tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147690492024-03-12T20:21:44.672-07:00Media by SistrunkWelcome to my world of media, technology, business, and pop culture. Join the discussion.Deb Sistrunk Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14072871724975222638noreply@blogger.comBlogger705125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-60474870065866088062021-01-18T09:00:00.003-08:002021-01-18T12:38:44.947-08:00A man without borders<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4072/1347/1600/King.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4072/1347/320/King.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #000099; font-size: 130%;"><br /><b>Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.</b></span><br />
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This year marks the 32nd anniversary of the federal Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, first observed on January 20, 1986. Were he alive today, King would have celebrated his 92nd birthday. During the holiday weekend, millions of Americans are remembering the civil rights leader, human rights advocate, and theologian.<br />
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King was a husband, a father, and a preacher. He was also the preeminent leader of a movement that continues to transform America and the world. One of the twentieth century's most influential men, he lived an extraordinary life.<br />
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To truly understand King, this writer believes that one should read his writings. Scholars and casual researchers can now gain access to these important jewels of history. Two years ago, for the first time, a major portion of King’s papers went public.<br />
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Computer access to the documents, which have been digitized and cataloged, are available at the Robert W. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Woodruff</span> Library of the Atlanta University Center. Click <a href="http://www.auctr.edu/mlkcollection/">here</a> to gain access the collection.<br />
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The documents include many of King’s speeches and personal writings from 1946 to 1968. Journalists, historians, legislators and community leaders continue to examine whether King's appeal for peace with justice is as relevant today as it was when he was alive. A few years ago, an editorial in the Houston Chronicle attempted to place King's philosophy into present-day perspective. Here is an excerpt from the piece:<br />
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Although he rose to national prominence fighting racial segregation in the South, many of the issues roiling the United States 38 years after his assassination would be very familiar to Martin Luther King Jr.<br />
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Before his death, the Baptist minister had denounced America's involvement in the Vietnam War, a daring stance that fueled the growing opposition to the carnage in Southeast Asia. He was bitterly criticized in the media and by government officials for venturing beyond the sphere of civil rights, as if that were the only area in which he was entitled to an opinion.<br />
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With the country now split by the bloody, open-ended struggle in Iraq and by the mistaken justification for going to war, it's not hard to predict where King would stand on the matter.<br />
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Americans debate the revelation that their government is conducting <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">warrantless</span> surveillance of Americans inside the United States. King had plenty of experience on that score. He was relentlessly wiretapped and trailed by the FBI. Then FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover was convinced that King was a communist sympathizer.<br />
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Just as he stood with refuse workers in Memphis in the last days before an assassin's bullet struck him down, King would championed the dispossessed evacuees of Hurricane Katrina, potent symbols of a race-based economic underclass that persists as a legacy of slavery and discrimination. The New Orleans nightmare that Katrina exposed indicates that the vision King enunciated in his "I Have a Dream" speech is not yet realized.<br />
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Like his role model for nonviolent protest, Mohandas K. Gandhi, King grew to be a world figure by embracing universal humanitarian concerns that surmounted ethnicity and religion. As he once said, "Evil is not driven out, but crowded out ... through the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">expulsive</span> power of something good." </blockquote>
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That's why the celebration of his life today cannot be limited to a single community or issue. African-Americans are justly proud that he rose from their ranks, but his life is significant to all Americans.</blockquote>
It's been five decades since King's death in 1968. For years, many scholars have suggested that King faced the same fate that has befallen many a historical figure - being frozen in a moment in time that ignores the full complexity of the man and his message.<br />
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Twelve years ago, Barack Obama took over as the country's chief executive officer. At the time, many believed that with this historic presidency came the "thawing" of the King legacy. Today, some people see Vice President-elect Kamala Harris in a similar light.
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Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Martin+Luther+King" rel="tag">Martin Luther King</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/King+Holiday" rel="tag">King Holiday</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Civil+Rights" rel="tag">Civil Rights</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Human+Rights" rel="tag">Human Rights</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Media+by+Sistrunk" rel="tag">Media by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Sistrunk</span></a>Deb Sistrunk Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14072871724975222638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-9295864280310537452020-11-11T07:42:00.001-08:002020-11-11T07:43:20.110-08:00Honoring our military men and women<div align="left">
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<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Arlington National <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Cemetery</span> on Veterans Day<br /><br /><br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267386609267322802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Mu2M5H40HbjPpn7YEHj1zdtleCQMFWoVJFDONCeo2am0152aiN6rKiv7SgH4Qwv1KiSzYkbCIvDJ05WvkglhiZbGR4i5q6vI8s4s9aDC5w61JFmVIWUpxVCtHYAi89bObuN6/s400/stenay-meuse.jpg" style="display: block; height: 252px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 288px;" /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms"; font-size: 85%;">Soldiers of the 353rd Infantry near a church at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Stenay</span></span>, Meuse in France, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms"; font-size: 85%;">wait for the end of hostilities. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms"; font-size: 85%;">This photo was taken at 10:58 a.m., on Nov. 11, 1918, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms"; font-size: 85%;">two minutes before the armistice ending World War I went into effect.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><b><span style="color: #003300;">The history of Veterans Day</span></b></span><br />
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World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”<br />
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In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"<br />
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The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11 a.m.<br />
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President Dwight Eisenhower signed House Resolution 7786, changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day. An act approved in 1938, made the 11<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span></span> of November in each year a legal holiday - a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day."<br />
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Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the nation’s history. After American forces had fought in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span></span> became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yW5F0sJVeoztYsV1_P6zGAvRJIDqqaiKFxqsWIP5O5XDoAXAzHOLB_szU7wcU3WbIVMwEN6xulSOCGBW3Crr8W09fhSVSFwIKQ3RS7QZiBIm5N95E5z7NJD29mU4uWf4_Uyo/s1600/Air+Force-Sept+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yW5F0sJVeoztYsV1_P6zGAvRJIDqqaiKFxqsWIP5O5XDoAXAzHOLB_szU7wcU3WbIVMwEN6xulSOCGBW3Crr8W09fhSVSFwIKQ3RS7QZiBIm5N95E5z7NJD29mU4uWf4_Uyo/s320/Air+Force-Sept+11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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Today we honor America's military men and women for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. Several of my family members have served, including my father, both of my uncles, and my nephew. I am proud of them all. Always remembering the 11<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">th</span> hour of the 11<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span> day of the 11<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">th</span> month.</div>
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<span style="color: #003300; font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><b>How important it is for us to recognize and </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #003300; font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><b>celebrate our heroes and she-roes! </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #003300; font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><b>~Maya Angelou~</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #003300; font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><b>As we express our gratitude, we must never forget </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #003300; font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><b>that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #003300; font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><b>but to live by them. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #003300; font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><b>~John Fitzgerald Kennedy~</b></span></div>
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Deb Sistrunk Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14072871724975222638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-23449668946347759802020-05-30T13:30:00.000-07:002020-05-31T12:55:03.173-07:00Improve your writing in 60 seconds<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIC9opSYbq1i2v0J8m_c7oHMHAuqNz_Ck3nJf2da1lSytcAJsbucReI60z-E3q1AYKlte49oz1BCza7HeCfudYdImMlsvUK_dpYj-HmFZFQ0JZGmKFQy6prV8Dx2BzlG3HbK7a/s1600-h/j0396048.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305779987498503954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIC9opSYbq1i2v0J8m_c7oHMHAuqNz_Ck3nJf2da1lSytcAJsbucReI60z-E3q1AYKlte49oz1BCza7HeCfudYdImMlsvUK_dpYj-HmFZFQ0JZGmKFQy6prV8Dx2BzlG3HbK7a/s200/j0396048.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 133px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a>Successful business writing must be concise and precise in order for you to reap rewards. Typically, you have about 30 to 60 seconds to engage your reader. If you can't capture the reader's attention immediately, expect your document to hit the "circular file," that is, the trash can.<br />
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<li>Avoid awkward sentences. </li>
<li>Use active verbs. </li>
<li>Read your document out loud to make sure it makes sense. </li>
<li>Use a second set of eyes to proofread your document. </li>
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Does this mean extra work and time? Absolutely! But if you're interested in selling your services, product or concept, you must give writing your best effort. Let me give you a quick example of how you can take a "sick" sentence and turn it into a "healthy" one. Here is a sentence you might find in business correspondence.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: rgb(0 , 0 , 153);">Poorly written sentence:</span></strong> "Recognizing your desire for an improved pricing arrangement, the following is a good approximation of the existing contract with modifications to reflect the agreements we made when we held our meeting."<br />
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Say what?? Let's try this again.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: rgb(0 , 0 , 153);">Sentence that gets results:</span></strong> "We realize you want a better pricing arrangement, so we've modified the contract to reflect what we agreed to when we met."<br />
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Remember this: When it comes to effective writing, less is often more.<br />
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Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/writing" rel="tag">Writing</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Business+Writing" rel="tag">Business Writing</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Media+by+Sistrunk" rel="tag">Media by Sistrunk</a>Deb Sistrunk Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14072871724975222638noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-86159824917041699002018-12-07T12:05:00.000-08:002018-12-07T12:15:36.746-08:00Remembering that infamous day<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4072/1347/1600/283142/Pearl%20Harbor%203.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4072/1347/400/104194/Pearl%20Harbor%203.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 100%;">December 7 is the 77th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor by Japan. Pearl Harbor survivors have met at the site every five years for four decades. But they're now in their 80s or 90s. Many of the survivors aren't able to participate in a 77th reunion. Still, others have made every effort to report for one final roll call.</span><br />
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Illustration of Doris "Dorie" Miller defending the fleet at Pearl Harbor</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwiZyE-ZVw91oUuJotYLemiMk-RnI4M8SNm3oU0laivwJv7obTRDlR3IzlrSl3p5rHh9U0MswTZJkACA76d6QeqSNG4_iSclzdJU6ksEA0S3ZdpZ3c1c4Hldr3wQ3Tpq0rJQ5P/s1600/Doris+Miller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwiZyE-ZVw91oUuJotYLemiMk-RnI4M8SNm3oU0laivwJv7obTRDlR3IzlrSl3p5rHh9U0MswTZJkACA76d6QeqSNG4_iSclzdJU6ksEA0S3ZdpZ3c1c4Hldr3wQ3Tpq0rJQ5P/s320/Doris+Miller.jpg" width="254" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Miller after being awarded the Navy Cross</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 100%;">Many military personnel risked their lives that day. Among them was Doris "Dorie" Miller, a Navy cook. Miller was unfamiliar with handling anti-aircraft machine guns. However, after he was given instructions and someone else loaded a starboard gun with ammunition, Miller fired the gun until he was out of ammunition. He then helped to move injured soldiers. For his heroism, Miller was awarded the Navy Cross.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 100%;">The shocking air raid destroyed or heavily damaged 21 ships and 320 aircraft. The attack killed two-thousand, 390 people, wounded nearly 12-hundred others - and plunged the U.S. into World War II.</span>Deb Sistrunk Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14072871724975222638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-53655275455633489322017-12-31T21:42:00.002-08:002017-12-31T21:42:50.403-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Deb Sistrunk Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14072871724975222638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-66711038682025536742017-12-25T13:00:00.000-08:002017-12-25T18:56:51.490-08:00Merry Christmas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgG_7aEeOg92zCoTw3hpkc6XHkjeQ35xa4h_THO4w5ElkaR68T67qa6WBqKbfQ9typTHXao_TJ9pVHFkYwDpeu-J76wDi14M3o79rS1wbIParqwKucikc-Vbxq6kHeWDFnyKN/s1600-h/j0438992.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283127045248512546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgG_7aEeOg92zCoTw3hpkc6XHkjeQ35xa4h_THO4w5ElkaR68T67qa6WBqKbfQ9typTHXao_TJ9pVHFkYwDpeu-J76wDi14M3o79rS1wbIParqwKucikc-Vbxq6kHeWDFnyKN/s320/j0438992.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 258px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #000099; font-size: 130%;"><b><span style="color: #7f6000;">Remembering the Christmas miracle and the treasure of friendship</span></b></span><br />
During this joyous occasion, I remember the <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah%209:6&version=9">prophesy</a> of peace - and the reason for the season of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%202:1-20;&version=31;">Christmas</a>. It is also a time to be thankful for friends.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #006600; font-size: 130%;">A FRIENDSHIP PRAYER</span></b></div>
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Dear Lord,</div>
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Thank you for a special gift,</div>
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one that cannot be bought</div>
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for any amount of money.</div>
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Thank you for a gift wrapped in beauty,</div>
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that is wonderful in all seasons and times.</div>
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Thank you for a gift that is always near</div>
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in times of need</div>
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and brings great joy.</div>
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Thank you for the gift that sparkles</div>
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with freshness every day.</div>
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Thank you for my friend.</div>
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May I never take this gift for granted.</div>
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Amen.</div>
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(by John C. Maxwell)</div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b><span style="font-size: 130%;">M E R R Y </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b><span style="font-size: 130%;">C H R I S T M A S !</span></b></span></div>
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Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Christmas" rel="tag">Christmas</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Holiday+Greetings" rel="tag">Holiday Greetings</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Friendship" rel="tag">Friendship</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Media+by+Sistrunk" rel="tag">Media by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Sistrunk</span></a>Deb Sistrunk Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14072871724975222638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-53219705246047611232017-10-01T22:49:00.003-07:002017-10-01T22:54:55.628-07:00Don't miss opportunities to create<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsoxfjo2UoY2lir6kHgVRGnm4Mbqs4iQ_Oq_7q38qkLMoj_D-xtzMe62bfrpugFaEu2m6QfsPyVj4AlvBJUV-9B2XPY2z4GJGYA8itweIzKhPv042Js8-wEFlQ2II5HZtv69W/s1600/Creativity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="826" data-original-width="578" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsoxfjo2UoY2lir6kHgVRGnm4Mbqs4iQ_Oq_7q38qkLMoj_D-xtzMe62bfrpugFaEu2m6QfsPyVj4AlvBJUV-9B2XPY2z4GJGYA8itweIzKhPv042Js8-wEFlQ2II5HZtv69W/s640/Creativity.jpg" width="444" /></a></div>
<br />Deb Sistrunk Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14072871724975222638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-46348498387732695452017-08-22T17:57:00.000-07:002017-08-23T11:52:31.390-07:00A few thoughts about editors“No passion in the world is equal to the passion to alter someone else’s draft.” —H.G. Wells<br />
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"The greatest drive is not love or hate. It is one person's need to change another's copy."<br />
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“Some editors are failed writers, but so are most writers.”—T.S. Eliot<br />
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"The writer who can't do his job looks to his editor to do it for him, though he won't dream of sharing his royalties with that editor." —Alfred KnopfDeb Sistrunk Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14072871724975222638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-34224670333164840642017-05-25T14:01:00.000-07:002017-05-25T14:03:10.251-07:00Coping with cranky critics<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGfBSSw1rAbVW2fem9OOoo9oP8bLiNWW657LqocKvB2O8YPWHm2Xw8PhrozlocxBlkZ-OVlr39XxumFL_ydQl3_zZnhRKx38SIUiQknM_enQpPxLZQD5lMFGoJvLAf3r9ONeb/s1600-h/j0426560.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421217464397344738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGfBSSw1rAbVW2fem9OOoo9oP8bLiNWW657LqocKvB2O8YPWHm2Xw8PhrozlocxBlkZ-OVlr39XxumFL_ydQl3_zZnhRKx38SIUiQknM_enQpPxLZQD5lMFGoJvLAf3r9ONeb/s200/j0426560.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px;" /></a>From time to time, I am reminded that criticism can be a touchy issue for many people, especially writers. Writers everywhere share something in common -- dealing with naysayers. Feeling hurt because a critic cut your masterpiece to shreds? You're not alone. Criticism and bruised egos are inherent in publishing, communications, and life.<br />
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Here are some tips on how to cope with critics.</div>
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<li>It’s natural to feel hurt about criticism, but don’t drown yourself in pity. Get over it.</li>
<li>All critics are not alike. Some are just plain cranky while others consider themselves experts. If you’re lucky, you’ll run into people who offer you constructive comments – objective opinions that can help you improve your work.</li>
<li>Understand that some critics will attack anyone or anything just to draw attention to themselves – to make themselves feel superior. Don’t take the remarks personally. Shake them off.</li>
<li>Separate the critic from the criticism. Commit this rule to memory! Realize that any criticism may carry a little bit of truth. Be open to the fact that your work could use some fine-tuning, but never allow criticism to dampen your self-confidence.</li>
<li>Don’t dwell so much on criticism that you allow it to drain your energy and motivation. Deal with it, and then move on.</li>
<li>Understand that ALL writers have their critics. You don’t have to like it, but don’t let it overwhelm you.</li>
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Bottom Line: It’s a sure bet that the more you achieve, the more attention you’ll attract from critics. If you learn to handle criticism in a calm and positive spirit, you’ll definitely grow as a person and a writer.<br />
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<i>A version of this post first appeared in 2006. </i></div>
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Deb Sistrunk Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14072871724975222638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-81610937912331559692016-04-04T21:00:00.000-07:002016-04-04T21:14:17.940-07:00Birthday wishes to a member of blogging royalty <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4072/1347/1600/shiraziking.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4072/1347/320/shiraziking.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>April 5 is SAJ Shirazi's birthday. I've crowned him "King for the Day." If you're new to the blogging, you may wonder why I'm singling him out. Shirazi is one of the most talented online writers in the blogosphere. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3HyZF4DkkOruwJr6xoiKnPYyNy8fAHqPo-Efd1Lmc9gErszX0cD9Fz67XtCSJ2dH_222Z49bfYGdu5q7qI9NmhSYQypUhpWxX0ESXvK1A_oc9SslbnvOmi8mW-0ho3-cnzMR/s1600/Shirazi+in+purple+hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3HyZF4DkkOruwJr6xoiKnPYyNy8fAHqPo-Efd1Lmc9gErszX0cD9Fz67XtCSJ2dH_222Z49bfYGdu5q7qI9NmhSYQypUhpWxX0ESXvK1A_oc9SslbnvOmi8mW-0ho3-cnzMR/s320/Shirazi+in+purple+hat.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
He publishes several sites, including his cornerstone blog, <a href="http://sajshirazi.blogspot.com/">Light Within</a>, and <a href="http://sajshirazi.com/">sajshirazi.com</a>. He's the go-to expert on all things about blogging. Shi, as I fondly call him, has taught me a great deal on blogging best practices. <br />
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In the early 2000s, Shi emerged as one of the premier English bloggers in Southeast Asia. Little did I know when we discovered his site nine years ago that we'd become great online friends. <br />
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Through Shirazi, I have met other outstanding bloggers.Over the years, Shirazi has developed a strong online presence. Even so, he's a pretty humble guy. He's caring, resourceful, and incredibly smart.<span style="color: black;"> He's my blog crush.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">SAJ Shirazi has fame and legends of fans. His contact list is a who's who of blogging and business. His colleagues hold him in high esteem, and he has a beautiful, loving family. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Everyone likes a good celebration, even Shi. :-)</span><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
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Deb Sistrunk Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14072871724975222638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-21631262561242557692016-01-18T11:29:00.001-08:002016-01-18T11:33:15.143-08:00Happy Birthday, Dr. King<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/inS9gAgSENE" width="480"></iframe>Deb Sistrunk Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14072871724975222638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-55131476193861285972015-11-25T23:39:00.000-08:002015-11-25T23:39:07.250-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8FfGC54h-X-6BZHtlccWdnfGXmeOi5B4etXlWTw7s5PbvG1w7q2WN2yfhJwiWuHFM_ss_oOVJ9I_9LDCdqsy1KobybcfS0UVHG1dFHikyWuXrcALZSPQL62QFMB5bQFbtNQr/s1600-h/j0438909.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274206101931199138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8FfGC54h-X-6BZHtlccWdnfGXmeOi5B4etXlWTw7s5PbvG1w7q2WN2yfhJwiWuHFM_ss_oOVJ9I_9LDCdqsy1KobybcfS0UVHG1dFHikyWuXrcALZSPQL62QFMB5bQFbtNQr/s320/j0438909.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="color: #000066; font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">I awoke this morning</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"> with devout<br />thanksgiving for my friends,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">the old and the new.<br />~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~</span></span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span><span style="color: #003300; font-size: 130%;">There is a special place in my heart<br />for my blogging buddies.</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span><span style="color: #003300; font-size: 130%;">You have showered me with a generosity of spirit and</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span><span style="color: #003300; font-size: 130%;">friendship that knows no boundaries.</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span><span style="color: #003300; font-size: 130%;">I will always remember your kindness.</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span><span style="color: #003300; font-size: 130%;">HAPPY THANKSGIVING</span><br />
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Deb Sistrunk Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14072871724975222638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-1104511061258273622015-11-11T13:01:00.000-08:002015-11-11T13:01:25.928-08:00Google Doodle honors veterans <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtw2Wa7TMZ43rvCccnMMFxTpQsh4mA9IlgpyxB3_dvmW1UB9fcErjBjei5nkgmaXYhrulRyKN5IjFnZfL89jp76zXc7_D0VXmAuxDyFjfRJzu9PkWtp7posbkCbV-F1b6boFha/s1600/Veterans+Day+Google+Doodle+2015+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtw2Wa7TMZ43rvCccnMMFxTpQsh4mA9IlgpyxB3_dvmW1UB9fcErjBjei5nkgmaXYhrulRyKN5IjFnZfL89jp76zXc7_D0VXmAuxDyFjfRJzu9PkWtp7posbkCbV-F1b6boFha/s400/Veterans+Day+Google+Doodle+2015+.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Deb Sistrunk Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14072871724975222638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-28714048987741355192015-09-15T11:44:00.000-07:002015-09-15T11:47:56.824-07:00May we never forget<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_F3zgi-dWhqiiekqRbT18wikRRvF2R-p-rm0Da3IbD7AJWkbz1f1KpQUAAdvTN_rLZBg1SsGkFlZiKn6cyUMkgHxW8culX25peP_YWbA4rD0al-BdnXfh6X3h9Zb5mnHBSYw6/s1600/4+little+girls+birmingham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_F3zgi-dWhqiiekqRbT18wikRRvF2R-p-rm0Da3IbD7AJWkbz1f1KpQUAAdvTN_rLZBg1SsGkFlZiKn6cyUMkgHxW8culX25peP_YWbA4rD0al-BdnXfh6X3h9Zb5mnHBSYw6/s320/4+little+girls+birmingham.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Credit: CBS News</td></tr>
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On September 15, 1963, a bomb went off outside the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, killing four girls and critically injuring a fifth. That horrific event became a defining moment for the Civil Rights Movement.<br />
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<br />Deb Sistrunk Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14072871724975222638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-60825611959875751482015-08-22T21:09:00.001-07:002015-08-23T10:39:37.208-07:00When romance catches up with the runaway girl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You can never predict what life has in store for you. That's been my experience, anyway. <br />
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By the year 2000, I was firmly entrenched as a single mother. My life was my children and my career. I spent long hours on the job and was a very involved parent. <br />
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Dating stayed on the back burner. To be honest, the flame wasn't even lit. I didn't have time, or perhaps I didn't want to make the time. After all, my life was already pretty complicated. <br />
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I found comfort in being single. Sure, it would have been nice to have a second income in our household, and my life wouldn't have been so hectic if I'd had a husband who was willing to share family responsibilities. But that would mean making time for building and maintaining a relationship, and eventually giving up singlehood for marriage. I wasn't there yet.<br />
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The longer I remained single, the more comfortable I felt with it. I'll never forget the day my grandmother told me I should find some "nice widower" to marry. I looked at her as if she had three heads -- and I steered clear of all men who expressed an interest in me. My life remained crazy, but I had gotten used to it.<br />
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<br />
Then a stranger unexpectedly entered my life. We were both people of a certain age. We met on a dating site, and neither of us had any experience in this area. He had been married for decades when he lost his wife. After a grieving period, he was hoping to marry again. I think my only reason for being on the dating site was that I was curious. I wasn't looking for a date, and I certainly wasn't looking for a husband. The gentleman has a more interesting reason for being on a dating site. One of his granddaughters, who was 14 at the time, signed him up, posted photos, completed his profile, and <i>then</i> told her grandpa what she had done.<br />
<br />
The man initiated our first conversation online. Communication was guarded at first. I wanted to be <br />
certain of his identity, and I'm sure he felt the same. Once we got past that point, I found the gentleman to be smart, polite, charming, and easy to talk to. We learned that we had several things in common. We communicated by email and phone.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Oh, boy</i>, I thought. <i>I've found a new friend.</i> We lived in different parts of the country, and that made me feel even more comfortable because, as I saw it, he couldn't just show up at my house and expect to take me out. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVV3GZRnVMTXJC93PfDFHTDSXGhO3zG3xJsSB-KI-riECRC346wdJ1ta7ZM0PIoB29fLdwzKrSuQXKtQh9a39K0Kvi_uk5r874CdmmzVXWrGDXRNLVB2mc-FWDe1-KbhntBwWw/s1600/rose+on+keyboard-online+dating.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVV3GZRnVMTXJC93PfDFHTDSXGhO3zG3xJsSB-KI-riECRC346wdJ1ta7ZM0PIoB29fLdwzKrSuQXKtQh9a39K0Kvi_uk5r874CdmmzVXWrGDXRNLVB2mc-FWDe1-KbhntBwWw/s320/rose+on+keyboard-online+dating.png" width="320" /></a></div>
One day he called and said he wanted to fly out to visit me. A visit? <i>No, no, no!</i> I said to myself. Over the phone, I offered excuses. It was too soon. I was too busy. Maybe in six months.<br />
<br />
"How do you know I'm not an ax murderer?" I asked him. He laughed.<br />
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My efforts to discourage him failed. He informed me that he had booked a flight, and gave me the date and time that he would arrive in my fair city. He asked for my help in booking a hotel. I started chewing my nails. <br />
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On the appointed day, he arrived but got lost after exiting the highway. He found himself in an industrial area where street signs were few and far between. We determined that he was able to make it to a nearby landmark, and he stayed there until I arrived. <br />
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First, I took him to lunch. Then I had him follow me to his hotel. Later that day, I took him to meet my son. He met my daughter later after she got off work. <br />
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That evening, a Saturday, we went out to dinner. It was our first date, and everything went smoothly. We spent the day together on Sunday, and those moments also went well. He flew back home on Monday. While I had had enjoyed this new friend's company, I breathed a sigh of relief. I was sure there would be no more visits anytime soon. I could resume the life I had grown accustomed to. <br />
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Once my friend returned home, the emailing and calling resumed. He had enjoyed his trip. It wasn't long before he invited me to come out to visit him. Once again, I got nervous and started making excuses. When he wouldn't take no for an answer, I asked him to give me a little time to think about it. I finally made the decision to go.<br />
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He was the perfect host. He cooked for me, and I introduced him to some of the latest pop music I had brought along. We got to know each other better, and I found myself feeling less nervous. The next thing I knew, he proposed. I stared at him for a long time, saying nothing. He just smiled, waiting for my answer. After a long pause, I said yes. <br />
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All of this happened several years ago. Happy Anniversary to my persistent husband, the rhyme in my life's poem. <br />
<br />
<br />Deb Sistrunk Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14072871724975222638noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-55231736872536938382015-08-10T16:22:00.000-07:002015-08-10T19:02:55.160-07:00Google restructures under new company called Alphabet<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MIfVBmKTgiIN8bXQzjeEFlFiFNnkcomKn8vziekmLBcedIeASCdhOVJzkOMZpQU3d_HzTO39PztRemzBPAxv7a4Hmx5eBTAAybHfsPwVb5VZQ7EBAuFcK7NMR_kMDIWy5BhR/s1600/Google+social+headers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MIfVBmKTgiIN8bXQzjeEFlFiFNnkcomKn8vziekmLBcedIeASCdhOVJzkOMZpQU3d_HzTO39PztRemzBPAxv7a4Hmx5eBTAAybHfsPwVb5VZQ7EBAuFcK7NMR_kMDIWy5BhR/s400/Google+social+headers.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Credit: Google</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />Eleven years ago, the original founders of Google wrote, "<span style="color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Google is not a conventional company. We do not intend to become one.” So far, the founders seem to be living up to their word, and they proved it more so on Monday in an <a href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2015/08/google-alphabet.html" target="_blank">announcement</a>. The parent company will now be known as Alphabet.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">The Internet giant that has brought you products such as Android, Chrome, YouTube, and Google Maps is taking on a new identity -- sort of. In effect, the move marks major restructuring and rebranding.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Chief Executive Officer Larry Page wrote, "</span><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Our company is operating well today, but we think we can make it cleaner and more accountable. So we are creating a new company, called </span><a href="http://abc.xyz/" style="color: #7759ae; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; text-decoration: none;">Alphabet</a><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> (</span><a href="https://abc.xyz/" style="color: #7759ae; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; text-decoration: none;">http://abc.xyz)</a><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">. I am really excited to be running Alphabet as CEO with help from my capable partner, Sergey [Brin], as President."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">(Note: </span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Pay attention to the web address for Alphabet because typing alphabet.com in a search engine </span><b style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">will not</b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> get you to the site of Google's parent company. Learn <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/08/10/google-alphabet-social-media-domain-confusion/31434687/" target="_blank">why</a>.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">By rebranding, Google seems to be positioning itself far beyond its humble beginnings as a first-class search engine. Alphabet will act as the tech giant's holding company. In his blog post, Page wrote, </span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">"We liked the name Alphabet because it means a collection of letters that represents language, one of humanity's most important innovations, and is the core of how we index with Google search."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Google will become a subsidiary of Alphabet with a new CEO: top Google executive Sundar Pichai.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><br /></span>So what exactly is Alphabet? Page explained.</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Alphabet is mostly a collection of companies. The largest of which, of course, is Google. This newer Google is a bit slimmed down, with the companies that are pretty far afield of our main Internet products contained in Alphabet instead. What do we mean by far afield? Good examples are our health efforts: Life Sciences (that works on the glucose-sensing contact lens), and </span><a href="http://www.calicolabs.com/" style="color: #7759ae; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; text-decoration: none;">Calico</a><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> (focused on longevity). Fundamentally, we believe this allows us more management scale, as we can run things independently that aren’t very related. Alphabet is about businesses prospering through strong leaders and independence. In general, our model is to have a strong CEO who runs each business, with Sergey and me in service to them as needed. We will rigorously handle capital allocation and work to make sure each business is executing well. We'll also make sure we have a great CEO for each business, and we’ll determine their compensation. In addition, with this new structure we plan to implement segment reporting for our Q4 results, where Google financials will be provided separately than those for the rest of Alphabet businesses as a whole.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">If you find the announcement a bit confusing, you're not alone. On the positive side, analysts believe Monday's move will allow investors to better track how the company's money is being spent. </span></span><br />
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Deb Sistrunk Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14072871724975222638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-60600663841462876852014-12-04T09:14:00.001-08:002014-12-04T09:28:26.191-08:00IsabelI may have spent all of my adult life writing for a living, but education has been the other constant in my life. I spend much of my time now as a tutor -- to adult immigrants wishing to improve their English skills, and to public school students studying reading and language arts.<br />
<br />
Teaching English as a Second Language comes with great rewards. Shortly before Thanksgiving, one of my former adult students, Isabel, became a naturalized citizen. I was thrilled. She worked hard to become a U.S. citizen. She didn't just study the exam on her own; she tutored her husband, too, so that they could take the vow together.<br />
<br />
While Isabel was polishing her English skills with me, she was also studying for her plumber's license. She and her husband now run their own plumbing business, and Isabel manages it. Somehow my friend also manages to raise two delightful children. In addition, she serves as a volunteer English tutor to immigrants in her neighborhood. Getting to know Isabel -- and watch her pursue the American dream -- has deeply enriched my life.Deb Sistrunk Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14072871724975222638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-5888492351461074292014-11-10T23:02:00.000-08:002014-11-10T23:02:40.964-08:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2daO2dyqfqqYkO9jQIAMK4BsHuj4OS_M_I7E_kY5V8GpkFf1hxkGjGFMs844qMAIZ_RIvcSGqGLaDWi8hyphenhyphenOtA_MyXhXaGsVx8SqhiiHRwBM7yzyHWFwdWpEcJR5cvMHBtuHR/s1600/Google+Doodle+-+Veterans+Day+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2daO2dyqfqqYkO9jQIAMK4BsHuj4OS_M_I7E_kY5V8GpkFf1hxkGjGFMs844qMAIZ_RIvcSGqGLaDWi8hyphenhyphenOtA_MyXhXaGsVx8SqhiiHRwBM7yzyHWFwdWpEcJR5cvMHBtuHR/s1600/Google+Doodle+-+Veterans+Day+2014.jpg" height="150" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Google Doodles Pays Homage to America's Veterans</td></tr>
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<br />Deb Sistrunk Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14072871724975222638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-49549518412999075122014-08-24T14:53:00.003-07:002020-05-31T18:20:02.440-07:00Black mothers, "the talk" and grief<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclYH4KH9yRCNcwYaGPcVsPfLDWQpaY2Y_n8dA-zmFZfVfqNMpYANs4uEzswWQcGTyiqVRI076Ue7Z9WZMxV9fMjJHzVHuAYWb1PFQa6Rk-6zrFkS7-nFkntAXXtCb-Cf9s1OK/s1600/Michael+Brown--Ferguson+(2)%2Bcopy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="94" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclYH4KH9yRCNcwYaGPcVsPfLDWQpaY2Y_n8dA-zmFZfVfqNMpYANs4uEzswWQcGTyiqVRI076Ue7Z9WZMxV9fMjJHzVHuAYWb1PFQa6Rk-6zrFkS7-nFkntAXXtCb-Cf9s1OK/s1600/Michael+Brown--Ferguson+(2)%2Bcopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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On many levels, I identify with the anguish, frustration, and grief now being experienced by the family of Michael Brown, the unarmed teen who was recently gunned down by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. I saw the images of Michael as he lay dead for several hours in the middle of the street. His family and friends saw him, too.<br />
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Over the years, I have gotten to know many good police officers. Some became friends. When I worked in community relations for a previous employer, part of my job was to work with police officers on a regular basis. I even sat on a board made up of mostly law enforcement. My parents and grandparents taught me to respect the police, and I instructed my own children to do the same.<br />
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At the same time, I'm a mother who sat each of her children down for "the talk." As each of my sons received his driver's license, I sat him down and let him know that they might be pulled over fairly or unfairly -- that the officer might treat him justly or unjustly. Here are some of the things I advised my kids in the event that they were pulled over:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Keep your hands on the steering wheel.</li>
<li>Be aware of your surroundings. </li>
<li>Let down your window when instructed by the officer. </li>
<li>When the officer asks you questions, give him or her only the information requested.</li>
<li>Make sure your tone is respectful. Say "Yes, Officer" or "No, Officer."</li>
<li>The police might speak to you in a disrespectful tone. Don't respond in a like manner.</li>
<li>If you believe the stop was unfair, talk to me about it when you get home. Let me deal with it as an adult, if necessary.</li>
<li>Do not pull off until the officer tells you that you may do so.</li>
</ul>
<br />
By the time my daughter, my youngest, received her driver's license, I felt compelled to give her the same talk her brothers received. Call it mother's intuition. As life would have it, my daughter has been profiled as she has driven to and from college campuses in white neighborhoods -- or to her job in an affluent municipality.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_Ag5X9vaUkO6lKpz_2RGw8eYAwvB5VizKuIxY5KEYruK19vIgslzg93EVOT-KJWmWpV798M9-kK9ZoJkuecR38xDT_bE7-DetQQ7dSOgRAGngywiCmzIEucKDlDeFV25QroZ/s1600/police+car.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_Ag5X9vaUkO6lKpz_2RGw8eYAwvB5VizKuIxY5KEYruK19vIgslzg93EVOT-KJWmWpV798M9-kK9ZoJkuecR38xDT_bE7-DetQQ7dSOgRAGngywiCmzIEucKDlDeFV25QroZ/s1600/police+car.jpg" /></a>When I was a little girl, police officers stopped my father and my brothers multiple times. Not because they did anything
wrong but because they looked "suspicious." In those days, officers
would ask who you are and where you're going. They often would insist
on searching the cars and patting down my family members. It's called
DWB -- driving while black. <br />
<br />
My dad spent the last 20 years of his career working as a housing and health inspector for St. Louis County. His job required him to travel throughout the county to perform the inspections. My dad wore a shirt and tie every day, and he was a safe driver. Nevertheless, whenever Dad had to go into predominantly white and/or affluent communities, he would often be stopped. <i>What's your business here? Who are you? License and registration, please.</i> Dad would comply. He'd also pull out his St. Louis County photo identification. Eventually, he'd be permitted to be on his way -- to inspect a home, check on an asbestos case, or work as part of the team dealing with dioxin contamination in Times Beach. <br />
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I've been following the case of Michael Brown and the protests since day one. For me, the element of grief is multiplied. My oldest son died several years ago at the age of 20. The circumstances surrounding his death are different than those involving Michael Brown. Nevertheless, the grief is still there. I know how it feels to lose a son. So many memories rushed back as I saw Michael's body lying uncovered in the middle of the street -- as I saw his mother and grandmother crying -- as I saw frightened children and adults looking on.<br />
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As a teen and young man, son #1 was pulled over countless times. It deeply disturbed me, but my oldest never wanted me to worry. Neither of my sons did. <br />
<br />
Recently, I learned that son #2, now an IT professional and writer, has been pulled over by police more than 50 times since
receiving his driver's license. I am certain my oldest son was stopped by
officers even more frequently. I remember begging him to stay out of certain neighborhoods unless he was going to school. His school was located in one of the areas in question. For those familiar with North St. Louis County, son #1 attended middle school in Ferguson and high school at McCluer North, located in a neighboring community. Sadly, my oldest didn't live long enough to see his siblings graduate from high school and college.<br />
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I now live nearly 2,000 miles from my kids. Because of busy schedules, it may be a while before I see them again face-to-face. But when that time comes, I know I'm going to give them the biggest hugs a mother could ever give.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvvs8dsmhhSfT_4Riw2uRpxTRFsHBodzRVwoFfsJDKiT0hrO8_ClZ8eiCeM0QKuO5dt0qWE9cr8w22urwzpl3qHeTe0pfCk_X-0EcDTukehNlWdWxCq9stZT2z0ZJIxC1MguC/s1600/ishmael+and+anthony.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvvs8dsmhhSfT_4Riw2uRpxTRFsHBodzRVwoFfsJDKiT0hrO8_ClZ8eiCeM0QKuO5dt0qWE9cr8w22urwzpl3qHeTe0pfCk_X-0EcDTukehNlWdWxCq9stZT2z0ZJIxC1MguC/s1600/ishmael+and+anthony.jpg" width="218" /></a></div> My sons<br /> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFe4OmfrJ8z0sYBpYG3IrV469dld5uvJ3EzAGCNZ0W5Lis6GiBfyzP8i_4GgxSxCOwX2krCxe9eqfgxI8ohaIEt6Kv_DknLWzFbrQtGDwuDOvh46J2b_EBGSYkdFywL9F_r2mL/s1600/Ishmael+Winnie+Deb++May+1997.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFe4OmfrJ8z0sYBpYG3IrV469dld5uvJ3EzAGCNZ0W5Lis6GiBfyzP8i_4GgxSxCOwX2krCxe9eqfgxI8ohaIEt6Kv_DknLWzFbrQtGDwuDOvh46J2b_EBGSYkdFywL9F_r2mL/s1600/Ishmael+Winnie+Deb++May+1997.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
<br /> My daughter, son and I<br /> high school graduation<br />
<br />Deb Sistrunk Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14072871724975222638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-80938220185887044412014-08-20T15:31:00.000-07:002015-03-24T13:37:50.769-07:00Don't Shoot: FlashbacksAs events in Ferguson, Missouri continue to unfold, I try to be mindful of what I post on social networking
sites, especially my Facebook page. It's my intent to post only information that others might find useful. It serves no useful purpose to agitate what is already a volatile situation. That said, I think that documentation can be a good thing, especially since the police shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown and the aftermath have the makings of an important case study. There's a part of me that still thinks like a journalist. I try to strike a balance, but it's a juggling act. <br />
<br />
Now -- I want to talk about a video I just viewed that really disturbed me. The video shows a police officer pointing a gun at civilians in Ferguson and shouting "I will f***ing kill you!" The officer, who is from another North County municipality, pointed a semi-automatic rifle at peaceful protesters during a verbal exchange. The police department where the officer is based released a statement, confirming what happened and added that the officer has been "suspended indefinitely." I'm not one who frightens easily, but just looking at this video made me very uneasy.<br />
<br />
I raised my kids only a few miles from Ferguson. One of my children used to like visiting a mall in this municipality, and I remember that I hated driving through the community because law enforcement had a long history of harassing black people. My mother, who was fearless and had a smile for everybody, even warned me to stay out of the area.<br />
<br />
I haven't thought about any of this in a very long time, but a lot of memories rushed back today as I watched one video clip. I'm not going to post the video because it is disturbing, but I'm glad the officer in question is suspended.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/st-ann-officer-removed-after-pointing-gun-threatening-ferguson-protesters/article_3854ed72-a14c-5b8e-b32f-ddb35de94803.html" target="_blank">Read more >></a> Deb Sistrunk Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14072871724975222638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-90141353676479846992014-08-02T00:20:00.000-07:002014-08-02T21:45:26.016-07:00Space!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6o-4wxBh38yW-RH7MG0NwnuNjDWlDO10AahHc-35wResl2BB-qD-m8w_jjVeJ_VIsforYAWvuxgT5alLFHNfefQEJgJpsg1Dnua8dCdeIWyP-t1vH56lzVuSH9f3HWk0rOo1x/s1600/Star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6o-4wxBh38yW-RH7MG0NwnuNjDWlDO10AahHc-35wResl2BB-qD-m8w_jjVeJ_VIsforYAWvuxgT5alLFHNfefQEJgJpsg1Dnua8dCdeIWyP-t1vH56lzVuSH9f3HWk0rOo1x/s1600/Star.jpg" height="306" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Image Credit:<b> </b>
<a href="http://www.nasa.gov./">NASA</a>,
<a href="http://spacetelescope.org/">ESA</a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">,
H. E. Bond (</a><a href="http://www.stsci.edu/portal/">STScI</a>)
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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As soon as my eyes caught a glimpse of this photo of the star V838 Mon, I was mesmerized. When this photo was taken in January of 2002, the star was experiencing an unusual outburst.V838 Mon expanded to the point to where it suddenly became the brightest star in the Milky Way Galaxy. Researchers witnessed a "light echo." For scientists, who had never seen such a phenomenon, this was a big deal.<br />
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As my eyes continued to rest on this vision, I remembered the many visits I made to my neighborhood library as a little girl. It was not unusual for me to check out three or four books on astrology. I was a little girl who loved to daydream about space! Fast forward several years, and I was the young announcer at a classical music station who loved to find an excuse to play <a href="http://youtu.be/Nz0b4STz1lo" target="_blank">Gustav Holst's "The Planets."</a><br />
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I'll probably daydream about space for the rest of my life. Thank God for space and for libraries where I can continue to explore the final frontier.<br />
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Source: NASADeb Sistrunk Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14072871724975222638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-32457455072772708352014-06-23T23:17:00.002-07:002014-06-23T23:17:32.260-07:00Library love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qo5Y6WwMXPHKZBzOQAEsFmXLOSqK6_kKtuc1BfgIR88PCPrM-RNnAE_Kck6qcGqXzPwVIf2QmvIFjP0x97Xj0kEgPs6xHY1AF0YWRS6B9dntNe2o4a60I1vt-MVUX6NVwKYE/s1600/Library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qo5Y6WwMXPHKZBzOQAEsFmXLOSqK6_kKtuc1BfgIR88PCPrM-RNnAE_Kck6qcGqXzPwVIf2QmvIFjP0x97Xj0kEgPs6xHY1AF0YWRS6B9dntNe2o4a60I1vt-MVUX6NVwKYE/s1600/Library.jpg" height="400" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Deb Sistrunk Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14072871724975222638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-55686966448164259682014-04-17T20:43:00.000-07:002014-04-20T13:04:44.217-07:00Translation agencies offer clarity in global trade When presented with the opportunity to live in South Korea nearly three years ago, I thought long and hard before I made the decision to go. I never regretted my decision, but I remember being a tad bit nervous about the language barrier I would inevitably encounter because I'm not fluent in Korean.<br />
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As a "resident alien," I realized quickly that oral and written communication was not going to be easy. To get anything done, such as completing immigration paperwork and conducting any business transactions, I found that I needed <a href="http://www.rosettatranslation.com/"> translation services</a>.<br />
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Many global companies, big and not-so-big, conduct business in South Korea. Korean businesses return the favor. Robust trading between the two countries has been flourishing for decades. Major U.S. corporations maintain a strong presence in Seoul.<br />
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Anyone doing business globally is going to need document translation. That firm would need someone to translate a variety of official documents, such as:<br />
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<li>academic qualifications, including diplomas and certifications</li>
<li>resumes and CVs</li>
<li>contracts and other legal documents </li>
</ul>
In addition, such documentation might require certificates of authenticity and / or notary services.<br />
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If you’re in an industry that uses specialized terms – such as engineering, healthcare, or financial services – it will also be important that your translator is fluent in the language of your business. For any translation agency equipped to meet a variety of language needs, I can guarantee that business will be brisk. For any global corporation, clarity is priceless.
Deb Sistrunk Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14072871724975222638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-60201253004556017872014-04-17T08:00:00.000-07:002014-04-18T21:26:15.488-07:0010 things I've learned about myselfOftentimes in the spring, I'll take a moment to "check in" with myself to see how I'm doing. It might sound silly to some, but doing this at least once a year helps me to stay centered. Here are 10 things I've learned about myself:<br /><br />1. I enjoy blogging.<br />2. I prefer the company of like-minded, positive people.<br />3. I don't miss white sandwich bread. Yuck!<br />4. Every once in a while, I must have lemon cake.<br />5. I need more time alone to recharge.<br />6. I need to make time for more recreational reading.<br />7. I am in the process of reinventing myself again.<br />8. For me, friendship knows no geographical boundaries.<br />9. I have the ability to write that book.<br />10. I always want God to be the center of my life.
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Okay, enough reflecting. Back to work! :D Deb Sistrunk Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14072871724975222638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14769049.post-11992422760503212672014-04-16T21:35:00.000-07:002014-04-18T21:36:31.602-07:00For the people of South Korea<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ji7jqfbwYIVdGaXyHcDPRpeimZkrkadAY2dJU_e2TxB_u5iZvdzkkbq7juNs8ojBl9uikvxgwAe_6Eo4lRUMHrQ2LmK60Qf42rEKgn9n7XKJVXFCe7zElV0aXZFOqn20y2Ma/s1600/Candle.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ji7jqfbwYIVdGaXyHcDPRpeimZkrkadAY2dJU_e2TxB_u5iZvdzkkbq7juNs8ojBl9uikvxgwAe_6Eo4lRUMHrQ2LmK60Qf42rEKgn9n7XKJVXFCe7zElV0aXZFOqn20y2Ma/s1600/Candle.gif" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You are in my thoughts and prayers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">May God give you strength. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are many of us all over the world who care.</span></div>
Deb Sistrunk Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14072871724975222638noreply@blogger.com0