Good Morning

Good Morning everybody!!!!

Thursday is usually my hardest day of the week, and it definitely seems that way today. I mostly have paper work to get done, and then I have to teach later. I am going to try to get a work out in, but I doubt that will happen (and honestly I am extremely sore...). Hopefully I can get most of my book keeping stuff finished, go teach, and then head home for about 5 days. I am really excited to see my family for the first time in a while. It always makes me happy when I can show them how much weight I have lost, and that I am skinnier than my dad.. XD

Anyways, everyone have a wonderful Thursday and try not to work too hard!!

The Night

The night is here and most of us will soon be going to bed. However think about how your day truly was.. Did you get everything accomplished in your day? Did you happen to have a problem at work, or school, or in the family that you had to deal with? Did you deal with it properly?

Or did today inspire you to do something new, something you have never done before, did today make you want to float in the sky, or surf in Hawaii, or just relax and think about today. I am sure we have all had days like that.

Think about your day, you should always think. If you do not think, you do not live.

The Peanut Butter and Jelly

The original PB&J,
is what I had for lunch today.
That is what I really want to say,
so please show up, come, and stay.
PB&J is the most original thing,
it aint nothing but a fling,
and one bite of it and your taste buds will sting,
full of flavor.

Yes I did just make a poem about peanut butter and jelly. But seriously, it's PB&J time. And you can even get this exotic with the PB&J

Happy Wednesday!

Good Morning Everyone and welcome to a beautiful Wednesday! I feel like I need to share a special birthday today. My friend (who I have known for 5 years now) is turning 19 and she has been amazingly awesome. I probably could not have lived life with out her.  So happy birthday!!!

Continuing on, I noticed that people in Russia have started to take notice of the blog. So I appreciate everyone from Russia tuning in to the Laughing Voyages. It really means a lot!

Finally I want to conclude that last night was absolutely amazing, If you have never seen the Blue Man Group I highly recommend it. These guys are mostly percussionist, and they do stuff on many different things such as pipes, gigantic balls, and of course, painting with the steel drums. Anyways I am totally supporting them as they finish up the concert series, If you have not seen them yet it is a must!

I hope everyone has an amazing Wednesday. I have to work out, go to the library, catch up on emails, work (busiest day), and of course eat some time between all of those... I will catch you guys later!

The Rhino

This is one of my favorite animals of all time. Why? Because of many reasons, but mostly because of the fact that they are shot and killed for the horns, and even though they are not in a position to fight back, they still are able to find places to keep living and nurture themselves. I usually do not go into the killing of the animals speech, but please do not hurt these animals. The pure beauty of Rhino is one of the many things that makes up the world. Why would you want them to go extinct? Let the Rhino's live!!!!!!!

Glaucus Atlanticus

Look at these beautiful pictures of the sea slug that lives in rain forests, jungles, and even in the oceans. Such a beautiful creature.

That Moment

That moment when you see the rain fall down on a bright sunny ... That is a priceless moment.
Or how about two birds hanging on that spring green tree.
And you stop and think how good it would be,
If you could have a moment like that.
But what if, you had moments like that all the time?
And you did not see them.
Would you not be blind?
--Andrew Price

Live a happy filled Tuesday everyone and find that happy moment

A wonderful night

Drinking coffee.
Typing away.
Listening to one of my best friends playing jazz on a piano.
Not a care in the world.
not caring what tomorrow brings,
because today has been a gift.
And that is why it is called the present.
-Andrew Price

Hope Everyone had a wonderful memorial day.

The continuous motion

This is a drawing that I created. However It is kind of small to see. I am going to try to work on editing it for clarity. But its all continuous motion. Kind of like people communicating through time.

Happy Monday

Happy Monday Everyone! I am excited to tell you that I have lost a total of 68 pounds on my weight loss journey. I am so close to 70 I can just taste it. (Such a play on words). Anyways I hope everyone has an amazing day and can inspire someone for the future. Think about your life ahead of you and thing about the things that you can do to improve it. Everybody can change their life in some way shape or form just by doing one particular thing that they do not normally do. What is your particular thing today?

Think about it, and have a Happy Monday.

Also Happy birthday to John F. Kennedy. In case you did not know, today was his birthday.

The Musician

Oh music.
It is all around us.
And many things come out of music.
But I bet their are just as many things that go into it as their is coming out of it.
The emotion, the energy, the happiness, the sadness.
The love, the passion, the desire for more.
Yeah the people who have made the song, you are listening too.
Have the same feelings that the person that is listening to it does.
And I know that we put our feelings into the music so you can take them away from the music.
Your Welcome.

--Andrew Price

If we have freedom.

"If we have freedom, let us use it in a good way.
Not the bad, the evil, not making things go astray.
Let us use our freedom to help other, lets give them hope.
Let us throw some freedom out to the world, and let them catch the rope.
Let them pull freedom in and use it.
Together we can distribute it.
Make the world come together as one.
So their will be no more wars, it will only be fun."
-Andrew Price

Long time no see.

So it has been a long time since I have posted something on here.. but I have been very busy. I went to Florence this weekend with family and it was really nice. I also got an Asus Transformer Prime (Its like the iPad but better) and have been using it non stop. Well I have a lot to do today and I still need to go work out. Tomorrow I see how much weight I have lost in a week. Wish me luck!

Motivation.

If you ever need motivation, think about doing something for you.
Think about all of the things that you have gone through.
Think about the people that have been behind you.
Think about those people because people are true.
Think about the sweat, the tears, the hard work that you have put in,
and then and only then will you see yourself win.
-Andrew Price

The Barrier...

So whenever I have get near the end of losing another 10 pounds I always hit this gigantic barrier where I will stay on a certain amount of weight for 3 or 4 days. People call it a "wall." So I am on the wall of 260-270... first of all, I have not been 260 since middle school... (or 270 for that matter) but 260 is a big mark for me... it means I am only 10 pounds from my original goal of 90 pounds, and it is 20 pounds away from the 100 mark and being out of the "overweight category." My mind is blown and I might go crazy if I ever get their, but for now I just try to keep my spirits up and keep my head in the game.

Thats my speech for the day. My parents are coming down later for dinner and are driving through to florence. Hope everyone has a happy Friday :D

Children

I am so excited about this subject. Children are the most brilliant people in the world. And I can finally talk about them because I have time to.

Okay so I went to an elementary school today to play bass ( I gave presentations to 3rd, 4th, 5th graders) They first off were the most adorable thing I have ever seen. And second their eyes went really big when I started playing (It did not matter what I played because they wanted to hear the sound rather than know the technique.

Which brings me to my next topic. Why are students not able to learn these subjects of fine art, such as strings in elementary school? Not only does it help students learn about music, it also gives them something to do that is not as stressful as something such as math or science.

Even the principals of schools, PRINCIPALS, are not letting students get their hands on a violin until middle school. It just really makes me upset.

So let your child play an instrument. Let them explore. Let them master for life.

Check This out

So my high school orchestra teacher is really good at overall art. You know, not just music, but poetry, paintings, drawings etc. She has had over 75,000 views in the past 2 years. Its absolutely amazing what her drawings look like. So If you ever get the chance, I would take a look at her website.

http://meregoddess.deviantart.com/

it is so cool. Here is an example of her art.

This is exactly what I need right now

Good things to talk about

This post is for men and women around the world. I was randomly pulling up things on google and it came up with things to talk about with all your significant. I said "HALT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" ladies and gentlemen, if you really want to keep conversations going with someone you like or are interested in here are some tips coming from the guy side.

Ask how your significant others day was. I mean seriously, how many couples say the 3 words of "How are you?" I mean honestly if you are really interested in someone and they are interested in you, more than likely the other person will respond with something besides "Good" or "Ok" or (my personal favorite) "Fine". Ladies and Gentle men, one word replies mean that something is on their mind, something that can be either good or bad, and more bad than good. If you are having trouble getting responses out of your significant other confront them with the fact that they seem down or upset about something. Give them time to explain.

Speaking of Giving time to explain, women if you really want a man interested in you, let him talk about his problems before you talk to him about yours. And by problems I mean ALL of them. Guys are humans just like women are and guys do have emotions. Let them speak their mind and try to help them before you butt in and make an even more negative remark about your life.

All examples can switch rolls between men and women. I just so happen to find a lot more information on women than men.

For example. (Real life situation, happens to me and friends that I talk to)

Girl: Hey how are you?

Boy: Okay I guess

Girl: I'm sorry

THIS DOES NOT HELP THE SITUATION INSTEAD YOU SHOULD SAY...

Girl: Why just okay?

Boy: rumbles and mumbles about some family instances that are making him stressed.

Girl: Well my cat died yesterday and I have been having a hard time.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! do you see how crappy of an answer that is. The guy only explained a little bit of what could be a bigger situation. Instead ask if you can help, or if their is anything you can do. If you want to make an impression last, ask if you can help.

Do not dull the conversation.

Guy: "Hey how are you?"

Girl: "I am good"

Guy: "Thats good"

Girl: ":)"

DO NOT PUT A RANDOM SMILEY FACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! people drive me insane with putting smiley faces. It's like you really couldnt ask me the same question I just asked you? I mean seriously if you can't even ask the person you like how they are doing, then chances are you do not want to be with them at all.

Ladies and Gentlemen, just remember to be kind and curteous to your significant other. They are with you for a reason. Find that reason and make it a happy relationship that is filled with natural conversation and joy.

Here are some things that are natural and just out of the blue. Three categories which I am dividing into are Starting to communicate on a daily basis, Seeing each other on a daily basis, and Being with each other in a full time relationship  on a daily basis.

Starting to Communicate on a daily basis.
- So you have just met someone that you like and you want to know more about them. However you don't know what to ask or anything like that here are some things that can help you.
1) Start with Hello and your name
2) Ask a general question like "what do you do for a living" or "what is your major" or even a compliment like "I couldn't help but notice your eyes were sparkling in the light from where I was at." Compliments are a great way to keep the awkwardness away but too many compliments just turn out to be a sucking up process

So now you and your significant other are starting to meet and go to lunch together, or get a coffee or something to that nature. You want to know what to say when you sit down at a dinner table for 2 or a walk on the beach.
1) Ask about family. Family is a big thing for a lot of people. Asking if your significant other has any siblings or has a pet in the family or something like that would be of good interest. This usually leads to letting you know if the significant others parents are divorced if one of the parents has passed away. That is something to know for when you get to stage three with your partner. A lot of the information you will receive during this time will be things you will need to know for a long time. Example, birthday, family, jobs, hobbies, favorite team, stuff like that. It is where most of the talking takes place.

Finally you and your partner have decided to be in a full on relationship. Congrats! Now is the time when you should ask the important questions, the baggage that your partner has (if there is any you do not know of already), what does your partner want to do in the future (so like future plans), things that are their strong and weak point. and finally just being with each other overall is the main focus. Make sure to keep asking about your partner and complimenting and more if you desire. But remember it is all about how you approach someone and how they talk to you that makes the most impact on meeting someone new.

Have a great Thursday!

Good Tips to keep weight down and weight off for good!!

Everybody has been asking me how I have lost 66 pounds and I keep telling them these three things:

Hard work, Dedication, and Determination.

Which is 90% true for everything I do. However there are somethings that will help you that I do not tell a lot people.

1) All bread must be wheat. Wheat bread is not even more filling, but It also has certain nutrients that white bread does not. A good thing I have been doing is getting bread with a lot of fiber. Yes it is more calories but I would trade up 20 calories for 96% of your fiber for 2 pieces of toast or sandwich.

2) Drop Sodas out. I know this is hard for some of you. But seriously, why do we drink soda? Is it the get away drink from our stress? Is it because it taste good? Try drinking water every now and then. I dropped completely out of soda and have not gone back since. Water is so pure that it is surprising how many people do not drink as much water as they can. Also water makes you able to swallow better, opening up your throat and that makes you able to breath better. Think about that next time you open up a soda.

3) No late night snacks. This is a hard one for me. However a good thing that I like to do is weigh myself before I take a shower at night. Seeing your weight go down from a workout is a major motivation to keep off the late night snacks. Especially when you lose a pound of water weight over night just by sleeping.

4) Ask yourself before doing anything related to your health. Should I really eat this piece of pie? Should I really go swim two laps today? What are the benefits of drinking sweet tea right now. If you have to second guess your self on any of these questions you should probably not do it. Same goes for life, or at least that is what my high school football coach told me.

5) Finally, if you do decide to go all out, go all out at home!!! Eating out brings not only unwanted fats into your body but the amount of sodium that places use bring the amount of liquids you hold up through the roof. If you are having a crazy "I wanna eat everything" panic attack, remember to eat whole grain food first, followed with something like chicken or protein, and THEN eat chocolate and sweets. It will help out in the long run.

Thanks for listening guys hope everyone has a great Thursday!!

Finals for Maymester

Hey guys, just want you all to know that I have my final test tomorrow for maymester and then I am finished. So after tomorrow I can finally start putting in some effort in my blog statuses. In the mean time I hope everyone had a great day!!

A relaxing wednesday

I hope everyone is having a relaxing Wednesday!!

Happy hump day everyone!

Happy Wednesday or what I like to call hump day! This week has been a blast and so today I am going to take a day off from working out at the gym. I have gone three intense days so today will be more of controlling my eating and being able to eat healthy foods. I have already started off with 2 whole weat super fiber pieces of bread (otherwise known as toast) Even though it does have a little more calories (100 per a slice) each slice contains 48% of your daily fiber intake, meaning I am already 98% done with fiber and its only 9:20!!!

I am also going to try to get yogurt or a dairy product in me since I dont drink milk anymore. Yogurt helps build strong bones because of the calcium but the all natural yogurt also has fruits in it to help get the energy you need for morning time.

Hopefully this will help you make wise decisions about today. Have a happy voyage!!

Time Flies

"Time Flies it is how it goes,
where does it stop no one knows.
One day turns into a week and a week into year
and we are still thinking of why we are here.
So instead of thinking about things we can do
get up and go do something, do something soon.
Because if you do not, time just my fly by."
-Andrew Price

Swimming

I dont think I have ever had a moment where I can just feel myself letting go and being free... Well today I felt it.

I had class from 11:00-12:45 and I wanted to go swimming. So I went swimming for the first time in over 2 years (mostly because I was bigger at the time.) It felt absolutely amazing to finally stick my feet back in the water and enjoy what I truly love to do is swim.

To bad my bathing suit barely fits. I need to get a new one :P

If you are hanging on in college.

If you are just barely hanging on in college as far as money goes here is a website to help you with over 100 tips to help save and get more money for college.

http://www.collegescholarships.org/student-living/save-money.htm

Today I am switching things up

Today I dare you to switch something up from your normal routine.

Here is what I am doing today.

1) Making toast instead of buying a subway english muffin

2) Going swimming instead of working out (however it is workout swimming)

3) Trying to start saving money

Let's see if you can start switching stuff up starting today! Its never to late!

Weight Loss

Good afternoon everyone. I just wanted to wish everyone a happy start of the week!!! And to that I have some very important news to share.

I started a journey on January 9th 2012, a journey that would help me live better, feel better, and breath better, I decided to lose weight.

Now most of you may question the fact that most people try to lose the 10 pounds or the fresman 15 or whatever but I was going big. 100 pounds was the goal.

So I started working out. And I have continued ever since. I have made tons of changes to my life in order for my health to be the way it needs to be.

Since the beginning of this journey I have lost 65 pounds. I have never felt better in my life and I still want to continue to my goal of 100 pounds.

However my schedule is not the same and I have been working out in the mornings rather than the evenings (which throws me off)

I need a motivation boost to keep going as I have hit the 60-65 pound mark for almost two weeks now.

Please help me get to the main goal of 100 pounds. Send all of your motivational thoughts and motivational stories. I am trying to be the healthiest person I can be.

Thank you guys and have a wonderful night!!

Sarcasm of the day

The amazing dances during the 20's and 30's

Check this thing out... we learned about these in Dance Appreciation today

This makes me want to learn to dance... Which I just might

I think I am starting to understand this whole blog thing.

I think I am finally starting to understand this whole blog thing.

It is not about your day or your life. It is about what you try to give to other people.

It is about your caring heart that fits to the situations that need it.

It is the random acts of kindness that you give.

This blog will become better with experience but for now it has changed.

It has taken a new experience for me and I hope it will take on a new experience for you.

Please enjoy life and have a happy voyage.

Hope everyone has a great day! :D

The impact of us all

Today, I was in a bit of down hill slump. I went and tried to relieve stress but it was not stress that was the problem... I felt lonely and needed someone to talk to.

Before I finally talked to someone about this. (I love her to death!) I realized some things that I have been going through and realized that maybe being lonely is only if you make it lonely. Maybe making your self talk to someone develops a life long friendship.

So I was finally content with myself and decided to start scrolling through random blogs to see what people have posted. And I came up to this one woman's blog (I am not naming her) who pretty much wrote a book about her experiences in her past and the help that she was seeking. Her story was one of most influential stories I have ever read and I knew that I had to input some comment about having a bright future ahead and such. It made me realize that you may not know somebody but does that really matter? Does it really matter how much you truly know somebody deep down to say hello to them, or to ask how their day was?

So I left the woman a comment and she immediately replied saying thank you and she was really sweet about the whole situation. I think that my one comment to some random stranger truly did help her.

Now if this is not a story that you can connect with, make your own. Try to have a smile on your face and say hello to someone when you wake up in the morning. It could just be the climax of your day, the start of your week, or the turning point of your month. You never know when a random act of kindness can create and relationship for decades to come.

Everyone have a safe and sound night.

Where Do I want to go?

"Where do I want to go? Away from here.
I don't even want to go to a place that is near.
Send me far away into a distant land.
Maybe out to the middle of miles of sand.
Take me away I don't want to stay,
after seeing you I feel betrayed.
Words can't describe what you did to me,
how you can go on seeing the man you see.
And I think to myself of all of our times,
that we shared, and now I feel as though I am a mime.
I can not talk or give input but that's okay
because the pain you inflicted on me will not let me say
anything. Nothing at all."

Andrew Price

A Beautiful Monster

This is my life in a nutshell.

Are you surprised to see me?

Yea, you left me from there

But I may even stand

Youthought that I'd never make it

Treat it like it was trib you makin'

Not who i used to be

Now they scream for me

And you created a monster.

Who am I to you? Nobody

Who are you to me? Nobody

Like things too long 

Guess I made this song for you 

You did it for you

You created a monster

Oh-oh you created a monster

Oh-oh you created a monster

Oh-oh such a beautiful monster

Guess I get picked last in gym class again

Pick on the fat kid, we can kick ass on him

And he funny lookin' and he can't even afford lunch

So give him a bunch of punches in his stomach maybe

Brother and mother, I'm makin' them cry

Cause he got fear to lie coronas mouth and on resides

and you'll never fight back, you ain't built like that

You's a scardy cat, afraid you might get killed like that

I'm a boy, turn them into ominesce

It's probly just a matter of time before he come to school like he's columbine

Minus the trench coats, slit throat dim full

Put 'em in a choke hold, never let 'em grow old

Mama told me make in into a gimmick

And my F.A. told me it's a reason God made you this way

What the world did to me is comin' right back at ya

I'm black, I had to be a monster

Monster

Oh-oh Oh-oh

Oh-oh Oh-oh

Oh-oh such a beautiful monster

Who am I to you?

Who are you to me?

Like things too long 

Guess I made this song for you

You did it for me

You created a monster 

Oh-oh you created a monster

Oh-oh you created a monster

Oh-0h such a beautiful monster

Thank You Krizz Kaliko. A life changer.

Good Sunday Afternoon everyone!

Hello everybody. I am sorry that I have not posted in a couple of days. I have been in Charleston South Carolina, which is about an hour and a half away from me. However if you have never been to Charleston it is a must!

View of a Garden in Charleston

Outside of Hymans Seafood Restaurant, the number 1 seafood restaurant in the South East 

Photography from yours truly on a really pretty flower in Charleston

We sat at Hymans where Michael Phelps ate there.

A Market Street Sign in Charleston. If you do not go to Market Street you are missing out.

The Friday Afternoon of a College student

What normal college students would be doing on a friday night.

Smoking weed,
getting high,
having sex with someone they will never have sex with,
go to the movies with friends,
go bowling with friends.

What I am doing on this friday night.

Spending time with my wonderful family in a nice hotel 30 minutes outside of Charleston and going to see the beach.

Which one would you prefer??

Green Eggs and Ham

Today try something new, something you have never done before. It could turn out like this. :D

Sam!
If you will let me be,
I will try them.
You will see.

Say!
I like green eggs and ham!
I do! I like them, Sam-I-am!
And I would eat them in a boat.
And I would eat them with a goat...

And I will eat them in the rain.
And in the dark. And on a train.
And in a car. And in a tree.
They are so good, so good, you see!

So I will eat them in a box.
And I will eat them with a fox.
And I will eat them in a house.
And I will eat them with a mouse.
And I will eat them here and there.
Say! I will eat them ANYWHERE!

I do so like
green eggs and ham!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Sam-I-Am!

Obesity cured for life

This is a nice little idea from iwastesomuchtime.com

Video for thursday

The Page CHANGED

Its okay, do NOT freak out... I just wanted to make the page a little more friendly and a little more fun. I have found out that I love talking in videos and I want to be able to share those with you as well as come up with random things for you to love.

Speaking of random I forgot to put the random number of the day up.

46450

I found multiple searches when I looked up 46450 in the Google Maps.

First result was in a place called Mellerud V Sweden. Mellerud is a locality and seat of Mellerud Municipality, Vastra Gotaland County, Sweden. It has 3,750 inhabitants according to the 2010 census. (Thanks Wikipedia). Meaning this place is either pretty small for the people or their are not a lot of people (probably the second of the two judging by the pictures) Mullerud from the pictures shows a lot of open land and single houses followed by lots of land. Take a look.

I also found Kaunas Region in Lithuania. Kaunas is actually the second-largest city in Lithuania and has historically been a leading center of Lithuanian economic academic, and cultural life. The city's name is of Lithuanian origins and most likely derives from a personal name. There was a legendary story that claims that Kaunas was established by the Romans in ancient times. These Romans were supposedly led by a patriscian named Palemon, who had three sons - Barcus, Kunas, and Sperus. Palemon fled from Rome because he feared the mad Emperor Nero. Palemon, his sons and other relatives travelled all the way to Lithuania. After Palemon's death, his sons divided his land. Kunas got the land where Kaunas now stands. He built a fortress near the confluenc of the Nemunas and Neris rivers, and the city that grew up there was named after him. There is also a suburban region in the vicinity name "Palemonas".

In addition I found Valencia Spain. Specifically a place called Benifaio. Benifaio is a hippy town outside of Valencia and has some broken down houses and such according to videos that I have seen. However the people believe they are prospering and "sing before they eat."

And finally I found a place called Kouvola Finland, More specifically Enajarvi Finland. This is actually a zip code for the Lake Enajarvi in Finland. And even though this might be a unique name, their are actually four other lakes with the same name.

Video for the afternoon of 5/16/2012

Malaysia

For that guy who looked on my website from Malaysia this one is for you.

How many people have actually know Malaysia?? Not alot... Why? Because its a monarchy, a little different from the democracy the United States has.  People might question this monarchy but the country itself has been alive for almost 4000 years. It has had many crisis like the U.S. but has still maintained the great nation that it is.

More beach information of Malaysia is here http://travelblog.viator.com/insiders-guide-to-malaysias-best-beaches/

The Malaysian Flag

Happy Hump Day everyone!!

Random Number 5/15/2012

The random number for the day is

744


State Question 744 in Oklahoma will ask about giving more schools money for helping residents within the state. This was in 2010 so I do not know whether they did or not.

Besides that the year 744 was not that much more fun... There was only 2 Continents with humans on them, which were Europe and Asia. They were still at the beginning stages of civilization.

Sorry for a crappy number... I'll post a new one tomorrow :D

Happy Tuesday!! Another video

Here is another video of me in a much happier mood. Enjoy!

Hip hop music

Some good music that I have really enjoyed has been from J. Earle (check him out on itunes) he is a good friend of mine and me and him lived in the same part of South Carolina for a while. Great meaningful music is created by this young rapper.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/observe-report/id526294695

My first blog video...

This is my first blog video... hopefully it comes out okay... i am dead tired in case my face did not show it at all.

Its just a brief introduction I will talk more later.

EVERYONE HAVE A GREAT TUESDAY!!!

Random number 5/14/2012

the number today is 90738 


this number is the zip code to a place called Umea Sweden, pretty neat stuff!!

The first written mention of Umeå is from the 14th century. The northern parts of Sweden, including the counties of Västerbotten and Norrbotten, were settled by Sami people before this time, though not necessarily in the city's exact location. Umeå in its first form was a parish with a wooden church and trade post located in the section of town now known as Backen (or Kyrkbacken). Its location near the coast and on a river was probably one of the reasons that people chose to settle there.^[4]

For the next couple of centuries Umeå was a place consisting of scattered parishes, where merchandise originating with the Sami people was traded, and was the last inhabited place before the northern wilderness took over. However, no real city was built at the location selected by the king, and it lost its town privileges in the 1590s.^[4]

In 1622, a city was again founded by King Gustav II Adolf.^[5] In 1638, it had about 40 houses.^[4] It suffered from Russian attacks in 1714 and in 1720 when it was burnt to the ground. At the close of the Finnish War in 1809 the Russian army under Barclay de Tolly took Umeå and held it from June to August.^[6]

On 25 June 1888, a fire devastated the eastern parts of Umeå and at least 2,300 of the 3,000 inhabitants became homeless. In the restoration following the fire, silver birch trees were planted along wide avenues to prevent future fires from spreading.^[7] For this reason Umeå is sometimes known as "Björkarnas Stad", the "City of Birches" or "Little Stockholm"^[8] and the name of the Umeå ice-hockey team, Björklöven, means "The Birch Leaves".

Switzerland

Switzerland is a country that people do not really talk about.. However if you truly take the chance to know about the world you can truly see the beauty behind it.

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3431.htm

Switzerland is known for its grazing beauty with its water and land combinations. An amazing thing especially when Switzerland has no oceans surrounding it.

Switzerland not only combines the city but also has a natural country side as well.

Touch

If you are interested in a new series and want to reach out across the world, a good show would be Touch on fox. This is the first season and features Keifer Southerland.

www.nbc.com/touch

My headache...

This is what my headache feels like right now.

I will try to keep up with the blog today... if not I'm sorry and I hope you understand my pain.

Random Number 5/13/2012

The Random number of the day is....

6349

In the National Center for Biotechnology information, the gene id of 6349 is known as CCL3L1 which is to be known as a protein that helps the body. There are only 2 of these genes in the body.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/6349

Also 6349 is the identification number for a Tokyo Stock Quote under a business called Komori Corporation. They are currently 656 right now when the average is 662.

http://www.bloomberg.com/quote/6349:JP

Finally there is a company called JDSU which is designed for computer engineering and network affiliations. It's newest RFC model (6349) is now even faster than before with buffer times, loading networks, and overall higher presentation on the internet.

http://www.jdsu.com/ProductLiterature/rfc6349_an_tfs_tm_ae.pdf

This is your number of the day!!

Mother's Day Traditions

Along with the dates of Mother's Day here is some traditions (not only in the United States) on how people celebrate Mother's Day. You should try one of these if your mom is getting bored of your gifts. (Thank you Mother's Day site)

Mother's Day Traditions Around the World

Mother's Day is celebrated in different ways around the world. Every year as May approaches, sons and daughters around the world plan on celebrating their mothers.

Read how other countries honor their mothers through their own traditions below.

Mother's Day in US: Here in the United States Mother's Day is a national holiday and is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm. On this day people reflect on the importance of mothers in their life and thank them for their unconditional love and support. Mother's Day is celebrated in USA in a big way and has been commercialized to a great extent. It is considered as the next big day after Christmas and Valentines Day. Phone lines record a heavy traffic and card sales reaches its peak and restaurants are filled to their maximum capacity. Traditions for this day generally include things like breakfast in the bed, giving flowers, cards or gifts, and treating them to a meal.

Mother's Day Traditions in other Countries:

Mother' s Day in Australia: Mother's Day falls on the same day in Australia as it does in the United States and is celebrated in a similar fashion. There is a tradition of wearing carnation on Mother's Day in Australia (as is in the US). A colored carnation signifies that a person's mother is living while a white carnation is used to honor a deceased mother. Besides their own mothers, children honor their grandmothers and other women who love and care for them as a mother does. Mother' s Day in Australia. In Australia, Mothers Day is celebrated with lot of enthusiasm and joy. It falls on the same day as in US - on the second Sunday in the month of May and is celebrated in a similar fashion as in US. People of Australia take Mothers Day as an opportunity to express gratitude to their mother. Children show love to their moms by gifting flowers and cards to them. Just as in US there is a tradition of wearing carnation on Mothers Day in Australia. A colored carnation signifies that a person's mother is living while a white carnation is used to honor a deceased mother. Besides their own mothers children honor their grand mothers and other women who love and care for them as a mother does. Children ponder over the role of mothers in their lives and acknowledge the hardships their mother go through while raising them up. As a mark of respect children pamper their mother on Mothers Day by treating them with breakfast on bed and with gifts and cakes. In Australia, Mother's Day has been commercialized to a great degree as it is in US. Marketers try to play on the emotional aspect of the festival to sell their goods, and card manufacturers and florists particularly see a high business.

Mother's Day in Canada: In Canada, cards and flowers are the most commonly used methods of expressing love for moms. Mothers Day is a the most popular festival after Christmas and Valentines Day. Just as in USA, Mother's Day in Canada is celebrated in the second Sunday in the month of May. As Mother's Day is a festival with strong emotional value, it has been commercialized to a large extent with compelling advertising strategies in the technologically advanced country of Canada.

Mother’s Day in France: The French do not celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May as the Americans do. Instead, mom’s special day is reserved for the last Sunday in the month of May. A family dinner is the norm, and traditionally the mother being honored is presented with a cake that looks like a bouquet of flowers. Consider making your mother a flower bouquet cake on the last Sunday in May and celebrate Mother’s Day with the people of France.

Mother's Day in India: Mother's Day Celebration in India are slowly catching. The concept of celebrating Mother's Day on the second Sunday of May is very new in India and it can be said that in a time span of less than a decade, Mother's Day has been a great success. It is a remarkable achievement for a foreign festival to make its presence felt in the vast and culturally diverse country like India. Indians too take Mother's Day as a time too reflect on the importance of mothers in their life. They take it is time to think about all the pains their mother took while they were sick, the hardships she went through in bringing them up and all the sacrifices she made so that they lead a better life. In the capital city of Delhi, Mothers Day is celebrated in a big way and has been commercialized to a great extent. Big companies launch various women oriented products on the day and restaurants try to lure people with attractive advertisements. Media too creates a big hype about the day with special programs and features. Looking at the fast pace at which the excitement for Mothers Day is growing it will not be long when the Mother's Day will be noted as the national festival of India.

Mother's Day in Ireland: In Ireland, Mother's Day is not celebrated on same day as in US. Mother's Day celebrations in Ireland take place on the fourth Sunday in the Christian fasting month of Lent. The history of celebrating Mothering Sunday, or Mother's Day in Ireland, can be traced to the medieval practice where children from poor families were sent to work as domestic servants and apprentices to work with the rich. Once in the year in the middle of the Lent these children were given a day off to visit their 'Mother Church' and worship Virgin Mary. After visiting the Mother Church or Cathedral of their home town these children visited their mothers and presented them with flowers they picked along the way. On Mother's Day, people in Ireland present flowers and cards to their mothers to express love and gratitude.

Mother's Day in Mexico: In the North American country of Mexico, Mother's Day is celebrated on a fixed day of May 10 as opposed to the Mother's Day in US that falls on the second Sunday in the month of May. Mother's Day in Mexico is celebrated in a colorful fashion. Children honor their mothers and thank them for their efforts in bringing them up and According to a custom in Mexico, sons and daughters make themselves present in the house on the eve of Mother's Day on May 9. The day is celebrated with gusto as churches in Mexico organize special mass. The highpoint of the event is the orchestra which plays "las mañanitas" and distribution of 'tamales' and 'atole', the traditional early-morning meal to all local mothers.

Mother's Day in New Zealand: In New Zealand Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in the month of May. The manner of celebrating Mother's Day in New Zealand is much the same as that in US. The festival of Mother's Day has turned out to be a big day for the people of New Zealand. There is a big euphoria over the day and people celebrate the day by going out for picnics and dinners. Markets see a busy time as people make it a point to buy gifts for their mothers, grandmothers and friends and relatives who are mothers. Flowers and cards business particularly flourish at this time of the year.

Mother's Day in South Africa: In South Africa, Mothers Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in the month of May. People of South Africa celebrate Mother's Day in its true spirit by acknowledging the importance of mothers in their lives and thanking them profusely for all their love and care. Young children present their mothers with homemade gifts while the elder ones buy gifts for their mothers. In South Africa, Mother's Day is taken as an opportunity to thank not just mothers but also grandmothers and women who are like mothers.

Mother's Day in Spain: Unlike the United States and several other countries, Mother’s Day in Spain is celebrated on December 8. Spaniards pay tribute not only to their own mothers on this day, but also to the Virgin Mary. Mother’s Day in Spain includes religious celebrations across the country. As December comes this year, consider taking a moment to honor your mother on December 8 with the Spaniards of the world.

Mother's Day in the UK: Mother's Day in UK is celebrated with great excitement and verve but it does not fall on the same date as in US. In UK, Mother's Day celebrations takes place on the fourth Sunday in the month of Lent. Since the Lent days are not fixed, the date for Mother's Day changes every year. Mother's Day came to be celebrated in UK in 17th century as Mothering Sunday, much before the custom began in US. The tradition of celebrating Mother's Day began much earlier in England than it started in USA. In fact, England was the first country in the world to dedicate a day for mothers as early as 1600s. They called this day for mothers as 'Mothering Sunday'. The tradition of Mothering Sunday stopped with the advent of Industrial Revolution in England when the working conditions and life pattern changed. In the present time, original meaning of Mothering Sunday has been lost and has taken the form and name of Mother's Day in US. In UK, there is a tradition of making a rich almond cake for mothers called 'Mothering Cake' or 'Simnel Cake' (seen to the left) on Mother's Day.

Mothers Day around the world

Mothers Day is one of the best holidays in the world. In fact their are so many countries that celebrate mothers day, I did not even want to count them. Here is when Mothers Day happens through out the world.

2012 Celebration Dates Around the World

What day is Mothers Day? Depends on where in the world you are! Check out the list below to see what date Mothers Day falls on in your country:

• February 12 - Norway
• March 3 - Georgia
• March 8 - Afghanistan, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Laos, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Ukraine, Vietnam.
• March 18 - Bangladesh, Ireland, Nigeria, United Kingdom
• March 21 (first day of spring) - Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Palestinian Territories, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Yemen
• March 25 - Slovenia
• April 7 (Mother's Day and Beauty Day) - Armenia
• May 6 (first Sunday in May) - Hungary, Lithuania, Mozambique, Portugal, Spain
• May 8 - South Korea (Parents' Day)
• May 10 - El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico
• May 13 (second Sunday in May) - Anguilla, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Burma, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Macao, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Singapore, Sint Maarten, Slovakia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
• May 15 - Paraguay
• May 26 - Poland
• May 27 - Bolivia
• May 27 (last Sunday in May) - Algeria, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Mauritius, Morocco, Sweden, Tunisia, France and French Antilles (France is the last Sunday in May except if it coincides with Pentecost day (50th day after lent), in which case it is shifted to the first Sunday in June)
• May 30 - Nicaragua
• June 1 - Mongolia
• June 12 (second Sunday in June) - Luxembourg
• June 26 (last Sunday in June) - Kenya
• August 12 - Thailand (Queen Sirikit Kitiyakara's birthday)
• August 15 - Costa Rica, Antwerp (Belgium)
• October 10 (second Monday in October) - Malawi
• October 14 - Belarus
• October 16 (third Sunday in October) - Argentina
• December 8 - Panama
• December 22 - Indonesia

Random number 5/12/2012

The Random Number for the day is

30401

This place is known as Swainsboro Georgia.

http://swainsboro.homestead.com/legend.html

even though there is not much I can find out about Swainsboro, I do know that it is a little country town with a big heart. Check out their city page for many views of the town and some citizens who live their.

My Problems

"My problems... they don't concern you,
they are what they are and I know what to do.
I made it to the top and I see you falling down,
and yet I see my self still lying on the ground.
Covered in blood sweat tears but I get on my feet,
because I know that the end of my journey is too sweet."
--Andrew Price

Hard work, dedication, determination.

Most Jam Packed Cities in the World

Here is some facts about the 50 most populated cities in the world...

1) Out of the 50 cities, 10 of them are in China

2) The total of these 10 cities alone equal to over 100 million people

3) Istanbul is number 2 of the top 50 (Shanghai is #1)

4) The closest  city to the top 50 is Los Angeles and it is at #53 (with over 3 million people)

# 2Istanbul, Turkey

# 1 Shanghai, China

# 3 Kurachi, Pakistan

     

# 4 Mumbai, India