Author Archive

Jul
27

A few days ago, Liz Strauss invited bloggers from all over the world to promote their blogs on her Successful Blog. And yesterday, she showcased a total of 260 blogs, and guess what?!

Yours truly was featured, of course. I mean, how could I miss such an opportunity to show-off my blog? :D

Anyway, while you’re there, please take some time to go through all the blogs being show-cased. Liz has done an excellent job compiling 260 blogs and scheduling them to appear automagically every minute. Plus, there are some really good stuff in the pile, even if you’re not so much into blog marketing :secret:

There are blogs that specialize on productivity, making money online, religion, technology, book review/writing and blogging. There are also personal blogs, photo blogs, beauty blogs, design blogs, you name it!

Come on over now, what are you waiting for?

Ouh, in case you didn’t get that, I’m at #84 :vodka:

7 comments
Jul
27

The Research Team at the Wetlands Institute not only conducts scientific research to increase the survival of the diamondback terrapins in the area. And one of the “other” activities that we do is host terrapin releases throughout the summer.

Terrapin hatchlings that hatched and emerged last summer/fall were sent to the head-starting facility at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey (affectionately known as Stockton College). The care taker, John, raises the hatchlings for about 10 months — he takes care of their nutritional needs and makes sure that the hatchlings do not kill each other :D

The highlight of all the terrapin releases, especially at the beginning of the summer, was definitely the release by the Avalon/Stone Harbor kindergarteners. Every year, under the guidance and supervision of their teacher, Mrs. Dean, the kindergarteners bake turtle cookies and sell them for a quarter (25 cents) a piece to anybody who would buy them to raise funds for the Wetlands Institute. And because these kids couldn’t really count well, you know how messy it is when it comes to counting their “profits”. And they would then hold hands and run across the street to the bank to deposit the money that they raise :D

A local bank who serves the Cape May County of New Jersey exclusively, Sturdy Savings Bank, matches dollar-for-dollar the amount that the kindergarteners raise and on top of that, makes a generous donation to the Wetlands Institute as well :D

On the day of the release, Scute, the terrapin mascot will usually make an appearance to “meet and greet” everybody.

Scute and Dan

Before the terrapin release, Dr. Roger Wood, the Director of Research usually gives a briefing to the audience about the life history of the diamondback terrapin, the threats to their survival and the projects that are being conducted at the Wetlands Institute. He would then demonstrate to the audience the right way of holding a terrapin so that it does not scratch or bite the person holding it — and he calls this the “turtle handshake”. And because the kids are all so eager to hold a terrapin, everybody pays 100% attention to him :D

Oversized tees

When we’re done with the briefing, each intern will be in charge of one (or more) kindergartener and we will all hold hands and walk towards the dock where the terrapins will be released.

Zach and his kids

At the dock, once again we emphasize the importance of holding the terrapin in a correct way so that neither the terrapin nor the kid would be hurt in the process. And we line them up along the dock so that they will be able to see how the release is performed.

Kirsten and her boy

More pictures taken during the various terrapin releases here:

We believe that these releases are important to educate the public on the importance of helping to conserve the diamondback terrapins. It is very heart-warming to see how some kids become so affectionately attached to the terrapin that they had just “known” in a short hour.

5 comments
Jul
23

There is this sweet little store called Cape May Signs on the 96th Street in Stone Harbor, just before the traffic lights on 3rd Avenue. The store has a variety of funny, witty and sarcastic signs pasted on all walls and windows and not a single inch of space is wasted.

Funny signs

There were sooo many signs that some of them were also displayed outside the store to attract potential customers.

When I first saw the “spending my kids’ inheritance” sign, it reminded me of a quote I read somewhere which says that the earth/planet that we are living on is borrowed from our children. It was clearly a quote on “sustainability” and “conservation” but I guess some subjects can just be applied to a wide range of things!

My kids' inheritance

The “horn broken” sign is absolutely hilarious though I am not a “finger person”. I guess if you put that sign up on your car, you are being polite by informing other drivers about the “finger” :)

Horn broken

And of all the signs that can be found in the store, I guess my favourite sign must be this one:

If a$$hole$ could fly

I know it’s crude and not all that appealing to the general public, and frankly speaking, it’s a little too vulgar for my liking. But then again, think about it. Think about all the annoying people who annoy the “whatever” out of you daily. And well, if these annoying people could fly, I’m sure this place would be an airport! :biggrin:

Check out other funny signs here (please DO NOT click if you think you might be offended by such signs).

11 comments
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