Dear God, please let me have a break

Thank you for all your kind comments on my last post. Each and every one of them touched my heart. Especially as I read them while sitting by my sister's side as she slept. They meant a lot to me.<br /><br />I'm home. It was the most intense and emotional twelve days of my entire life. I've never cried so hard nor felt so much emotional pain. Even losing my mother six years ago wasn't this difficult.<br /><br /><br />My beautiful, vibrant and very active sister had what was originally a mild stroke two weeks ago and then later classified as a catastrophic event. She's completely paralyzed on the right side, unable to walk, read, write or speak anything other than mutterings that no one can understand. Yet she is still completely cognizant of everything that's happening, can answer yes/no questions and has use of her right side.<br /><br />She's given up and is refusing all food. I had a lot of good visits with her before I left on Sunday, but I knew it was most likely the last time I'd see her. My niece said my sister is not only shaking her head no when offered food, but now she's covering her mouth with her left hand. Yet she still drinks water so this will probably go on for weeks.<br /><br />My one niece and her husband have moved into my sister's house with her and plan on staying with her for at least the next three weeks. Since she's becoming weaker each day, this probably won't last three weeks.<br /><br />Sadly there was a lot of family drama due to another very close relative that was going through some sort of mental breakdown before this happened, and during the past week they spun out of control. I've never been in the presence of someone suffering with mentally illness. It was another nightmare on top of the nightmare my sister was going through.<br /><br />Even though it was horrible seeing my sister so disabled and knowing her choice to slowly commit suicide by starving herself to death, I will always value those wonderful moments with her. Often it was just the two of us and we laughed ourselves silly. We had a really good time together, especially when it was just the two of us. Some people couldn't bare to be in the room with her, I couldn't bare to not be in the room with her. <br /><br />Three of my family members called me yesterday and told me they were diagnosed with strep throat. I've had a sore throat, terrible stomach pains, and the worse headaches of my life during the last four days. I thought it was all stress induced. As today progressed, I continued to feel worse. Finally at 4pm I went to the urgent care clinic and yes, I have strep throat too. I have a horse-sized bottle of Amoxicillin.<br /><br />The only positive thing I can say is my weight is 173.4. The truth is that I really don't care about my weight right now. Everything I was so worried about, my weight, my clothes, my hair -- in the scheme of life it's all a bunch of trivial crap. <br /><br />When I got home Sunday night I decided to stop taking Ambien. The last two nights I've been rewarded with some of the worst nightmares of my life. Full of death and violence. Both nights I woke myself up screaming (and my husband). I don't know if this is some sort of Ambien withdrawal or if it's from those twelve days of hell in Fairbanks. Whatever it is, it's scaring me and really interrupting much needed sleep.

Dear God, please let me have a break

Thank you for all your kind comments on my last post. Each and every one of them touched my heart. Especially as I read them while sitting ...

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CORPORATOCRACY

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: red; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">SPREADING THE WORD  </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">One does not need to be an economist to see that LATIN AMERICAS economy is booming, much to the “dislike” of the IMF and WORLD BANK, especially when it comes to issues concerning ARGENTINA it seems. The reason of which is obvious.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">After ARGENTINA’S default in 2001, which many argue was caused to a large extend by the IMF, ARGENTINA was austere from the world financial markets, which as it turns out was not so bad after all. First ARGENTINA took the bold initiative to pay back its dept with the IMF in order not to be hostage to their policies, thus giving them leverage on dealing with their crisis independently.  Being band from the international financial system and thanks to the commodity boom ARGENTINA could “freely maneuver” in “niche markets”, without needing to adhere to international financial doctrines.  Focusing on ASIA rather than the US also helped, despite its large trade volume with the USA.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="266" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rpkGhy7BxXw?feature=player_embedded" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="320"></iframe></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Needles to say, this independence is something the USA and its “CORPORATOCRACY” (See: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporatocracy">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporatocracy</a>) are desperate to undermine, thus they do not miss a chance to use their influence to lobby to promote bias media coverage in order to spread bleak economic outlook for LATIN AMERICAN and its politics. Especially since most of LATIN AMERICA has shifted from US friendly governments to political independent ones.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>SHARE OF THE COMMODITY CAKE </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Geo politically as well as strategically the current manipulative tactics by organizations such as the IMF and the WORLD BANK and governments of the developed world are of significance, because LATIN AMERICA is a major supplier of food commodities, natural resources and in the not too distant future also water commodities. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">(See <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/06/water-golden-commodity-of-future.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/06/water-golden-commodity-of-future.html</a>). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Naturally the 1^st world are showing keen interest in the region and use all means in order to gain economic as well as political influence. (The latter of which is becomes increasingly difficult) World leading food producers such as the influential and controversial MONSANTO Corporation, CARGILL, to name but a few all have keen interest to obtain control over LATAM food commodities and subsequently governments in order to control world food markets and societies. (See </span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monsanto#Criticism">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monsanto#Criticism</a> )</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>CORPORATOCRACY – ENRON - AZURIX SOUTHERN WATER PLUNGE  </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thus it becomes evident why for example WASHINGTON voted against loans for ARGENTINA from multilateral development banks. Allegedly the AZURIX Corporation, (See: </span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azurix">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azurix</a> </span><span style="font-size: large;">) which says ARGENTINA refuses to honor a ruling by the WORLD BANK arbitration tribunal to compensate it for prematurely eliminating a <u>30 year water concession</u> during the countries devastating <b>2001</b> economic crisis, pressured WASHINGTON to take actions against ARGENTINA. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The visionary move by ARGENTINA, to reinstate government control over its water resources caused dismay among US corporations for they lost a lifetime opportunity in future investment, for those who control water will feed the world.  What further cause’s annoyance among US political as well corporate establishments is that the US loan hurdle will not affect ARGENTINES funding for 2012. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">(See <a href="http://en.mercopress.com/2011/09/29/us-decision-to-vote-against-loans-for-argentina-will-not-affect-funding-for-2012?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=argentina&utm_campaign=rss">http://en.mercopress.com/2011/09/29/us-decision-to-vote-against-loans-for-argentina-will-not-affect-funding-for-2012?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=argentina&utm_campaign=rss</a> )</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Looking more closely at AZURIX it seems even more ludicrous that this company, which was part of the ENRON Corporation (See </span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enron_Corporation">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enron_Corporation</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enron_scandal">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enron_scandal</a> </span><span style="font-size: large;">) which filed for bankruptcy protection in <b><u>2001</u></b> amides one of the biggest and most complex bankruptcy cases in U.S. history <b>due to mismanagement</b>, demands of ARGENTINA to honor a deal set up during the pressure of financial collapse (also in 2001) which would have benefited AZURIX to a great extend and control basically ARGENTINES water resources, making  ARGENTINA totally dependent on a foreign entity.  </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>“PSY OPS” </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">In military term one refers to PSY OPS (Psychological Operations) when deliberately spreading misinformation in order to gain strategic advantages. In today’s global eco-political stage, governments which are facing stagnating economic growth use similar tactics by spreading negative economic outlooks on countries that do not fit within their strategic agenda or are dogging conservative economic and financial doctrines imposed upon them by the so called developed world. This has been the case in recent past regarding LATAM, particularly BRAZIL and ARGENTINA, whose economies are thriving. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">(See </span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_Operations_%28United_States%29">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_Operations_%28United_States%29</a> </span><span style="font-size: large;">) </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thus the IMF and the WORD BANK periodically keep spreading word through its loyal media outlets such as THE ECONOMIST, on the dangers of BRAZILS and ARGENTINES Economies overheating, being fully aware that such comments cause turmoil in the markets. What apparently plays into ARGENTINA’S favor is its ban from the international financial market, much to the discontent of the developed world, because it seems that this helps the county to avoid the casino finance vultures homing in on its markets. Thus the country can grow economically without worrying about economic market trends.   (See </span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://en.mercopress.com/2011/09/23/argentine-central-bank-dismisses-imf-warning-on-risk-of-overheating-economies">http://en.mercopress.com/2011/09/23/argentine-central-bank-dismisses-imf-warning-on-risk-of-overheating-economies</a> )</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The problem is that those countries who themselves face financial turmoil and are at the brink of default try to dictate financial and economic terms to emerging markets without realizing that the geopolitical landscape is shifting. When the WORLD BANK tries to impose financial terms and conditions on ARGENTINA one should not forget that such moves are politically motivated. The UK for example is a major shareholder of the WORLD BANK as is the US, thus the UK as well as the USA use their influence within the WORLD BANK, IMF and the PARIS CLUB to achieve their geo strategic objective. A recent example is BRITAIN’S oil exploration near the MALVINAS Islands (FALKLAND Islands), which prompted a “war of words” between ARGENTINA and BRITAIN, the latter of which went to war over the islands dispute in 1982.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">(See:  </span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://en.mercopress.com/2011/09/29/why-support-argentina-financially-when-the-country-threatens-falklands">http://en.mercopress.com/2011/09/29/why-support-argentina-financially-when-the-country-threatens-falklands</a> )</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>LOOKING EAST</b>,…….. <b>A BLESSING OR CURSE?</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The fact that LATAM is increasing its trade with China is not well seen by the World Bank as it threatens to undermine economic doctrines developed by the World Bank, IMF and the Paris Club (all 3 entities are predominantly under control of the USA and Europe ) in order to control the markets. Thus the World Bank was quick to voice its concerns over LATAM relying too much on trade with China and that this strategy could backfire. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The office of the Chief Economist for the Latin America and Caribbean Region of the World Bank indicated it its SEMIANNUAL REPORT that the LAC (Latin American and Caribbean) region has made tremendous advances in the last 10 years and that sovereign debt default risk of several LATAM counties, including CHILE, COLOMBIA and PERU is lower than that of FRANCE. Needless to say CHILE COLOMBIA and to some extend PERU have close eco - political ties with the USA, thus it is clear why the report left out BRAZIL and URUGUAY.   </span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The report warns that the “CHINA CONNECTION” must be monitored sharply for though it has nurtured rapid growth, the partnership also has the potential to collapse.  What the report neglects however is the fact that the world population will always be in need of food and thus countries with vast amount of food commodities and other natural resource will most likely continue to grow economically.  </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="texto1" style="font-size: large;">"There is little evidence that CHINA can play a role in fostering productivity growth for LATIN AMERICA," the WORLD BANK'S chief economist for the region, Augusto DE LA TORRE, stated in a press conference.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now why would he make this comment? Is it genuine or politically motivated? Don’t forget that the WORLD BANK is de facto run by the USA, UK and EUROPEAN entities, all of which are struggling with their financial crisis and stagnating economy.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"> D</span><span class="texto1" style="font-size: large;">E LA TORRE further cited that</span><span class="texto1" style="font-size: large;"> "In the context of the lackluster economic performance in the U.S. and EUROPE, the key question is whether LAC can leverage its connection with CHINA and turn it into an [independent] source of long-term growth." </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span class="texto1" style="font-size: large;">In my opinion, and for reasons I mentioned in numerous articles on this blog, LATAM will be able to turn into a source of long-term growth, provided it does not solely focus on CHINA but includes other countries in the FAR EAST. Despite the complex structure of today’s economy and close ties to politics one should not only rely on casino financial market indicators but also on common senses and logic. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="texto1" style="font-size: large;">Interesting reading:</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_303433764">http://www.examiner.com/conservative-in-san-francisco/china-argentina-using-economical-strategies-obama-u-s-politicians-ignoring</a></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>

CORPORATOCRACY

SPREADING THE WORD   One does not need to be an economist to see that LATIN AMERICAS economy is booming, much to the “dislike” of the IMF an...

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Traveling + Eating Healthy = Not Happening

I'm in Philadelphia this week for work, hence the lack of a post until now!  The days have been long, starting training at 7:30 AM and ending around 6 PM.  By the time I'm out of the training, and I do my gym workout and shower, it's already 7:30 PM.  I was pretty tired last night and could not muster the energy to write a post, much less even pick up the computer.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.metafever.com/wp-content/uploads/Philadelphia-skyline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://www.metafever.com/wp-content/uploads/Philadelphia-skyline.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello City of Brotherly Love!</td></tr></tbody></table>Like most days, my morning on Monday started off on the right foot.  I ate conscientiously for breakfast, but by the time lunch rolled around, I was ravenous and hungry and ready to consume everything in site.  Lunch was buffet style and I had a small piece of chorizo sausage, about half of a chicken breast, and some (I estimate a cup to a cup and a half) tortellini in vodka sauce.  Then I had a cannolli.  And then I had cookies on our afternoon break.  And the day continued to unravel just. like. that.  <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thecrimson.com/media/photos/2006/10/27/130558_1203066_300x356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.thecrimson.com/media/photos/2006/10/27/130558_1203066_300x356.jpg" width="269" /></a></div><br />My first problem was I didn't have smart snacks.  I bought 2 items in the hotel snack area which weren't terrible (peanut butter crackers that were 5 Points+ and a Glenny's fruit/nut bar), but they weren't enough for me - I wanted more because I felt hungry, but then by afternoon I just wanted to plain eat out of boredom, and naturally I wanted sweets. <br /><br />Though yesterday wasn't a total wash in the health realm.  If I can't get it together with eating right, then I can most <i>definitely </i>get in some exercise without an excuse!  So I headed to the workout room and did 32 minutes on the elliptical and then the last week in Stage 1 of the NROLFW.  I was really proud of myself for not making excuses while on travel to <i>not </i>exercise.  I needed it - the day was long and full of sitting!   I also made sure to drink plenty of water yesterday and today.  I know that a year ago, I would not have even considered exercising while on travel.  <br /><br />Today, despite good intentions and better snacks (I made a trip to Target last night), I still managed to bomb.  Again, I started off well, and I even maneuvered lunch time a lot better - resisting 3 enticing desserts, 2 of which were chocolate.  Still, I got bored and I ate.  I actually left the session an hour early today - many of us did - we were just a little annoyed and burnt out from the long days.  So, I went to the gym and did the elliptical for just over 50 minutes.  <br /><br />Tomorrow I go home, but the challenges don't end there.  Wednesday is Joel's birthday, and we are going out for dinner to the Cheesecake Factory.  Then Friday we leave for a wedding in Charlotte, NC. <br /><br />I've had enough "eating out" for awhile.  I just want a nice, healthy, home-cooked meal that falls within my Points+ range comfortably.  <br /><br />What are your healthy eating strategies when traveling?<br /><br />

Weight Loss Challenges Traveling + Eating Healthy = Not Happening

I'm in Philadelphia this week for work, hence the lack of a post until now!  The days have been long, starting training at 7:30 AM and e...

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