this be the title? Well, you know, it’s getting real dark outside, looking out the window. Sometimes I just hate looking out and seeing darkness coming in through the windows. I truly appreciate the day. Though the night can be as well, especially if New York didn’t have as much light pollution.

Yesterday, I was getting excited, after showering, to chat with Mickey, but my screen was malfunctioning: it kept turning off by itself every 2 or 3-so seconds, making it difficult to do anything on the computer, really. With high hopes, I restarted the computer, but it didn’t help any. So, the rest of the day, was not talking with Mickey, and she stayed on waiting for me. Which sucks. I just disappointed someone..Besides the fact that yesterday I also forgot to bring in my permission slip for track..which means my team won’t be going.

Looks like I’m quite a burden, so far.

So, today it appears my screen is working – but only so far. My screen apparently stops working when I leave it for a while with inactivity and then come back. So I’ve been monitoring my own speeds. But, really, we just need a new computer screen.

Because this computer monitor is complete FAIL.

I haven’t celebrated Halloween – quite not at all. If I ever do, I simply plan to distort my face – it’s for free, so it’s cheaper. Just make a weird face, and that’s the end. And eat candy practically the whole day.

I’ve added some more metal bands to my iTunes and now I have about 160 metal songs (“metal” by my standards). And I have a total of 1225 songs. I have 753 rock songs. And then a 161 Rap/Hip-Hop songs. And then the rest are minor genres.

I’m very hungry right now. Though I know this is not what’s being prepared for dinner, I crave fried chicken. Since there’s no supply here, well, then, I’ll have to steal it.

So desperate, I'd steal it even from developing African countries if I had to.

Kanye interrupts once again - heroically, however, dispellng myths.

Of course, I could visit KFC, but it would be awkward if I run into a crowd of protesters while walking out of KFC.

But, really, bottom line is: I’m hungry. I want to eat. And now that dinner’s ready, I shall go and do so.

P.S., I saw the documentary Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey. Very interesting.