paint a rug party - week 1

Be honest. Painting a rug sounds like a good time, right? You know it does!<br /><br />That's why when my friend Linda at <a href="http://mycraftyhomelife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">My Crafty Home Life</a> suggested a rug painting party I said, "your rug or mine". I never turn down a good party. (My, how the definition of 'party' has changed over the years.)<br /><br />Actually this is the kick in the pants I've needed to take care of some naked floors around the house.  The <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/p/hallway.html" target="_blank">hallway</a>, <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/p/kitchen.html" target="_blank">kitchen</a> and foyer are all in need of some coverage but I've never found anything I liked that was at the right price. We'll see how this rug turns out to see which lucky location gets to wear it.<br /><br />Here is my subject.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DzBpX0w0pv7ixGkjOX6kGuLbxX-p0CUlAqSnqFH1PqC-GNeikXFsIlY14C6T5GkBvMcgloqt-KbDiXP9f5nGvaWY4KQNtVhvkbPBuExp2RdvJ39eLKFIPckkMXaMsDTrqN6qkPYmQMm5/s1600/lens1874055_1284675378sisal_rug.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DzBpX0w0pv7ixGkjOX6kGuLbxX-p0CUlAqSnqFH1PqC-GNeikXFsIlY14C6T5GkBvMcgloqt-KbDiXP9f5nGvaWY4KQNtVhvkbPBuExp2RdvJ39eLKFIPckkMXaMsDTrqN6qkPYmQMm5/s400/lens1874055_1284675378sisal_rug.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />And here is my inspiration.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_ARTKEjC8fh3_DGqNhrTgITy9WU3HJ0wCi8eu6-4_Q9anLFxN5dQe1E19aI0FZ7-q61H0i8vjNVtTQN3V9RZmIsnn6DO1dKXWu7_b0843KkYBiJa-I3K1onIm_upnC7_KX5OO8R22ZLb/s1600/21.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_ARTKEjC8fh3_DGqNhrTgITy9WU3HJ0wCi8eu6-4_Q9anLFxN5dQe1E19aI0FZ7-q61H0i8vjNVtTQN3V9RZmIsnn6DO1dKXWu7_b0843KkYBiJa-I3K1onIm_upnC7_KX5OO8R22ZLb/s640/21.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="https://pinterest.com/pin/6896205649497124/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></td></tr></tbody></table>I'm going Chippendale.<br /><br />I had wanted to do this pattern on our railings when we redid the <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2012/06/i-wear-my-sunglasses-at-night-deck.html" target="_blank">deck</a>, but a small deck spruce turned into a bigger project and well, you know how that goes. So this is my way of getting the look without pulling out the miter saw.<br /><div><br /></div><div>The only remaining decision is color(s) and that is still TBD.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not usually one for logistics when it comes to this stuff but I did do a bit of research and found two great tutorials, <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2011/04/chevron-painted-rug-from-ikea.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.almost40yearoldintern.com/2011/09/diwhy-not-fab-pink-geometric-painted.html" target="_blank">here</a>, that I think will help with the details. </div><br />So with that, let the games begin.<br /><br />Oh, and it should be noted - I have 1. never painted a rug 2. a very infantile brain that cannot think in negative space 3. very limited patience for any type of exact measurements and 4. a great ability to laugh at myself when this all goes haywire.<br /><br />And be sure to check in on each of the other lovelies who are partying with me. We'll be reporting on our progress each Thursday for the next three weeks.<br /><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://chinoiseriechic.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Chinoiserie Chic</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://designdumonde.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Design du Monde</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://thejunkhouse.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">The Junk House</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://mybestfriendcraig.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">My Best Friend Cr</a><a href="http://mybestfriendcraig.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">aig</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://mycraftyhomelife.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">My Crafty Home Life</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://www.pawleysislandposh.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Pawleys Island Posh</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://blog.thepinkpagoda.us/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">The Pink Pagoda</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://roomrx.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Room Rx</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://seekersbazaar.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Seekers Bazaar</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://simpledetailsblog.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Simple Details</a><br /><div><a href="http://trappedinnorthjersey.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Trapped In North Jersey</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Now let's pop the cork and get started!</div></div>

paint a rug party - week 1

Be honest. Painting a rug sounds like a good time, right? You know it does! That's why when my friend Linda at My Crafty Home Life sugg...

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Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 09/20/2012

<ul class="diigo-linkroll"> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://hastac.org/blogs/greg-daigle/2012/09/18/early-look-tools-earthworks">An early look at tools for EARTHWORKS | HASTAC</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">Love the idea of interactive badges. This is a fascinating idea that is part of the open badge movement. This article from Earth works describes the concept and gives a mock up. Yong Zhao from the University of Oregon talks about eventually having a system of "microcredits" where you earn small credits for small, discrete things you learn. I see all of these as coming together as part of that shift. School credits and PLU's and CEU's will eventually no longer be in 10 hour increments or hour increments in semesters. The idea of microcredits and badges is evolving and will fundamentally change how we do education. Of course, there are higher order things we teach like thinking that can't be quantified in a badge or something like this and that, as with our testing focus, is where we will likely get in trouble. The commoditization of knowledge and information is likely but some things do require interaction. </p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/badges">badges</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/openbadge">openbadge</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/mozilla">mozilla</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://alfredtwo.blogspot.com/2012/09/we-are-making-things-too-hard.html">Computer Science Teacher: We Are Making Things Too Hard</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">Alfred Thompson is right, we need simpler programming languages to use with students and should be teaching and using them as they level up to more complex languages. Great articlel from a man I consider to be the best in Computer Science education thought leadership. Alfred recently left Microsoft so if this is your thing, you may want to reach out.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/computer science">computer science</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeremy-everett/school-lunch-program_b_1890730.html?utm_hp_ref=education&ir=Education">Jeremy Everett: School Meals Get a Makeover</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">I have a friend in the food service industry and she says they are scrambling to find suppliers of whole grain everything. If there is a crumb topping, it must be whole grain. She says the guidelines are much more nutritous but are a complete change in the way children have been fed. This article in the Huffington Post confirms that and discusses what has changed. Sadly, this is more important than ever because for many students,this is the only food the children receive. I think something is wrong with this.If we're paying parents to feed their children and they don't, then there should be consequences for the parents. Children need 3 meals a day at least - I can only imagine how teenage boys are, my oldest son eats at least 6 times a day and is never full. The thought of hungry children should make everyone step up and speak out. I'd like to see people get riled up about this. We are teaching for children and should be advocating for their health. Glad to see these changes.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/lunchroom">lunchroom</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/nutrition">nutrition</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/19/1-in-7-young-people-out-of-work-school_n_1897927.html">1 In 7 Young People Are Not Working Or In School: Measure Of America Study</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">"One in seven people between the ages of 16-24 are not in school or working, a new report finds, and it cost taxpayers $93.7 billion in government support and lost tax revenue in 2011 alone." Disconnected youth cost everyone, but especially themselves. Work has been the most rewarding thing in my life besides parenting.You inherit self respect and self sufficiency. I think there are lessons more important than content that we teach in schools. Showing up. Persistence. Self respect.Honesty. Work ethic. These are all important parts of living life. When schools pass along a student to become someone else's problem it becomes everyone's problem. However, schools are penalized for keeping these disenfranchised students in schools because they often do poorly on tests. You get what you measure, however, the measurements themselves incentivize schoools to cast off those who don't measure up. </p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/economy">economy</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/research">research</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://laughingsquid.com/internet-archive-launches-searchable-collection-of-3-years-of-tv-news/">Internet Archive Launches Searchable Collection of 3 Years of TV News</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">A searchable repository of news could be so useful in class. Instead of having students "print a news article"to discuss (what a waste of paper) how about a current events blog where videos are embedded and discussed,or have them create a wiki. There are so many things that can be done with this video. I wish the news organizations would release it for download and reuse in student videos (with proper citation, of course.)</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/history_teacher">history_teacher</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/history">history</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://tetw.tumblr.com/150_Essential_Science_and_Tech_Reads">150 Essential Science and Tech Reads</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">If you love to read (like me) and enjoy science and technology, this list will give you many articles to peruse (or add to Pocket if you're getting ready to go on a trip.) As many of us teachers are expected to have reading across the curriculum, there are fascinating topics you could use in science,history, or even literature. Not all of these are for high school use, but all should be fine for college classes.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/reading">reading</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/science">science</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/science_teacher">science_teacher</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/stem">stem</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://www.examiner.com/article/parents-of-special-needs-kids-advocate-for-cameras-the-classroom?cid=db_articles">Parents of special needs kids advocate for cameras in the classroom - National Special Needs Kids | Examiner.com</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">Parents of specialneeds children want them monitored via video and yet schools and unions protest. Personally, if someone wanted to video me, I have nothing to be ashamed of except that everyone has a bad day and it would be easy to take what is happening in a classroom out of context. If you want any person long enough, you'll find something wrong. I don't, however, see what is wrong with administratorrs filming classrooms and reviewing if necessary.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/spedchat">spedchat</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/specialneeds">specialneeds</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/autism">autism</a></p> </li> </ul><p class="diigo-ps">Posted from <a href='http://www.diigo.com'>Diigo</a>. The rest of my favorite links are <a href='http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher'>here</a>.</p>

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 09/20/2012

An early look at tools for EARTHWORKS | HASTAC Love the idea of interactive badges. This is a fascin...

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Today's archidose #618

Here are some photos of the Extension Städel Museum in Frankfurt, Germany, by <a href="http://www.schneider-schumacher.de/">schneider+schumacher</a>. (2012), photographed by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/formsache/">Frank Stahl</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/formsache/7987912451/" title="Erweiterung des Städel Museums, Frankfurt by frank formsache, on Flickr"><img alt="Erweiterung des Städel Museums, Frankfurt" height="533" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8322/7987912451_394425cacc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/formsache/7987926436/" title="Erweiterung des Städel Museums, Frankfurt by frank formsache, on Flickr"><img alt="Erweiterung des Städel Museums, Frankfurt" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8302/7987926436_8b7eee9da1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/formsache/7987916993/" title="Erweiterung des Städel Museums, Frankfurt by frank formsache, on Flickr"><img alt="Erweiterung des Städel Museums, Frankfurt" height="800" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8450/7987916993_2b18effc59_c.jpg" width="535" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/formsache/7987915432/" title="Erweiterung des Städel Museums, Frankfurt by frank formsache, on Flickr"><img alt="Erweiterung des Städel Museums, Frankfurt" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8034/7987915432_096fa0ca8d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/formsache/7987910921/" title="Erweiterung des Städel Museums, Frankfurt by frank formsache, on Flickr"><img alt="Erweiterung des Städel Museums, Frankfurt" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8303/7987910921_ebebf5177c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/formsache/7987907235/" title="Erweiterung des Städel Museums, Frankfurt by frank formsache, on Flickr"><img alt="Erweiterung des Städel Museums, Frankfurt" height="381" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8038/7987907235_1d4a042ace_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />To contribute your Flickr images for consideration, just:<br /><blockquote>:: Join and add photos to the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/archi-dose/">archidose pool</a>, and/or<br />:: Tag your photos <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/archidose/">archidose</a></span></blockquote>

Today's archidose #618

Here are some photos of the Extension Städel Museum in Frankfurt, Germany, by schneider+schumacher . (2012), photographed by Frank Stahl . T...

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E-BEAM Review Product Design Engineer (optics | Vacuum | E-beam sub-systems) (#108620)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="WordSection1"><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Job Title:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> E-BEAM Review Product Design Engineer<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Location:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> Milpitas, CA<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Duration:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> Fulltime<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Job Description:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Responsibilities <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Work with an engineering team on new electron-beam review products for the semiconductor equipment market. The successful candidate will have prior experience in the field.  Activities will include  simulation, modeling, characterization, integration and development of the designs. There will be a significant amount of "hands-on" work to integrate and test the various sub-systems. The candidate is expected to gain a detailed functional understanding of the entire product. The candidate is an innovative thinker and an excellent problem-solver and is able to analyze the high-level product requirements  to allocate them onto the sub-systems.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Education and Experience:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Candidate should have at least a Bachelors degree in engineering or the physical sciences (or equivalent) with at least two years of experience designing or operating complex optical systems.  A Masters degree or PhD is preferred.   He/she must have demonstrated an ability to solve complex technical problems.  Some experience in machine control software programming and/or data analysis is highly desired.  Strong knowledge of optical systems and/or vacuum instrumentation is expected, and knowledge of electron beam systems such as electron microscopes is preferred.  The candidate shall preferably have at least 1 year of experience in the semiconductor or adjacent industries.  Finally, the candidate must have excellent communication, analytical and interpersonal skills.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Basic Qualifications:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Bachelor's Level Degree with at least 3 years of experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">OR<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Master's Level Degree with at least 1 year of experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">OR<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Doctorate (Academic)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Please send your resume to vinod.sanker@kla-tencor.com <o:p></o:p></span></b></div></div></div>

E-BEAM Review Product Design Engineer (optics | Vacuum | E-beam sub-systems) (#108620)

Job Title: E-BEAM Review Product Design Engineer Location: Milpitas, CA Duration: Fulltime Job Description: Responsibilities Work with an...

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Sr Systems Design Engineer ( Physics | Optics | Define system & subsystems | analysis | C | Python | Java) (#108584)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="WordSection1"><div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Job Title:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> System Design Engineer<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Location: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Milpitas, CA<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Duration:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Fulltime<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Job Description: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Wafer Inspection Division (WIN) of KLA-Tencor is the world leader in design and manufacturing of systems that are used for capturing yield-impacting defects through optical inspection of patterned wafers for semiconductor manufacturers to ramp and maintain yields for their products.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">A systems design engineer is responsible for defining system and subsystem architecture, and works with optical, mechanical, electrical, and software engineering teams to implement designs for next generation products.  Some key responsibilities include:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">1.Partition the system into subsystems based on high-level system requirements to meet business needs i.e. time to market, cost, performance, and to minimize risk.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">2.Define detailed subsystem requirements based on performance, manufacturability, serviceability, cost, and reliability.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">3.Define calibration and diagnostic algorithms, and work with software engineering on implementation and testing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">4.Establish and maintain subsystem and system level error budgets.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">5.Identify high-risk areas, develop risk mitigation strategies, and conduct trade off studies.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">6.Provide a technical roadmap to future advanced features.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">7.Contribute to and work the product marketing and the division’s strategic plans to clarify the market need in terms of system requirements.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">8.Ensure a plan exists for testing, verification and validation of all system specifications.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">9.Resolve system level issues for released systems, and apply learning into new designs.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Education and Experience:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">1.Masters degree required (PhD preferred) in physics, chemistry, optics, materials science, or related technical field with a strong background in analysis and problem solving skills. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">2.Hands on experience designing, building, operating, and/or troubleshooting complex instruments preferred.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">3.Experience in numerical modeling of complex physical processes is a plus.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">4.Strong programming skills in C, Java, Python or other language desired.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">5.Should be familiar with scientific and statistical analysis tools.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">6.Must be an effective communicator who is able to share technical information with functional groups and provide executive level reports to management and customers.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">7.Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary, multicultural teams and to take a leadership role when needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">8.Natural curiosity, inventiveness, and an interest in making things work better.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Basic Qualification:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Doctorate (Academic) with at least 5 years of experience <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">OR <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Master's Level Degree with at least 6 years of experience <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">OR <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Bachelor's Level Degree with at least 7 years of experience</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Please send in your resumes to <a href="mailto:vinod.sanker@kla-tencor.com">vinod.sanker@kla-tencor.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div></div></div></div>

Sr Systems Design Engineer ( Physics | Optics | Define system & subsystems | analysis | C | Python | Java) (#108584)

Job Title: System Design Engineer Location: Milpitas, CA Duration: Fulltime Job Description: The Wafer Inspection Division (WIN) of KLA-Te...

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Reference and Technical Services Librarian - Windsor Public Library

<strong>Reference and Technical Services Librarian - </strong><span style="color: #48286d;"><strong> Windsor Public Library</strong></span> has an excellent opportunity for a full-time ALA accredited MLS librarian with experience in public library operations. The successful candidate will perform a variety of complex and routine technical and administrative tasks necessary in the operation of the library system. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, select and oversee cataloging of the general collection of items contained in the library; assist patrons in person, by phone and via email in the selection and use of library materials; provide professional advice on library issues to senior staff; assure assigned areas of responsibility are performed within budget; organize and conduct special programs and activities for adult and teen patrons; prepare a variety of reports; perform community outreach, produce newsletters and press releases; and recruit, hire, discipline, train, motivate and evaluate staff. Candidates should have considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of modern library systems and programs, including current cataloging principles and cataloging trends, good ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, supervisory background, strong inter-personal, organizational and attention to detail skills, comfort with technology and social media, creativity, and a solid understanding of library theory. Evening and weekend shifts are required. Starting salary range is $58,000-$65,000 commensurate with experience, including an excellent benefits package. To apply, please complete an online application at <a href="http://www.townofwindsorct.com/humanresources/" target="_blank">www.townofwindsorct.com/humanresources/</a> and submit a cover letter and resume. Deadline for submission of application materials is Friday, <span style="color: red;">October 5, 2012</span> by 5:00 p.m. The Town of Windsor is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity at all levels of the workforce.

Reference and Technical Services Librarian - Windsor Public Library

Reference and Technical Services Librarian - Windsor Public Library has an excellent opportunity for a full-time ALA accredited MLS libra...

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Library Aide, Children's Room - Groton Public Library

<strong>Library Aide, Children's Room -</strong> <span style="color: #48286d;"><strong>Groton Public Library</strong></span>, 18 hours/week including evening and weekend hours. $10.00/hour. Customer service experience required. Must be creative, able to work independently and have basic computer and clerical skills. Job posting and application are available online at <a href="http://www.groton-ct.gov/jobs" target="_blank">www.groton-ct.gov/jobs</a> or Human Resources Office, Town of Groton, 45 Fort Hill Road, Groton, CT 06340. Applications accepted through <span style="color: red;">October 12, 2012</span>.

Library Aide, Children's Room - Groton Public Library

Library Aide, Children's Room - Groton Public Library , 18 hours/week including evening and weekend hours. $10.00/hour. Customer serv...

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IDF launches surprise live-fire drill on Golan Heights

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTT9QtmAgkKHVejy9k63gjxs-14cHLv8N34wyu2M5mn4-u4lCCpsfP07vpkCc8FwoElDYj6F0A7QTfrYuLvYJKFpwJMDD9CgbEMJJtt_WJ4cza_cOg03C0zJkizrSnw6LVoyaXcNUsnTn/s1600/IDF_DRIILS_2007JULY_SHIZAFON.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTT9QtmAgkKHVejy9k63gjxs-14cHLv8N34wyu2M5mn4-u4lCCpsfP07vpkCc8FwoElDYj6F0A7QTfrYuLvYJKFpwJMDD9CgbEMJJtt_WJ4cza_cOg03C0zJkizrSnw6LVoyaXcNUsnTn/s320/IDF_DRIILS_2007JULY_SHIZAFON.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The Israeli Defense Force has begun surprise live-fire war games on the Golan Heights, bordering unstable Lebanon and Syria. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Officially, the Israeli military is practicing combat readiness to repel possible sudden attack from Lebanon-based Hezbollah.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The Chief of IDF General Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz ordered troops from the Northern and Central commands, reinforced by reservists, to simulate an emergency. The IDF insists the drill is a routine scheduled event, but for unknown reasons withheld from making public how many troops and what military vehicles are being involved in the war games.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">But Israel Radio’s military affairs correspondent who is in regular contact with senior officers, said on air that the timing of the exercise was <i>“not mere coincidence.”</i></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Troops were flown by helicopter from central Israel to the Golan Heights for the exercise. </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The live fire drill will be conducted later in the evening and will be overseen by the IDF’s Chief Artillery Officer, Brig. Gen. Roei Riftin.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Similar war games were held a year ago and last week the IDF held drills simulating a mass rocket assault on Israeli territory by Hezbollah.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The IDF has expressed concerns several times that the situation in neighboring Syria, where a civil war is in full swing, might get out of hand. Syria has a considerable chemical weapons stockpile and Israel fears these weapons could fall into the wrong hands if President Bashar al-Assad is ousted. Some defecting Syrian officers claim Assad has plans to hand some of the chemical weapons over to Hezbollah.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Starting from last week, the IDF began reinforcing the fence on the Israel-Syria border in the Golan Heights area. Military engineers implanted new motion sensors along the border, electrified parts of the fence to activate new alarm systems and planted mines in certain areas along the border.</span>

IDF launches surprise live-fire drill on Golan Heights

The Israeli Defense Force has begun surprise live-fire war games on the Golan Heights, bordering unstable Lebanon and Syria.  Officially, t...

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LIBYA - Doomed from Day One

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UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Normale Tabelle"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style><![endif]--> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsd4Hp5_F6MtdOZlNkZSiREbsGxGyc4QElM0lb4TVX5cVJ9z8yk7gKNbpdkxTtIBG7Rt9lKtIqPgomhWft_wEXZAf8JNCu2qp97ZsUnW4bxe0fTt9UlxyRt7VrBTIPnX18LfZZh0lbhGu/s1600/original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsd4Hp5_F6MtdOZlNkZSiREbsGxGyc4QElM0lb4TVX5cVJ9z8yk7gKNbpdkxTtIBG7Rt9lKtIqPgomhWft_wEXZAf8JNCu2qp97ZsUnW4bxe0fTt9UlxyRt7VrBTIPnX18LfZZh0lbhGu/s400/original.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">People often ask why the West doesn’t attempt a LIBYA-style intervention in SYRIA. After all, things are going so well in LIBYA. Oil production is up. But oil production is merely a mirage, as is security in LIBYA, which was doomed from the day one PG (post-Gaddafi) because of the way it was “liberated”. <br /> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Recently , US envoy to LIBYA Christopher Stevens was killed along with three other AMERICAN diplomats in a rocket attack on the US consulate in Benghazi. <br /><br />What about the oil, that global elixir? Well, the violence will not bode well for LIBYA’S production ambitions, coming at a time when the country looked prepared for a boost in output and was banking on this for economic growth. <br /><br />Security was already dubious at best, and now international oil companies will be more reluctant than ever. Those that are already there—GERMANY’S Wintershall AG, ITALY’S Eni and FRANCE’S Total—will be seeking to beef up security and have already started sending some of their workers home.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Comment by Geopolitical Monitoring and Analysis: As mentioned previously on this blog, the intervention in LIBYA, orchestrated by USA, FRANCE, UK and to some extend GERMANY, were made out of ignorance and greed over oil wealth, totally ignoring CHINA and RUSSIA in their equation, both of whom had also invested heavily in LIBYA’S oil riches. Subsequently RUSSIA and CHINA decided it was payback time and thus adopted their opposition stance on intervention in SYRIA, by vetoing every Security Council Resolution. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />If the picture was not clear from the onset of the post-Gaddafi atmosphere, it certainly came into focus earlier this summer when protests over parliamentary elections forced the temporary closure of the el-Sider oil terminal, the country’s biggest.   </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />Anyone who thinks that LIBYA will be a secure oil frontier after the formation of a new government next summer is mistaken. The road to destruction runs from AFGHANISTAN to Benghazi (incidentally, the oil-producing region), branching off to southern IRAQ and Pakistan’s tribal regions. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />So, you ask, what about the controversial anti-Islamic movie apparently put together by people with too much time on their hands? </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />According to </span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.jellyfishoperations.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Jellyfish Operations</span></a>--a private intelligence and analysis boutique that has spent much time dissecting the intervention in LIBYA and the conflict in SYRIA—the anti-Islamic movie is a red herring in all of this.<br /><br />Speaking to Oilprice.com, Jellyfish President Michael Bagley said that while the movie is being upheld as the root cause of the intensifying protests and the death of the US envoy to LIBYA, it has only served to give added momentum to another more important development. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />“The key to all of this is al-Qaeda’s second in command, Abu Yahya al-Libi, who was killed by a US drone attack in Waziristan on 4 June,” Bagley said. “The real catalyst for the attack in LIBYA and the unrest that has spread to YEMEN, was a lengthy video released by al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, marking the anniversary of 9/11 and admitting to the death of al-Libi, who is LIBYAN.”</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />“This was a very powerful call to avenge al-Libi’s death,” Bagley said, “and it came only 24 hours before the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi.” </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />To put this into perspective, let’s reminisce a bit about al-Libi, whose past is a roller coaster, enemy-foe ride with the US.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />Al-Libi was captured in the “war on terrorism” in AFGHANISTAN in 2002 and held for three years in Kabul’s high-security Bagram prison. Against all odds, he escaped in 2005.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />In 2011 he resurfaced again, but this time as a friend to Washington who had decided that it was no longer friends with Gaddafi, despite all the efforts leading up to this to rebuild relations after that nasty Lockerbie business and all the sanctions. So here is al-Libi again, but this time around his terrorist inclinations are a bonus rather than a liability: He fights alongside intervention forces to oust Gaddafi. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />With Gaddafi gone, al-Libi once again became a liability so he was taken out by a drone in Pakistan.  </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />This brings us back to the present, with al-Zawahiri on the rampage and LIBYAN’S wise to their liberators. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />“This is a cut and dry example of the backfire of the US intervention strategy,” Bagley said. “Let’s hope it isn’t attempted in SYRIA.” </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />The post-Gaddafi Libya is not real. It’s a dangerous fabrication of materials stuck together by the glue of dubious alliances with jihadists who are cut loose with their weapons once the immediate goal (Gaddafi’s demise) was achieved. Forget about the oil for now.  </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />By Jen Alic Via Oilprice</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>

LIBYA - Doomed from Day One

People often ask why the West doesn’t attempt a LIBYA-style intervention in SYRIA. After all, things are going so well in LIBYA. Oil produc...

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kids always keep it real

While on vacation, I was on <a href="http://themustardceilingblog.com/2012/09/guest-post-elizabeth-from-little-black-door.html?doing_wp_cron=1348028490.0749189853668212890625#" target="_blank">The Mustard Ceiling</a> talking about how I turned this<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdILU7dbJlLB4q5eMG-GV0NXsFbPHPyFH-8iWlquOkqsucBv0RQqh3cf-k2wJidOrP9pUtY-CaOmjT9LNCIs628OWDLV84leUenoD2kpft5RTBUk2lJJDLi_Zf7u1qRWouIqqN2e_Gzzp/s1600/before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdILU7dbJlLB4q5eMG-GV0NXsFbPHPyFH-8iWlquOkqsucBv0RQqh3cf-k2wJidOrP9pUtY-CaOmjT9LNCIs628OWDLV84leUenoD2kpft5RTBUk2lJJDLi_Zf7u1qRWouIqqN2e_Gzzp/s640/before.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>into this. (You can read more about the transformation <a href="http://themustardceilingblog.com/2012/09/guest-post-elizabeth-from-little-black-door.html?doing_wp_cron=1348028490.0749189853668212890625#" target="_blank">here</a>)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBysbn6ahrUCXhRN5dVVnJxcsplC1vBHbqY94hPDnpjXsSbRZ1lhvm2lU7QXWJdc8aX52mPChGoYleS9hGcL6Ly0t8syKOZGv6V8ezmJ5kjq652L5P42gZR0LMbl6SFyaSDiU0cq1MWYlS/s1600/junkafter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBysbn6ahrUCXhRN5dVVnJxcsplC1vBHbqY94hPDnpjXsSbRZ1lhvm2lU7QXWJdc8aX52mPChGoYleS9hGcL6Ly0t8syKOZGv6V8ezmJ5kjq652L5P42gZR0LMbl6SFyaSDiU0cq1MWYlS/s640/junkafter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Everything nicely organized. A spot for everything.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKVFKwD0rx5xVzCpNkRFgnuwXx3rpOjWYCGsDpXVgdCpKmfBa6aq_poJdQNbRl215vl3G9KiPOuPuybM7NIcDPjSgdweWwPkw-SL-htJUYBN5yAy3tJPzT4FFBc0lSRhRcCRSk0DVCeEy/s1600/shelvesclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKVFKwD0rx5xVzCpNkRFgnuwXx3rpOjWYCGsDpXVgdCpKmfBa6aq_poJdQNbRl215vl3G9KiPOuPuybM7NIcDPjSgdweWwPkw-SL-htJUYBN5yAy3tJPzT4FFBc0lSRhRcCRSk0DVCeEy/s640/shelvesclose.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Silly mommy.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCXLlgdi0ijEjBByzjSPydPnGngNbartH9nFbi8xceljpnrduPXUrlANSGNfKzwrz9_fJFrBXdFKpdKpPvHj5x6fiwHyJnEkRePWepfvH10cUz9AdR4PzGMIsZWozdplVHsb1VF43c0iU/s1600/cornerlast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCXLlgdi0ijEjBByzjSPydPnGngNbartH9nFbi8xceljpnrduPXUrlANSGNfKzwrz9_fJFrBXdFKpdKpPvHj5x6fiwHyJnEkRePWepfvH10cUz9AdR4PzGMIsZWozdplVHsb1VF43c0iU/s640/cornerlast.jpg" width="580" /></a></div><br />The girls made some alterations.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQ_7RUzY1qgwRbpzuylh8wqoPb2f-4y8wsv3bob8Iiv9uMwNuTVCEWKCWCQF5Hzx0f_1IjFBfTLmb0H-DgqVgSR7BeTcWsSfPMkbLFf0MTQVt5gomsha4doWeobtNisUAh9_DO1pDw0Op/s1600/PlayroomStorage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQ_7RUzY1qgwRbpzuylh8wqoPb2f-4y8wsv3bob8Iiv9uMwNuTVCEWKCWCQF5Hzx0f_1IjFBfTLmb0H-DgqVgSR7BeTcWsSfPMkbLFf0MTQVt5gomsha4doWeobtNisUAh9_DO1pDw0Op/s640/PlayroomStorage2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Barbies, books and who knows what else.<br /><br />Kids or not, please tell me you have a room or spot in your house that looks like this?

kids always keep it real

While on vacation, I was on  The Mustard Ceiling  talking about how I turned this into this. (You can read more about the transformation her...

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A South African educator heads off to the Google Teacher Academy in New York next month

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUf6-5UTAu1-dftWN3TsQpIcl9EtNecVlYp6RZu39JOjcjE71F78Kni1fk5YVIY3Dw5B-qi6MQJYp7WbWA0tClBybIKjMUc9ZTSrNURvxdfyCjpZpQV-_eQixqz47aQF1f75q7JsyCZBE/s1600/google.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUf6-5UTAu1-dftWN3TsQpIcl9EtNecVlYp6RZu39JOjcjE71F78Kni1fk5YVIY3Dw5B-qi6MQJYp7WbWA0tClBybIKjMUc9ZTSrNURvxdfyCjpZpQV-_eQixqz47aQF1f75q7JsyCZBE/s320/google.png" width="320" /></a></div><i>Submitted by Fiona Beal</i><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Google Teacher Academy is not really all that well known in South Africa <i>yet</i>, but in countries like the USA, Britain and Australia, teachers who are interested in integrating the curriculum with technology clamour to attend. Just as Microsoft has its popular products and free tools, Google provides very useful programs such as Blogger blogs, Google Forms, Google Chrome with its huge selection of extensions designed to make browsing a dream, and Google Reader as a place to read all the blogs you follow - to name but a few. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So recently, when Google announced their next Teacher Academy in New York I decided to apply so as to find out more about Google. To my delight my application was one of the 50 that were successful!  Since then I have started learning more about Google! For example I hadn’t really got to grips with Google +, but as soon as we were accepted we were joined to a Google + circle to communicate privately with one another (as well as on the Twitter hashtag #GTANY which is more public).  The next exciting thing is that we were put into groups of 6 with a leader. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our group leader is Lisa Thumann. The leaders also present sessions at the Academy. Lisa is from Kean University and judging by this photo in Google + she is quite entertaining. She told us that there had been 567 applications for this upcoming Academy. </span></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLDrUIlHy6QpSx2Q3HbGtxNMgMf-4bchjSOYBQBlcofQGjz-vt7xNOSw-0kqjSvkc_2_D8w57aGxHkjGJg9pKEtIQi6IPsVIxznXeYqATGUQEyCxXWjMnxsHW-o_bEED8ozCuM5yMEl4/s1600-h/image%25255B17%25255D.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="image" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6ASqQ9zn4PwX41qxleaB4ipgHyMKJQlH9IJ7kXvvz6zQ9rbUQ8ycr7pVdPwxaNaXC8ZWZRtRj-NZwvVhPioODFyLU8NeGwa7o6LH5bsZEGEyFnzD3AZmY5OfH7B6q0r4UuhEo7B7jxA/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="318" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another Google application I have recently been introduced to is a Google hangout! The seven of us had a hangout last week to get to know one other before the event and I can see that this is an amazing free future tool to use. 10 people at a time can participate in a video hangout. </span></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBh5RCH1MZvU7vmISn_EZUPxVzXW6nmhqhJ4bLxtwNsLegpLyf5xsLWwbbAYVGlzBLTGyhqC7HP3DExXKBe5l38DqPRhyphenhyphenUlvd3Bg03XH47t4-QAwY2UXeWB40Gbbeeoq8PEQiQYH-QXk/s1600-h/image%25255B21%25255D.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="image" border="0" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1KkQoN1-MgksB921ltlikBMb5jZaROD2wlAXtLkvbNrbX0cMl-fGxZb6QsgZAax8XP26i3waHLU1y1_CGltpUMdWq_QmTTaPdNuUeYTEbw4zdf_21QttHOdaeD2K6rGi4AxTh_IvYJo/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">At the hangout Lisa took a snapshot whilst one of the group was sharing information so here it is (thank goodness I wasn’t speaking at the time…)</span></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1h-aq06Ov3Wmx-vRiaJLXGm4dHnvrstrrgK1NT4VXO0OYWzCd1IX3dE-rNNbVDM7Pl_GBNHMJ661x3iDB6_OPg4lTc5BvOAE7r84takujz63GqaL38Qrbi67s3pdkVpr9zr0yXPG_HbU/s1600-h/image%25255B26%25255D.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="image" border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcdhxM0bqpmppoxRFWysE8YIaO4ArjEuFUAO4s0oHmVVTl_Av0OJTP4SfvKeXVqoIMa0wcCPHGLtpRtExhyphenhypheneXbf4vKJX43Jf_4OPuK5sVE5H_rygxSI4RO9fiPASVvyliQknnfRbNrjc/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So once I am back on October 8th I’ll keep you posted in case you would also like to apply for a Google Teacher Academy and experience the rich community and inspiration that accompanies an event like this. Our SchoolNet webmaster has posted a Google press release on our website in case you would like to view it and find out more. <a href="http://www.schoolnet.org.za/">http://www.schoolnet.org.za/</a>. </span></span></div></div>

conferences google news A South African educator heads off to the Google Teacher Academy in New York next month

Submitted by Fiona Beal The Google Teacher Academy is not really all that well known in South Africa yet , but in countries like the USA, Br...

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Please tune in to our exciting guest webinar on Thursday from 6-6:30pm

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCiGgVC_B2M0CguE9UklyZxZ3Yx2hqcyi0q-Fl_-vD8lYbXk0ZJD_MhCr2wZDIp-fAJalLcy5G1BwS7CgQYvH06QWCGSeW67eEQOf09YxWuC6yMeTfhDtrQ_sv30bj-7DGSUOOKiz28-k/s1600-h/image%25255B4%25255D.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="image" border="0" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-gEJeVzbXGZ3mOfRZCw6BJ-Gymn1kHhJJwjkvnYpwIt6j7xMZkWsMd-jc_ilYrAMy0kacscQXapWVCp5odfPLvkkVq4oeE9NZ64No37G7vW7HTT8pWVU_5_qoKUGVA2TlVSCc_IXU8o/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="260" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Details </span></span></b></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Three superb short presentations on 'Learn the news',  'Brainpop' and "Prezi' presented by Mary Lou Berndt, a teacher in East London on Thursday from 6pm till 6:30pm.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Background</span></span></b></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Last week I had the privilege of attending the first TeachMeet in the Eastern Cape which was co-hosted by Stirling Primary School and Clarendon Primary School in East London, but held at Stirling Primary this time round. The two enthusiastic teacher organisers were Claire Dean from Stirling Primary and Sharon Cox from Clarendon Primary. A full blog report will appear soon.  It was marvelous to see how much the East London teachers had to share with one another.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the presenters, Mary Lou Berndt shared three lovely presentations on Learn the News, Brainpop, and Prezi. I have asked Mary Lou to present these at our next guest webinar this Thursday, so please do pop in and listen. You won’t be disappointed! Here are the details. (Just click on the URL, and sign in as guest with your name.) This webinar will be recorded. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Join us on Thursday</span></span></b> </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Meeting Name</u>: Learn about 'Learn the News','Prezi' and 'Brainpop'<br /><u>Summary</u>: These were three superb presentations given at the East London TeachMeet on Thurs 11th September by Mary Lou Berndt. Learn about 'Learn the news' (a great programme for your students to find out about the news), how to make a 'Prezi' and an amazing site called 'Brainpop'. <u></u><br /><u>When</u>: 09/20/2012 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM<br /><u>Time Zone</u>: (GMT+02:00) Harare, Pretoria </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>To join the webinar</u>:<br /><a href="http://meet78641452.adobeconnect.com/marylou/">http://meet78641452.adobeconnect.com/marylou/</a></span></span> <br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Note</span></span></b></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b><br />If you have never attended an Adobe Connect webinar before:<br /><i>a) Test your connection:</i> http://meet78641452.adobeconnect.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>b) Get a quick overview</i>: <br />http://www.adobe.com/go/connectpro_overview</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We really hope that we will meet you there on Thursday.  </span></span><br /><br /><br /></div></div>

webinars Please tune in to our exciting guest webinar on Thursday from 6-6:30pm

Details Three superb short presentations on 'Learn the news',  'Brainpop' and "Prezi' presented by Mary Lou Berndt,...

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Books donation for a primary school in South Africa plus an opportunity to collaborate…

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwzpLDJ7DpjNnS9ZF9u6PYK8m4HHRTLHCu3huZ6IcmzGBfBv3Zj4scJlfV0oEA80T6HsVAl17Pl-id4Pobp1nEhsvNEvlOFTLq5mUp6IcAO96baTVKzcGMDNukPZ8vXe996A7H71uS_8/s1600-h/image%25255B3%25255D.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="image" border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiidz49pvDmjB-foeANQXHLLIn61KOoV5DCLSBpx3zSGn78VHtSMkgzWSBeOKg2cPqAFll1vnrwU0r-63JpDnggUU0tGGcUzSxI-z2hYvhfJ_eVnIz7uoVDquihyq3DaGN7hyphenhyphenRENw2V6JY/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Recently we had a very interesting email from a teacher in Seattle who is a librarian at her school. She would like to donate some books to a school in South Africa and also set up a Skype collaboration with a teacher at this school. Here is an extract from the email… </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“We have 5-6 boxes of brand new paperback picture and chapter books sitting in our school that are not being used. I have a dream of putting them in the hands of an impoverished school where need a library or need books. I’d love to hook up with a school and begin a Skype collaboration if possible. We could make videos of the books or introduce ourselves with our school. Somehow I’d like to bring technology, books, global collaboration together in a project that helps children who need the help.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The stereotype of country African schools are ones of extreme need. I don’t really know if this is true or not. People think we all drive expensive cars and have all things perfect here in the States. Neither myths are true!</span></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have seen websites of helping African villages with books, but I am very wary of them due to the administrative costs, etc. I’m more interested in doing something small, but that has real impact. Is there a place for this kind of idea? Do you know people I could contact to start? Is this something you might be interested in?” </span></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you know of a school where this would go down well, please contact <a href="mailto:fiona@schoolnet.org.za">fiona@schoolnet.org.za</a></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you would like to read this teacher's blog, here is the URL: <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://bellbulldogreaders.edublogs.org/" style="color: #0077cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: nowrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">http://bellbulldogreaders.edublogs.org/</a></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">  This blog came second in the 2011 Edublogs Awards. </span></span> </div>

Collaboration Books donation for a primary school in South Africa plus an opportunity to collaborate…

Recently we had a very interesting email from a teacher in Seattle who is a librarian at her school. She would like to donate some books to ...

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Congratulations to our Adobe Youth Voices project winners!

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhfhdMRmhiqhc-kUgUXj9dEnLBcbtkEiYjGxZl9e2tGH4UuXP6wBSQfAIvPlCYO-fcl09xs5hGfcBSuvGF9nt0F2RZqOVAKfx41_RWosCcaBjNUeanHdQ1cRkq1CjCa2sVL_s9dtJyAA/s1600-h/image%25255B3%25255D.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="image" border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwn8W4Ajf2jfzqK_J6j18UnwkvdHEezhkyCGTASYSIM3ddagAJiqq_vBOLAN-WC0LoZ-vX9R0lo934sezRXAJi2najAvt8UcG5GQdICtrmII5N5bvlnFnGGOjjYWUjehB7J0foMM9jz0/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Recently we asked our SchoolNet premium members to vote for the Adobe Youth Voices media project they thought was the best.  (<a href="http://e-blogschool.blogspot.com/2012/09/south-african-teachersplease-help.html" title="http://e-blogschool.blogspot.com/2012/09/south-african-teachersplease-help.html">http://e-blogschool.blogspot.com/2012/09/south-african-teachersplease-help.html</a>) We had 39 people vote and this is a great gesture of commitment as it was no small feat to download and watch all the projects. What a dedicated team of premium members we have!! Here are the results:</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Winner</span></span></b><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Title</u>: Rise of Racism and Hazardous Stereotyping<br /><u>Educator:</u> Maropeng TL Monareng<br /><u>Prize:</u> wins trip to Cape Town; registration for ESN conference; accommodation, meals & flip video camera<br /><u>Votes</u>: 11</span></span></span><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IkddFbwAWok?rel=0" width="420"></iframe><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Second place</span></span></b><br /><u>Title: </u>Water is Life - use me wisely <br /><u>Educator:</u>  Cynthia Lukhele<br /><u>Prize:</u> Cynthia wins second prize (flip camera); and five learners win digital cameras<br /><u>Votes:</u> 9</span></span><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RRqlutCaZWw?rel=0" width="420"></iframe> <br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Third prize</span></span></b><br /><u>Title</u>: Bullying<br /><u>Educator</u>: Saul Pila<br /><u>Prize:</u> Saul wins a flip camera</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Votes:</u> 6 </span></span><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VWBP9xpLXh8?rel=0" width="420"></iframe> <b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b><br /><br /><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Complete spreadsheet of results</span></span></b><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you would like to see the complete spreadsheet of results please view theme here.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.box.com/s/u3ypprlr9937kju878dl" target="_blank">Adobe Youth Voices 2012 voting results  </a></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Want to join the new intake of the project? </span></span></b></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />If you would like to be involved in the new intake of 12 teachers for the current year please email <a href="mailto:omashani@schoolnet.org.za">omashani@schoolnet.org.za</a> TODAY! You won’t regret it! More details are available on this blogpost <a href="http://e-blogschool.blogspot.com/2012/09/adobe-youth-voices-in-south.html" title="http://e-blogschool.blogspot.com/2012/09/adobe-youth-voices-in-south.html">http://e-blogschool.blogspot.com/2012/09/adobe-youth-voices-in-south.html</a></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br /> </span></div>

Adobe Youth voices Congratulations to our Adobe Youth Voices project winners!

Recently we asked our SchoolNet premium members to vote for the Adobe Youth Voices media project they thought was the best.  ( http://e-blog...

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Made to Crave - Chapter 5

At this point, I am 2 chapters shy of finishing Made to Crave.  I will provide a full review once it's over.  While it is taking me awhile to complete the reflections, I'm glad I'm doing them.  I know it's important for me to try every avenue at understanding my weaknesses when it comes to food.  This is just another approach in that discovery process.<br /><br /><ul><li><a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2012/08/made-to-crave-ch-1-reflections.html" target="_blank">Chapter 1 Reflections</a></li><li><a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2012/08/made-to-crave-ch-2-reflections.html" target="_blank">Chapter 2 Reflections</a></li><li><a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2012/08/made-to-crave-ch-3-reflections.html" target="_blank">Chapter 3 Reflections</a></li><li><a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2012/09/made-to-crave-ch-4-reflections.html" target="_blank">Chapter 4 Reflections</a> </li></ul><br />The title of this chapter was "Made for More".  I highlighted several passages from this chapter that I found thought-provoking/inspirational and wanted to share.<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><b>Passage 1:</b><br />"We must ask God to join us in this journey.  We need to ask God's wisdom, revelation and intervening power to be an integral part of our food choices from now on.  Why not make this a daily prayer, first thing in the morning, before we've eaten a thing that day: 'God, I recognize I am made for more than the vicious cycle of being ruled by food.  I need to eat to live, not live to eat. So, I keep asking for Your wisdom to know what to eat and Your indwelling power to walk away from things that are not beneficial for me.'"</blockquote><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><b>Passage 2:</b><br />"The real reason for grounding ourselves in the truth that we are made for more is 'so that you may know him better'.  The more we operate in the truth of who we are and the reality that we were made for more, the closer to God we'll become."</blockquote><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><b>Passage 3:</b><br />"We would do well to pray for the eyes of our hearts to be enlightened to this hope and power.  Too many times, we try to muster up the gumption to make changes in our lives on our own.  It doesn't take long for the dark feelings of discouragement, disillusionment and defeat to fill our hearts."  </blockquote><ul></ul><i><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>1. "I was made for more" is a spiritual truth that unlocks great power for Christians.  When you think of your past failures and your current struggles with food, how do you hope this truth might help you?</b></span></i><br /><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;">I think about this concept often.  There are many days where I live in disbelief that I am <i>still </i>struggling with this overweight lifestyle.  You know how when you're a kid, and you look up to those older than you thinking how smart they must be and how much they must know?  I always used to think, "I can't wait until I'm an independent adult.  I won't be struggling with my weight any longer.  Finally, I will be in control of my own food choices and I will, at last, overcome this battle."  It was as though, an older and wiser Hilary wouldn't be this weak and food-dependent.  Yet, here I am, 28 years old, still fighting this fight.  So yes, deep down, I know I was made for more than living like <i>this</i>.  I cannot live the full life that God wants me to live if I continue to overeat and, thus, get down on myself.  There are many life experiences that I have simply bypassed purely because of my weight.  <b>I. cannot. keep. doing. this.</b></span><b><br /></b></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>2. When you introduce yourself to someone you don't know, how do you define yourself?  By your family relationships (as a wife, mother, daughter, aunt)? By a professional title, or lack of one?  By where you live or go to church? What might your introduction reveal about how you understand your own identity?</b></span><br />This question is quite appropriate, seeing as how I'm about to meet a bunch of people this weekend at FitBloggin' <i>(which, by the way, I'm extremely nervous about it! How much of an imposter am I to be going to a FIT BLOGGING conference when I'm clearly no expert at losing weight. *sigh*)</i>  I think the answer to this question probably depends on the setting for me.  In general, I think I probably tend to define who I am based on where I live.  For the last 6 years, the center of my universe has been my pure distaste for living in the DC area.  It's no secret to most that I absolutely hate living here. This city isn't me at all.  <br /><br />I would say after I describe where I'm from, my next avenue would be my profession.  I'm not sure if this is a product of living in this highly competitive/political city, but it just seems to be a standard introduction to say what you do.  It seems to be people's way of classifying you in their mind as worthy or not.  Warning: there might be some bitterness coming through in that sentence.  <br /><br />Anyhow, sadly, despite the fact that I just got married, the last way I would use to define myself is that I am now a wife.  Being in a relationship in this town seems to be looked down upon.  Yes, I have some married friends.  But I have just as many single friends too.  And I've definitely heard those single friends say: "I cannot imagine being married right now.  The fun would be all over."  It's like I'm being judged simply because I've found my life partner.  <br /><br />So what does all of that say about how I understand my own identity?  I think it says I need to re-evaluate what is truly important in life (i.e. being a wife, an aunt, a daughter), because <i>that </i>is what should define me.  Not where I live.  Not where I work.  Not what grade I am on the G-S scale.  Those latter things are superficial in my book.<br /><br />How does all of <i>that </i>translate to weight loss?  For me, I think it says that sometimes I want to lose weight for the wrong reasons.  Yes, I want to feel better about myself and be healthy.  But I cannot deny that I want to feel more accepted in this harsh, skinny-friendly world.  I know I am judged on my weight more often than not.  I try to overcome it by having a bolder personality and making jokes, but that can sometimes be a cover up.  Anyhow... I need to stop and move on to the next question :).<br /><br /><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>3. Lysa describes how she once defined her identity by her circumstances: Lysa, the broken girl from a broken home; Lysa, the girl rejected by her father; Lysa, the girl sexually abused by a grandfather figure.  Have you ever felt your identity was defined by your circumstances?  If you were to describe your identity as Lysa did, what would be on your list?</b></span><br /><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;">-Hilary, the girl who has to live in this city that she hates because of her husband's financial obligations. </span></span><br /><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;">-Hilary, the girl who was made fun of in the girl's locker room in high school for being fat.</span></span><br /><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;">-Hilary, the girl who cannot live her life to its fullest because she's fat.</span></span><br /><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;">-Hilary, the girl who feels like she is never going to accomplish anything in life until she loses this weight, because only <i>then </i>will she know that she can do anything she sets her mind to. </span></span><br /><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;">-Hilary, the girl who can never seem to get anything right the first time and now has to return to school to pursue the career she truly wants to have. </span><b><br /></b></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>4. Take a moment to review the following list of statements, inserting your name before each one.  How does this understanding of how God sees you impact the circumstance-based view of your identity you listed in response to question 3?</b></span><br />-Hilary, the forgiven child of God. (Romans 3:24)<br />-Hilary, the set-free child of God. (Romans 8:1-2)<br />-Hilary, the accepted child of God. (1 Corinthians 1:2)<br />-Hilary, the holy child of God. (1 Corinthians 1:30)<br />-Hilary, the made-new child of God. (2 Corinthians 5:17) <br />-Hilary, the loved child of God. (Ephesians 1:4)<br />-Hilary, the close child of God. (Ephesians 2:13)<br />-Hilary, the confident child of God. (Ephesians 3:12)<br /><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;">-Hilary, the victorious child of God. (Romans 8:37)</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: black;">Those sentences should be completely enough to negate all that I said in question 3.  Unfortunately, it's not that easy.  Yes, I should make a more consolidated effort to read the Bible, attend church regularly and pray more often in order to develop a better relationship with God so that I can free myself of those demeaning thoughts in question 3.</span><b> </b></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>5. Refer back to page 51 or your Bible.  Reread Ephesians 1:17-20 and reflect on the key themes of the passage using the questions below.</b></span><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><i><b>a) Be persistent: "I keep asking".</b>  Do you have any reservations about asking God for wisdom and power each day to help you on this journey?  How do you hope persistent prayer might help you?</i> <span style="color: black;">My reservations from asking God for help on this journey is because I feel like He's got better things to do.  People are dying from cancer.  I am simply trying to lose weight.  It's not the same. How can I whine about weight loss when much more serious things are going on in this world.  I feel that my weight loss prayers are not worthy.  I guess I would hope that persistent prayer might reveal to me that what I just said really isn't true.  He cares about us all, regardless of the magnitude of our battles.</span> </span><br /><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span><span style="color: #674ea7;"><i><b>b) Embrace a true identity:</b> "Glorious Father." With what untruths about your identity have you struggled?  How might your life change if you could embrace the truth of your identity as a child of God? </i> <span style="color: black;">The untruths I struggle with are that I'm just always going to be this overweight person who cannot accomplish anything in life.  And while, yes, I know I've accomplished some milestones in my life thus far, those seemed so easy compared to this journey.  I think that my life would change in that if I truly had more faith that God would get me through this journey if I just asked, I would feel The Big Weight lifted from my shoulders.</span></span><br /><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span><span style="color: #674ea7;"><i><b>c) Find the deeper reason:</b> "So that you may know him better."  How might God use your journey toward healthy eating as a way to help you get to know Him better? </i><span style="color: black;">Oh I have no doubt that the goal of this journey isn't just to lose weight, it is to get to know Him better.  I know that there is simply no way I'm going to accomplish The Big Weight without him.  Plain and simple.  The struggles I'm going through at this point can only be overcome by my asking for His help.</span> </span><br /><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span><i><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>d) Discover a hope and power like no other:</b> "That the eyes of your heart might be enlightened."  To what degree do you feel like everything depends on you - your willpower and determination?  A little, a lot? To what degree do you believe that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is also available to help you? A little, a lot? As you reflect back on each day, how will you know whether you relied on your own strength or leaned into God's strength?</span>  </i>I do often feel like, because of what I said in question A, that I should be able to accomplish this weight loss on my own if I just had more willpower and determination.  While deep down I should believe that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power available to me, again, I don't feel like my measly weight loss issues are that worthy.  I mean come on, Jesus died on the cross to save us all.  I'm trying to lose weight so that I can have a better life.  It doesn't seem comparable in the least!  I think that if I can allow myself to start asking God for his help, regardless of the guilt I feel in doing so, that eventually I will just know deep down that my success is coming from His doing, and not mine.  It's how I felt when God brought Joel back to me after the Terrible Awful.  Believe me, nothing or no one could have changed Joel's mind when he walked out that door in February.  But God did.  I know that because I feel it deep down in my soul.</blockquote><br />If you made it this far, thanks for reading!  :)

Made to Crave Made to Crave - Chapter 5

At this point, I am 2 chapters shy of finishing Made to Crave.  I will provide a full review once it's over.  While it is taking me awhi...

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Culture Night 2012

<span style="font-size: large;">This Friday is <a href="http://www.culturenight.ie/">Culture Night</a>. I'm looking forward to it.  Last year we visited the <a href="http://www.tcd.ie/Library/bookofkells/">Book of Kells</a> in Trinity College which was really great.  We then headed to Kilmainham to the IMMA (Irish Museum of Modern Art) to listen to live music.  On the way to the IMMA we stopped off in the <a href="http://winding-stair.com/bookshop/">Winding Stair</a> Bookshop to watch some performance poets recite their work.  All in all a really great night!  The atmosphere in Dublin was fantastic! </span>

Culture Night 2012

This Friday is Culture Night . I'm looking forward to it.  Last year we visited the Book of Kells in Trinity College which was really g...

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