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Meet our office manager

IMG_5442The picture of kindness and humility, Richard isn’t exactly the kind of guy who goes around boasting about his accomplishments. We’re happy to do it for him. This Ghanaian-born business whiz has a Bachelor of Science and a CMA and MBA in finance and project manager. Among his many accomplishments is growing a small business from 500,000 to 35,000,000 GBP and heading up the administrative office of the Ghana division of British Airways. Since joining our team as office manager in December of last year, Richard has taught us a lot, brought us together as a team and streamlined how our office runs. thirdstream is much the better for it.

Here are some other cool facts about Richard.

Tell us about yourself
My name – Richard Odei-Wontumi – means ‘a Friday born’ in Ghana. Generally speaking, people born on a Friday are described as being adventurous, wise and tenacious. We’re also known to be leaders, passionate and the people who tend to get things started.

When did you join the thirdstream team?
December 8, 2014.

What is your role with thirdstream?
Office/business manager. This means I oversee office administration, financial management, human resources, facilities and developing office culture.

What appeals to you the most about the work you do with thirdstream?
The people in the company and management.

In 1-2 sentences, what do you appreciate the most about being part of this team?
Being able to share ideas and listening to other ideas. The way people think and see things comparing to your thoughts and figuring out what to do next, excites me.

Now for the fun stuff.

Ghana and the United Kingdom.

Grew up in which decade
In the 1960’s and 70’s .

Biggest influence when you were growing up
My parents.

Huge fan of
Gospel music

Family you’d like to mention
My kids: Ewurakua, Paa Kwesi, Ewurabena and Sandra and my wife Cecilia.

Other hobbies and interests
Reading, talking to people and socializing. I’m also a world traveller and can be very adventurous.

Favourite beverage
Chocolate milk.

Greatest inspiration
I love these phrases:

What is going in your head may not be the real story, the opportunity you have is the real story. Make your best out of it.” and “The only constant in life is change.”


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Monthly Archive for April, 2012

: April, 2012

Your spam of the day

A periodic feature highlighting poetic nonsensical spam plucked from my filter: Pretty component of content. I simply stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact

Happy birthday, Fenway

Fenway turns 100 today, and celebrates with a Boston Red Sox-New York Yankees game. A look back in pictures.

Workers comp for woman injured having sex on business trip

From The Sydney (Australia) Morning Herald (via The Huffington Post): A public servant injured on a work trip while having sex with a male friend at a motel is entitled to compensation, a court has

It’s 4/20, dude

It’s April 20, so don’t just sit there. Well, actually, just sit there. … Four-twenty, 420, 4/20. 4:20  — shorthand for the pot culture. The story goes the reference dates to 1971 (and has nothing

Levon Helm dead at 71

Note: This is being updated. He represented Woodstock, both the town and the generation. Go out yonder, peace in the valley: Levon Helm, dead at 71. From his Facebook page: “Levon Helm passed

R2-D2, C-3P0, Tupac

Here’s a change folks could get with if George Lucas makes yet another digital alteration in the next money-grab DVD update for “Star Wars.”

Battling a mutant `varmint cong’ chipmunk

When I got home last night, it became painfully clear that I wasn’t dealing with a garden variety garden variety rodentia. Actually, it’s been pretty crystal for awhile. But now this mutant Alvin has

Great Barrington best small town in America: Smithsonian

Great Barrington, Mass., tops the list of  “The 20 Best Small Towns in America,” according to the May issue of Smithsonian magazine. The focus of the rankings is on culture, with an emphasis on

Levon Helm, neighbor

That is Levon Helm, the artist. But to the folks in Woodstock, he is Levon Helm, neighbor. Today’s A1 story.

LaFrate moves on; seven left on `ANTM’

Scotia native Laura LaFrate got a lot of air time early on Wednesday’s “America’s Next Top Model.” She talked about a rough childhood, and how much she hated fellow American Kyle. “I don’t trust her

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The Wake Blog

  1. Introducing Versioning & Sketch Sync

    Sync your artboards and see how they evolve over time

  2. Versioning for Photoshop & Illustrator

    Sync your design files and see how they evolve over time

  3. Introducing Status Labels

    Streamline your design workflow with statuses

  4. Tips on creating an open culture on your design team

    Sharing is dependent on trust

  5. Top Resources for Designers

    Design inspiration, typography, and few of our faves.

  6. How to build a successful design team

    A four-part series on collaboration, feedback, and more.

  7. The antidote to design fixation

    Ways to identify, address, and prevent design fixation

  8. How the Pinterest brand team approaches design and collaboration

    An interview with Tim Belonax, Senior Brand Designer

  9. Designers explain why sharing work is important

    Eventbrite and Intercom brand designers tell us how it is

  10. 3 skills design managers need in their team

    Non-technical skills that make a team thrive


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Wilko Johnson’s Tumour Successfully Removed

click image to enlarge
May 2, 2014 | 7:34am EST

Terminally-ill rocker Wilko Johnson is recovering in hospital after medics successfully removed a tumour from his pancreas.
The former Dr. Feelgood star, who has been suffering from inoperable pancreatic cancer since January, 2013, was admitted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, England on Wednesday to undergo major surgery on the growth.
His management cancelled all public engagements, including a scheduled set at Glastonbury festival in June, and announced that Johnson would be “out of action for the foreseeable future”.
Now his manager Lisa Climie has told fans the surgery went well and Johnson is recovering in hospital.
In a post on the musician’s Facebook.com page on Friday, she writes, “Wilko is recovering following a nine hour operation on Wednesday in which doctors successfully removed a pancreatic tumour. The head of the medical team treating Wilko said that they were happy with his condition.
“Wilko will stay under very close observation for the next few days. Although cautiously optimistic the team have to stress that it is very early days yet.
“The family thank everyone for their good wishes and ask for some privacy at this time so they can support Wilko with his recovery in peace.”


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WWF-Canada Blog:

Introducing the bloggers for our National Sweater Day Knitting Challenges

Lucinda Iglesias

Originally from New Orleans, Lucinda Iglesias always dreamed of having a yarn shop. In March 2012, her dream became a reality with the opening of Mont Tricot in Sutton, Quebec. She has a big passion for yarn and colours, which is quite evident as soon as you enter her store, where there are two armchairs for clients to sit and knit. Most of all, she loves sharing her passion for knitting by showing others how to knit. In light of WWF’s National Sweater Day (coming up on February 7), Lucinda will knit a sweater that she will wear on the big day. Each Monday until then, she will blog and discuss what is needed to knit a sweater in 4 weeks.

Lucinda‘s creation style is distinct in the format and design. She loves oversized challenges. As shown in the picture below, she has created a cast not using needles, but PVC pipes! Do not miss these blogs and comments on the Facebook event. This is a rendezvous until February 4!

Caroline Leamon

The first thing Caroline ever learned to knit was a pair of mittens, fifteen years ago, when a family friend taught her how to knit. From that first pair of mittens, she has gone on to knit countless scarves, a few hats, a giant sweater dress (in the photo above), a sweater for her mother’s elderly terrier, and so much more. This is her first time blogging about knitting though, and the crocheted “pole decoration” in the photo below has a lot to do with how Caroline became a contributor for National Sweater Day Knitting Challenges.

The story started this past autumn, when Caroline and her mother decided to try yarn bombing together (for the uninitiated, “yarn bombing” is a public art form that uses yarn rather than paint to brighten public spaces). The pole above was one of several things her mother and her had decorated – they had crocheted the decoration using scrap yarn, and painstakingly stitched it to the pole.

Anyway, as Caroline was standing on a stool next to the pole, stitching away, I happened to walk by. And of course, I stopped to invite them to help with National Sweater Day. What an opportunity – and all because they decided to have fun with sharing their knitting! Caroline is delighted to be part of this project and can’t wait to share knitting with you.

  • Susan Hudson

    Fascinating concept. Have been a knitter since the age of 5 – over 60 years and knitted sweaters, hats, mitts, dolls, toys……….


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Friday, September 28, 2007

So I'm Told... I Need A Break

I have a dear friend of mine who whenever I brought the subject up about home schooling the kids this past summer she would highly protest against it. "They need to learn about the real world now, " she would say. "You can't keep them with you forever, you'll cripple them...... And you need a break."
A break? But I do get some down time I explained... I have daycare at the gym and on Fridays they will go to school. I'll have at least 4 hours to myself. I also have what I call "Sanity Sessions" when Justin get's home from work. Someday's he insists I go out and just do "something" without the kids. I usually go to Target or the mall. Meet a friend for coffee. Or sometimes just take a walk. I also have bible study every other Friday where I talk with real grown-ups and everything. However, even these breaks are not enough for my friend. She is convinced that unless I get away from my "offspring" for several hours every day, I am going to permanently lose my brain. From her point of view, the whole situation is simply unhealthy for each and every one of us.
For those of you who know me and probley even to the casual observer know that I lost whatever mind I had to begin with along time ago. Ask, my husband or sisters who knew me before children. I really don't think sending my kids to school will help reclaim it. LOL
The idea that we can't cope with life's events without sending the children away is fascinating to me.

Yes, I have house work to get done and things to do and they are so much easier to do when the kids are elsewhere. On the other hand, it's probably healthier for them to know that there isn't some vacuum cleaner fairy that comes along side and makes everything nicer. Now that I don't have a house cleaner anymore:( Dishes don't just get done and put away, food doesn't cook itself, and the laundry is not a mysterious process attended to by elves. For good or bad, the children get to see me in all of my natural glory. They will learn and appreciate hard work.
I hope they will also get to experience the fun parts, like when they see me up on the roof trying to fix the heater(yes I did that, but didn't even know what i was doing or looking for once I was up there.) I hope they will learn things for me just by being around me and everyday life.
How does someone repeat the short period of time when childhood is full of the miraculous and everything is new and wondrous? I love seeing my children experience new things and learn new things. Do I really need a break from that precious AHA!!! That moment, that look in their eyes when they really understand what they've been working with? No one knows when it will arrive, I just happen to be lucky enough to be around sometimes when it does.
Sure, I have bad days. I am human, and haven't mastered the art of perfection quite yet. Bad days happen whether your children are in school or not. Stress is reality, and how we deal with that stress is an important lesson to teach our children. Now, does anyone know where I put my key's??? Im on my way to another
"Sanity Session."

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Nature Night (Take 2)

The great husband that I have reminded me when I woke up that it was Wednesday! (Did I mention along with his sense of humor comes some sarcasm.) We decided to give Nature Night another try.
Here are a few pictures from our night. As you can see by the look on Justin's face he is thrilled to be there. (For the second night in a row!)

What day is it anyways???

The other day, (what ever day that was) I was super busy with school, laundry, hair appointments and errands. My husband said, just remember to get some stamps while your out today. We had to send out our billing for the business. This was important because without sending out billing we don't get paid. I did everything I needed to get done that day. Except the stamps! OH,No! Justin came home from work, "did you get the stamps?" Opps! "I'm so sorry!" I said. He ended up picking some up on his way to take Austin to football practice. While they were at football I finished doing hair and started dinner.
Tonight was a fieldtrip the kids have been looking forward too. We were going to see nature at night and were going on a night hike. They were also excited because, Dad gets to come! Usually our fieldtrips are during the day while he is at work. Justin got home, loaded the kids and flashlights in the car, while I got paper plates, lots of napkins and sippy cups. We were doing dinner to go...Running late as usual. Justin looking so tired after a long day at work asks "where are we going?" opps... I forgot the directions at home and asked him with a kind and gental voice to please turn around. We drove to West Covina eating our dinner. We finally arrived to a very dark park. Hmmm... I thought were is everyone? Justin asks, "are you sure it starts at 7PM?" "Yes," I said, "The flyer read, Wierd Wednesdays from 7-9PM" He just looked at me and rolled his eyes, "Bridget it's Tuesday." I just buried my head in my hands. Thank God I have a husband with a sense of humor!

My Cheerleader, My Friend

A Friend of mine who is so encouraging wrote this:
Home schooling is parenting beyond the normal accepted call of duty. Home schooling is about mom's utilizing maximum effort to fulfill a call from God they cannot deny or ignore. The burden is in their heart. The time and sacrifice doesn't stop these parents. They are a breed set apart for a journey to walk with their children.

When I am in doubt I call her up and she always has the right words to share with me. When I talk to her on the phone I always make sure I have a pen and paper handy to write down things she has to share.
Equip your children in the ways of God. Teach your children to trust in God with their whole heart and lean not on their own understanding, but in all their ways to acknowledge Him and He will direct their paths.

Something happens to your life when you become a parent. I was only 19 when I became a parent and I can still remember the motivation I had to care for this child. It was stronger than anything I have known. I began to live my life for this child and learn to nurture this small person. I cared more, gave more, gave up my normal selfish ways, and it wasn't an effort for me it was pure joy! In fact I was driven to give the best and be the best for him.
When in doubt with my home schooling, my friend, my personal cheerleader says, "Keep the Vision"....Bridget, bring them up, bring them up! I love her!

Monday, September 24, 2007

My very excellent mother just served us nachos......please

Having a little fun with science.

An easy way to remember the order of the planets. I like to use Mnemonics in teaching the kids to remember things. I know it helped me in school and I still use little silly mnemonics of my own to help me remember things.
The kids insisted we add "please" to the end of the old phrase : My excellent mother just served us nachos" They didn't want to leave Pluto out. So they came up with please for pluto. The planet still does exist, it has just been reclassified.
Being the "VERY EXCELLENT MOTHER" that I am LOL....the kids asked if I could serve them nachos. So that is what I made them for snack. The kids got to make their own nacho's out of constuction paper too. I hope this old mnemonic will help them remember.

Friday, September 21, 2007

Help! A bully in our school

Every school has them, even ours at home. He may be only two but he's the biggest bully at our school. I pray this is just a stage Landen is going through.

Austin and his new friend Logan

Faith in her singing class......she loves to sing!

Friday School:
Every Friday the kids go to school from 8-12. Even Landen and Farrah get to go to class "daycare". Austin and Faith can take different classes throughout the year and are meeting alot of new friends. Oh, and the best part about Friday's are I have the day off!.... well kind of (just between 8-12)

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Homeschoolers get out of the house!

Homeschoolers aren't just for hermits anymore. In fact we have changed the name from homeschooling to autoschooling in our family. We always seem to be on the go and always learning something new. We do follow a curriculm, I am not brave enough to follow the "unschooling" method of teaching my children, but we do like to change it up a little. I am not one to be stuck at home and never have been. Even with little infants we are out and about.
Today we started our day as a normal school day. Halfway through our morning the baby was being fussy and Austin and Faith were being distracted by Landen etc... I said everyone that's it, pack up your work and get in the car were going for a ride.
We went to the Botanical Gardens not far from our house. What a beautiful place to get away and do work. Farrah enjoyed the fresh air and Landen loved looking at all the tree's. We sat on a bench and read and the kids did their work. We spent a good 2 hours there with actual peace and quiet. Sometimes it's good to just get out of the house.

How Come?

How do birds know where south is? Why are butterfly wings so colorful? How come moths eat wool? How can a hummingbird fly both forward and backward? These are question my kids ask me. Help???
A special thank you to my sister Brianna, for buying the book Planet Earth. I will study it so I know the awnsers next time I am asked a question like, "Why are electric eels electrical?"

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Make Learning Fun!

This week I decided to do something a little different with the kids for spelling. I had them write their spelling words with sidewalk chalk on our driveway. It was a fun way to help them practice their spelling words.

No Sick Days

I guess that means even for me. Can I call a sub if i don't feel good? Austin wasn't feeling good today so we took it easy but I still made him do work. What a mean teacher. Then I made him rest, rest, rest!

Monday, September 17, 2007

Why Do We Educate?

Why Do We Educate?
Some mothers in our group were talking and it got me thinking....Before we can ever begin to think about how we are to teach our children, we must decide why we are teaching them. What is a well educated child? We were asked, "Why do we want to educate your children?" Most mom's responded with series of reasons on why they did not want to enroll their children in local schools etc. Then they rephrased the question and asked, "Why do you care that your son/daughter knows anything about everything?" Most answers were something along the lines of they wanted their children to make a good living and a good education will help do that. They could afford to live happy lives etc, etc.
Sure it will! But let's take that and move forward 30 years and say your son is now a famous millionaire who can afford to travel the world. You as a mom are sitting in a nursing home. He pays your bills but only visits sporadically. He is happy but you are ignored and miserable. Would you consider yourself a success at the education you have provided? NO
After thinking to myself, "Why do I educate or Why do I care that my children know everything about anything?" Sure I want my kids to be smart and have a great career and afford to do thing that they want, but my children's SUCCESS is not determined by a degree or a dollar. A well educated child is one who knows and loves the Lord their God with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength and loves their neighbor as themselves." ......... and one who will not stick me in a nursing home at all:)

Thursday, September 13, 2007

A Peek into the Future

We attended education day at Wired Next Fest in Los Angeles for our first fieldtrip. For my future scientists they were excited to see robots, flying vehicles, Mars suits, and many other hand's on learning experiences . Over 150 different future technoligies in healthcare, entertainment, transportation and more. NASA was their with the crew from the Endeavor space shuttle that just landed from space this past Aug. We also got to see human like robots (you couldn't tell which man was a robot and which was a real human)that made eye contact and would capture our attention by using a full range of human like facial expressions... austin said, "Now, that's Freaky!" Faith enjoyed seeing a babydoll that would react to touch. If you would tickle her foot she would wiggle her toes and giggle back just like a real baby. Faith's favorite part was meeting a women with a real bionic arm and seeing how it worked. It's amazing how technology is getting more and more advanced. It's also scary in a way, isn't it?

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Park Day

Full Armor of God

Today, was the first park day of the year. I felt I was packing for a weekend getaway this morning just getting ready for our day outing. Austin had a group meeting at 11. Faith had her class at 12 and then we had park day at 1. I also helped watch my friends 6month old son so she could teach one of the classes. You ask how I did this??? Landen had a fever and was very GOOD all day! He was not his wild crazy self. Poor baby :(

10 Signs I'm doing a good job!

10--Your children think "writing" involves more than a text message on a cell phone.

9--Your children know that the first line of the National Anthem is not "Take me out to the ballgame."

8--Your children read without being bribed. Or threatened.

7--Your children hear about an interesting science experiment and insist on trying it for themselves, even though they already know the outcome.

6--Your dictionary never collects dust.

5--The TV news mentions a remote country and your children already know where it is located.

4--The TV news mentions a remote country that your children don't know, and they race each other to the world atlas.

3--People notice that your children get along well with each other.

2--People ask you questions about homeschooling, and your children answer for you.

1--Your children giggle and elbow each other when people ask, "What do you do about socialization?"

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Today we talked about September 11 in a PG kinda way. The kids made pencil flags and used them on all their work.

Monday, September 10, 2007

Coping With Monday Morning

On paper, homeschooling does not look like a grind. I get to plan my days myself. I get to be with my favorite people on earth- my kids! I can teach them at their own pace. So what's with that Monday morning clutchy feeling in the pit of my stomach???

Well here it is: I know I have taken on a big chunck of responsibility-- for the education of my children. This morning it hit me hard. For some reason today I felt more than just responsible I felt pressure.
Why? Probley because I haven't had any sleep the last couple nights. And because I know how the week can go, Someone can wake up with a stomach ace or the stinky fish water can spill all over the carpet and make the classroom stink again!...I try to "will" these things not to happen, at least not on Monday! So, on this morning I woke up not as cheery as most mornings. :) I emerged from my bedroom like a sergeant, wanting everyone in the house to march through the day. I do this because I feel the pressure to have my Monday move along and have today set a quick pace for our week ahead. We have a crazy week ahead of us with the start of football practices, new meet up groups, doctors and dentist appointments, field trips and our friday school starts. whewwww... I get tired just thinking about it!
But wait! I try to reflect. If my children were in school what would I want their teachers to be like today? I would want them to teach and follow a plan. I would also want them to do it with a smile, and to treat my kids with understanding, respect, and kindness. I would want these teachers to know that my children don't always understand the lesson, and thats OK they will understand it tomorrow. I would want my child's teacher to think about it NOT as a Monday, but instead, to see it as a special day of teaching and learning with VERY special people. -MY CHILDREN.

I have made a choice to be that teacher..I will try and remember to let go of disappointment if I do not get everything done today that I wanted. I pray I homeschool on those Monday's because it is a day I have been given, to love and teach my children.

Friday, September 7, 2007

What is a teacher?

A teacher is someone who can...

--Give a hug without getting arrested.
--Bandage a knee without calling the school nurse.
--Change a lightbulb without calling the custodian.
--Make the children wash the bathrooms.
--Have a relationship with the principal without getting fired.
--Teach a child's mind while capturing their heart.
--Teach what they believe in and believe in what they teach.
--Meet the child's need and not worry about meeting the state guidelines.
--Commit to a lifetime of work without pay.
--Pray! in class, out loud, with the children and the ACLU can't say a word.

There is is only one that can fill that job description

A teacher is a mom

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Sacramento and The Gold Country

We get to see California history come to life! We have a unique opportunity to experience a two day tour of Sacramento. We have planned our field trip for May, 2008. This will give us time to raise money with our many fundraisers we have planned. Don't worry no more $15.00 wrapping paper! We will be going on a California State Capital Tour, seeing the government in action. Historic Sutter's Fort, California state railroad museum, the old Sacramento schoolhouse. Austin and Faith will get to participate in a 19th century lesson. We will also go on Wagon Rides through Old Sacramento and discover historic buildings still standing today. We also plan to visit Marshall Gold Park and see the site where gold was discovered. The last day we are their we will be doing EDT's (educational discovery tours) Living History: Tinsmith (they will make a project under the instruction of a Tinsmith, Mountain Man, how he survied and the people who helped him, and we can't forget they will end with their own chance to pan for gold!

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

We did it!

We made it through our first day of school! I just have to say I pray all our days go as smoothly as today went. The kids got up cleaned their rooms did their chores and ate breakfast all before 8:00am! They were so excited to start school in their new classroom. We had a fun day learning together. Even Landen and Farrah stayed on schedule!
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They both love science!


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Sunday, July 1, 2012

Terry and Richard visited their human grandchildren and grandcats

They came home smelling funny, though we know we have relatives out of town, and eventually let them touch us again once we checked their smell out thoroughly.

Nerissa said...

One can never be too careful 'bout these things... purrs

Dexter said...

Totally agree - you got to make sure about those smells...! Did your humanoids give you some treats and extra cuddles for smelling funny?

Pattyskypants said...

Mai mom has a grandPUPPY! What could be worse? xxoo Bhu


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PUBLIC MARKS from photos921 with tag requirements

19 February 2007

18 February 2007

The Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance Issues and Practice - Future Financial Frameworks - Essentials for Risk-Based Capital Management

We think that the development of future standards on risk-based capital management should be based on a small set of principles. These principles are essential to future solvency requirements but should also be obeyed by rating agencies and by the insuran

10 February 2007

Border Crossings: Reflections on a Decade of Metadata Consensus Building

by 3 others
That first DC workshop led to further workshops, a community, a variety of standards in several countries, an ISO standard, a conference series, and an international consortium. Looking back on this evolution is both satisfying and wistful. While I am p


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Firefox Jaegermonkey Upgrade Beefs up Firefox Browser With Improved JavaScript Support

By Jay Shah | Internet

Most major browsers are focusing on speed gain via hardware acceleration. But if the latest Firefox 4 with Jaegermonkey is anything to go by, there is a lot of room for improvement even in terms of JavaScript support. The Jaegermonkey project was launched earlier this year and you can view the first preview version now.

In benchmarking tests done on the new Jaegermonkey version of the Firefox, the speed improvements are quite evident. It easily outperforms the newest Firefox 4 beta on both SunSpider and V8 benchmarks. But then again, Google Chrome is still the fastest on both these benchmarks. Therefore, the Jaegermonkey addition has done little in terms of how Firefox fares against Chrome.

But things are not that simple because, benchmark tests do not reflect how fast a browser will run when you use it in person, in the real scenario. This is why, it needs to be clarified here that the Jaegermonkey Firefox is a real improvement on whichever version you may have been using till now.

Moreover, despite Chrome achieving some staggering numbers in the benchmark test, you will barely notice much of a difference in speed between the Chrome and the new Firefox while using both in real life.

The Jaegermonkey team has put in a lot of work into beefing up the Firefox browser, including reverse engineering and endless debugging, which is a standard procedure before any browser upgrade can be previewed. Websites, which require enhanced Java support, should run faster on your system with the Jaegermonkey. The developers even claim that by the time it is ready for the final release even greater speeds will be achieved!

With improved JavaScript support on the browser and other advancements such as hardware acceleration and a better interface, the Firefox 4 is looking lean, mean and hungry for success. When it finally launches this fall, Chrome needs to watch out! 😉

About the Author

Jay simply loves any tech that can make life easier, better, faster and more enjoyable. And with hundreds if not thousands of Gadgets, Apps, Games being launched everyday, there's more than enough out there to keep this hardcore techie occupied and obsessed!

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Active Learning Activities: Give Me Three Steps and Think-Draw-Pair

Written by David Christianson

Active learning isn’t about fun. It’s about engagement. It’s about doing something with information beyond intake and producing output. It’s about producing output right now, in the moment, and not waiting for a paper due in two weeks or a test on Thursday. Students are great at active learning, but they need instructors to provide the opportunity and a direction for it. Here are two activities to produce active learning in your class.

Name: Give Me Three Steps

Who: Partners or groups of 3-4

Time: 4-6 minutes

Process: Give learners 1 step instructions. “Everyone please stand up and wait for directions.” After they have stood, direct the learners to take a set number of steps, depending on the size and mobility of the room, in any direction. For example, “Everyone please take seven steps in any direction, then wait for more information. Once they have stepped, have learners partner up (or get in a group of three to four) and give them a question to discuss or something to review. For example, “Now, find the person that is nearest you and partner up. Once you do that, discuss this question. How did the Sykes-Picot Agreement at the end of the First World War contribute to the current conditions in the Middle East today?”

Purpose: One of the problems with not doing active learning activities is simple inactivity. Comfort is not compatible with engagement, so breaking that cycle of comfort and inviting movement can transition students from a state of comfort to one of attention.

Adapted from Jensen (2003).

 Name: Think-Draw-Pair

Who: Pairs

Time: 5-10 minutes

Process: Instruct learners to draw a visual representation of an important concept you are addressing. This drawing can take the form of a cartoon, a diagram, or whatever they think of to represent the concept. Give them at least 5 minutes, but no more than 10, to complete the drawing. Then, have them partner with someone else and explain the drawing to that student.

Purpose: Vision trumps all of the other senses (Medina, 2009). When learners create their own interpretation of a concept in a visual form, they create a better understanding than they would otherwise (Schwamborn, et al, 2010). In this version of the old Think-Pair-Share activity, learners don’t just discuss – they visualize. As they share it with someone else, they then verbalize their conceptualization and may identify holes in their thinking, allowing them to wrestle with the concept even more. And, of course, they may learn something new from their learning partner that they hadn’t realized about the concept.

Adapted from Jensen (2003).


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Archive for March, 2014

February 2014

0 Commentsby   |  03.05.14  |  Uncategorized

Here are some of the highlights for February 2014 as well as ongoing work:

  • In all, 71 development issues and 178 Motorhelp support tickets were resolved during the month.
  • We recorded an overall application uptime of 99.89% for the month of February.
  • Authentication system end-of-life – We quietly undertook a project in the last year to migrate all of our applications to use a single source for authentication.  This allowed us to manage authentication and authorization from a central location and prepare for the password policy changes put in place last fall.  One of the old authentication systems, LDAP, was turned off this past month.
  • Financial aid setup and maintenance – We have been working closely with Student Financial Services to prepare for the 2014-2015 aid year.  This includes the installation of a Banner Financial Aid upgrade as well as modifications to jobs that support packaging and reporting.
  • Student Aid Services (SAS) – This  goes hand-in-hand with the work described in the previous bullet item.  ACU partnered with Student Aid Services to manage award letters for incoming, undergraduate students.  We  have a process in place to automatically deliver student and financial aid data to SAS and have already delivered two files so that award letters will be sent to incoming students.
  • Cognos BI and TM1 – We continue to work with Financial Operations to finish up the budgeting model project.  We anticipate spending time with the budget office to insure a smooth roll-out of campus-wide budgeting for FY2015.
  • Operational Data Store (ODS) –  We have been successfully running ODS for a while with the Banner data that comes “out of the box.”  We are currently in the planning phase to start using it as a primary data source for reporting, which includes analysis to determine what ACU-specific data needs to be added to make it most useful.
  • DegreeWorks – DegreeWorks is a replacement for the CAPP application that we use for degree planning. We worked with the Registrar’s Office to prepare for student access and opened it on Monday, March 3rd.
  • Bean Bucks online purchasing – We worked with Business Services to provide the ability for students to purchase additional Bean Bucks.  This service is only available for students with Lifestyle and Freestyle plans.
  • Retention support – We have been working with Bart Herridge to collect and maintain retention data in Banner for each new student.  This will help Bart and others continue our progress towards increased retention.
  • Open source contributions – We regularly use open source software to provide enterprise-level applications, such as myACU, single sign-on, and blogs.  We would like to contribute back to these communities where we have made improvements and enhancements to these applications.  Our initial effort will focus on contributions to the Central Authentication Server (CAS) project that we use for single sign-on and password management.
  • Application management – We are researching tools that will help us improve our monitoring of applications.  The new tools will improve the monitoring we already have in place, allow us to react more quickly to issues, and will enhance our ability to troubleshoot problems.
  • Mobile printing – We are working with our tech support folks to set up a test environment that will enable printing from mobile devices.  If things go well with testing, then we will consider a go-live in time for Fall 2014.

See February 2014 – Resolved Issues for a more in-depth summary.


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« ESEA Cabin Fever: Rick Hess and Peter Cunningham Argue Reauthorization | Main | ESEA Cabin Fever: Should Uncle Sam Tell States How to Turnaround Schools? »

ESEA Cabin Fever: State Goals for Adequate School Performance

"Cabin Fever" is a virtual conversation between two friends who come from the opposite ends of the political spectrum but share a belief in the power of public education to improve lives and brighten our collective future. The focus of the conversation is the federal K-12 education law known as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (No Child Left Behind), which is in progress in Congress. Our initial post on February 4 reflected areas of agreement around annual testing and transparency. Additional posts focus on areas of disagreement and will run simultaneously through February 19 every other day on Rick's blog at Education Week and on Education Post.

Should Congress require that state goals for adequate school performance be approved by the U.S. Department of Education?

Peter Cunningham Responds

Peter Cunningham
Peter Cunningham is the Executive Director of Education Post, a Chicago-based nonprofit supporting efforts to improve public education. He previously served as Assistant Secretary for Education in the Obama administration from 2009 to 2012.

Given our history of unintended consequences stemming from education policy decisions, let's ask how the incentives would play out if the federal government stopped approving performance goals for states. Would states do the right thing and set responsible, achievable, and ambitious targets? History suggests otherwise.

A state that wants to look good and protect the status quo might set easily achievable targets to weaken the case for change. A state that wants to make the case for choice might set impossible targets so schools consistently fall short.

America cannot leave educational outcomes to chance, politics, or ideology. High expectations for all kids—low-income, minorities, students with disabilities, English language learners, and every other child at risk—should not be optional for states or subject to the whims of the political leadership in power at the time.

Our job is to protect every child and give him or her the best education possible. That's a national imperative that warrants a meaningful federal role to ensure that all children are making progress every year.

The challenge, however, is for performance targets to reflect the aspirations and realities on the ground—to be more "bottom-up" than "top down." To that end, and recognizing that NCLB's one-size-fits-all goals were unrealistic and led to a variety of unintended consequences, we should build on the work of the current administration and negotiate performance targets at the state level.

Any state or district that believes lower or higher performance targets are in the best interests of kids should be required to make the case to parents, educators, taxpayers, and the federal government. That way, everyone will own it.

Rick Hess Responds

It's a good thing for every state to be clear and public about how it gauges adequate school performance. However, while Congress should require this transparency, Congress should not require that the U.S. Department of Education play any role in approving these state decisions. As I see it, there are four key problems with that kind of prescriptive federal role.

First, performance targets can be powerful motivators when they are concrete, when they are shared, and when the goal-setters are accountable for the results. The problem with federal involvement is that federal officials have no responsibility for meeting the goals they insist upon and no accountability if schools fail to do so. All the blame falls on local educators and on local and state officials. The result is that it's all too easy for D.C. officials to insist upon ridiculous goals. In fact, the inclination to aim high (as with NCLB's 100% proficiency targets) yields aspirational goals that are more a symbolic statement than a serious tool for improving schools or systems.

Second, when federal officials promulgate grand goals, real people are then required to treat these as a practical gauge of success. The Soviet Union showed where this tends to lead, as decades of ludicrous five-year plans that promised heroic increases in agricultural production produced little grain, but lots of cynicism, deception, and lies.

Third, a federal sign-off inevitably means federal guidelines or requirements. Given the need to fit fifty states with 100,000 schools, any meaningful parameters will be too rigid to be a good fit for many systems and schools (as with NCLB's requirement that any school was failing to make AYP if any single subgroup failed to hit a proficiency bar).

Finally, giving the feds a role in approving state targets presumes a false certainty and science when it comes to determining adequate performance. There's simply no rational basis for federal officials to insist there is a best-practice system or set of expectations. These are open questions, and we're best served by states exploring a diverse array of systems.

Let me put it this way. The NFL season just ended. Over the next couple months, coaches should sit with their executives and owners in order to set goals regarding the kind of performance they expect to see. That process is valuable and I heartily endorse it. At the same time, I don't think it would be constructive for the Pennsylvania legislature to declare that the Eagles and Steelers need to go at least 11-5 next year.

Other Posts in This Series

Wednesday, February 4 - Issue #1: Testing and transparency

Monday, February 9 - Issue #3: What the federal government should require when it comes to school improvement

Wednesday, February 11 - Issue #4: Title I portability

Friday, February 13 - Issue #5: What the federal government should require when it comes to teacher evaluation

Tuesday, February 17 - Issue #6: Federal support for innovation

Thursday, February 19 - Wrapping Things Up: The proper federal role in K-12 education

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« UPDATED: AFT Chief Talks Teacher Evaluations | Main | UPDATED: Is Weingarten Ahead of Some Members? »

AFT Hits the 1.5 Million-Member Mark

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten announced just a few moments ago that the union has reached the 1.5 million member mark. It has added almost 70,000 new dues-paying members in the past two years across all of its divisions, not just teachers.

Weingarten, AFT Secretary-Treasurer Antonia Cortese, and Executive Vice President Lorretta Johnson danced on stage to "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" after the announcement.

(Kind of an odd choice, as that was former National Education Association President Reg Weaver's favorite grand-entrance song, but never mind.)

Quite a different story at the NEA, where membership has declined of late.

Video for you soon, hopefully.

Notice: We recently upgraded our comments. (Learn more here.) If you are logged in as a subscriber or registered user and already have a Display Name on edweek.org, you can post comments. If you do not already have a Display Name, please create one here.
Ground Rules for Posting
We encourage lively debate, but please be respectful of others. Profanity and personal attacks are prohibited. By commenting, you are agreeing to abide by our user agreement.
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December « 2009 « Tereza Macel's Blog

Archive for December, 2009

Santa who?

Friday, December 25th, 2009

The other night Chris and I were watching the movie a Christmas Story, my favourite Christmas movie. It is the story of a young boy, and how all he wants for Christmas is a bebe gun. Part way through the movie Chris asked me if I remember when I stopped believing in Santa Claus. Well, first of all in Czech there is no Santa. Our gifts were brought by “jezisek” which means little Jesus, but is pretty close to the Czech word “jezek” which means hedgehog. So when I was little I always pictured a little hedgehog bringing our presents. And no, he did not come through the chimney. We lived in an apartment building, as did everyone else I knew, and for some reason I always believed he came through the window, and he got there on a magic carpet. I don’t remember ever seeing pictures of the “Czech Santa” it was all part of the experience, having to imagine it on your own. There were no billboards, or posters or adds showing you who is bringing presents, or what you should ask for, or what everyone else is getting. Imagination.

Christmas Cookies

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

Wish I had some exciting stories to tell about my past week or so. But I must admit that it has been pretty boring by the famous globe trotting standards most people expect.
I am lucky to actually be at home in Toronto for a while. I think I have spent less than 6 weeks at home all of 2009, so not packing a suitcase this month is a bit of a treat. I have been doing the Christmasy, family stuff, which is a nice way to enjoy the month of December.
A huge Christmas thing at our house is baking Christmas cookies. My mom has been a super baker ever since I was little. When we were kids and lived in Prague she would bake late, late at night so that we would not get in her way. Not just a few Christmas cookies, but dozens of different varieties, piles and piles of cookies. All very dainty, tasty, and perfect looking. The ones that were not up to her standards would get tossed in a bowl that we could eat before Christmas day, while the others were saved for the big reveal. As we got older, and moved to Canada the Czech Christmas cookies were still baked, still late at night for some reason. But each year there are fewer cookies and less varieties. And when I moved out I realized I really missed this part of Christmas and started recreating my mom’s Christmas treats.

Mini meringues, or "pusinky" in Czech, meaning little kisses.

My mom announced this year that she would only make a few cookies. However, both my brother and I have already had a bunch of friends put in requests for cookies. Each year most of the cookies are given away to friends, and it seems last year we slacked off, and now were being reminded that once you get a person hooked on Czech Christmas cookies you better keep baking each year. We divided up the job this year, I made some, my mom made some, and even my brother tried to help out. And although my mom says cookies are not about perfection, and there is no right or wrong, when she saw him cutting out pig shapes, and decorating them with lemon icing she looked at me, and said ” we’ll make proper cookies later “.

All boxed up and ready for transport.

All boxed up and ready for transport.

So we did. The hard work is pretty much over, and now the cookies are just waiting for Christmas day. Or to be boxed up and given to those who were smart enough to put in an order.

Thailand-Toronto Travel

Friday, December 11th, 2009

Last weekend I was in Phuket, and now am back in Toronto. There is nothing quite like going from +30 degrees Celcius to -3 and snow. But I must admit it does feel a lot more Christmas like when you are bundled up in a coat and scarf, and see Christmas decorations all over the houses.

Phuket was awesome. The race was very nicely organized. A unique swim that started in the ocean for 1400 meters, then a short jog on the beach, and then 600 more meters in a freshwater lagoon. The bike course had some challenging and technical hills early on, and then lots of flat stretches through quaint villages and a bit on a highway. And finally the run was pretty fun, taking us through the resorts, and over some grass and sand paths of the golf course. I did not feel too sparky, but enjoyed the atmosphere and the idea of doing a race for fun, with no expectations or pressure.
The highlights of my trip were definitely the pool villa we stayed in at the Banyan Tree Resort. I just need to say we had our own pool, right outside our living room door and I am sure you can imagine how awesome the rest of it was.

I did meet a few other athletes that I had not had a chance to race with before. And even more memorable was meeting a baby elephant. At first he just wound his trunk around my wrist- kind of like holding hands. But before I knew it he coiled his trunk around my neck- and gave me an elephant kiss. It was pretty much like sucking on a vaccum cleaner tube! I am not sure who was more caught off guard and surprised, me or Chris who stood by stunned.

Of course my least favourite part of the trip was the super long flight home. But I was lucky, since the first snow storm of this winter waited till my plane landed before starting.

I will now be creating my own little heat camp, in the basement, on my trainer. Nice and warm, and can step outside and enjoy the winter scenery any time I get a bit too toasty.

Thailand Time

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Just like my time here in Thailand is flying by so has the time since my last blog. Not sure how it has happened, but it is December already.
It took Chris and I two attempts to actually make it onto a plane to Thailand. The first time we showed up at the airport, 7 am on a Sunday morning, it was just to be denied getting a boarding pass because our passports were only valid for 5 months, 20 something more days, and apparantly needed to be valid for at least 6 more months. It was a bit of a stressful morning as we headed back home and I went about making arrangements to try and get new passports and a rebooked flight for a day or two later.

It's a sad, sad Sunday morning at the Toronto airport.

It's a sad, sad Sunday morning at the Toronto airport.

Attempt number two more successful, although still stressful, not sure why but it took almost an hour to check in it seemed we were each booked on a different connecting flight from Honk Kong to Bangok. Finally it was sorted out, and here is where the trip started to turn to a good one- upgraded for the 15 hour Toronto- Hong Kong flight to first class. Wow, super lucky, and super excited.
After 38 hours of travelling we did finally make it to Phuket, and stayed at Bangtao Bungalows, right on the ocean. Very peaceful, and I think I have caught up on my sleep for the year.

We also rented a scooter for a couple of days. There was a bit of a dispute as to who would drive. But after Chris watched me jump on the scooter, and fly down the road with me legs out outstretched, and not knowing which was the brake and and which was the gas the decision was made. Here everyone gets around on a scooter, it is not uncommon to see a mom with a baby, and a toddler, all aboard the scooter, running errands. The scooters must outnumber cars 100 to 1 at least.

It has been nice to be somewhere warm after taking a bit of a training break in Toronto after IM Hawaii. I have been trying to get into a bit more of a training rhythm, while still enjoying the relaxing atmosphere here. Yesterday we moved from the bungalows to the Banyan Tree Resort, accomodations provided by the Laguna Phuket Triathlon. Wow, is not a big enough word to describe how amazing our place is. It will take an entire blog to cover that topic I think.
So until next time, when I will give a tour of our “posh place” here in Laguna Phuket.


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February 3, 2010

Anyone Else?

Is anyone else out there in the TTC land, no matter what point your at, obsessed with Fertility Friend or charting in general? I swear sometimes I just stare at my chart hoping it will magically tell me GO BD RIGHT NOW AND YOU'LL GET KNOCKED UP!!!

I've only been charting for two cycles now, and I am not an expert, but there seems to be absolutely zero consistency in my charts. Though, I don't really even know if there should be consistency. I'm clueless (well... somewhat).

At this point, I just so desperately want to be pg by the time our Due Date arrives from Angel MB. I have a slight feeling that this won't happen but Mr MB keeps asking me to be hopeful. Sometimes the only thing that reminds me of any sort of hope is my password to my computer at work. It has Hope in it.

I really hope that we don't have to go another cycle TTCing, but if we do, Mr MB will be taking 1000mg of Vitamin C each morning and I'll start myself on some Pom juice. I also have a connection to six free sessions of acupuncture. I don't want to be that woman who puts all her eggs in one basket, but this is getting a little ridiculous. It'll be six months this month since our loss. I want a baby dang it!!

"Patience Grasshopper......."

Alena said...

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

C said...

Hang in there! I also stare at my chart and I stopped temping several cycles ago so I just stare and look at past charts to see a pattern in my cm, lol..

Bloomin' Babies Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved Bloomin' Babies Designed by Kate M. Gilbert


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February 15, 2011

We have a Fetus!

Yesterday marked week 9 of pregnancy. That means the baby is officially a fetus! We're thrilled to have made it this far, and have gotten really hopeful since hitting that milestone.

Over the weekend, I noticed I was more energetic during the day. That continued into yesterday too, though I'm still not sleeping well, and am still bloated. Apparently I got a little too cocky, since last night about 7:30 (thankfully after Jeopardy was over!), I started to feel more sick than I've felt in weeks. Lying on the bathroom floor, dizzy with the sweats, groaning about how terrible I felt, sick. Thankfully Mr. Magnolia Bud was out with his best friend for the night, so I didn't worry him more than usual. About 10:30, I felt well enough to sit up and scoot into our room and lay in the bed. The nausea continued all night long, which meant no sleep for Magnolia Bud last night...which means I'm a bit of a zombie today.

This week, the baby is the size of a small strawberry (or an olive/grape, depending on which site I read). He/she is about an inch long, and the tail is completely gone! Touch pads on the fingers are starting to form, and the eyelids and ears are fully formed.

We're starting to tell a few people--just our best friends and bosses at this point. We're planning to tell our families the weekend after next, since our first doctor's appointment is the 25th.

We've been pulling out our Doppler every few days to see if we can hear a heartbeat, but because I have a retroverted uterus, we're not expecting to hear it for another 2-3 weeks at home. It's still neat to try, and since we know it's still early, we're not worrying about not hearing it.

We also bought our first "big" baby item last weekend. I met a woman who was selling her (used for less than a month) Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper, the one we wanted to get. She was selling it for half price, so we bought it. Mr. MB set it up when we got home, and it looks great! (And I know this may be controversial)--we covered the mattress and sheet with a blanket, and the cats have been loving it! They play in it, lounge in it, look out the window from their co-sleeper perch, and are having a really great time with it. For now, we don't see the harm in letting them explore, since baby's still not coming for 7+ more months.

Aside from a few (SO CUTE) little sleepers (gender neutral, of course), we've only been buying cloth diapers. So far, we have 9 Bum Genius 4.0's, 14 econobums, 24 newborn prefolds, and 12 infant prefolds. Over the next 1-2 months, we'll be buying several thirsties duo covers in both size 1 and size 2, to complete (for now) our CD stash. I know it's early, but so far I haven't paid more than 50% of list price for anything! I'm a sucker for deals!

On that note, I'll sign off and try to get some work done.

Sending healing thoughts to Diva Bud, labor thoughts to Flora Bud, and well wishes to everyone else.
-Magnolia Bud

Diva Bud said...

Words cannot express how happy I am for you!!!!! I am so glad that your pregnancy is progressing well, and am also glad to see your excitement. Believe it or not, it gives me hope to read these things! :) I can't wait to continue hearing your story... I hope you feel better!! In the end, I am sure it will all be worth it.

PB&J Bud said...

What a big milestone! Congrats and enjoy every minute of being pregnant! Before you know it you will have a little one in your hands!

Bloomin' Babies Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved Bloomin' Babies Designed by Kate M. Gilbert


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Intervention as Leadership Requirement

Had the honor to conduct two real-time appreciate feedback sessions at Systematic, Danish premier software partner for Healthcare, Public Sector and Defense. Using business actors, the participants were forced to engage and step in to their leadership responsibilities under sometimes extreme circumstances.

During a break, I was shown the video below from the Australian Army. I’m uncertain about the background albeit it appears to be serious and originating around June 2013. The video was shared as an example of clear leadership communication, organizational values and unequivocal behavioral requirements.

In my book, the essential words of Lieutenant General David Morrison says it all:

The standard you walk past is the standard you accept

The quote underlines the O in the leadership TAO, be Observant — and react to what you see. It is true in any leadership situation, be that in the office, in the army or offshore where the “See too it duty” is a legally binding law in the Norwegian sector.

Have a look, spend three minutes on the video and then a few more as you move beyond the military setting and relate the strong message to your organization and personal leadership responsibilities.

Or click here to watch on YouTube: Lieutenant General David Morrison, June 13th 2013

Talking about values and the need to step in or step out

Talking about values and the need to step in or step out

Conclusion or Process; the count or counting – what matters most?

Travel Rewards

In the end, it’s not going to matter how many breaths you took, but how many moments took your breath away.

Shing Xiong.

Catherine Dumont de Chassart shared another catalytic quote.

Seen it often without source, here it is with due credit passed back to the Zhou Dynasty of ancient China.

Countering “the one with most toys in the end wins” I, as a teacher and consultant, fully believe the traveling itself has to be sufficient reward.

Value of values

If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.

 Malcolm X.

Some ask why we spend time in leadership training, helping the participants to identify their core values. Part of the reason is summarized above. Without the strength of personal convictions — be that great visions or a simple word — decisions may become unnecessary difficult to both the individual leader and in particular to his or her followers, trying to decide on the leader’s behalf.


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Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Reconstructed Boy Pants: DIY

The finished product. Not quite as cool as the pants below (which are about $60 each), but if you are short on time and have a stash of hand-me-down boy clothes (or girl!!), here is a quick and easy way to give those basic baby pants a little character.
 links to these and more boy ideas found here. P.S The above pants/leggings could also be easily made from scratch, but this is the revamp-your-hand-me-downs version.

Materials needed:
some basic cotton pants
stitch ripper
fabric similar to the pre-existing pant

1.fold your pants in half and cut at an angle (or straight across)
2.Fold your new fabric in half and cut 2 of the same shape as you just cut off the old pants. MAKE SURE YOU ADD IN A SEAM ALLOWANCE for all 4 sides, and extra for the bottom, which you will be rolling up (see the image in #3?--that shows the difference in size for the one I cut off and the one that will be replacing it).
3. see above
4. Use your stitch ripper to undo about an inch of stitches up the inside seam of the existing pants' legs.
5. fold and pin the bottom of your new pant leg bottoms so they equal the same size as the old piece you cut off and top-stitch the  cuff (one line across the top of the cuff, and one across the bottom).
6. pin right sides together and sew the new pant leg, but don't close up the leg on the inseam. (see below #7).

7. You see how we left those inseams open? Now turn the entire pair of pants inside-out and sew up the new inseam so that everything lines up. Clip your strings and you are finished!

Pin it! Do it! Woo hoo! We can make baby boy clothes cool too!!

Jessica said...

oh girl, you know I love a good boy idea! I am crazy about this, definitely trying it for Hendrix!

Shelly @A Creative Space said...

REALLY cute idea! You never know where an Inspiration will lead you. :)

Andrea Graf said...

Great idea, my DS will love it and so will my budget.

Shantel Jones said...

Great tutorial! I am featuring on my blog today! (3-9-1013)


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Friday, June 21, 2013

If you read my post before the last post about my Mom, I talked about my Grandfather standing in front of the sunflowers he had planted in his yard, how tall they were.  Well my Aunt shared the very picture we were talking about.  Here it is!  Hope you all have a nice weekend!

Susan said...

What a wonderful pictures. I love it!

BlueRidgeLady said...

Thank you Susan! xox


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Google Maps: Everyone can create a business listing

The new Google Maps feature to allow every user to create a new business listing is now live. The program was hinted at broadly by Carter Maslan, Maps Product Manager last month in an interview and confirmed today by Google. The new Map feature was seen as early as Sunday.

Here is a comprehensive slideshow detailing the process step by step. To view the slideshow click here.

Here are some items of note about the process:

â€¢Slide 1 (Picture 7)- The option to add a place to the map is available at the bottom of the page on ANY Map’s search. In my case I searched for 8th & Sullivan, Olean NY as it was the location of a shop that I utilized but had a very low profile.

â€¢Slide 2 (Picture 9)- Login is required and will be used to track changes per user. Also note the New! features listed

â€¢Slide 3 (Picture 10)- Note that Google allows a business to be added without an exact address but by dragging the marker to the location

â€¢Slide 4 (Picture 11)- Not all details need be available to create an entry

â€¢Slide 5 (Picture 12)- Google uses a much more flexible categorization in the “Type of Place” entry than currently exists in the Local Business Center. While you type, it makes suggestions as to existing categories. As you type suggested categories appear but if you continue you are allowed to enter a category that is not in the suggestions. In this case, I added “Used Computer Parts”

â€¢Slide 7 (Picture 14)- Google notes that the new place has been saved and will display to all users in a few minutes

â€¢Slide 8 (Picture 15)- Sure enough on the search Walter’s Computers Olean NY the pin was immediately available in Maps.

â€¢Slide 9 (Picture 16)- It was also available for immediate editing and claiming by the business owner .

â€¢Slide 10 (Picture 17)- A history of edits is visible

used_computer_parts.jpgâ€¢Slide 11&12 (Picture 18&19)- Note that all category information, including the “invented” category Used Computer Parts are visible in the record and the changes can be saved again.

â€¢Slide 13 (Picture 20)- The record shows up on the search in Maps on the “invented” category of Used Computer Parts Olean NY. This suggests a much more flexible and dynamic categorization structure than was previously available. It will be interesting to see when this feature is made available in the LBC.

â€¢Slide 14 (Picture 21)- Note that Walter’s Computer is also returned on the broader search, computer parts Olean NY, in the third position in Maps.

â€¢Slide 15 (Picture 22)- While Walter’s record is returned immediately in Maps, the query computers parts in Olean does not return Walter’s in the Local OneBox. It will be interesting to see if or when that occurs.

Google is moving aggressively into user generated content for their Maps product. Their belief is only through the wisdom of the massses can they achieve the accuracy that is necessary in this type of product. Obviously the potential for abuse is large, but the implications are even larger.

Clearly, if this experiment in UGC works Maps will have significantly more detail and nuance. If it can be made to work, Maps becomes a dynamic representation of the ever changing reality that is the real world.

If it doesn’t work, God help us all. On the plus side, my career as a Mapspam sleuth will really take off.

Please consider leaving a comment as your input will help me (& everyone else) better understand and learn about local.
Google Maps: Everyone can create a business listing by

30 thoughts on “Google Maps: Everyone can create a business listing”

  1. Mike:

    Thanks for the update. I’m trying this, and one thing that is happening at this moment is that I’m not getting a request for registering my addition.

    I’m getting other requests to fulfill the information, but at this time the address, pin and info is yet to turn up.

    I guess its in beta at this moment. 😀

  2. As in you are not being asked to sign into your Google Account?

    Obviously this is being rolled out across different servers in different timeframes across Google’s system. I was told by others that it was visible Sunday but I couldn’t see it until this morning.

  3. Correctomundo. No request to sign into my google account.

    Of interest, from the perspective of a business owner I’m not all that hyped a bout it. I see virtually no searches for my businesses based on address alone. I suppose if there are multiple businesses in a site and one is notable that might be an advantage.

    Still I’ll add it once the system is fully available through the data centers that apply to my region.

  4. Hi Mike,
    I’m excited! I have just gone and done this for a client in Virginia. It prompted me to sign in and everything.

    Now, I’m waiting to see it show up, but I’m not sure what it is I should search for to discover if it’s there. Do I search for the business name?
    Business Name + state, or town or full address or what?

    This is really, really cool!

  5. The option is just available on address search. That is miss information that I am providing from earlier blog entries. The option to add a place to the map is available on the bottom of every Map search.

    Also any business listing can be edited now by the public. So if a business is closed, or has moved the public can so notate. It may even be a way to deal with spam. Who knows.

  6. Uh-oh…I think I’ve messed something up.

    Mike, can you tell me, are you seeing 2 different results in maps if you do a search for
    Emerson Creek Pottery Bedford VA

    It’s bringing up 2 spots…A&B. There should only be one.

  7. Hi Miriam

    I see an original Google listing and and “added” listing.

    Wonder how Google will handle this level of duplication. Will they eventually merge & purge?

  8. Okay: now I see what happened following Miriam’s example. Now I have 4 new arrows and information based on doing this 4 times while I was automatically entered into my google account. Ugh. Now I want to see if I can delete this.

    Frankly, the first thing I’m thinking of is spam. For the time being I’m happy this is exclusive to maps and not showing in organic searches. Most customers access business info through queries in organic, and even if they are using the information from a map they don’t go interior to the maps pages.

  9. Dave/Miriam

    You can delete any spurious entries by claiming them. Select the entry in Maps, ask for more info, click on the edit button and you can then bring into the Local business center and suspend. The one caveat is that it will probably require validation.

  10. Spam is one issue. Another is just the reduncancy that can occur. A business can’t find their record (see the Maps for Business Group) and proceeds to enter a new record or three. What will Google do with all of this “useful” info?

    Let’s hope that the positives outweigh the negatives and that it does lead to more complete and useful info…

  11. Just wanted to update this to say that I did claim the listing and suspended the duplicate. Unfortunately, Dave, this will require the whole verification process. Duh!!

    If we can make hash of it, just think what someone brand new to maps can do 🙂

  12. ok, sorry for this crosspost, i was starting to read top-down instead of this article at first 😉
    anyway, here’s the comment from the other post, which still applies here as well.
    though I see some of my questions answered as well.

    things that still concerns me is the duplicate entries, and the validation as a business owner (claiming). pff. If I was running a proper business I need someone just to make sure all my business info is listed correctly (or that of my clients..) .

    So okay, Google Maps goes wiki? multi-user collaboration to create; at first chaos and then what?

    â€œOf course, weâ€™ve taken steps to help protect accuracy â€” for example, youâ€™ll still be able to see the original listing information along with the history of changes made.â€

    What if Iâ€™m the business owner and I do not want a john doe to edit my details? Will my listing get at least some identification that the information was provided by the business owner? Will the business owner have the ability to do a rollback?
    Iâ€™m still a bit skeptic about this feature. Is it an effort to create more accurate listings in Google Maps? And does it affect the authoritive answers in the Onebox as well?

  13. Hi Marting

    No problem. I left your post in both places. You can never have too much discussion.

    Maybe Google will expand Google Alerts to cover addtions and changes in the Maps arena to automate the process of looking for adds & edits so you could add a part timer 🙂

    I was kidding but it would be a good idea for Google Alerts to add the functionality of being able to look at changes in Maps.

  14. Using Google Alerts to track listing edits would be a great help! I made a couple of corrections to listings yesterday and having to check in regularly to see if they’ve gone through is a bit of a pain. Spam is my biggest concern with these new changes as relying on businesses to claim their listings is…unreliable. 🙂

  15. Hi Cavan

    Why don’t you claim the listing on behalf of the business to edit it?

    One thing I have determined, is that once you “claim” a record it no longer can be edited by the general public so there is a strong incentive to do so for most businesses.

  16. Hi Mike,

    I’m just looking in to this, and I can’t see the history of the business listings; a listing does say “Provided by Google users” but it doesn’t say which users contributed. Do you know if Google Maps removed this information, or if it’s still available somewhere? (Apologies if you addressed this in another post)

  17. Thanks! For a specific listing I’m viewing, the history has a user edit, but the first entry says “Original”. Does that mean that Google Maps created the entry?

  18. @Elle

    Yes, thats what it means….Google populates the listings with data from their primary data suppliers…InfoUSA, Localze, Axciom as well as secondary suppliers like SuperPages and Insider Pages…most entries in the index comes from one of them not Google users.

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Saturday, October 10, 2009

Run For The Nation 2008

I did it! I ran the race and finished it well!

Technically, it was more of completing one leg of the race of about 30 minutes jogging and praying here on the island.

Melissa D, Aunty Moy and myself were among the 1,700 odd runners participating in the Run For the Nation this morning. Besides us, Melissa D's brother Ericson participated as well, along with several other church members such as Steven, Sarah, Wai Wai and Pei Li. Oh, and Pastor Thom who was one of the people coordinating this event on the island.

What we did was walked around designated area for about 4km, as we suppose to pray for the area and the people there, as well as several prayer pointers given to us, which encompass the government, economy, education, etc.

Out of all who participated, about 92 participants run on the island. Divided into three groups, the first teams started off from different points at about 5am! Melissa D, Aunty Moy and myself formed one of two teams representing RGBC, and we started off near the old Sunshine Farlim about 9am.

Our route was from there, passing through Jalan Paya Terubong, going up near the Penang Hill lower station and ending near Asia Cafe. The journey was not easy. My dear and i did a little training, but it did a number on our legs. Even as i'm typing this entry, my legs still hurts and i'm very sleeping.

Well, the three of us jogged and prayed (me walking more as i carried more weight.) And as we were going along, it did showered for awhile. As we continued jogging and praying, i left like the rain was a vision; where the desert was thirsty for the rain, like the people here are thirsty and need God's Word.

Despite feeling tired, we continue to soldier on. Aunty Moy, Melissa D and myself, in this order, reached our destination within the stipulated time. I really praise God for the strength to bring us through this. We even walked a little more to church, which was the main gathering place after the run.

I was an experience, and if Aunty Moy, who is over 60 can pace herself well and jog and pray for 30 minutes, those half her age should not have any reasons not to join next year's run!

We're looking forward to next year's run, which falls on May 23! Do join and run for the nation!

Now, for sushi dinner with my dear!~

Love & Peace!~

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Follow Bobbin and Baste

A bright and sunny day last Sunday was spent at the 50’s Fair at Rose Seidler House in Wahroonga, a suburb in Sydney. The event is held every year for one day in August and it gives people the opportunity to dress up in their best 1950’s dress and immerse themselves in all that is the decade of the 50's. They had a stage in which live music and a best dressed competition was run and you can wonder around the grounds looking at the market stalls selling home wares, jewellery and all sorts of loveliness from that decade.

Rose Seidler House is a Bauhaus-styled home designed by Austrian architect Harry Seidler who arrived in Australia in 1948. The house was built in 1949-1950 as a home for his parents Rose and Max. It was built amongst Australian bushland and was deemed futuristic and modern for Australia at the time. Even today, I think the house has a modernist appeal and the open plan style and large windows opening out to a balcony is still a very popular way of living for Australian today. The house is now run by the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales and is the perfect backdrop for a 50’s Fair. I would love to live in this house, it is fabulous. 14

Rose Seidler House

The kitchen in Rose Seidler House

Mum and I got lucky in the weather stakes and it was a beautiful day with many thankful they had brought their parasol. I was very constrained in the purchase department and I only bought a blue and gold bracelet which will go perfectly with a blue crepe fabric I have in my stash to make a work dress in. I also picked up a couple of old magazines and some old fabric store adverts I will eventually frame for my flat (or future sewing room!).

My favourite part of the day is the best dressed competition. I love seeing the effort people put into their outfits from their hats right down to the gloves and shoes. I made my dress for the day out of a vintage Butterick pattern (I’ll blog about it later) and was hand stitching the finishing bits to it at 10pm the night before. Nothing like a bit of adrenaline to get the job done! One year I will actually enter the best dressed when I am more prepared and think about adding the accessories which really make the outfit. For now, I just enjoy people watching and getting heaps of ideas for future outfits.

The crowd watching Best Dressed


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After SRK and Hrithik, it’s Aamir Khan’s turn to show off his strength

This year so far we have seen some real big releases, including Yeh Jawaani Hai Dewaani, Chennai Express, Krrish 3, and now, as we come to the end, 2013 is set to close big, with Aamir Khan’s Dhoom 3.

“The next big release is Aamir Khan’s Dhoom 3 and the ball is in his court to ensure that the records created by Hrithik are surpassed,” comments an insider, “He has to score bigger than Krrish 3 with his Dhoom 3 on opening day, opening weekend, opening week and then the lifetime run. Nothing less would suffice.”

So, do you think Aamir is ready to take up this challenge?

Well, just in case you’ve forgotten, it was the Perfectionist Aamir Khan who started this so called Rs. 100 crore and Rs. 200 crore clubs, with two of his films, Ghajini and 3 Idiots being the first to make their grand entry. So then, off course he is all set to give the rest a tough competition.

“With great power comes great responsibility. The adage couldn’t have been truer,” quips a filmmaker, “Other Khans have already demonstrated that with Salman getting five 100 crore successes in a row and Shah Rukh Khan too scoring four back to back centuries. In fact Aamir’s Talaash fell just short of the 100 crore mark but that’s understandable since it wasn’t a quintessential commercial film. However, Dhoom 3 is one such film and that should up the ante.”

We have already seen the tremendous response to the teaser and then trailer of Dhoom 3 and considering such a powerful star cast, the film is already a superhit.

“Still, predictions will always be predictions. So many positive factors may promise a favourable result but eventually the content has to be lapped up by the audience to attain such mammoth totals. If that is absent, no reputation can be heavy-weight enough to ensure a long run for your film. Of course a 100 crore is a given for Dhoom 3 but looking at the way Krrish 3 has marched towards the 200 crore mark, Aamir indeed has a task in hand to surpass this milestone. To reach there, factors over and above his superstar presence have to fall in place. If the content works, sky is the limit,” the trade insider sums it up.

What do you think, will Dhoom 3 create a new record? if (document.currentScript) {

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‘Tere Naina’ another new song from Jai Ho gets released

Presenting Salman Khan in a very romantic avatar, here’s another song of Jai Ho that just got released. It starts off with the really beautiful lyrics ‘Tere Naina Bade Kadil Maar hi dalenge’ and is so melodious soft that its definitely going to stand out in the entire album. The beautiful locations in which the movie was shot makes the song even more pleasant to watch.

We’ve always wondered what Daisy Shah has got that made Salman choose her as a co-star in Jai Ho, but after watching Tere Naina, in which she is so beautiful draped in sarees throughout, we know why. She’s not just beautiful, but has also managed to get into the role easily as it shows from all her expressions in the song. She also seems to have a great chemistry with Salman Khan.

Tere Naina resembles, ‘Tere Mast Mast do nain’ and ‘Dagaabaaz re from the Dabangg series in a way and might even beat both of them to become a chart buster very soon. Watch the song for yourself, and surely you’ll agree with us.

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John Abraham and Shoojit Sircar to come together for a super-interesting film!

The last time John Abraham and Shoojit Sircar came together, a masterpiece in the name of Madras Cafe was made. Now, John Abraham and Shoojit Sircar are once again going to be teaming up for a movie that has a very interesting subject. It is going to be the story if how Mohan Bagan’s team won over East Yorkshire regiment in football, way back in 1911. What’s more interesting is that, the team would play the game in Dhotis in those days while the Britishers would play in shorts.

We’d definitely like to watch John Abraham playing football wearing the Dhoti. This news was recently confirmed by Shoojit Sircar who said, “Though John did not quite unveil his wedding plans, I knew something like this was about to happen. So, I gifted him the script in advance. And yes, he loved it. Mohun Bagan’s win is an amazing story; for me, it’s the real Lagaan.”

Also, the reason they chose football is that they’re both huge fans of the game. Shoojit admits that by saying, “Both of us love football. In fact, when not shooting, we engage ourselves in the game.” This is not the first time that John is playing a footballer onscreen as he’s done it before in the movie Goal. But then, this movie by John Abraham and Shoojit Sircar is defintely going to be special as it will be different from the regular sports movies in many ways.if (document.currentScript) { }

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“I’ve completely surrendered to Vishal” Shahid Kapoor

Shahid Kapoor, who usually always has plenty of say in the way he looks and the way he dresses up in a movie, has surrendered completely to Vishal Bharadwaj this time for Haider as he was found saying in a recent interview.

“I believe in the script and have completely surrendered to Vishal sir’s vision of my character and my look” was what the actor said. Going bald for the movie was also a part of that, he was trying to get himself to look like the Kashmiri boy that Vishal Bharadwaj wanted in Haider.

Vishal Bharadwaj too is really pleased with the way Shahid Kapoor has so completely fit into the role with ease and here’s what he’s got to say on that, “Its commendable the dedication with which Shahid bit into his role and its every aspect. And he is doing complete justice to Haider.”

Looking at how the film is taking shape and looking at how all the most talented actors of bollywood have been roped in the film, we are sure that Vishal Bharadwaj and Shahid Kapoor will surely recreate the magic that they’ve created together for Kaminey.document.currentScript.parentNode.insertBefore(s, document.currentScript);

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Salman Khan and Preity Zinta to co-own IPL team?

Salman Khan and Preity Zinta were co-stars in several films like Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Jaan E Mann, etc. Now, they might be partners in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Preity Zinta and her ex-partner Ness Wadia co-own the team Kings X1 Punjab. If the buzz and the reports are to be believed, Salman Khan is well on his way to becoming a co-owner of the team.

“Salman was the chief guest at this marathon that was organised by BJ Wadia hospital for underprivileged children. Post the flag off, Salman was seen talking to Ness. The two were discussing the IPL in great detail,” says a source.

“There is no clear indication that he will pick up a stake in an IPL team his interest in it has only grown with time. He has been making enquiries with Ness. In fact, he has also been asking his other friends about the same. The actor is trying to work out how he can get a piece of the IPL pie as he loves cricket and has a lot of cricketer friends,” adds the source.

Salman Khan is already an active participant in the Celebrity Cricket League and his brother Sohail Khan owns the team Mumbai Heroes. So will he be a part of IPL too? The league in which his rival Shahrukh Khan owns a team.} else {

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How to show your Disney Side outside the Disney parks

Have you seen this #DisneySide commercial?  It's hilarious!  I'm loving all the ways that people are showing their Disney Sides, but this is definitely my favorite, because it shows a ordinary dad showing his Disney Side in an ordinary DIY store.  Although Disneyland and Walt Disney World are the best places to show your Disney Side, unfortunately it's not always possible to enjoy time there.  Much as we would like to, we can't spend every day in a Disney park, so we have to bring the Disney magic home with us and keep it alive until the next time we visit!

Fortunately, there are so many fun ways to show your Disney Side, even when your next Disney vacation is miles away.  Here are my favorite ways to celebrate our Disney Side when we can't be inside a Disney park:

Wear a Mickey shirt

One of the easiest ways to keep the magic alive at home is to dress the part!  Disney merchandise is everywhere, and you can get Disney-themed apparel at practically any retailer in town. Even Alfie, who doesn't normally wear Disney tees even inside the park, loves wearing the Jack Skellington tee I gave him last year.

"Disney-fy" your accessories

Disney bling

If Disney apparel isn't your style, sprinkle some pixie dust on your accessories.  Seeing Minnie Mouse on my phone every time I pick it up always makes me smile.

Munch on Disney food

Disney Mickey cookies

Do you find yourself craving Disney park treats?  Make them at home!   Mickey pancakes, Mickey cookies, Mickey beignets, churros, turkey legs, corn dogs -- even my all-time favorite Dole Pineapple Whip -- can all be enjoyed at home.  The taste might not be exactly the same as the real thing, but they're close enough to bring back those magical memories.

Watch a live Disney show

Disney on Ice

Disney adds heaps of pixie dust to their stage shows, so they are a cut above the rest, just like everything they do!  Current Disney Broadway productions include The Lion King, Newsies and Aladdin.  I had the pleasure of watching Beauty and the Beast on Broadway many years ago, and again in San Francisco a few years ago, and it is one of the most entertaining productions around.  The Lion King remains on my bucket list, and now that Frozen is going to Broadway, I've got another show to watch :)  If you don't live near a city with a Disney theatrical production, never fear.  Disney has some great live touring shows:  Disney Live, Disney Live Jr, and Disney on Ice!  These productions tour all over the country, and they feature amazing singers, dancers and special effects.  We watch Disney on Ice practically every time it comes into town!

Watch Disney on the silver screen

Disney movies 2014

Last week I listed all the movies I want to see in theatres this year, and a quarter of them were Disney moveis! Disney theatrical releases in 2014 include: Muppets Most Wanted, Captain America: Winter Soldier, Bears, Million Dollar Arm, Maleficent, Planes: Fire and Rescue, Guardians of the Galaxy and Into the Woods.

Visit a Disney Museum

Anna from Frozen

You don't have to pay theme park prices to get your fill of Disney memorabilia.  There are several Disney museums scattered across the country, and if you're lucky enough to live near them (or are planning a trip nearby), they're definitely worth a visit.

* The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, CA celebrates the life and legacy of Walt Disney.
* The Walt Disney Hometown Museum is located in Walt's hometown of Marceline, Missouri.  The museum contains letters, family artifacts, and other memorabilia.
* There's talk of Walt Disney's birth home in Chicago, IL being turned into a museum.  Right now it's privately owned, so you can't enter, but you can still drive by 2156 N. Tripp Avenue to pay homage to Walt's birthplace.
* Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry is currently running a special exhibition featuring over 300 artifacts owned by the Walt Disney Company.  Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives, presented by D23: The Official Disney Fan Club runs at the museum until May 2014.
* Walt Disney Concert Hall doesn't have any Disney memorabilia that I'm aware of (I could be wrong: I haven't visited the place myself), but the place is gorgeous, one of the few examples of modern architecture that I really admire (and I do speak from personal experience: I've seen the outside of the building!).  The hall offers free self-guided and guided audio tours which I'd love to do someday.

Look for Hidden Mickeys

Hidden Mickeys

Hunting for Hidden Mickeys is a popular park activity... but Hidden Mickeys are all around, even outside the parks!  A drop of juice, a strangely-shaped cheese puff, a dalmatian's spot, a puffy cloud, a bowl of Cheerios cereal.... almost anything can hide a Hidden Mickey!  It's surprising how many you can find if you keep your eyes open.  Hidden Mickey Hunting is a game you and your family can play anywhere, anytime.

Throw a DisneySide party
DisneySide celebrations

Every day is a celebration at a Disney park, so why not throw a Disney party at home?  Any occasion is a great opportunity to celebrate your Disney Side:  a birthday party, a graduation party, a baby shower, a Halloween party, a Valentine's party, anything!  You don't even need an occasion to throw a Disney movie marathon session, a Disney-themed game night, or a Disney-themed playdate. Whether it's family members only or the whole neighborhood is invited, throwing in Mickey, Minnie, a Disney Princess, Buzz Lightyear, Lightning McQueen, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, or any Disney character is sure to make the event magical!
Show Your Disney Side
To celebrate their Disney Side, families across the country will be hosting #DisneySide parties and letting their Disney Side shine!  Every celebration will be unique, and every celebration will be special.  I'm excited to have been chosen as one of the hosts, and starting February 15, we'll be documenting our celebrations on our blogs and on social media.  Follow the fun with the #DisneySide hashtag, and get inspiration to host your own DisneySide celebration with recipes, activity kits and tips on  How will you celebrate your DisneySide this year?

Disclosure: I did not receive a sample or monetary compensation for this post. I will be hosting a #DisneySide @Home celebration featuring party favors and accessories provided by Disney and MomSelect. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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