Posts from Wild Orchid

"Costa Rica tops happiness"

nobody@ipernity.com (Wild Orchid) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:37:49 +0000

Wild Orchid has added a post:

After staying for a month in

Costa Rica, no wonder my kids

wanted to stay...including myself

Costa Rica tops happiness, 'green

living' poll

Posted Sat Jul 4, 2009 1:34pm PDT

digg_url = 'http://green.yahoo.com/news/afp/20090704/lf_afp/environmentcostarica.html';
digg_title = 'Costa Rica tops happiness, 'green living' poll (AFP)';
digg_ttopic = 'environment';
digg_window = 'new';

Tourists enjoy the "Pineapple Tour" at the "Finca Corsicana" in Sarapiqui, 100 km north from San Jose in 2008. Costa Rica is the happiest place on earth, and one of the most environmentally friendly, according to a new survey by a British non-governmental group.(AFP/File/Mayela Lopez)

SAN JOSE (AFP) - Costa Rica is the happiest place on earth, and one of the most environmentally friendly, according to a new survey by a British non-governmental group.

The New Economics Foundation looked at 143 countries that are home to 99 percent of the world's population and devised an equation that weighed life expectancy and people's happiness against their environmental impact.

By that formula, Costa Rica is the happiest, greenest country in the world, just ahead of the Dominican Republic.

Latin American countries did well in the survey, occupying nine of the top 10 spots.

Australia scored third place, but other major Western nations did poorly, with Britain coming in at 74th place and the United States at 114th.

The New Economics Foundation's measurements found Costa Ricans have a life expectancy of 78.5 years, and 85 percent of the country's residents say they are happy and satisfied with their lives.

Those figures, taken along with the fact that Costa Rica has a small "ecological footprint," combined to push the small nation to the top of the list.

A 2006 New Economics Foundation study designated Vanuatu the world's happiest nation, with Costa Rica at second place.

Sociologist Andrea Fonseca said Costa Rica gives its citizens the "tools" to be happy, but cautioned that happiness cannot be calculated just by looking at life expectancy and environmental practices.

She added that the country's rise to the top of the Happy Planet Index "has a lot to do with social imagination."

Costa Rica has a peaceful reputation because it does not have an army, and is also known for its protected ecological zones and national slogan "pure life," she said.

One for the girls.

nobody@ipernity.com (Wild Orchid) — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:36:44 +0000

Wild Orchid has added a post:

Now I lay me down to sleep I pray the Lord

my shape to keep.

Please no wrinkles, Please no bags

And please lift my butt before it sags.

Please no age spots, Please no gray

And as for my belly, Please take it away.

Please keep me healthy, Please keep me young,

And thank you Dear Lord, For all that you've done.

Five tips for a woman....

1. It is important that a man helps you around the house and has a job.

2. It is important that a man makes you laugh.

3. It is important to find a man you can count on and doesn't lie to You.

4. It is important that a man loves you and spoils you.

5. It is important that these four men don't know each other!

Foot Note:

One saggy boob said to the other saggy boob:

"If we don't get some support soon, people will think we're nuts."

To my Daughter.

nobody@ipernity.com (Wild Orchid) — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 02:08:38 +0000

Wild Orchid has added a post:

                     

             Just for this morning, I am going to step over the
                 laundry, and pick you up and take you to the
                                park to play.

             Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in
               the sink, and let you teach me how to put that
                          puzzle of yours together.

                 Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the
              telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with
                    you in the backyard and blow bubbles.

             Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not
                even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine
               for the ice cream truck and I will buy you one
                               if he comes by.
                Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about
                what you are going to be when you grow up, or
               second guess every decision I have made where
                             you are concerned.

              Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me
               bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying
                                to fix them.

                 Just for this afternoon, I will take us to
                 McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so
                           you can have both toys.

             Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms
                and tell you a story about how you were born
                          and how much I love you.

            Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the
                           tub and not get angry.

             Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late
             while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.

              Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you
                  for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.

                 Just for this evening when I run my finger
               through your hair as you pray, I will simply be
              grateful that GOD has given me the greatest gift
                                 ever given.

               I will think about the mothers and fathers who
                are searching for their missing children, the
                 mothers and fathers who are visiting their
              children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and
                mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms
               watching their children suffer senselessly, and
                 screaming inside that they can't handle it
                                  anymore.

               And when I kiss you good night I will hold you
         a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will
                 thank GOD for you, and ask Him for nothing,
                      except one more day.............

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