valentines flowers him - Pakistan beyond the headlines

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Flight PK 272 from Delhi was late by two and half hours. Yet, the five students from India looked happy, if a bit tired, when they finally landed in Karachi. Now they could sit back and relax. Welcomed the Pakistani way, garlanded with flowers, they felt at home. After a reception at the Rotary Club in Clifton, their host families — Rotarians who would take care of them over the next ten days — took them home.

The Delhi-Karachi flight time is about the same as Lahore-Karachi — about an hour and a half. But difficulties in obtaining visas ensure that few Indians or Pakistanis make the journey. Usually, only those visiting relatives, attending meetings or conferences, or who need medical care across the border are considered for visas. The Indian students feel lucky to be part of a Youth Exchange Programme organised by the Rotary Club and Aman ki Asha that facilitated their ten-day trip.

In Pakistan, the Indian students had fun. They got to choose where they wanted to go and what they wanted to do every day — apart from a few “mandatory” official dinners and high teas. Their daily routine in Pakistan was similar to any teenager on holiday, with late nights, late mornings, and leisurely breakfasts with host families before deciding how to go about the day. But these youngsters also had a mission: to discover the ‘real’ Pakistan and to contribute to building bridges between their own country and that of their hosts. A side effect of these spontaneous plans was that it made it tough for the reporters and photographers assigned to follow them to keep up pace!

They spent the day after their arrival at the domed white marble mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, a Karachi landmark with sprawling gardens that make it a popular recreation spot. Besides being shown areas that are closed to the public, like the well-lit basement that contains the actual tomb, they also visited the small museum where the Quaid’s black Cadillac and white Packard stand on regal display. They stood in awe, appreciated Jinnah’s taste, and got to know him better as a person during their guided tour. The girls particularly enjoyed hearing about his sister Fatima Jinnah (a dentist by profession) and wife Rattanbai, the two most important women in his life. Sachi Bhuttani was all praise for the filmy love story of “Jin” and “Ruttie”, the flower of Bombay.

The visiting students also enjoyed the shopping malls and other market places they managed to visit. They unanimously agreed that although the malls in India are “bigger”, the bazaars are “very much the same”. The similarities include the routine bargaining that often ends on a compromise both parties are happy with.

“The only difference is fashion. Here the women’s kurtas have reached a sweeping length,” observed Bhaviya Mahajan, an eleventh grade student. “Back in India we still wear them short above our knees.”

The silver jubilee celebrations in Karachi of Javed Jabbar’s Banhn Beli were an eye-opener, where they were able to meet people from far-flung villages in Tharparkar, Sindh who have benefited from the NGO’s focus on development in the area. The Indian students were inspired by meeting women who had struggled against status quo, and achieved a status in life, now able to make their own decisions and earn a livelihood.

The students were struck by the similarities of developmental problems in both countries. “Illiteracy is India’s problem as well. In fact, all developing countries more or less face similar issues,” said Bhavya Mahajan.

“But there are kind people on both sides who help the poor and that is what matters,” added Sachi Bhuttani, another 11th grade student.

At a visit to the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, (FPCCI), they met students from the SITE Model School, for most of whom it was the first time ever meeting ‘real life Indians’. During the roundtable discussion, the students discussed ways to promote peace between India and Pakistan. Moved by the moment, Karan Raghav, a student of finance, read out a poem on Indo-Pak friendship that he had written on the way.

They were invited to the US Consul General’s residence, where they shared their Pakistan experiences, speaking of the hospitality and the warm, familial relations they had struck up.

“There are a lot of similarities between the people of the two countries, but it is more important to respect the differences,” said Karan.

The acting US Counsel General emphasised the importance of people to people contacts in strengthening relations between the two countries and expressed whole-hearted support for Aman ki Asha and of the Rotary Club and Aman ki Asha strategic partnership.

The students also visited two hospitals at different ends of the city — Aga Khan University Hospital near Karsaz, and Memon Hospital in Arambagh. “What I liked about AKU — apart from the fact that it is non-profit — is that they put notices like ‘Do not give cash’ at various places, warning the patients,” said Prakash Bhagat, a round friendly man in his fifties, who was leading the student delegation. “I will make this suggestion to our hospital when I go back.”

Among their more fun experiences was a cruise on the Arabian Sea and a visit to one of Karachi’s gorgeous sandy beaches, which are of course part of India and Pakistan’s shared coastline. This is the best weather for these outings, when the sea is tranquil under the clear blue winter sky with its bright sun and cool air.

“I had never been to a beach before,” says Parth Singhania, “The cold wind slapped our faces, it was mind-blowing”.

Another must for a visitor to Karachi is of course ‘Itwar Bazar’ — the famous Sunday Bazaar at the far end of Defence Housing Authority. The vast weekly market with 25 lanes (now paved) has covered stalls selling everything from books and clothes, shoes and bags (second hand as well as new), to bed-sheets, towels and kitchen items, fruits and vegetables — not to mention the food court at its centre which serves everything from bun kabab to burgers and haleem. Awe-struck by the huge flea market, and the hard work shopkeepers put up for one day, they shopped till they dropped.

“We do have such bazaars in India, but this one was really huge, and the prices were throwaway,” said one excited delegate.

But most importantly, they met ordinary Pakistanis and experienced a side of Pakistan that the mainstream Indian media fails to bring to them. They lived with people they found very similar — speaking the same language and sharing very much the same values despite belonging to a different religion and dressing more conservatively. Some of the host families even had a ‘Dadi’ who worried if they got back home late and reminded them of their own grandmothers back home. All agreed that this was “far better” than a five star hotel.

“Living with a host family has a much more personal touch; you can’t be this comfortable in a hotel,” says Parth Singhania, a chartered accountancy student.

They leave with a very different picture of Pakistan than the one they had in mind about the neighbour they were always taught to abhor. The Pakistani students who go on the exchange visit to India as part of this programme may well have similar experiences on their forthcoming visit early next year.
valentines flowers him

valentines flowers him - Local Shop Brings Out The Sassy - Grand Opening January 2012

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Hopkins, MN (PRWEB) December 27, 2011
With her "Trail Blazing" and "Kicking It" unique style - Heather Rachel, and her store, Sassy Pantz, are making thier mark in the fashion world. Sassy Pantz, located in historic downtown Hopkins, Minnesota, will be celebrating their Grand Opening January 2012 with an attitude and flair for women that says, Rock and Roll meets Cowgirl.
Heather Rachel, a published author and writer, realized her dream of owning and operating her own boutique this past fall. As a person that has worked in the financial profession, she struggled daily with wanting to add her own flair to her look, but had to refrain. There is plenty of rhinestone bling in her store's Jewelry, Accessories, Apparel for women at a price that is affordable.
Since she had her own unique style that was complimented often, Rachel decided to share her closet with her customers. With continual research and buying efforts, Sassy Pantz stays on the leading edge of fashion. Customers can choose from rhinestone hats, shirts, shoes, purses, jeans, sunglasses,jewelry and more. The "Bling" is endless and gives all women a chance to express their unique self and style.
Sassy Pantz reaches out to men too offering Men's Night Out Events to assist in helping them shop for the special women in their lives for Holidays and Special Occasions. Their next Mens Night Out event will be in February for Valentines Day shopping.  
A true destination store, Sassy Pantz is a unique and one of a kind concept with a shopping experience that is relaxed and inviting. The store is designed with a flow to be a one stop shop for all the Bling a Sassy Gal desires. "Because there is a little Sassy in all of us!"
Sassy Pantz is located at 810 Main Street in Hopkins, Minnesota 55343. For more information and Store hours visit http://www.sassy-pantz.com or call 952-426-4692. For all new merchandise arrivals and store updates, find Sassy Pantz on Facebook and "Like".
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valentines flowers him - THE FLOWERS OF WAR REVIEW

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Arguably the most eagerly-anticipated Chinese movie of the year, Zhang Yimou's epic retelling of the 1937 Nanking Massacre is not only the country's most expensive movie ever, but boasts Academy Award winner Christian Bale in the lead role. Bale plays John Miller, an American mortician who is summoned to a Cathedral in Nanking to help bury the deceased priest, only to take his place and help defend the young female students, as well as a troupe of prostitutes, from the invading Japanese forces. 

THE FLOWERS OF WAR is a big movie in every sense of the word, from its kinetic battle scenes to the beautiful photography and impressive performances from a mostly young and inexperienced cast. Any new project from Zhang Yimou is a big deal. He is China's most internationally-renowned filmmaker, praised for both for his bold visual style in films such as HERO and CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER, but also for his earlier, more character-driven films, like JU DOU and RAISE THE RED LANTERN, which detail the plights of young women in oppressive, male-centric societies. 

While many of these themes reappear in THE FLOWERS OF WAR, there is no escaping this is primarily a story about one of the most notorious and enduringly sensitive incidents in recent Chinese history, which has put serious strain on the relationship between China and Japan to this day. What is disappointing is that THE FLOWERS OF WAR takes a very simplistic, heavy-handed approach to history and seems content to demonize the Japanese soldiers without ever attempting to justify or even question their behaviour. 

The only Japanese character displaying any notion of decency is Colonel Hasegawa (Watabe Atsuro), a man so well educated, disciplined and versed in Western culture that he is barely acknowledged as being Japanese - and is obviously rendered completely powerless the moment he shows a glimmer of compassion for the women Miller has sworn to protect. This approach is especially disappointing in the wake of a film like Lu Chuan's CITY OF LIFE AND DEATH, which goes to great lengths to humanize those who took part in the massacre, to examine the impossible choices made by Japanese infantrymen during the invasion, without ever excusing what took place.  

In the film, Bale's character is seduced by Yu Mo (Ni Ni), a prostitute looking for a way out of the city. She has been elected by her colleagues, as the most attractive and seductive, to use her charms on the Westerner so that they may find their freedom. In some ways, THE FLOWERS OF WAR is attempting to do the same thing. It is oftentimes a very entertaining film, in the same way as SCHINDLER'S LIST or BLACK HAWK DOWN can be considered so. Although it is not always a happy experience to watch - indeed there are several moments of distressing violence and savagery - it is an extremely effective and accomplished piece of filmmaking. The action, cinematography and acting are all up to Hollywood standards and edited together with a sweeping, melodramatic style that will prove very effective on audiences, nd could steer them wide of having a wider, more balanced perspective on what took place. 

The inclusion of Hollywood A-lister Bale is certainly a bonus, and his presence ensures that at least half of the film is in English. Combine his star power with a supporting cast of beautiful and exotic women, in a thrilling and highly emotional story of life and death during one of the twentieth century's most infamous occurences of mass-slaughter and the film's backers are almost guaranteed a sizable crossover hit. The problem is that Zhang's approach is completely one-sided and even exploitative, in its depiction of the rape, murder and victimisation of Chinese people at the hands of their aggressors.

On the surface THE FLOWERS OF WAR is a story of redemption. Miller arrives on the scene as a chancer and a drunkard, looking to swipe some cash from the cathedral and get out of Nanking as quickly as he can. But when faced with the horrors of the Japanese invasion, and seemingly the only beacon of hope for a group of innocent schoolgirls and "fallen women" he eventually finds his true calling and, in doing so, also "saves" himself, in a deeply spiritual sense. The prostitutes are also given a chance to atone for their sinful lives, but divulging exactly how would spoil too much of the story. Suffice to say that the young students represent the innocence and purity of women, of humanity, and also of China, which must be preserved.

One of the film's greatest strengths is its cinematography. As the title might suggest, there are numerous moments where a dash of colour - be it a stained glass window or the silk of a cheongsam - shines through the fog and dust of war as a fleeting glimmer of hope, of humanity, of life. There are also moments when colour is used more heavy-handedly, namely when a shocking streak of blood appears on the tip of a bayonet, or smatters across a curtain. The huge red and white cross that emblazons the courtyard outside the cathedral, implores the enemy not to attack this house of God and place of refuge. An international symbol of peace and innocence, the red cross on a white background also makes for a poignant comparison with the Japanese flag, that signals impending horror, and even betrayal when worn on the armbands of coalescing Chinese. Miller himself also stands out as the sole Westerner (save for one brief scene featuring Paul Schneider) amidst an otherwise entirely Asian cast. 

The beautiful actress Ni Ni makes a very strong debut as Yu Mo, the leader of the prostitutes, whose command of English enables her to converse and bargain with Miller, and ultimately to seduce him. She strikes the perfect balance between seductress and scared victim, drawing our gaze even when surrounded by other beauties, and holding her own admirably in numerous scenes with Bale. One minor frustration is that Yu Mo's faltering English often lacks authenticity, and she is able to compose beautiful analogies and allusions when it suits the scene despite her limitations. Not a fault of the character or the performance, but rather of the screenwriters. Elsewhere characters, such as the young student Shu (Zhang Xinyi), or altar boy George (Huang Tianyuan), speak with more convincing inaccuracy, but as the primary character with whom Miller must converse, Yu Mo speaks in poetic phrases that seem unrealistic coming from a character with her limited linguistic skills.

Wisely, Bale is given plenty of freedom with the character of John Miller, and never shies away from making him fallable and unlikable. Ultimately, the audience does warm to him, and so do the other characters, but when it happens, it feels earned, and it is reassuring to see Bale challenge himself in the role, rather than simply taking the cash and phoning in a performance. It is a rare treat for a Western character to be given such responsibility and exposure in a Chinese film, and that such a talented actor has been employed. Bale does good work here, for which he should be proud, despite the political accusations that have been levelled at him in the aftermath of his participation.

In the end I am left conflicted by THE FLOWERS OF WAR. On the one hand it is an impressively staged war drama and a frequently exhilarating experience, from which I honestly feel many viewers can get quite a lot. On the other hand, it is a blinkered, unbalanced and frustrating portrayal of the Japanese that makes no attempt to explain, question or even understand their behaviour. Because of the film's narrow perspective on this particularly troubling chapter of history, it is very difficult to recommend, despite its many strengths. What can be said with some certainty is that THE FLOWERS OF WAR will reach a wider audience than many of China's other recent militaristic dramas, but it is unlikely to win the Chinese Film Industry many more supporters in the long run.
valentines flowers him

Valentines Flowers Him - Lincoln Puts A Stop To Jaguars' Winning Streak

PORTLAND – Senior JT Flowers poured in a game-high 29 points Tuesday night to lead Lincoln to a 70-62 non-league win over visiting Century.

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The loss was the Jaguars' first of the season after starting 6-0, including a win at Westview, which was ranked No. 1 in the coaches poll at the time.

But the 6-foot-6 Flowers dominated Century inside, scoring 14 of his points in the paint and grabbing 14 rebounds.

"We played hard, but they've got one guy who's just at a different level than everybody on the floor," Century coach Scott Kellar said of Flowers, who received all-state honorable mention last season. "With a kid like him, you've got to give him so much attention.

"He makes the other guys so much better. He was a tough cover. We tried everything, doubled him, chased him around hoping the other guys would miss."

But Lincoln's offense doesn't stop with Flowers. Senior Alex Sattley, a transfer from Franklin, gives the Cardinals a great inside-outside threat. Sattley hit a pair of three-pointers during Lincoln's 11-2 run to start the game, prompting Kellar to take a quick time-out.

"Once these guys start playing together, anything's possible," Lincoln coach Sean Christensen said of the Flowers/Sattley combination. "Both kids can score, both kids can defend. Alex is figuring out what we want to do and is getting better every day."

Sattley, a second-team all-PIL selection last season, finished with 13 points.

Flowers was just as potent from outside, hitting 3 of 4 three-pointers.

"He's JT Flowers and he can definitely do a little bit of this and a little bit of that," Christensen said. "Whatever's needed from him, whether it's defense, offense, rebounding, he's growing into a really great player."

Century did recover from that early deficit and cut Lincoln's lead to 16-13 on junior Madison McCaffrey's three-pointer with 1:15 to go in the first quarter.

But as they would do all night, the Cardinals answered.

Senior Blake Thornton hit a three-pointer, Century turned the ball over and Flowers converted in the paint to build the lead back up to eight.

Junior Austin Flues' hook shot just before the first-quarter buzzer stopped the mini-run and seemed to give the Jaguars some momentum heading into the second quarter

McCaffrey's three-pointer with three minutes to go in the first half cut Lincoln's lead to five, but Flowers answered with a three of his own out top.

Senior Cody Jurgens got in on the three-point act, hitting from the side, followed by McCaffrey's steal and fast-break to trim the lead to three.

Jurgens, who teamed with senior Andrew Queener and Flues in an effort to contain Flowers, picked up his third foul and was forced to sit for the remaining 1:22 of the half.

But Century hung in. After dribbling out most of the final minute, sophomore Jamel Liggins drove for a lay-in to cut the lead to five with seven seconds to go in the half.

Thornton tried to catch Century napping at the other end, but was called for an offensive foul as he drove to the basket. With one second remaining, Thornton hobbled off the court with a bloody nose and it took Lincoln officials nearly 10 minutes to clear the floor of blood.

McCaffrey opened the second half with a three-pointer out top to cut the lead to two, but the rest of the third quarter belonged to the Cardinals, who went to the final quarter with a 55-43 lead.

Some late trapping on Century's part made the game interesting down the stretch, cutting the lead to six at the 4:30 and :30 marks, but Lincoln hit nine free throws in the quarter to seal the win.

"We were a little afraid to pressure too hard, afraid we were going to give up easy baskets," Kellar said. "(The trap) was pretty effective. We did much better at rotating. We got them rattled a little bit. We got it into a little bit of a scramble mode, which is what we wanted, turn the game into a frenzy and hope we could get some quick possessions."

Century's high-pressure defense near the end gave Christensen some practice material.

"We definitely need to work on a little pressing trap stuff," he said. "We're just not used to it, early in the season. We'll work on it and get better at it."

McCaffrey led the Jaguars with 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting to go with five assists. Liggins finished with 12 points and a team-high six assists, while Queener had eight points and a team-high six rebounds.

Lincoln's 70 points were the most scored on Century all season.

With the Hillsboro Spartans, Century next co-hosts the Dec. 27-29 Century/Hillsboro Christmas Classic, opening against Sherwood on Tuesday at 8:15 p.m.
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