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Sage Sayings

  • "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." ~W. Churchill

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Special Olympics World Winter Games 2009!



What a great state we live in! This year we were fortunate to host the Special Olympics World Winter Games! Among the many events, the figure skating competition was held in downtown Boise at Quest arena. My family volunteered to help staff the booth set up by the Boise Figure Skating Club.




It was so much fun to be involved with this event. The audience was so supportive of all the competitors, cheering & clapping for everyone! With everyone's help, the skating club was able to raise almost $5000 by selling stuffed flowers to toss out on the ice after a performance.



What a rewarding experience for all of us! We saw so many figure skaters from all over the world, including Germany, Japan, China, and Canada. We were also treated to a surprise practice skate session for Olympic Gold Medalist - Scott Hamilton!!! He was so nice...taking all the time in the world to get pictures with as many competitors as he could, signing autographs all around, and even taking one fan's baby for a spin around the ice!





Here are a few more of my favorite shots from the Special Olympics Figure Skating:






(Getting autographs - whether or not you asked for them) :)

(Members of the Boise Figure Skating Club got to help out with practices & performances or by "sweeping" - picking up gifts thrown on the ice for Olympians - they are seen here in the light blue dresses.)

Overall, it was a fun experience! The Olympians looked like they were having such a great time and the audience participation could not have been better! I'm so glad we got to be a part of it this year. I encourage everyone out there to take the opportunity if it ever presents itself in your hometown. Hooray for the Special Olympics and athletes everywhere!

Slacker!

I've been a total slacker! Since the Special Olympics World Games in Idaho, we've been to Las Vegas, home, Sun Valley, and finally back home! And now, I have unfortunately caught that yucky cold bug that's been going around...ugh! I will try to get all the updates on here in the next week or so, but no promises. :) I hate being sickly!

Peace, Love & Good Health!

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Quick Update

Just wanted you all to know I haven't forgotten about my loyal fans. It was a busy week, ending with some super fun volunteering at the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games today. More to come (including pics), so check back often!

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Fractals

The simple definition of a fractal is: "a geometric pattern that is repeated at ever smaller scales to produce irregular shapes and surfaces that cannot be represented by classical geometry. Fractals are used especially in computer modeling of irregular patterns and structures in nature."

deep blue fractal Pictures, Images and Photos

"Fractal" was coined by Benoit Mandelbrot in 1975. It basically means "an irregular surface like that of a broken stone." A fractal is a non-regular geometric shape. It has the same degree of non-regularity on all scales.

Fractals can be found in nature:

fractal Pictures, Images and Photos



romanesco Pictures, Images and Photos

Spiralling snail shell Pictures, Images and Photos

Or in art:


Fractal Pictures, Images and Photos


fractal Pictures, Images and Photos


Fractal Pictures, Images and Photos

So, if you ever wondered why math was so important...it helps to explain the beauty we see in patterns around us. Go out and enjoy some geometry today!