blog #15

This year brought devastation and and ruin to the Sichuan province of China. On May 12, 2008 a earthquake jolted this area of China and more than 70,000 people died. Many of the people that died were children that were trapped under poorly built school building. This brought outraged parents demanding officials and contractors be investigated and held accountable for these shortcomings. China's Government which is often slow and secretive was unusually quick and publicly acted to provide relief to the people. This also brought many private Chinese citizens to volunteer and raise money for relief like never before in Chinese History. Out of great tragedy the Chinese People grew closer as a force.
-people

blog #14

This year's election was one that caught the attention of all of us that had to listen to all the campaign promises and speeches and also brought amusement to many of us with the very colorful character, Sarah Palin.. For most of us she came out of nowhere. Not that Alaska is nowhere, but the name and face of Alsaka's Govoner was unknown to most of us until she was
picked by John McCain vice president running mate. She certainly provided the media with a personality all of her own. She took Saturday Night Live's, Tina Fey to the height of her career as she impersonated Sarah Palin and gave SNL record viewership. She definitely got our attention and put Alaska on the map. She even teased us all by saying, who knows in four years maybe you will see me again.
-people

blog #13

This year marks my fourth year on the Edina Swim Team. I myself can definitely see how I have improved and gained strength as well as improved in form as a swimmer. This past summer we all were witness to Michael Phelps as he caught the attention of the world by taking home 8 gold medals. Michael is 23 years old and stands 6'4" tall. His dedication to the sport as well as his discipline to train is outstanding. He has been quoted as saying "My goal is to change
the sport of swimming." I think this in his behalf is an understatement. His eight gold metals is a record for any Olympic athlete and in doing so make himself an overnight celebrity. Proud and exhausted after 17 races in eight events, he finished with a huge grin and a plan: "I'm going to sit on the beach and do nothing he said. "I'm sleeping in."
-people

blog #12

January 20, 2009 will no doubt go down in the American History Books as one of great proportion. Barack Obama became the first African-American to win the White House. This historic event certainly can erase the doubt in anyone's mind that, America is a place where all things are possible. President Obama will lead this country at a time in which we face the greatest economic challege of our lifetime. Not only is our country involved in an very unpopular war, we are also involved in an economic struggle that Americans of this generation are not familiar with. President Obama urges us all to get involved and to understand that we have tough challenging days ahead for all of us. He has promised that he will try his best to help unite the Democrats and Republicans in the cause of restoring the American Economy as well as our relations with the world. Watching the inaguaration and the seeing the huge crowd that gathered to view history in the making was an inspiration to all of us. As President Obama often states, YES WE CAN.
-people

blog #11

Even though it is hard to imagine at this point, eventually the snow will melt and summer will come back to Minnesota. As I think of summer , I start to anticipate heading to the lake and getting some serious time in wakeboarding. This summer will be my fifth year at wakeboarding and I try to do some serious reading on the sport during the long winter months. The pros are great sources of many tips and ways to improve your skills and the intensity of your tricks. I've learned that not only is there a correct way to do jumps and tricks there is also a correct way to fall. For instance, a busted knee can definitely be prevented if you learn to fall the right way. Your instinct is to extend your legs to connect your board to the water, which is OK, but as soon as the board hits, you need to relax your legs instead of still trying to stick the move. Your front knee bends nicely up to your chest, your speed is greatly reduced and sometimes you can even slide out onto your back as smooth as silk. No matter how good you are, everybody still falls.
-wakeboarder

blog #10

As it has been two years since I updated my snowboard boots, I recently have been doing some casual research on the all the changes that have happened since my last purchase. I wanted to do this soon since the year-end clearance sales will be here at the end of the month. The boots serve as the essential contact of body to board and transfer all your energy into making the board move across the snow. So with this in mind, fit of the boot makes all the difference in the world as to your performance on the snow. Snowboard boots have come a long way and the new models boots boast a supportive yet comfortable fit that have rapid lacing options that allow you to get on and off the hill in less time. If now you add all the different styles and looks for boots to your selection process, well you can become very confused with all the options. Price range of boots varies from approximately $150 to $400 depending on the brand and options. I always try to time my purchase to the end of the season as often you can find boots 30 to 40 percent off original price. Now with all my research and knowledge in mind, I'm off to start the hunt for the best boot for my needs as well as the best savings of the season.
-transworld

blog #9

Being an avid car enthusist, I recently was reading about Ferrari's new baby grand tourer. The car is name the California and will be first revealed in October at the Paris Auto Show. The California is powered by a 4.3 liter V-8, making it the first fron-engine Ferrari road car to use a V-8 rather than a V-12. It has 454 Hp and Ferrari's first dual-clutch automatic. It will be offered only in open-topped frm, with a retractable metal hard top. The cost of the car has not yet been revealed, but is expected to be over $200,000. Ferrari claims the car will go from 0 to 62 mph in less thn 4.0 seconds. It certainly is not a crime for a guy to dream...
-motortrend

blog #8

One thing I've had to learn after snowboarding now for seven years is to repair gouges in my board. This is especially true when you ride in trick parks. After riding an snowboard on rails and over rough terain you eventually get gouges on the base of the board. If left unrepaired they will start to slow you down and at a certain point will ruin the core of the board. I have read articles on home repair and have found that with a little time and effort I can repair most gouges, which helps me maintain the integrity of the board and saves me cash in my pocket.

Shop repairs can be costly and also can put you out of action as you wait for them to get to your board. Basically you can repair by melting down plastic and dripping it into the gouge. You then have to wait until is cool and has hardened before you can shave the excess plastic off with a razor blade. Then after I repair the nicks and gouges I like to put a fresh coat of wax on my board. Now I am ready to hit the hill and have a good time.
Serpick, Evan. "Chips." Transworld Snowboarding. Volume 26, January 2009: 56-57.

Blog #7

Last week i was reading my snowboard magazine and I came across this interesting article on Big Sky Mountain in Montana. The article talked about what Big Sky Mountain has to offer snowboarders. Over the years they continue to offer some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the northwest. They have also expanded their hill size by making more trails and by installing hill lights for nighttime boarding and skiing. They offer a variety of runs for boarders of all levels and experience. This particular year they have had an abundance of snow which only adds to fun. Big Sky is also withing driving distance of the Minneapolis area, which makes it convienent as well as affordable. I think that after reading this article I should look into making a trip there to check it out.
Sherowski, Jennifer. "Jeff Grell, Inventor of the Highback." Transworld Snowboarding. Volume 22, September 2008: 74-75.

Outside Reading #6

Minneapolis Officials Question Obama's Choice of Warren
President elect Barack Obama has choseen the well-known author (of "The Purpose Driven Life" ) and religious leader Rick Warren to give the invocation at his inauguration ceremony on January 20, 2009. Many of the elected officials of Minneapolis are disappointed by his decision to include Pastor Warren in the inauguration ceremony due to his controversial views on topics such as homosexuality. About two dozen Minneapolis officials have joined forces with the Minnesota Democratic State Senators Dibble and Clark to write a letter to Obama explaining their opposition to his appoinment of Rick Warren for the invocation. They stated in their letter to Obama that Warren's highly honored role in the inauguration will lead to division amongst Obama's supporters, rather than unity. They explained that since many people disagree with Pastor Warrens' views, particularly on homosexuality, he is a controversial figure that defeats the purpose and idea of bringing the nation together. Apparently Obama responded to the letter from the Minneapolis elected officials stating that his decision to nominate Rick Warren for the job of performing the invocation was based on his stance that diverse viewpoints must be heard.
Needless to say, the Minneapolis officials and State Senators are not pleased. It will be interesting to watch the whole inauguration ceremony and then see the reactions different communities throughout the nation will have.
Traudes, Cristof. "Minneapolis Officials Question Obama's Choice of Warren." Southwest Journal. 12 January 2009: A5.

Outside Reading #5

"Hopes & Dreams for the Next Four Years"
An article in the Minneapolis Southwest Journal featured interviews with local residents in which they were asked about their hopes and dreams for Obama's new 4 year term in office. They interviewed men and women, young and old, people in business, students, stay-at-home parents and professionals. In general, all of the people interviewed felt optimistic about the presidential election results of 2008 and were all looking forward to a new future with Obama as our nation's leader. At the same time, all people interviewed were worried about the economy and the steady loss of jobs throughout the nation. They believed that most likely things would get worse before they start to get better. They feared more economic hardship and more unemployment in 2009. Some residents mentioned their hopes for the USA to regain respect from other countries around the world after the eight years of bad foreign policy and all the damage caused by Bush and his administration. They were hopeful that Obama represents a true change for US world relations. Many people are 'teful that the war will finally wind down and our troops will be coming home. I wasn't surprised to hear that the fears people have mostly involve economic issues, the war and job loss. It didn't surprise either me to read that most people are hopeful about Obama and his next four years in office. I agreed with most of the people interviewed and I think that right now a large majority of citizens are on the same page in terms of what they are worried about and what they are hoping for in the near future.
Weyer, Jake. "Hopes and Fears for the Next Four Years." Southwest Journal. 12 January 2009: A13-15.