Sunday, February 27, 2011

5K Run

Today, I participated in 5K run/walk and had a lot of fun. This was my 4th time and my result amazingly was better than last year.
My neighborhood was hold the 5th Annual 5K Run, and my husband volunteered to accompany me. He enjoyed the race as well. Surprisingly for me, he decided to run along. Well, there are two coming up next weekend -5K Run in Miami Beach and in Doral on March 5th. Next time, we are running together.
The RoadID provided us with a number and a shoe ID. Lightweight and durable, this ID easily attached to most running and cycling shoes. The most important, I enjoyed the peace of mind that comes with having ID every time I step out the door.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Late February

"Late February, and the air's so balmy snowdrops and crocuses might be fooled into early blooming. Then, the inevitable blizzard will come, blighting our harbingers of spring, and the numbed yards will go back undercover. In Florida, it's strawberry season - shortcake, waffles, berries and cream will be penciled on the coffee shop menus."
Gail Mazur, "The Idea of Florida During a Winter Thaw"

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Library Value

This year major goal is all about strategic focus to demonstrate value for library communities of their users and servants.
Collaboration, partnership, connecting the resources and users are in the center of this goal objectives. Library professionals are masters of delivering what is on the library shelves, promoting throughout outreach programs not only the waist of library resources and services, but also are helping to connect the faculty with students throughout the practical hands-on library research assignments.
Study and learning process includes basic general educational skills such as reading, writing, problem solving, and learning to research. Library skills are lifelong skills that are in transition with new innovation technology of the 21st century. Today, library users have more choices to obtain carefully selected academic resources that reflecting the need to use them within chosen academic program in the repeatedly changing course curriculum.
Digital Natives are storming the colleges and universities, and the capital "E" is the place to be building up the value on the spending dollar today for tomorrow. The digital databases are not cheaper and must be carefully planned and evaluated, but the impact of accessibility of using them 24/7, the effectiveness of information and digital services, and efficient use of them in research papers are priceless.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Mango Streets in Miami

We are in the mid-February. I am writing from Miami, the southern tip of tropical Florida. We blessed with the best weather during this unusual cold winter. Almost every weekend it getting cooler and after it, the working week spoils us with sunshine and pleasant comfortable weather.

Yesterday, passing by the Dolphin Expressway, I spotted a mango tree, then another one, two more. Mango trees are blooming. Every backyard had a mango tree covered in light golden brown flowers. The actual yellow golden brown flowers are seldom noticed. The flowering mango bloom is shaped like a pyramid. From a little distance, the mango trees look amazing.

In three months we will see how the sunshine light and rain water, the magic air and soil will transfer the flowers in a sweet fruit.

But right now, one of the truly great benefits that we are receiving from any tree is the beauty they bring to our lives.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Sunday Morning

"Birds singing.
The moment of listening
The song of happiness.
Is it heaven or what?"
IT, c.2005

Bird Watching

Bird watching is an activity that comes naturally to us humans.

Our ancestors watched birds, and this habit helped them to determine the seasons and predict the weather. Birds still foretell the changing seasons by their northward and southward migrations. And birds often have feeding frenzies of their own just before or after a blast of bad weather.
So, in case, you want to throw out your calendar and the local meteorologist, go right ahead - and you'll still have the birds. For example, birds before the rain fly very low picking up the fat worms from the soil.

In a nutshell, sunflower seed is the best. So if you're just starting out in feeding, I suggest you buy some black-oil sunflower seed at a local hardware store, feed store, specialty bird store, or even at a major retail chain store.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Darwin is Back

The consuming instinct demonstrates that most acts of consumption can be mapped onto four key Darwinian drives, namely -
  • Survival (we prefer foods high in calories),
  • Reproduction (we use products as sexual signals),
  • Kin selection (we naturally exchange gifts with family members),
  • Reciprocal altruism (we enjoy offering gifts to close friends).

Biological basis of human behavior follows the analogous behaviors that exist between human consumers and a wide range of animals.

The information is regarding the references to the work of Gad Saad. Saad is an author of the forthcoming book titled " The Consuming Instinct: What Juicy Burgers, Ferraris, Pornography, and Gift Giving Reveal About Human Nature." The information was found at the Prometheus Book Catalog. The book will be published in June of 2011.

Fashion industry plays on our innate need to belong. Popular science, psychology and business are connected by Darwin's evolution of desire.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Personal Branding

Establishing brand "you" is a good idea. In the professional business world it comes down to building, maintaining, and marketing your professional reputation. It is not a new revolutionary concept, but could not be ignored in the growing online social networking. There are new opportunities and challenges to establish "your brand."

The best offence is to practice, practice, and practice! Give yourself, and you will make yourself stronger. No one can stop you from giving as much as you wish.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Business Ethics

The ethics of talking politics or religion at work include one word: respect. Golden rule: "Just because we have a right to do something doesn't mean that it is right to do it."
With very few exceptions, we shouldn't discuss politics and religion in the workplace. These discussions have nothing to do with our job and can only interfere with it. Beside, engaging in such conversations might be interfering with the ability to carry out duties and meet the needs of customers and company alike.