Obama-mania sweeps Africa - The Denver Post

Obama-mania sweeps Africa - The Denver Post

My Sister Gets Married!

My sister Pam married Robert DeJong at 5:00 pm on 6-7-08 in Estes Park, CO. (Yes, they intentionally set it to be 5-6-7-8. LOL)




















And yes, that IS my sister's Smart Car they're in - she's odd like that.




















The family and the bridesmaids...












And don't forget the Isle of Mull Pipe Band. Bet you've never seen this done before! (If you knew my sister, you'd understand. Totally her.)

Do you Twitter?

I feel a bit behind the curve on this one, but I've finally joined the masses who can be seen on Twitter. It's a platform called "Micro-Blogging" and is a bit of Instant Messaging combined with a bit of Blogging.

For purely social networking motives, users post throughout the day what they're doing, what they're thinking, reply and comment on other's posts, and post pictures.

For more business-related motives, users post new products, links to useful websites, ask business related questions and respond to other's questions. Here's an article on how large companies like Dell & Zappos are using it: Brands Turn to Micro-Blogging

I admit I was a bit skeptical, but after using it for a week or so can definitely see some benefits and advantages. If you're brave enough to give it a try, look me up under copong!

Idioms and cultures

Every once in a while I say something to my husband and get an instant quizzical look. That's when I realize - he has no idea what I'm talking about. You see, he's from Ghana and I'm from Colorado. And sometimes the idioms I use just haven't crossed the ocean to become general knowledge in Africa.

An example: "Elbow Grease". He was complaining about cleaning a tough stain on the stove and said, "Well, just put more elbow grease into it!". Then it came. That quizzical look. He had no clue what that meant.

The most recent example came the other night. A popular car commercial is putting words to the melody of Beethoven's 5th Symphony. I mentioned the source and immediately got that look again. "Who's that?" he asked. I couldn't believe it - he didn't know of Beethoven, Mozart, or any of the great classical composers!

After I recovered from my shock (I was a music major, after all - I lived & breathed classical for 4 years), I realized that not everyone in the world was brought up like I was. They don't listen to the European classical composers in the villages of Ghana. I don't know why I expected them to, but apparantly I did.

It's a great reminder that we all have our own experiences and shouldn't assume that others have had the same ones. After all, I had never heard of Plantains before I met him...

My First Business Newsletter!

The first newsletter for Creative Assistants is published! You can view and also sign up for the newsletter at:
http://creativeassistants.icontact.com/

Take a look and let me know your feedback!

Pictures!

We just got back from a nice (but short!) vacation to California - San Diego and LA. See the pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/51691381@N00/... (other pics there too)

Baha'i House of Worship voted 1 of 7 Wonders of Illinois

It’s official! Baha'i House of Worship voted 1 of 7 Wonders of Illinois

I've been to the House of Worship 3 times now and am in awe each time. This is a beautiful building to visit and the gardens are a welcome respite from the city bustle. Regardless of your religious beliefs you will find the gardens and temple the pefect place for meditation, prayer and getting closer to God.

Also check out these media coverage links:

http://www.enjoyillinois.com/sevenwonders/ (play the video!)

http://tinyurl.com/yozjc2

http://cbs2chicago.com/local/local_story_120184119.html

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/myfox/pages/InsideFox/Detail?contentId=3067162&version=1&locale=ENUS&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=5.2.1

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-ap-il-sevenwonders,1,1600798.story?coll=chi-news-ed&ctrack=1&cset=true

http://www.enjoyillinois.com/sevenwonders/chicagoland.html