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World’s Greatest Smile

News / Blog
Archiv 2011

 

12/20/2011, Tuesday, 12:52, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada


Christmas tree balls by Meike Duch

 

12/19/2011, Monday, 23:51, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada


Some inspiring events over the last few weeks, so Andreas created this:

 

12/14/2011, Wednesday, 20:02, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada


Time names Person of the Year: The Protester

“In 2011, protesters didn't just voice complaints; they changed the world.” Time
Read more...

 

12/12/2011, Monday, 18:05, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada


Ta-dahhhh, a new communication tip...:

Religion and religious education in schools
Yes, it happens in other countries as well, so as an example let’s have a look at this...
Read full tip!

 

12/10/2011, Saturday, 00:15, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada


Today is Human Rights Day 2011... Happy birthday, Human Rights!

“This year, millions of people decided the time had come to claim  their rights. They took to the streets and demanded change. Many found their voices using the internet and instant messaging to inform, inspire and mobilize supporters to seek their basic human rights. Social media  helped activists organize peaceful protest movements in cities across the globe - from Tunis to Madrid, from Cairo to New York - at times in  the face of violent repression.

Human rights belong equally to each of us and bind us together as a  global community with the same ideals and values. As a global community we all share a day in common: Human Rights Day on 10 December, when we  remember the creation 63 years ago of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”

United Nations - Human Rights Day 2011

"It is not a treaty...[In the future, it] may well become the international Magna Carta." Eleanor Roosevelt

 

12/03/2011, Saturday, 23:15, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada


Next heroic act

Hey, if you give me a good reason I write something nice about you! And if you do something extra heroic you’ll be mentioned even here.

Sooo, the newest heroic act on our incomplete list is put into practice by the Fulton County sheriff’s deputies and movers.

103-year-old Vinia Hall and her 83-year-old daughter Vita Lee were facing foreclosure from her home she has lived in for the past 53 years. But Fulton County sheriff’s deputies and the moving company hired to evict the women refused to go through with the court-ordered action.

It is reported that Mayor Kasim Reed of Atlanta and other politicians then all intervened to keep Hall in her longtime home - and that her bank announced after the bad publicity that it had reached an agreement with Hall that will allow her to remain in her home.

 

11/18/2011, Friday, 16:16, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada


What could have been... or What could be...

Silver Donald Cameron wrote a beautiful article using the example of Halifax about how politicians could handle and work with the Occupy movement around the world. It’s a piece of art.

Read the article: Mayor Kelly Muffs His Moment

 

11/16/2011, Wednesday, 22:57, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada


Next heroic act to be on our list: Councillor Jennifer Watts

Councillor Jennifer Watts apologised for her role in the decision to remove protesters from the Halifax Occupy site on Remembrance Day during the city council meeting.
At least she tried to apologise until her microphone was disabled...

I talked to and listened to people from both - oh well, all three parties if you want to include the police - and hoped for apologies so I watched this live.
And I was impressed. It takes some real principles, to admit mistakes publicly! It was the first step to resume a constructive discussion.

Haligonia: Councillor Apologizes For Role In Victoria Park Evictions

 

11/13/2011, Sunday, 13:38, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada


Time and space or Past, Present and Future

We went and witnessed two very different events at the same location this week.

First the Dignity Day Ceremony / Kristallnacht Memorial in the course of the Holocaust Education Week.

And then I was invited to come to the Grand Assembly of the Occupy Movement which coincidentally took place at the same place.

One event focussed mainly on the past - one mainly on the present. Which will influence the future more?

 

11/06/2011, Sunday, 20:27, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada


New series: Heroes

Some of you already know that I’m a huge fan of courageous people who step up if someone is in need of help. They find themselves suddenly in a challenging situation and decide to do the right thing - and they make our world a better place. That’s why I decided to publish here some of their stories when I stumble upon them.
I won’t search for them more than usual nor will I do a lot of background research on each of them - just link them and hope you’ll find them inspiring as well. So if you find one I didn’t, please send me the link. Thanks!
The first one coincidentally happened right in our neighbourhood...:

Man rescues Dartmouth woman from burning home
A 19-year-old Dartmouth woman is recovering in hospital after a complete stranger rescued her from a burning house.”
Read full article on CBCnews

 

10/30/2011, Sunday, 21:01, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada


7 billion possibilities of new friends

The world's population is expected to reach 7 billion tomorrow.

So we have 7 billion opportunities.
And we have to take 7 billion responsibilities.
Here we go...!


Oh, and here is a counter of the Current World Population

 

10/07/2011, Friday, 11:06, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada


Congratulations to the Nobel Peace Prize 2011 Laureates!

The Nobel Peace Prize 2011 was awarded jointly to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkul Karman "for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work".
http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2011/

 

10/07/2011, Friday, 11:06, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada


Well, yes...
Yes, I had an accident in January, yes, got injured, yes, still walk a bit remarkably, yes, will recover...
Thanks a lot to everyone who sent love and other ‘get well wishes’! It helped a lot! You are highly appreciated!

 

03/22/2011, Tuesday, 20:16, Meike, Enger, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Today is World Water Day!

“World Water Day has been observed on March 22 since 1993 when the United Nations General Assembly declared March 22 as World Day for Water. ...
The UN and its member nations devote this day to implementing UN recommendations and promoting concrete activities within their countries regarding the world's water resources.”
Wikipedia

 

03/12/2011, Saturday, 19:17, Meike, Enger, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

News resources
new link on
our link tip list

If you are looking for a good resource for international news, this is one of the better ones: www.bbc.co.uk

 

02/28/2011, Tuesday, 00:16, Meike, Enger, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany


“Who stops getting better, has stopped being good.” Philip Rosenthal

“Learning is like rowing. Once you stop, you drift back.” Benjamin Britten

 

02/14/2011, Monday, 21:15, Meike, Enger, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Happy Valentine’s Day!
 

Here are the translations of “I love you!” in many, many languages : “I love you!”
Andreas and I collected them some time ago. And if you can use all of them consider your circle of friends remarkable!

 

02/08/2011, Tuesday, 00:11, Meike, Enger, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany


“Patience is a necessary ingredient of genius.”
Benjamin Disraeli

 

01/25/2011, Tuesday, 15:24, Meike, Enger, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

We wish you all a

Happy 7th

World’s Greatest Smile - Day!

Please check out our resources provided for you on this website!
There are lots of
communication tips for a friendly and peaceful communication, language resources, useful links, great teamwork games for kids and adults and much, much more!
Enjoy!

 

01/16/2011, Sunday, 00:27, Meike, Enger, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

New  Year’s resolutions: the easy way

Who of us  did not resolved to do more for his health in the New Year? You want to take care of your own body with as little strain as possible?  Protect yourself from heart disease, strengthen your whole organism and your immune system and treat your brain well - without any effort? You  can hardly believe that this could be possible?
Well, then you will be happy about some scientific research results!
Here is the  solution: Smile!
Read more...

 

01/04/2011, Monday, 22:16, Meike, Enger, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Thank you!

We love to thank you for your warm congratulations and wishes you sent from all over the world!
 


P.S.:
I always wondered if it's nicer, more polite, more appropriate... to congratulate your partner for your anniversary - or to congratulate yourself, so he/she hears it.
If you congratulate your partner, it's like “Hey, congratulations, you had me for ... years! Good for you!”€¯
And if you congratulate yourself, it's more like “Wow, I'm so happy ...to have you loving me for so long!” That sounds somehow much more loving to me...!

 

01/03/2011, Monday, 02:42, Meike, Enger, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

 

January 3rd

15 years of Meike & Andreas

We won.

01/01/2011, Saturday, 19:06, Meike, Enger, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

 

We wish you all a peaceful, amazing, healthy, successful
oh-and-yes-also
Happy New Year!

 

 

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