Bright and sunny

These three pictures made me happy today. I can't wait to live somewhere that we can decorate!

Pilates day one

I went to my first pilates class the other night and loved it! I don't want to speak too soon but I do think this exercise was created for me. My instructor didn't believe me when I said it was my first time and said I must have done itin a past life, which I took to be a compliment. And since compliments around me and anything sport related are few and far between, I'm happy.

Pilates is part of my goal this year for increased 'holistic health'. It's an exercise technique all about increasing core strength and bringing about better posture. I hate how it has a real 'yummy mummy' elitist reputation - probably because it's so freaking expensive. I hate when things that are good for you get elitist reputations, like organic food. Why is food that is produced the way food is intended to be only for middle-class people? Please.

So I was delighted to find a class at our local council gym for less than half the price of anywhere else. Who wants to pay £12/ $18 per class? Absolutely ridiculous. Anyway, now I need to keep going and not ride the high of what might well be beginners luck.

Penmanship practice

Yes, I did spend the whole summer before 8th grade perfecting my handwriting. I put a premium on good penmanship and yes, I do judge people by the way they write. But not too harshly, sometimes I scrawl too - but ONLY in a rush.

So when I do see good examples of handwriting I take notice. Maybe I'll spend this whole summer trying to write like this.

Take action on Sri Lanka

If you don't use the SuperBadger facebook application yet, now's the time to start. http://apps.facebook.com/superbadger/

We're badgering the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the UK to end the humanitarian crisis.

Families in northern Sri Lanka are suffering a humanitarian emergency. Currently they are trapped in camps and unable to return home.The camps are in an appalling condition and basic food, water, shelter and medical needs are severely lacking for the 250,000 Tamil people living there.

Doctors who have been working around the clock to meet the great need have now been detained by the government as a security threat.

Please badger the Sri Lankan government now. http://apps.facebook.com/superbadger/

The email address for the US Sri Lanka High Commission is slembassy@slembassyusa.org

Batman Dental Practice

Today I was on the bus headed to the Westfield's mall in White City and overhead the funniest thing on a phone conversation. This girl right behind me was describing her recent root canal (they gave her some amazing sedatives that really knocked her out). After some more discussion about her dentistry she was like, 'I can't believe I go to a place called Batman Dentist.' I love it.

I told Dan about this and, since he works in White City, he knew exactly what I was talking about. 'Oh yeah, Batman Dentist on Batman Street.' I can't stop laughing.

Take one moment...

I was shocked to learn that the U.S. foreign aid system hasn't been reformed since the 1960's and is still based on Cold War thinking. The United States is a very generous country but our system for delivering aid is outdated and not as efficient as it could be. For example, U.S. global development policies and programs are scattered across 12 departments, 25 different agencies, and nearly 60 government offices. Our aid needs to be refocused and streamlined so that we can continue to help some of the world's poorest people.

On April 28, a bi-partisan bill (H.R. 2139) was introduced called the “Initiating Foreign Assistance Reform Act of 2009.” This bill directs the president to develop and implement a comprehensive national strategy to promote global development. The bill is intended to be a precursor to a broader reform effort later this year, which will include re-writing and updating the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.

The "Initiating Foreign Assistance Reform Act of 2009":

Requires the president to develop and implement a comprehensive National Strategy for Global Development.

Requires the president to develop and implement a rigorous system to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of U.S. foreign assistance.

Requires that both American taxpayers and recipients of U.S. foreign assistance have full access to information on U.S. foreign assistance.

Urge Congress to reform foreign aid here. This is a great chance to affect policy change and it only takes 2 minutes! Go on...

Amazing first dance video!

This is the most amazing first dance! Also, scroll down on the link for her rendition of Beyonce's single ladies. Amazing.