June 7, 2004

TODAY'S TUNE
(On/Off)

"Islands in the Stream"

From the Inside Out...
Bridges of Love

Yes You Can!...
Fight On-the-Job Stress

Far Horizons...
Pearl of the Orient

Links That Shine...
MedlinePlus

Fascinating Facts...
Doggy in the Window

Laughing It Off...
Computer Woes

Untangling the Web...
What a Site!
&
Computer Ease

Look at That!...
Coral's Comeback

Our Latest Discovery...
Search Engine Optimization

Just for YOU...
A Special Event

Joyful Lifestyles...
The Person You Become

BE the World
You Want to See!

We never know when some small kindness will forever make a difference in the lives of total strangers. Continuously performing good deeds ... even without recognition ... will create a trail of miracles in our wake.

~ Chelle ~

From the Inside Out
BRIDGES OF LOVE

Karin Peterson-Sitrin reshaped her early beginnings as an orphan in Germany into a proactive, positive force. She created her own web site, called www.OrphanConnect.com, as a place for other orphans to share their story. Each story creates a Mentor Orphan ... giving hope and a sense that "I am not alone" to orphans around the world.

Karin explains that many orphans grow up with lingering feelings of not belonging to anyone or to anything. They have a strong desire to be accepted. There is also a sense of separation, of longing — always searching for an identity rather than being labeled an "orphan" or an "outcast." Yet, there are many orphans who have not allowed these feelings to guide their lives and have learned to understand and accept who they are. And, they in turn, have reached out and helped others. They have not hidden behind the "label".

Currently, Karin is assisting Dennis Hayman's BRIDGES OF LOVE project in arranging a reunion between World War II orphans from Belgium with US Soldiers of that time period. In the winter of 1944, during the Battle of the Bulge, a group of WWII P-47 fighter pilots came together with the children at the Orphanage of Dongelberg, Belgium. The ever-present and pervading fear that existed in the lives of those children and young soldiers was transformed into a love that touched each of them. Dennis discovered their story while researching the life of his uncle, 1Lt. William M. Miller, a member of this fighter squadron, who was killed in action on Christmas Day, 1944.

For six months during the fall and winter of 1944-1945, this unit was stationed at Le Culot Airfield near Louvain, Belgium. The officers of the 412th Fighter Squadron were living at the Castle de Dongelberg, about 7 miles from the airfield. There were several buildings on the grounds and the pilots 'bunked' in the Villa. Close by was an orphanage that was located in the Chateau and one smaller building.

Each day there was much interaction between the men and the children. Not all of these children were orphans. Some were placed there temporarily because their father had been killed in the war and their mother was unable to support them. Others were Jewish children being hidden from the Gestapo. The orphanage, the Oeuvre Nationale de L’Enfance (O.N.E), though no longer at Dongelberg, is still in existence today.

Glen Noyes, one of the pilots of the 412th FS, recalls that they decided to throw a Christmas party for the children of the orphanage:

“We collected all of our Belgian francs and whatever we could use for bartering. A volunteer contingent went to Louvain and bought every toy, doll and game that they could find. We wrapped the toys until we ran out of materials including gift-wrappings from home and pages from the Stars & Stripes, the official newspaper of the Allied armed forces.

“When the toys were ready, we raided the mess hall and collected some Spam, coffee, marmalade, peanut butter and other items. We even included for the Sisters some liqueurs that had been given us by General Patton. (His troops “captured” stocks of booze from the Germans who had “liberated” it from the French. General Patton passed it on to us as an expression of “thanks” for the support provided his forces by Jug pilots.)

“Ev Peters, Bill Mather, Bill Miller and several other pilots delivered the goodies to the orphans. It was a festive occasion. As the gifts were passed out, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. 'That was the day I SAW Santa Claus.'”

~ Col. Glen T. Noyes, USAF (Retired)
From Chapter 26 of "Watching the Bulge Grow" - Glen's book about his 28 years of USAF service

Today, almost 60 years later, these soldiers and now-grown orphans are finding each other again. As of January, 2004, at least seven women have come forward and identified themselves as having been at the orphanage during the time that the 412th officers were there. The people Dennis has talked with have been confirmed by the orphanage records. One woman even recognized herself and her sister in some of the pictures he forwarded to Belgium, which he had obtained from the men of the 412th.

BRIDGES OF LOVE hopes to find a way to bring these people together for a reunion in the US in September of this year. The project is seeking help from interested parties in the construction of these "bridges of love." They will need to finance the Belgian contingent’s travel, as well as recording this event, so everyone may have a record for their families.

For more information and photos, visit the BRIDGES OF LOVE section of
Karin's Orphan Connection website: http://www.OrphanConnect.com/bear1.html

Or contact: Dennis E. Hayman, P.O. Box 319, Morris, NY 13808
Phone: (607) 263-5399; E-mail: windbear@citlink.net
Karin Peterson-Sitrin, The Orphan Connection Foundation
PO Box 59 Marlboro, NY 12542 (845) 236-2557

Yes You Can!
FIGHT ON-THE-JOB STRESS

Does your job stress you out?

More than half of workers report working under stress, according to a recent CareerBuilder.com survey. Stress and worry on the job can be harmful, causing problems that damage your health and performance. Signs of work stress can include headaches, loss of morale, lack of concentration, upset stomach, and short temper. In his recent book Office Spa: Stress Relief for the Working Week, relaxation expert Darrin Zeer suggests some everyday items you can keep at your desk to alleviate the pressures during your time at the office.

Water Bottle
Water is essential and comes only second to oxygen for survival. Furthermore, experts recommend drinking eight glasses of water a day for optimal health. Keep a water bottle at your desk for a quick refresher. Fatigue and sluggishness are signs of dehydration. Water also makes you fuller and keeps you from eating when you're not hungry. Many people turn to mindless snacking when they are working, the ever-present water bottle will deter this and the calories spent.

Portable Snacks
You shouldn't starve yourself just because you are at a desk all day, either. If your energy is zapped, you might need to eat something. A headache may indicate the need to eat something, too. Keep imperishable food at your desk for emergencies. Microwaveable popcorn, cereal bars and dried fruit are good options. If you're going low carb, try an Atkins bar or trail mix with raisins, nuts and seeds. And, pudding, graham crackers, or fruit juice are sweet, yet nutritious choices that satisfy your sweet tooth.

Tea
Next to water, tea is the most consumed beverage in the world. In addition to its long-term benefits, teas can also provide immediate relief to work woes. Peppermint tea is fruity, refreshing, and aromatic. It increases energy, stimulates brain activity, and increases fact retention. Chamomile tea helps promote relaxation and is great for unwinding — reducing tension and stress and calming the nerves. Ginseng tea is an energy booster and mental stimulator. It improves blood sugar levels, improves thinking, and accelerates reaction time.

Tennis Shoes
Take a walk. Breathing the fresh air and feeling your body move is a natural stress relief. And, walking benefits brain power, stimulates circulation, improves mood, and helps ward off depression. You don't have to work up a sweat to feel the results. Even 10 minutes can help. One sales rep puts on her shoes everyday to trek over a mile round trip to get her lunch at a nearby store. "Getting away from my computer and walking helps clear my brain and stretch my legs. It's a great way to jump start my energy before the afternoon blahs kick in," she says.

Golf Ball or Empty Bottle
Keep a golf ball or empty bottle nearby for quick massages to relieve arch strain or foot cramps. This can be extremely soothing whether you work on your feet or at a desk. Foot massages are known to relieve tension, mental and physical stress, fatigue and headaches.

CDs and Headphones
Unwind by listening to your favorite tunes. Most computers today have earphone jacks so you can listen to music without disturbing your co-workers in neighboring cubes. Keep a variety of your favorite CDs at your desk for different moods or situations — if you need to concentrate on a project, generate some comic relief, or escape briefly. You can also see if your favorite radio station broadcasts over the Internet, too.

Of course if burnout continues, headaches become more frequent, and you still yearn for an escape, it might be a sign of a deeper problem. It may be time to consider changing jobs or careers or even seeking the help of a professional.

~MSN.CareerBuilder.com

Photo: Webshots Community


For a small island, Sri Lanka has many nicknames: Serendib, Ceylon, Teardrop of India, Resplendent Isle, Island of Dharma, Pearl of the Orient. This colorful collection reveals its richness and beauty, and the intensity of affection which it has evoked in visitors. Head for the rolling hill country to escape the heat of the plains in the cool of tea plantations. The entire island is teeming with bird life, and exotics like elephants and leopards are not uncommon. To top it all off, the people are friendly, the food is delicious and costs are low. Marco Polo considered Sri Lanka the finest island of its size in all the world, and you'll likely agree after exploring the country's fabled delights. What takes your fancy? Beaches? The coastal stretch south of Colombo offers palm-lined sandy expanses as far as the eye can see. Culture? Try the Kandyan dances, a procession of elephants or the masked devil dances. Ruins? You'll find enough ancient and inspiring architecture in the cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa to satisfy that inner archaeologist. ~LonelyPlanet.com
GLOBAL ARCHIVES:

Fascinating Facts
DOGGY IN THE WINDOW

What have we learned from dog D.N.A.? FIND OUT HERE:

Laughing It Off
COMPUTER WOES

When computing, whatever happens,
behave as though you meant it to happen.

When you get to the point where you really
understand your computer, it's probably obsolete.

The first place to look for information is in the section of the
manual where you least expect to find it.

When the going gets tough, upgrade.

For every action, there is an equal and opposite malfunction.

To err is human... to blame your computer for your mistakes
is even more human, it is downright natural.

He who laughs last probably made a back-up.

A complex system that does not work is invariably found to have
evolved from a simpler system that worked just fine.

The number one cause of computer problems is computer solutions.

A computer program will always do what you tell it to do,
but rarely what you want to do:

I try to learn your little quirks,
But at me you do smirk...
Freeze my screen, boot me off line,
Must you do that all the time!

You will never get the better of me,
I'll turn you off you will see...
When I turn you on you'd better behave and
All my stuff, you better save.

All my pictures, wavs, and faces,
And please don't take my favorite places!!!
Don't tell me I have a major crash,
Or your monitor I will smash..

Don't take away my Buddy List,
Give me my mail or I'm gonna be miffed...
Don't give me that line about being busy,
Or you will throw me into a tizzy !!!

All I want to do is surf the net,
You're not going to let me ... I'm willing to bet!
I have email that I must send,
To all my terrific Online Friends!!!!

~Contributed by Jane at The-Cat's-Meow.com

HUMOR ARCHIVES: ..
.

Untangling the Web

WHAT A SITE!

"Take a Hike"
This is the global resource for hiking and walking. You will find hikes that last only two hours and others that last a full day. Some hikes will be possible for almost everyone – they have little elevation change and use a well-defined path. Others may involve an arduous climb, clambering over rocks or wading through streams. So, whether you’re 7 or 70 years old you will find something here to suit you. The one thing all our one-day hikes have in common is that they are among the finest in the world. They may take you to a natural wonder, such as a water-carved arch or a cascading waterfall, or to places where you can encounter wildlife in its natural environment, or back in time to the remains of ancient civilizations. And they will all lead you through wonderful scenery that you can only appreciate by walking.
www.OneDayHikes.com

COMPUTER-EASE

Monitor Color ...
Is your monitor missing a color? You know, is the color red gone from the screen? This could mean that your monitor is going, but before you put out the money for a new one, check to see that it's plugged in properly. If the connection is loose, it can cause this problem.. ~WorldStart.com
DAILY COMPUTER HELP:

Photo: REUTERS/ Azeez Hakeem

A scientist measures the growth of coral...
six years after a spike in water temperature bleached and killed two-thirds of the Maldives' precious coral reefs. Researchers battling to save the reefs are using cone-shaped steel frames as nurseries for the corals, passing a small electric current through the metal to form a layer of limestone on which the brightly colored creatures can grow. Scientists in the Maldives watched spellbound under the full moon of May, 2004, as reproducing corals ejected pink-orange eggs and bundles of sperm — proof the islands' endangered reefs are on the road to regeneration. "That was the first time in the history of the Maldives that we had discovered coral spawning," said marine biologist Azeez Hakeem. Azeez says he was amazed on a trip last October to the southern Maldives to discover that perhaps 80 percent of the coral cover had already been restored. More than a gimmick, the artificial reefs use a building technique developed by a German architect, Wolf Hilbertz, who teamed up in 1989 with Tom Goreau of the Global Coral Reef Alliance. Goreau says the technique has proved its worth in almost 100 different projects in more than a dozen countries and is frustrated the technology is not used more widely. ~Reuters

Just for YOU ...
OUR LATEST DISCOVERY

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PLUS ...
A SPECIAL EVENT

The Seven Gateways to ENCHANTMENT: Exploring the First Three Gateways ... a two-part teleclass hosted by Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein June 14 and June 21 at: 9:00 pm EST Dr. Holstein's Seven Gateways to ENCHANTMENT is catching on like wildfire! Everyone can identify with the steps involved in developing a life when put in perspective of the Seven Gateways. After three very successful teleclasses that highlighted all Seven Gateways, Dr. Holstein decided to give more time to the initial three, which are so critical to moving ahead in one's growth. Visit The Enchanted Self website or email Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein for further information.