• This idiomatic expression is used to express surprise or shock at something that has happened. It can also be used to boast about something you have done.

Inspiration of the Day:
J.B. Schramm, 41, saw as a senior at an inner-city Denver high school that many of his friends weren't going on to college -- not for lack of ability, but because no one at home was encouraging them. Ten years ago, he began his mission: Working out of the basement of a housing project in Washington, DC, he gave four underprivileged high-school kids counseling on how to get into college. Since then, the program has sent 4,000 young adults to college. [ more ]

My dear Lotta,

I am in a well here and hoping you are also in a well there. I'm writing
this letter slowly, because I know you cannot read fast. We don't live 
where we did when you left home. Your dad read in the newspaper that
most accidents happen within 20 miles from home, so we moved 25 miles
away and are safe now.

I won't be able to send the address as the last man who stayed 
here took the house numbers with him for his new house so he would not
have to change his address. Hopefully by next week we will be able to
take our earlier address plate here, and that our address will remain
same too.

This place is really nice. It even has a washing machine, situated right
above the toilet I'm not sure it works too well. Last week I put in 3
shirts, pulled the chain and haven't seen them since.

The weather here isn't too bad. It rained only twice last week. The
first time it rained for 3 days and second time for 4 days.

The coat you wanted me to send you, your Aunt said it would be a
little too heavy to send in the mail with all the metal buttons, so we 
cut them off and put them in the pocket.

Your father has another job. He has 500 men under him. He is cutting the
grass at the cemetery.

Your sister had a baby this morning. I haven't found out whether it is a 
girl or a boy, so I don't know whether you are an Aunt or Uncle.

Your uncle, Sunny Feraz fell in! the nearby well. Some men tried to pull
him out, but he fought them off bravely and drowned. We cremated him and 
he burned for three days.

Your best friend, Justin Mclay, is no more. He died trying to fulfill his
father's last wishes. His father had wished to be buried in the sea
after he died. And your friend died while in the process of digging a 
grave for his father.

There isn't much more news this time. Nothing much has happened.

Love Mom.

P.S : Lotta, I was going to send you some money but by the time I
realized, I had already posted off this letter. 

Good News of the Day:
Rugmark International was founded in 1994 to eliminate child labor in carpet manufacturing. In Nepal, Pakistan and India, the organization monitors factories, certifies carpets made without child labor, and rescues and educates child laborers. In consumer countries, it seeks to create market preference for certified rugs, which could result in the rescue of thousands of children from forced labor and the preservation of jobs for adults. [ more ]

Be The Change:
Next time you are in the market for a rug, look for the Rugmark certification.  [ more ]

Fact of the Day:
Scientists already knew green tea plays a role in preventing cancer, but now they know why: EGCG, or Epigallocatechin gallate. EGCG works in precisely the same way as the chemotherapy drug methotrexate: Both hinder the action of an enzyme that incites cells to divide. Since EGCG causes less damage to healthy cells than chemotherapy, it could become a promising cancer treatment. [ more ]

Fact of the Day:
About 50 Bay Area residents have made a vow to not buy anything new in 2006 -- except food, health and safety items and underwear. Calling themselves the Compact, the group meets monthly to reaffirm their commitment to the rule, which is to never buy anything new. Compacters can get as much as they want from thrift shops, Craigslist, freecycle.org, eBay and flea markets, as long as the items are secondhand.  [ more ]

Inspiration of the Day:
Airline pilot Marius den Dulk travels the world over, staying in luxurious hotels and enjoying exotic excursions along the way. But just as often he has been confronted with widespread human misery: begging, sick people and neglected children. Feeling increasingly frustrated by his inability to do anything about the situation, he founded Wings of Support, a non-profit foundation that relies on airline staff to find opportunities that support children. Over the last 8 years, they have managed 180 projects in 16 countries, ranging from building a school in Africa to funding an AIDS clinic in South Africa. [ more ]