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melsnowbelle
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read my profile
sign my guestbook
Country: Australia
Birthday: 11/11/1980
Gender: Female
Interests: Playing guitar, singing, listening to John Denver, music, camping, nature.
Occupation: Student
Message: message me
Member Since:
10/22/2001
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| Margaret (Mardy) Murie 1902-2003
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Beauty is a resource in and of itself. Alaska must be allowed to be Alaska. That is her greatest economy. I hope the United States of America is not so rich that she can afford to let these wildernesses pass by. Or so poor, she cannot afford to keep them." |
Mardy Murie
| Yesterday the world lost a very inspiring and hard working person.When I first learnt about Mardy and Olaus I was in awe at how they started their life together and what they had achieved.Theirs was a true love, not only for each other but also for the Alaskan wilderness.What is even more inspiring is how Mardy kept working after the sad loss of her beloved Olaus.
She has shown us what one person can do to make a difference and make this world a better place.
Rest in Peace
http://www.muriecenter.org/mardy100.htm | | |
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Why I’m not Anti-American and why I despise that word
Last Saturday I was browsing through a local antique shop looking for a present for my Dad’s 50th birthday when I spotted a book on American history. I knew I had to have this book, as I love anything to do with history. When I was purchasing this book, the store-owner said to me "I’m really anti-American at the moment". I normally would have questioned his reasoning behind this comment, but because I was running late, I didn’t have enough time. Driving home, I began thinking about the man’s opinion and how vehemently I disagree with his views. "Is that what it is?" I thought. "Anti Americanism?" In a world where US films, music and books are in every imaginable place, even those of us who oppose President Bush celebrate a great deal that is American. No, the world’s relationship with the US is not fundamentally anti-American. Many of my hero’s are American, such as JFK. Through my love of movies, I idolise the genius of Welles, Ford and Capra. My love affair with American music runs deeply through my veins in the form of John Denver. I respond to the great Woody Guthrie song "This Land Is Your Land" like a native-born American. And I always thrill to the symbolism of France’s great gift to the US, The Statue of Liberty.
Anti-American? I envy America’s Bill of Rights and the freedoms guaranteed in its constitution. My view of the US has never really changed. It is this: America sets the most noble and the most awful examples in almost every sphere of human activity. In segregation, the aftermath of the crime of slavery, we have America at its most appalling. But in the civil rights movement, we have the US at its most inspirational. I have an immense respect and affection for what’s best in America – in its ideals and its history. But I fear and deride what’s happening to the US these days, what the US is doing to the world, and sadly, to itself.
Are we to describe those Americans who oppose Bush as Anti-American? Of course not, however Bush might use the term "un-American". We’re in the era of "You’re with us or you’re against us", and that term is used to slander anyone who doesn’t agree with the policies of the current administration, no matter how insane they are.
I’m sure sometimes we might wish that American mass culture didn’t extend to the way we dress, what we eat and our own policies. On the other hand, we recognise the great generosity of spirit within the American people – immensely useful in rolling back the ideologies of the Soviet Union. But this was done through inspiration, not invasion. Sometimes I think it would be more positive if US power and influence was counter-balanced by the views and values of others, such as a more-powerful Europe.
It’s no more anti-American to oppose the Bush administration than it is anti-Semitic to oppose Sharon. Just as I support those Israeli’s who oppose Sharon (because of his long history with brutalities), I support those Americans who oppose Bush. Which makes me pro-Israel and pro-American, but selectively so. Anti-American? Certainly not. Anti-administration? Absolutely. Anyone who can’t see the difference is an idiot – or a US ambassador. | | |
| Teaching and Poofy-Doo
I just had my first day of casual teaching today. Yeah!! It was so much fun. I had Year 7, 8 and 9 Science and Year 7 Art. One of the Year 7 boys said to me today "Why arn't you really stern with us like all the other teachers are?". "That's not my style" I replied. And then the boy commented "I like your style". Made me feel really nice 
Every teacher i've known has catch phrases, or words that they use alot. I've been trying to think of a few catch phrases that would be uniquely mine and this is what i've come up with:
Poofy-Doo
Princess Puffball
Snafu (something that goes wrong)
Willy-Nilly
Widget
Giggly-Poos
SAW-REE!
You've got money, honey!
The bathwater along with the baby
Shmoozing
Wishy-Washy
Ok, beauty school is over. (starts singing Beauty School Drop Out)
The hostest of the mostest
Nobody doesn't like Sara Lee!
Sure join the parade!
(sings) R-E-S-P-E-C-T!!
BLLLEEEHHH!!
(sings) We are the world! We are the children!
My Bad!!
Let's have a whispering contest!
Who wants cake?
No really, who does want cake? What type of cake do you want?
(Animations courtesy of Pepsiluver) | | |
| Time for a few smiles I posted this a long time ago, and thought i'd re-post it for the pleasure of my viewing public. Enjoy 
What If Food Was Dirty And Sex Was Clean?
When you think of it, there are only two things you need to make people. You got to have sex. You got to have food. That's it. You don't need clothing, shelter, or TV. Okay, maybe TV, but otherwise it's sex and food. But for some reason sex is dirty.
Somebody said, "Alright, you want to propagate, go ahead, but only late at night, with all the doors closed, man on top, once a week, that's it." But not only can you eat the charred decaying flesh of other major mammals, you can do it in broad daylight and invite all your friends to watch: "Hey, Chuck, why don't you come over on Sunday? We're going to kill a pig, cut him up, burn him, and eat him. Bring the kids, have a hell of a time."
What if they had been switched around? What if, through a simple twist of fate, sex was clean but food was dirty? Our entire culture would change. Food would become a four-letter word.
When people got angry at you, they'd yell out "Oh yeah? Well, food you! Suck cheese you Popsicle slurper."
Punks in passing cars would flip you the fork.
Flashers would have pizzas strapped to their chests. "Ohmigod! It's a pepperoni."
Locker room talk would change. "Hey, man, how'd you do this weekend?" "Two burgers and a bag of fries. Crinkle cut."
Supermarkets would check I.D.'s and charge admission to the poultry section.
Foreplay would be listed as a menu selection.
The police would conduct raids on backyard barbecues. "All right, put down your meat. Just back away from the buns, mister."
Hookers would become cooks. You'd be accosted on street corners by plump ladies in Day-Glo aprons. "Hey, big boy, looking for a hot meal? Wanna crack some crab?"
Many sexual positions would be found to be carcinogenic.
Parents would tell their children not to play with their food or they'll go blind. And we would all remember the first time our mother caught us marinating.
In other news, i'm beginning falling in love with my boyfriend's best friend. He's leaving Australia to go to England in 3 months time. He'll be over there for at least a year. What a typically Melanie thing to do!!
Mel's Household Hint #10 - Sick of that "doggy" smell in rugs and furniture? For a fast, effective remedy, try cat vomit. | | |
| We shall never forget....
Seated in front are astronauts Rick D. Husband (left), mission commander; Kalpana Chawla, mission specialist; and William C. McCool, pilot. Standing are (from the left} astronauts David M. Brown, Laurel B. Clark, and Michael P. Anderson, all mission specialists; and Ilan Ramon, payload specialist representing the Israeli Space Agency.
In 1986 John Denver was one of the three candidates to be a member of the crew of the Space Shuttle Challenger. President Reagan choose teacher Christa McAuliffe to go.
John's beautiful memorial song, "Flying For Me", expressed his deep admiration for the Challenger crew.
Today I dedicate it to those courageous hero's aboard Columbia 
"FLYING FOR ME"
Well, I guess that you probably know by now
I was one who wanted to fly
I wanted to ride on that arrow of fire right up into heaven
And I wanted to go for every man, every child, every mother of children
I wanted to carry the dreams of all people right up to the stars
And I prayed that I'd find an answer there
Or maybe I would find the song
Giving a voice to all of the hearts that can not be heard
And for all of the ones who live in fear
And all of those who stand apart
My being there would bring us a little step closer together
They were flying for me, they were flying for everyone
They were trying to see, a brighter day for each and everyone
They gave us their light, they gave us their spirit, and all they could be
They were flying for me
And I wanted to wish on the Milky Way and dance upon the falling star
I wanted to give myself, and free myself, enjoin myself with it all!
Given the chance to dream, it can be done
The promise of tomorrow is real
Children of spaceship Earth, the future belongs to us all
She was flying for me, she was flying for everyone
She was trying to see, a brighter day for each and everyone
She gave us her light, she gave us her spirit, and all she could be
She was flying for me
They were flying for me, they were flying for everyone
They were trying to see, a brighter day for each and everyone
They gave us their light, they gave us their spirit, and all they could be
They were flying for me | | |
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