Japan and the Like

I am just blown away by how Japan is handling themselves.  A friend, Mizuki, who studied abroad in Cedarburg, WI , from Japan posted on Facebook that she was working in a bakery 12 hours a day making food since there is such a shortage.


I also found it incredibly interesting to learn that there is not even a word for "looting" in the Japanese language.  They await patiently in line so everyone gets their fair share of food.  No one rushes in to take it all.  I know much of this has to do with the collectivist culture, compared to individualistic which is more commonly seen in the United States.  I think it is a poor quality.  You cannot make it too far at all without the support of others.  Yet, we continue widening the gap between the rich and poor by upper class tax breaks.  


My godmother, a single doctor in her 60s, was not able to make enough money to be allowed tax breaks.  If these people are making THAT much money, it is only fair to take an equal amount of money out of their accounts as the poor.


A man has 10 dollars.  He has to send in one for taxes.
Another man has 1,000. He has to send in 100 for taxes. Yes it seems like so much more, but it isn't.  Relative to their income and prosperity, they are both giving 10%. There is no reason why the people who are well of and wealthy should be able to have it even more comfortable, when people are scraping to get by.  


Again, all it does is widen the gap and make it more challenging to come out of the lower class.


This is something I posted a few months ago regarding Japan. By NO means am I saying "I told you so," but it was somewhat predicted.  One is predicted in California in the next 30 years.  I hope we jump on that...

Tokyo

I learned today that Tokyo is located where 3 tectonic plates meet: the Phillipine, Eurasian, and Pacific Plates. Every 70 years Tokyo seems to have a major earthquake.


Years of earthquakes:
1633, 1703, 1882, 1853, 1925, ____?


11 of the 12 biggest banks in the world are based out of Tokyo. Tokyo is now 6 times as large as it was during the 1925 earthquake which caused many deaths and destruciton. Scary...

America the Beautiful

Today I went to a documentary (a genre of movies that is ever growing on me) called America the Beautiful: Buying Health.  It is the second in 2 America the Beautifuls.  I really want to see the first one... it is about magazines, models, and the emphasis on rare and unrealistic beauty. I want to see it.


www.AmericatheBeautifulDoc.com


The one I did see tonight discussed how weight loss absolutely does not mean healthy.  You can be 5'5, 110 pounds, and way less healthy than someone the same height but 250 pounds.  A dancer was featured on the video who weighs a whoppin' 290, but she can do the splits, dance for hours a day, and amazing leaps.  Doctors assumed immediately that she was type 2 diabetic, etc.  She was in better health in a cardiovascular & metabolic sense than most people.


The terms "overweight" and "obese" are simply coined and lacking specifics.  The current first lady Michelle Obama is focusing on childhood obesity.  I do understand the importance... but it is also important to make sure that young boys and girls do not lack a good self-image or self-confidence in spite of all of this "perfect body type" hype.  I personally was probably overweight in 8th grade.  I grew out before I grew up.  I was in that awkward, chubby stage that many pubescent kids are in.  Not thinking it is so good to be pushing body image on kids in that rocky of a stage of life, anyways.


I personally have eaten much differently since college.  I suddenly like Sushi, Spinach, Asaragus, Hummus, East Cost Cobber..... my gosh. Even the dreaded cooked carrots.  I still stay clear of fish and ribs, but everything else is just divine to me.  I have learned to control portions after my freshman 15 was gained, then finally lost completely last summer.  My body likes the weight of 130.  Just likes to be there.  If I am working out tons and eating well, it just likes 130.  It may bounce up to 133 if I was a little indulgent, or fall to 126 if I'm not feeling well.  But like clockwork it likes 130.  So I guess that is it, kids!


Tomorrow I never eat in the dining center for lunch, but they are serving escalloped apples and spanikopita which is some delicious spinach casserole thing.


Joy to food.


Eat to live and be healthy. Do not work yourself into the ground.  Food is to fuel your mind and body.  I'm good about eating. But now and then, treat your cravings, damnit.

Haitus

I guess I took nearly a 3 month break from this. That is 1/4 of a year. I feel like a decent amount of personal growth has happened since December 2010.
Happy 2011.


Here is an incredibly amusing and sweet set of pictures. I want to do a similar before and after of a picture of my sister Meg & myself.


http://irinawerning.com/back-to-the-fut/back-to-the-future/

Signature

A friend of mine, Lydia, who I have been working on an extensive presentation and paper for a World Cities and Globalization class has the cutest signatures on emails.

One is "Maker, Baker, PantsShaker" Along with a seasonal quote.  I am working on just an image/signature of my name...

Track Your Poo

www.flushtracker.com


Funny... gross... but really, you know you have wondered this before!

Quiz!

This is a quiz for people who know everything! I found out in a hurry that I didn't.  These are not trick questions.  They are straight questions with straight answers.   1. Name the one sport in which neither the spectators nor the participants know the score or the leader until the contest ends.   2. What famous North American landmark is constantly moving backward?   3. Of all vegetables, only two can live to produce on their own for several growing seasons.  All other vegetables must be replanted every year.  What are the only two perennial vegetables?   4. What fruit has its seeds on the outside?   5. In many liquor stores, you can buy pear brandy, with a real pear inside the bottle.  The pear is whole and ripe, and the bottle is genuine; it hasn't been cut in any way.  How did the pear get inside the bottle?   6. Only three words in standard English begin with the letters "dw" and they are all common words.  Name two of them.   7. There are 14 punctuation marks in English grammar.  Can you name at least half of them?   8. Name the only vegetable or fruit that is never sold frozen, canned, processed, cooked, or in any other form except fresh.   9. Name 6 or more things that you can wear on your feet beginning with the letter "S."         Answers To Quiz:   1. The one sport in which neither the spectators nor the participants know the score or the leader until the contest ends.  Boxing   2. North American landmark constantly moving backward.  Niagara Falls (The rim is worn down about two and a half feet each year because of the millions of gallons of water that rush over it every minute.)   3. Only two vegetables that can live to produce on their own for several growing seasons.  Asparagus and rhubarb.   4. The fruit with its seeds on the outside.  Strawberry.   5. How did the pear get inside the brandy bottle?  It grew inside the bottle.  (The bottles are placed over pear buds when they are small, and are wired in place on the tree.  The bottle is left in place for the entire growing season.  When the pears are ripe, they are snipped off at the stems.)   6. Three English words beginning with “dw” are Dwarf, dwell and dwindle.   7.  Fourteen punctuation marks in English grammar are Period, comma, colon, semicolon, dash, hyphen, apostrophe, question mark, exclamation point, quotation marks, brackets, parenthesis, braces, and ellipses.   8. The only vegetable or fruit never sold frozen, canned, processed, cooked, or in any other form but fresh Lettuce.   9. Six or more things you can wear on your feet beginning with "s" Shoes, socks, sandals, sneakers, slippers, skis, skates, snowshoes, stockings, stilts.

Comfortable?

From my daily observation on ISU's campus, this appears 
to be the comforable way for swans to float about: 
with one 
of their back legs hanging over their back. 


I tried.
It does not
seem to have the same effect on humans...


:)

English Usage

Interesting is all.


2/3 of scientists write in English.
3/4 of mail is written in English.
80% of digital information is... you guessed it, English!
There are currently 2,000 million people on Earth who can comprehend and get by with English.


However, ever tried to talk to someone speaking Nigerian Pidgin English? Basically mutually unintelligible. Liverpool English? Indian English? Many different dialects are forming... so though it may appear to be approaching "World Language" status. I do not think this can ever quite be the case for any language.  Most of us know English is becoming such a powerhouse, but the statistics like above are endless.

Tokyo

I learned today that Tokyo is located where 3 tectonic plates meet: the Phillipine, Eurasian, and Pacific Plates. Every 70 years Tokyo seems to have a major earthquake.


Years of earthquakes:
1633, 1703, 1882, 1853, 1925, ____?


11 of the 12 biggest banks in the world are based out of Tokyo. Tokyo is now 6 times as large as it was during the 1925 earthquake which caused many deaths and destruciton. Scary...

Ben Folds

"Smile like you've got nothing to prove, no matter what you might do, there's always someone out there cooler than you."


[Senior Quote]

Photos of Campus

It is November 9 and I wore sandals and a T-Shirt today. In Iowa nonetheless. My dorm window is currently open. What is this?! Before... knock on wood... this beautiful weather dissipates, here is a fall snapshot of Sir Lancelot and Lady Elaine on campus.

Sound Check

I was fortunate enough to travel to Iowa City for about 12 hours this past Sunday to see Jack's Mannequin in concert front row with 4 fantastic people! We had a blast on the 2 hour drive there and back, as well as our 4th meal at T Bell following the concert.  I am a sucker for caramel apple empanadas (if you have never had one, I highly recommend it. Much better than MickyD's apple pies... and 99 cents! whatta deal)!


Anywho, we were not only able to have fantastic seats, support the U of I's Dance Marathon, get free sunglasses and bracelets, but we were able to take a photo AND MEET THE "MAHON" HIMSELF: Andrew McMahon! 


During the show, a friend of mine - Chynna - said that she once was at a sound check where the mic testers said "Pop, Pop, Popsicle. Bi, bi, bicycle. Test, test, test-ING."


Cute. If that was my job, I would use it for every concert, every venue, every day!

Routine

Everyone needs a bit of structure in their day. Who doesn't romanticize a little about going to the same cutesy coffee joint every day and having the cashier ask you, "The regular, Ms. Moore?" As you wait for the "regular," you read the daily paper and read your daily joke of the day and shoot the breeze with the old man who has been going to the same coffee house for 30 years now.


Well, in case you forget, but still like to have a little piece of amusement/inspiration every day, I personally use and recommend urbandictionary.com and dornob.com.


The former is occassionally crude, but normally quite amusing and something I like to forward to my family.  The latter is incredible! It emails you each day some incredible pictures of modern designs - usually architectural or interior design based.  Both operate on a subscribe system where you simply type in your email address and get a little surprise each day!

If @ a Loss of Words

Press a Button!

Toxic People

After talking with some supportive friends today named Tiffany, Erin, Sarah, Jenny, and Laura, I came to the conclusion that many-a-time it's good to be up front and say, "Not happening." If you have been in this situation (or know me well) then no further explanation is necessary here. Nonetheless, putting up with toxic people is no good for anyone.  So if you are reading this, and someone popped in your head, rid your life of their toxicness! For inspiration, may I suggest the song "Toxic" by Britney Spears. Scandelous music video, but catchy!


Here's to self care and assertiveness!

Woman + Woman = Quarrel

In Chinese Characters, many times individual, basic characters are combined to create different meanings.  Some are very sensible, such as using the symbol for man 3 times, meaning a crowd.


"Good" is written as house + wife because years ago, a man's success was based off his ability to support a wife, family, and home.


Now... 
If you write the character for woman twice, it means quarrel.


Hm............

Aaron Neville

This singer was on Jay Leno tonight (Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010), and I knew his voice was so familiar.  Then I realized I remember him from Sesame Street!


Memory Lane:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WsXtCPE7Ww

Words & Your Mind

Linguistics [Click Here]

Stumble Upon Continued

Links to blow your mind if you have the time.


http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1c46Bs/www.marcandangel.com/2010/03/29/25-beautifully-illustrated-thought-provoking-questions/



http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1ONIyq/8tracks.com/tylr/songs-that-make-you-feel-better

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1ri9rU/matadornetwork.com/abroad/20-awesomely-untranslatable-words-from-around-the-world/

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1nKJLt/www.monicel.info/2008/08/03/original-techniques-to-tie-your-shoe-laces/

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2Vj19N/theuglydance.com/?v=vddqzndthr

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1gfeeB/www.buzzfeed.com/eduardoleon/35-life-hacks-you-should-know-ga9

The Virtual Piano for Songwriters, Singers, Producers and aspiring musicians - StumbleUpon

Boy Do I Love Whistling... & other language finds

I read a few chapters in my Linguistic Encyclopedia for one of my classes about the definition of language and the different kinds: body language, how Bees communicate by dances, etc.


Here were a few weird finds!


Since I adore whistling, I can't imagine- it would be incredible to communicate via whistling. I could type bits from my book... but thank the lord for wikipedia :)
Whistling Language! [Click]


Also, most people in the world lift their eyebrows so quickly (1/6 of a second) in order to let another person know that they want to approach them and begin a conversation.  The only group that really does not demonstrate this is the Japanese.  Otherwise it is seen across all cultures. 


Showing humility also means many different things in other languages.  Some people put their arms outward and clap, some lay on the ground, roll around and slap the outside of their thighs.  Others walk on all 4s... How humble!


This video was discovered by my lovely roommate, Dee, on stumbleupon.com.  If you have never visited stumble upon, definitely give it a look.  That is, only if you don't have anything you really need to do right now because it is perfect for procrastination. But you are reading this blog, so you probably have a little time on your hands right now! :)


Dancing hands. It's all in their faces.
[Click here for dancin' hands!] *It's all in their faces!

Einstein's Office

Albert Einstein had this saying on the wall of his Princeton office:


"Not everything that counts can be counted 
& not everything that can be counted counts."

Winston Churchill

"It is a mistake to look too far ahead.  
Only one link in the chain of destiny can be handled at a time."

This Subject is Just a Tactic to Get Your Attention

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/the-lay-scientist/2010/sep/24/1


Amusing and interesting take on the "typical" scientific news seen in today's media.


53 Days until Christmas :)

Pavement Patty

Slow down traffic? Not so sure...
Pavement Patty: Click!

Froggyville.com

Oh dear...
Back in the day I was quite the "frog freak" as you may note in the link below.  If you have access to this blog, you have access to me on a personal level. So might as well throw something embarrassing out there, right?


I got a Kermit the Frog puppet when I was 3 for Christmas.  He spent a year on my hand and tagging along with me wherever I went, then he hibernated for a little while.  Kermit spent around a year in the bin with the less-loved stuffed animals.  He was then re-discovered and never put back with the neglected toys.  I tied him his arms around my neck while I rode my bike... and soon enough I was raising my own tadpoles into frogs and reading all about amphibians.  All my birthday gifts and Christmas ornaments were frog/Kermit related.  


SO... when I found Froggyville, it was well, a frog lovers dream! Everyone posted about ALL the frog items they had and this and that.  I had a pet frog named Lilly at the time.  Apparently I was not quite able to curb my 5th grade enthusaism...


You will have to scroll a tad. And yes that really was my email.  And yes, the website is closed, so that post will be my permanent frog-freak footprint on the internet forever. And ever. AND ever...
Click here for a laugh at my expense

Eric Whitacre Virtual Choir

World's first virtual choir. 


Behind the scenes of the choir & Whitacre's idea:
http://www.youtube.com/EricWhitacresVrtlChr


Video of the actual "performance" of the choir:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7o7BrlbaDs


Credit to Miss April Brown & Kelsie Miller 
for sharing this as singing enthusiasts :)

Social Network Documentary

Takes about an hour more or less to watch, but it is really interesting if you have some time.

Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcCpEf6_Ofg

Part 2 -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1-nfySqf9M

Part 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61a_uTmVk0c

Part 4 -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIQfuaymmdY

Part 5 -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rCMWvFGIfM

Wind-Powered Art. Engineering.

I took a half semester course from August to mid-October on the impact of technology on emotional intelligence here at ISU.  We discussed a lot of really interesting topics and were exposed to so many new forms of social networking and media.  Since this class, I have been finding more and more cool videos and articles.  Click below! Really incredible.
Wind-Powered Beach Creatures: Engineering Meets Design Meets Imitation