Some random unusual stuff

I love this snap. The husband took this using a special underwater setting on our camera. If you look closely, there's a little fish in the upper left corner looking at the camera, some beautiful orange sponges in the middle, scallops on the lower left, and of course a pretty Sargent Major in the middle. This was just below the surface. All of this life was attached to a piece of rope setting off a swimming area from where boats pass by. I really am amazed that this region doesn't vigorously pursue artificial reefs. Or, maybe reefs are being looked into, and it's just not very public.

http://www.ameinfo.com/53462.html This is info I've found on an artificial reef project in the Gulf. I've read the paper that was presented (wish I still had a copy). I also found this bit: http://www.inweh.unu.edu/inweh/coastal/Palm/Fort%20Lauderdale/PosterBauman.pdf It'll be interesting to see if I come across any other info.

I'm wondering why we don't see more about artificial reefs in the Gulf? No clue....money? Time? No clue...

Now, I'm thinking about money. Found a posting by a UMC minister. It was an interesting read. http://www.umph.org/pdfs/circuitrider/T104DDDD.pdf It is obviously written from a Christian point of view, but those of you reading who may not be Christian, I still think you might find it interesting.

And...still thinking about money....
Found this in the NYT: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/14/business/global/14frugal.html?partner=rss&emc=rss This article on Norway and economics was interesting to me. I love traveling in Norway; I really want to go again. I'm not very familiar with socialism, so it was a bit of new information for me. When I was there (Kristiansand, Oslo), it was THE most expensive place to travel I've ever been to. A small candy bar cost around $3-$5 U.S. I remember my husband telling me that you don't see many overweight people in Norway. Well no wonder! It's too expensive to buy junk food! We managed ok, but it was a different feeling to walk into a 'moderate' restaurant and buy one adult dinner with a couple of extra small sides to feed a family of four - not an experience I'm used to. I just feel so blessed that we got to go there!

The munchkins and I are leaving for the home country in a few days. I must admit, I'm looking forward to going. I worry sometimes that we're going to have a hard time adjusting to life back in the home country. I just had lunch with a dear friend here who's passport is from the same home country. She said, "You know, our country,_______, is very boring." It feels so good to go home, but it feels so 'boring' after living here. Yes, everything is comfortable and familiar. But, once you become accustomed to the not comfortable and the unfamiliar, the 'old' life can seem very dull. Wow. Time to go home for a few months. I'm REALLY going to miss my husband while I'm in the home country, but I'm glad he'll at least join us there for a brief break.

Peace.