We’re hearing more and more about the ways stars slim down to fit into those gorgeous gowns we’ve all seen during the recent awards season.

One diet trend that’s hot in Hollywood is using juice fasts and detox diets like the Master Cleanse and Blueprint Cleanse to lose weight quickly.

But when it comes to dropping permanent pounds healthfully, fasts aren’t the way to go. Trust me, it’s better to lose a pound or two a week, and keep it off. It’s healthier and more doable. By summer you’ll be slimmer while your pal who did the fast will just be frustrated, saying things like "Diets don’t work!" And she’s right, lifestyle changes do!.

"Rather than trim you down, juice fasts may actually cause you to overeat," says SELF’s eat-right expert, Joy Bauer. Juice is high in sugar and creates peaks and dips in your blood sugar levels, leaving you ravenous. No doubt, once you’re done you’ll dive headlong into the cheesecake that’s sitting in your fridge. Fasting can also be harmful, causing headaches, anemia and other health woes.

As for the idea that these fasts "detox" you: Your body has its own cleansing system, consisting of the liver, kidneys, intestines and even skin, which all work together to filter and eliminate waste. I think the best way to feel healthier faster is to exercise. 

Working out, sweating hard and getting your heart pounding at the gym boosts blood flow all over your body, which helps your own natural detox system do its job. You’re also going to burn calories and lose fat-all of which helps your body function at its best. Plus you’ll feel so good.

 

 

 

Directors
- Hwang Ung-ki
- Park Sang-hyun

Assistant Director
- Kwak Nae-young
VJ
-ISAK 

About the Program:

Pops in Seoul, airing since 1998, has presented Korean pop music for the past nine years as Arirang TV’s most popular music program. The show’s VJ, K-pop expert ISAK, presents current music plus news about K-pop culture in the process supporting our domestic musicians’ activities abroad and providing overseas viewers with the latest Korean pop music and information.

 Everday of the week has different themes!

Theme for Mondays

Pops in Seoul brings you the latest music headlines and music videos! Get the dish on hot topics and gossip through “Pop Scoops.”

 

Theme for Tuesdays

Music videos past and present! Pops in Seoul brings you the stories behind the finished product on “Behind the Video.” On “What’s Their Story,” they select K-pop’s representative artists and delve into their musical world. You also get a surprise quiz, so be sure to watch ’til the very end!

Theme for Wednesdays

Catch interviews with artists and learn about the albums they introduce on “Hitmaker.” On “Trend Zone,” get to know the hottest trends in the biz through VJ Isak’s perspective. It’s an entertaining and lively way to learn what’s "It."

Theme for Thursdays

Two artists and two music videos! On “Versus,” we put them side by side and compare! Re-live the issues that made music history on “Remember When.”  

 

Theme for Fridays

Hungry for live performances? Then tune into “Concert Train,” where Pops in Seoul takes you to concerts and showcases, bringing live excitement to your very own living room.  On “Viewer’s Votes” Pops in Seoul reveals your rankings on a weekly variety of subjects. This is also your chance to send in letters to be shared on air!

Theme for Saturdays

You’ve gotta understand the trends and attitude of K-Pop to relate! This is your chance to learn what songs are climbing toward the top of the charts, as determined by the DJ Association’s rankings, viewers’ online votes and ballots cast via mobile Internet. Pops in Seoul brings you numbers 30 to 11!

Theme for Sundays

Meet the Korean pop songs racing to the top of the music world! Using rankings from the DJ Association, viewers’ online votes and ballots cast via mobile Internet, Pops in Seoul brings you the songs that made it into the top 10. Find out if the track you’re rooting for has claimed the top spot!

 

-source: arirang.co.kr 

Technorati Profile

BERLIN (AP) — German luxury carmaker Porsche SE has filed a criminal complaint with authorities regarding a suspected attempt to eavesdrop on chief executive Wendelin Wiedeking, the company said Sunday.

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Girls’ Generation, also known as SNSD, the acronym of So Nyeo Si Dae,a nine member South Korean girl group formed in 2007 by SM Entertainment.The members include (in order of official announcement) Yoona, Tiffany, Yuri, Hyoyeon, Sooyoung, Seohyun, Taeyeon, Jessica, and Sunny.

Pre-debut

The members were professionally trained primarily in singing and dancing, while some members were also selected to be trained in acting and modeling. Many of the members already had made names for themselves in the Korean entertainment industry through their participation in magazine ads, television commercials, and small television appearances. For nearly two years, Korean websites speculated about which of the female SM Entertainment trainees would be placed into the group. Before the official release of the group name, Girls’ Generation, it was rumored that the group would be named “Super Girls” after their so-called counterpart, Super Junior.

Debut and first album

On July 19, 2007, Girls’ Generation had their first performance on M.NET’S M!Countdown. Although this performance was never broadcast on television, many videos were shot by fans and uploaded onto the internet. The song the girls performed was called “Into the New World”, which ended up being their first single. On August 2, 2007, the single “Into the new world” was released. This single included two other songs, “Beginning” and “Perfect For You ”. An instrumental of “Into the new world” is also included. The group began promoting the single soon after its release. On August 5, 2007, Girls’ Generation made their debut performance on SBS’s Popular Songs, performing their first single. Although it was their first televised performance, it was lip-synched, making netizens doubt their live performance capabilities. A few days later, on August 11, Girls’ Generation did their first live performance on MBC’s Show! Music Core, which was met with mixed reviews. The day after, the group performed live for the second time on KBS’s Music Bank. This performance also had mixed reviews by netizens. Despite this, on October 11, 2007, Girls’ Generation won first place with their popular song, “Into the new world” in M!Countdown, beating Lee Seung Gi by a couple of votes. After a short break, their first full album was released on November 1, with the lead single “소녀시대 (Girls’ Generation)”, a cover of Lee Seung Chul’s hit. Promotion for the single started in early November. Marked by cutesy dance routines and vocals, “Girls’ Generation” was a hit for the group, and the album has sold 56,804 copies to date, placing 12th in the year-end charts. In January 2008, Girls’ Generation began promoting their second single, “Kissing You”. The music video featured Donghae from Super Junior.

Members:                                             

Tae Yeon

Birth Name: Kim Tae Yeon
Date of Birth:March 9, 1989 (1989-03-09)
Height: 160 cm.
Weight: 44 kg.
Bloodtype: O
Position: Leader, Main Vocalist
Language: Korean, Chinese
Speciality: Trot
Training: 3 Years 3 Months
School: Jeonju Art High school
Career: - 2004 Featured with The One ‘You Bring me Joy’(Part 2)
2007- CF Mobile Stone in the Water

Jessica

Birth Name: Jessica Jeong
Korean Name: Jung Soo Yeon
Height: 163 cm.
Weight: 43 kg.
Bloodtype: B
Date of Birth: April 18, 1989 (1989-04-18)
Position: Main Vocalist
Language: Fluent in English & Korean
Speciality: Dance
Training: 7 Years 6 Months
School: Korea Kent Foreign School [K.K.F.S.]
Career: - 2007 MV Kim Jo Han’s ‘Love is so late,I’m sorry’

Sunny

Birth Name: Lee Sun Kyu
Date of Birth: May 15, 1989 (1989-05-15)
Height: 158 cm.
Weight: 43 kg.
Position: Lead Vocalist
Language: Korean, Chinese
Speciality: Sports, Eloquence
Training: 9 Months
School: Baehwa Girl’s High school
Career: - 2008 DJ Melon Cheonbangjichuk the radio ‘Sungmin&Sunny’

 

Tiffany

Birth Name: Stephanie Hwang
Korean Name: Hwang Mi Young
Date of Birth: August 1, 1989 (1989-08-01)
Height: 162 cm.
Weight: 50 kg.
Position: Lead Vocalist
Language: Fluent in Korean & English
Speciality: Flute
Training: 2 Years 7 Months
School: Korea Kent Foreign School [K.K.F.S.]
Career: - 2007 VJ KMTV with Hyesung

HyoYeon

Birth Name: Kim Hyo Yeon
Date of Birth: September 22, 1989 (1989-09-22)
Height: 162 cm.
Weight: 45 kg.
Bloodtype: AB
Position: Supporting Vocalist/Main Dancer
Language: Korean, Mandarin (Chinese)
Speciality: Dance
Training: 6 Years 1 Month
School: China Beijing Language Courses
Career: - 2005 MKMF BoA’s Dancer

YuRi

Birth Name: Kwon Yu Ri
Date of Birth: December 5, 1989 (1989-12-05)
Height: 167 cm.
Weight: 45 kg.
Bloodtype: O
Position: Supporting Vocalist/2nd Lead Dancer
Language: Korean, Chinese
Speciality: Dance,Acting,Swimming
Training: 5 Years 11 Months
School: Neunggok High School
Career: - 2006 CF Same Highbill Lake City 
- 2006 MV DBSK ‘Beautiful Life’
- 2006 CF China Chocopie CF (2006)
- 2006 CF East-West food Hat Choco mitte
- 2007 The Movie ‘Attack on the Pin-Up Boys’(Ballet Girl)
- 2007 KBS Sitcom ‘Unstoppable Marriage’

SooYoung

Birth Name: Choi Soo Young
Date of Birth: February 10, 1990 (1990-02-10)
Height: 170 cm.
Weight: 45 kg.
Bloodtype: O
Position: Supporting Vocalist
Language: Fluent in Korean & Japanese
Speciality: Dance, Eloquence, Acting
Training: 6 Years 3 Months
School: Jeongshin Girl’s High school
Career: - 2002 Japanese Duo Girl ‘Route O’ 
- 2003 CF Samsung Anycall Battle of Music 
- 2004 School uniforms ‘Rocks’ model
- 2005 VJ M.net ‘Hello Chat’
- 2007 DJ Melon Cheonbangjichuk the radio ‘Sungmin&Sooyoung’
- 2007 KBS Sitcom ‘Unstoppable Marriage’

Yoon-Ah

Birth Name: Lim Yoon A
Date of Birth: May 30, 1990 (1990-05-30)
Height: 166 cm.
Weight: 46 kg.
Bloodtype: B
Position: Supporting Vocalist/Lead Dancer
Language: Korean, Chinese
Speciality: Dance,Acting
Training: 7 Years 2 Months
School: Daeyeong High School
Career: - 2004 Elite Student uniforms advertising model
- 2004 MV DBSK ‘Magic Castle’
- 2006 CF Teun Teun English
- 2006 CF Sanyo batteries eneloop
- 2006 CF Elite Student uniforms
- 2006 MV Super Junior ‘U’
- 2006 MV CSJH The Grace ‘My Everything’
- 2007 Clean&Clear
- 2007 Sunkit Grapefruit/Lemonade
- 2007 MBC drama ‘Two out nine’(Shin Ju Yeong)
- 2007 MV Super Junior ‘Marry U’
- 2008 MV Lee Seung Chul ‘Propose’

SeoHyun

Birth Name: Seo Ju Hyun
Height: 168 cm.
Weight: 46 kg.
Bloodtype: A
Date of Birth: June 28, 1991 (1991-06-28)
Position: Lead Vocalist
Language: Fluent in Korean & Chinese
Speciality: Piano
Training: 6 Years 6 Months
School: Daeyeong High School
Career: - 2005 Smart loses Student uniforms advertising model

-source: wikipedia.org

Artist: The Used

The cup is not half empty as pessimists say
as far as he sees nothing’s left in the cup
A whole cup full of nothing for him to indulge
since the voice of ambition has long since been shut up

A singer, a writer,
he’s not dreaming now of going no where
he heeds to nothing
and all that he was is just a tragedy

So he voyages in circles succeeds getting nowhere
and submits to the substance that first got him there, there, there, there

violent frustration
he cries out to God or just no one
is there a point to this madness
and all that he was is just a tragedy

He feels alone
He’s trying to save his life
He feels like
I feel

Then on that last day he breaks
and he stood tall
then he yelled, then he yelled
(Why world? WHY WORLD?? Hate you! HATE YOU!!! BYE WORLD!!!!!!)

violent frustration
he cries out to God or just no one
is there a point to this madness
and all that he was is just a tragedy

The Used-I Caught Fire Lyrics

The Used-Taste of Ink Lyrics

The Used-All That I’ve Got Lyrics

Artist: The Used

So deep, that it didn’t even bleed and catch me
Off guard, red handed
Now I’m far from lonely
Asleep, I still see you lying next to me
So deep that it didn’t even bleed and catch me, I…

I need something else
Would someone please just give me
Hit me, knock me out
And let me go back to sleep
I can’t laugh, all I want, inside I still am empty
So deep that it didn’t even bleed and catch me, I…

[Chorus:]
I’ll be just fine
Pretending I’m not
I’m far from lonely
And it’s all that I’ve got
I’ll be just fine
Pretending I’m not
I’m far from lonely
And it’s all that I’ve got

I guess, I remember every glance you shot me
Unharmed, I’m losing weight and some body heat
Eyes closed so hard
I stopped your heart from beating
So deep that I didn’t even scream fuck me
I…

[Chorus:]
I’ll be just fine
Pretending I’m not
I’m far from lonely
And it’s all that I’ve got
I’ll be just fine
Pretending I’m not
I’m far from lonely
And it’s all that I’ve got

And it’s all that I’ve got
Yeah, it’s all that I’ve got
It’s all that I’ve got
It’s all that I’ve got
It’s all that I’ve got

So deep that it didn’t even bleed and catch me
So deep that I didn’t even scream fuck me

[Chorus:]
I’ll be just fine
Pretending I’m not
I’m far from lonely
And it’s all that I’ve got
I’ll be just fine
Pretending I’m not
I’m far from lonely
And it’s all that I’ve got

And it’s all that I’ve got
Yeah all that I’ve got..

The Used-I Caught Fire Lyrics

The Used-Taste of Ink Lyrics

Artist: The Used

(verse 1)
Seem to stop my breath
My head on your chest
Waiting to cave in
From the bottom of my…
Hear your voice again
Could we dim the sun
And wonder where we’ve been
Maybe you and me
So kiss me like you did
My heart has stopped beating
Such a softer sin

(chorus)
(I’m melting, I’m melting)
In your eyes
I lost my place
Could stay a while

And I’m melting
In your eyes
Like my first time
That I caught fire
Just stay with me
Lay with me
Now

(verse 2)
Never caught my breath
Every second I’m without you I’m a mess
Ever know each other
Trust these words are stones
My cuts are healing
Learning how to love

I’m melting (I’m melting)
In your eyes
I lost my place
Could stay a while

(chorus)
And I’m melting
In your eyes
Like my first time
That I caught fire
Just stay with me
Lay with me…

(Stay with me lay with me now)

BRIDGE

You could stay and watch me fall
And of course I’d ask for help
Just stay with me now
We could take our heads off, stay in bed
Just make love, that’s all
Just stay with me now

(chorus)
I’m melting (I’m melting)
In your eyes
I lost my place
Could stay a while
and I’m melting

In your eyes
Like my first time
That I caught fire
Just stay with me
Lay with me
In your eyes
I lost my place
Could stay a while
and I’m melting
In your eyes
Like my first time
That I caught fire
Just stay with me lay with me
(Stay with me, lay with me)

In your eyes
Lets sleep till the sun burns out
I’m melting in your eyes (I’m melting in your eyes)
Lets sleep till the sun burns out
I’m melting in your eyes

The Used-All That I’ve Got Lyrics

The Used-Taste of Ink Lyrics

Artist: The Used

Is it worth it can you even hear me?
Standing with your spotlight on me
Not enough to feed the hungry
I’m tired and I felt it for awhile now
In this sea of lonely
The taste of ink is getting old
It’s four o’ clock in the fucking morning
Each day gets more and more like the last day
Still I can see it coming
While I’m standing in the river drowning
This could be my chance to break out
This could be my chance to say goodbye
At last it’s finally over
Couldn’t take this town much longer
Being half dead wasn’t what I planned to be
Now I’m ready to be free

So here I am it’s in my hands
And I’ll savor every moment of this
So here I am alive at last
And I’ll savor every moment of this

Won’t you think I’m pretty
When I’m standing top the bright lit city
And I’ll take your hand and pick you up
And keep you there so you can see it
As long as you’re alive and care
I promise I will take you there
We’ll drink and dance the night away
We’ll drink and dance the night away

So here I am it’s in my hands
And I’ll savor every moment of this
So here I am alive at last
And I’ll savor every moment of this
Savor every moment of this

(As long as you’re alive here I am..)

As long as you’re alive
Here I am
I promise I will take you there

As long as you’re alive
Here I am
I promise I will take you there

Won’t you think I’m pretty
When I’m standing top the bright lit city
And I’ll take your hand and pick you up
And keep you there so you can see it
So long as you’re alive and care
I promise I will take you there
So long as you’re alive and care
I promise I will take you there

So here I am it’s in my hands
And I’ll savor every moment of this
So here I am alive at last
And I’ll savor every moment of this
Savor every moment of this
Savor every moment of this

Megan Fox surpassed the sexy likes of Jessica Biel, Katharine Heigl and Scarlett Johansson on FHM’s annual 100 Sexiest Women in the World poll among FHM readers, who anticipated her to be “poised to take Hollywood by storm for many years to come.” Megan Fox, the 21-year-old model/actress who had her big break with Michael Bay’s box office smash “Transformers,” as the love interest of Shia LaBeouf’s character, was voted Sexiest Woman in the World for 2008 by FHM readers - nearly 9 million votes were cast for the 14th edition of the annual poll, the magazine said. Fox debuted on the annual list in 2006 at No. 68 and ranked at No. 65 in 2007. This year however she managed to oust 2007’s Sexiest, “Fantastic Four” star Jessica Alba, who fell two places to No. 3. Jessica Biel was voted No. 2. Also in the top ten are, in descending order, Elisha Cuthbert, Scarlett Johansson, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Hilary Duff, Tricia Helfer, Blake Lively and Kate Beckinsale. Angelina Jolie came twelfth, Rihanna fourteenth, Natalie Portman twenty-fifth and Adriana Lima thirty-sixth. “Juno” star and Academy Award nominee Ellen Page entered the list at No. 61, well appreciated for making pregnancy “funnier and more attractive” while at the same time boasting an “all-action ability in her locker, notably as Kitty Pride in X Men: The Last Stand.” The Queen of Pop entered the poll at No. 87, for proving, says the magazine, “to be an ageless wonder.” The readers enjoyed Madonna’s latest video with Justin Timberlake, “4 Minutes,” where she “proves she can still fill out a skin-tight body suit.” In other places, Lindsay Lohan ranked sixteenth, Heidi Klum came in at No. 22, Latin superstar Shakira at No. 55 and Playboy star Pamela Anderson, without whom it is “unfathomable” to concoct the FHM 100 Sexiest, at No. 75, as she is “still every bit the slice of busty perfection we fell in love with in that red swimsuit.” Britney Spears came in last place at No. 100. The magazine acknowledges it has been “a rough year for the world’s most Googled woman” and muses that the glory days when she topped this poll seem “but a distant sexy memory.”

Shock, grief, anger, betrayal. These were the feelings that swept through the Idoldome after the stunning dismissal of Carly Smithson, the contestant this column has called the most electrifying in Idol history. But the tidal wave of horrified feelings was entirely in the audience. On stage Carly Smithson herself, always the most spirited and nurturing of this year’s contestants, stayed upbeat and even cheery as she said her goodbyes and took a last look around from the Idol stage, knowing perhaps that for a talent such as hers, now that it has been loosed to the world, the journey is only beginning. It is the funny thing about mortality –- we never ever have enough time. Although there is only a month left in this marathon, and although the spots on the Nokia stage are in all likelihood locked up by Davids Cook and Archuleta, meaning that all the others will meet their ends very soon, Carly’s departure brings floods of anger and sadness. While there was still a hope, while there were still lesser candidates on the field, it seems impossible to let go of every moment we might have spent with Carly on the Idol stage. After the show, the crowd shook with resentment towards perceived undeserving survivors, akin the impotent frustration of people on the losing end of a stolen election. But such is why American Idol remains so compelling in its seventh season - this ability to summon such emotion from its various partisans, even when they are miserable, only fuels its strength. From the beginning, there was an odd, jittery feeling in the Idoldome, presaging strange things to come. This deep into the season, the stakes for each elimination are all the higher, driving the collective nerves to new heights. Before the top of the show each week the judges play a game with how late they can come in before airtime, striding in generally with only a minute or two to spare. Wednesday night, two of the judges (Paula and Simon) missed the cold open entirely, and had to sneak in while the opening credits sequence rolled causing stage manager Debbie Williams, for whom getting the judges in their seats is the bane of her existence, to warn the crowd not to cheer for them as they slipped across the room. Simon’s hi-jinx continued during the group number. As they sang, one of the vocal coaches came into the audience and stood next to the judges desk so that he might conduct the contestants through the number. However, ever the mischief maker, Simon grabbed a makeshift baton and offered his own rival conducting along a different beat. At the next break, Debbie admonished “Simon was a bad boy. He conducted the children wrong.” The hi-jinx however, took a more dramatic turn after Brooke and Syesha took their turns on the stage. Once Angel of Death Seacrest gave Brooke the all clear, she rushed to collapse on the couch, lying face down once the show went to commercial and openly weeping, a spectacle which summoned Paula to the stage to comfort her and raising many an eyebrow about her seeming bottomless well of neediness. Meanwhile across the stage, Syesha alone on her death stool, turned her back to the audience to let her tears flow, clearly thinking, I gave it my greatest performance and I’m still here on these damn stools. What more can I do for you people? Throughout the season, Carly has very much played the den mother on elimination night, being the first to comfort the eliminated or the merely rattled, joking around, keeping the atmosphere light even as Angel of Death Seacrest flapped his wings nearby. So when her turn at last came, had she demanded her share of comforting, especially considering the outpouring of affection for her, she would have been within her rights. But all class to the end, she stayed smiling, cheery and grateful in her last minutes, seeming to comfort Syesha and Brooke rather than receiving reassurance herself. So what are we to take away from this? Right now, in the hours after Angel Seacrest wrapped Carly in his icy embrace, it still seems much too soon to say goodbye, and the reality that she will not be with us for Neil Diamond week seems too harsh to accept. It will take years for historians to have the time and perspective to sort through the meaning of what happened tonight, but in attempt to write a first draft of history, let us consider the following winds that for all her talent, were blowing against Carly from the start: + The Youth Vote. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times in this column, the children can not be ignored. One 11-year-old supporter is worth literally several hundred grown up supporters given that is how many times they will call. Carly’s was the maturest of talents of this group; she and Michael Johns both offered in their singing and personas very grown-up styles and appeal. We can hope this will serve the both of them well in their post-Idol careers. + Pastels tones. The finalists on American Idol are almost without exception those whose auras radiate in bright, soft, warm colors. Jordin Sparks was pure pink. Blake Lewis shone in azure. Taylor Hicks was green teal. Katharine McPhee – a light red. Carly’s aura is a deep complex magenta (when she performs at least, unlike her chatty aura which is very sunny). + Female rockers. Seven seasons in we can affirmatively say, they don’t seem to fare well on Idol. From Nikki McKibben to Gina Glocksen to Amanda Overmyer to Carly (who was only half rocker) it’s a tough road. + Definition. Without a clear, easily describable in two words or less, outline of what kind of singer you are, it makes it hard to gather a consistent reliable demographic group and a singer is forced to ride the waves of fortune week to week. + The judges. This season, Simon in particular seems to have an outsized effect on the results, writing the story of how every performance is seen. He was, ironically favorable on her final night but that came after weeks of very grudging compliments at best. We will be debating what happened for ages to come, but whatever the reason for her elimination, let us rejoice in the hours we spent together. Critics threw stones at the fact that Carly had a recording career prior to Idol, but it always seemed to me that as a result of her past she brought to the stage a richer, more complex and fascinating history then any other contestant. The narrative I constructed for myself of Carly’s story based on her comments and what we know of her history went something like this: Carly step foot on the stage professionally very very young, touring with Les Miz as early as age eight. After devoting much of her youth to music and performing she finally at the end of her teens lands the big one –- a record deal with a major label. She moves all the way to Hollywood from Ireland thinking she is on the cusp of her dreams coming true. However, for whatever reason –- poor marketing, youth, etc. –- the record does not take off. In the wreckage after the deal falls apart, Carly flees Los Angeles for San Diego where she waitresses at a bar through what must have been very dark times wondering after a life spent wanting to break into music, and no doubt feeling cast aside by the industry, what does she do next? The only hint of her dreams, the weekly show she performs at her bar. Years pass. Taking a crazy chance, she tries out for American Idol, and is picked from the auditions to move forward. But because of problems with her immigration status, she is unable to be on the show. It must have seemed that fate was irredeemably against her. More years pass. She marries. She keeps singing in her bar. And finally she auditions again. And makes it through. Every night she went up on the Idol stage Carly projected both the sure hand of someone who had spent her life working for this moment, and the gratitude of one who has learned that life doesn’t owe her anything. Hers was the joy not of a dream that felt the world had an obligation to fulfill, but of a dream that had been forced to hide away until its flame was so tiny it was this close to being blown out. And finally, when it seemed just about to disappear forever, to be allowed to shine once again! No other contestant’s story could match depth and poignancy to Carly’s euphoria at being given this chance once again, to paraphrase her countryman, WB Yeats, a lonely impulse of delight drove her to this tumult among the clouds, which is why I called her the most electrifying performer ever to take the Idol stage. No one could match that intensity, but we take comfort in knowing that that flame now burning so so brightly can no longer be extinguished and like many before her who came to this stage, even if they did not make it to the final rung of this competition, her career will undoubtedly continue and we will see its fire again and again in the years ahead. And so I close tonight with the words of the poet CP Cavafy, and his poem “The God Abandons Antony” which reminds us, difficult as it may be, not to be filled with recrimination for what now passes, not to second guess the way things have gone, but to draw on the strength that brought us to these heights to get us through and cherish the sublime moment we have known. And in Carly’s case, we can close this chapter knowing this ending will be the beginning of a new journey greater than anything that has come before it. “When suddenly, at midnight, you hear an invisible procession going by with exquisite music, voices, don’t mourn your luck that’s failing now, work gone wrong, your plans all proving deceptive — don’t mourn them uselessly. As one long prepared, and graced with courage, say goodbye to her, the Alexandria that is leaving. Above all, don’t fool yourself, don’t say it was a dream, your ears deceived you: don’t degrade yourself with empty hopes like these. As one long prepared, and graced with courage, as is right for you who were given this kind of city, go firmly to the window And listen with deep emotion, but not with whining, the pleas of a coward; listen — your final delectation — to the voices, to the exquisite music of that strange procession, and say goodbye to her, to the Alexandria you are losing.”

April 23,2008-United Kingdom

A leading Government minister is opposing a mass walk out in schools by members of the National Union of Teachers.
The Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls believes that "the majority" of teachers do not wish to take strike action on Thursday.

"Teachers should not be walking out," Mr Balls said. "I’m very disappointed and I think that parents across the country are disappointed."

It is reported that the strike could close or disrupt more than 6,000 schools in England and Wales.

Schools in inner London authorities have not yet announced school closures but this could push the number even higher.

It is likely that schools in Leeds, Cardiff, Suffolk and Cumbria will all suffer from the walk out.

Opposing views between the NUT and the government about the level of inflation used to determine pay increases has instigated the strike.

However, NUT members voted by a three to one majority to support the action.

The late Steve Sinnott, General Secretary for the NUJ had commented: "Members voting 3 to 1 in favour of action is a clear mandate."

Christine Blower, Acting General Secretary for the NUT said in a letter to FE college lecturer members: "Taking strike action will never be an easy choice for those involved in education, but action now may help prevent increasing damage through FE teacher shortages and low morale."

Among the conditions teachers are calling for is a 6% increase of £1,500, or whichever is higher, a minimum hourly rate of £7.50 and "meaningful negotiations" on the establishment of common conditions of service across all colleges that are appropriate to the category staff concerned.

Junior Schools Minister Jim Knight is also disappointed at the strike action but that it is "nothing compared to the disappointment of parents".

Ivan Ould, Chairman of the National Employers’ Organisation for School Teachers also opposes the strike action. "Children so close to their exams will lose out on invaluable study time," he said. "The NUT should pause for thought before embarking on action that will affect large swathes of the country."

Mr Ould added: "Councils and schools are working together to ensure that if the strike does happen then the minimum possible disruption will occur to children and parents."

This is a signature created by me with Jeff Thomas’ Pon and Zi as a render. I used Adobe Photoshop 7.0 to create this forum signature. If you want to make suggestions or comments, feel free to tell me. Thank you

A signature that was inspired by Valentine’s Day ^_^

At last the first grueling week of my summer class is finally over.

Since we didn’t have any class last Monday, I thought it would be the same the following days of first week. That’s when I realize that I was wrong. Second day- we had our first encounter with our Nutrition teacher, she introduced herself to us.she gave us tons of paper to study for a quiz tomorrow. When third day came we had a quiz on Nutrition! It was a very hard quiz and I had a lot of unanswered items. Thursday morning came, our English class started. She gave the requirements for the subject and then I rejoiced for we we’re dismissed early. After our lunch,  Microbiology. Our teacher gave an introduction about the subject. It was some introduction! Our teacher mentioned a lot of organisms’ scientific names that I had a hard time comprehending to. She gave us references for an incoming quiz the next day. Friday came and we had a normal lecture during our English class, then we we’re dismissed. Afternoon, we had two sets of quiz in Microboilogy. I was frustrated because my answer sheet was very clean-when I say clean, I mean there is no mark of my ballpen in it. In the laboratory, we cultured some bacteria that was swabbed from places that we like. Last day of the first week, we had a quiz on English then followed by a short lecture. Then our teacher let us watch the film "Ratatouille", for educational purposes. The film viewing was cut short because it’s lunch already. Then in Microbiology, we had a very long discussion on different kinds of microorganisms. In the laboratory, we put the cultured bacteria on the slides for staining to be viewed under a microscope.

Whew, it was a very long week.Besides being frustrated and stressed, I was also sad because I couldn’t meet my boyfriend to celebrate our 9-month relationship because it was already very late in the evening when I got out from school.