Lyrics:
Quitte à tout prendre prenez mes gosses et la télé
Ma brosse à dent mon revolver la voiture ca c’est déjà fait.
Avec les interdits bancaires prenez ma femme, le canapé
Le micro onde, le frigidaire
Et meme jusqu’à ma vie privée
De toute facon à découvert
Je peux bien vendre mon âme au Diable.
Avec lui on peut s’arranger
Puisque ici tout est négociable.

Mais vous n’aurez pas ma liberté de penser.

Prenez mon lit, les disques d’or, ma bonne humeur
Les petites cuillères, tout ce qu’à vos yeux a de la valeur
Et dont je n’ai plus rien à faire.
Quitte à tout prendre n’oubliez pas
Le shit planqué sous l’étagère.
Tout ce qui est beau et compte pour moi
J’ préfère que ca parte à l’Abbé Pierre.
J’ peux donner mon corps à la science
S’ il y’a quelque chose à prélever
Et que ca vous donne bonne conscience.

Mais vous n’aurez pas ma liberté de penser.

Ma liberté de penser.

J’ peux vider mes poches sur la table
Ca fait longtemps qu’elles sont trouées.
Baisser mon froc j’en suis capable.

Mais vous n’aurez pas ma liberté de penser.

Quitte à tout prendre et tout solder
Pour que vos petites affaires s’arrangent
J’ prends juste mon pyjama rayé
Et je vous fais cadeaux des oranges.
Vous pouvez meme bien tout garder.
J’emporterai rien en enfer.
Quitte à tout prendre j’ préfère y’ aller
Si le paradis vous est offert.
Je peux bien vendre mon âme au diable.
Avec lui on peut s’arranger
Puisque ici tout est négociable.

Mais vous n’aurez pas, non vous n’aurez pas ma liberté de penser.

Ma liberté de penser.

Aceasta melodie ne-a fost prezentata in ora de Limba Franceza, de catre domnul profesor Mihail K. (Spre rusinea mea nu-i cunosc numele de familie). Este o melodie pe care am indragit-o de la prima ascultare, mesajul fiind unul foarte puternic, muzicalitatea buna si un clip foarte sugestiv (de nota 10). Am ales sa copiez si versurile pentru a o intelege cat mai bine.
Mai multe informatii despre Florent Pagny nu am reusit sa gasesc in limba romana, dar va dau linkul de pe wikipedia in limba franceza: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florent_Pagny Traducerea nu este chiar atat de complicata, desi un cunoscator avansat de limba franceza v-ar fi de folos (sfat: Nu folositi google translate).
Multumiri domnului profesor si ascultare placuta!

The Hmong New Year celebration is a cultural tradition that takes place annually, in North Carolina, it’s usually held the week before and the week of Thanksgiving, traditionally it is held at the end of the harvest season when all work is done.  This is my first time attending a Hmong New Year, second for Bo and Lee, I was in Thailand last year and Bo went with his mom and Lee.

During the Hmong New Year celebration, the Hmong ball tossing game pov pob is a common activity for adolescents, but I noticed that older couples also play this game as well. Boys and girls form two separate lines in pairs that are directly facing one another. Girls can ball toss with other girls or boys, but boys cannot ball toss with other boys. It is also taboo to toss the ball to someone of the same clan. The pairs toss a cloth ball back and forth, until one member drops the ball. If a player drops or misses the ball, an ornament or item is given to the opposite player in the pair. Ornaments are recovered by singing love songs (hais kwv txhiaj) to the opposite player. (source)

I’m fascinated with so many people, both young and old dressed in traditional clothing at the festival.

There were many beautiful Hmong traditional outfits for sale, and Lee had her eye on them, but a bit pricey for me.

Lee was not happy when I told her it was too small.

I’m not familiar with the Hmong outfit, sort of made a fool of myself and picked out one for a male, she said it was for ‘Pou Sai’ (a male in Lao language), I told her that I wanted one for ‘Pou Ying’ (a female).  She handed me this piece, finally Lee was happy with what she saw, my second sister tried it on for her to see.  I had to dig deep into my pocket, $50 for this small piece.

She definitely needs the whole outfit, I think it costs almost $300 for a complete outfit, maybe I’ll try to make one for her next year.

Beautiful embroidery piece.

Blankets that tell stories.

I was looking for a Hmong bag, but these are not my style so I didn’t buy any.

The Entertainment area was packed, I had to squeeze my way in just to take this picture.

Food vendors were busy, this one grilling, as you can see for many people.

The longan fruits were fresh, for $5 per pound I could only afford 2 pounds.

“Η ΠΛΗΡΗΣ ΣΥΛΛΟΓΗ ΓΛΥΠΤΩΝ ΤΟΥ EDGAR DEGAS” από 27/11/2009 έως 25/04/2010 sto mouseio Herakleidon. O Degas itan galos, genithike stis 19 Iouliou tou 1834 kai apeviose stis 27 Septemvriou tou 1917. H ekthesh perilamvanei 74 mproutzina glipta tou Degas me protagonistria thn “mikrh dekatetraxronh xroeftria” h alios “La Petite Danseuse de Quatorze Ans”.

Episkeftika xthes thn ekthesh kai mu arese arketa. Ola ta agalmatidia su edinan mia esthish armonias tou somatos, itan les kai tha atrxizan na kinounte. O xoros episis itan zestos kai “mikros”, itan oti prepei, logo tou megethous twn ekthematon. Sinisto na thn episkeftite ki esis.  

It’s the morning after Thanksgiving (I would like to point out I am Australian, not American…Not that there’s anything wrong with that) got me thinking about how one takes to living in a  different country. I don’t mean making the change from Australia to New Zealand or America to Canada. I mean a big cultural change.

I live in Florence, Italy if those of you following haven’t caught that yet.

There are a tonne of Americans living the Rennaisance city as they seek the knowledge of Art history and fashion and what it will bring them in the future. Laying in bed last night listening to the drunken taunts and screaming coming from the mouths of American early twenty-somethings made me realise there are a lot of people who don’t really want the “cultural embrace”. I have been living here for 2 years, I speak Italian, I live with Italians, I HAD an Italian girlfriend my best friends are Italian. I didn’t know anyone when I arrived and I didn’t speak a word of Italian apart from “grazie” in a terrible accent. I would like to say, that after putting in the effort I have certainly embraced the culture.

My flatmate (American…… And please don’t think this post is anti-American) locks himself in his room 24/7. Eats in his room, generally goes into the kitchen when there’s no-one else around, never makes the effort to interact or give Italian life a chance. It’s a shame …. But he seems more like a lodger than a flatmate. We had a big lunch with 8 people including him and he didn’t say thank you at the end, nor did he contribute to the cooking, buying of the food, the conversation or the cleaning at the end. When the lunch was finished he went straight back into his room, needless to say it didn’t go down well with anyone in the house. It makes me wonder what the point is of coming over and living in an Italian house, he is honestly better off living with other Americans, not that it’s a bad thing- I just think it would suit him better and he’d be happy and a lot less awkward.

It’s funny, the saying “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” rings home in every sense when living abroad.

I have never lost my Australian pride or patriotism but living in Italy I would like to think I am having an Italian experience.

If I can give anyone a tip…. For what it’s worth from someone who has lived in 5 different countries. Be yourself, never let that change, but embrace everything your adopted country has to offer. Don’t go back home with a sour taste in your mouth thinking that you could have done more or that eating a piece of pizza counts as “a cultural experience”. There’s no such thing as “locals only” and if you make the effort they will treat you like a local. If you don’t- you will certainly feel a lot more outside the circle than what you need to be.

Hope you enjoyed this post and feel free to leave a comment.

Jordi,

PLUS.

www.plushostels.com

Dede Moroz and Snegurochka… Yep… it’s that time of year again!

This is an official photograph from the one-and-only true house of Dede Moroz (Grandpa Frost) in Veliki Ustiug in the Russian Federation. He can wear blue or red… ah, he has his red suit on today. Hmm… his sidekick, Snegurochka (the Snow Maiden) is with him. As you see, he’s getting ready for the holidays… have YOU sent him your letter yet? There are only 41 more days to prepare for Christmas (and only 28 for those of you on the Gregorian calendar)! It is time to act smartly and get writing to Dede. You’ll feel so much better after you write that letter (I stole that line from the good people at Voice of Russia! It was the tag line of the late great Joe Adamov on Moscow Mailbag.)! After all, don’t you want to hear the troika bells on Christmas Eve outside your house?

He also comes on New Year’s Eve, which means that you have 34 days to get ready for that. Please, bear in mind that Dede is a good Russian… do leave a glass of vodka and some selyodka (smoked herring) on a nice plate out for him… cookies and milk? You’re a maladjusted and ill-bred HERETIC! Even Snegurochka turns up her nose at that (she prefers a nip of Harvey’s followed by a piece of a Cadbury’s Orange, by the way). Trust me, even his helpers want a pivo (beer) and some vobla (dried fish… a VERY Russian thing… it’s even more of a strange taste to most Americans than lutefisk is… REALLY!), at least.

Coat of arms of Yamal-Nenetsia

Let’s also meet Yamal Iri, who’s from the Nenets people of the Far North in Yamal-Nenetsia (it’s on the Siberian mainland a bit to the southeast of Novaya Zemlya. He’s more recent than Dede Moroz (who’s a 19^th century urban Russian adaptation of older rural legends), but, he’s become just as popular with the northern peoples. Two years ago, there was a meeting of Santa, Dede Moroz, and Yamal Iri… a little fun, no? Spread out your bets… it’s the best way to ensure no disappointment!

Yamal Iri, the Dede Moroz of the Far North… now, here’s someone from REALLY near the North Pole!

Good wishes to all of you during this hectic preparation for the Feast! Let’s hope that, this year, on so-called “Black Friday”, demented and money-hungry shoppers don’t trample anyone to death. THAT was sick. Let’s just keep a sane head on our shoulders as the secularists go crazy in the annual “winter holiday”. You can actually have a great deal of fun if you approach it correctly. Don’t wish me, “Happy Holidays”… it’s “Merry Christmas”, and “A Happy New Year”… preferably, both, at their proper times. Tell your near and dear ones that you love them… always a good idea, but, particularly good this time of year.

I’ll even pass you the jug… so, there! ENJOY!

Barbara-Marie Drezhlo

Friday 27 November 2009

Albany NY

Ásana (pronuncie: ássana)  é toda posição firme e agradável (sthira sukham ásanam). Essa é a definição ampla do Yôga Sútra de Pátañjali, capítulo II, 46. São as posições corporais, procedimentos orgânicos que, visualmente, melhor esteriotipam a Nossa Filosofia, no que se refere às técnicas.

“Por economia de palavras, as pessoas costumam referir-se ao ásana exclusivamente pelo seu prisma corporal. Contudo, a técnica não merece o nome de ásana, a menos que incorpore outros elementos. (…) tem que ter três fatores:

1.Procedimento orgânico (posição);

2.Respiração coordenada;

3.Atitude interior”

Tratado de Yôga, DeRose, página 276

Estude mais sobre o tema no livro acima mencionado.

Clique aqui para ver mais fotos.

Fotos por Bruna Ramos

S.A.N. é sedutor. S.A.N. é sofisticado. S.A.N. é mentalmente complexo. E, pasmem, S.A.N. tem Twitter.

(Assista no telão do YouTube)

S.A.N. é o personagem criado para o Prêmio Santander Cultural PMPA/APTC, que incentiva e premia projetos de cinema. 

Acompanhe a saga perturbadora deste gentleman digital que chegou para destroçar seu coração.

Uma invenção do Estúdio Verzoni.org de Coisas Fantásticas em parceria com a Bmob para o Santander Cultural.

Buen día lectores, se que he tenido muy abandonado este espacio por atender otro proyecto además del trabajo cotidiano, así que hoy me dedique un ratito para buscar un tema del cual hablar y me encotré con esto:

“Estamos en busca de una igualteca comprometida, decidida, segura de sí misma y que tenga mucho amor al Lábaro Patrio, por el que hacemos esta feria, además de ser digna portadora de la corona que es un legado de reina a reina, no sólo por su valor económico, ya que es de oro y plata, sino por lo que significa, ese el objetivo que buscamos”, dijo Yaniry Gaffare Mirada, presidenta del Comité de Elección de la Reina a la Bandera.Este lunes 23 de noviembre, se lanzó la convocatoria para que las chicas de entre 18 y 24 años interesadas en ser la Reina de los Festejos a la Bandera 2010, se inscriban y participen. La fecha en que se cierran las inscripciones es el 18 de diciembre y podrán hacerlo todos los días de 11 de la mañana a las 3 de la tarde y de 5 a 9 de la noche en Plaza Tamarindos, a un lado de Cinépolis.

La presentación de las candidatas ante los medios de comunicación será el 8 de enero en la Plaza Tamarindos y ante la sociedad, será el 17 de enero en la Plaza de las Tres Garantías.

La gran final será el 29 de enero en el mismo lugar, para que toda la ciudad esté presente y vean el desarrollo y transparencia de la elección.

El premio al primer lugar, además del legado de la corona, a la cual la soberana saliente le agregará una piedra preciosa, habrá 20 mil pesos en efectivo y regalos de los patrocinadores para la ganadora.

Al segundo lugar se le darán 15 mil pesos y regalos de los patrocinadores y el tercer lugar obtendrá 10 mil pesos y también regalos de los patrocinadores, además de sus coronas como princesa y duquesa, respectivamente.

El Bicentenario de la Independencia y Centenario de la Revolución estarán presentes en este concurso y las chicas tendrán que ilustrarse sobre estos acontecimientos, además de que seguramente los vestidos tendrán algún detalle alusivo a esta celebración.

Para las personas que no conozcan mucho de que se trata, el 24 de Febrero se celebra la feria a la bandera en esta ciudad, ya que Iguala Guerrero es cuna de la Bandera y lo festejamos con diversos eventos, además de que junto con este hecho histórico se firmó el Plan de Iguala en esa misma fecha, que fue el documento con el cuál se dió inicio a la consumación de la independencia de México en el año de 1821.

Cada año se lanza la convocatoria para elegir a la reina a la bandera, esperemos que este año se presente una mejor calidad en este evento, tanto por los organizadores como por las participantes.

A Orquestra Escola Infanto Juvenil‏ nasceu de uma parceria da Associação Lar da Bênção Divina e o Centro Cultura Musical que mantém a Oficina da Música para iniciação musical de crianças.

Evento: 04/12/2009,  sexta-feira.

Horários:
19h30 - Recepção
20h - Início da apresentação musical

Local:
Espaço Sociocultural – Teatro CIEE
Rua Tabapuã, 445 – Itaim Bibi – São Paulo/SP

Para mais informações: (11) 3040-6541/6542
Haverá estacionamento no local mediante pagamento.

Clique aqui e increva-se!

If you are considering a vacation this year, you should consider the city of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England.

Sheffield is a city that is altogether quite unique from an environmental and cultural aspect .

It is a cultural centre, an historical monument, and eco-city all at once. If you are going to be visiting England, Sheffield is a must-see or at the very least certainly needs to be on your top ten places to visit especially given its proximity to the Peak District.

Because of this, there is a thriving tourist industry in the city and finding suitable and exquisite holiday accommodation should be no problem if you are going to be paying a visit.

You probably like many people consider London when you think of a cultural centre in the UK, and you are not off the mark. Outside of London, Sheffield is the number one cultural centre in the UK and is well known for its theatres, clubs and musical acts.

If theatres and the arts are high on your list of passions, check out the Lyceum Theatre, the Crucible Theatre, or the Studio Theatre. These three theatres compose the largest theatre complex in England outside of London, which is a fact that not many tourists are aware of.

If you are an art connoisseur, Sheffield also has four world-renowned art galleries for you to peruse, including the Millennium Galleries and the Site Gallery.

For the music lover, Sheffield is a paradise and musical hotspot and as a result the city boasts to the fact that many famous (and infamous) musical acts have their roots in this culturally-rich city.

Synth bands like The Human League and The Thompson Twins, heavy metal band Def Leppard, and indie rock bands like The Arctic Monkeys and Gomez started out in Sheffield. Even classic rocker Joe Cocker got his start in this diverse city.

There are plenty of venues in Sheffield for you to see bands such as these play, over ten of them in fact, and there are also plenty of dance clubs throughout the city for you to party the night away in you are one of the younger or more energetic visitors.

For those interested in classical music, Sheffield also has five different orchestras who call the city home.

Those who enjoy city life but still like a bit of greenery will be pleasantly surprised at Sheffield. With over two million trees, this city has more trees than people than any other city in Europe. Surprisingly 61% of Sheffield is considered green space which comprises of. over 170 woodlands, 78 public parks, and 10 public gardens. Sheffield city leaders have taken great care to make sure that they live in harmony with nature as much as possible as can clearly be seen here. This is a refreshing break from how most established cities are these days although times are changing.

If you are a history buff, then there will be a lot of great interest for you too. The area in which Sheffield lies is thought to have been settled sometime during the Ice Age, and as Sheffield sits at the confluence of five rivers, it has always been an important hub for both domestic and foreign trade trade.

The towns that eventually grew into Sheffield were thought to have sprung up sometime during the second millennium. Just imagine walking down streets that have been trod for over one thousand years, seeing buildings that have been occupied and functioning for hundreds of years. It is quite overwhelming.

Sheffield also has two world-class universities that bring in students from all over, the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University.

Due to its popularity with tourists, Sheffield has a large number of hotels to choose from. You can go with anything from the world-renowned Hilton and Holiday Inn or stay at a more low-key bed and breakfast. Whichever way you go, finding Sheffield rental accommodation is never a problem. There are plenty of friendly folks in the city who will be happy to house you.

Even beyond the things already mentioned, Sheffield is also known for its sports activities. Sheffield is the home of the world’s first-ever football club, Sheffield F.C., which formed in 1857. Among other things, the city also holds the World Snooker Championships.

If you are planning a vacation this year, you really can’t go wrong with Sheffield.

Whether you’ve simply always wanted to see England or are interested in experiencing some culture, Sheffield is a great choice. Though most of us think of London, we may not be ready for the crowds and traffic that come with a visit to Nations capital. Sheffield is a great, clean alternative that will definitely impress you and give you a great first impression of the UK.

“Bittersweet Bilingualism“. I always did wonder how parents make the conscious decision for their kids to be bilingual? To me, it’s always been a cultural thing more than an advantage. I am of Chinese descent therefore it makes sense that I should learn the Chinese language to better understand my roots and my culture. There are some parents who think differently. They have the full intention of allowing their kids to be bilingual so that they can have the advantage they never had.

Having grown up in a multiracial country where Malay is the national language, and each ethnic group speaks in their own dialect, it has always been just a distinction between the cultures. However, these days with the opening of free trade in China, more and more parents of different descent are putting their children through Chinese primary schools so that they would learn Chinese as their primary language – therefore setting themselves apart from the rest in their community.

Before I was unleashed into the main stream schooling system in Malaysia, I only knew English. I had the concept of ‘other languages’ but they were just another language. The concept of multiple ‘other languages’ completely deluded me.

My parents, in the case of me and my brother, made a conscious decision to do it that way. To them, who graduated from university in Canada, they wanted us to have the advantage of speaking English, which they reckon was the most important language, natively. It worked for me, but not so much for my brother. Interesting, considering we were brought up in the same environment by the same parents.

I then continued to pick up Chinese at my primary school where we were prohibited from speaking any other language other than Chinese. This rule did not apply when we were taking language classes. Through that strict regiment I picked up Chinese in a gusto. In Year 1, I was exposed to Chinese and Malay, then in Year 3 English was added as an additional subject. We were taught ABCs in Year 3. For me it was child’s play. Interestingly enough, English was taught in English, unlike in countries such as Japan and Taiwan where English is taught in their native language.

While at school, I also picked up Cantonese which is a Chinese dialect and can now speak fluently. Some of my Hong Kong friends even say that I speak it like a native. Later on in high school, I proceeded to learn Japanese as a fifth language. I find that bilingualism is not necessarily easy for everyone. I myself spent years at Chinese primary school, and I would not even endeavor to say that my Chinese is anywhere near satisfactory levels.

The point, however, lies with the fact of whether or not excelling at a language is important as opposed to being able to communicate effectively in it. To me, I think that’s all that matters. Communication, be it sign language or klingon, is just a way in which human beings interact. It is certainly a convenience, but also a convenience we can live without in this day and age where pocket sized translators exist.

More on “Being a bilingual“.

Rex Murphy puzzles me, as does anyone who regards Sarah Palin as the rhetorical counterweight to President Obama.  His recent Globe and Mail article entitled ‘Obama inspires; Palin connects’ is the latest example of media fascination with Palin and her potential presidential run in 2012.  In his article Murphy lauds Ms Palin as someone who connects with ‘ordinary’ Americans, or Americans that exist outside the elite bubble where Obama and his supporters reside; those Harvard know it alls who routinely cast shadows on those below.  While I too decry elitism, where it exists, when you look at her speaking record and inability to form cogent replies to simple questions, one wonders to whom she is appealing and why. 

Most Americans not within the financially sheltered top one percent of the population are angry about the state of the economy and with good reason.  The anger and confusion is real and justified.  People like Palin, however, inflame and compound that confusion by exploiting the kind of hot-button issues that dominate radicalized elements of today’s right wing.  Even the Republican Party is held hostage to the rights’ pursuit of ideological purity.  But let’s assume she represents a unified and coherent point of view.  What does she say and how does she say it?  Let’s review part of a recent interview with culture warrior Bill O’Reilly:

O’Reilly: Let me be bold and fresh again. Do you believe you are smart enough, and incisive enough, intellectual enough, to handle the most powerful job in the world?

Palin: I believe that I am because I have common sense, and I have, I believe, the values that are reflective of so many American values. And I believe that what Americans are seeking is not the elitism, the, um, the, ah — kind of spineless — a spinelessness that or perhaps is made up for that with elite Ivy League education and — fact resume that’s based on anything but hard work and private-sector, free-enterprise principles. Americans could be seeking something like that in positive change in their leadership. I’m not saying that that has to be me.

This is but a small and dare I say conservative sample of her well documented aptitude for language and clear thinking.  Nevertheless, she is popular.  Many supporters claim they identify with her folksiness, her simple messages of ‘freedom’ and ‘support the troops’ and noticing Russia from parts of Alaska as part of a comprehensive foreign policy strategy.  But embracing a lack of interest in intellectual rigor does not comport well with designing public policy.  Rex Murphy, nonetheless, believes:

‘There are two great political speakers in the America today. Sarah Palin is the other one.’

I assume Murphy believes popularity and not substance defines greatness.  But in helping to solve the issues of the day, of what value is someone’s lack of insight?

Canon EOS Rebel Xti, ISO-1600, f/7.1, 1/40 sec.

Found while clearing for a coffee plantation Chocola, Guatemala

…in perverse worship to their false deities.  The USA and Christians don’t own the corner on the need to express gratitude and worship.  (one proof that God is real.  In an evolution model these desires have no reason to exist.)  In the USA we have our tradition.  It is corrupted in our public schools since 1963.  Our children can meditate (Hinduism  and Buddhism), and pray to Allah (the moon god of war claimed by a certain man from his pagan neighbors and used as an excuse to destroy all who disagreed with him… hmm).  But we cannot give homage to the Christian God in any way.  Therefore when the original Thanksgiving of the Plymouth pilgrims is taught, they merely thanked the Indians… for three days… after loosing more than half their numbers (52 of the 102 died in the first winter).  14 of 18 mothers died in those months… How thankful would you have been?  We wonder why God wants to puke in Rev. 3:16. 

The pilgrims gratitude was to GOD, period.  The Indians that befriended them were a blessing, even life saving agents of the Hand of God.  We Christians of all peoples should be most grateful.  Cindy and I are thankful to God for the following which/who we believe are blessings and agents from God for the work He has called us to do in Guatemala.

1.) Family and friends, churches and businesses that support us with financial, material and prayer support.

2.) New friends in Guatemala.

3.) The very direct support of the work here from the board members in the USA and Guatemala, the Teheda-Harris family (what a blessing), Desprosa (our legal people).

4.) The challenges of learning a new language and new culture.

5.) Our local churches, Calvary Chapel of Asheville, NC USA and Casa de Libertad (links on the right).

6.) The growth of Association Vine International – Guatemala under the Rice’s and the projects He has allowed us to participate in with a team from Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Boone NC - a. playground for children of mothers incarcerated in a local prison.  b. sewing room for these women to learn a trade.  c. And just today a new project with a national ministry Christo es el Camino, Iglesia Bautista that does a medical clinic in the largest garbage dump in Guatemala City.

7.) For Orphan Resources International and their families, our neighbors at the bodega (warehouse) – whose Thanksgiving Feast we have been invited to, but will have to miss due to a container coming…. now, what’s up with that LORD!?!

8.) I am grateful for my wife and all my 5 children!  My children’s maturity is a factor that released us to come to Guatemala and serve the LORD here.  Especially grateful for my daughters who recently made sure Cindy had more Christmas music than the 5 songs she brought with her in June.  The Muppets 12 Days of Christmas with the late John Denver was getting so annoying… and I had to leave my guns in the states.  There was a point I could have shot all 12 of them!    Yes  and recently these girls took care of our family dog Merlin as his body failed him.  We had him for over 12 years.  He was very jealous of my ladies, ask Jim Linton about his experience knocking on our door.  Thank you Merl for protecting my girls. 

One significant addition to the prayer list for those of you who pray for us.  A pastor friend who ministers in the gang and prison communities has received very threatening phone calls.  He and his family have survived two assassination attempts in their ministry here.  I don’t want to give identifying info here in a public forum like this but please pray for this man.  God promised the gates of hell will NOT prevail and this brother goes at those gates with a spiritual sledge-hammer everyday… he is one of those friends for which we are grateful.

In Christ, Dennis and Cindy McCutcheon

Daca intalnesti o femeie frumoasa,cu ochi stralucitori, buze umede si care freamata din tot corpul…

las-o in pace.

Are gripa.

La psihiatru:
- Felicitari domnule Bula, faceti progrese, tratamentul da rezultate! – Astea numiti dumneavoastra progrese? Cu sase luni in urma eram Napoleon, iar acum – un nimeni…
Presedintele Bush il intreaba pe seful CIA: – Cum naiba de stiu evreii tot ce facem, inainte chiar sa actionam? Generalul ii raspunde: – Domnule Presedinte, evreii au o expresie: “Vus tutuh?” (adica “ce se-ntampla?”). Cand se-ntalnesc, si-o adreseaza unul altuia – si asa stiu tot! Bush se decide sa verifice personal daca asa stau lucrurile. Se deghizeaza in evreu habotnic, cu palarie, perciuni si tot ce trebuie si se duce intr-un cartier evreiesc din Brooklyn . Vede un evreu batran cu tichiuta in cap si-l intreaba in soapta: – Vus tutuh? Batranul, tot in soapta, ii raspunde:
- Umbla Bush prin Brooklyn …
Un muncitor moare la locul de munca.Soseste politia sa ancheteze cazul si singurul martor e un copil.Politistul il intreaba: -Imi poti spune de ce a murit? -Pai….ptr ca a injurat de Dumnezeu. -Nu se poate asa ceva…, ce a zis mai exact?
-Pai a zis….Dumnezzzaii matii de kopkil, nu mai scutura schela…
Un rabin si un preot ortodox aveau garaje alaturate.
Preotul, din smerenie, intr-o zi spala masina rabinului. Adoua zi il vede pe rabin cum ii taie cu un bomfaier teava de esapament a masinii sale. Suparat intreaba: – Ce faci rabine acolo? la care rabinul raspunde: – Tu mi-ai botezat masina, eu ti-o tai imprejur.
Intrebare la Radio Erevan: – E adevarat ca marei noastre armate rosii i-a fost cerut ajutorul de catre Cehoslovacia?
Raspuns: – Da, cererea din 1939 a fost aprobata in 1968.
John! – Da, sir! – Unde este cainele? – Facea politica si l-am impuscat! – Cum ti-ai dat tu seama ca facea politica?
- Manca rahat in gradina.
Micul Lord, educat in toate cele ale vremii, avea o problema care ingrijora pe toata lumea: desi avea deja 6 ani, nu vorbise niciodata. Intr-o zi, la micul dejun, se produse minunea: – John, ceaiul asta este prea rece! Stupoare! Incantare!
- Dar, Sir – intreba John cu respect – cum de nu ati spus nimic pana azi? – Pentru ca pana azi serviciul a fost ireprosabil!
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Incredibil dar adevarat.  Iata un adevar istoric ignorat de romani, dar cunoscut peste hotare.Putini sunt cei care stiu ca simbolul Parisului, celebrul Turn Eiffel, a  fost realizat dupa o tehnologie inventata de inginerul roman Gheorghe Panculescu. Dupa ce a absolvit cursurile Politehnicii din Zurich, inginerul Gheorghe Panculescu ajunge sa lucreze in cadrul companiei Eiffel, la recomandarea marelui scriitor Vasile Alecsandri. In 1878, Panculescu revine in tara pentru a construi calea ferata Bucuresti-Predeal.
In acea perioada, inginerul inventeaza un sistem de imbinare a traverselor de cale ferata, care avea sa revolutioneze constructiile metalice.Datorita metodei de montare a sinei pe traverse in afara spatiului caii ferate, Panculescu a reusit sa termine lucrarea concesionata in mai putin de un an, desi termenul de livrare era  aproape cinci ani.

Panculescu l-a gazduit pe Gustave Eiffel  Impresionat de proiectul inginerului roman, Gustave Eiffel se deplaseaza special la Valenii de Munte pentru a-l intalni pe
Panculescu, cel care avea sa devina inspector general al Cailor Ferate Romane.Eiffel a vrut sa vada tehnologia folosita de acesta la montarea caii ferate. In 1879, in casa unde se afla acum Muzeul Nicolae Iorga, francezul a fost  gazduit de Panculescu si a fost impresionat de genialitatea inventiei romanului. Aici, Gustave Eiffel, care avea sa devina celebru nu peste mult timp, i-a vorbit gazdei despre proiectul sau, inaltarea unui turn iesit din comun, la Paris, pentru Expozitia universala din 1889. Impreuna au discutat despre adaptarea tehnicii inventate de Panculescu la constructia turnului, folosind subansamble metalice confectionate la sol si  asamblate dupa aceea, pe masura ce se inalta lucrarea.Interesant este si faptul ca destinul celor doi ingineri avea sa se incheie, in acelasi an, 1922.

Cunoscut in Franta, anonim in Romania Profesorul Eugen Stanescu de la Muzeul Judetean de Istorie  si Arheologie s-a numarat printre putinii cercetatori ai acestui inedit  episod. A fost special in Franta pentru a studia cat de cunoscut este aportul inginerului roman la ridicarea simbolului orasului luminii.Studiind documentele acelor vremuri, profesorul a gasit un studiu intitulat “Communication sur les travaux de la tour de 300 m”, datat 1887, in care celebrul inginer Alexandre Gustave Eiffel precizeaza ca turnul care ii poarta numele nu s-ar fi putut construi daca nu ar fi aflat de tehnica inovatoare folosita de inginerul roman Gheorghe Panculescu la constructia tronsonului de cale ferata Bucuresti- Predeal.
Din pacate, numele romanului este mult mai cunoscut in Franta decit in tara unde s-a nascut.. Doar la insistentele profesorului Stanescu, o scoala generala din Valenii de Munte poarta de la inceputul acestui an numele inginerului Panculescu.

Segundo fonte não oficial, o edifício destinado ao tão almejado “Museu dos Cristos” aguarda pelo momento certo para poder ser inaugurado!

Segundo a mesma fonte, trata-se de um projecto vanguardista, obra de um arquitecto espanhol, que devido às  formas originais do edifício, está a passar despercebido a toda a população de Sousel e que até já conta com segurança, de forma a não ser vítima de hipotéticas tentativas de vandalismo.

Após examinar toda a região….. será que é disto que se trata?

The Vesnianka Youth Choir on stage at the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatoire (they are not scheduled to perform at this recital; I wished to show you how the Conservatoire stage looks when set up for a choral group).

On Thursday, at the Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory, a concert entitled Pyesn Voskozhdeniya (The Song of Ascents) is set for performance. “We will present the best Orthodox choral compositions of recent years at this concert, showcasing works created in Russia, the Ukraine, and Belarus”, Aleksei Puzakov, choir-director at the Church of St Nicholas at the Tretyakov Gallery and Honoured Artist of Russia, told our Interfax-Religion correspondent on Tuesday. The works presented are by such well-known composers as Roman Ledenyov, Kirill Volkov, Andrei Mikita, and Viktoria Polevaya. These musicians are not only famous all over the CIS, but, in Europe, as well. The organisers dedicated this performance to the creativity of Archbishop Hilarion Alfeyev of Volokolamsk, the head of the MP Department for External Church Relations. Archbishop Hilarion’s pioneering of a new genre in Russian music, the “Orthodox Passion”, is a significant development in our cultural life. “Orthodox listeners so often hear ‘old friends’ as settings for the liturgical chants… it’s worn a rut in their minds. We wish to uplift the listeners of this concert. If their thoughts about God were hitherto vague and murky, perhaps, we can help them reflect on God, eternity, truth, and beauty”, Maestro Puzakov said. The Choir of the Tretyakov Gallery, which many consider the finest interpreters of sacred music in Russia, and the Moscow Symphony Orchestra, will participate in the concert.

24 November 2009

Interfax-Religion

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=33054

Cartea ce tocmai am terminat-o de citit este o varianta moderna a cartii “Bunele Maniere”, putin mai succinta si mult mai atragatoare. Mi-o aduc aminte pe cea veche pentru ca o am acasa, in special partea cu aranjatul mesei cu diverse ocazii, , exista si in cea de fata acest capitol.

Imediat ce Ivonica a cumparat-o, asta vara dupa festivitatea ei de incheiere, am citit catevafragmente pe sarite cat asteptam sa inceapa piesa Regii de la Teatru Evreiesc de Stat, si mi-a placut.

Citind-o integral, nu mi-am schimbat parerea, consider in continuare ca e utila, desi are fragmente si pagini care mi se par putin deplasatenu prin continut ci doar prin stilul abordat sau ocazia pretentioasa ce se dicuta.

Se abordeaza principiile comunicarii. Mi s-a parut interesanta partea aceasta, exercitiile recomandate pentru a-ti verifica tonul, antrenarea vocii cu alte cuvinte. (ar trebui si eu sa ma antrenez ).

Toata cartea as spune atinge puncte ce sunt pentru mine in campul de interes. Alta chestie interesanta cu laudatul si complimentele; sa fci complimente in fiecare zi, asta le face oamnilor ziua mai frumoasa, si tie.

Relatia de familie, chiar si ceea ce trebuie urmarit atunci cand iti cauti o menajera sau o bona. Iti da sfaturi pentru comportamentul tau atunci cand esti intr-un mijloc de transport.Autoarea ne impartaseste chiar experientele traite. Pentru cei ce sunt speriati de zborul cu avionul, Mihaela Nicola gaseste o solutie ce a aplicato chiar ea.

Am aflat lucruri interesante despre mersul in trafic si viata de pieton. Desi am fost numai pieton nu am stiut ca se aplica aceeasi regula ca la masini, cum ca se circula pe dreapta.

Mi s-a parut draguta partea cu semnificatia cadourilor. Eu sunt bucuroasa cand stiu ca pot surprinde pe cineva cu cadouri, asa ca acest capitol a picat la fix.

De asemenea mai gasiti informatii de maniere in legatura cu telefonul, e-mailul, corespondeta, pana si de blog. Avand in vedere ceea ce am citit, nu a fost politicos din partea mea sa nu scriu nimic atata timp.

Din moment ce am scris despre cartea asta inseamna ca mi-a placut mult si deci o recomand! …Sfatul meu si al autoarei este …Purtati-va cu manusi!

PS: Am uitat sa specific de o bucatica importanta din carte! Eco si Verde, pana si autoarea ne indruma la actiuni de voluntariat, plantare de copaci etc.