Tue 6/2/2004 10:01
AM
I was hoping to be able to print off all of the messages FROM South
Africa so that Abby could put them in here album but they have disappeared
with only the last two from 5-31-04 available for viewing. Is there
a way that the previous ones can be displayed for printing? Thank
you so much for making this web site available. It was comforting
to be able to write & receive message in this manner. I spoke
to Abby this morning in Atlanta. She is on a South Africa high and
doesn't sound like she will be coming down from it soon. What a fabulous
opportunity for these young people. Thank you Thank you Thank you.
- (Marianne
Kahl)
Tue 6/2/2004 8:55 AM
Hey! We're hoping someone will contact us with eta when you guys arrive
in Atlanta. Thanks for all the great messages. See you soon Mary Ann.
- Love Mom (Libbi
Albright)
Tue 6/1/2004 7:26 PM
Dear Friends: We had an e-mail waiting for us this morning from our
dear friend, Colin Jones, who resides in Cape Town and was a
close associate of Archbishop Tutu for many years, later becoming
the Dean of the Cathedral of St. George where the choir performed
Sunday evening. Colin and his entire family were in the audience.
"As I write, I have the Willamette cd playing in the background.
The cathedral performance was blissful! They are a brilliant
group of wonderfully talented musicians and received numerous standing
ovations. 'Hope for Resolution' brought tears to everyone's
eyes. .....At the end of the concert, many of the young
people were in tears, partly exhaustion, I suspect but also because
of what has clearly been a life-changing experience. Many of
them said that they wanted to come back to visit, study, even to live!
They have obviously fallen in love with South Africa (a sentiment
I can fully understand as I am rather partial to and proud of this
amazing place!)"
Clearly the tour was a huge success from start to finish. Fun
to get a glimpse of Sunday night through Colin's words.
- David Greger (David
Greger)
Tue 6/1/2004 12:01 AM
To D. WIlson....RE: choir arrival info. The itinerary I received
says they arrive in Portland on WED, June 2, @ 6:15 pm. They
will be flying Delta, flight #1591, from Atlanta. Hope this
helps!
- (lyn
biethan)
Mon 5/31/2004 10:01 PM
Hi Julia and all, Enjoy your last hours in SA and I hope you can get some sleep on the long flight. We are looking forward to seeing you. You got excused from your jury duty. See you Wed.
- Love, Mom (Julana)
Mon 5/31/2004 9:01 PM
Will someone kindly e-mail me and advise as to which airline, flight and ETA for the choir. Thank you.
- (D. Wilson)
Mon 5/31/2004 7:38 PM
Hey Curt, Glad to hear you landed safe and sound! How exciting to bungee jump, I wish I was that brave!! That is very cool anyways. (I'm glad you didn't tell me before you did it:)) I love you lots and will see you in a couple of days. Continue to endure and Make the Most of It!!
- Mom (Mary Bell)
Mon 5/31/2004 1:33 PM
HI Jay and all...sounds like your'e all having incredible, life changing, memory making experiences. We at home are all so glad! RE: your arrival--for sure your grandparents will be there, but not sure if I can make it by 6:15. I am trying to decide if I should come up Wed. night (to meet you in Beaverton) and drive you home, and then pick up your car when I go to the Olson wedding....or if I should just let you sleep and sleep in B'ton and somehow manage to drive yourself home on thurs. I can either take THurs. or Fri. off from school...but not sure what will be best. I'll have to make this decision w/o your input, so please understand! See you soon!
- Love, Mom (lyn biethan)
Mon 5/31/2004 12:54 PM
Christine, I just talked to Pam Jacobs and she told me that Lisa has
emailed them to let them know that she and Kirsten saw you yesterday,
along with Drew Shoals. How wonderful. She said that your solo was
great, so I guess you sang Blackbird. How amazing to have a mini
Grant High reunion in Cape Town! The web posting about the trip to
Tabletop sounds fantastic. I'll bet you'll get very little sleep tonight!
Enjoy every moment.
- Love, Mom (caroline greger)
Mon 5/31/2004 11:08 AM
Heya Heatha B!
I hope you're having fun, and I am sure you are!
You're not missing anything in The Dalles (of course, would you REALLY
be missing anything even if you were here!) Anyway, I miss you a lot,
and wish you safe travels. I will be by sometime on the 3rd or 4th to
see you and hear your stories!!!
- With love, Rob (Rob Sumner)
Sun 5/30/2004 7:01 AM
Dear Julia, Sing one for me and have a safe trip home.
- Love Gretchen (Gretchen)
Sat 5/29/2004 9:37 AM
Sean, If you read the previous message, don't worry, I said I would see you Tuesday. No, it is Wednesday at 6:15PM. Forgot May has 31 days. My bad...
- Love, Mom (Mom)
:Fri 5/28/2004 6:45 PM
Hey Remmy, how's Africa? Is it hot enough for ya? I'd assume so because it's hot as hell here in Texas. Hope your havin fun doin everything that you guys are doing. Be carefull around the locals, I hear from our friend Keni (he's from west africa). Love Ya Dude
- Sean (Sean)
Fri 5/28/2004 6:45 PM
ALLI MAGEEEEEEEEE! hello my most beautiful roomie in the whole entire world! Goodness gracious, my friend, I miss you like it's nobody's business! I'm sure you are just having the greatest time. I'm so jealous! How wonderful that you can have this awesome experience! I cannot wait to see photos. And I cannot wait to see you! (um, we will see each other sometime.. uh, soon? I'll actually be in the Northwest in June, maybe i can see you then). Well, I love you to pieces, and I hope you are doing well. Take care! Miss you! Lots of love.
- Laura (Laura Moyer)
Fri 5/28/2004 5:59 PM
Hi Mary Ann A. Sounds like you are having a wonderful stay in South Africa! Ride'em ostrich! I returned from the C of E trip to Nashville yesterday (Thursday, 5/27/04) afternoon. Glad to be back home at the farm this Memorial Holiday! Love and best wishes.
- Dad (Robert Albright)
Fri
5/28/2004 3:19 PM
JAYBOY!!!...and Chamber Choir...what a wonderful opportunity
you have right now. What an amazing experience this is for you. Traveling
surely opens the eyes, mind, and heart. I think about you all the
time, and am even wearing a necklace from South Africa today. (...like
you care...but I know some of you are visual thinkers!)This adventure
truly is a celebration of hope. I pray that the experience is everything
you dreamed of and more. May you touch the hearts and minds of those
to whom you are singing, and be touched by the experience in return.
May God be with you on the rest of this journey and bring you safely
home. I love you, TBW! (PS...CR is great, but wet right now. Classes
are going well...and there are LOTS of students this bi-mester. Went
shopping last weekend and was refreshed by being in a mall, crazy,
I know, but a taste of home! Love ya!) Stacy :)
-
(Stacy Biethan, Willamette
Alumna and former Chamber Choir member)
Fri 5/28/2004 3:14 PM
Hi Darren- Its me. I hope things are going terrific over there.
Happy Birthday! I cannot beleave you are 20. I still tell people your
my little brother and then are shocked when they see your picture.!
I know this is late but what can I do, being a broke college student
with no internet connection. Speaking of broke, you should know my
car engine blew a rod on the way home from Oergon and Dan and I spent
a lovely two days in Yreka CA - A town that is only 3 miles across
and everything closes at 5 except the movie theater which doesnt open
till five. It was not the best end to a vacation! So, I could go one
like this but ill try to keep it short- here goes.... It cost me the
price of the whole car pretty much to tow the car to Reno then I had
to give it to the guy to pay for the towing - then I had to give Tyler
away because he was not happy in my townhouse- then I got a big promotion
at work and my own cubical- I dont have to sell anymore- I got all
A's last semester - and last week we went to a hypnotist show and
I got hypnotised - You should see the video when I became 5 again.So
thats the story for now. Take care of youself !
-
Love- me (Tamie MCCoy)
Fri 5/28/2004 1:54 PM
Bob- Is there any way you can let us know via e-mail what you wanted
us to do? You got an application from UW today. Sing great. Maybe
you can find your vibrato in South Africa.
-
Love, Mom (mom/dad)
Fri 5/28/2004 11:43 AM
Hey, Lisa -- I'm thinkin' this forum is mostly a journal for all us
friends and family left behind. (Does anyone on your end ever read
it???) Oh well, it gives us a way to feel connected! Not much happening
here. Richard is in Las Vegas visiting with Leo and Robert. Maike
had four auditions this week and has a really big one on June 15th
for a Chekhov play at Steppenwolf Theatre. (She's not regretting leaving
LA for Chicago! )Harpo and I are training to be a Pet Partners Team,
so soon he'll be a certified therapy dog. Everywhere we go people
stop and ask, "What kind of dog IS that?" (For everyone
else reading this, Harpo is a very large, goofy Labradoodle -- a cross
between a standard poodle and a lab -- with long, wavy cream-colored
hair!) I can hardly wait to hear your stories and see your pictures
and wish you all a wonderful last few days in beautiful South Africa.
-
Love, Mom (Liz Levaro)
Fri 5/28/2004 10:35 AM
Katie Skiff and Britt ("Bitsy Bubby") - hey girls! I am
so excited that you guys have this opportunity, I bet its incredible
there :) I miss you guys tons, and cannot wait 'til you get back.
I look forward to the house warming party. Vive la Fab Five!!
-
Hugs, Christie (Christie)
Fri 5/28/2004 8:22 AM
Abby & Noreen, Thank you so much for keeping me posted. Without
your communication skills I would have thought it was the leopard
that spotted Darren. Hope you're all well and having the time of your
life! Looking forward to seeing you.
-
Vena (Vena)
Fri 5/28/2004 12:24 AM
Hey Sean!!! I saw your Mom today in the salon and she caught me up
on your current FABULOUS adventure....what a great opportunity to
step out of Portland and really see some life! How did you fare on
the loooong plane crossing? (good movies available?) Had any safari
experiences? Met any of the locals yet? I'm betting people in South
Africa are open and interesting, with much to offer in the way of
culture and a different point of view. I look forward to being able
to chat with you at some point after your return to Oregon. I'm sure
you're having just the BEST time.....enjoy every minute!!!
-
Much love, Cindi Rice (Cindi
Rice)
Thu 5/27/2004 8:15 PM
Hey Curt, Just a quick note to tell you I'm thinking about you. You'll
be a home a week from tonight and I can't wait. Everything at home
is fine. I could use your help with my English course!! Dan got a
job, Kev started his new one and Gma and Gpa have been busy around
the house. Hatchers is melting a little bit every day but Dan says
the snow is still to the first parking lot. Look forward to hiking
next weekend! You know what I always tell you....Make the Most of
It. Enjoy your trip and see you soon.
-
Love you, Mom (Mom)
Thu 5/27/2004 6:33 PM
Hi,Julia. Your mom told us of your adventure. We are so happy for
you! If you have left over money, (haha) would you get me a small
piece of African fabric with black and red and green would be great!
When you get back, I want to take you and your mom to the VanGogh
exihbit at SAM...Have a wonderful trip! Sing your heart out to the
people you are visiting. God knows we Americans need all the best
foreign relations we can give....you guys are a big part of some salvaging
of these awful times....Love to you.
- Annette and the rest of
us (The Manants)
Thu 5/27/2004 3:51 PM
Hi Caitlin love and Katie and all my lovely singing ladies! I am so
jealous of the experience you are all getting to enjoy! Take many
pictures both with cameras and in your open hearts and minds to bnring
back and share!
- Much love, Karlie
(Karlie)
Thu 5/27/2004 3:37 PM
Jay!! What an amazing experience! Enjoy every moment. It makes me
so proud to see my alma mater doing such wonderful things.
- (Rhiannon
Kruse)
Thu 5/27/2004 3:15 PM
Pierre-Alain - Be sure to tell Read's mom that she's not alone.....are
they "phone cardless" in South Africa? :-) I was hoping
for news, but I'll have to believe that none means you're having the
time of your life. I love and miss you sooooooooooo much. I'm going
to assume you'll be coming in on Wednesday, June 2nd, since you leave
Cap Town on Tueday, June 1st in the afternoon. Have a wonderful last
five days. Can't wait to see you.
- Love, Mom XOXOXOXO (Franki)
Thu 5/27/2004 10:45 AM
Hellooooo Sean...I thought I would give you communication assistance.
There are 4 "Virtual Internet Cafes" in Cape Town. 1. 1st
Floor corner of Shortmarket St. & Long St. Green Market, 303 Long
St., Corner Long & Leewen, finally-12 Mill Street . OR Junction
Internet Cafe-12A Marine Circle Table View...Or Infocafe...Corner
of Burg and Castle St. in the Pinnacle Building. This is a rather
long "HINT". Would love to hear from you....missing my kid.
See you on Tuesday at 6:15PM or so...
- Mom (Mom)
Thu 5/27/2004 9:22 AM
It's 9:15AM on Thursday the 27th. If I'm right,
you are singing a concert at the school right now. So I am thinking
about all those bright smiles of children beaming at those wonderful
Willamette musicians. Can't wait for more news. The trip is going
to crecendo to your performance at St. George's Cathedral in Cape
Town...so enjoy every minute of it. And save forever the memory of
those
smiles!
- Dad (David
Greger)
Wed 5/26/2004 10:26 PM
Hi, Read. This is your mother speaking. Remember when you promised
you'd buy a phone card and call us by day three??! How do I know that
you've not been devoured by that redundant spotted leopard? I'm sure
all the other sons and daughters have not been so irresponsible as
to neglect their mom and dad. Sigh. XXOOXX a ton, anyway. ;-)
- Mom (Sally Godard)
Wed 5/26/2004 9:34 PM
Abby, Received your e-mail and breathed a sigh of relief. Knew you
were OK since you used your ATM card!!!! Called and talked to Vena and
read her your note. She was glad I called. Enjoy the rest of your
trip. Can't wait to get you home again. Love.
- Mom &anp; Dad (Mom & Dad)
Wed 5/26/2004 7:44 PM
KRISTI- Well, did you make the bungee jump? If so, have you stopped
screaming yet? Have all of your internal organs returned to their
original positions? Is anything twisted, cracked, popped, stretched,
strained, sprained or herniated? Have you had any adventures yet - at
least ones that you'll tell your parents and me about? Things have got
to be a blur by now with so much going on - be sure to keep some notes
so you won't forget anything! Hugs and more hugs.
- Reezy (Reezy)
Wed 5/26/2004 5:41 PM
Hey Mikey, I hope you're having the most fabulous days of your life.
You deserve a nice long...African safari!? Make sure you hang on to
your tandem jumper real tight as you plummet waterwards! I love you and
can't wait to hear all about it! Love.
- Adrienne (AZ)
Wed 5/26/2004 1:51 PM
HI DAMIEN!! Guess something good comes from paying the final
Willamette bill..went on the website and found I could EMAIL YOU!!
Uh oh..you know how prolific I can be! Loved all the briefs -sounds like
an amazing time. Want to ask a favor...know the pic of you on the
fridge being chased by an EMU?? Can you get a friend to take one of
you being chased by an OSTRICH?? Title: "Damien, forever being
chased by large birds." We all love and miss you. By the way,
coming home on Tues or Wed? The itinerary we have shows one day and one
date and they don't match! Love.
- mom (mom and boys)
Wed 5/26/2004 1:25 PM
Mike, it's good to know that your ok, and I can't wait to see all the
pictures of the awesome time i'm sure you must be having. I now have
a cast on my hand which looks not so good, but you know how things
could be and I'm a trooper. Lots of love to ya all.
- Brent (Brent)
Wed 5/26/2004 12:50 PM
Hi Remmy, I am so thankful that your Bungie Jumping is done. If you
did it, I hope it was FABULOUS !!!!! But you know me (mom), I will
always worry about the strange & unknown. Dad on the other hand was
jealous. So hope all went well. We are glad to see another message
(from Mary Ann, etc) that your experience is so rich with the people
there. We are so proud and thankful that you could go on this trip. WE
LOVE YOU.
- MOM & DAD (Mom & Dad)
Wed 5/26/2004 12:23 PM
Jules........so I forgot one very important thing. I just read some
messages from South Africa and I was wondering if you could bring me
home some animals so I could continue with my "African Jungle" theme
in my room next year???? (especially zebras) :) Try to bring baby
ones because I won't have that much room and I know space is limited on
the plane.... Thanks.
- BT (Brita)
Wed 5/26/2004 12:19 PM
Hello Julia Gulia! I am feeling very left out because you never told
me I could leave you messages online??!!!! I had to find out from
your Mom! Anyways, I miss you so much and I hope you are having a
blast. Nothing but end of the year work here so.....pretty much just the
usual with a significant reduction in cell phone usage!!!!! :) I
feel really special leaving you a message online.....I hope it is a
good surprise for you! It is so weird not knowing exactly where you are
and what you are doing.....so I'm gonna go check the itinerary now!
hahaha:) Have a fabulous rest of the trip and come home safely!
Love from all the way across the Atlantic, Bouf Troop
- (Brita)
Wed 5/26/2004 11:57 AM
Hi, Christine! It's been a week already! Did you see Colin at the
Durban concert? Lisa and Kirsten today in Knysa (sp?)? Did you bungee
jump off that bridge??? We love the reports that have been sent!
We keep you all in our thoughts and prayers. Love.
- Mom (Caroline Greger)
Wed 5/26/2004 7:41 AM
Just read your itinerary which sounds wonderful. Take lots of
pictures and writeand draw a few things down in a journal so you can tell
all of us about this fabulous trip! I know you are having a GREAT
time! Enjoy! Love.
- Manya (Manya)
Wed 5/26/2004 7:24 AM
Hey Jay, have a great trip. We are looking forward to hearing all
about it. What a rare opportunity.
- Dwayne (Dwayne at First Pres)
[archived messages]
|
Mon 5/31/2004 4:42 PM
Hello everyone, well this is my last night in South Africa and I wish I could stay this is a wonderful place to be. I am looking forward to seeing my freinds, family and a starbucks so I guess the 20 hour flight to Atlanta will be worth it. I dont think that I could ever communicate all the amazing things that I have seen here, this is such a rich area and I love Cape Town. More people should visit it is more than worth it and the Rand to US dollar ratio rocks. The people are warm and full of life and the freshness of culture is overwhelming at times, I love it. Well, goodnight all and I miss you...
- Sean (Sean)
Mon 5/31/2004 4:00 PM
hey this is so amazing... thank you to everyone for this opportunity. This is such a beautiful country, but it's not home. see you all soon.
- love, jonathan (jonathan)
Sun 5/30/2004 2:11 PM
Hey everyone. Thank you for your messages. I am alive. (Contrary to my lack of communication.) I am having a BLAST here in SA. Stacy, Mindy, and Kendal...I sang the Nunc. tonight and thought of you. I am experiencing so much now, and it is hard to believe that I have only been gone for two weeks. I love you all and I will try to call mom tonight!!!I hope that everyone is doing well love tbw...jay
- (Jay boy)
Sun 5/30/2004 7:38 AM
Hey Everyone! Well today was our first full day in Cape Town. We started it out with a trip to the top of Table Mountain. What an experience!! The weather was great...our tour guide said that days like this only happen about 5 times a year. The sky was clear, no wind and talk about an amazing view. Quite an experience if you could manage to handle the cable car that had a rotating floor that went 360 degrees while traveling up cliffs that were probably some of the steepest we've ever seen! But man when you got to the top it was SOO worth it!!
After our experience on Table Top Mountain we went into the heart of the city for a Tour of Cape Town. We visited some historical sites, a museum, and saw the sights from the bus.
After the bus ride we had time to change and eat before we headed to the Albert and Victoria waterfront for our first of 2 concerts today.We had a large crowd and sang with a group called the Voices of the Cape.Today was their first concert EVER and they were pretty good.They were really filled with the spirit of music.We had a great time performing with them.
We just got back and it is about 16:30.We head our for dinner at 17:15 and then have our second concert of the day and our last concert in South Africa.
We are all doing well and will be heading down to the water front tonight to support and listen to Jeff Baker sing as he sings some jazz. Well we need to head out. Sending love to both sents of parents!!See you soon!
Love, Mary and Abby (Mary and Abby)
Sat 5/29/2004 1:13 PM
We arrived in Cape Town this evening, and discovered we are staying in a converted prison. They're feeding us bread and water and a few are in solitary confinement (just kidding- but not about the prison part).
Amy was one of thirteen choir members to make the leap off the highest bungy jumping bridge in the world (216 meters). The proud parents of Kristi Zaiger, Marcella Orwick, Jana Fischer, Sarah Boyer, Tyler Baker, Jon Hicks, Curtis Bell, Robb Harrison, Jon Westfall, Ryan Renwick, and Harris Long should be comforted that all had fabulous jumps and are still safe and sound in one piece.
Other lucky choir tour members got to ride an ostrich, including Mary Ann, Leo (ryan rogers' dad), Katie Skiff, and Lindsay Hook, there were two others who are escaping our minds currently.
Last night we got to experience dinner in a cave on the coast. The only way to arrive at this cave is by taking an old train ride which enhances the ambience. It was an enjoyable dinner as we ate a gourmet meal while the waves crashed below us. The drive to Cape Town allowed us to take in much of the beautiful countryside, including the coast. Tomorrow we'll be visiting Table Top Mountain and taking a tour of this beautiful city.
With only a few days left on this wonderful trip it's amazing how much we still have left to experience. Thank you to friends and family for your support, we'll see you on Wednesday!
- (Amy & Noreen)
Sat 5/29/2004 1:10 PM
Hey everyone!! like most of you may have read we got into Cape town today!! What an amazing trip so far! I'm sad it will be over soon. We are all doing well and a side from being a little tired are safe and happy. Thanks for all of your support!! Can't wait to show you my pics!! Love y'all. - (Abby)
Sat 5/29/2004 12:47 PM
Mom, you know how you said you didn't really think you and Dad would ever go to Africa? Well, you have to come here. It is the most amazing place in the world! It is worth the horrible plane ride (and for those of us who don't sleep on planes, it really was horrible). This place is indescribably beautiful, so full of different cultures, interesting, and the people are really nice! And they have elephants and ostriches! Speaking of ostriches....yesterday while I was sitting on an ostrich, it decided to sit down to take a break. So now, I am officially the fatty of chamber choir, apparently too heavy for the poor bird. Oops. Anyway, lots of love to everyone back home, and be sure to visit this place.
- (Christine Greger)
Sat 5/29/2004 12:06 PM
Hi everyone! This has been the most incredible tour so far! Highlights have been sharing music with the South African Choirs, Highest Bungy Jumping in the World, Playing with Orphaned children in George, Views, food, Ostrich Farm, Cave Dining, Train-plain-bus rides, smells and smiles! I can hardly wait to tell you more about it! I send my love~ Always.
- Sarah Boyer (Sarah)
Sat 5/29/2004 9:07 AM
Hey everyone back home...I just arrived in Cape Town, the last spot on our tour of the most beautiful place on earth. I only have 2 minutes and 30 seconds to write this so if it cuts off...you'll know why. First, hello my mom and Adrienne and Lindsay. Secondly, hello to all my peppers out there...Nat and Brent really. I haven't found Charlize Theron yet, sorry pep. But I hear her place is tops. Ok, I have to go but I'll be home in a few days. Hope you're all doing well...love you and I'll see you soon. MUAH!
- (Mike)
Tue 5/25/2004 6:02 AM
We are alive and kicking...we sang with the people of south africa,
that led into a spontaneous group singing of their national song,
originated from the mines, that then led to a drum circle and dance
outside! we've eaten crocodile and antelope, and we've seen african
elephant...this has been the most amazing dream...thank you so much to our
best friends, boyfriends, friends, family for all the care and
support...we'll come back with lots to tell you and to share...south africa
is one of the richest countries when it comes to people who are real
and caring...we love you all, see you soon.
PS. the indian ocean rocks, mary ann also liked it, but in a slightly less enthusiastic
manner...(i.e. shirking at the water touching her legs...)
- Mary Ann, Jen, Insil (Insil)
Mon 5/24/2004 2:24 PM
We are now in Durban. We had a WONDERFUL safari day this morning,
seeing all kinds of wildlife up close and personal, including elephants,
giraffes, water buffalo, hyenas, warthogs, wildebeasts, hippo, rhinos
(from far away), zebras, crocodiles, and even a humongous spider.
Darren spotted a leopard, at which point someone informed him that
leopards are already spotted. :) An elephant sort of chased us away, and
a herd of water buffalo were rolling in the mud. It's beautiful
country and a gorgeous day to match. We've all taken lots of photos, so
I'm sure you will all see it when we return. :)
- (Noreen
(soprano))
Thur 5/20/2004 6:27 AM
WE'RE HERE!!!!!!! after a VERY long plane flight (delayed no less)
we arrived to Johannesburg this morning at about 10am (I guess about
1am OR time). We've gotta dash off now to a tour of University of
Pretoria followed by a joint concert. Busy already!
- (Noreen
(soprano))
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