BluesChick

Jaimin has a picture of it on his Facebook, so that would be who I'd ask.... it's rather creepy looking

seeing ron post

Laylabelle

He is adorable! Not getting soppy... it's called parenthood! I have gotten weepy over the silliest things since I had my kids, of course now I look at them and wonder where the years went!

I have Adobe flash on both my computers so I don't have a problem. I believe it is just the OS on the iPad and iPhone that doesn't allow flash. Maybe one of the computer gurus will know more about the whys of this... Yes, the Chinese government censors the internet especially anything that has to do with politics or that speaks badly about the government. They also ban social media. There are ways around it but I still watch what I say and read... just to be safe. On top of that the internet can be very slow and downloading things can take ages! I have bought season passes for my favorite shows in the US and it takes 2-5 hours to download an episode.

2011 Macbook Pro (my second) and a iMac desktop ... I have a pc at work but thank God it doesn't belong to me, I hate it and IT has everything locked down, I can't even change my desktop background without IT being involved We have two dells in storage but we hadn't used either of them in over 2 years before the move! Most of my computer troubles are due to the quality of my internet connection due to my location than anything else.

thanks Alex, I don't mind the travel when I get to see a new place especially one as amazing as New Zealand!

Happy to be home!! Disheartened by the loss to Villa and wondering what is going wrong... hopefully Monday will be better! Jaimin, glad you are doing well! Francozola... what fun going through a box of treasures!

Hi everyone! I hope everyone has a happy and healthy 2012! May your dreams come true and your prayers all be answered! Does anyone have any New Year's resolutions? Mine is to lose the excess weight that I carry around, be more active and to see as much of Asia as I possibly can!

"you're killing me Smalls" ... from the sandlot (love that movie) "failure is not falling down, it is not getting up" "A teacher can open the door, but you need to walk through it"

Thanks!! I've missed you too! I wish you a New Year full of joy and happiness! Chris, our trip has been amazing and so much fun! I hope your holidays we're amazing and your new year is wonderful! No rugby players doing the Hakka but we've been to the museum and visited a Maori cultural center (we did see a Haka and other songs and dances there). It is beautiful country and the Kiwis are very friendly. Alex and Nicola, Thank you and I've missed you! Kieran, I wasn't being dramatic, just honest. Somedays I get tired of having to explain/defend my home country. It is not only here but at work and in Shanghai. Until you live in foreign country for an extended period I din't think you can understand the depth of the misconceptions and the way others view the US. It gets tiring quickly.

Hi all! We are having a marvelous time in New Zealand and I am getting some much needed rest. Any LOTR fans need to visit here!! Anti-American sentiment... Yes it does exist here, I find myself constantly defending my home country, not that I don't see both sides of the argument. No, I don't always agree with my government but I believe you need to look at things from every angle and you need to realize that the Americans here do actual find some of the crap you bandy about offensive. I am not my government and blatant statements about "America" or "Americans" aren't accurate! The US is huge and "normal" Americans don't get elected, especially when you consider the fact that our votes are only to determine the "electoral college". Until you understand our politics fully please do not attack the "average American" and don't assume we all agree.

I was just going to say that I will be gone for the next few weeks while we travels but in light of few of the recent posts I think I will be taking a break from the forum. I need a break from the blatant anti-American sentiment that has become worse recently. I hope everyone enjoys the holiday season regardless of how you choose to celebrate and may the new year bring you peace and joy in your life.

No the 2008 study stated that 1 out of 100 ADULTS in the US which is not 1% of our population and does NOT include any of the people who are there but not reporting their information on the census. That changes the numbers by a significant portion. Keep in mind this isn't just your violent criminals that they are talking about it is also the dumbass that has a DUI/DWI, the dumb person who didn't pay their parking tickets, and all those other little crimes that will be see them in jail for anywhere from a few days to a few years behind bars. It also includes all the people who are in jail and awaiting arraignments or who have been picked up for drunken and disorderly conduct but won't be there except for overnight. It is a snapshot of the situation it isn't the complete picture. It also fails to mention that many states now have "3 strikes and you out policies" where if you have been convicted of a crimes 3 times (regardless of the seriousness of the crimes) then you will spend the rest of your life in jail. So you can't just throw a statistic out there and not understand what went behind the calculation of it. This is one of the sound bites that news agencies like to throw around. By the way, I understand that you all think the US is awful and that the foreign policies are awful but the manner in which you chose to discuss it and throw out the sound bites is one of the things that makes me avoid this thread and others. There is no way I would attempt to change your minds or have a proper discussion because you don't want to hear the other side and you certainly don't think about how offensive your comments are to the few Americans on the board. Personally it makes me wonder why I bother to visit the board at all.

We spent a week there in the summer of '06 and loved it (wow hard to believe it's been that long!!)

I don't think she's made the trip yet, Wilson. So hopefully she'll look at the thread before her trip.

I hope you get better soon Nicola!

Cold still trying to warm up from the Christmas Fayre ... it's been 2 hours and I'm still cold

manpe

you boys hang out with the wrong women! LOL I can't stand the games women play... or that men play for that matter, don't think that it is unique to one sex or the other, the players are the players and they aren't worth your time. A woman worth your effort will put in an equal amount.

I am a teacher so no I don't hate Sundays, it is my last day before heading back into my chaotic week and I need all the rest I can get!

My husband just upgraded my old macbook pro to a new 13" one and I am loving it! It is much lighter and faster than the old one

I think there is a large part of Christmas that is secular (non-religious) and that many people who celebrate aren't Christian or even religious. Much of Christmas is about the spirt of the season and if it brings families and friends together then it should be celebrated by everyone and anyone.

Happy Birthday Jai

No, you aren't a horrible person. My thoughts are very similar. What a horrible thing to do to someone else, suicide is hard enough on your loved ones but to make your wife watch is so much worse in so many ways. The fact that it is being sensationalized by the media frightens me because things like this tend to get copy cats.