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Mongolia has launched a series of new wind power projects to develop its huge renewable energy potential and start delivering clean electricity to other countries in the region in preparation for the creation of an "Asia Super Grid". (Reuters Photo/Carlos Barria)
Mongolia to Boost Wind Capacity Amid Regional Super Grid Hopes
Ulaanbaatar. Mongolia has launched a series of new wind power projects to develop its huge renewable energy potential and start delivering clean electricity to other countries in the region in preparation for the creation of an "Asia Super Grid".
The Mongolian government, with officials from France's state energy conglomerate Engie, held a groundbreaking ceremony late on Thursday (12/10) for the first of the new wind farms, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of next year.
The 55-megawatt (MW) Sainshand plant, 460 km southeast of capital Ulaanbaatar, will help power a long-awaited industrial complex in the region, including an oil refinery.
But the sparsely populated northeast Asia country, which is hugely dependent on its mineral wealth, is looking to diversify its economy by exporting green energy to neighbors China and Russia, as well as to Japan and South Korea. It initially aims to build 8,000 MW of wind capacity dedicated to power exports.
"When we build up energy sources we'll first consider exports. It will be aimed at the Asian super grid," Tleikhan Almalik, chairman of Mongolia's Energy Regulatory Commission, told Reuters.
Asia's super grid project was launched in 2011 when China, Russia, South Korea and Japan signed an initial agreement to create a cross-border power transmission network.
Mongolia's existing renewable plants - including the Tsettsii wind farm commissioned earlier this week - account for 12 percent of the country's domestic power capacity. But the government aims to raise that share to 20 percent by 2020 and 30 percent by 2030.
Almalik said Mongolia has licensed six wind farms and 24 solar plants, which would be enough to meet the country's renewable goals and create a surplus for exports.
While Mongolia's planned expansion represents only a fraction of the 169 GW of wind capacity in operation in China at the end of 2016, its potential is huge. China's State Grid Corporation estimated last year that Mongolia's total wind and solar capacity could reach 1,200 GW.
Mongolian officials have already met with Liu Zhenya, State Grid's former chief, who now heads up a "global interconnection" initiative to promote cross-border power transmission.
The two sides discussed the construction of ultra-high voltage power lines connecting energy bases in Mongolia to load centers in China.
Thomas Papazov, project director with Engie and chief executive of the Sainshand wind farm, said his company was seeking more wind and solar projects in Mongolia.
"Engie is really focused on renewables in Mongolia," he said. "We hope it's not just one shot, but that this is just the beginning."


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When you start to learn diatonic accordion with Brittany Music, you will learn best listening and watching your teacher's fingers.
However, it is sometimes useful to know how to read Tabs to help remembering tunes.
The Tab corresponds to a score directly adapted to the accordion. It is therefore possible for you to memorize the notes on your keyboard, but it's not easy when you start.
That is why there is a scoring method based on numbers given to keyboard keys.
On the first row (closest to your fingers), there are notes from 1 to 12, in the middle row from 1' to 11' - third row is rarely used. This may vary from one model to another.
Let's look at the outside row : the first button is 1, the last 12. And as you can see, you can do the same note on different buttons which will allow you to play in different octaves.
For example, you will find the G on the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th button push. You can play G on 4 different keys, that will make playing easier.

subset: commoncrawl


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Archive for rollerskate
39: face off (sole off?)
44: A good day 3
52: Dreams
60: Hugs 2
Sixty Comics!!!!! OMG!!!!! SIXTY COMICS!!!
Also, apologies for not updating the archives. I'm trying to decide whether to put it into a more traditional archive format (rather than the scrolling gallery)… or if I should just say register with Comic Rocket, it really will make your life easier.
84: beginners' minds
89: another bunny? Part 1
The real life Bunson Hoppydew got to meet Monorail Bunny. Seattle Monorail are taking care of bunny that got lost. They're still looking for his owner, but until he gets reunited Monorail Bunny has lots of fun adventures exploring Seattle
It's been Bunson's dream to meet Monorail Bunny (before Monorail Bunny was famous enough to have his own calendar!) and Bunson's dream came true during a photoshoot with the Rat City Roller Girls!
Thank you Monorail Bunny and thank you Rat City for taking good care of your Non Skating Officials and their mascots!
90: Another bunny? part 2
Trying to capture the interactions of two bunnies has caused me to rethink and change how I draw the comic! Note the panels with borders. The limitations of technology also mean that the story is taking a little bit longer to draw. I can't fit 4 panels into a page and still draw something readable. I do all of this on a first generation iPad, I used to use sketchbook pro, but that became way too buggy… Now I use procreate
91: Another Bunny? Part 3
The adventures continue. In real life Bunson Hoppydew, Monorail Bunny and Biscuits Bunny had a very nice time hanging out at Key Rena during the last RatCity bout… Sometimes we must enjoy a little dramatic license with our small stuffed animals.


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This Ethernet to MM Fiber Media Converter creates a cost-effective Ethernet to fiber link, transparently converting to/from 10Base-T or 100Base-Tx Ethernet signals and 100Base-Fx optical signals to extend an Ethernet network connection over a multimode fiber backbone.
Easy to setup and install, this compact, value-conscious media converter features auto-switching MDI and MDI-X support on the RJ45 UTP connections as well as manual controls for UTP mode, speed, Full and Half Duplex, as well as LFP (Link Fault pass-through) on/off.
1310nm wavelength
Auto detects half/full duplex transfer mode from the TX port.
Auto negotiation or Force 10/100 Mbps and MDI/MDI-X (Crossover for TX port).
Compatible with 3COM™, Cisco™, Lucent™ and Nortel™ networks
Forward 9K jumbo packets in converter mode
Its compact design and weight makes it portable and unobtrusive to carry
LED Indicators for simple Ethernet/Fiber network link monitoring
Provides switch configuration of half/full duplex transfer mode for FX port.
Support flow control (Pause)
Supports a maximum multi mode fiber optic cable distance of 2 km
Supports a maximum packet size of 1600 bytes.
Supports IEEE 802.1q Tag VLAN pass thru
Supports IEEE 802.3 10Base-T, 802.3u 100Base-TX and 100Base-FX industry standards
Supports Link Fault Pass through (LFP)
Supports Q in Q double tagged frame transparent
Includes both the UK and EU power plug adapters
Best value fiber media converter
Easily installed into any scenario with little to no configuration needed
Free Lifetime Technical Support
Lightweight design can be mounted anywhere
Connect remote sub-networks to larger fiber optic networks/backbones
Connect via fiber optics two or more buildings on the same campus
Designed for ethernet expansion, primarily for large workgroups requiring higher network speeds and increased bandwidth
Extend your Ethernet connection up to 2km away at full speed using fiber optics.
Media Converter
UK power plug adapter
Power Adapter
User's Manual
What is the maximum distance the converter supports?
The converter supports a maximum multimode fiber optic cable distance of 2km (1.2 miles), providing a simple solution for connecting 10Base-T/100Base-Tx Ethernet networks to remote locations using ST-terminated multimode fiber, while delivering solid network performance and scalability.
|Fibre Operating Mode
|Half/Full Duplex
|Fibre Type
|Multi Mode
|Maximum Transfer Distance
|Maximum Data Transfer Rate
|Connection Port


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Discover how easy it is to make the classic Tom Yam soup, the steps to perfect coconut rice and a tantalizing Thai curry. We will discuss the basic pantry staples for Thai cooking and where to purchase them. After everything is cooked you will enjoy a sit down meal of the dishes you made including dessert.
This is the suggested menu and it can be adjusted for other dietary needs:
- Spicy Thai Shrimp Soup
- Yellow Chicken Curry
- Coconut Jasmine Rice
- Cucumber Carrot Salad
- Coconut Tartlets with Vanilla Whipped Cream & Crystallized Ginger
This class takes 3 hours and is $60 per person.


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Coffee vs. Tea
They both have real benefits, and I wouldn't say that one is better than the other. Whether it's green, black, white or red, tea contains a variety of antioxidants that help ward off diseases and may help you live better for longer. Tea may even help prevent tooth decay. Recent research has shown that coffee offers the same kinds of benefits. Coffee's combination of caffeine, antioxidants and other phytochemicals that have disease-preventing effects has put it into the category of foods that are more healthy than harmful (if you don't overdo it). Plus, a cup of joe may reduce your risks of developing Parkinson's disease and diabetes. Feel free to drink one cup of coffee in the morning, and then switch to tea after noon. That way, you'll get a bigger caffeine boost in the morning, when you might need a little help to start your day. Then, in the afternoon, you'll benefit from tea's antioxidants and soothing taste, with about half the caffeine of coffee. Susan Kleiner, PhD, RD is an international columnist and a speaker on the subjects of nutrition, sports and fitness.


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Officer Round-table:
Seneschal - Thank you for getting your reports in on time last month!
Archery - Janos has officially stepped up as the new Archery Marshal and is eagerly awaiting better weather. He is helping with the Loch Bheathrach with their practice as it continues through the winter at their indoor site.
Aston Tor - Not back in session yet. Bobbin & Weavin' ( a non-official annual fiber arts retreat) will be held at Aine's home, Feb 13-15.
Chirurgeon - No injuries to report.
Knight's Marshal - We have been having lighter numbers due to weather but some weeks are pretty full.
Web Minister - Planning to step down in April. If interested, contact Gustav at email@example.com.
A&S Minister - Kingdom A&S is coming up soon, and there may be Baronial classes on what to expect. The deadline for entry is in March. Gulf Wars Prep discussions at fighter practice. Special emphasis on period encampments - show us what you've been working on!!
Exchequer - Not present due to family emergency. We are fine on money.
Quartermaster - Nothing new. Will anything be needed from storage for Crown Tourney ( BFS is helping Carlsby)? If so, contact Svana at least a week before the event to get the items you need to borrow.
Chatelaine - We had some new people show up to Clothiers. Demo being held for the Boy Scouts on February 21st around 3:00 pm. We will hold a mock tourney. Helena may provide more details as we get a little closer to that date.
Herald - The Barony of Forgotten Sea's "Roll of Arms" if off and running (they are making canvas pennants of each registered device of the participating populace). Get your device registered so that you can get it on a pennant!!
Aston Tor and Loch Bheathrach have active members of the populace. "Things are happening!!" Both groups are working with the Web Minister to help update their online presence.
Horse and Falcon: Janos will be the autocrat for this event. If you are interested in helping, please contact him.
Crown Tournament: Carlby needs help with this event. Svana has agreed to help with gate. They need volunteers from the Barony to help with feast, list field mats, list barriers, set up and breakdown. Please contact Sir Cai Dubhghlas if you are able to help.
Ceiledh: The event site is officially back to The Hunt Lodge. Background checks will be combined with gate. They are in desperate need of someone to help cook. Please notify Their Excellencies or Emma if you are interested in helping.
Regional Cut and Thrust Fighter Practice: This event was proposed at Curia for the first time. Overwhelming approval means that this will happen. The weekend of July 4th was chosen as a probable date. If we cannot find a suitable site indoors due to the holiday November 14th and 15th will be used as a back up dates Loaner gear will be available. There will be classes that focus on beginning to advanced.
What's New > News Archive >


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Will Whole Foods Dilute the Brand With a Lower Cost Chain?
Pilot stores in Detroit, New Orleans, Chicago
Whole Foods Market, the upscale purveyor of organic and local food, is opening a new store in economically struggling Detroit June 5 as part of its repositioning as a go-to grocery store for everyday staples for shoppers on any budget.
The chain will launch pilot stores in Detroit, New Orleans and on Chicago's South Side in 2013 and 2014 that feature fewer staffers, lower prices, and more frozen and prewrapped food, said Whole Foods co-CEO John Mackey. "For every penny we cut off the price, we reach more people who can afford to shop with us," he said.
In anticipation of the Detroit store opening, the company has been offering classes in community centers about how to shop frugally at its store, focusing, naturally, on Whole Foods' own 365 private label line. Anne Howe of Anne Howe Associates, a shopper marketing consulting firm, commended the chain for going into so-called food deserts like parts of Detroit and New Orleans. "They are trying to serve the needs of communities that others ignore completely," she said.
But while getting more affordable, the company denied that its existing stores deserve their pricey reputation. "The premise that the healthy food we sell at our stores is expensive or elitist is false," Mackey said. "If you know how to cook and if you buy whole grains, beans and produce, you don't need to spend lots of money," he said.
Whole Foods' price margins, however, show the retailer's perception is probably warranted. In the last three years, the company reported gross margins (the amount a retailer earns from the sale of its products) of 34 percent to 36 percent, according to financial analysis site Seeking Alpha. (In comparison, Walmart's and Target's gross margins are about 24 percent to 29 percent.)
Experts see branding risk to Whole Foods' high-quality image. "Whole Foods might be able to deliver a value proposition in these new locations by adjusting its assortment and pushing its 365 brand," said Andrew Pierce, U.S. president of brand consultancy Prophet. "But if Whole Foods pushes into truly low income areas, it could create some discontinuity in the brand positioning. Whole Foods is perceived as high price and high quality, so unless carefully managed, there can be a disconnect."
Meanwhile, the retailer continues growing but at a slower pace. For the quarter ended April 14, Whole Foods reported 13.3 percent sales growth and 6.6 percent same-store sales growth compared to the previous quarter. In each case the percent is less than last year.
Consequently, regional rivals that sell organic, fresh and local food are clearly on Mackey's radar. He noted that two of them, Trader Joe's and Wegmans, also nurture socially conscious cultures, similar to that of Whole Foods, which Mackey promotes as "Conscious Capitalism."
But Whole Foods, with 350 stores and counting, is betting on experimentation to keep its brand robust. With 89 signed leases representing over 3 million square feet in its development pipeline, it'll have ample opportunity to do so. "Everybody is copying last year's model of Whole Foods," Mackey said. "But we're building the next one."


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Philippine 'hero dog' Kabang receives $20K facial surgery in U.S.
JohnThomas Didymus
Oct 10, 2012 in
- A dog named "Kabang" from Zamboanga City in the Philippines, who saved the lives of her owner's children, has arrived in the US where she will receive a maxillo-facial reconstructive surgery at the Univ. of California-Davis Vet. Medical Teaching Hospital.
According to
The Philippine Inquirer
, Kabang ("Spotty") is a white-and-black "aspin."
The Philippine Inquirer
explains that "aspin" is short for "ason pinoy" or "native dog" in The Philippines.
GMA Network
lost her upper snout after she was run over by a motor-cycle last December.
The accident happened on December 14, along Nunez Extension, Zamboanga City.
Kabang tried to save her master's daughters from being hit by a vehicle. According to
The Philippine Inquirer
, Kabang jumped in front of a motorcycle to save the girls, Dina Bunggal, 11, and Princess Diansing, 3. The girls received only minor bruises in the accident.
, however, got her upper snout caught in the motorcycle's front wheel and it got ripped off. According to
CBS News
, Kabang's "tongue lolls impossibly out of her skull. Watching her attempt to eat a mound of rice is heartbreaking."
Kabang the Philippine 'hero dog'
The Inquisitr
reports that Kabang's owner, Rudy, who witnessed the accident, said he was horrified when he saw the dog's snout caught in the wheel. A veterinarian offered to euthanize the dog after the accident but the family refused. Bunggal said: "It does not matter if she's ugly now. What is important to us is she saved our children and we cannot thank her enough for that."
The Philippine Inquirer
reports that the news about the "hero dog" spread after the accident and Kabang became a celebrity. Bunggal exclaimed: "She has become a superstar. People come here to have their photos taken with the dog. Some came with medicines and vitamins." Bunggal said one visitor even brought roasted pig for Kabang. Bunggal said: "Some people came bringing in clothes, a little money for us. We are so thankful. We did not ask for those things, but still we are thankful."
The Philippine Inquirer
reports that a local veterinarian Mario Ariola, described Kabang as "very calm, friendly and submissive."
After it was decided that Kabang would need surgery, many groups, including the Philippine Animal Welfare Coalition, joined in a fund raising for Kabang's surgery. The groups raised $22,000 (Dh 80,740) from donations that came from 18 countries.
Kabang 'hero dog'
The Inquistr
reports that Karen Kenngott, US coordinator of the Animal Welfare Coalition, and Mike Foley of the Global Animal Transport, helped raise funds to pay for kabang's surgery.
Kabang's veterinarian Dr. Anton Mari Lim, said it was necessary for Kabang to undergo surgery to prevent infection setting in on her open wounds. Karen kenngott explained: "Fungal infections can be especially difficult to eradicate and any infection in the bone can be a lengthy process to treat at best. Her chances are better the sooner she can get those wounds closed.".
The Gulf News
reports Kabang has been on antibiotics continuously for 10 months. Lim fears that continuous medication could compromise the dog's immune system. Lim said the dog needs reconstructive surgery to have her normal life again and to allow her chew food.
According to
The Inquisitr
, Kabang arrived in Davis, California Wednesday from Manila. She was accompanied by Lim. The choice of the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at the University of California-Davis is informed by the fact that surgeons at the hospital have extensive experience and skill in dog jaw replacement surgery.
CBS News
reports that a team of surgeons recently replaced the jaw of a dog that "appears to be strutting around as if nothing ever happened."
The surgeons will fit Kabang with a prosthetic snout.
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Student fights and politics: Religious groups venturing into QAU
Islamabad, May 20: Although there are six councils in Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU), they have never been involved in politics due to which the environment of the university has been peaceful compared to other universities.
However, a religious group has been trying to establish a council, and problems in the university have started increasing.
For the last one month, councils have been resisting the religious group but the group has retorted. It lodged a criminal case against two members of a council, and even tried to bring blasphemy in the issue due to which both students had to quit studies.
The situation has created resentment among the students of all six councils.
A student of QAU, requesting anonymity, said there are a Punjab Council, Pakhtun Council, Mehran Council, Siraiki Council, Baloch Council and Gilgit-Baltistan Council in the university. These were established over two decades ago except for the GB council, which was established two years ago.
"Although sometimes they (councils) have differences, they have never supported involvement of politicians in the university.
Last year (in March) a religious group had tried to hold a meeting to form a new council in the university, but the other councils stopped it," he said.
He said that in the first week of April this year, the same religious group had announced a meeting and had invited around 200 students from various educational institutions of the federal capital to participate.
However, the councils stopped the meeting, resulting in increased differences. In the last week of April, some students of religious group had scuffled with students of the Gilgit-Baltistan Council.
"Two students of Mathematics and Defence and Strategic Studies departments, who belong to the religious group, lodged a complaint in the Secretariat Police Station against two other students of the History and International Relations departments (both belonging to G-B Councils). A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against them, and both students were forced to leave the university or face arrest," he said.
Another student of QAU said students belonging to the religious group tried to make the fight an issue of blasphemy.
"He (a student of the religious group) claimed that he had a beard, and the opponent had pulled at his hair during the fight, which should be considered blasphemy," the student said.
Investigation Officer of Secretariat Police Station Ghulam Sarwar Naeemi also confirmed that the students had tried to register a case of blasphemy.
"We told them that it cannot be considered blasphemy and registered a case under section 337-A, 182 and 506/34 (fight and threat to kill) between the two groups," he said.
He added that the complainants had said a patch up was being arranged between the rivals therefore no action had been taken, but so far he had not received the patch up in writing.
A student belonging to the Punjab Council said he had learnt that political personalities of the federal capital belonging to a religious party had allegedly used their influence for registration of the FIR.
"Because of the FIR, both students cannot continue their studies; even the management of the university has given permission to the police to arrest both students from the hostel or university campus," he said.
He said a truce was being negotiated, as otherwise both students would be unable to join their studies, and their low attendance may bar them from appearing for the exams.
"It seems a patch up will be made at the cost of allowing the religious group to continue its activities within the university," he said.
"We don't want political activities in the university because once political groups are established, educational activities will stop and the students will be used for politics," he said.
Students of QAU have appealed to the management of the university to take notice of political activities within the university and ensure a peaceful environment for education.
Registrar QAU Dr Shafique-ur-Rehman said that an officer of the university had been inquiring of the issue and the decision regarding the status of the students would be taken after the completion of the enquiry. Dawn
HEC expanding degree attestation facility
Islamabad: Higher Education Commission (HEC) has finalised arrangements to expand the office space and hire the services of more officials to make the process of attestation of degrees easier for the general public. Talking to media, HEC Chairman Dr Javed R Laghari said the decision to expand the facility was taken after ameeting with the officials and will be implemented by June 1. He said the commission has also decided to hire the services of more courier companies to avoid delays in sending or receiving degrees from other countries for attestation. He said the degrees' verification has become veryimportant during the previous years and it has become an essential requirement for the overseas Pakistani to get their degrees attested for job or business purposes. He said 500 to 1000 people are visiting HEC main office for degrees' attestation and are bound to wait for a week or more due to low manpower and insufficient space. But now HEC has finalised plan to open more windows with computers by expanding the area and hire more trained officials to facilitate the people. The people will now be able to get their degrees attested within three or four days or in a single day, if they needed urgently and charges would be nominal for urgent process. The chairman said HEC has recently cleared the backlog of around 40,000 degrees which were pending for attestation. app
Libraries in Islamabad colleges in dismal condition
lslamabad: Libraries are a historic source of knowledge for students. But a tour around Islamabad reveals that students at Islamabad colleges have little in the way of libraries and books.
Mohammad Hanif, a student of a federal government college, was assigned a task by a teacher to inquire that how many people are in the country.
He consulted the college library to complete the task but could not get the latest information about the population of the country.
"Most of the books in the college library were published in the 1960s and 70s. There are even books written in Bengali, although a large number of students cannot read Bengali. I felt my assignment was not up to the mark. I told the teacher but he did not notice. We really need up-to-date knowledge but our library failed to provide the latest information," he said.
Hanif is not the only student who has been facing problems regarding the library. Most of the students cannot get the latest information from libraries due to which the trend of research is decreasing.
A library is the oldest repository of knowledge, and it has always remained a focus among Muslim and non-Muslim rulers. It means that libraries have been playing a vital role in supporting and promoting education and research in educational institutions.
Islamabad, the capital and the most modern city of the country, must be exemplary for rest of the college libraries in this respect.
A professor of the college, requesting not to be named, said that unfortunately the condition of libraries in the capital colleges did not seem very good.
On the one hand, there is an acute shortage of books in these libraries and on the other hand, most of the books stuffed irregularly in different shelves are not only irrelevant and outdated but also lack the latest research and intellectual activities.
Library material like books, reference material (dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, atlases, journals, periodicals, etc.) are mostly outdated and in the worst possible condition, he added.
"Meanwhile, in modern educational institutions in the world, the use of audio visuals is an integral part of libraries. The libraries of ICT colleges are not equipped with current technology as e-books, digital databases, HEC digital databases access, computers, internet facility, CDs, DVDs and computer library catalogue," he said.
"There is hardly a single library among all the ICT colleges where there is facility of photocopy in the library, if required by the students, as it generally happens. Even in the teaching methodology and the syllabi, there is no room for teachers to even ask students to refer extra books on the subject being taught," he said.
The libraries of the colleges, which used to provide for the academic needs of teachers, students and researchers, have turned into a reading hall. One can see the students there reading only newspapers, he added.
One of the students at H-9 College said: "The library does not have any computer so no one can get internet facility here. It's ridiculous to look to traditional books when information today is so readily available on computer.
We cannot enjoy turning pages as everything is available on a click of a mouse. Here, the power supply is irregular, fans are not in working order. The furniture is old and mostly broken. There is nothing in the library which attracts us."
The president of the federal government college teachers association, Prof Tahir, said that another problem is, the interiors of the libraries, mostly with broken furniture, shabby walls, no cataloging and unhygienic conditions. This situation has diverted the attention and energy of the students to cell phones.
This is the reason that students sit in groups and individually in lawns of the colleges in their free periods and either listen to loud music or remain busy in chatting.
A teacher, on condition of anonymity, said that the library staff with unconcerned and frustrated attitude add fuel to the fire and repel the students away from the library. The books in cupboards always remain locked; library staff feels a great burden to open it for a student and to remain present while the student goes through the books.
In the oldest and the biggest college of ICT, Islamabad Model Postgraduate H-8/2, there is not any subscribed journal even for M.A/M.Sc students, he said.
Another teacher said: "There are two posts of Librarians in Islamabad Model Postgraduate College of commerce H-8/4. Both the posts of the librarians are not occupied. One is vacant because no posting has been made ever since the college was upgraded to a Postgraduate level whereas the other librarian is on ex-Pakistan leave since one year and no substitute has been provided till today. What a joke it is with the libraries of a Postgraduate college with more than 3,500 students."
An official of the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) said that education had never been on the priority of any of the governments, the administration also took it for granted to address serious issues of the educational institutions well in time.
Library funding is stagnant and no extra funds are put towards purchasing new books.
Students have lost interest and given up the reading habit because of unavailability of quality books. One of the students said "We need credible information but outdated books give us misinformation."
An official of the ministry of CAD said that with the passage of time, libraries are becoming e-libraries, digital libraries and virtual libraries. But in colleges there are not any directions towards this.
Even the library fund, which is deducted from the fees of students, is not utilized for the improvement of the libraries.
On questioning a librarian of a boys' college regarding outdated books and shortage of books he replied that the principal was not interested in the purchase of new books because they were costly.
"Library committees are formed in the colleges for better management of libraries but their meetings never held. The members of the committee are college teachers but they do not show interest in the improvement in the infrastructure of the library and in purchase of books," he said.
"The library staff is not equipped with the modern technology and there are no training programmes for Librarians and library assistants. Internet facility is not provided to libraries which is an essential source of knowledge and library automation," he said.
"There is not any service structure of librarians and they are never promoted. Once a librarian is appointed in BPS-17 he retires in the same scale after serving more than 35 years. Librarians are selected by Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC).The procedure and requirement is similar to a lecturer who retires from government service in BPS-19 or above," he said.
Professor Deedar Ali Baloch, General Secretary FGCTA said that for the improvement of libraries and to create the reading habits among the students and teachers, revolutionary steps should be taken. Libraries should be supplied the latest textbooks and reference materials. Training programs for library staff should be started. Books seminars and books exhibitions should be arranged in ICT colleges.
It is encouraging that the habit of reading in girls is increasing. The library assistant at Margalla College F-7/4 was very much satisfied with the number of readers in the college. Girl students spend most of their spare time in the libraries of the colleges.
The shortage of books in the library is a problem, she pointed out. Moreover, our library is consisting of five rooms and it is difficult to move in these rooms in search of books.
Library must be in a big room (hall), she said.
Director General FDE, Dr Shahnaz A Riaz said that considering the availability of funds, FDE has been purchasing new books and trying to upgrade libraries.
"Every month we instruct educational institutions to purchase three to four books of renowned authors. I am also working to equip libraries with modern technologies," she said. Dawn
AIOU enjoys high rating on quality assurance
Islamabad: Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) is enjoying best rating on quality assurance providing education through distance learning system as compared to other open universities in the world.
This was stated by Open University Sri Lanka's former vice-chancellor Prof Uma Coomaraswamy who had been appointed by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) as an external verifier on quality assurance.
As per the survey conducted by the COL-RIM, the university performance indicators on quality assurance were highly satisfactory and it was noted that the AIOU was moving ahead to achieve the international standard in providing quality education to its students across the country.
She was addressing a reception, hosted by AIOU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Nazir Ahmed Sangi at the conclusion of her weeklong visit to Pakistan.
She underlined the need of inculcating quality culture within the university premises. She hoped that the university would successfully review itself to meet the international standard.
Prof Uma Coomaraswamy further said that she found a lot of commitment and enthusiasm among the staff of the university for achieving the targets on quality assurance. She held useful interaction and programme-review exercise with the university's staff during her stay in Pakistan.
She called for undertaking necessary exercise to improve the capacity building of their staff. She added that the AIOU was doing much better work in promoting skill-based and job-oriented education, as compared to other universities in the region.
Speakingon the occasion Dr Sangi highlighted the steps being taken by the university for quality assurance as per the requirement of COL. He also mentioned the incentives being provided to the drop-out needy students, helping them to continue their study.
The AIOU has recently entered into agreements with various regional and international educational institutions for exchange of academic programmes and research-based material to improve the teaching plan through distance learning system.
He said that university is planning to set up science laboratories at almost all the regional campuses to promote science education in the country and mobile laboratories will also be deployed. app


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Mar 10th, 2017
2017 Chicago Flower & Garden Show - Tony Abruscato
The Chicago Flower and Garden Show comes to life March 18-26 at Navy Pier with tons of gardens, fun activites, educational seminars and a charity event benefiting local garden endeavors. Tony Abruscato, President of Flower Show Productions joins us to share all about one of the nation's premiere flower and garden expositions.
Show Links:
Chicago Flower Show Website
Chicago Flower Show on Facebook
Rose Chat Podcast founder and host Chris VanCleave, aka "The Redneck Rosarian" will be a featured speaker at this years show. Check out his appearance schedule.


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Metadata language
Absence of a guarantee of proper performance of activity under concession as a negative premise of granting a concession
Subject and Keywords:
guarantee ; concession ; premise ; economic activity ; grant
The circumstance of an absence of a guarantee of proper performance of activity under concession should be considered as a negative premise of granting a concession, although it is not reflected in a catalogue including negative premises of granting concession, which is regulated in the Act of Freedom of Economic Activities. Deliberations on provisions relating to a guarantee of a proper performance of activity under concession and provisions including other negative premises of granting a concession argue in favor of adopting that position. At the same time, that position is not contrary to the principle of economic freedom.
Place of publishing:
E-Wydawnictwo. Prawnicza i Ekonomiczna Biblioteka Cyfrowa. Wydział Prawa, Administracji i Ekonomii Uniwersytetu Wrocławskiego
Date issued:
Resource Type:
ISSN 2450-3932 ; doi:10.23734/FIUW.2018.1.213.228
WUL Catalog:
Is part of:
Is referenced by:
Folia Iuridica Wratislaviensis
Access rights:
Rules of usage of Digital Library of Wroclaw University
Rights holder:
© Copyright by Konrad Kopystyński
Location of original object:
Library of the Faculty of Law, Administration and Economics
Autor opisu:
TK ; WR U/PAdjm


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At some point in their lives, most people have felt mistreated by someone else. But sometimes the greatest cruelty we face actually comes from within ourselves. When this happens, we often aren't even aware we are treating ourselves poorly.
That's why we might benefit from living by a new "golden rule": Treat yourself the way you want others to treat you. Before we perform actions or engage in thoughts directed towards ourselves, we should stop and consider whether we would appreciate that same treatment if it came from someone else.
Of course, each of us has unique desires regarding how we would like to be treated, so the way we should act toward ourselves may also differ. But the following guidelines might be a reasonable place to start. After each "don't" is a happier, alternative "do."
Don't criticize yourself too harshly: No matter how much we wish it wasn't true, we all have less-than-perfect moments. When we make mistakes, we often fling mental insults at ourselves. Sometimes we are so good at this that we manage to convince ourselves we really are terrible people. But I think most of us would feel abused if another person tore us apart over our failures that way. So, we should be careful to show ourselves compassion, even when we are disappointed by our imperfections.
Do praise yourself: Compliments make us feel good, and we like it when others notice and express positive things about us. We can extend the same courtesy toward ourselves by acknowledging our personal successes and valuing our strengths.
Don't Make Excuses For Yourself: While it is important to avoid being overly critical, we should not go to the other extreme of allowing ourselves to get away with everything. Almost anything we do wrong can be justified somehow, and it is tempting to accept questionable justifications to avoid the pain of admitting a mistake. The problem is, doing that means being dishonest with ourselves (which is treatment we wouldn't want from others). It is better to acknowledge our errors, forgive ourselves, and try to do better in the future.
Do Encourage Yourself to Grow: Moments of imperfection can be great opportunities for self-improvement, if we take the time to analyze them and correct whatever went wrong. Rather than feeling bad about mistakes, or pretending they don't exist, we can take on the challenge of bettering ourselves by not repeating them.
Don't Punish Yourself: Sometimes feeling bad about ourselves escalates into a belief that our shortcomings are so severe we don't deserve happiness. We end up undermining relationships, missing opportunities, and denying ourselves satisfactions because we feel unworthy of them. But the natural consequences of our mistakes are punishment enough. After all, if we accidentally spilled tomato sauce on a friend's shirt, we would hope the friend would simply allow us to pay for a new one, rather than seek revenge by attacking our own wardrobe with grape juice.
Do seek enjoyment for yourself: When other people take the time to do nice things for us, it generally makes us happy. So, we should take the time to do nice things for ourselves, too. This could mean indulging in a favorite dessert, taking a day off from work, going for a long run, planning a day with friends, or engaging in any other activity that brings us pleasure.
Frustrating as it is, we can't always control the injustices inflicted on us by others. But we can avoid mistreating ourselves, and we even have the chance to create some extra happiness in the process.


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Job Information
CTG MORTGAGE UNDERWRITER in Hialeah, Florida
United States
Information Technology
Jul 13, 2020Post Date
20202434Requisition #
Apply for JobShare this JobSign Up for Job Alerts
Come join us and grow your career with CTG! Apply with CTG for this exciting opportunity!
Duration:3+ Months
Job Title:Mortgage Senior Underwriter
Pay:Based on Experience
Day to Day Responsibilities
The Mortgage Senior Underwriter is responsible for reviewing, analyzing and approving residential loan applications. The Mortgage Senior Underwriter is also responsible for verifying income, assets, credit and collateral documents including self-employed personal and business tax returns. The Mortgage Senior Underwriter may be involved in one or several types of mortgage lending (agency conventional, portfolio conventional, FHA/VA MI etc.). This position will also lend support to other underwriters on complex loan submissions. Lending authority to include conventional, government and jumbo loan programs for up to $750,000. Excellent phone and communication skills and a value of providing superior customer service to internal and external customers required. An exemplary customer service oriented attitude and the ability to work effectively in a Team Environment is essential.
• Evaluate creditworthiness of borrows in order to render a credit decision. This includes but is not limited to the review of paystubs, W2's, financial statements, tax returns, asset statements, bank account statements, credit reports etc.
• Must ensure all loans meet or exceed corporate credit policy and be in compliance with the Ability to Repay (ATR) and Qualified Mortgage provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act.
• Ensure compliance with appropriate company and Agency/Investor/FHA/VA guidelines.
• Review transmittal & 1003 to make sure it is accurate and complete and matches the final AUS findings
• Review credit report and compare to liabilities on 1003. Verify the investor guidelines for outstanding derogatory items and requirement payment or satisfaction if needed.
• Calculate income/self-employed cash flow using documentation and methodology required per investor, and CFPB regulations. Analyze the business's financial strength by examining annual earnings to determine stability and validity. Income must be verifiable, stable and ongoing.
• Review assets to ensure adequate funds to close and required reserves. Ability to analyze bank statements for any recent large deposits and possible other debts that might impact ATR.
• Review appraisal to ensure the report is accurate, complete and the value is supported and the collateral is acceptable. Recognize when additional field reviews may be necessary to support value
• Ability to review Condo/PUD projects to ensure they meet salable or non warrantable guidelines
• Review file to make sure state regulatory guidelines have been met and federal (patriot act)
• Calculate net tangible benefit for those states that require this test
• Ensure all tax, title, insurance and closing documentation is accurate and complete
• Verify that the rate lock matches the underwriting file with the correct program, LTV, credit score and pre-payment penalty
• Review final conditions submitted to Underwriting Final Approval within SLA
• Re-review all Suspended loans within SLA
• Review a minimum number of files per month as determined by management which would include new submissions, re-submissions & final conditions
• Maintain current and fluid knowledge of investor and agency guidelines and adapt to changes quickly
• Communicate effectively and engages proactively with mortgage loan officers, processors, branch managers, funders and post-closers in regards to loan decisions, assignment of loan conditions, investor guidelines/documentation requirements and possible loan scenarios
• Assists in the training of Client Mortgage employees as needed
• Perform other related duties as assigned
• Work "underwriting help desk" on a rotational basis answering emails and phone calls from the sales force.
• Demonstrate exceptional service philosophy in all interactions with internal peers and partners
• Perform second level review on loans recommended for denial. Evaluate the application to determine if there are any other products or alternative terms available before issuance of denial.
• Perform Second Level One up Reviews on those loans recommended for approval above someone's lending authority.
• Once approved, has lending authority up to $750,000
Required Experience and Skills:
• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience
• 5+ years of recent Mortgage Underwriting Experience (FHA, VA and Conventional) with strong agency guideline knowledge
• DE, SAR and LAPP certifications strongly preferred ; experience with USDA is a plus
• Strong working knowledge of ATR/QM Requirements
• Proven knowledge of Mortgage Insurance Guidelines and rates
• Working knowledge of Empower LOS is a plus
• Strong analytical skills; accuracy, consistency and completeness is critical
• Ability to work in a fast paced, fluid environment and be held to meet minimum production standards
• High integrity and outstanding work ethic
• Strong computer skills; proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
• Must have proficient written and verbal communication skills
• Proven knowledge of compliance and disclosure requirements
• Proven knowledge of closing, post-closing & quality control responsibilities
Additional Information:
• No third party resumes will be accepted
• Drug testing and/or other employment-related inquiries may be conducted
• CTG will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of all applicable local, state, and federal laws.
• Candidates must currently reside in USA
• Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. without restrictions
• CTG is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer
• CTG is an E-Verify Company
• All interested individuals MUST be able to work on a W2 Tax basis (no C2C or third party vendors)
To be considered for this opportunity, please apply directly through our website by clicking the link below or email your Word version resume to firstname.lastname@example.com
CTG (NASDAQ: CTG) has developed a reputation for responsiveness and reliability - traits that our clients say set us apart - since our founding in 1966. As one team, we create and deliver information and technology solutions that make our clients more successful and cultivate a workplace that attracts and develops the best people. Our vision is to be an indispensable partner to our clients and the preferred career destination for information and technology experts. CTG has operations in North America, South America, Western Europe, and India and regularly posts news and other important information online at www.ctg.com.
Our culture is a direct result of the people who work at CTG, the values we hold, and the actions we take. In other words, our people are the culture. It's a living, breathing thing that is renewed every day through the ways we engage with each other, our clients, and our communities. Part of our mission is to cultivate a workplace that attracts and develops the best people, reflected by our recognition as a Great Place to Work-certified company across many of our global operations.
CTG will consider for employment all qualified applicants including those with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of all applicable local, state, and federal laws.
CTG is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. CTG will assure equal opportunity and consideration to all applicants and employees in recruitment, selection, placement, training, benefits, compensation, promotion, transfer, and release of individuals without regard to race, creed, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, age, disability, marital or veteran status, citizenship status, or any other discriminatory factors as required by law. Our Affirmative Action program serves to promote occupational equality and diversity through good faith efforts. CTG is fully committed to promoting employment opportunities for members of protected classes.
Additional Information
Job Function: Customer Support
Education Level: Bachelor's Degree (±16 years)
Work Remote: Yes
Travel: No


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Brazilian Girls: New York City
The Brazilian Girls make a smart career move, but a not so great record.
Brazilian Girls
New York CityLabel: Verve Forecast
US Release Date: 2008-08-05
UK Release Date: 2008-08-05
If there's one thing the Brazilian Girls have done over their three-album career, it's been to make critics just as schizophrenic as their scatterbrain influences. New York City, the band's latest outing, leaves less open for interpretation and presents a tighter, less sporadic sound. Although the varied elements are still in place, they provide less flare and anthem-worthy club stompers over the album's 11 tracks. If anything, the album highlights the group taking a less complex approach and redefining its craft -- not a bad thing as far as longevity is concerned with a group like this, but it can leave a somewhat stale taste in one's mouth while the trio is trying to find its niche.
The album's introduction is sort of a false advertisement. "St. Petersburg" and "Losing Myself" leave the listener with a normal dose of Brazilian Girls world-savvy, percussion-driven beats, and jazz undertones led by the group's indie female vixen, Sabina Sciubba. All is fine and dandy until "Berlin" murders the airwaves. The carnivalesque horn overload reminds me exactly why I never went to the carnival as a kid -- not only did the clowns frighten the hell out of me, but the music made it twice as eerie. They are obviously shooting for novelty here. Previously in their career, novelties have worked in their favor, but this effort falls quite short of achieving anything positive.
One may say I'm reading too far into a dance track, but in order to capture an audience, it has to have more substance than formula. "Internacional" is embarrassing, frankly. If Serge Gainsbourg heard this, I'm quite sure he'd go flaccid in his grave. Its use of fictitious-sounding drum tracks amongst the featured vocals of the extraordinary Senegalese singer Baaba Maal is a shame. Sciubba's babbling of names of foreign countries is not only contrived, but it can be tough to make it through the entire track. However, I must give the band credit for featuring one of the world's most underrated singers, Baaba Maal, and can only commend it for introducing this superhuman being to its audience -- something the Brazilian Girls have always done exceptionally well. The trio has so much potential, it just seems misplaced at times... to our chagrin.
However, there are a few gems throughout New York City that feature the trio branching out into varied genres that seem to work for it -- and surprisingly, they are rather mellow. "Strangeboy" contains minimalist beats awash Sciubba's reverberated, monotone vocals (which her singing with no range is branching out in itself). This is where the making things less complex method works brilliantly for the Girls, and leaves a lot of room for them to grow together. When they don't try so hard to shove themselves into a genre they don't sound comfortable with, and instead sit down and work in a minimalist fashion, they sound like an imitable band, not an imitation. The album ends on a similar note with "Mano de Dios", an ambient drone that never quite changes, but begins to swell as the drone gets louder and Sciubba's chanting gains more reverb depth over the course of four minutes. The Brazilian Girls are obviously stepping into territory that can help create the mood for a consistent album, but the proper adjustments have yet to be made.
And this is the progression of New York City. Quite possibly a reflection of the varied tastes of New York City itself, some tracks satisfy immensely, others cause humdrum annoyance. The Brazilian Girls have constantly impressed folks because of their multiplicity, but the next step is finding a way to combining these elements in a subtle fashion to work as a complete album. New York City has taken many steps in that direction, but there is still work to be done for the band to carve its niche.


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Enter Hardtied Now!
Presenting Veruca James
Veruca James receives an introduction to rope bondage and submission. After being trained in slave positions, she is ordered to do a strip tease followed by an inspection. Every inch of her body is checked before she is hogtied, ball gagged, whipped and forced to orgasm over and over. All while a having her pussy whipped and flogged, her nipples clamped, and while riding the wooden horse....
Read More
18 U.S.C. 2257 Compliance Statement


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Given the doom and despondency across so many parts of the EU economy and with European governments tumbling over themselves to reverse years of living beyond their means, next week's Paris Air Show at Le Bourget should provide something to cheer.
Sad though it is for me to say - and particularly with all that wonderful sophisticated military aircraft technology on display - it is best to forget Paris this year being about defense as I doubt that subject will get much of a look in.
The Paris Air Show, for all its brilliance in showing off the world's best aerospace and defense technology and providing great space for the industry to engage in global networking, will in the end be all about commercial aircraft and the orders that the big boys receive. Just as the others have been.
For most of what is after all - alongside the Farnborough Air Show in the UK with which it alternates annually - the biggest and most important aerospace show in world, will, I fear, be all about order announcements from Boeing and Airbus.
I doubt that those who enjoy this annual battle will be disappointed either and I would be very surprised indeed had Airbus not had several significant order announcements already hidden up its sleeve.
As things stand right now I am told that Boeing has received far more orders than Airbus so far this year, but don't believe that that is how it will look by the end of Paris Air Show week.
I suspect that the real point is that Paris will show off just how well the commercial aircraft industry has recovered on the back of how the airline customers themselves have recovered.
Technology that will hopefully reduce fuel usage, reduce the reliance on traditional sourced fuels, reduce aircraft weight and potentially improve operating efficiency is the new order of the day. And it's coming too, be it in alloys, plastics or material that actually grows.
Engine makers such as Rolls-Royce, GE and United Technologies' Pratt & Whitney subsidiary will all be busy showing off the latest ideas that they have on this front whilst Airbus, Boeing and others will be attempting to demonstrate why, notwithstanding the various development problems each has had, their newest generation planes - the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350, are all that they are cracked up to be in terms of cost saving operational efficiency. I doubt that either company will disappoint.
As someone who has spent the best of a lifetime putting defense aerospace on a pedestal over and above commercial I can say that I dislike the manner in which the so-called race between Boeing and Airbus dominates big trade shows like Paris seemingly at the expense of everything else. But there we are – no use throwing straws to the wind and with no more toys left to throw out of the pram there is nothing left to do but to grin and bear it.
Sure, defense will get a look in when questions over tanker refueling aircraft are raised, when the current position of the A400M development is discussed, when aircraft like Eurofighter Typhoon and the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter are discussed.
But for now with defense cuts the only thing on most people's lips and with the air of excitement on defense probably restricted to potential exports to countries less exposed to the economic downturn, the defense sector will probably not provide exciting news for Paris delegates next week.
The Paris Air Show will be exciting of course – it always is, no matter whether it is dominated by Boeing and Airbus or not. The importance of networking by industry and of all that brings should never be lost on those looking for reasons why shows like this still exist.
Paris, just like Farnborough, is a place to show off rather than gloat. For small and large, for thick and thin, large and stout there will be something there for everyone. And hopefully if the past is anything to go by new ideas and partnerships will be born whose benefits will grace Paris and Farnborough Air Shows decades from now.
And what will be the hot debate? Will it be questioning whether the Boeing 787 will arrive at its first customer later this year, whether the A350 XWB will face some delays, whether Boeing will replace the venerable 737 - which is after all still the best selling aircraft of all time - how the A320-NEO will do, how Bombardier and Embraer fare down in the smaller narrow body market?
All will feature, of course, along with questions for Airbus on long term A380 success and so on. I doubt that the longer term threat to the likes of Boeing and Airbus from China, Russia and elsewhere will be hidden under the Paris carpet either.
A bit of everything can be expected, then, together with a touch of debate on aircraft subsidies thrown in for good measure. The bottom line though is that unlike two years ago, this Paris will be a toast to recovery and justified success of an industry that has more than nine lives.
Howard Wheedon is Senior Strategist at BGC Partners


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That roar you hear is the sound of bikers descending on Northwest Arkansas for the 17th annual Bikes, Blues & BBQ Rally. The rally is arguably one of the area's biggest events of the season, if not the year and runs this year September 21-24.
Bikes Blues and BBQ is a not-for-profit motorcycle rally that benefits women, children, and the under-served members of the Northwest Arkansas community. Over $1.3 million has been raised for local charities according to the Bikes Blues and BBQ website.
The Curtis Realty Group team would like to extend a warm welcome to BBBBQ attendees and remind everybody driving to please plan a little more time, take extra caution, and extend patience where needed for this event that does so much for our community.
We will be volunteering Wednesday night as the rally gets underway with the Northwest Arkansas Center for Sexual Assault at the beer garden in the Walton Arts Center parking lot on Dickson. Come by and see us!
More information about the rally and related events can be found at their website bikesbluesandbbq.org and Facebook page Bikes Blues and BBQ Official Rally Guide.


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It felt fantastic to be on the road again. Somehow when I have my huge backpack strapped to my back, I just feel so…free. Free to experience new things, to go new places, to meet new people. Not tied down by anyone's schedule but my own. It's a very distinct feeling, and on that November 30th, after signing the final severance papers with my former Japanese employer, I felt it for the first time in probably half a year.
I also felt one other feeling that day.
I'd been running around trying to get so much done that before I knew it dinner time had come, and all I'd "eaten" since the evening before was a McFlurry. But I was on my way to Hakata, the Ramen capital of Japan, so I decided to tough it out for just a little bit longer. It was a quest for the perfect meal – a steaming hot bowl of Ichiran Ramen, prepared just the way I like it. I decided that I wouldn't accept anything else. My own little Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle. Justin Goes To Ichiran.
Unfortunately this perfect meal made me miss my train to Miyazaki, so I was left with little choice but to wait for an overnight 特急 departing at 11pm. I posted up in Mc D's and dreamt of a nice, cozy sleeper car. A sleeper car that never came. Instead, I seated myself on a vehicle exactly the same as any daytime express – right down to the regular "NEXT STOP" announcements. I probably slept a total of 2 hours – which was not good, considering I was up the entire previous night moving out of my apartment in Kyoto.
I didn't arrive at the hotel in Miyazaki until 6:30am, at which point I went straight to the お風呂 for a quick bath, grabbed breakfast, and headed out to the field for some survey work.
One of the first pieces of professional advice Dean had to offer: "If Higashi-san gets fresh with you, just give him a bitch slap."
Higashi-san is the curator of the museum at Saitobaru. He's eaten with members of the Imperial Family. "BITCH SLAP" became his new favorite word of the trip.
Man, do I love working with Dean. After spending the last year dealing with the strict rules and bureaucracy of a Japanese company, a guy like that is just a godsend. The day's work consisted of 4 hours in the sun pulling a radar over some suspected burial chambers while sharing a bit of friendly conversation. For this I received similar pay to what the Japanese company used to give me for a full day locked in an office with no freedom of schedule or fresh air. It was a day's work with no one looking over my shoulder and yelling at me if I glance at my cellphone, no one counting how many minutes I spend in the bathroom, and no one coming over to call me into a meeting every three minutes. Hmm, improvement of lifestyle? I think so!
(It was also very generous of him to cover my travel expenses. When I went to San Francisco for GDC, all we got was 5,000 yen a day…barely $45…from which we had to pay for everything, right down to the taxi from the airport to the hotel. Thank you again, Dean!)
After work I rested in the Saitobaru museum's staffroom while we waited for the radargram data to copy, then we headed to a quick bathouse, a Chinese dinner, and my first full night's sleep in three days.
I woke up the next day feeling really sick. D'oh.
We got to the museum and started data processing, eventually picking up the laptop midway through and relocating to the nicest ryokan / onsen I've ever seen. I'm not usually big on the onsen culture, but this place felt like something right out of a samurai movie, was cheap, and just a wonderful feeling – a rotenburo right next to a river – and GREAT dinner.
Driving through Miyazaki really reminded me of how diverse Japan's cities can feel. Miyazaki, unlike Kyoto, feels like a quiet, slow-paced, pleasant, wide-opened little corner of the country. It's got big parking lots and big supermarkets that at one point actually reminded me of the US. As did the fact that it would be pretty much impossible to get around without cars – there are no super-developed train and subway networks down in Miyazaki. Even the bullet train only goes to the first major city on Kyushu, which is why it takes nearly 8 hours to get here from Kyoto, even if you ride the fastest trains available.
Then it was back to the hotel to rest.
3 Responses to "Japan Notes 2 – Working for Dean"
The freedom in life has no price!


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It's within these walls that memories are made. Where you will bring your new baby home. Where they will take their first steps. Where you will laugh, cry and love.
There are so many different names for this style of photography. Lifestyle, documentary, storytelling, natural… All of them alluding to the same thing. An unposed and authentic approach to photographing everyday life.
"Newborn Photography"
When I decided to start my photography business a few years ago, I knew two things for sure. That I loved taking photos and that I loved babies. So it only made sense for me to become a 'newborn photographer.' I didn't quite know what that would mean for me, other than I wanted to take photos of families with new babies and give them memories that they would treasure forever.
When I googled 'newborn photography' all I would see was images of babies wrapped up in baskets and buckets, surrounded by flowers, wearing cute little headbands and posed in all sorts of adorable ways. I learnt the poses and I learnt how to do them safely. I had a shelf full of sweet little props and enough newborn wraps to cover a football field. I thought that's what being a newborn photographer was and while I did really love it to begin with, I'd leave each session feeling exhausted and unfulfilled creatively.
I was going to throw in the towel and return to my day job, when my husband pointed out that if I wasn't enjoying the style of photography that I was doing, then why don't I try a style I do love? But I want to photograph babies! I told him. Yeah, so keep doing it. Just change it up! Was his (really sensible) response. But this is what a newborn photographer does. It's all about posing and making sure the baby sleeps through the session.
Why. Such a simple question that changed the whole direction of my business.
While I still completely agree that posed, studio newborn photography can be absolutely gorgeous, it just wasn't me. I never had my own babies photographed in that style. In fact, the photos that I loved of them most were the ones I took when they were just being themselves. At home, playing, being read stories by their dad, sleeping in his arms. All of those normal, every day things that I probably took for granted at the time.
So I decided to take the style that I photograph my own family in and apply it to my business. And oh how things changed.
My sessions became so much more relaxed. They became fun! I connected more with my clients, we chatted throughout the whole session because we weren't worried about keeping the baby asleep and posed. My photographs had more emotion, more connection and more meaning than ever before. And all I did was do things my way.
So. Here are the reasons why I think you should choose to have your pregnancy or baby photography session taken in your own home.
It's so meaningful!
More than likely, this house will be the place you first bring your new baby home to. Possibly where they take their first steps. Maybe you'll take their 'first day of school' photo by the front door. How special to be able to pull out your first family photos and see your first family home.
It's so convenient!
Who needs to worry about trying to get everyone ready and out the door at a certain time when you're heavily pregnant? Or in the midst of your newborn bubble? No thank you! Leave the clock-watching to me and don't get up from the couch. Let me document your routine and show you the beauty in your everyday life. I rarely photograph kitchen sinks, so if it's full of dishes that is SO not a problem.
It's so comfortable!
No awkward posing, cheese is for crackers, etc. I don't want to photograph you smiling unnaturally at the camera. I want to photograph you cooing over your baby! Or gazing in to your partner's eyes. Laughing with each other when your newborn spews all over your fifth outfit change that day. The real moments, the seemingly un-noteworthy moments that will one day bring it all flooding back. They'll be everything.
It's shorter!
Most of the time, in-home sessions only take an hour so. We don't need to unwrap or undress your baby. If you need to feed bub, I'll keep on clicking away. I don't need to spend 20 minutes meticulously posing your newborn while you sit in a 24 degree room. I'm there to document your life exactly as it is and it doesn't take long to do that.
It's uniquely you!
It's you! It's your home, your life, your style. Your images will truly reflect you and won't look like anyone else's, ever.


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This is the second burial register from St Thomas' Church Keresley, and it records burials in the old churchyard from 1901 to February 1949 (over 800 register entries). It runs concurrently with C&N from 1940, but only contains burials for the old churchyard where C&N only contains burials form the new churchyard. The original is now kept in the County Archive in Warwick. To search this register by year, click here.
To search by name, click here


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Dear North Fork Families,
Chawanakee Unified and North Fork School are conducting a School
Climate Survey as part of our LCAP process. Data from this survey will
be used to make decisions about resources and actions to make improve
our school. Please take the survey so that we can accurately understand
your concerns and opinions. The survey link is https://goo.gl/forms/M2OwSW0LK3UsFm4l1. The link will also be posted on Facebook and our school website.
Please complete the survey by March 19. Thank you in advance for your participation.
Best wishes,
Jared Pierce, Principal


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Greek Philosopher Plato
The philosophy of Plato has probably had more influence on Western thought than that of any other man. Another great Greek philosopher, Aristotle, was a student of Plato and was strongly influenced by him.
Plato's writings encompass the whole field of philosophy, and he also wrote on politics, education, and law. His work was the basis of Neoplatonism, a school of philosophy that flourished in the 3d century A.D. and that was a major influence on St. Augustine and other early Christian philosophers. Plato was also the founder of the Academy in Athens. It was the most influential school in the Western world and was in existence for almost a thousand years.
Plato's idealism, which holds that true knowledge of reality comes from the world of ideas, rather than from everyday experience, has been defended or attacked by virtually every philosopher who followed him. Because Aristotle placed more stress on knowledge derived from the senses, it is sometimes said that every philosopher is either a Platonist or an Aristotelian, in recognition of the philosophical positions held by Plato and his most famous student.
Plato lived during the period of Athens' decline as the cultural and political capital of the Greek world. He was born about two years after the death of Pericles, who ruled Athens during its golden age. The Peloponnesian War, which began about four years before Plato's birth, was a long and bloody struggle that finally reduced the once-proud Athenian democracy to tyranny and despotism.
Aristocles, which was Plato's real name, was born into a wealthy aristocratic family. As a youth he was a splendid athlete, and his nickname, "Plato", means, roughly, "broad-shouldered".
From his letters it is known that he had an early ambition to enter public life. However, disillusionment with the various ruling groups in Athens caused him to turn to writing and teaching instead.
Plato was a student of the philosopher Socrates, who in 399 B.C. was arrested by the Athenian government and charged with impiety. He was tried, convicted, and condemned to death. The death of Socrates made a lasting impression on Plato. He left Athens and traveled extensively, visiting various Greek cities around the Mediterranean.
Plato eventually returned to Athens and founded the Academy in about 387 B.C. He spent the rest of his life teaching and writing. Twice, however, he went to Syracuse to tutor its young king, Dionysius the Younger. Because of political intrigue, Plato was forced to leave the city both times, and once he barely escaped with his life. He died in Athens at the age of 80 or 81.
Plato wrote in the literary form of the dialogue, which consists of conversations between two or more persons. The dialogue form allowed Plato to develop character, build suspense, and add touches of humor and irony. He was a superb literary artist, and his works can be read for their literary value alone.
The early dialogues, written from about the time of Socrates' death to 387 B.C., emphasize ethical questions. The middle dialogues, written from the time of the founding of the Academy until about 360 B.C., contain Plato's most important writings on metaphysics and epistemology. The later dialogues tend to be concerned with logic, mathematics, the law, and natural science.
In the early and middle dialogues, Socrates is usually the leading character. The dialogues generally open with one of Socrates' followers asking him a question, such as "What is justice?" Pretending not to know the answer, Socrates questions his followers, getting their opinions, pointing out their faulty reasoning, and finally leading the student who originally asked the question to arrive at a satisfactory answer. Plato's early dialogues are probably an accurate rendering of the method Socrates used and probably reflect Socrates' philosophy as well. In the later dialogues, however, Socrates is less prominent, both as a character and as the spokesman for Plato's philosophy. In the last dialogue, the Laws, Socrates does not appear at all.
Plato's Philosophy
Plato's doctrine of Ideas is the core of his whole philosophy and the foundation for his epistemology, or theory of knowledge, his metaphysics, or theory of the meaning of existence, and his ethical and political theories.
According to Plato the human senses are undepend-able sources of knowledge. They sometimes give false impressions of the physical world. For example, one's eyes may reveal that a building is orange, when in fact it only appears so because it is reflecting the rays of the setting sun. Sense impressions are also misleading because they are often incapable of transmitting the changes that take place constantly in the physical world. For example, scientific studies reveal that over a long period of time, mountain ranges rise, erode, and flatten out again. The senses of one human being are not able to detect these gradual changes, however, and to the human eye a mountain is permanent.
However, man does not depend solely on his senses. He is able to subject his sense perceptions to a critical examination, because he also has the faculty of reason. By applying reason, he can gain knowledge of reality, which is the world of pure Forms or Ideas. Man's reason, and hence his knowledge of the world of pure Forms, is imperfect and faulty, just as the physical world is an imperfect and faulty copy of the world of Ideas. For example, there is no completely just society on earth, but the Idea of justice exists as a pure Form. To the extent that man is able to comprehend the Idea of justice, he recognizes the imperfection of justice in the everyday world. By using his knowledge of the world of Ideas, man is able to examine and sometimes to discard information received through the senses.
The world of Ideas is permanent and unchanging. The Idea of the Good, or God, is the unifying principle of the realm of Ideas. God constitutes total reason and goodness and is the ultimate cause of both the world of Ideas and of the physical world.
Later philosophers have tended to treat metaphysics, ethics, and epistemology as separate problems. For Plato, however, they are so closely connected that he rarely discusses one of them without considering the others. The Republic, for example, is primarily an attempt to define justice, an ethical ideal, and to show how it can be encouraged by the creation of an ideal political system. To define justice, however, Plato must establish the essential nature and purpose of man. These are metaphysical issues. Knowledge itself has to be denned in order for man to distinguish between reality, which is made known to man through his reason, and appearance, which is conveyed to man by the senses.
The Parable of the Cave
A famous parable in the Republic illustrates Plato's ability to deal with several philosophical issues at once. The parable compares mankind's condition to that of a group of prisoners chained in a dark cave. The only things of the external world they can see are shadows thrown against a wall from outside the cave. Because they have never seen the real figures that are casting the shadows, they mistakenly believe that the shadows themselves are real.
If one of the prisoners should be allowed to leave the cave, he would realize that the figures walking back and forth, not the shadows they make, are real. He would also be able to contemplate the sun, realizing that it is the source of all light and life. If forced to reenter the cave, he would have only pity for the ignorant beliefs of the other inmates. However, any attempt to inform them of the true nature of reality would be met with ridicule and contempt.
The parable can be interpreted as a metaphysical statement on the nature of reality versus appearance. The reflected shadows on the cave wall are physical phenomena, which are only appearance. The actual figures walking outside the cave are the Platonic Ideas. The sun, as the source of all light and life, can be compared to the Idea of the Good, or God.
The parable may also be given an epistemological interpretation. The eyes of the prisoners, representing the senses in general, are deceiving, because they are incapable of distinguishing appearance from reality. The parable implies that true knowledge comes only from a direct encounter with the light, which may be compared to the rational principles on which the universe is founded. The fact that the prisoner returning to the cave is unable to convince the other inmates of the existence of the real world indicates that each man must exercise his own rational faculties to gain knowledge.
Finally, the parable has an ethical meaning. The Good can be achieved only by knowledge. Evil results from ignorance, from mistaking appearance for reality. The man who has seen the truth has no desire to reenter the cave of ignorance.
The Ideal State
The parable also justifies the class structure of the ideal state created in the Republic. Plato's ideal republic consists of three classes. The highest is the ruling class, comprising the wisest men in the society. They rule by rational principles. Their authority to rule the other classes rests on their knowledge of the truth. Plato's ideal republic also has a military class, whose function is to protect the state, and a worker class, composed of artisans, laborers, and men of commerce and trade. Their function is to provide the material things required by the society and perform the necessary menial tasks.
Plato believed that greed is the origin of many of the evils in society. He specified that the ruling and military classes should not own property and should not even be allowed to handle money. They were to lead austere lives, separated from the worker class.
The education of the young was to be placed completely in the hands of the state, and infants would be taken from their mothers and reared by the state. The arts would be strictly controlled, and only patriotic and morally uplifting works would be permitted.
Plato's republic has often been criticized as harsh and inhuman. In modern times it has been compared to 20th-century examples of Fascist and other totalitarian regimes. There are important differences, however. The rulers in Plato's republic occupy their position because they are the wisest and most virtuous men in the society. The existence of these men was an absolute requirement for the republic, and Plato realized that a society lacking such men to lead it could never approach his ideal.
The Soul
Plato believed that man is a composite being, consisting of a body and the force that moves it and gives it life. He called this force the psyche, which is usually translated as the soul. The soul is superior to the body. It is rational in nature and is therefore a part of the realm of pure Ideas. It is eternal, although Plato is not specific about the form that its immortality takes after it leaves the body. At the end of the Laws, written when Plato himself was approaching death, he said that all man really knows about death is that it separates the soul from the body. The body is destroyed, but the soul passes on to a remote region.
The Dialogues of Plato
The Dialogues of Plato were various treatises of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato. They are presented in the form of dialogues, or conversations, often between Socrates and his associates. The dialogues make up nearly all of Plato's surviving works. They were written over a period extending from about 397 B.C. until his death in about 347 B.C.
Plato used the dialogues to set forth his ideas about such matters as beauty, goodness, knowledge, immortality, virtue, and the nature of reality. In the Republic, perhaps his most famous dialogue, he deals with justice and constructs an ideal human community. He also presents his celebrated theory of ideas, which states that there are eternal and perfect forms, called ideas, of which the world and all things in it are imperfect imitations.
The dialogues are usually grouped into three periods, which correspond to Plato's development as a philosopher. The earliest treatises, such as the Crito, Lysis, and Ion, show the influence of Socrates. In these dialogues, Plato argues that virtue is knowledge and can be taught. Some of the greatest dialogues, notably the Republic, Symposium, and Phaedo, were written during Plato's middle period. In them he develops his theory of ideas, analyzes the nature and ways of knowledge, and discusses love, virtue, and the immortality of the soul. The later dialogues include Laws, which describes another model human community; the Sophist, on metaphysics; and the Timaeus, a treatise on natural science that was highly regarded in the Middle Ages.
Plato's dialogue form was imitated by many other writers on philosophy, notably Cicero, St. Augustine, and the Irish bishop George Berkeley (1685-1753). The dialogues also exerted a profound influence on Christian thinking and on later Western philosophy.


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MathWorks is sponsoring the Signal Processing Cup (SP Cup), an undergraduate student competition organized by IEEE Signal Processing Society.
SP Cup provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to form teams to solve a challenging and interesting real-world problem using signal processing techniques.
Three teams will be selected to present their work and to receive prizes awarded at ICASSP 2019.
Hear from the 2017 winning team that used MATLAB and Signal Processing Toolbox to implement state-of-the-art beat tracking algorithms and benchmark their performance against various revisions of their own in-house algorithms.


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BACKGROUND The property, part of Millennium Hotels and Resorts' Biltmore collection, opened in Abu Dhabi in October 2016. It is a luxury hotel, and the second by the group on this emirate.
WHAT'S IT LIKE? Moroccan-Arabic. The exterior is painted in orange and terracotta, typical to Moroccan style. The cultural influences continue to show in the high balconies along the upper rim of the walls. Interiors that are predominantly cocoa-coloured with mother-of-pearl finishing reflect Arabic sensibilities, as do the prints on the carpet and cushions with tassels. There is a large tent like structure at the far end of the lobby that offers free Arabic coffee and dates in traditional cups.
On walking through the glass doors of the lobby, operated by a man of about seven feet in height (at least when I had visited), there are ample sofa seatings around coffee tables, amongst which is a display of delicious looking desserts.
To the right is the reception where check-in is completed rather quickly. Before I could zip my purse shut, I had a porter boy waiting to escort me up to my room.
WHERE IS IT? The entrance to Bab Al Qasr in Corniche is opposite Emirates Palace and within walking distance to the Presidential Palace. It is 36km from Abu Dhabi International Airport and a two-hour drive from Dubai's Business Bay.
ROOM FACILITIES I stayed in the Premier room (43 sqm) — one category higher than the base — Superior room (41 sqm) — with a view of Emirates Palace, and the sea behind it. In fact, all rooms have a sea view.
As you enter, the bathroom with a separate bathtub and a shower area is to your right. To the left is a cupboard, and a minibar with tea/coffee making facilities and free water bottles. Below the LCD television is a beautiful cabinet with carvings. An elaborate socket with plug points and ports for a USB stick and HDMI cable are built on top of this cabinet. Much to my discomfort, this was the only place where I could charge my phone when I slept because there were none by my bedside.
Large windows that let in ample daylight make one wall of the room. Being double glazed means the room remained cool despite the 40-degree plus temperatures outside. This also means that in the evenings, condensation on the glass restricted my view. I could control the curtains, television, radio and room lights via the bedside console.
Other amenities in the room include a work desk, safe, luggage rack and free wifi that was strong in all parts of the hotel apart from my room.
The Executive, Club Deluxe, Club rooms and all suites have access to the hotel's Executive Club Lounge. It runs across two levels — nine and ten — and has three meeting rooms, work stations with computers and casual seating areas. There is also an F&B area where breakfast, lunch, dinner, evening snacks and happy hours are served.
The second tower at Bab Al Qasr has serviced apartments from studios to three-bed residences.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS Limo is a Peruvian restaurant and the first of its kind in Abu Dhabi. I made a meal of the small dishes; they're delicious and come in a large selection. Morjana is where impromptu meetings take place — this is the lobby-cum-cafe. Breakfast is served in Artisan Kitchen. I started my mornings here with the traditional bread and switched from Chinese to European and finally Arabic breakfasts daily for variety — the cappuccino had a rich flavour. Fresh Basil is the delicatessen for those on the go. The bars here are the poolside Loop and the one at Limo.
BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES The business centre occupies levels six to eight and are equipped with scanners, printers and copy machines. Al Dana Ballroom has a video-conferencing facility with a capacity for 500 delegates. Additionally, there are 15 meeting and function rooms.
LEISURE FACILITIES The spa is divided into two levels — one for men and the other for women. The outdoor infinity swimming pool is open from 8am-8pm. The 140-metre stretch of private beach is open from 8am until sunset. The gym is open round the clock.
VERDICT It is suited for business and leisure travellers with facilities to please both.
PRICE Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in September started from ₹13,750 for a Premier room.
CONTACT Bab Al Qasr, Corniche Road, West Abu Dhabi; tel: +971 2 205 3000; babalqasr.com


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Study Abroad Forum Program
Session I: chaired by Dr. Kim Jones
4:20 pm
As a Lumen Scholar, Elon College Fellow, and Periclean Scholar, I have had the opportunity to conduct original research in several different countries. While such experiences at first sound overwhelming, going to a foreign area and making the most out of your time is not only possible but extremely rewarding. From my time in semester-long study in Costa Rica and 6-week summer experience in South Africa, I have learned what steps are necessary in order to be successful in international academic pursuits. As a way to encourage others to pursue research projects, I have developed guidelines for students who are planning to engage in scholarly activities abroad. Guidelines include the importance of a faculty mentor and emphasize planning prior to departure. Before embarking upon international study, it is necessary to establish contacts in the host country and develop an alternative plan should the original initiative prove impractical. It is necessary to have patience and recognize that tasks such as making photocopies may take longer than anticipated. The ability to articulate research requirements is also important. Finally, it is imperative to remember that international academic work is hard and that challenges are just a part of the experience. My presentation will include specific examples of difficulties and how I overcame them in Costa Rica and South Africa.
4:40 pm
Teaching principles of science can be challenging and complex when done by non-science, non-education majors. Teaching them in India to children who may or may not have a firm understanding of English is even more so. Our panel will compare survey results from both the children we taught at six different middle and high schools in India during Winter Term 2009, and children who were taught with a similar program at the local Graham Middle School. The India program was loosely affiliated with Periclean Scholars classes of 2011 and 2012, and the 2011 class has a sister project at Graham, so there was an existing partnership from which to work.
5:00 pm
Ghana, a highly-indebted poor country with just over 20 million people, has a severe shortage of trained medical personnel and health care facilities. This study examines the measures taken by the Kufuor administration (2001-2009) to improve Ghana's national health system as well as the extent to which an Elon University, Periclean Scholars class of 2010 community partnership with Kpoeta, Ghana has supported Ghana's national health care goals. It also evaluates the relative success of measures to improve healthcare undertaken by the Government of Ghana and the 2010 Periclean Scholars based on analysis of research studies, feedback from our partnering community and first-hand experience in the country over fall 2008 and January 2009. Findings include that funds and goods distributed through government-supported incentive programs aimed at reversing the exodus of trained medical professionals to foreign countries have been insufficient. Ghana continues to lose more than half of its medical professionals annually, a loss of nearly $4,000,000 in training costs. In Kpoeta, an isolated, rural community, locally provided incentives have helped to retain two nurses posted by the Government of Ghana at a clinic constructed with Periclean support, but the community fears that without the provision of improved housing, that the nurses could be lost. Thus, the next phase of our community partnership will be the construction of medical staff housing. The initial phase of the partnership was the construction of the clinic itself; it provides the approximately 10,000 people of Kpoeta with year-round access to a health care facility and supports national health care goals started during the Kufuor administration, to move away from the construction of a few showcase medical facilities in urban areas to supporting thousands of smaller, basic facilities in rural areas. The Paramount Chief of Kpoeta describes the addition of the community clinic as a dream come true; he believes its services will reduce morbidity and mortally, especially from preventable yet common diseases like malaria and cholera, and that with the arrival of a Government of Ghana supported midwife later in 2009, will also help reduce maternal deaths.
5:20 pm
The criminal justice system is a critical issue for any country. The ability to detain and incarcerate criminals is fundamental to the success and vitality of a nation. If a country cannot provide a safe living and working community for its citizens, progress is greatly hindered and the country will struggle to develop. Costa Rica is a country that has been plagued by negative stereotypes as a place of danger and because of this will never be able to truly become a first-world country. This paper demonstrates how the criminal justice system of Costa Rica, a country riddled by penny-theft and street crime, functions both effectively and ineffectively. The research focuses on the laws that govern everyday life for Ticos and aims to show why street crime in Costa Rica is as large of a problem as it is. Also included are comparisons to the legal system of the United States to further comprehension for Americans who have trouble grasping the differences that lie in Costa Rican Law. The research for this paper was gathered largely through primary sources: two interviews with practicing lawyers in Costa Rica, including one who has appeared at the Hague National Convention, as well as a visit and tour of the Corte Supreme de Justicia de Costa Rica(Supreme Court of Justice of Costa Rica). The presentation of this paper will demonstrate to the audience that in order for Costa Rica to decrease its criminal problems and increase its standing as a country in the eyes of the rest of the world, it must restructure the way the criminal justice system handles crime.
6:10 pm
One of the personal as well as academic goals that I set for myself while I was in Kerala, India, during the Winter Term of 2009, was to collect artwork from the students that we worked with in the Traveling Science Center service-learning project. Specifically, I asked these students to draw for me artwork with Keralan or Indian wildlife as the subject matter, but what I received from the students was much more thought provoking and interesting than simple pictures of animals and plants.
6:30 pm
We most often find ourselves traveling to far off places because we seek to understand. We are frustrated, sometimes angered, and confused by things we don't know. Many of us seek to eliminate stereotypes we may have about a particular culture by experiencing it first-hand. But we so often forget that we are not examining a culture through a two-way mirror- we are not the only ones who are allowed to study. In opening ourselves up in an attempt to understand others, we are placing ourselves at risk of being judged. We so easily forget, and are sometimes harshly reminded, that our culture may be just as perplexing or fascinating to the party that we are studying as theirs is to us. And sometimes others' views of us are not as pleasant as we might hope.
6:50 pm
In order to receive the semester study abroad requirement for my International Studies major, I decided to create an IEPA (Independent Elon Program Abroad) through an internship I was offered for the summer in Berlin, Germany. Instead of taking courses with other college students, I found that an internship would give me real life job experience as well as complete cultural immersion, since I would be working with nearly all native German speakers.
7:10 pm
On January 13th, 2009, in the Guatemalan mountain village of Calhuitz, I witnessed the interaction between a young woman suffering from a broken rib and her traditional bone healer. In my personal journal, I wrote: "As the healer palpated the woman's abdomen, she grasped his wrist. I could not see her face or body - only a pile of blankets with an agonized hand reaching and pleading for the process to end." I noted that while many of my fellow students seemed disturbed over the episode, we must be careful to not assume that this was an unnecessary procedure. I argued that many medical procedures in Western culture (such as the chemotherapy and radiation therapies that we use to treat cancer by essentially poisoning the patient) could be perceived as equally upsetting practice to those unfamiliar with our culture's medical customs. It is this critical perspective that allowed me to make cross-cultural comparisons that I would never have made without that multi-lensed perspective.