Daily Archives: February 9, 2017

"A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a Cathedral." ~ Antone de Saint-Exupery

Several years ago, while in Barcelona, Spain, I had the opportunity to visit Catalan architect, Antonio Gaudi's, one-of-a kind, "Sagrada Famlia." While not officially a "cathedral" because it is not yet the seat of a Bishop, it is often thought of as such because it stands as high or higher than many ancient cathedrals. What is unique about the structure is that, while Gothic in design, it is also very "Art Nouveau" and unlike any other cathedral ever built; it is one-of-a-kind, in a class of its own. If you have ever seen pictures of it you'll understand why I call it one of a kind. I encourage you to Google "Sagrada Famlia" and see for yourself--you'll be rather stunned.

Gaudi designed and took over the construction of the project in 1883 and, the amazing thing is, to this day, it is still a work in progress. It stands higher than many skyscrapers; scaffolding and huge mechanical cranes loom in the skyline. The completion of the project is tentatively set for 2026, the centennial of Gaudi's passing. It is said that he devoted the best of his years to the project, and at the time of his death at age 73 in 1926, less than a quarter of the project was complete. Can you imagine holding such a grand vision and not living to see it come to full fruition?

One-hundred and twenty-eight years after his vision was cast, I humbly stood at the base of this monolithic structure and gazed skyward wondering how much more had to be done to complete his vision. My mind raced back to the year 1883 when there was little more than barren land and rocks in that spot and I imagined him standing there, looking up, seeing his masterpiece in its completed form. That's what visionaries do--they see their dream in its completed form long before it is realized in the material world. The transformation of concrete and rocks into a cathedral happened before Gaudi's workers ever broke ground...and the fact that they are still working on the manifestation of it proves it was a very big vision.

Do you have a vision for your life and, if so, how big is it? Can you see yourself living that life now, even if the outer manifestation of it isn't yet visible? While many say you have to see it to believe it, others are saying, you have to believe it to see it. Which are you? This is where and when the foundation for a life worth living is established. The practice is to contemplate your life as Gaudi contemplated his cathedral--as a completed idea in the creative Mind of a Universe that knows no limitations. In other words, the sky really is the limit; the only caveat is that this creative Mind is waiting for you to upload the design blueprints known as your belief system. What is your vision for your life? Are you looking up, or looking down? Be mindful of where your predominate thoughts go because, whether you are aware of it or not, that is the design plan you are uploading.

Clearly, Gaudi believed in his vision, so much so that it had no alternative but to become a reality, even years after his passing. That is a powerful vision when it takes on a life of its own. Turning a pile of rocks into a cathedral isn't difficult once you have the vision--the Universe conspires to support you in your vision if you are willing to stand in it, own it and act on it. We are all visionaries--that is to say, we each hold in our mind a vision for our life; what it can or can't be, might or might not be, or, will or won't be. So the question really isn't, do you have a vision for your life--if you are alive you have a vision. The real question is, what is your vision? Are you looking down at the rocks or up to the sky? Remember, the Universe is listening and it is already uploading your blueprints.

This Blogger's Books and Other Items from...

Your Redefining Moments: Becoming Who You Were Born to Be

by Dennis Merritt Jones

The Art of Uncertainty: How to Live in the Mystery of Life and Love It

by Dennis Merritt Jones

Read more from the original source:

Does Your Vision for Your Life Cause You to Look Up...or Down? - Huffington Post

Kathryn Slunecko, Guest Opinion 1:15 p.m. CT Feb. 8, 2017

Kathryn Slunecko(Photo: Special to the Press-Citizen)

As a communication studies major at the University of Iowa, I have the opportunity to participate in a nationally recognized program on information needed to strive in a constantly changing world a digital world. Reiterated throughout a few of my courses, communication technologies are continually advancing to be more convenient, swift and simple. The technologies in my life that come to mind texting, Snapchat, FaceTime hold these qualities in their digital DNA.

As a college student living in this generation, technology is necessary; without it, I would lack internet use, conversation and up-to-date knowledge on friends and family. Yet, I am not alone. The majority of people live in a digital world with email, instant messaging, Instagram and other forms of online communication, and when the internet and these technologies make advances, we all consider our lives online.

Contemplating what influences my use of specific technologies, one important and easy word comes to mind: connection. At a young age, I was constantly encouraged to connect. Whether it was to join the local park district soccer team or Girl Scouts, it was simply to make friends. When I approached my freshmen year of college, the use of technologies strongly came into play. Facebook Messenger, Snapchat or texting were prominent to continue the relationships I had built back home. Now, as a senior, technologies like LinkedIn, a professional networking platform, or HireAHawk, the UIs online recruiting system for students, are encouraged and expected to start building connections for a future career.

If you are like me, no matter the age difference, this similar theme of finding, building and maintaining relationships has progressed throughout our life; humans naturally gravitate toward connecting with others whether it be online or face-to-face. Although technology was not as influential on a child born in the early 90s as it is on the upcoming generations of today, the ability to have grown up with technology evolving around me has been an eye-opening experience. For example, I did not own a cellphone until my first year of high school. Today, I have witnessed children as young as 10 possessing this essential device. Why? Because their parents want to be virtually connected to them when they are not physically there. With a rapidly changing digital world, there is a continual push to find the easiest way to feel and stay connected.

Although my personal experience as a UI student may differ from someone of different interests or background, I can confidently say that the internet and technology is a part of each one of our lives, every single day. Whether it be emailing a professor or supervisor, checking a bus schedule with an app or uploading course work to an online system, no one would be able to do college without the help of these technologies.

Applying my knowledge and personal usage of the internet and specific technologies to UI's 2017 Theme Semester, Our Lives Online, I encourage the Iowa community UI student body, staff and faculty, local residents and entire state to consider their lives online and engage with this program. Whether you choose to attend a marquee activity with guest speakers covering the topics of social media, big data or new media; submitting work to be featured online; becoming a collaborator;or simply joining the conversation, all are encouraged to take part, be creative and feel more connected.

Kathryn Slunecko studies communications and represents UIs Our Lives Online Theme Semester as a student ambassador.

WHAT:An evening with Oscar Salazar, co-founder of Uber, part of UI's "Our Lives Online" speaker series

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Monday

WHERE: Iowa Memorial Union Main Lounge

DETAILS: Find a full listing of Theme Semester events and activities online at theme.uiowa.edu.

Read or Share this story: http://icp-c.com/2kOOlqs

More here:

Connectivity in a digital world - Iowa City Press Citizen

From Texas Standard:

Selene Moreno is a senior at Benito Juarez-Abraham Lincoln High School in La Joya, Texas. She says shes looking forward to graduation.

Im planning to become a physical therapist after I graduate from high school and Im planning on going to Texas A&M, Moreno says.

Moreno is petite and soft-spoken. Shes also ambitious taking college courses and a bunch of AP classes. That can be especially difficult because she doesnt have Internet access at home.

Some parts of Texas are at the epicenter of what's called the digital divide. Thats the gulf between those who have ready access to computers and theInternet,and those who dont.

The Federal Reserve Bank in Dallas found the two metropolitan areas in the country with the lowest broadband access are in the Rio Grande Valley. Those most impacted by the digital divide may be students in the Valley from low-income families, like Moreno.

Moreno does have some access to the Internet, but she says it isnt enough.

I do have a cellphone and that has Internet, but sometimes its really slow and its hard to catch up because it takestimeto get it done, she says. I wish I had fast Internet to get it done faster.

She often finds herself having to work on projects until 2 or 3 a.m.

I remember one time I stayed up to cry, Moreno says. I worked through my tears to stay up late. And sometimes I would come sleepless to school and I wouldnt be able to concentrate the next day.

Moreno's story isnt unique.

Clem Garza is La Joya Independent School District's Director of Instructional Resources and Technology.

Theresparents that sit, take lawn chairs, outside a campus so they can access the web, Garza says. There are students that sit outside by the fence on the grass so they can access the web to do homework. And that tugged at me and that visual never left my mind.

So Garza came up with a plan.

We equipped the buses with routers and antennas so that our students are able to accessInterneton the school buses, Garza says.

Only two of the district's buses have Internet access right now.

Equipping thebusescost a little more than $4,000. But this is not an out-of-pocket expense for the district. Verizon and other businesses are paying for it.

Juarez LincolnHigh School teacher Karim Briseno says the program is also helping teachers. They now feel better about assigning projects that require Internet access. Although most families dont have the Internet at home, kids do ride the bus.

If they spend that much time, from 30 to 45 minutes on the bus, Briseno says, Im pretty sure they can use that time in order for them to do research, homework [and] communicate with teachers [any] questions they might have.

Briseno says she hopes the program will soon be accessible to more students.

I think every bus should have Wifi, Briseno says.

An expansion is in the works, but first La Joya ISD needs to look at the data from the pilot program.

How many users logged on, what types of sites, not necessarily individual sites, but let's say how many educational sites were accessed, how many social sites were accessed, Garza says. Were able to use that and then to see are they mainly streaming, are they downloading, uploading? What are the students doing?

Garza says that information will go to the school board. Itll be up to the board to implement the program. One thing that will help her case, Garza has already found funding for 20 of the 261 buses in the district.

Read the rest here:

How a WiFi Pilot Program Is Helping Students in the Rio Grande Valley - KWBU

KHLOE KARDASHIAN'S boyfriend looks in for a treat this Valentines Day.

The Keeping Up With The Kardashians favourite's friend Jen Atkin shared a sexy snap of the blonde posing in a white lace corset.

To spare the 32-year-olds blushes however, she covered her nipples with red hearts before uploading to Instagram.

It comes following reports that Kim Kardashians younger sister has been talking marriage with Tristan Thompson.

The Revenge Body star and her25-year-old basketball player beau have only been dating for five months but it sounds like things are hotting up fast.

A source reportedly told US Weekly: "Theyve talked about getting married."

"She'd be happy about an engagement, they added.

Thursday, January 12, 2017

Khloe Kardashian's changing body

Khloe Kardashian shows off the extent of her weight loss as she teams up with Protein World [Protein World ]

Khlo Kardashian has been through an incredible body transformation over the years we take a look at the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star's amazing results

Khloe's divorce from ex-husband Lamar Odom was finalised last year.

While she has clearly has moved on, Lamar is said to still beholding out for a reconciliation, branding Tristan "a placeholder".

"Lam needs TT to know how madly in love he still is with Khloe and wants Tristan to understand that he and Khloe have unfinished business."

He doesn't want to disrespect what they have, but he thinks Tristan is just like James Harden and French Montana a placeholder in her life for when he returns,: a source toldHollywood Life.

For his own part, Lamar was seen in an episode of TV show The Doctor, which aired in December telling presenter Dr Stork: "Honestly, I want my wife back."

It was filmed soon after he left a rehabilitation centre where he checked in to "focus on himself".

The 37-year-oldtook anear-fatal overdoseduring his now infamous visit to a Nevada-based brothel in October 2015.

Koko supported him at this time and it appeared then that they might get back together when she withdrew her divorce petition.

However the divorce did go ahead and now it seems that Khloe's mind is made up, tellingExtrahow she hoped that Tristan was "the one.

She explained: "I think that's why we all are in relationships to find the one.

"And, I mean, I am in love with him. I think he's, like, the best. And yeah, I hope so.

"Only time will tell."

Here is the original post:

Khloe Kardashian narrowly avoids a wardrobe malfunction in sexy underwear photo - OK! Magazine