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East vs. West: Berlin Wall Divided Two Attitudes Toward Nudity

TresSugar — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:00:49 -0800

When the Berlin Wall fell 20 years ago last week, East and West Germany had to integrate two very different cultures. Freedom may have spread quickly through the East, but nudity - the East's favorite and perhaps only freedom - never caught on in the West.

Freikörperkultur (FKK), or liberal body culture, was really the only way to rebel in the East, where the most quotidian details of people's lives were observed by the Stasi, East Germany's secret police. Though the East German government forbid FKK at first, many government officials were into walking around nude, so they protested with the argument that "doing FKK" did not mean you weren't a good communist. Good point - don't they put kids in school uniforms to level the playing field? What's more egalitarian than wearing nothing!

Yet on the west side of the wall, the attitude toward nudity was more on par with America and its don't-even-discuss-it-in-public ethos. A West German interviewed a former East German for Vice magazine to find out what's so great about wearing nothing. Check out some of the highlights after the jump.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Intense East

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 03:30:00 -0700

This next pose called Intense East is the fourth pose in Ashtanga Yoga's Primary Series. It strengthens and stretches your shoulders simultaneously, and also works your bum and hamstrings. If you've done the Pilates move called Reverse Plank, then this will be a cinch.

Sanskrit Name: Purvottanasana
English Translation: Eastern Intense Stretch Pose
Also Called: Intense East or Upward Plank Pose

To learn how to do this pose read more.

Begin sitting on the floor with your legs extended straight out in front of you. Place your palms behind your hips about six to eight inches away, with your fingers pointing toward your toes.
As you inhale, press into your hands and feet firmly, lifting your hips into the air. Lift them as high as you can so your spine is in a long line. Slowly release your head back, looking behind you, and opening through your throat.
Stay here for five deep breaths, then lower your hips back to the floor.

East LA Weighs the Pros and Cons of Becoming a Real City

LibertySugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:00:00 -0700

A nonprofit in East LA is on a mission to incorporate the stray portion of Los Angeles County into the City of East Los Angeles. By becoming a bonafide municipality, the birthplace of Oscar de la Hoya and the lowrider car could have a formal forum for community concerns like crime and commerce, and means to provide services to residents. Right now East LA, possibly the cultural and political focal point of the entire Mexican-American community, is served by one county official that represents two million other LA county residents.

This is East LA's fourth shot at incorporation, but the first since 1974. So what has held it back? Many fear that incorporation equals increased property taxes. Small business owners also worry that they'll be forced to pay for business licenses. Proponents will have some time to convince voters, since it takes about two years to make it out of the bureaucratic process. Would you vote for incorporation?

Source

Headline: President of East Timor Shot

LibertySugar — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 11:05:42 -0800

The president of East Timor was shot today, in what the prime minister is calling a failed coup attempt. Rebel soldiers shot President José Ramos-Horta at his home before dawn. The Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmão, was targeted in a separate attack but escaped unharmed. The president was airlifted to Australia where he is now in an induced coma. The prime minister has declared a state of emergency and installed a curfew.

Alfredo Reinado, a rebel leader who deserted the military in 2006 and launched a rebellion, was killed in the incident. Triggered by the dismissal of a third of the armed forces, Reinado’s 2006 rebellion came only four years after East Timor's independence from Indonesia. While Reinado's death eliminates an important part of the problem, the coup attempt reveals that East Timor is on the brink of even more chaos. Australia, East Timor's neighbor, said it would send additional troops and police officers immediately.

President Ramos-Horta spent 24 years in exile during the Indonesian occupation and won a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to secure an independent East Timor. Doctors believe he will make a full recovery.

Source and Source

Front Page: Hillary Clinton Pushes For Peace in Middle East

CitizenSugar — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 07:49:17 -0800

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton began her first visit to the Middle East as top diplomat, meeting with international leaders in Egypt. - CBS News
Severe snowstorms have hit the Eastern United States, canceling flights and causing deadly car accidents and power outages. - ABS News
President Obama has chosen Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius for health and human services secretary. He will announce the pick later today. - AP

The latest US consumer spending figures show a rise in January spending, ending six months of consecutive drops. - CNN
The US government will give insurance giant AIG an addition $30 billion "as needed" after the company claimed $61.7 billion in losses. - AP

Source

Women's Colleges Try to Sell Liberal Arts in Middle East

LibertySugar — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:00:55 -0700

Five American women's colleges are taking their admissions presentations overseas - to the Middle East. School officials have been speaking with young women in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.

The appeal to Middle Eastern women is paradoxically natural and awkward. Single-sex education is the norm in the Middle East; however, liberal ideas espoused on traditionally free-thinking American female institutions do not find a home in the conservative region.

Middle Eastern women attending a "Sister" say they enjoy the invigorating political climate on campus. But, one thing did shock many at first - open displays of homosexual affection. One student said:

At the beginning, there were times when I’d have to close my eyes and say, "O.K., I’m at Mount Holyoke, and it’s different." But that lasted only a week or so, and now I have so many friends who are openly gay, and it makes no difference.

Ironically, the biggest challenge for the admissions officers isn't appeasing fears that the schools will be too wild, nor the opposite - convincing them that they are not nunneries. Instead, the schools must sell the value of a liberal arts education, as opposed to a professional degree. Do you think they can pull that off in the Middle East?

My Kind of Club: East Bank Club

FitSugar — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 02:00:00 -0800

Chicago has so many great things to offer from Navy Pier to Soldier Field, you get a lot out of this windy city (but not a Super Bowl win). From its famous deep dish pizza to its greasy bratwurst, Chicago is not exactly the picture of health.

However, that was before I discovered the East Bank Club. Membership to East Bank Club is more than just your average gym membership, it's like joining a super exclusive mecca to help shape your life. Every facet of the Club experience is met from the huge (20,000 sq. feet) cardio room, to the sophisticated and elegant feel to the salon and spa services, a complete Pro Shop, child care, a dry cleaners, a car wash and more. It's amazing that in a 450,000-square-foot mega-club, details do not go unnoticed.

One of the coolest parts about the club? The virtual bike rides with private televisions that display dozens of virtual courses that simulate outdoor bike rides. The bikes are equipped with handle bars that turn left and right, and you can even choose to compete against the person next to you. Log on to the web site afterward and you can gauge your progress or see if you made the leader board. How cool is that?

The price? Not cheap but not as steep as I had anticipated: There is a $500 enrollment fee and monthly fees range from $115 to $165. To check it out and learn more, visit The East Bank Club online.

Coveted Crib: Harry Allen's East Village Pad

CasaSugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:30:57 -0700

If you follow modern design, you've probably heard of Harry Allen. His reality series produced by Areaware consists of decorative objects cast from pre-existing ones, including his Bestow Vase and his Branch Table, and are in all the hot design shops these days. New York Social Diary recently caught up Allen in his East Village apartment and shared photos to prove it. Check out this slideshow for a sneak peek of Allen's New York City home, and read the interview to hear his thoughts on everything from writing to child labor. Source

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Product Review: Wei East China Herbal Hand & Body Lotion

BellaSugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:00:22 -0700

One of the first products created by Wei East, a company based around Chinese herbs, is China Herbal Hand & Body Perfection ($15). I've tried many hand and body lotions, but this has to be the smoothest and creamiest to date. That, however, doesn't mean that it is also my favorite.

Let's take a moment to talk about the key attributes. For one, it has an incredibly rich formula with a powerful gingery-floral fragrance. It contains five herbs from the Ming Dynasty: curcuma, glycyrrhiza uralensis (or licorice root), ginger, red sage, and ginseng. These ingredients are believed to heal, moisturize, smooth, repair, and reduce inflammation on the skin of your hands. The thick, silky-smooth formula spreads easily without you having to warm it up.

Unfortunately, it is also extremely greasy. The packaging says to apply a generous amount so I squirted about half of the diameter of the cap into my palm. Not only was this far too much, but now I can't seem to get the scent to go away (which I guess could be considered both good and bad).

If you're someone who has very dry skin, or even cracked skin that isn't sensitive, this is wonderful product. The oils will help nourish and normalize your moisture level. If you skin gets irritated easily, my one worry is that the fragrance might be too strong.

Coming Soon: Wei East Golden Root Renewal Cream

BellaSugar — Fri, 30 May 2008 09:00:21 -0700

Due out this July is the first SPF product from Wei East: Golden Root Renewal Cream SPF 15 ($37.50). Golden root is a vibrant red Chinese herb that has been used for ages to prevent visible signs of aging. Small quantities of golden root have been added to this cream to help promote the re-growth of dead skin cells, resulting in a new and smooth surface to your skin. This 'multitasking day cream' claims to firm, hydrate and make your skin look and feel more resilient.

The moisturizer also contains white tea (a strong antioxidant), reishi mushroom (an anti-inflammatory) and Licorice (to revitalize the skin). I've tried it once and am impressed with the way the SPF scent is masked with a cinnamony-herbal essence. Also, it has a thin, spreadable texture that goes on smooth and absorbs quickly.

I was thinking that it was definitely more of a moisturizer, but the impression I get from the packaging is that it's actually more like a sunscreen. Either way, I am really excited about being able to use such a great smelling product this summer that will protect my skin, improve its appearance and above all, it won't clog my pores.