Today's Good News

While watching the news today, stories were especially thought-provoking and inspired this blog entry. The first story is about Joshua Childers, a three-year-old toddler who escaped from his house and got lost nearly three days ago. His parents and numerous volunteers searched for him for two days and two nights and, fortunatelly, Donnie Halpin, a 57-year-old construction worker found Josh on Wednesday afternoon. The little boy had been out in the cold, wet woods, wearing just a T-shirt and one shoe, and managed for survive before he was found. I was extremely happy to hear that there were no long-term damaging effects and Josh hadn't been severely traumatized. Such a task would be nearly impossible for an adult, and even more so a kid of Joshua's age, but he proved that he was tough.

The next story is about the new face of Connie Culp, the woman who was shot in the face by her husband in 2004. The rifle had irreversible damages and Connie has been in hospitals/nursing homes ever since, seeking treatment and hoping for improvement. Since that unfortunate date she has undergone many life-saving operations and recently got a face transplant which made her look as close as possible to what he used to look like before the incident. Today, Connie can breathe by herself and lives fairly independently. She says she has forgiven her husband and has a newfound purpose in life - to fight for better societal acceptance of victims of disfiguration. Her positivity made me happy and truly inspired me.

Swine flu

After SARS and Avian flu we are facing another menace-Swine flu.The disease is a combination of pig ,bird,and human genes to which people have limited natural immunity. According to WHO Swine flu" had spread to at least nine countries. In the United States nearly 100 have been sickened in 11 states". The disease is disseminating rapidly and could affect significantly our lives.As a matter of fact it alredy does.People fear.We change our daily behavior because it is such a serious issue.Scools close,restaurants, clubs and churches remain empty. More people wear gloves and masks,avoid subway or stay home because expirience some of the disease's symptoms.Furthermore,travel plans change which would lead to impact on the global airline industry and the economics as a whole.Everyday we hear about new cases and victims.Such information could be frustrating and petrifying.We have to find a way to protect ourselves. Vaccine would be the best solution,but while waiting for it,here are some suggestions, widely agreed upon health experts, that would help us to avoid getting sick or spreading the virus.

These precious advices are:Wash your hands,cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze,stay home, don't touch your face,avoid sick people,and let,s hope for the best solution in a short amount of time.

Missing: Natalee Holloway

last Sunday, my family and I watched the movie "Natalee Holloway", presented by LMN. It was about the story of young american girl (Natalee Holloway), who vanished on May 30, 2005 during a high scool graduation to Aruba. According to the advertisment all parents should watch the film.Very true.I was totaly moved by the tragedy of Natalee and the grief of her parents.How shouldn't I? I have a teenager daughter, too.It could happen to anybody at anytime.

Natalee was last seen leaving a bar with Joran Van der Sloot,a Dutch teenager. He was arrested ,but released pretty soon,because there was not enough evidence to keep him in jail.The main suspect of the case turned to be a pathological liar. Van der Sloot's testimonials varied from leaving the victim helpless on the beach to dumping her in the pond.Still,maybe he is the only one, who knows the truth...
Almost a week after I have seen the movie I can't prevent thinking of this tragedy,that caused the loss of a young life,full of promises for the future. I have such sympathetic feelings for the parents who are totaly devastated but tireless in their efforts to find out the truth and fight for justice.This very touching story has been watched by an average of 3.2 million viewers and I hope it would enhance people's awarness of such dangers

A Tribute to the Heroes

With today's post I would like to show my immense respect and admiration toward all the people who participated in the mission to free from captivity Captain Richard Phillips, as well as the captain himself. Phillips, captain of a U.S. cargo ship which was attacked by Somalian pirates last week, showed great bravery dealing with this situation by letting himself be captured in order to save his crew. A very smart and a courageous man, and a true professional, Captain Richards put himself in imminent danger and proved that he is fully capable of protecting his sailors. The sailors themselves say that, "he is a true hero" who saved their lives. At the same time, he is very modest, saying that the U.S. military are the real heroes.

Furthermore, the Navy Seals carried out an amazing operation. They eliminated the three pirates keeping captain Richards captive using only three bullets and he was freed within minutes. They say that the training, which costs $500,000, is worth every penny when it comes to saving a human life.

Last, but certainly not least, I also admire President Obama for his commitment to end the scourge of the Somali pirates and his adequate action in a time of crisis. Without dramatizing the case more than needed or calling press conferences, Obama gave the Navy Seals a green light to perform the operation, and in this way, he and his administration passed the first test of national security.

Bulgarian Traditions III: Nestinarstvo

Finally, it seems as thought spring is just around the corner, and as the birds chirp and the grass begins to turn green I can't help, but think about St. Constantin and Helen, a Bulgarian holiday celebrated during this time of year (May 21st). Although, this holiday is significant to me for many reasons, one of which includes my niece being born on that day, perhaps the most memorable aspect of it is Nestinarsto. This tradition of walking on smoldering embers barefoot is one which I remember watching and being amazed at as a little girl.

Nestinarstvo is a tradition the origins of which can be traced both to the Eastern Orthodox Church and to other pagan traditions. There are only a few people who possess the talent to walk on such embers and not get burnt. In fact, those who can are considered masters and perform every year, until they are no longer able, at which point their duties are often passed on to their children. They are able to not only walk, but also dance on the embers as though they were doing so on the regular ground. The embers are usually arranged in a circle and the nestinari are joined by numerous spectators as they dance their way into the night.

Bulgarian Traditions II : Orthodox Easter

Today I will present another bulgarian tradition - Orthodox Easter.This year this holliday is on April,19.As an orthodox christian I am pretty familiar with the details of this celebration, called"Velikden" in Bulgaria.This holliday commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead three days after his crusifixion on Good Friday.According to the tradition, on Sunday people go to the official church service.At midnight, when the ceremony is finished, everybody is supposed to carry home a candle while it is still burning.Colored eggs are cracked after the service and during the next days.The person with the strongest egg will be the healthiest and the luckiest one during the year.The Easter breads are another orthodox tradition.These have specific name "kozunak" and can be big or small, but allways decorated.Eggs and Easter breads are given as a gift to relatives,friends,neighbors etc.The Orthodox Paschal greeting is "Christ is Risen!" The traditional answer is"Indeed He is Risen."
Although the Easter eggs are dyed in diffrent colors, the red one is a symbol of the holliday.The tradition of the red eggs is connected to a specific legend:Mary Magdalene went all over to spread the news that Jesus had risen.When she reached Rome,she took an egg to Tiberius' palace as a gift and handed it to the Emperor with the greeting:Christ has risen from the dead!"The Emperor answered:"How could anyone ever rise from the dead! It is as impossible as that white egg to turn red right now!"While Tiberius was talking, the egg in Mary Magdalene's hand changed color until it finally became bright red.Ever since this greeting has remained to express the belief of orthodox christians in the resurrection.

Bulgarian Traditions I: Martenitzi

Today, through this blog entry I would like to present to you a Bulgarian tradition with is specific to the month of March. It consists of wearing red and white decorations. They are usually made out of yarn, but many also include wood, plastic, beads, etc. Some are plain, while others are detailed and intricate. Martenitzi can take on the form of bracelets, pins, necklaces, and some are even designed so that they can be hung up around your house. The most common and easiest to make are ones which are made of a red and a white thread twisted together. However, some are much more complex and I believe that they are true pieces of art.

This tradition originated hundreds of years ago, dating back to pagan times. It is widely believed that the red in the martenitzi stands for sunshine, fertility, and good health. Simultaneously, the white is said to stand for the outgoing snow and to symbolize virtue, purity, and wisdom. For this reason, as well as to welcome spring, people exchange martenitzi with their friends and relatives on March 1st each year. They are worn until the first day of spring or until the first stork is seen. Then, they are either hung up on a tree, thrown in a river, or put under a stone for good luck and prosperity.

If you ever find yourself in Bulgaria in the middle of March, don't be surprised if you find yourself in the midst of a whole lot of red and white. Join in the fun as Bulgarians wish you good health, luck, and happiness.

Here are a few examples of martenitzi:

Am I addicted to Pepsi?

Am I addicted to Pepsi? I don't know, but I could be. For many years Pepsi has been my favorite soft drink. I don't even remember the last time when I refused to have regular Pepsi. I would say that I like any kind of juices and soft drinks, but somehow I always end up picking Pepsi Cola. I might be addicted to the caffeine and it seems like a reasonable explanation. But why Pepsi? Many other products contain caffeine and I don't have cravings for them. It could be the taste or some secret ingredient, but it is a fact that I can't resist a glass of Pepsi. Lately, I have noticed that my kids love the taste of Pepsi, too. Of course, they don't drink it on a regular basis, but sometimes my daughter would pour some into a porcelain cup so it is not visible and my son would sneak and have a sip without my permission.

It was interesting for me to find out that a lot of people consider themselves addicted to Pepsi Cola and struggle to find ways to get rid of this habit. Different people give original advice on how to fight this Pepsi addiction. Starting tomorrow I will refer to my favorite drink as to a brown toxic liquid laced with tons of sugar chemicals and addictive drugs...maybe...

Thoughts about Tattoos

In these current times tattoos are very popular and 'stylish' for both men and women. There are bad aspects and perhaps a few benefits (which I seriously doubt) about these tattoos. Today, I am going to discuss some of the things one should consider about before getting a tattoo. Personally, I would never get one, so therefore I shouldn't be at all concerned about this, right? Wrong. I have two kids who have yet to fully develop their opinions on various topics such as this and I can't help, but constantly think about it. I am not trying to impose my views on anyone, but I would like to share the following list of possible consequences which tattoos can bring about:

- Risk of infections, diseases, excessive bleeding

- The inks and dyes used to produce the tattoo could cause redness, allergic reactions, psoriasis, etc.
- Tattoos could prevent one from getting certain jobs
- Tattoos are permanent. What if we decide we no longer like/want them at some point in our life?
- "Removal" requires a surgical procedure which is painful, costly, carries its own risk of complications, and isn't always effective.

I once heard that "Having one [a tattoo] doesn't make you a criminal, but all criminals have one" and I agree. I know that a lot of people like them and would be willing argue with me on this opinion and maybe even create a longer list of 'benefits' that tattoos offer. Although I respect their opinion, I am thinking of young people (my daughter's age) who often make the rash decision to get a tattoo just because their friends did. They might consider it cool, fancy, or just a way of expressing themselves. However, they should think twice before going through with something of this sort, as they may regret it later in life.

DID YOU KNOW?

Some people who have tattoos cannot have MRI tests because of the metal fibers contained in some inks used for tattoos.

Herbs and Vitamins

In our developed society people are constantly trying to adopt a healthy life style. Every day numerous dietary supplements with herbs and vitamins are being advertised. All of these products claim to help a wide range of medical conditions and diseases. Is it true? How safe are these products really? I find myself easily influenced by such commercials. I remember asking my daughter's doctor (when she was a baby) what kind of vitamins I should give her in order to keep her in good health. The answer was that there was absolutely no need of any additional supplements in the form of vitamins and that kids are able to obtain all the vitamins they need from a well balanced diet. Although I knew this was true it was a bit of a "disappointment" because I, as any other parent, want to do all I can to help my children.

We always start with good intention, but could the use of herbs and vitamins actually hurt us? Could it be a double-edged sword? We mustn't forget that the herbs contain drugs that could be dangerous, especially for ill people taking prescribed or over-the-counter medicine. All of these chemicals could combine with one another and form an undesired outcome.

Without a doubt, small doses of herbs can be beneficial, but high quantities of any herbs have the power to cause irreversible organ damages. It sounds scary, but I have read stories of people self-medicating themselves with no supervision and developing very serious and even life-threatening diseases.

It is no surprise that the FDA warns consumers, especially those with health issues, to avoid certain herbal products. This is ironic because people who to take good care of themselves and try to prolong their life could actually be getting the opposite effect by taking vitamins.

What I'm trying to say is that we have to be cautious when we use vitamins and herbs. We have to remember that herbs, are drugs and just because they're "natural" doesn't automatically mean they're safe. We must always consult with our doctors before using vitamins and herbal remedies and we have to be wise and educated consumers.

Friday the 13th

Last Friday, when I got up in morning, my husband Boris was already up and reading the news. The first thing he told me was "Today is truly Friday the 13th for 50 people." He meant the airplane crash that happened in Buffalo, N. Y. When I went to work the first thing that one of the nurses on the floor asked me was, "Are people in Bulgaria superstitious about Friday the 13th?"

The plane in flames after crashing into a private home in Clarence Center.

Of course, people are just as superstitious in Bulgaria as they are here and everywhere else in the world, but this question provoked the following thought: really, why is Friday the 13th supposedly unlucky? Where are the roots of this superstition? I still remember the last time when we had to buy airplane tickets. The tickets we chose happened to be on the 13th (Saturday). I argued with Boris not to pick this date, being a little bit superstitious myself. But Boris opposed me. "Do you know how many airplanes are in the air on each 13th day of each month? What is this fear of yours?" What could I possibly say? He was right.

It is believed the combination of the date 13 and the day Friday is very unlucky (it happens 1 to 3 times a year). I was interested to learn more about this popular superstition, so I went online to look for some information. Of course, there was a lot of it. For example, numerous of hotels and hospitals don't have rooms under the number of 13, and many skyscrapers don't have a 13th floor. Also, people avoid to fly on that date, and some even avoid going to work. This was all very interesting, but I still wanted to know more about the roots of the superstition. There were lots of different theories, most of them with biblical roots. The one I liked the best was one which related to the last days of Jesus's life on earth. For instance, there were 13 people (12 and Jesus himself) present at the Last Supper and Jesus was crucified on a Friday (Good Friday). The importance of both the 13th date and Friday have come to be viewed as unlucky. Without a doubt this started many years ago and will play an important role in some people's lives for the years to come.

DID YOU KNOW??

1) 8-15% of Americans take Friday the 13th into account when making plans.
2) Each Friday the 13th costs America an estimated $750 million in lost business because of superstitious people who chose to stay at home.
3) The U.S. Navy refuses to launch ships on any Friday the 13th.

Lord of the Dance

Last Sunday (Feb. 8th, 09) my husband, my son, and I went to my daughter's band concert at Central High School which is something we always enjoy. After she performed, another group was scheduled to play and we were going to stay and listen to them. However, I noticed that my husband, Boris, was becoming very anxious, frequently checking his watch. Suddenly he said, "Let's go". We all wondered where he meant we should go. At this point he informed us that "Lord of the Dance", a traveling Irish dancing group, was going to perform at the La Crosse Center at 3:00 p.m. I mumbled that we have homework to do and that we have to study for an upcoming exam, but ultimately the decision was made...

We had about an hour before the show started so we left before the other group had started playing and went straight to the La Crosse Center. The seats we got weren't close to the stage, but they were right across from it so we had a good view. I knew that the dancers performed Irish dance all over the world, but that was the extent of my knowledge on this subject. Therefore, I was excited and impatient for the show to start. Finally, it began. Right away, it caught my attention and left me speechless and breathless. I can't find the words to describe it, for such words do not exist, but I will do my best. It was a faerie of dance, Irish music (both traditional and modern), songs and violin performances. In addition, the costumes they wore were remarkable and the lights show accentuated them. They were able to communicate an ageless story of good vs. evil by means of these effects and mainly, by dancing. Everybody danced as one and although they made it look effortless I couldn't help but wonder how much time and work was put into this. Furthermore, one of the most impressive parts was (although it was hard to realize this immediately) when the music stopped and the only rhythm we heard was escaping from underneath the dancers' feet as they made their way across the stage. The whole performance was fascinating and enveloped the audience in its magic. Toward the end it was impossible to miss the positive energy emitting from everyone in the arena.

At the end of the show, I didn't regret the time or money spent - it was worth every penny. My whole family fell in love with it and left in a good mood. We would go see it again if such an opportunity presented itself. It is something I would recommend to all of you, it is truly astonishing.

DID YOU KNOW: I later found out that this show, created by the talented Irish-American dancer Michael Flatley, has been seen by over 50 million people in 40 different countries.

Click here for a video of a "Lord of the Dance" performance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-pGzCre7Po

Michael Phelps

I would like to share with you my thoughts regarding the recent incident concerning super-swimmer and Olympic star Michael Phelps. The swimming sensation, in case you missed the news, was caught on camera smoking a bond of cannabis. It happened last November at a University of South Carolina house party. Soon after his photo appeared in the British tabloid news he made an official apology to his fans.

The question is: is he guilty as charged or are there circumstances that could diminish his behavior and excuse him from what he did?

I have read many different opinions on this matter and have decided to organized them in two groups.

On one hand he made a huge mistake. Yes, he was irresponsible and he put his career, reputation and future at risk. Also, it is not the first time he was exhibited such behavior -- he has also been caught for drunk driving. He is a celebrity and a public person, a role model and idol for millions of teenagers (I know, I have a teenage daughter) so he is expected to be mature and carry his glory with dignity. I have read that according to rules set out by the World Anti-Doping Agency athletes who are caught using cannabis face a ban of up to 2 years, which would, without a doubt, affect Phelps's career. In addition he is risking to lose many sponsorships, the public's trust, and possibly his income. Michael Phelps makes an estimated 5 million euros a year from deals made with 10 major companies. Some people would argue that this is a personal matter and that people shouldn't be judgemental of him based on his personal life. However, Michael Phelps isn't just anybody, his achievement (8 gold Olympic medals) is amazing and unique. He has definitely made a mistake and will have to suffer the consequences.

On the contrary, I think that we don't have to be so harsh on him. According to an old saying, the truth is always somewhere in the middle. We shouldn't ignore the fact that he is young (23 years of age) and hasn't had much experience in life. Also, he did apologize to the public for his doings. We all know that he has immense talent and potential and his success so far has been astonishing. I believe that his apology was sincere, that he regrets his behavior, and that he realizes the situation he has put himself in. Phelps needs support right now, and with it I think he will be able to pick himself up and get back on his feet.

I will Michael Phelps and his family all the best and hope that people will remember his success long after his pictures in the tabloids fade away.

About Me

Hello everyone! Welcome to my blog! I'm Dilyana and I'd like to thank you for taking the time to read my page.

I currently live in La Crosse, but I am originally from Bulgaria. I came to the USA five years ago not knowing much English. At that time, the idea of how difficult it would be for me to express myself in a different language had never crossed my mind. The transition took me a while, but I am happy to say that everything is going smoothly for me and my family. I am here with my husband Boris and our two kids Adelina (15) and Mihail (10).

Coming Here...

By moving to the United States I left behind not only my country, but also my parents, friends, career (I was an elementary school teacher). Some of my old habits changed, but I gained the opportunity to explore another world and its culture. I love it here, in my new country, although I have not forgotten Bulgaria. My kids adjusted very quickly to their life here, which is very important for me as a parent. I am convinced that the public schools in this area provide a good education for them. The atmosphere in La Crosse is friendly and it is a good place to raise kids.

My story may be different than yours, we are all unique, but still, I am an ordinary person with ordinary interests. I love to read, watch movies, and travel. During the past five years my family and I have tried to explore the US whenever we get the chance. Also, I like to spend time outside with my friends and family. My favorite season is the spring. Sometimes, when it is very cold (like today), I dream about the nice weather spring has to offer, trying to convince myself that this is a good time for some studying/homework to get done.

I try not to complain about my school-related duties because I knew at the very beginning that by coming to the USA I would have to start many things all over. I will not deny that sometimes, while driving past the building of UW-L, Viterbo, and WTC I asked myself, "Am I going to have the courage to come here as a student?" This was not because I don't like school, but rather because I saw language as a great barrier. I know that nothing will help me to improve my English as much as the communication in school and class assignments such as this. I like being here and meeting young, knowledgeable, and interesting people. I also like the concept of exchanging thoughts, ideas, and opinions via this blog. I know this course will meet and exceed my expectations.

I haven't yet decided what topics I will be covering in my blog, but I'll keep thinking. One idea I came up with is to present Bulgaria -- its geographical and historical aspects, traditions, people, etc. Please let me know if you would be interested in hearing about it!

Thank you!
See you at school!

Here are some pictures of my kids...