text:
A centenary is a day on which a organism breathes his early external his mother's uterus and prepares himself for a new enthusiasm. It is the beginning, a windowpane to the chance of a time period. It is an affair to be commemoratedability purely as a body politic commemoratesability its offset or as an foundation celebrates its foundation. All the same the implicit in sound out inactive residue as to why one celebrates his bicentenary. Is it the reality thatability theyability have survivedability another twelvemonth hostile abundant probability thatability being gave them the possibleness to unsystematic upon or is thisability day the flood of a expectation to subsist other year? No of the above, it would give the impression of being. If it is the bygone yr thatability one is commemorating, would he lifeless put on a pedestal a bread to it if he were to acquire several bad news? Not expected. But why? What is the connection of rumour astir the future once one is celebratingability the past? This is possibly because of an pseudoscience mental object. The politic men detected thatability once the sun hit the self mark in the welkin thatability it control on a person's date of birth, thatability day turned out to be fantastically providential. This happy structure brought joy, and gum olibanum the wedding anniversary soul considered necessary to hang loose.

This substantiatesability the certainty thatability it is not the departed thatability is best on one's minds but the the imminent. One celebrates the natural event at havingability arrived so far because specified sure-fire cheerfulness allows him to last convey. This day is the expressions of unrestrained, unbridled, blindfold reliance in one's own withdrawn impermanency. But as one moves up the stairway of age, he gets mortal to the predetermined departure. So we can reason thatability birthdaysability are roughly speaking self-delusionsability defyingability passing. They are something like conserving the tasteful memories of permanence. They are forms of acting out one's magical rational. By celebratingability our days on thisability day, we award on ourselves preventive charms resistant the message and capriciousness of a cold, impersonal, and regularly surly world. It is natural in umpteen culturesability to paint the town red thisability day, for guide by havingability a shindig beside loved ones and/or friends.

The high spirits of thisability happening badminton once one shares his centenary with another being. In thisability point the Anniversary contradiction has a major role to gambol. The bicentennial contradiction states thatability specified a alliance of 23 without rhyme or reason elected people, the amount is more than than 50% thatability at lowest possible two of them will have the one and the same birthday. If the number of group increases to 60 or more, the amount is greater than 99%. Nevertheless it cannot in truth be 100% unless near are at most minuscule 366 ethnic group. One should not appropriate it to be a contradiction in terms in the so knack of the language unit , as in the suffer of prima to a rational oppositeness. In fact it is delineated as a contradiction in terms because science lawfulness contradicts free-spoken or green basic cognitive process.

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One can try it himself. If one is at a intensifying of 20 or 30 people, and all individual's mean solar day of birth is asked, it is probable thatability two populace in the consortium will have the same day of the month of birth. It ever surprisesability people! The rational motive thisability is so funny is because an private is previously owned to examination his individual birthdaysability beside others. For example, if a individual meets cause at random and asks him his date of birth, the chance of the two of them havingability the said anniversary is single 1/365 (0.27%) which is awfully low. Even if he asks 20 people, the chance is still low - smaller number than 5%. So one feels thatability it is terrifically irregular to draw together everybody next to the aforesaid twenty-four hours of starting time as his.

When 20 populace are put in a room, however, the item thatability changes is the reality thatability all of the 20 individuals is now asking all of the different 19 ethnic group give or take a few their day of the month of offset. Each specific personality one and only has a small, little than 5%, casual of success, but all mortal is difficult it 19 contemporary world. So thatability increases the odds dramaticallyability. If one wants to cypher the unambiguous probability, one way to gawp at it is like-minded thisability. He should mark his centennial on the calendar. The subsequent character who walks in has lone a 364 reasonable start years available, so the odds of the two dates not collidingability is 364/365. The close organism has with the sole purpose 363 open days, so the chance of not collidingability is 363/365. If one multipliesability the probabilitiesability for all 20 populace not colliding, consequently one gets: 364/365 * 363/365 * ... 365-20 1/365 = Likelihood of no collisionsability. That is the measure of no collisions, so the chance of collisionsability is 1 minus thatability digit. The subsequent case you are next to a consortium of 30 people, try it!

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Swiss potato cakes...

  • 4 large potatoes
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • butter (for frying)
Parboil the potatoes in their skin for five to ten minutes (this depends on their size- the larger they are the longer you leave them in). Allow to cool and then peel. You can do this quite easily by running a fork over the potatoes- The skin will come right off.

Grate the potatoes into a large bowl. Mix in a good amount of salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Melt the butter in a large frying pan on a medium heat. Throw in the seasoned, shredded potatoes and pat/shape into a large round flat cake. Cook for 5 minutes and then flip the cake over- The easiest way I've found to do this is to put a plate, upside down onto the cake, turn the frying pan over while holding the plate. At this point to can put some more butter on the pan and then slide the cake from the plate back onto the pan. Keep cooking and flipping until both sides are a golden brown colour.

Serve. Can be eaten on it's own or with a nice large continental sausage (wurst) and mustard.

Alternatively you can portion/pack the shredded potato into poaching/ring moulds and make individual rostis. These are a lot easier to turn over.

Alternatives. The recipe shown is for the tradional rosti. I have had rosti's which have included sliced garlic, finely chopped onions, grated cheese and even lardons/pancetta. If you want to do this, just add the ingredient to the bowl with the shredded potato and mix well before turning it out onto the pan.

2 comments to this

sasha said on 06 Apr 2006 at 16:34:49:

I add a whisked egg to help the grated potato to stick together.

I bet the rosti would taste good even if cooked in olive oil rather than butter.

hem said on 18 May 2006 at 11:22:09:

sure you can use olive oil but it doesn't have that unctuous-ness (sorry having a Nigella moment there)

tagged with

posted by hem on 06 Apr 06 - 17662 views

recipes from hem

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text:
Let's Review- Dance on TV

I've been doing research on Martha Graham for my Women Artists course for my MFA. Martha's been an obsession for me since college. I think I really identify with her because she started dancing in her teenage years, as did. She wrote in an essay "The function of the dance is communication." And it remind me of this post from 2013.

One of my students asked me this weekend if I had seen a recent episode of "So You Think You Can Dance". I told him I didn't believe in such things. Upon reflection, he deserved a better answer. And I know this is something that my fellow dance teachers and I discuss frequently, and can disagree on.

I love what reality shows have done for the profile of dance in America. People see it. They enjoy it. More than they have done those things in the past.

My problem is that reality TV is not translating into real life. Are more people going to dance concerts because of these programs? Are more enrolling dance classes?

More deeply, is dance being seen as an art form of communication, or simply a physical feat of beauty? In musical theatre dance, the movement is tied to the words. However, I try to carry a theme of movement through a piece, or a motivation. Many of my students don't recognize it until I point it out. Is anyone taking the time to do that on SYTCD and related shows? Are we making audiences look for connections and depth, or simply tying movement to a popular song, to get the dance to be popular too?

I read in Dance Teacher magazine, in the history column on the New Dance Group, "The young art form of modern dance was empowered and validated by its alignment with the political and social issues of the day….It was a complete dance entity simmering in a social, political and cultural stew….they cared and water to use their art to raise social consciousness."

Are today's dance shows raising the social consciousness? Are we challenging ideals, norms, and stances? Are we standing for anything? Or just entertaining?

I truly don't know the answers to these questions, as I stopped watching many of these shows after one season, finding that the answers to all of my above questions were not acceptable. Have they changed? Is the awareness and appreciation they bring to the art of dance worthwhile anyway? Should I give them all another chance? Feedback and comments welcome!

I still don't know the answers to these questions. And I think just having the conversation may be as valid as answering the questions. I would now add to the list of questions: What are we communicating?

As you will see in the comments on the original post, much of SYTYCD and DWTS is about sex, lust, love or heartbreak. Dance can speak to much more than that. Have we limited its power with what we display on TV?

Again, comments and feedback are welcome!

Let's Review- Art as Process, not Product

I originally wrote this piece in 2012. A lot has changed since then. But not really my ideas on Arts Eduction. As a matter of fact, I think it is even more important now that we teach the process of art making, rather than emphasize the final product. I've seen too many organizations and teachers put all the power of art on the "show".  When really, in terms of learning, it's the process that matters.

April was full of events. Actually, most of them occurred all in 1 week! My high school students presented A Midsummer Night’s Dream and their semester dance performance. My students at Hedgerow performed for a fundraiser. Through it all, I was coaching, correcting, writing program notes, performing as well, and just generally hoping for the best.

Weeks like that are the best and the worst. We celebrate as all of our hard work, scolds, suggestions and teaching become a beautiful final product. And, we worry that it won’t. Somehow, it always seems to “come together”. Yet, I’m concerned that miracle of adrenaline is something we take for granted. Do we, as teachers and directors, just trust it will “come together”, and then not instill in our students the importance of discipline, rehearsing as you would perform, and taking pride in one’s work, as much in the process as the product?

If we do not encourage our students to be disciplined- prepared, on time, respectful of the process, their peers and their authorities- we miss a chance to prepare them for college and jobs, where they will not have us there to remind them.

If we do not have them rehearse as they perform, we do not teach them that the arts, and most things in life, are group efforts. That the actions (or lack thereof) of one person has a ripple affect on the group, with consequences s/he may not foresee when focused on him/herself.

If we do not encourage our students to take as much pride in the process as in the finished product, we do not actually encourage learning. We are telling them that the end is all that matters. We do not take mistakes and failures as learning opportunities, rather we just focus on the happy ending (see chapter 1 of Jonah Lehrer’s Imagine). And in that, we don’t encourage creativity. If we cannot teach our students to try, to fail, to try again, to seek ways to improve we are not educating them. We are not creating a generation of resilient, innovative thinkers and doers, who operate with perspective and insight. We are simply teaching them to get to the end. By whatever means necessary.

The arts in education should not be about just getting to the end- the performance, the final piece, the presentation. The arts in education should be a time to teach the value of exploration, to embrace learning and process as just as important as the finished product. If you never start, you can never finish. If you do not learn as you go, you will not end up in any place different than where you started.

Dancer with Cancer- Part 7

Our culture prizes knowledge greatly (well, except for Donald Trump and Sarah Palin). We are encouraged to do well in school and go to college. Then, to move up in our jobs, we are encouraged to get advanced degrees, or take more training. The learning never ends. Nor should it. But. How do you KNOW? How do you LEARN?

This prizing of reason cuts us in two: the mind and the body. We're encouraged to "balance" them, or "connect" them, insinuating that they were separate to begin with. This is a dangerous false dichotomy.

We need to remember that all learning is sensual, as in, happens through the senses. Whether it is a tactile, personal experience or the aural or visual absorption of someone else's experience, all learning begins in the body.

And the body decides how to make that knowledge part of the real world. The body turns thought into action. If we live with either the body or the mind in a superior role, we limit ourselves, either in our ability to know or in our ability to act. And the two are inextricably linked.

We must stop the body shaming that goes on in our culture. It is dangerous to self-esteem, yes. But it cuts us in two, and separates us from the world around us. We must be embodied to live in this world. When we disregard the knowledge and the sensations we get from our bodies, we deny our humanity, our connectedness. We are mind AND body, together, feeding each other, supporting each other, interpreting each other, learning each other. And that is worth celebrating.

Dancer with Cancer- Part 6

Since we were small, we were told to "give it our all", "give 100%".  Motivating, maybe. But, the thing is, you can't give 100%. I can't give 100%. And believe me, I've been trying.

100% by Albertogp

My nature is to be a hard worker. I've been working for over half my life already. I bought into the "American Dream myth", that if you just work hard, you will succeed. See my post on that here. But like I said, I've been working for over half my life already. And I'm not anywhere near my definition of success.

I think women especially are in danger from this story of giving 100%. We're told we can, indeed, "have it all". But only if we can be it all: the perfect employee, wife, mother and friend. We can be all these things! Just give them all 100%! For most of us it is in our nature to be people-pleasers, and so we try so hard. to do everything to the best of all ability, all the time.

Here's the problem with giving 100%: If you give 100% to everything, you're actually giving more like 1000%. Work, family, friends, hobbies, whatever. Sure, you think, "I'm not giving them all 100% at the same time, so I can give them 100% separately." But, can you? Or are work worries in the back of your mind as you are with your family? Do you feel guilty for indulging in your hobbies when you should be doing something "useful"? Do your friends get neglected because of the other business in your life?

Nothing ever really gets 100% anyway. It's time we were honest about that and stopped trying so damn hard.  Save yourself the burnout.

It's a pretty little myth that we can 100% to everything. Maybe that works for a bit. But, it's mathematical impossibility. And therefore, unsustainable. We try so hard to operate at that level, because we've been told it's what we can and should do. Instead, we're constantly fracturing our energy.

It's OK to not give 100%. There. I said it. It's OK to not give 100%. Especially to things or people that don't give back.

I'm not saying don't do or be your best. I'm not saying sit at home and eat bonbons, or neglect your children, or don't meet your deadlines. I am saying, it's time we lived in the real world. 100% is a myth. Priorities are a good thing. What is important to you?

You only have 100% to give, period. Use it wisely.

Dancer with Cancer- Part 5

One of the most important things I've learned in my cancer journey is how important the right doctor is, the right kind of care. So when I had to change doctors this year, I got recommendations from my social worker. She didn't steer me wrong!

I had a great new patient visit this morning. She took an hour with me. An hour! We sat in her office an talked about all my issues. She listened. She asked questions and listened more. She made me feel validated, heard and cared for. Isn't that what we should expect from our doctors? Care, not just treatment.

When she spoke, she told me how she preferred that her patients get their nutrition from food, not pills. She said that she, too, likes alternate means of treatment such as massage and acupuncture. She didn't make me feel guilty or dumb.

Too often we allow doctors to dismiss our concerns or demean us. We allow this because they are the ones that are supposed to know. They are the ones with the education. However, no one is expert on YOU, except for YOU. The good doctor recognizes this, and takes the time to learn about YOU, not just your issues.

I know the insurance system doesn't always make it easy to get to right doctor. But I want to encourage you to try. When you find the good ones, it is such a revelation. We need to get care from our doctor's, not just a prescription.

Dancer with Cancer- Part 4

"Bodies are weird." I say that to my clients all the time. I also say, "The body is different every day."Another thing I frequently say is "You are the only one in your body".

I am just now learning the truth of these statements. I took my healthy, fit body for granted. Even now, I can slip back, as I feel good most of the time.

When was the last time you took a moment to thank your body for all it does? For all it is capable of? Learn to develop this appreciation and feel this goodness. When you are more in touch with the good, you will be more quickly able to sense when something is wrong.

Just because something is wrong doesn't mean it will be that way forever. The body constantly tries to heal itself. At my 2nd chemo, they had to flush my port, because scar tissue had already formed around it. Bodies are quick. Pain and sickness are temporary, quite often. Not pleasant, but not permanent.

Sometimes, though, it is. But let me be very clear. Your disease, disability, injury or issue is NOT your body. My disease is NOT my body.

I'm still learning to separate my cancer from my body. To not blame my body or blame myself. There is cancer in my body and my body and I are working together to get rid of it.

I respect her needs, like nutrition, sleep and exercise. In return, she is giving me strength and healing.

Know your body. The body is perfect. Beautiful. Weird. Miraculous. Fragile. Powerful.

Dancer with Cancer- Part 3

In my therapy I've been working through the issues raised by feelings of my betrayal from body.  With that, and in writing my personal essay for grad school, there are certain themes that come together.

Connecting body and soul. Telling women's stories. It's not the fitness that interests me, it's the meaning behind the movement. (Fitness is a great by-product, by the way.) It's being with women who want to move, who want to connect their body to their emotions, and vice versa, that is attractive to me.

I've let myself be told how to use my body. I've let myself feel guilty over how I use my body. And it's total bs. We were created to have a body, to be physical. To experience physical states. Our bodies are awesome, capable of so much. Even if something is "wrong" with them, there is still so much right. So much to celebrate, show, and experience.

Bodies can be empowering or objectifying.To worry about how others view my body, and its use, is to give them all the power. When I have the power, it's empowering to use my body, be in my body. When I give away me power (or, horribly, if it were taken), it is objectifying. Sex is not the only means of objectification. Disease (or injury or disability) can do the same thing.

I don't look like I'm sick. So, thankfully, strangers don't treat me any differently. But the people that know do. In some ways, it's nice be approached with a bit more gentleness and care. But at other times, I feel limited by how others view me. Or rather, how they think I should be feeling, acting, doing. Should is not a good word to have others apply to your life. Only you are in your body. Only you have your history, your experiences, your vision. Don't give away your power to someone else's "should".

I refuse to give up my power. This body, my body, can create art, meaning. It helps me explore the world, make sense of the world. It's frail and easily broken, but it's not powerless.

I'd love to hear from you! What have you been told you should be doing/thinking/feeling? How does that sit with your soul? With your body?

Dancer with Cancer- Part 2

Who are you, when you are definitely not who you were, but can also no longer be who you are?

How much does the choice of profession weigh into who we are?

How do you figure out who you must become, when you've never been there, or done that, before?

I've been mulling over these questions for over 2 months now.

I was a dancer. Trying to create and perform as much as possible. I was someone whose body was my tool and instrument. I though I had good communication with my body. I see now I really didn't listen that well. She was talking, but I wasn't hearing it.

I am becoming someone who sees my body as a sacred gift.

My therapist says that I am a "whole new person". I never thought of it like that, but it is really true. In the past 3 years, I have totally remade myself. Now, I am continuing that process.

It's scary to think of being a new person. Mainly, because I don't really like change or surprises. But honestly, we should all be in the process of becoming. Growing, learning. Adapting, evolving.

Much of my self-creation has been my choice, at my pace. This time, that is not the case. This is a forced change. I've realized is a necessary one; but, it certainly isn't my choice. I think that's where the anxiety comes from, a lack of control.

But, that really is just my perception. I have control of the choices I make. To lead to a new person. Who I am now is new. But I am still in the process of becoming. And, who I become is my choice.

I love to push myself. I love a challenge. A whole new person. I already am. But she's not working out quite the way I planned. So, who shall I become?

The butterfly approaches the world, and life, very differently than the caterpillar.

We are all in the process of becoming. We can be grateful for who we are, where we are, and still want to be more. We cannot stay as we are, where we are, and be truly human. Every day, every experience is an opportunity to learn and grow. Take it, and be the new creature. Live a new life.

Dancer with Cancer- Part 1

If we are connected in real life or on social media, you likely already know this.

I have been diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma. (EDIT: On 1/16/16, my doctor stepped back that diagnosis to Stage 3B. I'm not quite sure what makes them different, but, full disclosure.)

I'm shocked. I'm guessing you were too when you heard it. "She's so healthy/young/active/etc". And yet, here we are. I am now the "Dancer with Cancer". Catchy tagline, don't you think?

Thanks to La Ren Originals for this photo.

The past few weeks have been very difficult for me. Due to surgeries on my hips and chest, I was unable to do full-out dancing. Plus, I have tumors on my spine, ruling out jumping and rolling on the floor, 2 things frequently found in my dances. The chemo can make people sick, so I have limited any performing until I know how I will react. I'm struggling with issues of identity- who am I, now that I am not a dancer or teacher, at least at the level at which I have come to expect from myself. Who do we become, when the person and life we have created are no longer viable options? (These ideas still need some fleshing out, and will become their own blog post.)

Being diagnosed with cancer has not made me suddenly wise. If anything, it has shown me how much I don't know. Not just about the world, but about myself and my body, subjects with which I thought myself to be intimately acquainted.

But I have learned a few things, and I wanted to share them with you.

  • You are the world's foremost authority on you. For months (8, in fact) before I had a diagnosis, I knew something was wrong. I tried food and herbal based remedies. I made doctor's appointments. I got acupuncture and massage. I took naps. But no matter what I tried, something was just "off". I would feel better for a while, or my symptoms would subside, but I still just didn't feel like myself. So I kept pushing the doctors for appointments. I kept trying new things to help myself. Finally, I got to where I needed to be. To a doctor who knew within 5 minutes of talking to me and examining me exactly what I had. But I had to advocate for myself.  So often women do not do this. We are "polite" or "nice". We don't want to "rock the boat" or "hurt anyone's feelings". We don't ask for what we feel we really need. We take "No" for an answer far too often. We let doctors (or bosses or significant others or internet commenters)  talk down to us because they are the authority. No. No they are not. YOU are the authority on YOU. This goes for mental and emotional health, not just physical. If something doesn't feel right, ask questions, get help, try new ways of approaching and addressing the problem until it does. YOU are the only one who knows how YOU feel. You have a responsibility to yourself, body and soul, to listen to and address those feelings.
  • Nutrition and Exercise are VITAL. Vital= life-giving. The only reason I made it through my days of demanding physical activity, even when I was not feeling well, was because of how I was supporting myself nutritionally and physically. My oncologist called me "ridiculously healthy". Except, you know, for the cancer part. Turns out even good nutrition and exercise can't fix everything. But it does do a damn good job of keeping it under control. My doctors have told me that most people in my condition would not be able to do what I do every day. Even during treatment, I (so far) have not had to give up any of my teaching jobs. Food is not just fuel. Food is medicine. Or it can be. Feed your body with things that promote LIFE. I tried to eat cleanly and well before, but now, I've become even more vigilant. And I've learned a lot about what to eat to fight cancer, boost immunity, and promote overall health.

    Nutritions choices

    A quick run down:

    • Garlic
    • Onions
    • Ginger
    • Turmeric
    • Cruciferous vegetables
    • No meat unless it is hormone-free, grass-fed
    • Only Omega-3 eggs
    • Beets (I'm having trouble with this one, as I think beets are gross. But I'm trying.)

Exercise can be medicine, too. Joseph Pilates wrote, back in 1938, about active breathing and raising the heart rate to cleanse the body and stimulate the mind. Plus, the endorphins just help you feel better.

  • Sleep is also vital. This is where I really dropped the ball with my health before. I'd be up early to teach and out late either teaching, rehearsing, or performing. Your body needs rest to heal and refresh. I know this isn't news to you. It wasn't to me either. But I wasn't following it. I thought I was fine. I thought I was the person who could get through without too much sleep, because I was getting through my day. I was eating right and exercising, so getting only 4 or 5 hours of sleep a night was OK. It wasn't. The body needs sleep to heal. I had/have an incredibly active schedule, and over-exercise can cause an inflammatory response in the body.

    Restful Sleep

    Sleep is a way for the body to treat inflammation (as well as any other dis-ease, infection, etc.) Stress is can also cause inflammatory responses in the body, and sleep is a way to relieve the body of stress. Cognitive function also declines with lack of sleep, and can cause mistakes or errors in judgement that affect our health. For more on the importance of sleep, check out this great podcast!

  • Your life is your life. This is such a simple, obvious sentence. And so very difficult to live. This may be an issue more for women or than men. Or maybe just me. I seek approval. I don't want to disappoint. I want everyone to be happy, to be proud of me. But, I can't make everyone happy. Heck, sometimes I don't even make myself happy. But, I do the best I can, making the choices in front of me, with the information I have.  The Mormons have a philosophy that we have to have a body to make choices with, and making choices is the only way to fulfill our purpose here on earth (this is a very simplified, and not complete version of this tenant of their faith). While, I'm not a Mormon, I like this thought. We and our bodies are making choices. (I learned this in a very funny book, The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance: A Memoir, that I received as a care package gift from one of my college roommates. It is hilarious, even if you are not Mormon, or single.) No one else gets to tell you how or why to live. These are choices you need to make for yourself. Your past history and current experiences can lead you through these choices. Other people can offer their opinions, but in the end, that's all they are. Their opinions. It's still your choice. Don't give away your power over your life by letting someone else choose for you. Claim your power and choose your life.

I hope this helps you. It at least helped me to write it. I get to claim more power in my life by recognizing my mistakes and my knowledge. I'll remind one more time: Claim your power power, choose your life.

Viewpoint 2: Most Women Spend Too Much Time Thinking Negatively About Their Bodies

File under: Incredibly Obvious.

And maybe it’s not just women. Maybe it’s men, too. But I don’t work with them as much. Nor am I as interested in working with them as I am with women. But I do know that it is not just grown women. I know that my 7-10 year old dance students make regular negative comments on their own bodies. 7 to 10! That’s crazy. They are going to go through another 50+ years of body negativity? Yikes!

Love this!

Love this!

I had an eating disorder in my teens and 20s. Fitness saved me. It taught me to see my body as pure potential. To see food as healing, supporting and fueling. That experience has led to a burning passion for me to guide other women and girls to the same realizations.

I actually quote this statistic a lot in my classes-

“...on average, women have 13 negative body thoughts daily—nearly one for every waking hour.” (Shape Magazine, 2011)

I think that statistic is extremely low. An even more telling stat from the same survey is that 97% of women will have at least 1 “I hate my body” moment, EVERY day.

In my CABARRET classes, on our cool down stretches, I remind my students to thank their body, for all that it did, for exploring, for expressing. In my baby ballet classes, my 3 and 4 year olds thank their body parts for helping them to dance. This year, I introduced something new with my older girls, and on the last class before Thanksgiving, we talked about what we were thankful for...about our bodies!

These are not just silly exercises, or time-killers for my classes. This work is what I committed to- helping women celebrate their bodies now, even as they create a stronger, healthier body for the future. Helping women feel CONNECTED to their bodies, rather than trying to separate themselves from it.

Let’s be clear. Any time spent beating up your body is too much time. It needs to stop. I know, I know...the media…. The media doesn’t think your thoughts for you. Only you live in your head.

So, the next time a negative body thought pops up, capture it. (Maybe even try the exercise from the SHAPE study: for 1 day, write down every negative body thought you have.) Then ask your body to forgive you for that thought, and replace it with a thought of gratitude- that you are strong enough to pick up your kids, that you recovered from that cold, that your eyes are just the prettiest shade of blue. Something. Anything. Change the message. Your body hears everything your mind thinks.

As Louise Hay says “You’ve been beating yourself up for years now, and what has that done for you? Try being nice to yourself instead.”

Viewpoint 1: Most Fitness Regimens are Mindless

Well, that plan didn't quite work out (the one to repurpose content). Oh well. But now, I've got a new plan!

Under the guidance of my biz coach, the fabulous Erika Lyremark, I've been working to really bring MY voice to CABARRET. After all, that is what the workout is meant to do- allow women to express themselves!

So the next few blog posts will be about what Erika calls "ViewPoints". The beliefs that I hold that help define me, and my business. So, I'm ready to step up and speak out!

And this first one goes back to my original plan, repurposing content!

Viewpoint 1: Most Workouts are Mindless

Read the original post here.

What do I mean? I mean, when you go to the gym, you just check out. You read, watch TV, or follow the teacher without ever putting the power of your brain behind your movements! This makes for a less effective workout, a less safe workout, and could even contribute to those feelings of boredom that sometimes crop up at the gym. And you don't have to believe just me! Check out the word from scientists.

Only You

Over the next few weeks, I'm going to be revisiting some of my favorite blog posts from the past, and republishing the ones that are still relevant.

Here is one from August, 2011, To Thine Own Self Be True

When you perform- dance, act, sing- you are creating. You are molding a moment in time that can never be had again. It might be recorded, saved, whatever, but it will never HAPPEN again. You may not consider yourself a creator, but you are. You may be executing someone else’s movements or interpreting someone else’s words. You may be under the direction of someone else. BUT. You are the do-er- You are creating the moment for the audience.

No one else will have the opportunity. No one else will do it in the way you will. So, make it yours. Create your little creature and share it. Be true to your soul. Don’t acquiesce that responsibility to a director, choreographer, whoever. By all means,  follow directions, take your notes, do your job. And then, create an experience to share with your audience.

I've come to realize that this isn't just true in theatre. It's true in life. Your life is your creation. Whether you work for someone else or yourself, you're bringing skills, experience and insights that no one else has your particular combination of.

You are creating a moment in time to share with those around you. Make it the best.

AMRAP Giveaway and Review

A few weeks ago, I was given the opportunity, through my Sweat Pink Ambassadorship, to review the new AMRAP bars. As someone who lives on protein shakes and bars, I was pretty psyched.

Almond & Honey was my fave!

Almond & Honey was my fave!

Fig & Cacao

Fig & Cacao

Cashew & Vanilla

Cashew & Vanilla

The good news: They taste good! The Almond & Honey was actually my favorite. I thought it tasted like cookie dough!

The bad news: They are really high in calories. At over 300 calories each, these are a meal replacement bar. As a matter of fact, my usual protein bar, which is said to be a meal replacement only has 250 calories. And has more protein than these! AMRAP bars are definitely only for use as a meal replacement or a killer workout. Or try half at a time!

So, I won't be switching from Isagenix to AMRAP for my bars. That said, they are a very good, very clean option. So good, in fact, I'm giving you the opportunity to win some! I'll be choosing 3 winners! Good luck!

4 Mantras to Help You Survive Anxiety and Overwhelm.

As I prepare to move (yeah, again), I’m feeling a lot of anxiety. Plus just the regular, everyday stresses of teaching, running a business, and having a life.

I took this pic as part of the #RadicalSelfLoveJuly Instagram Challenge hosted by Gala Darling. The day's topic was "Favorite Book".

I took this pic as part of the #RadicalSelfLoveJuly Instagram Challenge hosted by Gala Darling. The day's topic was "Favorite Book".

I’ve been working through “A Course in Miracles”. The text is full of so much beauty and truth. The workbook exercises are simple, yet challenging. This book, as well as Michael Singers’s “The Untethered Soul”, have been incredibly enlightening and inspiring for me in the past few months. , I’d like to share these ideas from “A Course in Miracles” to help you survive your stressful, anxiety-filled times.

“When you have become willing to hide nothing, you will not only be willing to enter into communion but will also understand peace and joy.”

When I read this, it struck me that much of our anxiety comes from fear that our authentic self is not “_____” enough. Good enough, pretty enough, smart enough, rich enough, etc. And we feel the need to cover up our perceived lack. This closing off of ourselves keeps us from entering into deep relationships with other and from experiencing peace in ourselves. Start to expose the real you, and feel the release!

“You can never control the effects of fear yourself, because you made fear, and you believe in what you made.”

One of the premises of “A Course in Miracles” is that fear is our own creation, from our egos. It is simply a false state of being. You believe the fear, because it is your own invention. And much like Dr. Frankenstein’s Monster, it cannot be controlled.

“When you are sad, know this need not be. Depression comes from a sense of being deprived of something you want and do not have.”

Now, this is not talking about clinical depression. Mental illness is a real thing and should be treated as a medical issue. Ok, with that disclaimer-

If you are truly content, you cannot be depressed. This was an amazing change of mindset for me. I allow myself to be discouraged and saddened by WANTING. It is, of course, ok to want things if that want pushes you to make changes, work harder, take steps to your goals, etc. It is not ok to want things at the expense of gratitude. We must learn to be thankful and grateful for what we have and where we are, and that gratitude will protect us.

“Guilt is a sure sign that your thinking is unnatural.”

Oh, boy. This was another big one for me. Guilt is a big motivator in my life. And when I read the above sentence, it was like a lightening bolt.

I often summarize “The Untethered Soul” for those who haven’t read it as “Stress comes from two places- feeling guilty about the past and worrying about the future. And neither of those things are something we can control! We have only the present to live and work in.”

So if you are suffering feelings of guilt, you need to learn how to leave those in the past. That is no longer a moment you can control. Concentrate your thoughts, energy, life on the present!

I hope you found a bit of wisdom here! And if you haven’t read the books I mentioned, I really can’t recommend them enough!

5 Things To Do When You Need a Break From Yourself.

Gala Darling has declared this month #RadicalSelfLoveJuly ! And she has a whole Instagram challenge going for the month. I am participating, but must admit, I’m not doing very well. But, it’s OK! No guilt for the lack of demonstrating self-love is actually having self-love, right?

If you’re like me, you have moments where you find it difficult to be with yourself. That last bad decision or unkind word keeps playing in your head. Your life looks so overwhelming you wonder how you got yourself into this. You have to make a decision and are torn, and you wish you’d just make up your mind already!

Sometimes we just need a break for ourselves. And that’s ok. So, the next time you are on the verge of making yourself crazy, try one of these things instead:

1. Take a nap. I know you’re not 4. But a nap is the perfect way to both escape your life for an hour, and reset your mindset. The world always looks better after a nap.

2. Try some self-love. If you are loving yourself, it’s hard to beat yourself up at the same time! A massage, a long bath. Eat chocolate. Go to the coffee shop and have a date with you.

3. Write a letter to yourself congratulating you on the things you’ve accomplished in the past year. Just like above, you can’t be hard on yourself if you are impressed by you! So often, we don’t take the time to really reflect on, or celebrate our accomplishments. Give yourself that time now. I bet you’ve got more than one thing worth celebrating from the past year. It feels good to remember that!

One of my favorites!

One of my favorites!

4. Have a mantra or quote. Find something that inspires you. Put it where you can see it. Repeat it over and over to yourself, or out loud, when you are questioning your own ability to create the life you desire. One of my favorites is from Marianne Williamson: “It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you NOT to be?”

5. Have a “2 Minute Meltdown”. This is actually one of my favorites. I find it incredibly effective. Set a timer for two minutes and let it all out. We often deny ourselves negative feelings, or feel that we should just be able to “handle it”. But a meltdown can be incredibly productive.

My friend and coach Stacy Moscotti is great at this. She even lets me call her when I’m having my “2 Minute Meltdown” and she listens. And then says “Ok, so what are your options to not being in this situation?” I find one of two things usually happens: 1. I feel better so much better after letting it all out, that nothing needs to happen. I can deal with it now, I just needed to vent. Or, 2. The venting allowed me to clear my mind of frustration, so now I really can see the options available to me.

So the next time you’re wishing you could get a break from yourself, try one of these things. And, if you’re so inclined, join me for #RadicalSelfLoveJuly on Instagram. Let’s take a month to treat ourselves like the amazing creatures we are.

How I scored a chance to work for ESPN for a day. And what it taught me about running my business.

Last week, I had the opportunity to work for ESPN as a judge for the Fitness Competition portion of their Fitness Universe Weekend in Ft. Lauderdale. How did I get such a cool gig? Well, simply by running a solid business. They Google’d for dancers dance teachers in the Ft. Lauderdale/Miami area, and discovered my CABARRET website. When they learned I was not just a dancer and dance teacher, but also a Pilates and fitness instructor, I was a natural choice! Not only did they ask me to join the panel of judges, but they asked for my help in recruiting other dance people! Frankly, I felt like I had won a competition! Finally, someone was noticing all the work I was putting into my business! And not just any someone- ESPN!

Lesson Learned- Do The Work. Even when you’re tired. Even when it seems like it isn’t making a difference. Keep doing what you know needs doing. It matters. The Universe is noticing.

Now, since joining Isagenix, I’ve heard about fitness competitions. But I really had no idea what they were. In my head, it was bizarrely muscled people in small swimsuits, awkwardly posing. So, when they told me there was a talent portion, where each contestant had to perform a 2 minute routine, this movie in my head became hilarious. Imagine Arnold Schwarzenegger doing an interpretive modern dance. That’s what I was picturing.

Turns out, not so much. The Arnold-like bodies were competing in the Physique and Muscle Mania categories. These people were, for the most part, former gymnasts and dancers. (And, since all but 2 were women, I’m going to write the rest of this post with the feminine pronouns.) While definitely fit and muscular, they were not what I had imagined. Each contestant had clearly put in a ton of work on her routine, her costume, her music. And we had to score them on all of it. But, importantly, we were not to compare the routines to each other. They even took away our score sheets quickly to make sure we couldn’t. We were simply to judge each contestant on her ability to create, execute, and really perform, her own routine. This actually took a bit of mental work, but was a great lesson. We weren’t “allowed” to remember 1 girl did back handsprings, one girl did them with twists, and one didn’t do them at all. It wasn’t about being more advanced than someone else. It was really doing your best, against your stiffest competition- yourself.

Lesson Learned- Comparison happens. But it really doesn’t matter. Work to be better than you were yesterday. At the end, you are evaluated on the work you put in, and the execution you pulled off. Don’t get caught up in the flashy, fancy tricks. They last a moment. But a consistent, well-thought-out, excellently done, your-own-style performance is what will get the highest marks.

Lesson Learned- Only you are you. Your creativity and style makes you stand out. Don’t shy away from it. Rock it.

We saw 3 categories of performers- Women’s Open, Men’s Open and Pro Women. As I mentioned above, there were only 2 men. While I agreed with the decisions we, as a panel, reached for the 2 women’s categories, I vehemently disagreed with the men’s. As did the other dancer/dance teacher on the panel. But, I do think my background as a dancer/dance teacher and a fitness instructor gives me a good insight into what is required in these routines. Turns out, we don’t all have the same appreciation of the skills required for certain physical execution. However, since we weren’t supposed to be comparing the routines to each other, but only to the rubric, perhaps my other judges were right. The truth is, we don’t know what other people see. We can all be looking at the same thing, but see something totally different.

Lesson Learned- Perspective matters. Your background will color what you see. And it may not match everyone else’s. Stick to your guns. You’re allowed to like what you like, don’t what you don’t. You do not need to explain away or excuse the points of view that make you who you are.

I don’t know that I will ever participate in a fitness competition. After watching one, I think I could, and do fairly well. However, I’m not certain that’s how my performing skills will best serve me. I do know that I was thrilled for this opportunity and the lessons I learned from it! My business coach, Erika Lyremark, has been hammering home for me the importance of personality and individuality in business. This was just another opportunity for me to learn those lessons.

Liebster Award- I'm Honored, and Honoring Others!

Info About the “Liebster Award”

The Liebster Award, or “the favorite blog award”, is an internet-based award that is given to bloggers by other bloggers. In Germany, the word “liebster” has the same meaning as “favorite, beloved, or dearest.” This award is primarily given to blogs that have less than 200 followers. That way, it helps the blogger with being more known to the world as well as giving the blogger the opportunity to learn about more amazing bloggers.

Liebster Award!

Liebster Award!

Thank you Gabi for nominating me! Here are my responses to your 10 questions!

1.) What is the story behind your blog?

I started a blog in 2011! Crazy. Originally, it was a lot of posts about the arts, particularly dance and theatre. As I have morphed professionally, so has it. Now, my post is mainly about fitness and health, but with an emphasis on the connection of the mind and the body. It’s really a place for me to go a bit more in depth than I can with a class I’m teaching. I also explore topics like relationships, arts, and do product reviews, because those are all part of a holistic existence!

2.) What is your favorite meal to make at home?

Whole wheat pasta with sauteed chicken, tomatoes, and spinach, tossed with lemon juice and parmesan.

3.) What is the best $100 you have ever spent?

My weekly Pilates lesson. It’s not quite $100, but close. My body, and my teaching need it!

4.) If you could be featured in Health magazine for your blog, what kind of article would you contribute?

Definitely a post about mindful fitness. About focusing on the work of the muscles, moving with control, knowing the big picture. We get so caught up in just following our instructors, or going through our routine, that our mind checks out. Not only does this make our workout less effective, because our energy is divided, it also leaves us open to injury and strain!

5.) What is one skill you would like to obtain over the next two years?

Photoshop. It evades me. Thank God PicMonkey is easy!

6.) What is one piece of advice that you wish you could pass on to everyone else?

We are stressed because we feel guilty about the past and worried about the future. Yet, the only moment we can control is the present. Be here, now.

7.) If we were to pull out all of the items in your gym bag right now, what would we find?

Oh, my. A lot! 2 different cords to attach my phone to the various sound systems in various studios. 3 pairs of shoes. A cosmetic bag with a comb, hand sanitizer, lip gloss and a pony tail holder. A folder with my class lists and diagrams for my dance classes with young children. A notebook with class and dance ideas. An Isagenix Want More Energy stick and a packet of Isagenix protein shake. An apple. My wallet and iPhone. In the front pocket is pens, highlighters and post-its, and my university ID (teaching, not student).

8.) Whenever you are having a bad day, what is the best thing you can do to help cheer yourself up?

Get a vegan chocolate chip cookie and an iced coffee with almond milk at Whole Foods.

9.) If, like the newspaper, you could have anything of your choice delivered to your doorstep every morning, what particular item would you want it to be?

Clean laundry. ;)

10.) What is one way you hope to influence readers with your blog?

I hope I encourage readers to integrate their mind and their bodies. Whether than means being thoughtful about what they are eating or their fitness regimens, or if it means being gentle to themselves as they work on their goal, or even look in the mirror. There is a 2012 study that found that American women think 13 negative thoughts about their body a day. I think that’s actually a low number. But that is NOT the kind of mind/body integration we want. I want to encourage positivity and potentiality. Your body hears everything your mind says, and takes it as true, and makes that your reality. So, let’s craft a beautiful one.

So, we're supposed to nominated 10. I tried. But, despite calls on Facebook, I only have these 6 very worthy nominees:

The Road Lots Traveled. This is my sister. She has many adventures. Fun read and great pictures.

The aJennda. All things dance and ballet.

The 109th Bead. Dance discussions and reviews.

Completely Rita. Rita is a barre instructor, which is how we connected. Her blog right now is covering her sugar detox. Very inspiring!

The Love Cook. Jane and I went through the same business coaching, and I LOVE her and where she’s going with her business. Dating and marriage advice!

Field Notes. Sheridan was in the course with Jane and I. She designs the MOST gorgeous jewelry. Her blog covers fashion, mindfulness, and much more.

Nominees, here are your questions!

1. Why did you decide to start a blog?

2. What has been your biggest blogging milestone? ie: 100th post, comment from someone you respect, getting a bajillion retweets, etc.

3. Which blog post are you most proud of?

4. Sweet or salty?

5. Red or white?

6. What do you want MORE of in your life?

7. When and where was your last vacation?

8. Favorite inspirational quote?

9. Do you have a morning ritual? If so, can you share it (or part) with us?

10. What is your superpower? ie: inspiring your students, taking amazing pictures, whipping up an organic gourmet meal in 30 minutes or less.

Nominees, here are the rules:

1. You must answer the 10 Liebster questions given to you by the blogger who nominated you.

2. You must pick 10 bloggers with a small following to be nominated for the award.

3. You must create 10 questions for the nominees to answer on their blog.

4. Then link back to the person who nominated you.

5.  And then go to each new nominees’ blog and notify them of the nomination!

Let's spread the blog love!

Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention

May is Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month. I don't very often do sponsored content for my blog. But, because this is a concern for many of my clients, and in my family, I felt it fit. So, here is a graphic from the American Recall Center with some pretty scary facts about osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Facts.

Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Facts.

Osteoporosis is a big concern for many of my clients. In fact, some of them came to Pilates on their doctor's recommendation. And, I'm happy to report, many have found increased bone density because of Pilates. Weight bearing exercise, with resistance like springs, is a great, safe way to address osteoporosis.

Perhaps most importantly, Pilates is a great way to help PREVENT osteoporosis or bad consequences of the disease. Pilates works to develop even and balanced muscles throughout the body, both protecting your bones and bettering your posture to decrease chances of falling.

For a great article on Pilates and Osteoporosis, that really describes how Pilates benefits your bones, check out this interview with Rebekah Rotstein

Super-Berry Super-Protein Pancakes (Paleo!)

  • 1 packet of Berry Harvest Vegan Protein Powder (Isagenix)
  • 1 banana
  • 1 egg
  • ¼ cup almond meal (left over from making almond milk)
  • ¼ cup almond milk or water
  • 20 blueberries

Blend the banana, egg, almond meal, and milk in the blender or mixer until a smooth batter

Fold in the blueberries.

Pour coconut oil in the middle of the skillet.

Turn on stovetop to medium heat

Pour in batter.

Cook until brown and flip. Cook until brown.

Makes about 6 pancakes.

Rock Your Bikini Body!

While being featured in SHAPE as an expert trainer is still something I’m very proud of, I’m very disappointed in their editorial team for how they handled this amazing story.

Eating healthy and working out isn't about losing weight. It's about being healthy. Losing weight isn't even about losing weight. It's about being healthy and treating your body well.

One of the things I’m most passionate about is women embracing and loving their bodies. Appreciating their bodies for all the things they are capable of. Running. Carrying 5 bags of groceries. Carrying a child. Touching your toes. Hanging upside down on a pole. Lifting weights.

So here is my body, about 60 days ago, at the beginning of the IsaBody Challenge. Can’t wait to see my changes by the end of this month!

Me, about 60 days ago.

Me, about 60 days ago.

Feel free to post your bikini pics in the comments, or make a post of your own in support of Brooke and in celebration of all of us, and our bodies. Today, I celebrate my ability to dance, to move, What are you celebrating?


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Monday , March 27 2017
Breaking News
Home / Politics (page 5)

I Remain PDP Chairman Until 2018 — Sheriff

The ousted Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, who was refused entrance to the party’s secretariat on Monday, has declared that he remained the chairman of the opposition party until 2018. He argued that the court did not recognise the Senator Ahmad Markafi-led Caretaker Committee. “As you ...

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Sheriff Group Kicks As PDP Bot Endorses Makarfi

The ousted National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has rejected Tuesday’s handover of the party secretariat to the Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee. PDP members, who are supporters of the former Borno State governor, made this position known in Abuja, on Tuesday. Sheriff and his supporters ...

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PDP: BOT Handover to Makarfi against court order

The key organs of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday officially handed over the affairs of the party to Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee. By that gesture, the committee is expected to organise a fresh national convention where new national officials will be picked to run the affairs of ...

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Presidency, APC Reject Calls For Restructuring

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has said the issue of restructuring is not the party priority for now. According to him, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration is currently focused on rebuilding the economy, creating jobs and ensuring the security of lives and property. He ...

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I Remain PDP’s Chairman- Sheriff

The embattled Senator Ali Modu Sheriff has told a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, that he remained the National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He described the Caretaker Committee headed by Senator Ahmed Makarfi as a group of “usurpers” and a “contraption” set up in defiance ...

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Buhari Performed Beyond Expectations – Anyim

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2015 election in Abia State, Chief Nyerere Anyim has described President Muhammadu Buhari’s one year in office as one with remarkable achievement. Anyim, in an interview  in Aba, said despite criticisms on the president’s pattern of leadership, he deserves ...

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One Year Too Short To Assess Buhari –Gbajabiamila

The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, says Nigerians should not be hasty to assess President Muhammadu Buhari’s performance in office. Gbajabiamila, in a statement issued on Sunday, said one or two years were too short to assess Buhari because the damage done by the previous government ...

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PDP Crisis: Secondus, Metuh, Others Disown Sheriff, Back Markafi

Eight out of the 12 former members of the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party said that they had accepted the outcome of the party’s national convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, which dissolved their committee. With this, the former NWC members have disowned the former National Chairman ...

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Federal High Court Bars Sherrif From Parading Himself As PDP Chairman, Recognises Markafi Committee

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has granted an interim injunction restraining the immediate past national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sherrif, and Professor Adewale Oladipo who were removed from office at the PDP National Convention held on Saturday May 21, ...

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PDP crisis: Why Sheriff Was Removed – Wike

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, yesterday, justified last Saturday’s removal of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as national chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the Port Harcourt convention, saying the party under the erstwhile leadership was headed towards the precipice. Wike’s justification of Sheriff’s sack was welcomed by Prof. ...

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From my little knowledge of how government and appointments into public offices work in my service to fatherland this far, I have never heard of the magnitude of Money-for-job scandal that was recently blown open in Bayelsa State.
Yes, scammers are everywhere scavenging the entire terrain looking for the vulnerable to deceive, cajole or out-rightly coerce into parting with money for some “packaged” favours in terms of “goods” or “services.” In our local lingo here in Nigeria, we call such scammers as “419” or “OBT.” According to S.419 of the Nigerian Criminal Code, it refers to “Any person who by any false pretence, and with intent to defraud, obtains from any other person anything capable of being stolen, or induces any other person to deliver to any person anything capable of being stolen, is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for three years.”
The section further provides that if the thing is of the value of one thousand naira or upwards, he is liable to imprisonment for seven years and that it is immaterial that the thing is obtained or its delivery is induced through the medium of a contract induced by false pretence.
Instructively, the precursor, Section 418 provides that “any representation made by words, writing, or conduct, of a matter of fact, either past or present, which representation is false in fact, and which the person making it knows to be false or does not believe to be true, is a false pretence.”
In the foregoing wise, I find it incongruous, bizarre and absurd for a politician in the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to allegedly demand and receive a whooping N400million from a fellow party man to secure for him a ministerial appointment in the “Change” administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to media reports yet to be debunked, leaders and members of the APC in Bayelsa State were jolted by the revelations that former Governor Timipre Sylva collected the sum of N400million from Senator Heineken Lokpobiri as bribe for his appointment as minister in return. The swift suspension of Sylva by the state chapter of the party at the weekend underscored the seriousness of the saga. Besides, there were also reports of fresh allegations of bribe scandal over federal appointments currently rocking the APC.
Added reports had it that the selling and buying of federal appointment came to the open because the minister was said to have been miffed that inspite of the alleged N400million paid to the former governor, all he got in the bargain was an appointment as junior minister in charge of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Although the minister has since dismissed the claims, which he described as an untrue rumour being “orchestrated by an insignificant few within the party,” not a few watchers of political developments in the country are hoodwinked by what many now see as volte face against the backdrop of the consequences it attracts to the Buhari administration and its anti-corruption war.
In a statement authored by his Special Assistant on Media, Donald Ojogo, the minister said the crisis in the Bayelsa APC was being “oiled by some external forces who feel threatened about their political future, especially as the APC challenges the outcome of the last governorship election at the Election Petition Tribunal.”
Lokpobiri further stated that he was found worthy for the position and as such, was appointed by the president, stressing that he didn’t have to pay to become minister.
Not to be beaten to its own game, the PDP in the state were to react thus on Monday: “The PDP is not surprised that the APC is fighting over the issue of buying and selling of federal appointments, even as we were alarmed that the ministerial slot cost the sum of N400 million because such is the nature and character of the personalities who once held positions of leadership in the state.”
My take on the foregoing saga is as usual very simple and straight-forward. Come to think of it, a matter as clear as this does not really require much commentary to drive home one’s point.
In this clime and indeed globally, humanity holds that there can be no smoke without fire. That it took a senior APC member to first divulge what was supposed to be a top secret deal between two other senior party men underscores the hypothetical truth that there was a deal in the first place. That it has gone awry gave vent to disclosure of the details. And in spite of the denials and counters as per the deal, it will require an inquisition by relevant authorities to do the needful.
But more especially, methinks that the time has come for Buhari and his aides who truly believe in his “Change” advocacy to identify and sift out appointees that have continued to rubbish the administration’s war against corruption in all forms. By now, the president must have realised that there are a lot of pretenders in his team. There are many who do not share his vision for a positively changed Nigeria. Like logs of dead woods, they remain in the nation’s pathway to glory land as stumbling blocks while pretending to be crusading alongside the president. The incidents of budget padding and reported corrupt practices in the nation’s Treasury Single Account, TSA, efforts for instance, remain sad reminders of the many cogs in the administration’s wheel of progress. Simply put, such are the characteristics of vision killers.
Thus beyond over-feeding Nigerians with the arrests and prosecutions of suspects in the Dasukigate arms scandal, the administration must begin to flush out vision killers within. Accordingly, sellers and buyers of jobs in the administration should be given the same treatment now to forestall greater scandals as the administration gets older. Sections 418 and 419 in the country’s Criminal Code are not there for nothing. After all, if for a ministerial job, one pays N400million, for the post of Secretary to Government, for instance, we should be soon read reports of N2billion as price tag.
The import of this is easily deduced: the more you pay, the more lucrative appointment can be secured for you. Yes; who knows; had the minister of state, Agriculture and Natural Resources paid a bigger price, he may have gotten his desired appointment of substantive ministerial job for as it stands today in Nigeria, a minister of state is like the Vice President, Deputy Governor and Vice Chairman. He is likened to the spare tyre of a vehicle. It has no use until the main tyre has issues. Thus, in the expectation of appointees to such “spare tyre” offices, there is just no room to recoup whatever expenses that may have been incurred ahead of the appointment.
So, when a party man reportedly pays N400million for a federal appointment and gets a “spare tyre” role in government, his angst with the supposed facilitator becomes very understandable.

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What They’re Not Telling You About the Law of Destination

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The Law of Tourist attraction is extremely popular. It has been blogged about in numerous books, taught by many experts who declare to be professionals on the subject and it is spoken about in nearly every social circle in Western cultures. Exactly what is it that we are not being informed? Is our truth in our own hands? Can we manage our world merely by managing our ideas?

Well, there are no easy answers to these concerns. Yes, our truth is mostly within our control and yes, we can manage most elements of our lives with our ideas. The factor I understand this and how you will familiarize this is because the history of guy supplies the evidence of these real realities.

As Male’s mind grows, so grows his world. Simply ask your mama what type of computer game she played as a child or exactly what her variation of Facebook was. Ask your fantastic grandpa what kind of cars and truck his dad owned or if he ever flew in an aircraft. That you read this on your computer system is a task that can just be referred to as one that remains in line with the law of tourist attraction.

Each of the important things discussed above as produced because somebody thought that they could be. This is the law of destination at work. While others stated it could not be done, there were males and females stating it could be done and more than that, their belief that it could be done is exactly what has developed the world we reside in today.

Exactly what is it that these books on the law of destination and these instructors are not informing us? They do not inform us that there is more than simply one law in action at any provided time. There are in fact twelve laws of destination, not to mention the many other laws of nature all collaborating at the same time.

Think about it in this manner. All of us understand that the Law of Gravity is operating at perpetuities. Exactly what much of us do not understand, or offer many ideas too, is that there are other laws that are affecting the way gravity works. Take Inertia. Inertia, like gravity, is at work at perpetuities. When the two integrate, they might trigger extremely various outcomes. The further an item should fall, the much faster it will take a trip. The lighter and item are, the slower it will fall.

You see, gravity works and it is constant. It will never ever stop being. How it works, nevertheless, remains in direct percentage to the laws it should work together with. The Law of Tourist attraction operates in a similar way. It is constantly at work. It will never ever stop being. How it works nevertheless remains in direct percentage to the other laws it should work together with.

Let’s take simply among the other 11 doctrines and blend it with the law of destination and see exactly what takes place. The Law of Gender states that things in nature have a gestational duration. All living things and all believed should initially gestate and grow. Exactly what does this suggest? Well, it suggests even if you consider a thing does not imply it will appear right now. This readies news. Whydo you ask? Because if the Law of Gender did not exist, we would envision a pink elephant in our minds and poof! It would be standing in our livingroom.

Let’s consider our ideas for a minute, in the same way, we think about the tulips we planted for the coming spring. We plant the bulb or seed, we water, fertilize and feed it. We understand if we do this that come spring a lovely flower will flower. If nevertheless, we end up being impatient and dig the bulb approximately see why it has not grown to be, we will discover that it had in truth began to grow and set down roots. Because we have dug it up and disrupted it, it is most likely it will pass away and we need to plant a brand-new seed.

Our ideas work the same way. If we plant them, have the tendency to them and feed them they will grow. If we dig them up and toss them aside, they will pass away. If we blend the Law of Destination with the Law of Gender, we now understand that our ideas will bloom and grow if we enable them to. The Law of Destination is the seed and the Law of Gender is the gestational duration all believed should grow and occur.

Lots of individuals check out these books and listen to these instructors just to be dissatisfied because things are not working out as they guaranteed. This does not need to hold true. If you study all 12 of the Universal Laws and comprehend how they all collaborate you will be much better geared up and much better informed to make the choices that should be made for you to reach your objectives and live your dreams.

Small Company Lawyer

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Have you ever questioned exactly what a small company lawyer is? Well, if you have, then welcome! A small company lawyer is an individual that went through years of education to obtain his/her degree in business to be able to discover and grow as a business owner.

Small company lawyers have all sorts of responsibilities. They discover info about ways to begin a corporation, collaboration, or sole proprietorship, franchises, basic business law, and tax. They can study their procedures and policies to help individuals in a more explainable way. Small company lawyers offer people the tools and guidance to assist their business to grow. With that being stated, if you wish to begin your very own business, think of developing collaboration. When producing a collaboration, an individual can discover the support they require from a small company lawyer and the lawyer can assist with the essential filings that you require for a small company.

There are naturally other orders that need to be fulfilled by the state of California for services to be accepted. Amongst them are that corporations and business submit a type called a “declaration of info”. Your small company lawyer can assist you out by describing to you which forms you should use to submit your documents. The lawyer might likewise inform you that you can complete the documents at the secretary’s primary site.

Small company legal representatives focus on lots of elements that pertain to services and find the irs tax fraud whistleblower. They learn about sole proprietorships, collaborations, LLC’S, corporations, not-for-profit corporations, business agreements, employing employees, and threat management for your business. Small company lawyers handle and cover a lot of these circumstances no matter what kind of business it is.

A small company is thought about little based upon requirements that relate to numerous markets in relation to the state of the economy. The laws and the guidelines that your business needs to follow depend upon each state, the legal development of your business, and the nature of the product or services your business uses to individuals. Because of the laws modification every year, there is no another way of keeping a list as it might have old laws and policies from the past.

That is why if you are intending on beginning a small company of your very own it is finest if you acquire a small company lawyer to have a clear sense and not fall under any major business problem that you might have if you do it by yourself. A small company lawyer does not just offer you recommendations and counsel about the laws that pertain to owning a small company, however, they likewise represent you when any legal issues take place.

You have most likely heard, in the past, about the many various kinds of insurance coverage that exist today. Have you ever heard of a procedure called insurance coverage claims? An insurance coverage claim is a demand made to an insurer. It can be any kind of insurance coverage, however, generally, it is an individual requesting payment based upon the policies of the insurance plan. Simply put, insurance coverage claims are then examined by the business for their approval and after that when that is completed it is lastly paid to the insured or the requestor.

Insurance coverage can cover whatever from survivor benefit on life insurance policies to regular health tests for your wellbeing at your regional physician. On the other hand, claims are submitted by 3rd parties for the guaranteed individual. There are lots of kinds of insurance coverage readily available, for instance, medical insurance, special needs, automobile, life, house, and automobile mishap.

The primary function of business law is to cover all laws that govern any business and business deals. It is likewise considered being a civil law that focuses on both personal law and public law. Within thebusinesslaw, there is something called theindustrial law, which has 2 aspects; a principal and a representative. This primarily pertains to things like carriage by land and sea, merchant shipping, fire, life, insurance coverage mishap, bills of exchange and collaboration.


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mardi, septembre 14, 2010

Hari Raya Not So Long Ago and Now

This smile on my daughter's face reminded me why we 'Balik Kampung'' every year. This picture was taken at her Tok Mek's house. I have detailed and placed pictures of this year's trip home in my family journal blog here. It was a memorable trip to say the least.

Two years ago after Hari Raya I was inspired to set up a new blog on pantun, the first post was one of my first pantun entitled Tapai Pulut inspired by the tapai my mother-in-law made that year.

Tapai pulut daun rambai
Masak ranum dek taburan ragi
Mari kita beramai ramai
Balek kampung beraya lagi

Masak ranum dek taburan ragi
Di makan bersama teh bunga
Balek kampung beraya lagi
Hari Lebaran sungguh mulia

Dimakan bersama teh bunga
Tak tinggal jua lemang dan rendang
Hari Lebaran sungguh mulia
Yang dekat tersayang, yang jauh dikenang

And yet I feel a bit blue coming back in KL. Before Hari Raya, I was upset over the advert on TV3. After Hari Raya, all over the news, the investigation of the gruesome murder of self-made millionaire Datuk Sosilawati is scrutineered in detail. The murder of the Ustazah and child by a neighbour is resolved in lightning speed. Three teenagers go gallivanting during Hari Raya for days whereabouts unknown causing heartache to a worried mother.

In the days surrounding Hari Raya, a pastor from Florida showed how me crazy the world can get. I was therefore gratified to see a post by a fellow poet and blogger, Stafford Ray.

Stafford demonstrated there is still hope for this world.

4 commentaires:

Wan Sharif a dit…

Woke up to do Late night prayer (Isyak) .. only to notice there is live MU vs Celtic game on ESPN HD..
A lot of gruesome happening is peaceful Malaysia nowadays.. some Ustazs relate it to the fact that we Muslim did not follow enough.
Hudud is one thing.. Khishash is another.. both are in the chapter 2 ..same as fasting in Ramadhan was commanded..
On a lighter note.. we in Trengganu made tapai using daun jambu laut..

Cat-in-Sydney a dit…

Aunty Ninot,
Wow! That's one tapai that this cat can't eat...kucing kalau makan pulut nanti bulu semua gugur! G;ad you have a relaxing Eid in the kampung. WIsh I could be there too.... purrr....meow!

Stafford Ray a dit…

First thank you for the link to my blog "Burn a bible day".
I am not surprised to read you were born in Australia and not surpried your stories are being published.
In answer to your question, if you are planning another book that spans Malay/Austalian cultures I could write you a few about my visits to Indonesia in the early 1900's when I tried to initiate a new agricultural industry in Flores. Some are about the good things I found, mainly about lovely people I met and some more confronting.
Contact me via e-mail for more detail.

Lynette Killam a dit…

I enjoyed this post so much, even though I couldn't understand it all! It's great to read about places I haven't been to. I must say the photo of your daughter is one of the most charming portraits I've sweet she is...)

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AppleScript testing framework

ASUnit is testing framework for AppleScript, influenced by SUnit, ASTest and Python unittest module.

Download: current version | source | all versions

This text is mostly a shameless copy of Kent Beck SmallTalk testing framework, modified for ASUnit.

To use ASUnit, unzip and copy the file ASUnit.scpt to the Scripts folder, either in your Library folder, or in the global Library folder in the startup disk.

To use in a script, your test script should inherit from ASUnit. In the example, ASUnit was installed in the global Library folder (local domain):

property parent : load script file ((path to scripts folder from local domain as string) & "ASUnit.scpt")

Here is a simple pattern system for writing tests. The patterns are:

Fixture create a common test fixture
Test Case create the stimulus for a test case
Check check the response for a test case
Test Suite aggregate Test Cases
Test Runner run a test suite and display results
Test Loader aggregate test scripts

A fixture is certain configuration of the system, required to test certain feature. A complete tess for community of objects will have many fixtures, each of which will be tested many ways.

Design a test fixture

  1. Create fixture script, inheriting from TestCase
  2. Add properties for each known object in the fixture
  3. Override setUp to initialize the properties

AppleScript lack introspection, so registering of fixture is done by using factory methods during compile time. Instead of inheriting from TestCase directly, call registerFixture, which register the fixture and make your script inherit from TestCase.

In the example, the test fixture is two lists, one empty and one with elements. First create a script object, then add properties for the objects we need to reference later:

script |accessing list|
    property parent : registerFixture(me)

    property empty : missing value
    property notEmpty : missing value

Then override setUp to create the objects for the fixture:

on setUp()
    set empty to {}
    set notEmpty to {"foo", 1}

Test Case

You have a Fixture, what do you do next?

How do you represent a single unit of testing?

Each test of the fixture is represented by a script object in the fixture. Test scripts uses the fixture setUp and tearDown handlers to make sure different tests do not interfere with each other.

Represent a predictable reaction of a fixture as a script object

  1. Add a script object inheriting from the fixture
  2. Stimulate the fixture in the test method

Again, you don't inherit directly from the fixture, but call registerTestCase, which register the test case and make it inherit from the current fixture.

We can predict that adding "bar" to an empty list will result in "bar" being in the list. Add a script object to the fixture, and stimulate the fixture in its run handler:

script |add item|
    property parent : registerTestCase(me)
    set end of empty to "bar"

Once you have stimulate the fixture, you need to add a Check to make sure your prediction came true.

A Test Case stimulates a Fixture.

How do you test for expected results?

If you’re testing interactively, you check for expected results directly in the results or event log pane. You want a way to programmatically look for problems. One way to accomplish this is to use the standard error handling mechanism with testing logic to signal errors:

if empty does not contain "bar" then error "where is bar?!"

When you’re testing, you’d like to distinguish between errors you are checking for, like getting six as the sum of two and three, and errors you didn’t anticipate, like subscripts being out of bounds or messages not being understood.

When a catastrophic error occurs, the framework stops running the test case, records the error, and runs the next test case. Since each test case has its own fixture, the error in the previous case will not affect the next.

The testing framework makes checking for expected values simple by providing a method, should, that takes an expression as first argument, and an error message as second argument. If the expression evaluates to true, everything is fine. Otherwise, the test case stops running, the failure is recorded with the error message, and the next test case runs.

Check by calling should with an expression

In the example, after stimulating the fixture by adding "bar" to an empty list, we want to check and make sure it's in there:

script |add item|
    property parent : registerTestCase(me)
    set end of empty to "bar"
    should(empty contains "bar", "no bar?!")

There is a variant on should. shouldnt causes the test case to fail if the expression argument evaluates to true. It is there so you don’t have to use "not (...)".

Once you have a test case, you can run it. Send test to the script object:

|accessing list|'s |add item|'s test()

If it runs to completion, the test worked. If you get an error, something went wrong. The result of sending test to a TestCase is a TestResult object.

Test Suite

You have several Test Cases.

How do you run lots of tests?

Soon you will have many test cases, and fixtures. You could just string together a bunch of expressions to run test cases. However, when you then wanted to run "this bunch of cases and that bunch of cases" you’d be stuck.

The testing framework provides an object to represent "a bunch of tests", TestSuite. A TestSuite runs a collection of test cases and reports their results all at once. TestSuites can also contain other TestSuites, so you can put Joe’s tests and Tammy’s tests together by creating a higher level suite.

Combine test cases into a test suite

Tests are automatically collected in each script file. To make this happen, you must create a property named suite and initialize it with a TestSuite in each ASUnit test script. As usual, you use a factory function for that.

Add this code at the start of your test script using a descriptive name for the test suite:

property suite : makeTestSuite("Test Suite Name")

To run all the tests in the the current file, tell suite to test:

set results to suite's test()

The result of sending test to a TestSuite is a TestResult object. It records all the test cases including their failures or errors, and the time at which the suite was run.

Test Runner

Running a TestSuite and inspecting the TestResult returned is not very convenient. You would like to click one button to run a suite of tests. The framework supply a TextTestRunner, that run a TestSuite and display progress and test results.

To run the suite in a test script, create a TextTestRunner and tell it to run:

run makeTextTestRunner(suite)

Now when you click the Run button in Script Editor, the test will run and you will get a test report in a new Script Editor document.

Test Loader

Soon you will have more than one test script. It is too much work to open each and run the tests each time. The framework supply a TestLoader, which search for tests scripts in folders, and return a suite with all the tests. TestLoader looks for file names that starts with Test and ends with .scpt, like Test Module.scpt, in the folder you specify.

To collect and run all the test scripts in the current directory, create this script:

property currentFolder : folder of file (document 1's path as POSIX file) of application "Finder"
property parent : load script file ((path to scripts folder from local domain as string) & "ASUnit.scpt")
set suite to makeTestLoader()'s loadTestsFromFolder(currentFolder)
run makeTextTestRunner(suite)

Now you may open a single script and click the Run button to run all your test scripts.

Example Test Script

Here is an example test script you can use as a template for your scripts:

property parent : load script file ((path to scripts folder from local domain as string) & "ASUnit.scpt")
property suite : makeTestSuite("My Tests")

script |accessing list|
    property parent : registerFixture(me)
    property empty : missing value
    property notEmpty : missing value

    on setUp()
        set empty to {}
        set notEmpty to {"foo", 1}
    end setUp

    script |add item|
        property parent : registerTestCase(me)
        set end of empty to "bar"
        should(empty contains "bar", "no bar?!")
    end script

    script |add same item|
        property parent : registerTestCase(me)
        set end of notEmpty to "foo"
        should(last item of notEmpty is "foo", "first foo vanished?!")
        should(first item of notEmpty is "foo", "where is last foo?!")
    end script
end script

run makeTextTestRunner(suite)

Customizing the Framework

Creating your own TestCase class

Its common to have helper handlers needed by multiple fixtures. It is also possible to change the behavior of TestCase to adapt to special needs. To create your own TestCase, create a script inheriting from TestCase, and let the concrete fixture inherit from it. To create a fixture, use makeFixture. To resigter a fixture that inherit from a custom class, use registerFixtureOfKind:

script |user defined TestCase|
    property parent : makeFixture()

script |concrete fixture|
    property parent: registerFixtureOfKind(me, |user defined TestCase|)

    script |test case|
        property parent : registerTestCase(me)
        -- add test code here

Creating your own TestSuite class

It is rarely need to customize TestSuite. If you want to change the way test results are collected, create your own TestResult class. If you want to do new operations on a TestSuite, create a new visitor class inheriting from Visitor. However if you do need to create your own TestSuite, you can create a script inheriting from TestSuite, and set the suite property to your own TestSuite:

script MyTestSuite
    property parent : makeTestSuite(my name)
property suite : MyTestSuite

Creating your own TestResult class

To change the testing policy or the way results are collected, you can define your own TestResult class inheriting from TestResult:

script MyTestResult
    property parent : makeTestResult("Test name")

To run a test case or suite with your own TestResult, call runTest on the TestResult object with the test case or suite as argument:

MyTestResult runTest(aSuite)

To use a TextTestRunner with your own TestResult, call setTestResult before running:

set runner to makeTextTestRunner(suite)
runner's setTestResult(MyTestResult)
run runner

Creating new operations on a test suite

If you want to add a new feature to a test suite, create a visitor that implement the new feature. Here is an example of HTMl formatter that format a list of the test in the suite:

script HTMLFormatter
    property parent : Visitor
    peoperty html : missing value

    on format(aTest)
        set html to {}
        set end of html to "
" & return
        aTest's accept(me)
        set end of html to "
" & return
        return html as string

    on visitTestCase(aTestCase)
         set end of html to "
" & aTestCase's fullName() & "
" & return

To get a list of test cases use:

HTMLFormatter's format(suite)

Creating your own TestRunner

You can create whatever runner you like, there is no special API your runner must implement. However if you want to be notified about running suites and tests, and about single test cases results, you should set your runner as observer of the TestResult. See the source of TextTestRunner for example.

copyright:© 2006 Nir Soffer
license:GNU GPL, see COPYING for details