:)

It was a beautiful sunny day here on the coast of Florida, ideal weather for a space shuttle launch. I truly admire the many scientists, engineers, and workmen whose dedication and hard work have contributed to such informative, and thus, successful missions. I have been fortunate enough to have met several former NASA employees, all who have fascinating stories about the hardships and joys that came as a result of working in such a field. Last semester I took a course with a current NASA engineer and historian who had our class participate in historical analyses of the local region and the people who helped shape it into what it is today. I am sad, though, that the space shuttle program will soon be at an end. But, when it does, we all need to remember what all astronauts and cosmonauts did for science and for humanity. From Sputnik to Project Gemini, Challenger to the glorious Apollo missions; we cannot forget the greatness that was, and is, space exploration.

For more information, click here for the official NASA website.

I received a rather harsh comment earlier, from someone who has never met me, never exchanged emails with me, never had a conversation with me, and therefore, cannot judge me simply from what I write on this blog. I do many things in my life which can be considered good for others and helpful for the community. I am in Amnesty International, Greenpeace, and I do volunteer work with the elderly and help pick up litter in the area.

Thank you.

If you haven't read this classic novel by Charlotte Bronte, please, do yourself a favour and read it! If it's not available at your local library, then buy online here.

There have been several film adaptations of this work and the above clip is from the newest BBC version from 2006.

This, Ever After, is an underrated film, sadly. This film came out shortly after Titanic, and I was a thirteen year old in need of more romantic films. There's excellent cinematography, costume design, an awesome film score by George Fenton, and a very romantic plot. While it may be cast off as a "chick flick," there's so much more to it.

I recently saw this brilliant film while staying at my boyfriend's place in London and was very touched by the film and by the magnificent soundtrack. Here's a great youtube clip which incorporates the original soundtrack with the vocal version (by my favourite chanteuse)with images from the film. Enjoy!

Nella fantasia io vedo un mondo giusto,
Li tutti vivono in pace e in onestà.
Io sogno d'anime che sono sempre libere,
Come le nuvole che volano,
Pien' d'umanità in fondo all'anima.

Nella fantasia io vedo un mondo chiaro,
Li anche la notte è meno oscura.
Io sogno d'anime che sono sempre libere,
Come le nuvole che volano.

Nella fantasia esiste un vento caldo,
Che soffia sulle città, come amico.
Io sogno d'anime che sono sempre libere,
Come le nuvole che volano,
Pien' d'umanità in fondo all'anima.

In my fantasy I see a just world
Where everyone lives in peace and honesty
I dream of a place to live that is always free
Like a cloud that floats
Full of humanity in the depths of the soul

In my fantasy I see a bright world
Where each night there is less darkness
I dream of souls that are always free
Like the cloud that floats

In my fantasy exists a warm wind
That breathes into the city, like a friend
I dream of souls that are always free
Like the cloud that floats

By Waterhouse

Mr. D----, with all due respect, if you studied cultural anthropology and history as I have for the past 5 years, you will notice a trend in cultures throughout the world...that being decline. Decline occurs in every culture, especially those that were at some point imperialistic, as is the case with the United Kingdom. I may also add that the Roman Empire is another high-profile example of this circumstance. It may not be evident at first, when everything looks like a great wonderful multicultural union, but in fact, this always leads to the disintegration of that culture in which it exists and turns it into other cultures. Thus, am I entitled to describing English culture as being close to nonexistence- it's still there, but all these outside factors will change it forever. English culture is thriving, you are completely correct, but in the countryside only. That is where one finds the England one reads about in great English literature. That is where still England exists. And that is the England I love and it deserves to be protected.

If only more people would speak the truth.

I returned back from my trip to visit my boyfriend on Tuesday, and feel obliged to give the flight back a review. I took Virgin Atlantic's VS15 plane "Barbarella" from London Gatwick to Orlando International. We left on time (!) and the plane was only 1/3 full. I've taken Virgin eight times now, and I still rank it as one of the best airlines out there. I did, however, have a seat beside an obese man- but, thankfully, the stewardesses promptly moved me into the emergency exit seat and it no longer became an issue. I thought the flight attendants were polite, fun and professional. Virgin is cleaner and offers a better transatlantic service than other airlines.

As the flight was smooth, I felt well and had one of the meals offered, which was a vegetarian option of cauliflower in tomato sauce. Yum! There were also several drink offers- and I had two teas and a ginger ale.

I took advantage of the great onboard entertainment and viewed two films- "27 Dresses" and "National Treasure 2." The former had me crying (more) and the latter had me amused.

We arrived about 20 minutes ahead of schedule, which was great. I went through customs and immigration smoothly and the officers were very friendly, albeit slightly flirty. My mom was waiting outside the arrivals gate and she was ever so happy to see me.

I had a great time with Gavin, a great flight back and great memories as a result.

Wow.

I came across this website randomly after searching for "rape fields" (as in the plant)and can't believe the stupidity of the poll found at the top right of the page.

http://www.shelleytherepublican.com/2007/12/26/muslim-rape-wave-in-sweden-it-can-happen-here-folks.aspx

"How do you make your child memorize Scriptures?

* With a carrot and a stick.
* Constant spanking/beating.
* No food.
* No water.
* Threatening with eternal hellfire.
* 1 hr of TV for every Bible page."

Shockingly enough, most of those polled (50%) indicated the "constant spanking/beating" and this is extremely abhorrent. People who do such things are unfit for parenthood and they are physically and emotionally abusing their children with religion and corporal punishment. My parents never beat me, but I was hit at Sunday school on occasion and it was and is wrong. Children should be brought up with love, discipline, and a happy environment.

I hate to write anything about such people, but this woman's face is plastered all over the magazines and newspapers here in London and I find this disgusting. Has Ms. Winehouse done anything for the good of society? No. Is she a creative genius like Mozart? No way. Is she even worth my writing this? probably not. Yes, she's a singer- but she has a very turbulent private life, which for me, translates into "she has no idea how to live." Anyone who does drugs and is constantly in trouble with the law deserves to be ostracized by society, not admired, and definitely shouldn't be a role model for the youths of society. Sadly, young girls want to be like her. The thing here is that the media and the general masses are captivated by such persons like Winehouse- who do little good in the world.

These people are insignificant in history and are yet idolized and are considered role models for the population. How absurd! We should be trying to emulate great scientists and doctors and humanitarians- people who actually DO SOMETHING in this world. Now, if the media would only stop sensationalizing the lives of performers, things would definitely improve. I urge you to refrain from this social trend of idolization of such persons and instead go and try to find more useful role models to look up to like Richard Dawkins, Bono and many others.

I am currently reading an excellent book by Carl Sagan entitled, "The Demon-Haunted World: A Candle in the Dark." I am only on the twenty-sixth page at present, but I already know this will rank among one of the best books I've ever read. He brilliantly sets a case against the abominable practice of pseudoscience and incorporates historical evidence to skillfully make his points- which is that science is our only way forward in this dangerously backward time.

I've been coming to London since 2001, and I've noticed many negative changes to the culture. In the USA, we still look up to England with a lot of respect and admiration. The sad truth is that England is not how it once was. The United Kingdom is still a superpower in the world, but it is in rapid decline. Why is this happening? We have more immigrants who feed off the system now more than ever. If you come into our countries, you must obey our laws. You cannot and do not have the "right" to come into another country and demand new laws to be made just to fit your own agenda (i.e.- those who believe in bringing Sharia law into the English law system).

I've seen it plainly here in the United Kingdom. There are millions of immigrants here who do not care to speak English, share in the native customs of the indigenous people here and also dress strikingly different. What happened to the once-proud and correct England? How dare these uncouth, violent fanatical persons invade our lands? How dare they impose their religious beliefs on us? How dare they ask for rights which they are not entitled to? We have far more violence, tension and hostility now as a direct result of multiculturalism than ever before.

As for dress, I have seen many women wearing burkas and headscarves and such. Stop it! If you will not dress as a western woman- do not move to the west! If I wanted myself and other women to dress in such desert gear, I would be in the Middle East- not in England!

What I propose is not violence towards these people, but instead that our governments stop the relentless flow of illegal immigration and political amnesty which is destroying our
culture.

What gives me any right to say any of this? My parents were immigrants to the United States. But did they ignore the laws of the country? No. Did they wear foreign clothing, making them outsiders? No. My parents were hard-working, learned the language, adopted American cultural customs and INTEGRATED. So, for all of you out there who believe in the greatness of cultural diversity in the world, especially in cosmopolitan areas, think again- multiculturalism actually can create more problems than not. Why do people insist on coming to the West if they do not wish to partake in its rich culture and make better lives for all?