Saturday, February 07, 2009
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Saturday, January 31, 2009
PRETA
We are going to enjoy an early valentines with the addition of PRETA into our family. She is coming to us from the Calgary Humane Society. She seems to be a lovable, sweet and friendly cat. Preta is black with a tiny white spot under her chin and has huge green and black eyes. This beautiful black kitty was left behind when someone moved out of their home. Preta is a small kitty and a very nice girl. She is also very curious and inquisitive; she'll pay attention to everything going on around her. Her foster mom says she always uses her litter box and she is fine with being picked up, brushed and having her nails clipped. She loves human contact and enjoys cuddles!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Thursday, January 08, 2009
A Random Survey
From Arnica's Blog…
The items I’ve done are in bold! Copy and paste this list to reflect your own experiences:
1. Started your own blog (This one!)
2. Slept under the stars (While fishing with my Grandpa, uncles and cousins)
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower (while at University with friends, Japan)
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain (Pico das Agulhas Negras, Resende)
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped (Japan)
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train (in Japan)
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (Don’t tell!)
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb (Butterfield Acres)
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person (well, I've seen Foz de Iguazu in person...)
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke (oh, many times!)
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling (Japan and Rio de Janeiro)
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class (Taekwondo)
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chicken pox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day
The items I’ve done are in bold! Copy and paste this list to reflect your own experiences:
1. Started your own blog (This one!)
2. Slept under the stars (While fishing with my Grandpa, uncles and cousins)
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower (while at University with friends, Japan)
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain (Pico das Agulhas Negras, Resende)
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped (Japan)
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train (in Japan)
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (Don’t tell!)
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb (Butterfield Acres)
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person (well, I've seen Foz de Iguazu in person...)
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke (oh, many times!)
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling (Japan and Rio de Janeiro)
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class (Taekwondo)
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chicken pox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Where the Hell is Matt? (2008)
Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.
Explanation: What are these humans doing? Dancing. Many humans on Earth exhibit periods of happiness, and one method of displaying happiness is dancing. Happiness and dancing transcend political boundaries and occur in practically every human society. Above, Matt Harding traveled through many nations on Earth, started dancing, and filmed the result. The video is perhaps a dramatic example that humans from all over planet Earth feel a common bond as part of a single species. Happiness is frequently contagious -- few people are able to watch the above video without smiling.
http://vimeo.com/1211060
Explanation: What are these humans doing? Dancing. Many humans on Earth exhibit periods of happiness, and one method of displaying happiness is dancing. Happiness and dancing transcend political boundaries and occur in practically every human society. Above, Matt Harding traveled through many nations on Earth, started dancing, and filmed the result. The video is perhaps a dramatic example that humans from all over planet Earth feel a common bond as part of a single species. Happiness is frequently contagious -- few people are able to watch the above video without smiling.
http://vimeo.com/1211060
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
Phthalates found in baby care products: What you can do to protect your baby
What you can do to protect your baby
While the news is alarming, there are concrete steps parents can take to reduce their baby's exposure to phthalates:
• Limit the amount of baby care products you use on your baby, especially if he's 8 months or younger. Sathyanarayana recommends using these products only if "medically indicated" — in the case of diaper rash or eczema, for example. (Researchers found that diaper creams did not cause an increase in phthalates. Santhyanarayana suggests this may be because they're designed to sit on top of the skin and act as a barrier rather than be absorbed, like lotions.)
• When you do use baby care products, choose products that are phthalate-free. Unfortunately it's not always easy to tell from the list of ingredients. Manufacturers aren't required to list phthalates separately, so they may be included under the term "fragrance." To find out whether a product contains phthalates or other potentially harmful chemicals, call the manufacturer or visit the company's website, or use the Environmental Working Group's Safety Guide to Cosmetics and Personal Care Products and search by product, ingredient, or company.
• Because phthalates are also added to containers to make them more flexible and more durable, and because the chemical can leach from the container into a product, you'll also want to determine whether a product's container is phthalate-free. Many — but not all — "natural" body care manufacturers are conscientious about this, but you'll need to find out specifically from the company.
Sathyanarayana cautions that some products labeled phthalate-free were tested and shown to have phthalates in them, though at much lower concentrations than products not labeled phthalate-free. "I think it's really difficult to know what is in any of these products," she warns. Still, Sathyanarayana says, if you're concerned about phthalate exposure, products labeled "phthalate-free" would certainly be preferable.
While the news is alarming, there are concrete steps parents can take to reduce their baby's exposure to phthalates:
• Limit the amount of baby care products you use on your baby, especially if he's 8 months or younger. Sathyanarayana recommends using these products only if "medically indicated" — in the case of diaper rash or eczema, for example. (Researchers found that diaper creams did not cause an increase in phthalates. Santhyanarayana suggests this may be because they're designed to sit on top of the skin and act as a barrier rather than be absorbed, like lotions.)
• When you do use baby care products, choose products that are phthalate-free. Unfortunately it's not always easy to tell from the list of ingredients. Manufacturers aren't required to list phthalates separately, so they may be included under the term "fragrance." To find out whether a product contains phthalates or other potentially harmful chemicals, call the manufacturer or visit the company's website, or use the Environmental Working Group's Safety Guide to Cosmetics and Personal Care Products and search by product, ingredient, or company.
• Because phthalates are also added to containers to make them more flexible and more durable, and because the chemical can leach from the container into a product, you'll also want to determine whether a product's container is phthalate-free. Many — but not all — "natural" body care manufacturers are conscientious about this, but you'll need to find out specifically from the company.
Sathyanarayana cautions that some products labeled phthalate-free were tested and shown to have phthalates in them, though at much lower concentrations than products not labeled phthalate-free. "I think it's really difficult to know what is in any of these products," she warns. Still, Sathyanarayana says, if you're concerned about phthalate exposure, products labeled "phthalate-free" would certainly be preferable.
Phthalates in baby shampoos, baby lotions, and baby powder
Phthalates found in baby care products by Karen Miles
Last updated: January 2008
Source: babycenter.com
The safety of phthalates — one of the most commonly used families of chemicals in the world — is being called into question again. Researchers at the University of Washington's Seattle Children's Hospital and the University of Rochester have found that babies whose moms had recently applied infant care products like baby lotion, shampoo, and powder were more likely to have phthalates in their urine than babies whose moms didn't use these products.
The study, "Baby Care Products: Possible Sources of Infant Phthalate Exposure," will appear in the February issue of the Journal of Pediatrics.
"We found that infant exposure to phthalates is widespread, and that exposure to personal care products applied onto the skin may be an important source," says Sheela Sathyanarayana, an acting assistant professor in the University of Washington's Department of Pediatrics. This is disturbing because the safety of phthalates has been in question, with studies over the years raising more and more red flags. And, as Sathyanarayana points out, "Babies may be more at risk than children or adults because their reproductive, endocrine, and immune systems are still developing."
Phthalates (pronounced "thah-lates") are chemical compounds used to soften plastics (especially polyvinyl chloride, or PVC). You'll find them in some toys, household products, cars, and plastic bottles and containers. They're used in personal care products, too — to help lubricate and soften other substances, to help lotions penetrate and soften the skin, and to help fragrances last longer, for example.
The chemical industry asserts that there are no conclusive studies in humans to suggest that phthalates are dangerous in the amounts to which we're currently exposed. But some consumer advocacy, environmental, and medical experts disagree.
"The animal studies suggest there is a potential for phthalates to impact birth outcomes, including gestational age and birth weight, fertility (lower sperm production), and anatomical abnormalities related to the male genitalia," says Maida Galvez, a pediatrician and director of the Mount Sinai Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit in New York City. "Human studies are now looking at the relationship between phthalates and asthma. There are also studies examining whether phthalates influence the timing of puberty or the risk for childhood obesity." (While phthalates have been shown to cause kidney and liver cancers in animal studies, the mechanism involved isn't likely to be relevant to humans, says Galvez.)
Sathyanarayana and fellow researchers tested urine samples from babies 2 months to 28 months old whose mothers had used infant care products on them in the previous 24 hours. They found that every baby had at least one phthalate in his urine sample, and 81 percent of them had seven or more phthalates in their system. Babies 8 months or younger had the highest levels, along with babies whose moms used more infant personal care products.
The products with the strongest phthalate association were baby powder, lotion, and shampoo. Baby wipes and diaper cream did not have a strong association.
What makes this new study unique is its focus on absorbing these chemicals through the skin via personal care products. Most of the previous concerns raised about phthalates — and another plasticizer, bisphenol A (BPA) — revolved around kids ingesting the chemicals. Ingestion can happen when children are mouthing or teething on plastic toys and nipples, when the chemicals leach from a bottle or storage container into something kids eat or drink, and when they breathe in chemicals "off-gassed" by vinyl products like shower curtains and flooring.
Last updated: January 2008
Source: babycenter.com
The safety of phthalates — one of the most commonly used families of chemicals in the world — is being called into question again. Researchers at the University of Washington's Seattle Children's Hospital and the University of Rochester have found that babies whose moms had recently applied infant care products like baby lotion, shampoo, and powder were more likely to have phthalates in their urine than babies whose moms didn't use these products.
The study, "Baby Care Products: Possible Sources of Infant Phthalate Exposure," will appear in the February issue of the Journal of Pediatrics.
"We found that infant exposure to phthalates is widespread, and that exposure to personal care products applied onto the skin may be an important source," says Sheela Sathyanarayana, an acting assistant professor in the University of Washington's Department of Pediatrics. This is disturbing because the safety of phthalates has been in question, with studies over the years raising more and more red flags. And, as Sathyanarayana points out, "Babies may be more at risk than children or adults because their reproductive, endocrine, and immune systems are still developing."
Phthalates (pronounced "thah-lates") are chemical compounds used to soften plastics (especially polyvinyl chloride, or PVC). You'll find them in some toys, household products, cars, and plastic bottles and containers. They're used in personal care products, too — to help lubricate and soften other substances, to help lotions penetrate and soften the skin, and to help fragrances last longer, for example.
The chemical industry asserts that there are no conclusive studies in humans to suggest that phthalates are dangerous in the amounts to which we're currently exposed. But some consumer advocacy, environmental, and medical experts disagree.
"The animal studies suggest there is a potential for phthalates to impact birth outcomes, including gestational age and birth weight, fertility (lower sperm production), and anatomical abnormalities related to the male genitalia," says Maida Galvez, a pediatrician and director of the Mount Sinai Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit in New York City. "Human studies are now looking at the relationship between phthalates and asthma. There are also studies examining whether phthalates influence the timing of puberty or the risk for childhood obesity." (While phthalates have been shown to cause kidney and liver cancers in animal studies, the mechanism involved isn't likely to be relevant to humans, says Galvez.)
Sathyanarayana and fellow researchers tested urine samples from babies 2 months to 28 months old whose mothers had used infant care products on them in the previous 24 hours. They found that every baby had at least one phthalate in his urine sample, and 81 percent of them had seven or more phthalates in their system. Babies 8 months or younger had the highest levels, along with babies whose moms used more infant personal care products.
The products with the strongest phthalate association were baby powder, lotion, and shampoo. Baby wipes and diaper cream did not have a strong association.
What makes this new study unique is its focus on absorbing these chemicals through the skin via personal care products. Most of the previous concerns raised about phthalates — and another plasticizer, bisphenol A (BPA) — revolved around kids ingesting the chemicals. Ingestion can happen when children are mouthing or teething on plastic toys and nipples, when the chemicals leach from a bottle or storage container into something kids eat or drink, and when they breathe in chemicals "off-gassed" by vinyl products like shower curtains and flooring.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Halloween 2007 - My little Monkey
Pumpkin carvings this year. Themes: 'Bridge to Terabithia' and 'Garden of Wonders'
* 'Totoro - the guardian of the forests' one the first prize at Stantec (no pictures)
* 'Totoro - the guardian of the forests' one the first prize at Stantec (no pictures)
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Me falta tempo...
By Sam Butcher
Me falta tempo
para ler todos os livros que quero
Me falta tempo
para passeios e praias e as locadoras com seus filmes
Felinis que não vi e os museus que me esperam
me falta tempo.
Me falta tempo
para amar os flertes e aprofundar as amizades de coquetéis
Me falta tempo
para arrumar o armário jogar coisas fora
passar a limpo a caderneta de telefone
redecorar o quarto
Me falta tempo
para o orfanato e ajudar o meu vizinho a pendurar o quadro na parede.
Me falta tempo
para aprender japonês
pintar em tecido
tocar piano
tecer meus planos
Me falta tempo
para as aquarelas que sonho
preciso anotar meus sonhos
Mas me falta tempo...
Tempo para os amigos antigos que já me esqueceram
tempo para as músicas e cds
tempo para o estrangeiro, ilhas e cantões a conhecer
Me falta tempo
para os poemas que a poesia me exige
e gravar os programas de TV
no entanto,
quantas vezes não tenho nada,
absolutamente nada para fazer.
É assim que me sinto às vezes. Sinto que os dias correm e que não consigo fazer nada dele.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
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