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The Galactic Suite
2007-08-11 11:33:00
I have realized lately that I have had "outer space" on my mind a lot and seem to be focusing some of my posts on items of this nature, but I promise not to make it a habit, as there are so many other things of interest to me that I would like to share as well. Today I happened to be reading an article about "The Gala ctic Suit e " which will be the first hotel planned in space, and is expected to be available for visitors around the year 2012. The above photo is an artist's rendering of what it is expected to look like. I understand that it has been calculated that there are approximately 40,000 people in the world who could afford this chance of a lifetime, at a mere cost of $4 million for a few days in space. So if you have been considering a vacation in an "airy" location with lots of "space", and the meager cost of a few million wouldn't catch you blinking an eye, then feast your thoughts on 5 years from now when jaunting into space for a long needed vacation might become a ...
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Up....Up.... And Away!
2007-08-09 04:55:00
Barbara Morgan: Teacher In SpaceIt was a beautiful evening at Kennedy Space Center for the launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavor. It roared into a flawless liftoff at 6:36 p.m. EDT. STS-118 is the 22nd shuttle flight to the International Space Station. It will be an 11-14 day mission and will continue construction by delivering a third starboard truss segment to add to the Space Station.The Astronaut Flight Team consists of the following members. U.S. Navy Commander Scott J. Kelly will command the seven-person crew of STS-118. U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col Charles O. Hobaugh will be Endeavour's pilot. Veteran astronauts Richard A. Mastracchio and Dr. Dafydd (Dave) Williams of the Canadian Space Agency will be returning to space for their second missions. Barbara R. Morgan, Tracy E. Caldwell, Ph. D., and Benjamin Alvin Drew round out the crew as mission specialists. Barbara Morgan had been chosen as the backup candidate for the NASA Teacher in Space Program in July 1985. From September 1...

A Gift From The Sea
2007-08-06 06:06:00
Recently I had been watching a wonderful documentary on television about spectacular marine life in our oceans and seas, some species of life which had only been recently discovered. I was amazed to see such wonders of this underwater world in such vibrant colors, shapes and forms. It made me realize that perhaps I have taken so much for granted just living within a stone's throw from the sea close to where I live. Since I enjoy beautiful photography very much, I embarked on an Internet search to find out more about some various underwater curiosities, particularly jellyfish and in doing so, I found myself more and more captivated with the articles I read about these wonderful sea creatures...although I might not feel so beguiled should I ever encounter one while taking a swim.I came across this stunning photograph above of this Olindias Jellyfish. This is a photograph taken by a famous wildlife photographer, Frans Lanting, photographed at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California. ...
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Reaching Your Dream Takes Courage
2007-08-03 04:46:00
Reaching Your Dream Takes CourageCourage is admitting that you're afraid and facing that fear directly. It's being strong enough to ask for help and humble enough to accept it.Courage is standing up for what you believe in without worrying about the opinions of others. It's following your own heart, living your own life, and settling for nothing less than the best for yourself.Courage is daring to take a first step, a big leap, or a different path. It's attempting to do something that no one has done before and all others thought impossible.Courage is keeping heart in the face of disappointment and looking at defeat not as an end but as a new beginning. It's believing that things will ultimately get better even as they get worse.Courage is being responsible for your own actions and admitting your own mistakes without placing blame on others. It's relying not on others for your success, but on your own skills and efforts.Courage is refusing to quit even when you're intimidated...

A Dream Fulfilled
2007-08-03 04:01:00
Click Above For Detailed StoryIn April of this year the famous British Physicist, Stephen Hawking lived his dream of flying in zero gravity aboard NASA's Boeing 727. Stephen Hawking, author of A Brief History Of Time, and noted for his lifetime research and studies about Black Holes in space fulfilled his dream of what it is like to experience weightlessness in space. Professor Hawking suffers from Lou Gehrig's Disease , also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and has been confined to a wheelchair for many years, but he never let his confinement stand in the way of authoring several books, contributing to the world his theories about the Cosmos, and his research into theoretical physics, together with an extensive programme of travel and public lectures and living a lifetime dream of enjoying weightlessness in space. Visit Stephen Hawking's official website to learn more about his life and achievements.The weightless experience here!
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Photo Of The Day
2007-07-30 03:53:00
ALBINO WHITE TAIL FAWNClick On Image For Full Story
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Mum's Lemonade Date Scones
2007-07-29 09:05:00
I had posted this excellent recipe on my Food Blog recently and I thought that I would post it on this blog tonight for some who might not read my Food Blog. This is a fresh batch of the Lemonade Date Scones right out of the oven this afternoon, minus a couple which I just had to have with my coffee. This is wonderful family recipe from my husband's Mum for her Lemonade Date Scones which I could not resist sharing. This has been a long time favorite recipe in the family and one of the first batch of yummies that my husband baked for me when I first moved down here to New Zealand. I have been eating them ever since.Mum's Lemonade Date SconesIngredients4 cups of self raising flour (or 4 cups of standard white flour with 4 heaping teaspoons of baking powder added)1 (335 ml.) can lemonade (Sprite)300 ml. cream1/4 tsp salt400 grams (14 oz.) of whole dates (will be added to the mixture whole)DirectionsPreheat Oven To 200 degrees C. or 390 degrees F.Mix all ingredients well in large mixi...
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So This Is Titahi Bay
2007-07-27 05:20:00
Although I hail from Long Island, New York, I have made my home in Titahi Bay, New Zealand, where I reside with my wonderful husband who is a Kiwi bloke himself having lived in New Zealand all of his life. A Kiwi is also the national bird of New Zealand. Titahi Bay is a lovely seaside town in the suburb of Porirua in the North Island of New Zealand by the Tasman Sea. My husband captured this photo last weekend as we set out for the hills overlooking the Bay and the Sea to take some photos of our area to send home to the family back in America. This is the Bay itself and our local beach and it is quite pretty, especially when you are viewing it at a high distance. It was not a perfectly clear day, but it should give you and idea of what our surrounding area looks like. Porirua itself is a suburb of Wellington which is the capital of New Zealand. It is a city that seems to always be expanding with new megacenters and shops. I will endeavor to get some photos of the area when we have s...

I've Learned......
2007-07-27 01:38:00
I've learned.... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows.I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, "You've made my day!" makes my day.I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right. I've learned.... That you should never say no to a gift from a child.I've learned.... That I can always pray for someone when I don'thave the strength to help him in some other way.I've learned.... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.I've learned.... That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.I've learned.... That life is like a roll of to...
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Oscar The Compassionate Kitty
2007-07-26 01:47:00
Oscar is no ordinary kitty. As a matter of fact he has some very extraordinary powers. His possession of these highly unusual qualities might or might not be a good thing to some, but his ability to forsee an oncoming death of terminally ill patients may be a blessing in disguise to a patient's family. Read the latest about Oscar at his residence at a Nursing Home in Providence Rhode Island. Animals have always amazed me with their sometimes uncanny abilities, but dear little Oscar is probably one of a kind and has already made his 5 minutes of fame in The New England Journal of Medicine.
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Chicken Soup For The Soul
2007-07-20 02:43:00
Now I know many of you are suffering from the major sweltering heat up in North America, and right now considering what we are experiencing here in the very cold extremes of winter in New Zealand I would happily trade places with you.....or perhaps we could do a trade of the variations in temperature. Wish that were a possibility for sure, but nonetheless I have a terrible chest infection and I'm due for some quick Jewish penicillin as they say (Chicken Soup )! I have a wonderful recipe to share today for Chicken Soup...a nice easy recipe that you can have ready in no time. I find heaps of wonderful recipes on the Internet and this one I have tried quite some time ago and it was wonderful, so I thought I would share it for those experiencing bad colds or the flu. Chicken Soup truly seems to do the trick in cold weather...and it is no wonder there are so many good Jewish Doctors. They really seem to have the know how when it comes to treating a bad cold and the flu. I am going to mak...
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A Lucky Charm
2007-07-17 04:47:00
Now I am a dog lover from the get-go and I sure would adore having this precious pup. This cute male long-coated chihuahua named "Heart-Kun" was born with a heart-shaped pattern on his coat. This precious chihuahua was born on May 18, 2007 as one of a litter. The shop owner Emiko Sakurada said that this is the first time a puppy with these marks has been born out of a 1,000 that she has bred. She also said that she has no plans to sell the puppy. This little pup would sure be a good luck charm for anyone who owned him.Patricia
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Tribute To A Very Heroic Dog
2007-05-07 04:29:00
Within the past several days in a small town in New Zealand a small Jack Russell Terrier named George defended a group of small children from an attack by two Pit Bulls. While trying to protect these children, the Pit Bulls visciously attacked George resulting in horrific injuries to this brave little hero which led to him having to be put down by the Vet. The two Pit Bulls were also put down as well.Pit Bull attacks have become an increasing problem here in New Zealand and many other parts of the world. It is high time that some people learned how to care for their pets and realize that dogs should not be left to roam the streets wreaking havoc in some neighborhoods. The same evening I read about this attack, while I was out in the front of my own home, a loose Pitt Bull was running down our street barking, and it was a bit of a worry, having just heard of this incident. Although I am not a believer that dogs should be chained up, I do believe that people should have an adequate ar...
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