2008 @ MindSay

In prima zi de Bacalaureat, de ieri, de la proba orala de Limba si Literatura Romana, s-au prezentat, in cele 113 centre de examinare, circa 10.000 de candidati. Astazi, in cea de-a doua zi, vor fi evaluati, tot la aceasta disciplina, alti 10.000 de absolventi de liceu. Prima proba scrisa, de la Romana, este programata pentru luni, 28 august. Dupa pataniile de la sesiunea precedenta, masurile de securizare a subiectelor sunt extreme.

Subiecte Bac 2009 - rezolvari variante istorie si altele

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States just sent out a special letter addressing the significance of the outcome of the 2008 U.S. presidential election to the American Baha'i community which i think is encouraging for everybody, not just Baha'is.  It represents clearly the feeling of all Baha'is everywhere regarding the election of President Obama.
______________________________________________________________________

February 16, 2009

To the American Bahá'í community

Dearly loved Friends,

Your National Spiritual Assembly has reflected on the significance of
the outcome of the recent presidential election in light of the Bahá'í
teachings about the oneness of humanity and their compelling vision of
the destiny of America, and we wish to share the following thoughts.

The election of an African American for the first time to the
presidency of the United States is an event that transcends partisan
politics. It clearly marks an important new stage in the social
evolution of the American people and is an achievement that all
Bahá'ís can wholeheartedly celebrate. The citizens of the United
States have with this action, as much as with any in the long struggle
to combat racial prejudice-the "most vital and challenging issue"
confronting the nation-demonstrated their will to embrace more fully
the unifying spirit of the age.

The many statements of 'Abdu'l-Bahá [son of Founder, Bahá'u'lláh*]
during His sojourn in this country nearly a century ago,
praising America's material achievements, her spirit of enterprise,
and her democratic form of government, still inspire us. Yet
He was also uncompromising in His assessment that our nation,
sunk in the morass of engrained racial prejudice, materialism,
and accelerating moral decay, would go through a long and difficult
period of trials that would gradually cleanse these various impurities
from its social fabric, thereby preparing it to realize its ultimate
destiny to "lead all nations spiritually."

Concerning racial issues, much progress has been made since the
beloved Master ['Abdu'l-Bahá**] visited these shores [in 1912 CE].
Undoubtedly, it is in large measure a credit to the courage,
leadership, and sacrifice of countless individuals, the persistent
efforts of organizations of civil society and of various religious
institutions, and the bold actions of judicial and legislative
bodies that such progress has been possible. The Bahá'í
community also played a role, having striven earnestly for nearly
a century to uphold by word and deed, in every region of the
country, the pivotal principle of the oneness of humankind.

But there can be no sense of complacency nor any rest. The ideals of
justice, equality, and unity have yet to be fully realized; the roots
of racial prejudice are old, deep, and widespread. No single victory,
political or otherwise, however groundbreaking, is sufficient to
remove conditions so intractable and institutionalized.

Bahá'ís believe that the ultimate solution lies in the application of
spiritual principle in the lives of individuals, in approaches to
community-building, and in the operation of social institutions.
People of every age and background can increase their individual and
collective capacity to further progress through a learning process
that is founded upon essential truths contained in the teachings of
Bahá'u'lláh. Promising patterns of activity, now emerging in every
part of the country and throughout the world, should give us the
confidence to strive with even greater urgency to address the needs of
humanity.

Our ultimate success in this will depend, as the Universal House of
Justice [the Bahá'í International, democratically elected, governing body]
recently reminded us, "on the qualities that distinguish your
service to the peoples of the world. So free must be your thoughts and
actions of any trace of prejudice-racial, religious, economic,
national, tribal, class, or cultural-that even the stranger sees in
you loving friends. So high must be your standard of excellence and so
pure and chaste your lives that the moral influence you exert
penetrates the consciousness of the wider community. Only if you
demonstrate the rectitude of conduct to which the writings of the
Faith call every soul will you be able to struggle against the myriad
forms of corruption, overt and subtle, eating at the vitals of
society. Only if you perceive honor and nobility in every human
being-this independent of wealth or poverty-will you be able to
champion the cause of justice."

Bahá'ís of every race and ethnicity rejoice with our countrymen in
this significant step forward. We remain aware of the challenges ahead
and are unswervingly committed to facing and overcoming them. We march
forward with unshakable confidence that God's purpose for His
children will not be thwarted, and that Bahá'u'lláh's statement of
spiritual reality will be fully realized: "The earth is but one
country, and mankind its citizens."

With loving Bahá'í greetings,

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE
BAHÁ'ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES

* Bahá'u'lláh translates into English as "The Glory of God"
** 'Abdu'l-Bahá translates into English as "The Servant of Glory/Baha"

2008 - Top 10 Theatrical Releases

1. Synecdoche, New York (2008)
2. Roman de gare (2007)
3. Il y a longtemps que je t'aime/I've Loved You So Long (2008)
4. Elegy (2008)
5. Heure d'été, L' /Summer Hours(2008)
6. The Visitor (2007/I)
7. Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008)
8. Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
9. Last Chance Harvey (2008)
10. Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
    

2008 - Top 25 Viewed & adored for the first time

1. Tess (1979)
2. Onna ga kaidan wo agaru toki/When a Woman Ascends the Stairs (1960)
3. The Night of the Iguana (1964)
4. Angèle (1934)
5. O Lucky Man! (1973)
6. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
7. Bigger Than Life (1956)
8. Cluny Brown (1946)
9. Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story (1987) Video Link (short)
10. Bunny Lake Is Missing (1965)
11. Basquiat (1996)
12. Château de ma mère, Le / My Mother's Castle (1990)
13. The Old, Weird America: Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music (2007)
14. Kárhozat/Damnation (1988)
15. Broken Lullaby (1932)
16. Vieil homme et l'enfant, Le /The Two of Us (1967)
17. Suture (1993)
18. Thieves' Highway (1949)
19. Design for Living (1933)
20. Chameleon Street (1989)
21. Forbidden (1932)
22. Hula (1927)
23. Zezowate szczescie/Bad Luck (1960)
24. Gimme Shelter (1970)
25. Craig's Wife (1936)

Honorable Mention

1. Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925)
2. Ich möchte kein Mann sein/I Don't Want to Be a Man (1918)
3. Panelkapcsolat / Pre-Fab People (1982)
4. Palais royal! (2005)
5. You Think You Really Know Me: The Gary Wilson Story (2005)
6. Gates of Heaven (1978)
7. Schpountz, Le (1938)
8. The Slender Thread (1965)
9. Huitième jour, Le/The Eighth Day (1996)
10. Beröringen / The Touch (1971) Blog
11. Days of Waiting (1990)
12. American Dream (1990)
13. My Name Is Julia Ross (1945)
14. Bellissima (1951)
15. Superstar: The Life and Times of Andy Warhol (1990)
16. Andy Warhol: A Documentary Film (2006)
17. Shopworn (1932) Video Clip
18. À l'intérieur (2007)
19. Pinky (1949)
20. Charlie Is My Darling (1966)
21. Tourneuse de pages, La (2006)
22. Under the Covers (2002) (V)
23. Monkey Business (1952)
24. Top Hat (1935)
25. Lifeboat (1944)
26. Love Letters (1945)
27. Training Day (2001)
28. Cry-Baby (1990)
29. Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969)
30. A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese Through American Movies (1995) (TV)
31. No Sex Last Night (1996) Video
32. Pointe-courte, La (1954)
33. Washington Square (1997)
34. Deliver Us from Evil (2006)
35. The Amazing Mr. X / The Spiritualist (1948)
36. Summertime (1955)
37. Communion (1989)
38. Citizen Ruth (1996)
39. Bluebeard's Eighth Wife (1938)
40. Angel (1937)
41. Puppe, Die/The Doll (1919)
42. A Royal Scandal (1945)
43. Un monde sans pitié (1989)
44. Femme du boulanger, La /The Baker's Wife (1938)
45. Johnny Apollo (1940)
46. Secret Beyond the Door... (1948)
47. Kontroll (2003)
48. J'accuse! (1938)
49. Frau im Mond Woman in the Moon (By Rocket to the Moon) (1929)
50. Amour par terre, L' / Love on the Ground (1984)
51. Play Misty for Me (1971)

Happy New Year!

 

I hope 2009 is treating everyone well so far. I can't complain since all I have done is sleep and watch tv. Until this morning when I had to get up for work, which I don't mind at all.

 

I usually find myself getting all maudlin and sentimental at the New Year, but not this year. I am really not sure why. It isn't like 2008 was a bad year for me and I wanted to forget it. Not at all. It wasn't extraordinary by any means, but it was a perfectly fine year. So I have no explanation why I wasn't sad for it to end. Maybe it is just a more adult acceptance that time does inevitably pass and we can't stop it, no matter how we try. In fact, passing of time is a good thing, as it opens up the world to new possibilities that we can't imagine in this moment. Whatever the cause, I am now firmly entrenched in a new year, the one where I turn 30. (more on that to come....believe me!)

 

But now, I will take a moment to share with you how I sent 2008 on its way.

 

My good buddy Justin and I met his family at Ruby Begonia's in Stillwater to ring in the New Year while enjoying the musical stylings of Walden Pond Revisited. The guys of Walden Pond (Mike and Randy) are good friends with Justin and his family. We've gone to see them a couple times before (well, Justin's seen them lots, I've only seen them a couple other times) Here's a couple pics of us out on the town:

 

                                     

Here are Justin's parents, Kevin and Jackie...doing their best to avoid the horrid flash on my camera phone. To the right of them are friends of theirs who joined us for drinks.

 

                                 

Here we have Justin's sister Tara and her husband Chad, who were celebrating a night out without little baby Tiegen. And then there's Justin and I, in a pretty terrible picture, but Justin's mom, Jackie, had a bit of trouble figuring out my camera phone. Still...it's the best we've got.

 

Here's a great picture of Justin. Totally relaxed and drinking a beer....exactly how I picture him in my head (though usually without a lei).

 

And last, but not least, here is a picture of the bartender, sporting a  New Year's Eve hat and working hard. Did I mention that he also happens to be my brother Nick?

 

So there's a recap of my evening out. I must say that one of my favorite parts of the night was as Justin and I were leaving, the band was singing "Into the Mystic" by Van Morrison, we waved goodbye on our way out and Mike, who was singing the lyrics, interjected "Goodbye Justin, Goodbye Olivia" right into the song and then picked it right back up and continued singing. It was pretty cool. It made me feel kind of famous that the band took the time to say goodbye to us in the middle of a song. Like we're superstars. Which we are.

 

So, this is my adieu to 2008 and my welcome to 2009. Obviously, I'll be keeping you posted on how the new year is treating me....right here on the Livlife blog.

 

Happy New Year!

Happy new year!

As I am thinking about the past year I am remembering so many things. Some of it feels so long ago, and some feels like yesterday. So many new experiences and changes I went through this year. I am remembering mostly the things that taught me something, good or bad.

My first happy memory is starting school with my wonderful friends. Shima, Rach, Jaana, Tiffany, and Amber are amazing girls and classmates and I dont think I could get through school without them.. they keep me sane. I remember being so excited to see them again! Especially Tiff, it is so so great to live with her, we have grown incredibly close this past year. Even though we have known each other since 13, being roommates and classmates has really made me appreciate her and our friendship so much.

I started the year dating Kyle, that didnt last long.. He was just a bad decision, not really anyones fault, just not right for each other. I am happy to say we are still friends.. but I dont ever want to go back to anything more. Shortly after was the whole mess with JT, and yes, it was in fact a mess. Possibly the first time I have ever cried over a guy.. I dont think he broke my heart, I didnt love him, but he hurt and betrayed me on a level I have never experienced. He backed me into a corner with his lies and my promises. I dont know how it ever got to such a place. But I am determined never to go back there.. It was an awful time for me and I am not proud of my actions. But Ive got amazing friends who helped me pull through, and I am thankful for that. And I have let go of it all, I can talk about it, it doesnt hurt me anymore, I am okay with JT and I dont have any feelings against him. Thats the best part, I think.

I spent my birthday with my amazing family, went to NYC, got to see some of my favorite bands ever perform at the bamboozle, and brought my sister home with me. It was so great to spend the summer with Kel. We had soooo much fun and I think we are even better friends than before. I am so excited to see what adulthood/graduating has in store for her. I hope it brings her here, but whatever the case I know she will do awesome things.

I also re-ignited some friendships, the biggest being with Chris. He is such a great guy and an awesome friend. I am working to be a better friend to a few others that I have drifted from.. It gets hard when both people are busy, but I miss these friends, I want to have those relationships back. I am so thankful for my BEST friend, Liz. She is amazing and has been my best friend since age 8. And will be until age 80 and beyond. I am always amazed at how we help each other and teach each other, still manage to make each other laugh until we cry/pee, and constantly support each other, even after 12 years. I am very happy to have Stephen back as well.. its hard after 2 years to come back and see how much life has changed without you, but Stephen is adjusting fine and he is a best friend I intend to keep for a long long time.

I am looking forward to 2009, so many great things are going to happen.
Two of my sisters will graduate, Liz, Tara, and I will all be turning 21, the end of spring semester (which marks my half way point through school!), Tara and I are taking our summer EUROPE TOUR which will last an incredible 35 days, I have friends coming to visit and friends I would like to visit, and most of all I am excited to see what comes that I am not expecting or planning on. I thrive on experience and therefore I am awaiting the unexpected.

I dont make New Years resolutions, because, lets face it, losing 10 lbs will only happen if I get the flu, but I do make plans and set goals. So here is a list for 2009. Hope every one of you has a very blessed year ahead of you.

Read 3 books for pleasure. (Last year's count.. 2, pathetic)
Eat more ice cream (you can never have too much!)
Stop spending so much money on smoothie king/sonic
Take a summer class
Have a wonderful trip with Tara
Visit PA and go to NYC and spend time with Sam
See Dave Matthews Band in April
Steal street signs with Chris
Roll houses with Marlena and Ryan.
Spend time with RAE and ASHLEY because I miss those ladies.
Paint
Illustrations
Play rock band A LOT with Dave
Watch movies with Josh
Dont miss church
Move up in my job, or to a different area, Id like to be a DT or cashier/curbside worker possibly
See lots of live music
Buy a keyboard
Play it
Write more
Blog more (HA)
Make a drive to Knoxvull to see Will
Play red rover
Take more pictures
Talk to a doctor about my back/neck stuff
Quit smoking
..only kidding, I dont smoke.