It's mid-term week already. My one and only mid-term test is on Thursday in my East Asian class. So, I will be studying hard because you know what comes after mid-terms?!? Spring Break! Whoo hoo! Cancun here I come! (not really!)
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Illegal Aliens
Lately I've not heard too much about the illeagal immigrant issues in the United States, but with Anna Nicole dying and the new season of American Idol, I can see how there's no room on the front page to talk about this issue.
I was recently reminded that this is a huge issue for some politicians at least here in PA. Mayor Lou Barletta of the city of Hazleton, which is north of Harrisburg, is one person that isn't tolerating illegal's in his city. I think most people would agree, that if you are from another country and your here illegally, you should be sent home, punished. Then there is the issue of employers employing illegal immigrants and landlords who house illegal immigrants perhaps unknowingly. So, what do we do? The mayor of Hazleton has pioneered the way of resolving this issue and has gotten city council backing with what is called Illegal Immigration Relief Act. He has enacted a plan that would revoke the licenses of business owners that hire illegal aliens and fine landlords that house illegals. He and city council also voted that English would be the official language of Hazleton meaning all city documents would be in English. (This part gripes me a little. What language should it be in?)
While I hear most people say that illegals shouldn't be in this country and should be sent back to where they came from, what I don't hear is what the naysayers think should be done about it. The mayor of Hazleton has taken some abuse about these new rules and has even been called a Nazi. It's always amusing to me to hear people backing a guy like Mayor Barletta but when asked if they would uphold new policies like this, they become shrinking violets and claim these new rules are too harsh.
What do you think? Has he gone too far? Would you like to see policies like these enacted in your city?
I was recently reminded that this is a huge issue for some politicians at least here in PA. Mayor Lou Barletta of the city of Hazleton, which is north of Harrisburg, is one person that isn't tolerating illegal's in his city. I think most people would agree, that if you are from another country and your here illegally, you should be sent home, punished. Then there is the issue of employers employing illegal immigrants and landlords who house illegal immigrants perhaps unknowingly. So, what do we do? The mayor of Hazleton has pioneered the way of resolving this issue and has gotten city council backing with what is called Illegal Immigration Relief Act. He has enacted a plan that would revoke the licenses of business owners that hire illegal aliens and fine landlords that house illegals. He and city council also voted that English would be the official language of Hazleton meaning all city documents would be in English. (This part gripes me a little. What language should it be in?)
While I hear most people say that illegals shouldn't be in this country and should be sent back to where they came from, what I don't hear is what the naysayers think should be done about it. The mayor of Hazleton has taken some abuse about these new rules and has even been called a Nazi. It's always amusing to me to hear people backing a guy like Mayor Barletta but when asked if they would uphold new policies like this, they become shrinking violets and claim these new rules are too harsh.
What do you think? Has he gone too far? Would you like to see policies like these enacted in your city?
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Being Green Part 2
You can stop getting junk mail! How sweet are those words? We don't like junk mail in our in boxes, I'm sure no one likes getting a mailbox full of junk mail either. My new friends over at Terrapass have partnered up with GreenDimes. This organization will put you on a list which will stop junk mail from coming to your mailbox AND, they'll plant a tree for you on a monthly basis.
GreenDimes has provided some interesting statistics on junk mail. About 100,000,000 trees are chopped down and 28 billion gallons of water are wasted EVERY YEAR producing junk mail. You know, the stuff that usually ends up right in the trash or recycle bin.
According to these guys junk mail is a major source of identity theft as well. Yet another good reason to get rid of the stuff. The basic service only costs $4 a month! Or you can give them a one time amount of $360 and they'll plant 240 trees for you right now and clean out your mailbox. Where do I sign up?? Click here!
P.S. It's Engineer Appreciation Week! Stop by and say "thanks...for all the widgets 'n stuff!"
GreenDimes has provided some interesting statistics on junk mail. About 100,000,000 trees are chopped down and 28 billion gallons of water are wasted EVERY YEAR producing junk mail. You know, the stuff that usually ends up right in the trash or recycle bin.
According to these guys junk mail is a major source of identity theft as well. Yet another good reason to get rid of the stuff. The basic service only costs $4 a month! Or you can give them a one time amount of $360 and they'll plant 240 trees for you right now and clean out your mailbox. Where do I sign up?? Click here!
P.S. It's Engineer Appreciation Week! Stop by and say "thanks...for all the widgets 'n stuff!"
Monday, February 19, 2007
It's Easy Being Green
The Environmental Science class I'm taking has brought us to the discussion of fossil fuels and how their usage is what is creating somewhat of a blanket around the earth's atmosphere which is going to make us uncomfortably warm in the upcoming years.
We then got to watch the Al Gore movie An Inconvenient Truth. Now whether or not you are Republican or Democrat or something else, that all needs to be put aside. Global warming is not a political issue, it's should be everyone's issue. Everyone needs to watch this movie. What Al's got to say makes sense. What would be the point of him yanking our chain about the dissolution of the arctic ice caps, or the fact that malaria has moved to higher elevations in Columbia, or that many animals could be extinct by the year 2050? You know, I just don't want to wait around and not do anything and see if all this really happens. Let's just pretend this is a hoax. Is there really anything to lose by discovering alternative fuel sources?? I actually saw a sign on the PA Turnpike this weekend for a bio-diesel product. Is there anything wrong with planting more trees?
Michael over at Smoke and Mirrors has a friend that runs his VW Bug on veggie oil. Watch this video to learn more about it.
I learned about this groovy website where you can basically buy redemption for your CO2 sins. The folks at Terrapass will help you evaluate your CO2 emissions for your car, for your airline travel and how much you emit while at home. I have found that my home emissions of CO2 are average for the state of PA. Fortunately, I'm obsessive about turning off lights when I'm not in the room, though I do need to buy some compact flourescent bulbs instead of the incandecent ones I currently use. Terrapass will tell you how many terrapasses you should buy to offset the estimated usage and will provide you with tips on how to cut down on energy usage. TerraPass funds clean energy from sources like wind farms, methane capture facilities (poop collection), and you get a groovy decal and bumper sticker to show how green you can be.
There's a link on the site that tells you all about Terrapasses business partners. For all you eBay folks out there, check out the green shipping alternative called UShip.
I hate to contradict Kermit the Frog, but it's pretty easy to be green!!
We then got to watch the Al Gore movie An Inconvenient Truth. Now whether or not you are Republican or Democrat or something else, that all needs to be put aside. Global warming is not a political issue, it's should be everyone's issue. Everyone needs to watch this movie. What Al's got to say makes sense. What would be the point of him yanking our chain about the dissolution of the arctic ice caps, or the fact that malaria has moved to higher elevations in Columbia, or that many animals could be extinct by the year 2050? You know, I just don't want to wait around and not do anything and see if all this really happens. Let's just pretend this is a hoax. Is there really anything to lose by discovering alternative fuel sources?? I actually saw a sign on the PA Turnpike this weekend for a bio-diesel product. Is there anything wrong with planting more trees?
Michael over at Smoke and Mirrors has a friend that runs his VW Bug on veggie oil. Watch this video to learn more about it.
I learned about this groovy website where you can basically buy redemption for your CO2 sins. The folks at Terrapass will help you evaluate your CO2 emissions for your car, for your airline travel and how much you emit while at home. I have found that my home emissions of CO2 are average for the state of PA. Fortunately, I'm obsessive about turning off lights when I'm not in the room, though I do need to buy some compact flourescent bulbs instead of the incandecent ones I currently use. Terrapass will tell you how many terrapasses you should buy to offset the estimated usage and will provide you with tips on how to cut down on energy usage. TerraPass funds clean energy from sources like wind farms, methane capture facilities (poop collection), and you get a groovy decal and bumper sticker to show how green you can be.
There's a link on the site that tells you all about Terrapasses business partners. For all you eBay folks out there, check out the green shipping alternative called UShip.
I hate to contradict Kermit the Frog, but it's pretty easy to be green!!
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
There's Booze in the Blender
So, what do people do in Pennsylvania when they are stuck inside on Valentine's Day due to a raging on-going snow storm?
They make margarita's and invite the neighbors!
Hearts and Snow
What a day so far! It started snowing here yesterday morning and hasn't stop precipitating in some fashion since then. There's a couple inches of snow on the ground crusted on top by a layer of sleet/ice and about a gallon of water with each shovel full. I only did the driveway, my arms are screaming for mercy! I think I'll leave the rest for my Valentine! I know, I'm too generous!!
My favorite radio station WXPN from the University of Pennsylvania is counting down the top 88 and 1/2 love songs today. You can see the complete list here. You have to love a station that plays The Doors, White Stripes, Neil Young, The Beatles, Joy Division, LL Cool J, Ike and Tina, Barry White and The Clash as part of a Valentine's Day countdown. You can listen to this station live from the link on my sidebar!
My favorite radio station WXPN from the University of Pennsylvania is counting down the top 88 and 1/2 love songs today. You can see the complete list here. You have to love a station that plays The Doors, White Stripes, Neil Young, The Beatles, Joy Division, LL Cool J, Ike and Tina, Barry White and The Clash as part of a Valentine's Day countdown. You can listen to this station live from the link on my sidebar!
Happy Valentine's Day!
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Bei Kunrong
In my East Asian class we had to find out our Chinese names inspired by our English names. You can get your Chinese name here if you want to.
The first character or surname was chosen according to the spelling of my English name. The middle character of my name-Kun means earth, feminine, female. This name would traditionally be chosen by the grandparents. The last character of my name rong means appearance, tolerant.
I was born in the year of the horse.
In our last class we had to use traditional Chinese paint brushes made from animal hair and bamboo to paint our names.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Boycot Exxon
I've been taking an Environmental Science class this semester which often leaves me angry and fearful for the future of the planet.
This past week we were discussing the recent news release that scientists have determined that global warming is due to human activity. Duh! I think we all knew that. The plus side is we can certainly slow the process down, the down side is that it can never be reversed, that is unless someone knows how to make ozone. That's way out of my league.
The other disturbing thing we talked about is that it was reported recently that a thinktank funded by Exxon tried to pay off scientists so they would say global warming was a farce. Ironically, this little tidbit of information was released the same day Exxon reported its 5 billion dollar profit for 2006-a good reason to never buy their products. As if we needed yet one more reason.
This past week we were discussing the recent news release that scientists have determined that global warming is due to human activity. Duh! I think we all knew that. The plus side is we can certainly slow the process down, the down side is that it can never be reversed, that is unless someone knows how to make ozone. That's way out of my league.
The other disturbing thing we talked about is that it was reported recently that a thinktank funded by Exxon tried to pay off scientists so they would say global warming was a farce. Ironically, this little tidbit of information was released the same day Exxon reported its 5 billion dollar profit for 2006-a good reason to never buy their products. As if we needed yet one more reason.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Arctic Freeze
It is downright freezing here. I don't remember the weather being this cold in quite a long time. With the wind chill, the temp is down into the single digits if not lower.
Yesterday when I was walking to class, the wind was in my face (not at my back like the Irish Blessing hopes for) and made my sinuses ache like when you get a brain freeze from eating or drinking something too quickly. It was horrible. I'm sure my sinuses are dried up little raisins and a sinus infection is imminent. And there just isn't enough lotion in the world to moisturize my skin. I think a week in the Caymans with my skin slathered in oil should do the trick. The air is so dry that the hair on Jasmine's ears stands out straight. Well, that is if they aren't full of water or cat litter (ew!)
Yesterday we started week four of school, the semester is moving along very quickly. A sure sign of that was that I got to buy my cap and gown yesterday. Complete with the colorful "hood". I've always wanted to wear one of those.
Yesterday when I was walking to class, the wind was in my face (not at my back like the Irish Blessing hopes for) and made my sinuses ache like when you get a brain freeze from eating or drinking something too quickly. It was horrible. I'm sure my sinuses are dried up little raisins and a sinus infection is imminent. And there just isn't enough lotion in the world to moisturize my skin. I think a week in the Caymans with my skin slathered in oil should do the trick. The air is so dry that the hair on Jasmine's ears stands out straight. Well, that is if they aren't full of water or cat litter (ew!)
Yesterday we started week four of school, the semester is moving along very quickly. A sure sign of that was that I got to buy my cap and gown yesterday. Complete with the colorful "hood". I've always wanted to wear one of those.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Super Sunday
Is anyone excited about the Super Bowl this year? Me neither. But, I'll never pass up the opportunity to have a nosh with friends and family. That's just what we're doing. I made some yummy vegeterian chili and veggie pizza (you know the stuff with the cresent rolls for a crust?), my sister's bringing some veggies (seeing a theme here?) and a cheese ball. NittanyBri is out there sweating over the stove as I write this making some Swedish Meatballs...the real deal, no fake meat!
There will also be somewhat of a birthday party since it is someone's birthday tomorrow!
My sister is bringing her dog Daisy today too. I've been telling Jasmine all week that she's going to have a play buddy. We'll see. Daisy is a "soul sister" too just like Adeline and Jasmine. Maybe, if all the planets are aligned, we can get a picture.
Norwich Univ. hockey game is going to be televised today on ESPN. My nephew doesn't play hockey, but it'll be fun to watch!!
Did you see where Chewbacca got arrested??
Snuggle up on the couch with some of you favorite munchies and remain there for as long as you like! Go ahead, you're allowed!!
There will also be somewhat of a birthday party since it is someone's birthday tomorrow!
My sister is bringing her dog Daisy today too. I've been telling Jasmine all week that she's going to have a play buddy. We'll see. Daisy is a "soul sister" too just like Adeline and Jasmine. Maybe, if all the planets are aligned, we can get a picture.
Norwich Univ. hockey game is going to be televised today on ESPN. My nephew doesn't play hockey, but it'll be fun to watch!!
Did you see where Chewbacca got arrested??
Snuggle up on the couch with some of you favorite munchies and remain there for as long as you like! Go ahead, you're allowed!!
Friday, February 02, 2007
This Just in from Gobbler's Knob
Today it is official according to the most reliable weather man we have in the state of Pennsylvania, Punxsutawney Phil. Apparently he did not see his shadow this morning which means we're due for an early spring! He's got to be more reliable than the clowns that are supposed to be "educated" in the weather. They predicted 1-2 inches of snow overnight. I don't think a flake even fell. I hope they know they've let down every child in the central Pennsylvania area who thought they were gonna be off school or at least get to go into school later than usual. I'll be there were even some adults hoping they wouldn't have to go work this morning either.
Happy Groundhog Day!!
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