So There Was An Earthquake Today...

<i>Dear Lord:  </i><br /><br /><i>Thank you God.  Thank you God for protecting me, Joel, and my coworkers today during the 5.8 magnitude earthquake here in Arlington, VA.  Thank you for getting us out of our office building safely and as quickly as possible.  Thank you for Joel getting out of our condo safely.  Thank you for keeping everyone safe throughout the East Coast of the U.S. </i><br /><br /><i>Thank you for being with me as I took cover under the desk in my office.  </i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><i>Today was the scariest day of my life, Lord. Ever. And I never want to experience that kind of fear again, Lord.</i>  <br /><br /><i>I just simply cannot thank You enough.  As I was under my desk, I was frantically praying to You, asking You to keep us safe.  As we made our way down from the top floor (11th) in the stairwell, I prayed more.  All I could think about were those poor souls on September 11, and the fear they must have felt.  I imagine I felt a similar fear like that today.  It was awful.   I prayed and thanked You for every flight of stairs You helped us descend.  </i>   <br /><br /><i>Thank You for allowing me to get in touch with Joel, family and friends so quickly afterward by allowing enough of a cell signal for text messages to process. </i><br /><br /><i>Thank You for giving me kind enough coworkers to obtain my laptop for me because I was too afraid to go back into the building once it was deemed "safe".  </i><br /><br /><i>Thank you for allowing Joel to easily drive to my office to pick me up afterward.  </i><br /><br /><i>Thank You for being with me today, Lord.  Without You, I don't know what I would have done</i>.<br /><br /><i>In Jesus' name,</i><br /><i>Amen</i>

Miscellaneous So There Was An Earthquake Today...

Dear Lord:  Thank you God.  Thank you God for protecting me, Joel, and my coworkers today during the 5.8 magnitude earthquake here in Arling...

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Senior Monday

I had an argument with my husband yesterday. It was about dishes. Enough said.<br /><br />I decided to go see a movie alone. Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Great movie. I discovered<span style="font-size: small;"> Glaceau Vitaminwater Zero Naturally Sweetened Water Beverage Lemonade (with Stevia).</span> Delicious poured over a cup of ice.<br /><br />As I was standing in line, waiting to buy my ticket, I noticed the sign said Senior Monday, $6.00. Age 62 and up. Six more years and I'll be a senior. Just think of all the money I can save.<br /><br />Then it was my turn. I stepped up to the counter and ask for one adult ticket. The young man, about 18, asked "Senior?". I said "yes". I don't know why I did that, but he said okay, took my $6 and gave me a ticket.<br /><br />I told him "I'm only 56!" He said "too late, I already rung it up." Gee, thanks a lot. As if I didn't already feel lousy, now I can pass for 62 years old.

Senior Monday

I had an argument with my husband yesterday. It was about dishes. Enough said. I decided to go see a movie alone. Rise of the Planet of the ...

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Job search rules: Can you benefit from breaking them?

<div class="ArticleHeadline"><div class="hdr_org_bld"><h1 id="articleHeadline"> <b><span id="cbArticle_lblByLine">Beth Braccio Hering, Special to CareerBuilder</span></b> </h1></div><div class="cbmsnArticleImage" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div></div><br /><div class="ArticleContent"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.cbdr.com/artieimages/hf/ar5l5dq733ddjj80f1hf.gif?time=5/10/2011%204:13:27%20pm" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://emj.cbdr.com/artieimages/hf/ar5l5dq733ddjj80f1hf.gif?time=5/10/2011 4:13:27 pm" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Follow the rules and you are bound to get rewarded, right? Not necessarily. Here, experts offer their take on some traditional advice that might not always be in a job seeker's best interest:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><strong>"Do not be too obvious that you are trying to find a job."</strong><br />While one need not hang a "Hire me!" sign around his neck, valuable networking opportunities can be wasted if a job seeker is overly apprehensive about displaying interest in employment.<br />"I do think this rule has been dispelled in our down economy where the job search stigma has been eliminated, though some folks are still afraid to advertise their status," says Christine Bolzan, founder of <a href="http://www.graduatecareercoaching.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #000099;">Graduate Career Coaching</span></a> -- a custom-<a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/counselor/"><span style="color: #000099;">counseling</span></a> service for <a href="http://careerrookie.com/"><span style="color: #000099;">college students and new graduates</span></a>. "Just yesterday, I was speaking to a father of a current college senior and suggesting to him that he leverage his own network to help his son's search. His response was, 'Oh, no. His mother and I have not told anyone that he does not have a job.' There was a perception that this is an embarrassment or a failure of sorts, which is completely wrong on both accounts."<br /><br /><strong>"Provide salary information if the job ad asks for it."</strong><br />"So many job seekers are under the impression that you show that you can't 'follow rules' if an ad asks you to state your salary history/expectations and you respond without it," states Darrell Gurney, founder of CareerGuy.com and author of "Backdoor Job Search: Never Apply for a Job Again!" "If you are close enough to the specs, chances are you'll hear back even if you didn't include it. That's what you want, so you can at least begin to deal with a real person rather than set yourself up to be eliminated with no contact whatsoever."<br /><br />If the lack of a figure comes up when contacted, Gurney suggests a response such as, "Oh, I'm sorry. I'd be happy to provide you with copies of W-2s at an appropriate time. Perhaps we can see if there's some initial alignment on what you're looking for first? Can you tell me more about the role?"<br /><br /><strong>"Let the employer run the interview."</strong><br />"Going in and being a 'good' interviewee is not in your best interests, though (of course) amiability and friendliness are critical," Gurney notes. "Think of it like you were brought in to <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/consulting/"><span style="color: #000099;">consult</span></a>. Going in with questions and interests that you want to have addressed, including a real interest in the interviewer, can go a long way to setting yourself apart from the masses."<br /><br />David Couper, a <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/career+coach/"><span style="color: #000099;">career coach</span></a> and author of "Outsiders on the Inside: How to Create a Winning Career ... Even When You Don't Fit In," adds, "The more you know, the better. Some job hunters think it is OK not to do research because the employer will explain to them about the company. The problem with that approach is that all the information is one-sided. It is what the company wants you to hear, not what the market, customers or employees are saying."<br /><br /><strong>"Don't call after an interview to follow up because hiring managers don't like it" and "Continue to follow up on positions for which you interviewed."</strong><br />Finally, remember that job search "rules" are rarely set in stone, as these two contradictory yet widely circulated pieces of advice demonstrate. Sometimes, using your own good judgment is key.<br />"Follow up after an interview with additional information and with solutions to their problems like a <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/consultant/"><span style="color: #000099;">consultant </span></a> would," Couper says. "Calling to discuss this information is positive. Calling just to ask where your application is and to whine about the process doesn't score you any points."<br />Adds Gurney, "A simple follow up from a position of strength and certitude is always helpful and demonstrates interest, but continuing to 'follow up, follow up, follow up' from a place of need and desperation loses your gloss and negotiating stance. Think dating: How interested would you be in someone calling over and over after the first date, leaving messages letting you know how much they enjoyed it and wanting to know 'where we go from here'?"<br /><br /><em>Beth Braccio Hering researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues for CareerBuilder.com. Follow @CareerBuilder on Twitter.</em></div>

Job search rules: Can you benefit from breaking them?

  Beth Braccio Hering, Special to CareerBuilder Follow the rules and you are bound to get rewarded, right? Not necessarily. Here, experts o...

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Weekend Recap

Happy Monday!<br /><br />My weekend was filled with grocery shopping, hanging out with friends, and a cooking affair on Sunday. <br /><br />Saturday I was up fairly early and out the door by 8 AM to get my start at grocery shopping.  On this week's menu is chili with cornbread muffins, a healthier recreation of Chipotle's burrito bowl, and fettuccine with bolognese sauce.  <br /><br />Once I got home from all 3 grocery stores (they don't all have everything I want in one store), I planned to have a snack and then start on the New Rules of Lifting workout.  My snack for the past few days has been awesome.  I've been eating the <a href="http://www2.kelloggs.com/ProductDetail.aspx?id=1261">reduced fat Townhouse Crackers by Keebler</a>, with some <a href="http://www.thelaughingcow.com/products/light-swiss-original/">Laughing Cow Light Swiss Cheese</a> and a piece of <a href="http://www.hormel.com/products/refrigerated/HormelPepperoni.aspx">Hormel Turkey Pepperoni</a>. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipN7fe8OxZTVBjgfGuJ0CMzWhA7iFbaP8K7lgO73NwXu3b-zxSX-07WjrtKqyf-pF2JgSpVZ-WNhIcPvw_zmJcjiOO6IphgbW5TcmN8JxtDHlTvxOBd6kIw1DA5sDZXDM6uJh2Fle5tlo/s1600/blog+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipN7fe8OxZTVBjgfGuJ0CMzWhA7iFbaP8K7lgO73NwXu3b-zxSX-07WjrtKqyf-pF2JgSpVZ-WNhIcPvw_zmJcjiOO6IphgbW5TcmN8JxtDHlTvxOBd6kIw1DA5sDZXDM6uJh2Fle5tlo/s400/blog+004.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><br /> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">delicious and filling!</td></tr><br /> </tbody></table>After all that yummy in my tummy, I began on Workout A.  I was proud of myself for sticking to a workout I planned for a weekend day.  As much as I'd love to rearrange my workouts to happen on the weekends when I feel I have more time, it just seems easier for me to talk myself out of it when the time comes.  But I stayed true to my goal, and while I was standing outside doing the bonus workout at the end (2 workouts, as many times as you can for each one), a very thin, younger, and pretty woman walked by with her dog smoking a cigarette and she told me "Great job on working out.....*laugh* as I stand here smoking a cigarette!  That's what I need to be doing!"  I have to go outside to do the Step Ups because I actually need something to step up onto (go figure! :) ), and so we've been using the curb.  Joel hates this though - he gets all embarrassed.  I actually don't care - I mean look!  I even got a compliment! <br /><br />So while I achieved my fitness goal for the weekend, I didn't do so hot Saturday night when we hung out with friends.  I actually didn't think these plans were ever going to come to fruition because we never heard back from the people planning the get together until just 2 hours before we actually met up.  As a result, I went ahead and ate dinner around 6 PM and figured the night was coming to an end.  However, we ended up getting together at 8:30 PM for a very late dinner.  Of course, I wasn't planning on eating because I already ate earlier.  Then we got there and suddenly I was "hungry".  It was a sushi restaurant, which is not something I eat.  And the only other thing on the menu was tempura chicken....and lots of Miller Lite.  Eh, it is what is is.<br /><br />I was happy for a great night out with friends though - this is not something Joel and I get to partake in very often because of his conflicting work schedule.  We had a lot of fun! <br /><br />Sunday I spent the entire day making the dinners for the week.  Stay tuned for some awesome recipes!

Random Weight Loss Thoughts Weekend Recap

Happy Monday! My weekend was filled with grocery shopping, hanging out with friends, and a cooking affair on Sunday.  Saturday I was up fair...

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It's a quarter after one and I need...

It's a quarter after one and I need...a dry cast! I walked for an hour and a half last night at 8pm. The evening was gorgeous. It was 81 degrees with a nice breeze. I was really pushing myself which resulted in a disgusting and very sweaty cast. I've been tucking Kleenex in it and soaking up the sweat. It's totally gross, cold and clammy and really wet. Next I'm going to try the hairdryer. I was asleep for three hours but the cast woke me up because it's so uncomfortable.<br /><br /><b>My walk</b><br />I found a new trail and I'm very excited about it. It's the same BPA trail in Federal Way, a  ten-mile paved loop from my house where I use to ride my bike (too fast...hence broken wrist).<br /><br />Last night I discovered there's a dirt trail that runs next to the paved trail. It's separated by brush by about 200 feet in most areas. I like this a lot better because the terrain is a lot rougher, much hillier, and fewer people. I had a much harder and more interesting workout last night. Although, I think I'll be buying a can of pepper spray because it's a bit secluded.<br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>What my husband said about my diet and exercising affecting our lives..what I didn't tell you</b><br />I was mad and hurt at first. I told him I didn't choose to be like this and it sure as hell wasn't fun for me either. I'd love to eat whatever I wanted whenever the mood struck me (like he does), but if I did I would easily gain 100 pounds very quickly, and more. It's my cross to bear in life, this thing I have with food. I'm doing the best I can, but it will always be a battle for me. Always.<br /><br />He tried to continue with his reasoning that it causes a lot of hardship for HIM. This isn't the first time we've had this "discussion". I didn't back down before, and I certainly didn't this time. He has no concept of deprivation when it comes to food. He never looks at calories or carbs or fats, or any food label. He's never heard of calorieking.com nor does he care about my BodyMedia. <br /><br />He's not skinny and needs to lose at least 50 pounds, but he refuses to count calories or track his food, and he basically eats whatever he wants, when he wants it. If he's hungry, he eats. Nor does he exercise except 'working' in the yard.<br /><br />So when he tells me that <u>me </u>being on a diet all these years has been hard on <u>him</u>, I just want to scream. I sort of understand it, I guess, in a tiny, insignificant way maybe it has impacted him.<br /><br />I don't cook fat-laden, delicious meals like his mother did when he was growing up.<br /><br />Or maybe I do always check out how many calories in an item before I eat it, or pick a restaurant based on what's available that I know is healthy and I can eat without totally ruining my diet.<br /><br />I never eat movie popcorn with him. Does this stop him? I wish it did, but it doesn't. I don't say anything either, like 'do you know how many calories are in that?! OMG!'. I keep my mouth shut and don't make an issue about it. I'm not a popcorn fan so it doesn't bother me, but I know it's very unhealthy for him.<br /><br />Birthday cakes, I have a sliver then the rest gets cut up in pieces and frozen...all for him.I still haven't figured out why he keeps buying birthday cakes for me (I guess he likes cake?).<br /><br />Then he told me he resents all the time I spend working out. Those were fighting words. He apparently has no concept of how hard it was, and sometimes still is, for me to exercise almost every day. I consider this a major achievement in my life, to be a person that works out consistently. I've been doing this for over three and a half years and plan on doing it the rest of my life. And he "resents" it?<br /><br />That's when the conversation took a bad turn because that really me me mad. <br /><br />I told him I wasn't changing. This was all for my heath. Period. I wasn't going to ever stop my vigilance with food. I will continue to exercise until I'm physically unable to do it. I told that I was sorry this was such a hardship for HIM (I didn't scream it, but I wanted to). I also told him if I didn't do these things I could guarantee him I'd gain a lot of weight very quickly. Didn't he remember how miserable I was at 240 pounds? Talk about not being fun! I was very unhappy..<br /><br />My husband isn't an ogre nor is he stupid. He quickly apologized, told me he was proud of me, of how hard I try and how much I work at being healthy. He would never want me to stop (that was the correct response if he wanted to stay married).<br /><br />On the other hand, I'm trying to lighten up a little. That was why I agreed to the all-you-can-eat seafood buffet at a casino. Although in my head I was dreading it (no nutritional info so I had to make my best guess on calories)  and I knew there was no way we'd get our money's worth on my dinner. <br /><br />It's all good. I'm still counting calories and still exercising, and we're still married. :)

It's a quarter after one and I need...

It's a quarter after one and I need...a dry cast! I walked for an hour and a half last night at 8pm. The evening was gorgeous. It was 81...

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I spent the night with Elvis

Okay, so it wasn't the whole night, only about ninety minutes. It wasn't the real Elvis, but this guy, Elvis impersonator Steve Sogura (who was incredibly and surprisingly good):<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3ntw8LnRQW2sHWHv5M9QvAaYU1n8KAgJA9c4X9MhHCO3hFnAmpTTKPPANRMOrgxyk0I8CJ2N_MQDg_MzEe3VqefjHmPKknjMBJCIFQ7TuIQXAA1c4QrfXyAMLGbtICHuckYASDmUgZ-Y/s1600/elvis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3ntw8LnRQW2sHWHv5M9QvAaYU1n8KAgJA9c4X9MhHCO3hFnAmpTTKPPANRMOrgxyk0I8CJ2N_MQDg_MzEe3VqefjHmPKknjMBJCIFQ7TuIQXAA1c4QrfXyAMLGbtICHuckYASDmUgZ-Y/s400/elvis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />It was our 23rd wedding anniversary yesterday. We usually try to do something different or special on our anniversary because it is a special day (Lord only knows how we made it this far).<br /><br />Since I can't travel (my flight benefits are suspended - which is fine), my husband wanted to go to the Muckleshoot Casino for their all-you-can-eat seafood buffet. Personally, I'd almost rather have my eyes poked out with a sharp stick.<br /><br />a.) I hate casinos. The noise, the smoking, and watching people that you know can't afford it throwing away good money is all almost more than I can stand. I'm not a gambler and personally, I just do not understand the entertainment value. I've tried it a few times and thought it was boring and a waste of money (obviously Ive never won anything substantial).<br /><br />b.) All-you-can-eat seafood buffet. Need I say more?<br /><br />In an effort to be more fun, I agreed to go. A few weeks ago my husband told me that my constant diet and exercise really has had a negative impact on our lives all these years, and he was tired of it (not of me, I guess--just my relationship with food and how I often don't want to do food related activities). He doesn't get it.<br /><br />I could write a very long post on the previous paragraph but since I only have one good hand, I'll spare you for now.<br /><br />My review of the Muckleshoot Casino food -  yuk! Bad food. I didn't know it was peel your own shrimp and crack your own crab. With only one hand that is almost impossible. My husband offered to do it for me but I didn't like the shrimp (mushy and tasted funny) and the crab was super salty so after one bite I was done with the crab.<br /><br />My dinner was Northwest salmon (wild Alaskan Chinook is better), smoked salmon (too salty), a few shrimp, a big pile of perfectly steamed broccoli, and cantaloupe and honeydew melon for dessert.<br /><br />In spite of the food not quite being what we expected, we had a really good time. We decided to go to the free show, the Elvis impersonator, Steve Sogura (from Ravensdale, WA). It sounded a little cheesy and I didn't expect much. I was shocked at how much he sounded, looked and moved like a young Elvis. Especially the voice. He had it down perfectly. My husband, a rather harsh critic, loved the show. I'd highly recommend it (skip the buffet).<br /><br />Weight this morning, a new low (well, at least this time around): 183.4.<br /><br />By the way, you'll notice no pictures of me for a while. I had a hair catastrophe earlier this week. A bang trim that butchered my bangs. Almost an inch and a half above my eyebrows, and ash blond on my golden blond hair. I have an appointment to get the color fixed (with my regular color person). The bangs, well, I guess they'll grow. Long story on what happened. Anyway, I'm camera shy right now.<br /><br />Funny thing, two days after my bad hair experince, Jen, Prior Fat Girl, wrote this <a href="http://www.priorfatgirl.com/2011/08/i-am-not.html">post </a>with the video, " I Am Not My Hair" by India Arie. Made me smile.<br /><br /><br />

I spent the night with Elvis

Okay, so it wasn't the whole night, only about ninety minutes. It wasn't the real Elvis, but this guy, Elvis impersonator Steve Sogu...

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IF NOT THE ECONOMIC CRISES, THEN BE IT LA NIÑA….. SI NO LA CRISIS ECONÓMICA, ENTONCES SERA LA NIÑA ... ..

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">LATIN AMERICAS ECONOMY IS BOOMING, A FACT NOT MANY WANT TO ACCEPT……</span><br /><span lang="ES" style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="color: blue;">LA ECONOMÍA DE AMÉRICA LATINA ESTÁ EN AUGE, HECHO QUE NO MUCHOS QUIEREN ACEPTAR ... ...</span></span><br /> <br /> </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;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="266" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UBaXM8elJb0?feature=player_embedded" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="320"></iframe></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>http://www.latameconomy.org/en/outlook/ </b></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is interesting to see how certain mainstream media, under the influence of lobbyists, try to anything to manipulate opinion of the reader by portraying certain topics in biased ways.</span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">One such example is “The Economist” a reputable weekly magazine based in the UK. Reputable only when <u>not</u> covering Latin America, for when it comes to eco – political topics regarding Latin America and especially Argentina it becomes evident that “The Economist” follows a certain agenda which clearly is bias and manipulated by other entities.</span></div><div style="color: blue;"><span lang="ES" style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Es interesante ver cómo algunos medios de comunicación, bajo la influencia de los grupos de presión, intentan cualquier cosa para manipular a la opinión del lector al presentar algunos temas de manera sesgada.<br /> </span></div></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="ES" style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: orange;">Un ejemplo es "The Economist", una revista semanal de buena reputación en el Reino Unido. Reputación intachable sólo cuando no cubre América Latina, por lo que se refiere a los temas eco políticos de América Latina y de Argentina en particular se hace evidente que "The Economist" sigue un programa determinado que claramente es sesgado y manipulado por otras entidades.</span><br style="color: orange;" /><span style="color: orange;"> </span><br /> </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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLCZQFn8-JWV4hsfnlVe06ChaMS_HbY7ftef5OU5BQMsLX4X2GXb4LzWu0GV59EzW2o5lWrWqGMGJWZ4fAfxI_y-aVNKdyz4E5uYdpYQUa8w7UxO4NUoOMzQ8fFWtx2-234R3iLnCQ_YF/s1600/1313039624204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLCZQFn8-JWV4hsfnlVe06ChaMS_HbY7ftef5OU5BQMsLX4X2GXb4LzWu0GV59EzW2o5lWrWqGMGJWZ4fAfxI_y-aVNKdyz4E5uYdpYQUa8w7UxO4NUoOMzQ8fFWtx2-234R3iLnCQ_YF/s320/1313039624204.jpg" width="297" /></a>On August 13^th the magazine published an article on Latin Americas economy in which one realizes, even if one is not an economist, how the article is manipulative and bias, simply because certain entities clearly envy the economic progress the continent is experiencing.       </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the article the usual rhetoric’s about the threat of overheating economy and high inflation is dominating the story. According to The Economist, Brazil’s inflation is 6.9% above the target. What the article does not mention is that in comparison Europe faces similar high inflation numbers with the UK, “The Economists” home base, reaching 4.4%!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: blue; text-align: justify;"><span lang="ES" style="font-size: large;">El 13 de agosto, la revista publicó un artículo sobre la economía de América Latina en la que uno se da cuenta, incluso si uno no es economista, que el artículo es manipulativo, simplemente porque algunas entidades claramente envidian, el progreso económico  que el continente está experimentando.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="color: blue; text-align: justify;"><span lang="ES" style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Este artículo está dominado por la retórica habitual sobre la amenaza del recalentamiento de la economía y la alta inflación. Según The Economist, la inflación de Brasil es de 6,9% por encima del objetivo. Lo que el artículo no menciona es que en comparación Europa enfrenta números similares de inflación alta en el Reino Unido,base de operación de  "los economistas", alcanzando el 4,4%!</span></div></div><span lang="ES" style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"> <br /> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When it comes to Argentina and its economic growth, political and financial lobbyists of various political and corporate entities are clearly annoyed by the way the country is advancing, although being expelled from the INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL MARKETS.  Argentina has refused to adhere to IMF doctrine and subsequently was able to grow economically and developed independent policies. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span lang="ES" style="color: orange; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Cuando se trata de la Argentina y su crecimiento económico, los grupos de presión política y financiera de las distintas entidades políticas y corporativas están claramente molestos por la forma en que el país está avanzando, a pesar de ser expulsados </span><span lang="ES" style="color: orange; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">​​</span><span lang="ES" style="color: orange; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">de los mercados financieros</span><span lang="ES" style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: orange;"> internacionales. Argentina se ha negado a adherirse a la doctrina del FMI y, posteriormente, fue capaz de crecer económicamente y desarrollar políticas independientes.</span><br style="color: orange;" /><span style="color: orange;"> </span><br /> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Reading the article it becomes imminent that “The Economist” promotes the views and stances of the IMF and mainstream economic models which cater for the “casino finance” markets and its speculators. This becomes evident when praising Chile, the only country in Latin America which adheres strictly to USA and IMF doctrines and subsequently is suffering its worst political and economic crisis in LATAM.</span><br /><div style="color: blue;"><span lang="ES" style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Leyendo el artículo se hace inminente que "The Economist" promueve las opiniones y posturas del FMI y principales modelos económicos que atienden al "casino financiero” de  los mercados y sus especuladores. Esto se hace evidente cuando alabando a Chile, el único país de América Latina, que se adhiere estrictamente a las doctrinas de EE.UU. y el FMI quien posteriormente, está sufriendo su peor crisis política y económica en LATAM. </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 style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The British magazine praises Chile for having gone furthest in <b>rising taxes</b> and cut its fiscal deficit to 1.8% of GDP this year. What they don’t mention is that part of the recent protest in Chile was not only about <b>budget cuts in education</b>, (</span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">See my recent posting dated 13th August 2011)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> one of the main IMF demands from governments utilizing its grants, but also because the current government has done little to nothing in infrastructure improvements in the wake of last year’s earthquake. </span><br /><span lang="ES" style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: orange;">La revista británica elogia a Chile por haber llegado más lejos en el aumento de los impuestos y reducir su déficit fiscal a 1,8% del PIB este año. Lo que no mencionan es que parte de la reciente protesta en Chile no sólo fue generada por los recortes presupuestarios en educación, (ver la reciente publicación de fecha XXX) una de las principales demandas del FMI a los gobiernos que utilizan sus donaciones, sino también porque el actual gobierno ha hecho poco o nada en mejoras de infraestructura a raíz del terremoto del año pasado.</span><br /> <br /> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the wake of economic growth in the region and a stagnating economy in the USA and Europe, eco- political lobbyists and policy makers do their utmost to portray LATAM as unstable economic entity. Thus it becomes evident that the IMF utilizes media propaganda tactics to spread uncertainty regarding LATAM economy by forecasting a fall in LATAMS growth to 3.5% next year and just 3% in 2013, which in view of some LATAM economists seems somewhat exaggerated.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span lang="ES" style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: orange;">Debido al crecimiento económico en la región y el estancamiento de la economía en los EE.UU. y Europa, los grupos de presión eco-políticos y los políticos hacen todo lo posible para retratar LATAM como entidad económica inestable. Así se pone de manifiesto que el FMI utiliza tácticas de los medios de propaganda para difundir la incertidumbre sobre la economía de LATAM en previsión de una caída en el crecimiento LATAMS al 3,5% el próximo año y sólo el 3% en 2013, que en opinión de algunos economistas LATAM parece algo exagerado.</span><br /> <br /> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The reason for biased media coverage and distorted market predictions regarding LATAM are because most of the current governments in LATAM distance themselves from IMF and “Wall Street Casino Finance” doctrines thus denying the “big players of the establishment” a larger portion of the economic cake available in LATAM. </span><br /><div style="color: blue;"><span lang="ES" style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">La razón del sesgo de los medios de comunicación y las predicciones de distorsión del mercado con respecto a LATAM se deben a que la mayoría de los gobiernos de turno de LATAM se distancian de las doctrinas del FMI y del "Wall Street Casino Finanzas" negando así a los "grandes jugadores de la creación" una mayor porción de la tarta económica disponible en LATAM.<br /><br /> </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;">How desperate these entities are to portray a negative outlook for LATAM becomes evident when MercoPress, a Uruguayan based online newspaper published an article which claims that the “</span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">La Niña</span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">” weather pattern currently forming might threaten crops in Argentina and Brazil, reducing productivity and export, subsequently effecting economic growth in the region.</span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: blue;"><span lang="ES" style="font-size: large;">¿Qué tan desesperadas están estas entidades para retratar un panorama negativo para LATAM se hace evidente cuando MercoPress, un diario uruguayo online publicó un artículo que afirma que "La Niña", fenómeno climático que actualmente se está  formando puede poner en peligro las cosechas de Argentina y Brasil, reduciendo la productividad y las exportaciones, subsecuentemente afectando el crecimiento económico en la región.</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><u><b>Food for thought on IMF doctrines: </b></u> </span></div><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; line-height: 115%;">Also see : </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://en.mercopress.com/2011/08/17/la-nina-threatens-brazil-and-argentina-crops-says-oil-world">http://en.mercopress.com/2011/08/17/la-nina-threatens-brazil-and-argentina-crops-says-oil-world</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;"><a href="http://www.economist.com/world/americas">http://www.economist.com/world/americas</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="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>

IF NOT THE ECONOMIC CRISES, THEN BE IT LA NIÑA….. SI NO LA CRISIS ECONÓMICA, ENTONCES SERA LA NIÑA ... ..

LATIN AMERICAS ECONOMY IS BOOMING, A FACT NOT MANY WANT TO ACCEPT…… LA ECONOMÍA DE AMÉRICA LATINA ESTÁ EN AUGE, HECHO QUE NO MUCHOS QUIEREN ...

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Starting the Weekend Off Right!

You saw me <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/08/lets-say-it-all-together-folks.html">complaining on Thursday</a> about my gain at the Weight Watchers meeting on Wednesday evening.  Well, even though I don't count that weigh in as my official weigh in, it still hurt.<br /><br />Friday's are my official weigh in days.  They have been for years.  Yes, years.  I've been a WW member for years folks (even though I'm 27, I've been doing it off and on since high school!).  So today is Friday.  Today was my weigh in.  Today I lost 1 pound!<br /><br /><b>I'm proud of myself for this.</b>  Now, my scale is slightly different from that of the WW scale so it's not comparing apples to apples.  Still, I'm just happy to have a loss of a pound.  If all I ever drop is a pound a week for a year, then that's 52 pounds gone at the end of a year and I'd be VERY okay with that!  <br /><br />I also wanted to share some updates on the 2 challenges I'm doing with some lovely ladies over at the <a href="http://www.priorfatgirl.com/">Priorfatgirl.com</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/08/staying-on-track-with-august-goals.html">The first challenge is the New Rules of Lifting for Women</a>.  I just started my first week on this challenge, and so far so good!  Even though I'm a member at Gold's, I wanted to do these workouts in the comfort of my living room before I take my inexperienced and insecure booty to the gym to do them in front of the Meat Heads.  Even though I'd have Joel by my side the whole time, and he says he even feels insecure, I'm just not ready yet.  But I will be soon!  Did I mention Joel is doing this with me?  That is one reason why I love Joel so much.  He's not afraid that this book is specifically titled "for Women".  After all, the author states that women are fully capable of lifting the same amount of weight as men do (or something to that effect).  We've done 2 workouts so far and have gotten great results.  Great = sore.  Sore = muscle building.  Muscle building = success.  Go us!<br /><br />The second challenge is the Beck Diet Solution.  This isn't actually a diet, it's simply a cognitive behavioral therapy book that helps you become aware of your behaviors with food.  Each day you are asked to focus on one behavioral aspect.  For example, so far this week we've been asked to do the following:<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7s8LIffcI7E5GRmuIrsVoI0NFs_vn-a0M6yCmrFZZ43YQMTzVCiQSnzUf-_Ihcw9mg_rrvG_DncC7qpeNjVVApKQm0cots1pXw2ldfhyphenhyphenzYHo0B1UAP1ysiIgyZ2t0AP4JKI60T3ZgyU/s1600/blog%2521+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7s8LIffcI7E5GRmuIrsVoI0NFs_vn-a0M6yCmrFZZ43YQMTzVCiQSnzUf-_Ihcw9mg_rrvG_DncC7qpeNjVVApKQm0cots1pXw2ldfhyphenhyphenzYHo0B1UAP1ysiIgyZ2t0AP4JKI60T3ZgyU/s400/blog%2521+004.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><br /> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The supplies for the Beck challenge: post it's, 3x5 index cards, a notebook (not pictured) and the book itself.  Things not needed: the Halloween cat (also known as Charles).</td></tr><br /> </tbody></table><br /><blockquote>1. <b>Write down the advantages of losing weight.</b>  This is clearly a subjective assignment.  What do <i>you </i>think are advantages for <i>you </i>for losing weight?<br /><br />2. <b>Pick 2 reasonable diets. </b>I've struggled with identifying a second diet.  My first pick is Weight Watchers.  I'm struggling between simple calorie counting, <a href="http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/biggest-loser-diet">the Biggest Loser diet</a>, or this one I've been reading about from Elle at the Priorfatgirl, call <a href="http://www.cynthiasass.com/the-cinch-book.html">the Cinch diet</a>.  Any ideas?  I'm a very picky eater so not a lot of eating plans work for me.<br /><br />3. <b>Eat sitting down.</b>  Self explanatory.  The idea is that you're not shoving food in your mouth while you're making it.  Only enjoy eating the food when sitting down, which if you're sitting down it probably means the meal is ready to be eaten in its entirety, not just in bits and pieces while you're preparing it.  I actually don't struggle with this at all (unless I'm baking cookies!).<br /><br />4. <b>Give yourself credit.</b>  Were you able to resist the offer of take out from your favorite Korean restaurant when your boyfriend texted you saying he could <i>easily </i>swing buy and bring that home for dinner?  Yes, I was!  Well, I'm just gonna go ahead and pat myself on the back then Miss Thang.<br /><br />5. <b>Eat slowly and mindfully.</b>  If you're inhaling your food, chances are you're not really enjoying it and savoring the taste.  Not only that, but you may find yourself hungry an hour later because you practically swallowed that turkey breast roast whole in t-minus 5 minutes!  Try to have a sit down meal at your dinner table, without the TV on or without the computer sitting in front of you.  The gist is to minimize the distractions while eating.  Dr. Beck gives tips for those who have small children that need tending to during/after you as the parent have finished your meal. Again, not something I struggle with but it's still good to be mindful of it anyhow.</blockquote>I'm really enjoying both of these challenges so far.  If you are participating in either of these challenges, or have participated, how did they work for you?<br /><br />Best wishes to everyone for a lovely weekend! :)<br /><br />

New Rules of Lifting for Women The Beck Diet Solution Weight Loss Challenges Weight Watchers Starting the Weekend Off Right!

You saw me complaining on Thursday about my gain at the Weight Watchers meeting on Wednesday evening.  Well, even though I don't count ...

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Wednesday's Cruise in pictures

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The day was fun. Good people, good food, good weather..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I ate as healthy as possible on the cruise considering we had to pre-order the food and no nutritional information available. I had salmon, mashed potatoes that were amazing but I ate only about 1/3 cup, and fresh asparagus. There was bread and a little salad before lunch and strawberry cheesecake afterwards that was the best cheesecake I've ever tasted (I had one very tiny bite). My best guesstimate using BodyMedia to log my food was 670 calories for that one meal. I had even left a lot of food on my plate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Exercise lacking yesterday but I made up for it today (StairMaster). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Doctor appointment in the morning to review my lab results. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Too tired to write anything else (with my one hand).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What we saw when we got off the chartered bus from our corporate office. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_zSOwMn8p3h970fW6ZMwG89N_Jeuor8lOnkcrW8rNQX0J9gq31uVkyeSCsWjqVnJoPBKsUgmEiUNVOTeF188hmnZdccRKkoSd5TLCviFJFE7zii_UIbpZ-0sM5e2nW3NFzCb3t0HBm6S/s1600/Argosy+cruises.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_zSOwMn8p3h970fW6ZMwG89N_Jeuor8lOnkcrW8rNQX0J9gq31uVkyeSCsWjqVnJoPBKsUgmEiUNVOTeF188hmnZdccRKkoSd5TLCviFJFE7zii_UIbpZ-0sM5e2nW3NFzCb3t0HBm6S/s400/Argosy+cruises.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">From onboard the boat from the dining room.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuLDaX_dexLwarEP0eNGeJf7-6CItv2pl8hE_z3Ys5_BsU0DCb9yrZmHk_GzFIPzeAGO5A7FVYDaCSP5CezbWPUyAE4lEfIrUkuGjybY_4QbAGZPy2tArkECLFmFOuIm1NfE9h-6v7SsA/s1600/ferry+%2526+space.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuLDaX_dexLwarEP0eNGeJf7-6CItv2pl8hE_z3Ys5_BsU0DCb9yrZmHk_GzFIPzeAGO5A7FVYDaCSP5CezbWPUyAE4lEfIrUkuGjybY_4QbAGZPy2tArkECLFmFOuIm1NfE9h-6v7SsA/s400/ferry+%2526+space.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">From the top deck.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ab7EIrNfwLRZPaGGcLarRTa4sN-A-F8CT5sY2QNK1GV5PshGVHD_fkPSqvWYjMNqSs9psOfdOUQ5CiUGHarEMF2NqVNXr2dLCmtC3ppMk-WyrFGyS_XRsMO3oiytnCeaQlCdJTc_Kw0Y/s1600/mt+rainier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ab7EIrNfwLRZPaGGcLarRTa4sN-A-F8CT5sY2QNK1GV5PshGVHD_fkPSqvWYjMNqSs9psOfdOUQ5CiUGHarEMF2NqVNXr2dLCmtC3ppMk-WyrFGyS_XRsMO3oiytnCeaQlCdJTc_Kw0Y/s400/mt+rainier.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">More from the deck</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyBm2cVicVLJZNG539AC7cJv4hO-9LpSR-P8tdD5s6DzLM-cGoieJAr4-tGMxiFuLie2E51W0Ew-j288eddT_8h-x1bZtuhwCIGxxoAHshBEb_w9QniZh7VQuvzMwC_d4jEyExszMjQHN/s1600/ferry+%2526+space.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyBm2cVicVLJZNG539AC7cJv4hO-9LpSR-P8tdD5s6DzLM-cGoieJAr4-tGMxiFuLie2E51W0Ew-j288eddT_8h-x1bZtuhwCIGxxoAHshBEb_w9QniZh7VQuvzMwC_d4jEyExszMjQHN/s400/ferry+%2526+space.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The top deck.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDu4gQme0ikLdXfVYxTzJ6gZbO6vZmLMZXDFUiwdoFxdVVzy1w125Y0yHf_g0ltAz4i0pVQl9voD3SGxCaYvYddYaNXclHY5sO9v16ol_yWokT3lLhDOI4x3DUUTQsv163ZIwIL-VgmflD/s1600/deck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDu4gQme0ikLdXfVYxTzJ6gZbO6vZmLMZXDFUiwdoFxdVVzy1w125Y0yHf_g0ltAz4i0pVQl9voD3SGxCaYvYddYaNXclHY5sO9v16ol_yWokT3lLhDOI4x3DUUTQsv163ZIwIL-VgmflD/s400/deck.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The 35-year lapel pin. There were company anniversaries from 20 to 40 years (starting with 20 every five years is a milestone with a celebration). Total years of experience of the people being honored was 990 years. My best friend got the most applause because to know her is to love her.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgXuQgiVCZmMJI_ijmcnKneex2k190sGl8Fvzd6GS4egBau7YbY1nWyo5L7pE8A3T3oOAyJLMTpkrLSEDZWUQ-jTD0lb5XWZRuT8zDUa6FK26NV6IXeJF7xfliZEHqbNP9WtolPJvEvj7/s1600/35+yrs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgXuQgiVCZmMJI_ijmcnKneex2k190sGl8Fvzd6GS4egBau7YbY1nWyo5L7pE8A3T3oOAyJLMTpkrLSEDZWUQ-jTD0lb5XWZRuT8zDUa6FK26NV6IXeJF7xfliZEHqbNP9WtolPJvEvj7/s320/35+yrs.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />

Wednesday's Cruise in pictures

The day was fun. Good people, good food, good weather.. I ate as healthy as possible on the cruise considering we had to pre-order the food ...

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SchoolNet's Adobe Youth Voices programme sends a team to California

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="132" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div closure_uid_gwx7rf="128"><span style="color: black;"><i><span closure_uid_gwx7rf="122" closure_uid_kzol4l="115" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is really worth participating in SchoolNet’s Adobe Youth Voices programme as Hlengiwe Mfeka discovered. Hlengiwe took part in the programme, and she and 2 of her learners from Mconjwana High School in rural KZN were selected to go to Santa Clara, California on the 2 August 2011 to attend the Adobe Youth Voices Summit where their very thought-provoking and moving movie on Street Children was screened. </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span closure_uid_gwx7rf="124" style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Let me tell you a bit about Hlengwie. She</span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span closure_uid_e3uywh="125" closure_uid_g9a3w6="129" closure_uid_gwx7rf="125" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> is currently working for SchoolNet SA as an ICT Support Specialist who is responsible for mentoring educators taking part in the KZN Midlands SITA project.  She is also responsible for a range of ICT training initiatives of teachers in the province. In 2009 she won a Microsoft Innovative Teacher’s Award in South Africa for her project </span></i><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">entitled My community, My Place, My Pride, and she </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>went on to</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i><i><span closure_uid_g9a3w6="130" closure_uid_gwx7rf="126" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">represent South Africa at the Pan African Finals with her project. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span closure_uid_g9a3w6="131" closure_uid_gwx7rf="127" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Later in the same year Hlengiwe and two other SA educators along with one learner each were invited to participate in a live conferencing event with Nigerian educators which was attended by the Education Ministers of both South Africa and Nigeria in Microsoft’s Offices in Johannesburg. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2010, she was featured in Destiny Magazine February issue as one of the South African women on the move in the Education field.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Here is Hlengiwe’s guest post about her visit to California </span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="132" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><span style="background: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i>  <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">2011 AYV Summit</span></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span closure_uid_g9a3w6="133" style="font-size: small;">Sadness was written on the face of the parents and friends when we left them at the international boarding gate of King Ushaka airport late on the 1^st of August 2011 Monday; of course they were happy for us but anxious. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand both Nontobeko and Mpumelelo were over the moon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="134" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">The duration of our flights from Durban to Dubai was almost 9hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span>We waited for +2hrs to connect the next flight to San Francisco.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We then left Dubai at 9h00am on Tuesday and arrived at San Francisco the following day at 13h30pm; amazingly it was Tuesday there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We discovered that California is behind South African time by 9hrs. </span></span></em></div><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/AVvXsEgn9eE2RyIXFrkJ2c_JuGSH1nOzD5901xUZq0fon9g0bI1ZnJfNl4u1FQtkXfo6kUzg0vP5hPFfmvd2f11xxAAu8m6LUyLY1_49v8CEEMbxlqODmG4MYsiQXzbk6XCnpLkZkDKeN0Iwb2k/s1600/depart+at+King+Ushaka+airport.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9eE2RyIXFrkJ2c_JuGSH1nOzD5901xUZq0fon9g0bI1ZnJfNl4u1FQtkXfo6kUzg0vP5hPFfmvd2f11xxAAu8m6LUyLY1_49v8CEEMbxlqODmG4MYsiQXzbk6XCnpLkZkDKeN0Iwb2k/s400/depart+at+King+Ushaka+airport.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" closure_uid_g9a3w6="221" style="text-align: center;">Departing from King Ushaka Airport</td></tr> </tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="134" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="134" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tuesday, August 2</span></span></b></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span closure_uid_g9a3w6="222" style="font-size: small;">We met the other team from Nigeria at the airport who were also Summit attendees; we then stick to each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We arrived at Santa Clara University something to 5pm; it is about 45 min away from the airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Kate Goddard who is a Summit Event Manager warm welcomed and assisted us with the registration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We thereafter check in to our rooms; teachers were allocated on the same block while students were allocated on a different block which was away from ours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span>It was dinner time already at 5h30pm to 6h30pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We were instructed to assembly at Benson Center after dinner for Orientation and Welcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>When we arrived we thought we will have time to rest after a long travelling to our surprise there was no such.</span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">We were welcomed by EDC and Adobe staff members where they shared the slogan of the week which was ‘extraordinary’; saying each day of the week will be an extra ordinary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Youth were introduced to their Media Mentors and counsellors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Media Mentors were to facilitate a collaborative project with Youth production crews while counsellors were to take care of each production group (act like boarding masters or matrons).</span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span closure_uid_gwx7rf="133" style="font-size: small;">Youth production groups consisted the following: </span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="132" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-collapse: collapse; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; mso-border-insideh: none; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;"><tbody> <tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: #f0f0f0; border-left: #f0f0f0; border-right: #f0f0f0; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><div closure_uid_gwx7rf="132"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: Symbol; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">         </span></span></span></em><em><span closure_uid_gwx7rf="131" lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Human Rights (which South Africa team belonged to) </span></em></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: Symbol; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">         </span></span></span></em><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Community</span></em></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: Symbol; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">         </span></span></span></em><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Environment</span></em></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: Symbol; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">         </span></span></span></em><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Education</span></em></div></td><td style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: #f0f0f0; border-left: #f0f0f0; border-right: #f0f0f0; border-top: #f0f0f0; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: Symbol; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">         </span></span></span></em><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Identity </span></em></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: Symbol; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">         </span></span></span></em><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Culture</span></em></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: Symbol; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">         </span></span></span></em><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Relationships </span></em></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: Symbol; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">         </span></span></span></em><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Change</span></em></div></td></tr> </tbody></table><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Youth groups had to create a media project that represents the group’s diverse global perspective and inspires audience with a positive vision within two days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span>On the other hand Lead Educators (that is how educators were called) had their programme which included sharing of innovative curriculum ideas and ways to facilitate and encourage high quality Youth produced media.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Our main task was to create a short instructional video on a given topic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We were also divided into eight teams of four members each.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span closure_uid_gwx7rf="134" style="font-size: small;">The teams were given their topics: </span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="132" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="223" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">After the orientation we had an evening activity which aimed at attendees get to know each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Each participant was given a paper with prompts where they had to find people who are able to do what is written on the prompt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>This activity was led by Deidre Searcy, EDC Senior Associate who was also a Lead Educator Instructor or Facilitator for the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>After the activity Youth and Educator met with their collaboration groups to create a motion or animated slogan of their group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>All groups thereafter shared their slogans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="223" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div closure_uid_gwx7rf="148"><em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wednesday, August 3</span></span></b></em></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Everyday breakfast starts at 7h30 to 8h30am, Lunch at 12h00 to 1h00pm and Dinner at 5h30 to 6h30.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Those were the only times I will get to see Nontobeko and Mpumelelo. </span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="224" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the morning we all attended an opening session at the Recital Hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We were addressed by Ms Laura Ling; an American journalist who is a correspondent for Current TV which is a political and youth-orientated channel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span>She is also a Vice President of Current TV Vanguard Journalisim Unit, which produces the Vanguard TV series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span>Laura shared her experiences where she was held a prisoner for twelve years hard labor for doing her work as a journalist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>She talked about what sustained her throughout that painful period and how she was able to maintain hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span>She offered advice on how to create projects that are personally meaningful to youth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I was deeply inspired and moved by her talk which motivated everyone to go back to their countries and speak out using media creation as an instrument.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></span></em></div><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/AVvXsEgoBEMlFaQiy4F0iVHB5PIpTVjAqLv2lnqbpObCpDN2tMv8Pf4StVvNJIwX7wu20YMqGND3HnJu6Be98TVpEmYa-CjS5CGy_Heu3NjIENiKemthhW2m4iSXsIYZTgEV994cH3mQE2PLo64/s1600/Laura+Ling+a+political+journalist%252C++keynote+speaker+at+the+summit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBEMlFaQiy4F0iVHB5PIpTVjAqLv2lnqbpObCpDN2tMv8Pf4StVvNJIwX7wu20YMqGND3HnJu6Be98TVpEmYa-CjS5CGy_Heu3NjIENiKemthhW2m4iSXsIYZTgEV994cH3mQE2PLo64/s400/Laura+Ling+a+political+journalist%252C++keynote+speaker+at+the+summit.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" closure_uid_g9a3w6="292" style="text-align: center;">Laura Ling a political journalist</td></tr> </tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="224" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">There was a breakaway workshop for Youth Media Collaboration (Youth) and Lead Educator Training (Educators).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Groups brainstorming, planning pre-production and taking photo shoots for their videos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">In our Lead Educator Training; educators introduced themselves and I was happy to meet two of my mentors from my AYV online course – Ivo and Svetlana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I also met in person with Lisa from IEARN who was also happy to meet me, she is very humble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Communication was a bit of a problem as some of the educators had difficulties with speaking English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>There were interpreters organized for other teachers and learners to sit next to them e.g. Columbia, Japan etc. </span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my group I had teachers from San Francisco – Jorge Goncalves, New York – Sarah Moore and Argentina – Federico Waisbaum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I felt that our skills complimented as we were working together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>There was a lot to do in a short space of time as we were only given two days to complete our video.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span></span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nontobeko and Mpumelelo seemed to cope well in their groups from the conversations that we had during breaks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>They appreciated their group members whom they say were very welcoming and warm but crazy (very noisy, talk their minds, hyper active etc) out of all the participants. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing Mpumelelo as a shy person; I was surprised to observe him slowly adapting to their craziness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>When their group learned that his second name is Gladman they said he is indeed a glad man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thursday, August 4</span></span></b></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">The morning started with an opening session where participants were given an opportunity to share key learning experiences from the previous day.</span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Youth Collaborative Media Project and Lead Educator Training continued where everyone was working under pressure to finish the video.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Educators groups were to showcase their videos other educators at 14h00pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>As we were chasing time it was not easy to learn new advanced media skills from team mates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Nevertheless I had an opportunity to explore more techniques in premier elements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I enjoyed the showcasing time; videos created by educators were dynamic.</span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="294" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span closure_uid_g9a3w6="293" style="font-size: small;">Late in the evening students were finalizing their projects as they were to be showcased on Saturday morning before Youth Live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Nontobeko told me that together with Mpume were tasked to edit their group video; she mentioned that they were managing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I was relieved but anxious since editing is very challenging stage.</span></span></em></div><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/AVvXsEhGm4AqxIDiZavYumibbXgAk2-leqFqfpfe9eFituhSEjLeZQjUUW1iylUyQ_b995K20DPtK-UPbyxituI_TJ-OhqVtFvXDU0Nni5DjXJj71hHVIc7hyphenhyphenuWCnmZQG6oaA3hOQvR_FD2HyQE/s1600/Left-Temitope%2528Nigeria%2529%252C+Tanga+%2528India%2529+%2526+Hlengi+%2528SA%2529+at+the+theatre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGm4AqxIDiZavYumibbXgAk2-leqFqfpfe9eFituhSEjLeZQjUUW1iylUyQ_b995K20DPtK-UPbyxituI_TJ-OhqVtFvXDU0Nni5DjXJj71hHVIc7hyphenhyphenuWCnmZQG6oaA3hOQvR_FD2HyQE/s400/Left-Temitope%2528Nigeria%2529%252C+Tanga+%2528India%2529+%2526+Hlengi+%2528SA%2529+at+the+theatre.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" closure_uid_g9a3w6="361" style="text-align: center;">Temitopi (Nigeria), Tanga (India) and helngiwe (South Africa)</td></tr> </tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="294" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Friday, August 5 </span></span></b></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tour to Adobe Headquarters at San Jose, Carlifornia</span></span></b></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Breakout sessions were planned for educators to take place at Adobe Headquarters as follows:</span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Motion Graphics with After Effects:</span></b></em><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Learn to incorporate motion graphics titles or animations for video projects.</span></em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Photoshop and Design:</span></b></em><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Learn the design, layout and create composite collages that can be incorporated into AYV program.</span></em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Connect, Captivate, and Presenter:</span></b></em><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Learn how to create tutorials to collaborate more easily with youth and educators globally with Adobe Captivate, Connect and Presenter.</span></em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">My first choice was to attend After Effects session but it was already full then I attended Photoshop and Design.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I found the workshop interesting and it refreshed my skills in using Photoshop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We only had two hours session which was not enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I wished we had more workshops of that kind spread over the days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>After the workshop we explored Adobe building, different departments and cool features of the building which includes: gym, laundry, massages room, inside restaurants, diet health advisors, computer labs, tennis ground and lot more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>All these facilities are available to staff for free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Adobe has 2000 staff in total.</span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Youth gathered together at one common venue where they participated on planned activities for them.</span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="362" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></em><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">After lunch we visited San Francisco attractions to name a few; Beach, Golden Gate Famous Bridge, Museum, Botanic Gardens etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>This time educators were united with their youth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We had 2hrs of our own at Pier 39; a very long street in San Francisco. This was a more relaxed day for all of us.</span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div closure_uid_gwx7rf="149"><em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Saturday, August 6</span></span></b></em></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="363" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">This day was spent on exhibition of work created by both educators and youth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>All eight videos created by educators were screened for everyone to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Youth videos were specially screened at the main hall where youth had to first present how they created their piece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Nontobeko and Mpumelelo well presented their piece and further answered questions from the audience which were specifically directed to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>They were very confidence on stage such that other teachers commented that they seem to be familiar with public speaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>They made South Africa proud especially that when we came I was uncomfortable with the fact that educators seemed to be highly skilled and most of them teach media in their schools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I felt like I don’t fit in and it was a mistake for us to be there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>That was cleared though on day two of our arrival during discussions and media creation.</span></span></em></div><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/AVvXsEgIcim926ALNBtPcIAGQJcH5qvFIWoe-4dSEmgIym_aF4QMy2CgllKyW1pn4QhzLOwQTSsrIia6vE2fkhYxcKZzlQTkcmD6HN9q-luKJzse1ihZT5CIyaJ_X-Z46EXHwt1DdvWkEiTqNr8/s1600/Mpume+responding+to+a+question+from+the+audience+as+they+were+presenting+their+collaborative+video.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcim926ALNBtPcIAGQJcH5qvFIWoe-4dSEmgIym_aF4QMy2CgllKyW1pn4QhzLOwQTSsrIia6vE2fkhYxcKZzlQTkcmD6HN9q-luKJzse1ihZT5CIyaJ_X-Z46EXHwt1DdvWkEiTqNr8/s400/Mpume+responding+to+a+question+from+the+audience+as+they+were+presenting+their+collaborative+video.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" closure_uid_g9a3w6="393" style="text-align: center;">Mpumi responding to a question from the audience</td></tr> </tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="363" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Adobe Youth Voices Live </span></span></b></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the afternoon we went to San Jose Theatre to attend Youth Voices Live which was also attended by local residents and other people of high profile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Black Eyed Peas was one of the prestigious guest who both entertained and motivated the audience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Youth Collaborative Videos were to be screened at this event including other selected videos from AYV Media Jam.</span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Highlight </span></span></b></em></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: Symbol; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">         </span></span></span></em><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nontobeko shared a talk with all Summit Attendees about their experiences when creating their own video and the impact that it had on their lives personally and other people who had viewed it.</span></span></em></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: Symbol; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">         </span></span></span></em><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our video, Children’s Rights in South Africa was one of the seven videos selected to be screened at the theatre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We didn’t know about this until we were sat at the theatre browsing the programme.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>That was a WOW moment and great honour for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>After the show we were ‘celebrities’ interviewed by local people and media crew about our video and experience at the Summit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>South Africa was on the spot light again! </span></span></em></div><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/AVvXsEi6lrry8tFNHjZWK9Ve5_5XPcoBCEejlL1ju9WIv79OpqM6T3SDKg8jcimM77MujRAwObKol6MArybpQ58p8rbXBhuYQeYKtHbA7vFNCTFO_DAC5BDVNvRCjzaBSAnSO2BoJy1H49HDKYs/s1600/Nontobeko+interviewed+by+a+media+crew+after+a+Youth+Live+show+at+San+Francisco+theatre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lrry8tFNHjZWK9Ve5_5XPcoBCEejlL1ju9WIv79OpqM6T3SDKg8jcimM77MujRAwObKol6MArybpQ58p8rbXBhuYQeYKtHbA7vFNCTFO_DAC5BDVNvRCjzaBSAnSO2BoJy1H49HDKYs/s400/Nontobeko+interviewed+by+a+media+crew+after+a+Youth+Live+show+at+San+Francisco+theatre.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nontobeko being interviewed by a media crew</td></tr> </tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="394" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">General</span></span></b></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was a phenomenal week; lots of collaboration, exploring, sharing, Innovation etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>It was indeed an extraordinary week.</span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have learnt that in other countries educators actively work with youth to produce lots of media projects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>They also organize exhibition where educators and youth are invited to share their work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I am inspired to work with teachers in South Africa to create media projects and to also conduct face to face trainings for them when necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>The software that is used is challenging and one can easily give up if there is no strong support or assistance on how to use it. </span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="445" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thank you to SchoolNet. </span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="447" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span lang="EN-ZA"><span closure_uid_g9a3w6="446" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Here is the movie on streetchildren called 'Children's Rights in South Africa'.  </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="448" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gQJuBMfYo4Q" width="420"></iframe><br /><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_g9a3w6="132" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div></div>

Adobe Youth voices Collaboration Guest post Project-based learning SchoolNet's Adobe Youth Voices programme sends a team to California

It is really worth participating in SchoolNet’s Adobe Youth Voices programme as Hlengiwe Mfeka discovered. Hlengiwe took part in the program...

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