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This service is no longer offered. Please check www.PetTech.net for a list of instructors in your area.
Are you ready to help your pet through an accident or unexpected injury? All of us who enjoy the love of a cat or dog know the kind of mischief they can get into. You can now be prepared to improve their chances of survival by taking a first aid and CPR class.
I became certified by Pet Tech, Inc., to teach pet first aid and CPR in 2008. The reason I chose this program is because of the scope of potential situations covered and the emphasis on hands-on practice. Getting your body involved in learning helps it stick.
Saving Lives
Many dog rescue volunteers and people in the pet care industry, as well as pet owners, have taken this class over the past few years. Shelley T., a pet sitter from Bothell, WA, reported arriving for a midday dog visit to find the dog in heat stroke. She was thrilled to find her training paid off in saving the dog's life and preventing brain damage with her quick, knowledgeable action.
Another pet sitter who took the class, Scott D., Lake City, WA, learned that Rhododendren leaves could poison an animal. He was taking care of a puppy who chewed on a Rhodie in the yard and had chronic digestive upset. He alerted the owners and they confirmed with their vet that the Rhododendron leaves were toxic. The puppy's gastric distress stopped when they blocked access to the shrub.
A foster dog's life was saved with pet first aid, when the dog got into a box of garden fertilizer. Although it was organic fertilizer, it had toxic ingredients that could have made the small Poodle quite ill.
Being Prepared for an Emergency
The message in these examples is that animals get into all kinds of trouble. We never know when our dog or one we're taking care of is going to limp into the house with a cut paw or a severe allergic reaction to a wasp sting, or raid the pantry and ingest raisins, dark chocolate, or some other food that can harm them. Cats are notorious for nibbling on houseplants, knocking things over and splattering glass shards on the floor, or jumping on the counter and getting into something dangerous. In some of their nine lives they might need the help of a skilled human to pull them through a fall, a cut, a poisoning, or choking.
You can gain first aid and CPR skills in one afternoon. The class is simple, interesting, and fun. These are skills everyone can learn, from pre-teens to seniors. Here is what Charlotte B., of Seattle, WA, had to say about the class:


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I only have two passions, travelling and photography. Fortunately, the two get along very well and my desire to travel to new places helps me take wonderful shots of nature. Unfortunately, selling digital images does not make for a very comfortable living. Although I have been able to establish myself as a professional photographer in the past year, there is still much to be done.
I love traveling to scenic places
Travelling to historical sites, scenic places in the wilderness, crowded cities, and deserted towns always presents a photographer with unique opportunities. I still cannot call any of my pictures my magnum opus, and it gives me hope to know that the best is yet to come. Some of the images have sold for a few hundred bucks each, yet, securing finances for travelling is always an issue. What I make from my work is only enough to pay bills.
Grand Canyons here I come!
The Grand Canyons have always appealed to me and I also wanted to try my hand at fishing at the Colorado River there. A few months back I decided to finally go there and explore all the picturesque possibilities the canyons had to offer. My friends Dave and Jose are great anglers and I decided to take them both with me on a road trip. Money was an issue and I needed around $2,000 in cash to make things happen for me. As a professional photographer, I am a walking flag for banks and lending institutions so I was doubtful about getting a bank loan.
You can get Dallas Car Title Loans in 24-hours My uncle told me about Dallas Car Title Loans and I somehow thought "That's impossible! How can it be that way!", but to my pleasant surprise when I checked their website, it was true. I could get as much as $2,000 dollars in cash in a day against the title of my car. So I took my car to a nearby lender's location for valuation and then got the cash in my bank account in a day. I was glad they did not ask me anything about my credit history.
Dallas Car Title Loans gave me cash in a day to afford my trip
I drove to the Grand Canyons with my friends and we enjoyed a nice time there for a week. The customer services representatives at Dallas Car Title Loans told me that the loan is repaid through a flexible installment plan, which could be modified if my financial situation changed. Not only was my loan approved fast, I also got to dictate my own payment terms.
Most of my work sold for very good prices, and I managed to pay back the full loan plus the interest in just three months.
My fantastic trip to the Grand Canyons was made possible due to Dallas Car Title Loans. After I returned home, there was still money left in my wallet so I took my girlfriend out for shopping at the NorthParkCenter. She bought some sun dresses and some flip flops to gear up for the summer.
Taking out the loan was a breeze and it is good to know that there are cash lenders out there who can give you cash when you need it within a day.

subset: commoncrawl


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Even though websites are created equally and started humbly, some business websites become or are more exciting than others. Nevertheless, irrespective of how irksome your business website is, you need a constant flow of content for your prospective visitors and existing clients. And given the search engine marketing landscape today, content is one of the driving factors in which people choose which company is best to conduct business with. Hence, the best search engine optimization strategy in Nashville-Davidson,Tennessee today is focused on developing a good content marketing scheme.
Content assets can be a form of a page content, blog posts, guest posts, and social media posts. Content is important because according to a study, 60% of consumers nowadays tend to do business with a company that provides content that is tailored to their needs and interests. In addition, 70 percent of these consumers judge a company based on the content they publish. With this data, content certainly plays a substantial role in pulling in and sustaining customers.
So, how can you create bang-up content even if your website is quite boring? Here are some tips you can follow:
#1: Come Up with a Defined Set of Topics
Create a list of all the topics you want to discuss and share with your target readers. Make sure that all these topics are interrelated with each other and are in accordance with your brand message. In case you are hiring freelancers to do the job, make sure that your marketers and writers are in the same page from content ideation to content creation. If you have in-house writers, make sure to gather all of them and begin brainstorming for possible topics. Always remember that great ideas normally come from team effort.
#2: Get the Creative Juice Up and Running
Surely, there will come a point where you will ran out of ideas to write. We know that thinking for possible topics is hard, but writing the content around that topic is more challenging. Nevertheless, you should not leave this process undone. Get your creative juice running while answering the following guide questions:
- Why would my prospective clients want my product or service?
- What benefits will they get from it?
- What could possibly happen if my customers did not make the purchase?
Even the best search engine optimization company in Nashville-Davidson considers these questions when writing content. In addition, they also make sure that their content assets are appealing enough to their customers. So, in order to avoid having a boring website, make certain that each marketing collateral in Nashville-Davidson, Tennessee is well thought out in terms of content and design.


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Juego del palo
This article does not cite any sources. (August 2008) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
|Weapons (sticks)
|Country of origin
|Canary Islands Spain
|Olympic sport
Juego del palo (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈxweɣo ðel ˈpalo], game of the stick) is a traditional martial art/folk sport of stick-fighting practiced in the Canary Islands. It involves the combative use of a slender stick from 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 m) long, wielded in both hands, and characterised by fluid motion in attacks and defences.
Though similar stick fighting techniques are present in the Iberian peninsula (e.g. Portuguese and Galician jogo do pau), the origins of juego del palo may be traced back to the Guanches, the indigenous people of the Canary Islands in pre-colonial times during the early 15th century.[citation needed] A Spanish engineer named Leonardo Torriani wrote a history of the Canary Islands in 1590 and included a record of early juego del palo, accompanied by an illustration of two Guanche warriors performing a type of ritual combat with short staves in a small arena.[citation needed] Torriani wrote;
"When two Canarians went to duel, they met at a special place established for this purpose. It was a small enclosure with a level, raised stone platform at each end. To begin, they each stood upon a platform, armed with three of the smooth throwing stones they call tahuas, and also with the stick called magodo or amodeghe. Then they dodged the stones as they were thrown, skillfully twisting their bodies without moving their feet. Next, they stepped down and fenced with the staves, each one trying to gain advantage over the other, as is our custom also."[citation needed]
The art has been maintained through to the present day, undergoing a particular renaissance during the 1970s as part of a general effort to maintain native Canarian folk traditions. It bears resemblance to the Portuguese martial art jogo do pau and the Venezuelan form juego del garrote.
Juego del palo is now a popular sports activity in the Canaries and has been the subject of considerable academic interest[citation needed] as well, with a number of professional conferences having been held at local universities to investigate the history, culture, and technique of the art.[citation needed]
This may be described as a form of stick fencing between two players that is characterized by the spontaneous interplay of attacking techniques and defense techniques. No protective equipment is worn in traditional juego del palo; safety is maintained through the skilled control of attacks, which are restrained rather than being made with full force upon the opponent's body.
Juego del palo is divided into a number of specific styles or local traditions that have been developed on particular islands within the archipelago, and/or by particular families. The nine primary styles practiced in modern juego del palo include (mostly named after founders of the styles): Deniz, Morales, Verga, Acosta, Quintero, Vidal, Confiero, juego del garrote ('game of the club') and juego de la lata ('game of the tin') . Each style is distinguished from the others by specific fighting techniques and strategies, and also by the rules under which it is played as a competitive game.
Further reading[edit]
- [1] - an extensive source of information on Juego del Palo in English
See also[edit]


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Dragon, Elysian Mature Adult (CR 14)
Huge Dragon (Extraplanar)
Alignment: Always neutral good
Initiative: +0; Senses: blindsense 60 ft., darkvision120 ft., low-light vision, and keen senses
Languages: Draconic
AC: 30 (-2 size, +22 natural), touch 8, flat-footed 30
Hit Dice: 22d12+110 (253 hp); DR: 5/unholy and (piercing or slashing)
Fort +18, Ref +13, Will +16
Speed: 40 ft., climb 20 ft., fly 150 ft. (poor)
Space: 20 ft./10 ft.
Base Attack +22; Grapple +37
Attack: 1 bite +27, 2 claws +22, 2 wings +22, 1 tail slap +22
Damage: 1 bite 2d6+7, 2 claws 1d8+3, 2 wings 1d6, 1 tail slap 1d8
Special Attacks/Actions: Breath weapon 7d6 (26)
Abilities: Str 25, Dex 10, Con 21, Int 16, Wis 17, Cha 14
Special Qualities: Immunities, Create food and drink, Calm emotions, Shrink, Tashas hideous laughter, Baleful polymorph, Frightful Presence DC 25, SR 21
Feats: #Feats: 8
Skills: Skill points: 72
Advancement: 23-24 HD
Climate/Terrain: The Blessed Fields of Elysium
Organization: Solitary (1 dragon, any age), clutch (1d4+1 wyrmlings, very young, young, juvenile, or young adults), family (pair of mature adults and 1d4+1 offspring)
Treasure/Possessions: Half Standard
Dragon #344
Breath Weapon (Su): An Elysian dragon has two kinds of breath weapons, a line of sonic energy and a cone of inebriation gas. Creatures caught in the line of sonic energy receive a Reflex save for half damage.
Creatures within the cone of inebriating gas must succeed on a Fortitude save or be sickened for in minutes per age category of the dragon. While under this sickened effect, affected creatures become upbeat and happy, gaining a +1 bonus on saves versus fear effects. Creatures immune to poison are immune to this breath weapon. Some say that the release of the inebriation gas sounds suspiciously like a belch.
Immunities (Ex): An Elysian dragon is immune to poison and to sonic damage.
Shrink (Su): At will, an Elysian dragon can reduce its body size by up to three size categories (though no smaller than Fine). The Elysian dragon retains its shape; it is just a smaller version of itself. The change in size lasts as long as the dragon wishes. Changing size (either shrinking or returning to its normal size) takes 1 round per size category of change. An Elysian dragon's statistics do not change while in a smaller form, with the following exceptions: The damage and type of natural attacks changes to match its new size. The area of effect for its breath weapon changes to match its new size.
Spell-Like Abilities (Sp): At will - create food and drink, Tasha's hideous laughter; 3/day - baleful polymorph, calm emotions.
Extraplanar Subtype
A subtype applied to any creature when it is on a plane other than its native plane. A creature that travels the planes can gain or lose this subtype as it goes from plane to plane. This book assumes that encounters with creatures take place on the Material Plane, and every creature whose native plane is not the Material Plane has the extraplanar subtype (but would not have when on its home plane). An extraplanar creatures usually has a home plane mentioned in its description. These home planes are taken from the Great Wheel cosmology of the D&D game (see Chapter 5 of the Dungeon Master's Guide). If your campaign uses a different cosmology, you will need to assign different home planes to extraplanar creatures.
Creatures not labeled as extraplanar are natives of the Material Plane, and they gain the extraplanar subtype if they leave the Material Plane. No creature has the extraplanar subtype when it is on a transitive plane; the transitive planes in the D&D cosmology are the Astral Plane, the Ethereal Plane, and the Plane of Shadow.


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With all the excitement of our tenth anniversary behind us, and things still looking grim on the traffic front, I thought it was perhaps about time that we re-iterated what this site is really about, and revisited the 'Sleaze Manifesto', which informs all of our activity. However, when I re-examined this historic document, I felt much the same way that Jez did in Peep Show, when Super Hans reminded him that the 'Big Beat Manifesto' simply said "Big beats are the best. Get high all the time" – "At the time, it felt like a much more all-encompassing philosophy." So it is with the 'Sleaze Manifesto'. Simply saying "We are The Sleaze, stick that up your arses", doesn't really provide much in the way of a statement of intent. So, I've decided to set out a definitive version of the 'Sleaze Manifesto', as I recall it, which will make clear what we're about, and what we will and won't do. Hopefully, this can provide us with a template for the site's future. OK, so let's get started with some basics:
1. The Sleaze knows no boundaries in terms of content.
Whilst, that seems pretty straightforward, I have to caveat it by saying that while, in general terms, I believe that no subject matter should be off-limits to the satirist, I increasingly find myself not wanting to be unpleasant. I don't mean unpleasant in terms of attacking politicians, organised religion and various other institutions, I just don't feel particularly happy anymore in being nasty about specific individuals, even if they are public figures. Which isn't to say that celebrities are beyond the reach of The Sleaze any more, just that I want to focus more on attacking the whole notion of celebrity culture, rather than simply being rude about individual celebrities. Just insulting people and calling them names isn't satire. It's just cruel. That said, if they behave like idiots, then such behaviour is still fair game. The other aspect to this first rule of the manifesto is that The Sleaze won't confine its satirical focus to politics, as some sites do. We'll continue to pursue our offensive on a broad front.
2. The Sleaze doesn't give a damn for the opinion of others.
I still stand by this one. Although it is always difficult not to seek the approval of one's peers, if you start writing satire based on what you think will be popular, then you are embarking on the road to oblivion. Be true to yourself.
3. The Sleaze believes that the first duty of the artist is to shock.
I'm sure that's a quote from someone, (someone other than my former colleague 'Wild' Bill, who once said it to me, that is), and I've always been of the firm opinion that if you aren't offending somebody, somewhere, then you aren't writing satire. That's the whole point of the genre, to challenge people's preconceptions and prejudices. Now, I know that The Sleaze doesn't always succeed in doing this, but it remains our aim.
4. The Sleaze won't put commercial considerations or the pursuit of web traffic ahead of the pursuit of satire.
Again, we still stand by this. We still don't carry advertising. I'm afraid I'm an old socialist and, consequently, money isn't the main motivating factor in my life. Web traffic, as regulars will know, is a continued bug bear of mine, an obsession, almost. Nevertheless, I'm simply not prepared to compromise the type of satire we publish here for the sake of a few hundred page clicks. Besides, when your income isn't dependent upon advertising revenues, then it is easier to be sanguine about traffic levels.
5. The Sleaze eschews the very concept of celebrity and everything associated with it.
I think this one needs some explanation. Basically, it seems to me that some people who run 'humourous' web sites are, themselves, seeking wider recognition and, ultimately, 'fame'. The rise of 'celebrity culture', as articulated through the mainstream media, posits 'fame' as the ultimate life goal. As an underground site, we reject 'celebrity culture' and, by extension, the notion of 'fame'. The idea that certain people are 'better' or 'more important' than the rest of us, and that their opinions are, therefore, also 'more important', is entirely false. Consequently, we do not seek celebrity endorsements, or the approval of the mainstream media for The Sleaze. By extension, we do not advertise through normal means, seek awards or indulge in self-aggrandisement on forums or in social media. In short, we do not wish to be 'celebrities' ourselves.
6. The Sleaze will always remain true to its roots as an underground publication.
Well, that goes without saying. I hope that we'll remain iconoclastic and downright perverse when it comes to satire. We're always for the revolution, rather than the status quo! But remember, in many instances the forces opposing the status quo are themselves effectively an 'establishment', their positions based upon unquestioned 'received wisdom'. As a result, they'll be in the firing line, too. Nobody is safe from The Sleaze!
Well, there you have it, the current 'Sleaze Manifesto'. Obviously, being a hypocrite, I reserve the right to change or ignore any or all of the above as it suits me! After all, we are iconoclasts and rules are made to be broken. I'm sure that, in time, I'll think of other things to add to the manifesto but, as it stands, I think it represents a pretty good blueprint for the future.
Most fundamentally, regardless of any other considerations, The Sleaze will continue to endeavour to approach the targets of its satire from an oblique angle. Just like The Goon Show, we will strive to bring every situation to its illogical conclusion. I'd like to think that it is this approach, more than anything in the manifesto itself, which gives the site its unique flavour. Well, I think that just about wraps it up for another editorial, so it just remains to say: 'til the next time, keep it sleazy!
Doc Sleaze


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Taco Mom
I am mother to two girls, and five boys. When I started out, I was the over-protective mother-hen that didn't let my son carry rocks because they might fall and pinch his little toes. We've found that the more "chicks" in our nest, the less time I spend sweating the smaller stuff… like salmonella.
I was inspired to accomplish more as a parent
by a book written by a Tiger Mom (Amy Chua's Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother). I greatly admire the dedication and die-hard attitude Tiger Mothers give to their kids. It takes more strength and sacrifice to raise children in this parenting style than any other (for more info on this subject, read "ESSAY" located after the Comment section), but the reward is having children who excel in school and out.
I'd love to be a Tiger Mom, but I can't devote that kind of time and effort with seven children. Instead, I've labeled myself a "Taco Mom". It's kind-of the same thing, only I'm more flexible in general, greedy with my alone (and couple) time, and willing to settle on grades and chores if it means a drop more sanity on week nights.
My sister is closer to being a Tiger Mom; she has a Master's Degree in Education and four kids (three Elementary aged, and an infant). She makes buffet style breakfasts, holds her kids to a high academic and handwriting standard, and still has time to make dinner… she's also a little batty. I have another, even younger sister that also holds a Master's Degree (in biology)… she only has three kids (all under five years old), so we still consider her a rookie.
As a Taco Mom,
I work hard to organize and plan my family's world, but I've submitted to the fact that I can't control everything. [The joke is: Once I do all of my planning, I tell my mother my plans, so she can change them.] Once everything is worked out, I take a deep breath and let my family work, play, and live within the "planned" framework. It takes flexibility to allow change, but knowing what to expect (and telling the kids what I expect from them) takes some of the stress out of many situations.
A Different Style of Parenting:
It may be that there is at least one parenting style that has not been recognized because of limited observations in and outside of Western countries. Despite authoritarian parenting styles leading to unfavorable mental and achievement issues in the West, this parenting style is linked to the most successful outcomes in Eastern Asian families (Matsumoto & Juang, 2013). This may be because there is a significant difference between how authoritarian American mothers parent compared to "authoritarian" Asian mothers. Authoritarian discipline co-exists with parental warmth in Asian countries (Newman, Gozu, Guan, Lee, Li, & Sasaki, 2015). Although Asian parents constantly confront children with their shortcomings, they also provide many hours of support and instruction to overcome these shortfalls. Parental care, love, training, and governance- referred to as chiao shun and guan in China- have a positive connotation that reflects parental (and teacher) care, concern, and massive involvement (Chao, 1994); perhaps balancing the control and interference reported in the parent/child relationship. Much of this research study Chinese families as representatives of East Asia, although Japanese, Koreans, Vietnamese, Taiwanese, etc. as these cultures share much of the parenting style that stems from their common Confucian principles (Chao, 1994).
A Different Style of Parenting
At first it seems like a paradox or a fluke of racial nature that Asians perform as well as (if not better than) many other nations academically, given that they largely practice authoritarian parenting (Newman et al., 2015), but I believe it is simply an inadequate label of Asian parenting.
In China, parents (especially mothers) employ highly invasive parental devices to control and shape their children with emphasis on self-criticism, self-improvement, and humility (Kim, Chiu, Cho, Au & Kwak, 2014). Asian parents attempt to control the child's thought process, self-expression, behavior, decisions about personal issues, etc. through love withdrawal, guilt induction, and corporal punishment (Ng, Pomerantz & Deng, 2013). If this type of intrusion into the child's life produces unhappy and/or maladjusted adults in Western countries, how is it that Asian adults have great love and respect for their parents, elders, and authority?
Although not happier than Westerners (Ng et al., 2013), some studies have shown that the authoritarian parenting of Chinese children is associated with academic achievement and positive self-esteem. Again, this is not a paradox- we are simply not seeing the full picture because we are not asking the right questions in our scientific studies, and we only have four parenting labels to choose from.
"Authoritarian parents expect unquestioned obedience and view the child as needing to be controlled. They have also been described as being low on warmth and responsiveness toward their children," (Matsumoto et al., 2013). If difference in parenting styles is characterized by the parent's utilization of both control and responsiveness (Newman et al., 2015), then we may be correctly labeling Chinese parenting according to control, but not responsiveness. Authoritarian parents are likely to demand obedience, and punish for non-compliance (Newman et al., 2015); however, unlike authoritative parents, Chinese parents do express warmth and affection along with a great deal of personal sacrifice on the part of the mother (Chao, 1994).
This combination of parenting doesn't produce the levels of low self-esteem in children that one would predict in an authoritarian (alone) environment. In fact, in these collectivist cultures where individuals are adept as seeing themselves as part of a whole, they still maintain a sense of self that closely corresponds to European Americans in terms of the number of positive attributes they assign to themselves (Kim et al., 2014). It is only when Asians (Japanese students in this case) use their "outside gaze" to see themselves through their parents' eyes- especially their father's- that the number of attributes they assign to themselves fall (Kim et al., 2014).
The Difference
In American culture, specifically African-American culture, where authoritarian parenting is more common compared to European Americans (Ng et al., 2013), this style is often hostile and somewhat uninvolved. This parenting style may be due to highly challenging daily living. African American mothers are more likely to be single parents, with a shortage of resources. If we assume that the parent must work more than one job, or has more than two children, or doesn't have the support of the other parent or relatives, or any combination of these factors- then the parent (usually the mother) may feel a need to exhibit dominance over the child/children in order to get quick results. In these circumstances, low affection/parental warmth emerges through a lack of time, energy, and support.
This is not the case with Asian parenting where parents, especially mothers, are highly involved and invested in the child as well as the family's harmony as a whole (Chao, 1994). In this culture of interdependence, parents view their child as an extension of themselves and their ancestors. Chinese mothers are willing (and expected) to devote any amount of time and energy to her child, in part because the child is how she measures her own self-worth (Ng et al., 2013).
Dealing with homework in Western authoritarian parenting, a parent might tell (but not supervise) the child to complete the day's homework before the child can play. The parent might then either punish the child for not completing homework or punish the child for not doing well on homework.
Asian parents are also punitive for underperformance in school; however, they manage homework (or music lessons, etc.) differently in their society. Amy Chua, a third generation Chinese immigrant, explains the "virtuous circle" of how Chinese parenting leads to the child's accomplishment, and therefore helps the child's self-esteem and willingness to perform:
What Chinese parents understand is that nothing is fun until you're good at it. To get good at anything you have to work, and children on their own never want to work, which is why it is crucial to override their preferences. This often requires fortitude on the part of the parents because the child will resist; things are always hardest at the beginning, which is where Western parents tend to give up. But if done properly, the Chinese strategy produces a virtuous circle. Tenacious practice, practice, practice is crucial for excellence; rote repetition is underrated in America. Once a child starts to excel at something… he or she gets praise, admiration, and satisfaction. This builds confidence and makes the once not-fun activity fun. This in turn makes it easier for the parent to get the child to work even more. (Chua, 2011)
In this way, the mother's steadfast motivation for her child to achieve trains the child to work hard and develop self-discipline until his or her own drive and motivation becomes adequate (Chao, 1994). Perhaps because the child learns what he/she is capable of, and that the parent knew it before the child did, it is accepted (on the part of the child) that the parent knows and wants what is best for him or her. This concept may be helped along by the fact that (in Asia) this style of parenting is normative (Ng et al., 2013).
Chiao Shun and Guan
To understand where the difference lies culturally, we have to understand the concepts of chiao shun ("child training") and guan ("to govern"). Confucius teachings are hugely influential in Asian cultures, stressing social harmony, hierarchical relationships, and respect for elders and authority. The parental tools of chiao shun and guan are used to achieve the expectations of Confucian teachings.
Ruth Chao's (1994) study of Chinese parenting revealed the idea that Asian countries are devoted to training their children in the appropriate and expected behaviors. Chiao shun and guan take place from birth, where the mother is physically and emotionally responsive to the child's needs, to include co-sleeping; providing the drive for achievement in school; and modeling societal and familial expectations (Chao, 1994). Training and governing, even if seen as psychologically controlling, are actually the manifestation of parental concern that allows for healthy self-esteem, above average achievement in school, and well-adjusted parent/child relationships later in life. In fact, according to Chao, chiao shun and guan are seen as the moral responsibilities of parents and teachers to invest in the future.
Asian parents are responsible for their children's development, with the accomplishments of the child being the sign of proper parenting (Ng et al., 2013). Collectivist nations demand children maintain their family's face, and through religion and school (in addition to home life), children are taught respect for elders and authority. Just as achievements honor the parents, dishonor or loss of face is also a reflection of the parents, so even successful parents are wary of future failure. For this reason, many parents are highly invested in their children's academic and cultural progress, which is a direct contradiction of the authoritarian parenting style.
Newman (2015) and Chao (1994) suggest extending our concepts and measuring tools to encompass more variations of parenting styles. "Governing" would be a more accurate description of Asian parenting than "authoritarian" since Asian mothers exhibit a high level of personal involvement and concern in their child's life for the purpose of academic success and cultural acceptance using governing techniques.
It may seem that this style of parenting is culture bound to Asia, but I believe there are parents all over the world that engage in this parenting style; perhaps we should look closely at the parenting practices of successful musicians, neurologists, and other high-achieving adults?
Chao, R. K. (1994). Beyond parental control and authoritarian parenting style: Understanding Chinese parenting through the cultural notion of training. Child Development, 65(4), 1111-1119.
Chua, A. (2011). Battle hymn of the tiger mother. NY, New York: Penguin Group. (6)29.
Kim, Y., Chiu, C., Cho, S., Au, E.W.M. & Kwak, S.N. (2014). Aligning inside and outside perspectives of the self: A cross—cultural difference in self-perception. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 17(1), 44-51.
Matsumoto, D. & Juang, L. (2014). Social and Cultural Foundations (Looseleaf) 14th. , p.69. Saint Leo University.
Newman, J., Hamide, G., Shuyi, G., Ji Eun, L., Xian, L., & Yuriko, S. (2015). Relationship between maternal parenting style and high school achievement and self-esteem in China, Turkey and U.S.A. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 46(2), 265-288.
Ng, F.F.Y., Pomerantz, E.M., & Deng, C. (2014). Why are Chinese mothers more controlling than American mothers? "My child is my report card". Child Development, 85, 1, 355-369.


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Max Einstein: The Genius Experiment & Ambush
10/07/2018 - 10:00am
Overture Center for the Arts - Capitol Theater
The world's #1 bestselling author James Patterson will be appearing at the Wisconsin Book Festival in conversation with Steve Paulson from WPR's To The Best of Our Knowledge. Patterson will discuss the motivation behind writing Max Einstein, his life in books, his love of reading, his method of writing, and what makes a good story. Free copies of Max Einstein will be distributed to the first 500 young readers. Attendees will get exclusive pre-release access to buy Patterson's latest Detective Michael Bennett Thriller, Ambush.
About Max Einstein: The Genius Experiment
Albert Einstein + James Patterson = A Must Read! The world's #1 bestselling author has teamed up with the world's most famous genius to entertain, educate and inspire a generation of kids--with the first and only kids' book series officially approved by the Albert Einstein Archives. Twelve-year-old orphan Max Einstein (like Albert Einstein himself) is not your typical genius. Max hacks the computer system at NYU in order to attend college courses (even though she hates tests), builds homemade inventions to help the homeless, and plays speed chess in the park. Her not-so-normal life is crazy but predictable until... Max is recruited by a mysterious organization! Their mission: solve some of the world's toughest problems using science. She's helped by a diverse group of young geniuses from around the globe as they invent new ways to power the farthest reaches of the planet. But that's only if the sinister outfit known only as The Corporation doesn't get to her first... Max Einstein is a heroine for the modern age and will be looked up to by readers for generations to come.
About Ambush:
An anonymous tip about a crime in Upper Manhattan proves to be a set-up, taking an officer down-and it's not Michael Bennett. The life of New York's top cop is not the only one at risk. One of Bennett's children sustains a mysterious injury. And a series of murders follows, each with a distinct signature, alerting Bennett to the presence of a professional killer. Investigators chase leads that turn out to be phantoms, and this master killer entices one officer into compromising Bennett. He then goes a step further, luring another member of Bennett's family into even graver danger. Michael Bennett can't untangle what's driving the assassin-but he can tell it's personal. And he needs to determine exactly how he figures in the killer's logic, before there is one fewer Bennett in the world.
Doors will open for this event at 9:00 AM. The event is free and open to the public. Seating will be by general admission.
Wisconsin Book Festival members will have the opportunity to reserve a seat at this event. Support the Festival with your membership gift today!
About Presenter James Patterson
James Patterson received the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community from the National Book Foundation. He holds the Guinness World Record for the most #1 New York Times bestsellers, including Middle School, I Funny, and Jacky Ha-Ha, and his books have sold more than 375 million copies worldwide. A tireless champion of the power of books and reading, Patterson created a children's book imprint, JIMMY Patterson, whose mission is simple: "We want every kid who finishes a JIMMY Book to say, 'PLEASE GIVE ME ANOTHER BOOK.'" He has donated more than one million books to students and soldiers and funds over four hundred Teacher Education Scholarships at twenty-four colleges and universities. He has also donated millions of dollars to independent bookstores and school libraries. Patterson invests proceeds from the sales of JIMMY Patterson Books in pro-reading initiatives.
Max Einstein: The Genius Experiment


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- Ancestry Library --In Library Use Only
Library Access Only Provides genealogical coverage of the United States and the United Kingdom, including census, vital, church, court, and immigration records, as well as record collections from Canada and other areas. Contains approximately 4,000 databases including key collections such as U.S. Federal Census images and indexes from 1790 to 1930; the Map Center containing more than 1,000 historical maps; American Genealogical Biographical Index(over 200 volumes); Daughters of the American Revolution Lineage(over 150 volumes); The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England, 1620-1630; Social Security Death Index(updated monthly); WWI Draft Registration Cards; Federal Slave Narratives; and a strong Civil War collection.
- Heritage Quest
Search and use data from the U.S. Federal Censuses from 1790 to 1930, more than 22,000 full-text family and local histories, and PERSI, a subject index of 6,300 local history and genealogy periodicals. The database also includes Revolutionary War pension and bounty-land-warrant application files, as well as the Freedman's Bank Records, an important resource for African-American genealogical research. Additionally, there are more than 250 primary-source documents such as tax lists, city directories, and probate records.
- Newspaper Archive --In Library Use Only
The largest historical newspaper database online, contains tens of millions of newspaper pages from 1759 to present. Every newspaper in the archive is fully searchable by keyword and date, making it easy for you to quickly explore historical content.
- Texas Digital Sanborn Maps
Detailed property and land-use records of Texas towns and cities from 1867 to 1970. Streets, landmarks, and other places noted in the map's index are pinpointed. Details on buildings including outline, size and shape, construction materials, height, use, windows and doors, street and sidewalk widths, boundaries, and house numbers are noted. The maps can be manipulated, expanded, printed, and downloaded.


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How to Measure Astigmatism
Explore this Article Using the Standard Measurement Tools Utilizing Other Measurement Options Questions & Answers Related Articles
wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article meets our high quality standards. Learn more...
Astigmatism is a common eye condition that causes blurry vision. It occurs when your cornea is more oblong, or football-shaped, than round. Astigmatism can be diagnosed by your optometrist or ophthalmologist with a comprehensive eye exam. It can be corrected with glasses, contacts, or sometimes surgery – but measuring the shape of your cornea is important for getting the right lens prescription.[1] Astigmatism is usually measured with a series of eye exams, some that are standard practice and others that may apply only to certain circumstances.
Using the Standard Measurement Tools
1Perform the Visual Acuity Test. At your eye doctor's office, stand where your doctor tells you and look at a chart of numbers and letters on the wall. Cover one eye and read the lines of text to the smallest line you can clearly read, then repeat this with your other eye covered. This tests for myopia (near-sightedness) and hyperopia (far-sightedness), as well as astigmatism.[2]
- Astigmatism accompanies myopia or hyperopia 50% of the time. Blurry vision could be caused by astigmatism or one of these other common conditions.
- The results will be listed as a fraction, such as 20/20. 20/20 is normal visual acuity. The first number is the distance between you and the chart. The second number is the size of the letters on the last line you can read compared to normal visual acuity. For instance, someone with 20/40 vision has to be 20 feet from something that can be read at 40 feet (12.2 m) by someone with normal vision.[3]
2Measure the curve of your cornea with a keratometer. A keratometer is the instrument your eye doctor can use to measure the curve of your anterior cornea (the front surface of the cornea).[4] Sit with your chin on the chin rest and look straight ahead into the instrument with one eye then the other, when prompted by your doctor. The keratometer shines a circle of light onto your cornea and measures how it reflects over your cornea's surface.
- This is an especially important test for getting contact lenses that fit correctly.
- Though this method has its limitations, it's still the standard way of measuring astigmatism.[5]
3Use refraction to measure astigmatism. Sit up straight and look forward while your doctor places a retinoscope in front of your eyes. The retinoscope is a small, handheld instrument that measures light refraction on the eye. Your doctor will move a large machine with lenses (a phoropter) in front of your eyes that either clarify or obscure your vision, which measures how your eyes focus light. You will have to tell your doctor whether each lens makes your vision better or worse.[6]
- The refraction test helps to establish the location of the irregular shape of the cornea. This will be called the "axis" in a corrective lens prescription.
- Be honest with your doctor during these tests – even though technology is improving, your feedback still helps determine the outcomes of your eye exam.
4Understand your astigmatism prescription. After your eye exam, your doctor will give you a prescription for glasses or contact lenses to help fix your astigmatism. The prescription will usually have three numbers – the first one relates to if you're near-sighted or far-sighted, and the last two relate to your astigmatism.[7]
- The second number is for "cylinder," which is a measure of how flat or irregular your cornea is. This is measured in diopters. Most people with astigmatism have between 0.5-0.75 diopters; you probably need prescription lenses for a diopter measurement of 1.5 or higher.
- The third number is for "axis" and goes from 0 to 180, which is a degree measurement of where on your cornea the astigmatism is located.
Utilizing Other Measurement Options
1Use a corneal topographer for more precise measurements. A topographer is a newer version of the keratometer.[8] Your doctor will have you sit at a table and look into a bowl. This bowl's inner surface is covered in a pattern of concentric rings. A digital camera sits at the base of the bowl and charts the cornea's surface by measuring the reflected pattern in the eye. This basically creates a contour map of your eye, and it's an excellent technique for measuring irregular astigmatism.[9]
- Most corneal topography tests measure 8,000 to 10,000 points on the cornea, making it the most accurate keratometry test.
- Other advanced ways of measuring astigmatism include autorefractors that measure refraction, and the IOLMaster that makes extensive measurements of the interior and exterior of the eye. The IOLMaster is usually used before cataract surgery.[10]
2Try a Placido disc for irregular astigmatism. The Placido disc is an old-fashioned, hand-held device that is shaped like a giant lollipop. The disc has several sets of concentric circles painted on one side, and is used to measure the regularity of your cornea's surface. Your doctor holds the disc up to their own eye with the rings pointed towards you, and they look into your eye. Sit still and look straight ahead. The image of your cornea reflects back, and where there is irregular shape it makes the concentric rings look distorted to your doctor.[11]
- This old-fashioned method can help to diagnose keratoconus, a disorder that causes irregular astigmatism due to thinning and protruding of the cornea.
3Use a Scheimpflug device to measure the posterior cornea. The shape of your posterior cornea (the back surface of the cornea) can influence the severity of your astigmatism.[12] Keratometry can only measure the front of your cornea, but Scheimpflug imaging uses tomography to get more accurate readings of how thick your cornea is and what the back of it looks like.[13]
- This method can be helpful in predicting how successful surgery may be in correcting your astigmatism.[14]
Community Q&A
QuestionIs there any way to cure astigmatism?Community AnswerThere is no way to necessarily "cure" astigmatism, but there are ways to treat it, such as prescription glasses or contacts. You can also get laser surgery, or if it is really bad, have a corneal transplant.
How do I know if there was a normal change when measuring astigmatism?
- Usually, more than one eye test is done to measure astigmatism. An ophthalmologist or optometrist will do a series of tests in their office using various equipment.[15]
- Most astigmatism can be treated by wearing prescription glasses or contact lenses. Depending on the severity of your astigmatism, laser surgery like LASIK may also improve your vision. In severe cases, like with keratoconus, a corneal transplant surgery or the use of rigid, cornea-shaping corrective lenses may be necessary.[16]
- ↑ http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/astigmatism?sso=y#2
- ↑ http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/astigmatism?sso=y#2
- ↑ http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/astigmatism?sso=y#2
- ↑ http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/astigmatism?sso=y#2
- ↑ http://www.ophthalmologyweb.com/Tech-Spotlights/26530-Keratometry-Focusing-on-Astigmatism/
- ↑ http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/astigmatism?sso=y#2
- ↑ https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-do-astigmatism-measurements-mean
- ↑ http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/astigmatism?sso=y#2
- ↑ http://www.ophthalmologyweb.com/Tech-Spotlights/26530-Keratometry-Focusing-on-Astigmatism/
- ↑ http://www.ophthalmologyweb.com/Tech-Spotlights/26530-Keratometry-Focusing-on-Astigmatism/
- ↑ http://phisick.com/item/placidos-disk-for-astigmatism/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25162757
- ↑ http://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2212759
- ↑ https://www.eyeworld.org/article-review-of--contribution-of-posterior-corneal-astigmatism-to-total-corneal-astigmatism-
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/astigmatism/diagnosis-treatment/diagnosis/dxc-20253081
- ↑ https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-do-astigmatism-measurements-mean
Article Info
Categories: Featured Articles | Eye Disorders
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Español: medir el astigmatismo


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Excellence Awards
The Weekend of Excellence 2019 ran from Thursday-Sunday, April 11-14, with the Excellence Awards Saturday, April 13, 7-9 pm in our Damen Student Center.
Every year, outstanding students are recognized for their commitments to excellence in reaching Loyola's mission and values. The Division of Student Development is proud to work alongside the following in developing the annual Excellence Awards:
- Alumni Relations
- Arrupe College
- The Department of Athletics
- The Department of Residence Life
- The Career Development Center
- The Student Government of Loyola Chicago
- The Maroon and Gold Society
- Water Tower Campus Life
The Excellence Awards is part of the annual Loyola Weekend of Excellence, which takes place in April and celebrates outstanding Ramblers from across our University. The Weekend of Excellence involves dozens of offices and departments. The Student Diversity Awards, below, is part of The Weekend of Excellence and of this application, but is a separate event hosted by Student Diversity & Multicultural Affairs.
Loyola University Chicago established the Maroon & Gold Society during the 2011-2012 academic year to recognize rising seniors who have demonstrated a commitment to leadership, academic excellence, and service to others. Members represent a cross-section of undergraduate communities and leadership paths at the university. Each spring, students are nominated by faculty and staff for membership with Maroon & Gold Society. Once nominations are screened and reviewed, eligible students are asked to submit an online application. A small committee then reviews all applications and makes a recommendation of 25 top students to the Vice President of Student Development and university president who then makes the final selection of its new class. The new class is recognized at the annual Weekend of Excellence Student Awards Banquet, in April, with their official maroon cardigan and lapel pin. The outgoing and incoming classes are then invited to a special Induction Dinner with the president of the university and select administrators.
Maroon & Gold Society has evolved each year with a single-minded focus, to recognize members for their exemplary leadership and commitment to excellence. In doing so, the Society intends to honor students who personify the efforts of Loyola University Chicago: Preparing People to Lead Extraordinary Lives. In doing so, Society members embrace the Jesuit ideal of Magis (pursuit of excellence and not settling for mediocrity).
As a member of this elite group, all will be invited to participate in various activities, committees, and discussions. This also includes participating in university functions that enhance school spirit and campus pride. Members also will have opportunities to meet with the president of the university, distinguished alumni, and other members of the Loyola University Chicago community.
The Five Pillars of Maroon & Gold Society: Academic Excellence, Diversity, Leadership, Loyola Community, and Service
Members of Maroon & Gold Society serve as official student ambassadors at all times especially at major university sponsored events. They are asked to critically evaluate and share their authentic student experiences with administrators, alumni, and other members of the Loyola University Chicago community. Members are expected to uphold a standard of leadership for students at Loyola University Chicago by maintaining involvement with a leadership role in various groups around campus. All members are expected to uphold the values of the Student Promise as well as the policies written in the Community Standards. Membership is contingent upon active participation in the Society's meetings and events while maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.25.
Benefits for Members
- Participation for student ambassadorship at major university functions/events
- Experience communicating needs and desires of students with administrators or board members
- Networking opportunities with Alumni and other university community members
- Participation in large-scale university sponsored events
Click here for Criteria and Selection Process Information.
The Damen Award is named for Loyola University Chicago's founder, Arnold Damen, S.J. It seeks to honor undergraduate students who have committed themselves to Jesuit ideals by being a true source of inspiration and leadership to the Loyola community throughout the year. These students are people who have led other students in spirit, motivation, and purpose.
Click here for Criteria and Selection Process Information.
Loyola University Chicago was founded in 1870. Since that time, it has developed into a vibrant, exciting, and world-renowned university. Just as the University grew and developed, so does every student entering its doors. The University encourages entering students to make the most of their first year by building community, and becoming engaged in academic and co-curricular opportunities.
Click here for Criteria and Selection Process Information.
The Unity of Heart & Mind Award is given to a student who is committed to unifying the joys of the heart with the intellectual and academic pursuits of the mind. In the spirit of transformative, holistic education, this award recognizes a student who has actively engaged in the reflective process of vocational discernment to explore how to use their gifts and passions to address the world's needs. The winner of this award will have demonstrated intentional involvement with their academic home (by establishing mentoring relationships, or pursuing activities such as undergraduate research), and committed to their personal development through engaging on campus and/or in the community.
Click here for Criteria and Selection Process Information.
- Outstanding GPA Student Leader Award Criteria
- This Award recognizes a Graduate, Professional or Adult (SCPS) [GPA] student that has demonstrated outstanding leadership in a student organization. They have transcended the duties of their role and embodied the principals of Magis.
- Any currently enrolled Graduate, Professional, or Adult (SCPS) student is eligible.
- No nominee may receive this award for two consecutive years.
- A faculty, staff, student, or administrator must nominate nominee.
- Self-nominations are prohibited.
- One award will be presented each year.
- Nominee must have completed one semester in good academic standing at Loyola University Chicago by January 2018.
- Nominee must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above, as listed in LOCUS.
- Nominees screened by Office of Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution and Behavioral Concerns Team.
- Respective College Dean will approve the nominee.
- The Graduate, Professional and Adult Student Council selection committee will select the recipient.
- Outstanding GPA Student Organization Award Criteria
- This award recognizes a student organization that is either a graduate student organization or a student organization with majority Graduate, Professional, & Adult students that promotes and embodies the organization's mission and has shown a commitment to the university's mission.
- Any student organization with a majority of Graduate, Professional, or Adult (SCPS) students is eligible. Including sponsored student organizations.
- A faculty, staff, student, or administrator must nominate the organization.
- Self-nominations are allowed.
- One award will be presented each year.
- Student organization advisors will be consulted.
- Respective College Dean will review the nominee.
- The Graduate, Professional and Adult Student Council selection committee will select the recipient.
- Outstanding GPA Program of the Year
- This award recognizes and group or student organization that has produced an outstanding program/event/lecture that made a significant contribution to the Loyola University Chicago community.
- Any student organization or group with a majority of Graduate, Professional, or Adult (SCPS) students is eligible. Including sponsored and ad hoc student organizations.
- The program may be a conference, summit, lecture, or social event.
- A faculty, staff, student, or administrator must nominate the organization.
- Self-nominations are allowed.
- One award will be presented each year.
- Student organization advisors will be consulted.
- Respective College Dean will review the nominee.
- The Graduate, Professional and Adult Student Council selection committee will select the recipient.
The Department of Student Diversity & Multicultural Affairs is honored and excited to organize the 10th Annual Diversity Awards Recognition Ceremony. This ceremony is designed to highlight and showcase key Loyola University Chicago students, alumni, faculty, and staff members who have contributed to the success of our diverse student population academically, spiritually, culturally and professionally. It also highlights outstanding individuals who have committed themselves to embracing diversity and social justice at Loyola.
|Transformative Education Award
|Recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated a commitment to student development and has gone beyond their administrative role to address the needs and concerns of underrepresented students. This individual provides students with the opportunities to explore issues regarding diversity, identity development, multicultural education, social justice, and leadership initiatives. This ultimately enhances the retention, matriculation, and success of historically underrepresented students. Click here for criterion.
|Lifelong Commitment to Justice Award
|Recognizes a professional staff member who has shown a strong commitment to student development and has gone beyond their administrative role to address the needs and concerns of underrepresented students. Click here for criterion.
|Set the World on Fire Award
|Recognizes a Loyola alumnus who has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the University through their appreciation, connection, and respect for all facets of diversity and active contributions to the betterment of the greater community as an agent of social change. Click here for criterion.
|Emerging Leader Award
|Recognizes a first or second year undergraduate student who has motivated other members of the University to strive for excellence. This individual embraces diversity and servicing humanity through learning, justice and faith. Not only is this individual constantly working to better themselves, but they are also dedicated to the growth of their peers. Click here for criterion.
|Social Justice in Action Award
|Recognizes a current LUC student who has demonstrated leadership in assisting the University in responding to its commitment to diversity. This student has worked to develop a university community that appreciates and respects all facets of diversity. This student's leadership initiatives are in the forefront of exploring issues regarding diversity and they are actively working to expand their knowledge in the service of humanity through learning, justice, and faith. Click here for criterion.
|Motivational Member Award
|Recognizes a member of a registered or sponsored student organization that consistently makes the effort to achieve the goals of their organization. This individual goes beyond the average expectations of an active member to promote unity and diversity. This individual is selfless in their efforts to assist underrepresented students with support and service. Click here for criterion.
|Father Arrupe Award
|Recognizes a graduate assistant or research assistant that has made an outstanding contribution to their department, to students, and the LUC community. This individual has gone beyond their administrative role to promote diversity and unity. They have found an appropriate balance between their educational goals and the desires to help underrepresented students succeed. Click here for criterion.
|Community & Solidarity Award
|Recognizes a registered or sponsored student organization that consistently makes the effort to achieve their organization's goals specifically as they relate to Loyola's diversity, community, and solidarity. Click here for criterion.


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Our Christmas was quite nice and I promise there will be pictures for this coming Saturday Snapshot (I'm off to write that post as soon as I finish this one. As I said, I need an excuse not to go to the grocery store). I ended up fighting a cold, which is still lingering on, but that is pretty normal for me for Christmas.
I'm not sure what the rest of the week will hold for me--I do have a jury summons for Thursday, but I've been told by people in the know that most cases are settled this week, so who knows what will happen. The hubs and I have talked about going up to his dad's place for New Year's but, again, I'm not quite sure that will come to fruition. So, my big plans for this week are to READ! I have only one book left to finish to meet my Goodreads goal and I know I can do it (my Jolabokaflod book is quite good!)
I toyed with the idea of doing some challenges next year, but ultimately decided against it. I have some goals...I'll probably set my Goodreads goal at 100 books again and I really, really need to make a dent in my TBR (spoiler: there will be a big GAIN in the TBR with this month's update....thanks to the new list of books for my book club!). I'm planning a 2016 retrospective post on January 11th, where I'll dig a little deeper into things.
I hope you all have a fantastic end of the year and I wanted to leave this part of the post with this gem I found on Instagram (it might take a second to load....)
Okay, now onto the....
It's Monday....What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. Please visit her blog to link up and join in the fun!
- Her Every Fear by Peter Swanson
- Story Genius: How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel (Before You Waste Three Years Writing 327 Pages That Go Nowhere) by Lisa Cron
- The Littlest Bigfoot by Jennifer Weiner
- This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
This week on the blog:


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A story of three lives and the influences that molded them, "A Divide Beyond Reason" examines how the choices we make do not always turn out the way we hope.
Matt Bromley, Gordon Bredenbury and Casey Engleman were like brothers; they were born but a few weeks apart. As boys they were inseparable and adventurous; during the summer of 1936 they built a wooden rowboat, probed the secrets of a dark carnival and a mysterious Goat Boy, and were thrust into the path of a crazed Indian loner and a crime that shocked their small mountain community.
As grown men they remained as close as kin, but their lives slowly diverged until at last, as old men, they are reunited after years of estrangement and under the shadow of a crime carried out within the loose letters of a twisted law.
Now Matt Bromley faces the loss of his home to developers and corrupt county officials. He awaits the eviction with a shotgun in his hands. Casey Engleman has sided with those . . . → Read More: "A Divide Beyond Reason" The New Novel


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Win a pair of tickets to the NEC Baby Show
Tuesday, 7 May 2013 | Admin
Win a pair of tickets to the NEC Baby Show!
We'll be attending the NEC Baby Show next week and taking pre-orders for our lovely Cheeky Wipes kits (unfortunately Real Nappy Week wiped us out of stock....).
We'll be on stand L4 and will be demonstrating our washable baby wipes kits which can be used with cloth or disposable nappies and are eco-friendly and skin-friendly too.
We're giving away 3 pairs of tickets to the NEC show which can be used any day from Friday 17th - Sunday 19th May.Click here to enter our competition to win tickets to the Baby Show NEC 2013


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NEW ORLEANS(WGNO) - His name is Jarrius Robertson.
He goes by Little JJ, and by now he's as big a celebrity as The New Orleans Saints.
Jarrius has a rare liver disease and met some of the Saints last winter at Ochsner while being treated in the ICU. He is 14 years old, but stands only waist high because of his biliary atresia. He may be little, but his personality is larger than life. His quick wit caught the attention of the Saints, and he's now apart of the family.
The Saints have invited Jarrius to camp and to several games, where he offers his own words of advice to the team. And now Jarrius is hitting the big stage on Good Morning America to share his story and help save lives.
Biliary atresia is a rare disease of the liver and bile ducts that occurs in infants. At 2 months old, Jarrius' family learned of his condition. It's been an uphill battle ever since. At the age of 2, Jarrius received his first liver transplant.
He is now on the waiting list for a new liver, but due to his size it may or may not come. But if you're expecting Jarrius to sit around moping, think again.
"There are a lot of days that he's not feeling well but he still fights. As his father, and for his mother, he never lets us know when he's down," said his father, Jordy Robertson. "We never see a dull moment until we ask."
Jarrius slipped into a year-long coma when he was 3 years old. His family was asked to make the hardest decision they would ever face. On May 20, 2005, they removed him from the machines that kept him alive. But once unplugged, little JJ kept fighting. Now, 11 years later, Jarrius wants to complete his mission and help spread awareness about organ donations.
For more stories follow Meghan on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.


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Benefits Of PhenQ
As PhenQ prior to as well as after photos show, this is an appetite suppressant that also sheds fats and also calories, giving you a slim body without any adverse effects. When made use of consistently, this premium supplement will certainly keep you from really feeling hungry. You don't should deprive yourself when using it, but it will certainly control your appetite so you do not wind up doing a food binge as well as gaining all those extra pounds. Bulk PhenQ results likewise reveal that it is extremely effective when it comes to consuming all the fat that your body shops. Among the most typical techniques utilized by diet regimen pills is to consume the body fat in your body. However this not constantly proven effective as a great deal of them cannot shed the fat.
That is where PhenQ makes a substantial distinction since it has actually shown effective obtaining your body to release the fat. By releasing the kept fat, you have extra power to do even more workouts and also melt more fat. This ought to not be shocking as the product uses scientific concepts to get rid of those extra calories. PhenQ functions 2 methods: it boosts energy as well as creates a thermogenic shed that accelerates weight loss. This raises the concern of just how much weight you can lose.
It really depends on your physical problem as well as just what type of diet plan and also exercise you are into. If you're serious about getting rid of the extra weight, after that PhenQ can really help. Since you recognize the advantages, it should be clear why ladies are constantly trying to find a PhenQ discount coupon online! Unlike other items, it actually does aid you lose undesirable pounds. And also greater than various other fat burning tablets, PhenQ doesn't simply focus one aspect of weight loss yet all the important aspects.
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How Does PhenQ Work?
If you would love to eliminate some major pounds, you ought to grab a product that contains clinically-tested active ingredients for weight-loss, costs a budget-friendly cost and is backed by a lot of motivating customer evaluations. Among the very best products on the marketplace is Shed HD. The supplement utilizes an exclusive mix of four active ingredients. All received published research study to enhance metabolic process, rise power as well as burn fat.
The item contains an active ingredient Capsimax Powder and High levels of caffeine that help in heating up the cells to burn fat. It is among the most powerful activators used in the product for far better and also more secure results. The Chromium Picolinate helps the tummy to not consume even more calories and also shed the existing ones to lower the weight.The L-Carnitine Furmarate is a special amino acid that helps in transferring the fats as well as burns them to offer energy to the body, which can be utilized for aerobic purposes and also various other workouts.
They help in suppressing your hunger, burning the added fat in your body as well as in boosting your energy degrees. You could reduce weight without choosing a rigorous diet regimen and also arduous exercise program. They more than the counter diet regimen pills equivalent to phentermine tablets yet are not as solid as Phentermine. They include the important active ingredients needed for weight management. They are effective but not hazardous. They can be used for a longer duration.
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PhenQ Active ingredients
Currently is possibly a great time to dive into the active ingredients and take a closer look at just what every one is designed to complete, together with any kind of clinical proof behind it. A-Lacys Reset is a trademarked blended formula produced by researchers from alpha-lipoic acid and also cysteine. This main PhenQ energetic ingredient has been medically examined for weight-loss efficiency and is mainly used in PhenQ products. This formula is at the heart of this supplement and also is accountable in large part for the beneficial outcomes that users document. Alpha-lipoic acid as well as cysteine are both powerful active ingredients on their own yet, when blended with each other, they could shed even more fat and help individuals drop even more weight. The ingredients included in PhenQ's capsimax powder include capsicum, piperine, high levels of caffeine, as well as niacin. These ingredients blend together to produce a fat-melting impact, each sustaining the function of the others. Capsicum and capsinoids are understood to raise energy and decrease body fat. Consuming foods and supplements consisting of these components activates a thermogenic effect that has actually been particularly noted for its capability to trigger brown fat (BAT) and also burn even more calories in people. Thermogenesis is defined as the process of warm production in human beings. This rise in body heat stimulates energy and allows the body to melt even more calories. Both human and animal studies create similar lead to regards to capsicum consumption, and they both indicate increased power and also boosted fat burning. Not only is capsicum an excellent representative for promoting fat burn, however it is likewise ideal for avoiding obesity.
Piperine is the zesty chemical in black pepper that gives it its signature preference. One research study carried out on obese rats documented dramatic changes in body weight, fat mass, as well as cholesterol with just 40 mg/kg of piperine supplementation per day. No changes in diet plan were made, yet with the usage of this chemical, the rats were able to attain significant weight-loss in a brief duration of 3 weeks. Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant that is commonly located in foods like spinach, potatoes, and also broccoli. It's helpful for its capability to avoid cell break down in the body as well as recover vitamin levels. The body likewise utilizes this chemical to break down carbohydrates and also develop more energy for the body. This is another reason why it is an essential active ingredient in this item. An accelerated failure of carbohydrates as well as enhanced power assists the user melt more calories and cut fat. A sped up break down of carbohydrates as well as raised power aids the user burn even more calories as well as cut fat.
Cysteine is a semi-essential amino acid which plays a role in structuring numerous healthy proteins. You can locate it in foods that are high in protein including meat, eggs, dairy items, peppers, garlic, oats, lentils, as well as other high-protein plants.
In addition to executing vital functions in human and animal bodies, you locate it in various flavoring and also cosmetic items. Cysteine remains in the A-Lacy Reset formula to assist customers shed much more weight.
In one research, researchers carried out a therapy including cysteine to people of an obesity hospital center for six months. At the end of the test period, the clients had actually lost a small amount of weight, and also scientists offered credit score to the therapy for this improvement. Cysteine is in PhenQ for its capability, which science backs, to assist in weight-loss. When you combine it with alpha-lipoic acid, the effect increases, and also you improve weight reduction and fat loss. The high levels of caffeine in this blend likewise has effective weight-loss benefits. You could frequently locate high levels of caffeine in coffee, tea, delicious chocolate, ice cream, and also sodas. It comes from coffee beans, tea leaves, chocolate beans, and kola nuts. At least one study suggests that taking greater quantities of caffeine could lead to weight-loss because of thermogenesis as well as enhanced fat shed. It's also a good idea to take the caffeine in this supplement right into account when monitoring your additional high levels of caffeine consumption. Attempt to cut back on coffee as well as soft drinks while on PhenQ to prevent jitters and also other side effects of high levels of caffeine overload.
Chromium Picolinate it is is a key ingredient in lots of fat burning supplements. Chromium is a typical mineral, and also it is additionally an important trace element. This indicates that we in fact need hardly any for the health as well as health of the body. This mineral improves the means the body utilizes insulin, and also as a result, promotes satiation when eating carbs. It functions to reduce hunger and also make customers feel even more satisfied quicker to make sure that they won't reach for secs or feel the urge to binge eat. Magnesium stearate is a chemical that is additionally considered a soap. It is in the formula for uniformity as well as functions as a lube in pharmaceuticals and pills like PhenQ. This chemical helps to maintain vitamins and various other supplements from adhering to one another as well as machinery during production. It is not always in this product to enhance fat burning, but it is very important for producing the end-result as well as for manufacturing objectives. This active ingredient does not supply any type of significant weight-loss benefits, however it can cause some undesirable side effects. Thought about a toxin when absorbed large doses, magnesium stearate could cause skin damages and also liver poisoning.
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PhenQ Review - How Much Weight Can You Lose Taking Phentermine
When you begin taking PhenQ you are taking a powerful and also efficient weight-loss supplement that makes you reduce weight in 5 different means. This makes it much more effective than different supplements and makes it a lot easier for you to lose weight. Here are the 5 essential ways that PhenQ works: Increases the rate your body burns through fat, Quits carbohydrates as well as fats being kept in your body, Reduces your cravings as well as gives you back control over your hunger, Offers you extra power by burning through even more calories, Enhances your mood to maintain your spirits up while diet programs, The best feature of PhenQ is that it is created and made in centers that have actually been accepted by the FDA and GMP in the United States as well as UK specifically. Additionally, every order is backed with a 60 day money-back warranty. Improves the Price Your Body Burns With Fat, PhenQ aids your body burn with fat in two various ways. The first thing it does is improve your metabolism. This indicates that your body burns with more calories and also raises your energy degrees across the whole day. PhenQ utilizes the all new and trademarked α-Lacys Reset formula to stand apart from the crowd of weight management supplements. PhenQ likewise boosts thermogenesis which raises the temperature of your body. It doesn't indicate you'll obtain a fever though. This raised temperature is just enough to melt with fat without harming your body at all. Halt the Conversion of Fat and Carbohydrates.
Stop the Conversion of Fat and also Carbohydrates, Stopping the conversion of fat as well as carbohydrates is a vital action to slimming down. This means that much less carbohydrates as well as fat are converted in to body fat. They are made use of as power as opposed to being kept in the body. Decreasing the amount of fat transformed in your body such as this, along with the various other energetic ingredients of PhenQ, suggest that it's easier to lose the fat that just won't go away from your hips, thighs, as well as buttocks. This conversion is thanks to the active ingredients L-Carnitine, Fumrate as well as Calcium Carbonate. L-Carnitine Fumrate functions to get even more energy from your fat. Calcium carbonate is terrific for your bones and also it also informs your body to stop saving fat. Suppressing Your Hunger and Getting Control Over Your Appetite, two of the reasons individuals gain weight is since they are unable to regulate their cravings and also regulate their portion sizes. When you suppress your appetite you will feel satisfied and also full without consuming nearly as much food. PhenQ consists of Nopal, a component that is rich in fiber and makes it much easier for you to really feel complete while eating much less. Taking PhenQ with water triggers it to expand in the belly to earn you feel full. Nopal isn't the only active ingredient that supresses your hunger. PhenQ likewise consists of Chromium Picolinate, which is also a wonderful means to reduce your appetite. It additionally helps to the decrease in blood glucose level that cause you to hunger for food, as well as particularly sugary foods, throughout the day.
Have Even More Energy With Burning Extra Calories, Every person values having a great ruptured of power while on a diet plan. It makes it much easier to stick to the diet plan and also aids you shed much more calories via workout to lose more weight. PhenQ has a variety of these energy enhancing active ingredients. One of them is caffeine but you'll also see a considerable boost of energy thanks to the α-Lacys Reset formula. You would certainly be surprised by the difference simply having power will make. Having this power means you do more than simply consider dropping weight since you're tired. This suggests dropping weight is a lot more delightful thanks to PhenQ. Boosts your State Of Mind as well as Keeps your Spirits Up While Dieting, getting on a diet regimen causes a great deal of dieters to have bad moods as well as be grouchy. This is as a result of exactly how you feel when denied of your preferred foods. This tiff creates issues such as emotional consuming as well as a few other issues that make it tough to drop weight. PhenQ has components that enhance your state of mind, stay active, as well as get one of the most from your diet.
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If you're going to get PhenQ online, do so just from the main internet site. This diet supplement has actually ended up being so popular that affordable duplicates have actually appeared, yet steer clear of from those products: they don't include the genuine components as well as can posture a wellness threat. Stick with the initial as well as get just from the main website where you'll get a 60 day money back warranty. You can purchase PhenQ directly from the supplier from their merchant internet site, they determined to regulate the distribution as well as sales of the product themselves in order to avoid fakes which could jeopardize the life of their customers and also harm
the reputation of the item. You could most likely to straight to PhenQ site.
Click here to buy PhenQ from official website


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The UN's Global Compact on Refugees, adopted late last year, floats the possibility of trade arrangements that incentivize local businesses to hire refugee labor. A trade deal between the EU and Turkey that grants access to European markets for agricultural goods produced in Turkey with a threshold level of Syrian labor could prove beneficial for both parties — and for millions of displaced Syrians.
Expert Voices


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Research Project
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B).
1. Multiplicity of recurrence of type II ∞ ergodic transformations : We classified the set of Markov shifts by the return sequence and also by Kakutani-Parry index. This result was appeared in a paper by J.Aaronson and H.Nakada, Israel Journal of Math. 2000. Moreover, Hamachi's research group has shown that the multiplicity of recurrence is preserved by the compact group extensions.2. It has been known that the cardinality of the set of locally finite ergodic nvariant measures for a cylinder flow is continuous if the rotaion number of the base transformation is of bounded type. These measure are induced from the PL homeomorphisms of the circle, those were considered by Herman. In this project, we proved that there is no other locally finite invariant measure for such cylinder flows. On the other hand, we considered Maharam extensions of adding machines of Markovian type. We also determined the set of locally finite ergodic invariant measures for such Maharam extensions associated to Hoelder continuous potentials.3. We studied continued fraction expansions of formal power series with a finite field coefficients. Moreover we considered the metrical theory of diopantine approximation in positive characteristic. We showed that analogue of some classical metric theorems hold. In particular, we proved the formal power series version of Dufine-Schaeffer thoerem.
Published: 1998-03-31
Modified: 2016-04-21
User Guide
Terms of Use
Attribution of KAKENHI


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This specific eBook guide includes a step by step tutorial and a lot of information and facts on iPhone 7/iPhone 7 Plus. It is full of actionable steps, tips, notes, screenshots and recommendations. This guide is particularly valuable for newbies and seniors; nevertheless, I highly believe that even the techy guys will discover advantages reading it. Almost all details provided in this manual is for educative reason only and users bear the responsibility for using it.
On this article we present briefly this ebook and you will find only short advices and explanations..You can download full version of this guide book from the link in the end of this article and find much more detailed tutorials how to use iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.
It is possible that after buying iPhone 7/iPhone 7 Plus, yo...Read more


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Lemon Way provides you with a lot of transaction-related information through the API or directly from your Enterprise Back-Office.
We recommend you to define & implement alerts (manual controls from your Enterprise Back-Office or automated controls through the API) that are specific to your activity in order to identify potential fraudulent behavior.
You'll find below a list of examples to modify/adapt/complete:
• Sudden increase in the number/amount of Money-In transactions
• Sudden decrease in card acceptance rates
• Significant/abnormal increase in your card chargeback rates
• Card chargeback rate above 0.2% per payment account
• Card refund rate above 0.5% per payment account
• Amount of payments perceptibly higher than usual average basket
• Request for Money-Out less than 48H00 after payment reception
• Multiple Money-Out requests on a very short period of time
• Increase in the number of transactions at unusual days/times
• Same card used on different payment accounts


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Freaking News
New Alien Crop Circles - pictures
World UFO Day
3856 days ago
20 comments
high resolution picture
Nicely done and a very good idea: bravo.
killed it. perspective is on point as well as funny idea. Congrats.
Cheers slixter, perspective of a rotated design in a non-square field shot from an above angle was tricky but worked well. I eventually found the field using google earth and a quick screengrab. Hard to find a sunny one. Damned if I could find an ariel shot of a crop field for reference WITHOUT a crop circle in it anywhere else online.
Congrats on your first gold trophy Friend .... you keep highing it's nice feeling on gold trophy
Congrats Nerb... Great idea and excellent execution
You used Google earth to get that field source. Technology rules.
Congrats on your first gold, Nerb I especially like how you did the flat wheat texture, and curious on how you did that.
congrats on the gold, many more to come I'm sure
AZ...the flattened wheat texture was "dissolve" airbrush on a new layer selected from an existing one, then I smudged it bit by bit. Then a quick sharpening did the trick. I tried to radial blur it for the round sections but it didn't work. I'm sure there's an easier way but I'm still learning.
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My Father, My Hero
The father-daughter relationship is one of the most important relationships on earth, but many fathers often grossly underestimate their importance in the lives of their daughters, doubting their significance and influence and often withdrawing much too quickly from the essential bond formed in childhood and early adolescence. When a father checks out, whether that is through physical/emotional absence or abuse of any kind, his daughter's sense of self-worth, ability to have healthy relationships, mental health, and ability to strive and achieve can profoundly suffer.
I've been incredibly fortunate, and sometimes, I wonder what I ever did to deserve all of the blessings in my life, the beautiful, strong bond I have with my father being just one of many. Throughout my life, my father has been a stable, loving presence, supporting and guiding me through my trials and tribulations, sharing in my triumphs, and being a shining example of how a man should act at all times and in all situations. I have fond memories of riding my bike beside my father, a marathon runner, while he ran, and then running with him, shoulder to shoulder, when I became old enough to dip my toe into the quickly consuming pool of long-distance running (I've been addicted to the sport ever since).
When he would go to the mall and bring home beautifully put together outfits for my mom (who is also one-of-a-kind) as a surprise gift, I was watching. When he would tell me that he loved me and that I was beautiful every single day, which he still does, I was listening. When he would write me notes and leave them for me to find, I was learning how to do the same. When he would tell me that everything would be OK, I believed him. Even if it wasn't all OK, I felt, and still feel, protected by him. He is like my umbrella during a rainstorm – the rain is still falling, I can see it, touch it, and sometimes the wind blows it on me, but I am sheltered by his love and commitment to me as his child (no matter how old I become).
When we hear the word "hero," it usually brings up images of super men (or women) with super powers, sweeping in and saving humanity from villains and natural disasters, but when I hear that word, in my mind's eye, I see my father. The word "hero" to me is full of subtleties, small, quiet, stable, yet profound ways of making impacts and changing lives. A hero puts his best self forward and uses compassion, kindness, empathy, and non-violence to serve humanity, whether that is the entire world or his immediate family. Service without expectation of material gain or recognition is a true act of heroism, and my father is famous for his generosity. I only hope that someday I can repay him for all he has done and continues to do for me.
Dad, you're my father and my hero. I love you.
Ready to learn how to fight inflammation and address autoimmune disease through the power of food? Join our 5-Day Inflammation Video Summit with mindbodygreen's top doctors.


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Community Technology Leadership Program (CTLP)
Technology leadership is about doing more and getting more with technology. It's not just for techies; it's for regular people who want to get the most from technology. Technology leadership must be built into communities like infrastructure to get maximum economic impact from gigabit broadband and other digital technologies.
Small and medium organizations (SMO) that make up the bedrock of local economies just don't have the time or expertise to sort through all of the technology options. Consequently, they miss opportunities and run risks because they're not using technology.
The best way to learn technology leadership skill is for by helping actual small and medium organizations utilize digital technology. Diverse participation multiplies and spreads the positive impacts to more and different parts of the economy.
The Community Technology Leadership Program (CTLP) is problem-based learning for emerging, frontline, and grassroots leaders to develop their capabilities by helping small & medium organizations put digital technology to work. During the Spring of 2017, Eduity piloted a CTLP in Chattanooga with support of the Mozilla Foundation's Gigabit Community Fund.
Eduity is developing CTLP as a public service, to be openly available and able to be replicated in any community. The Eduity app will be useful for conducting and following up on CTLPs, but it's not necessary.
CTLP involves:
- A convener and program-runner
- 8 to 12 solution-owners who participate in the entire program
- At least one SMO problem-owner whose organization is the subject of the program
- A few technologists and other resource-owners to guide and inform solution-owners
The CTLP process is reasonably simple:
- The convener and program-runner identify prospective technology leaders, potential SMO subjects, local technology resources, and program sponsors, and then recruit them to participate. Find a good facility, and schedule program activities. Confirm participants' commitment.
- Hold a kick-off session to engage participants, introduce them to each other, and go over the program's goals and key results, the CTLP toolkit, and the digital development model. Review the program activities and confirm participants' commitment.
Conduct the seminars with the toolkit, biweekly or once per month, whatever works best for everyone. Capture and process the data from these activities.
Defining the problem: Problem-owners work through value-chain mapping with solution-owners to identify key opportunities, strengths, threats, and weaknesses.
- Have participants do homework or hold a working session between seminars.
Searching for solutions: Solution-owners quiz resource-owners about possible solutions and how to best approach the problem.
- Have participants do homework or hold a working session between seminars.
Building the strategy: Solution-owners analyze problems for digital development and apply approaches suggested by resource-owners to establish a strategy and generate recommendations for problem-owners.
- Have participants do homework or hold a working session between seminars.
- Defining the problem: Problem-owners work through value-chain mapping with solution-owners to identify key opportunities, strengths, threats, and weaknesses.
- Hold the pitch session for solution-owners to share their insights with problem-owners and others. Celebrate participants' learning. Plan to follow up.
- Use the evaluation tools from the toolkit to review the program. Follow up with participants, especially problem-owners, to assess developments.
The CTLP guide and toolkit will be available online soon. Check back here for updates or sign up for Eduity's newsletter. Fill out the form below and we'll be in touch soon.
How do I get involved or get more information?
Fill out this form and we'll be in touch soon!


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They didn't used to let dads in the delivery room. They do now!
On Monday, my wife gave birth to our 3rd child—a little girl! We are so enriched by God, and already by her. As one friend said on Facebook: "A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on."
For those of you who are prone to beating up on yourselves thinking that you're nothing special, think again. Be reminded (in the words of Tony Campolo) that the moment you're born, you're already a winner. Just think that you were 1 of 5-million sperm lined up at a start line… and you won! The Olympics seem insignificant in comparison. I think of the song: "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." (Psalm 139: 16) You were made on purpose and for a purpose.
In a way, we were more ready and also less ready for our 3rd child. When our first was due we knew which door to go in at the hospital, what the right breathing patterns were for labour, etc. The third time around, you kind of forget about some of those things until you're in the car. A mom I really respect who has 5 kids said that when you have one, you are trying to be quiet and careful—but by the time the fifth comes around you throw the bottle in the crib on the way past with the vacuum! Someone else who has 3 kids told me a few days ago that the transition from 2 to 3 is like going from a one-to-one to a zone defense. Love that.
We weren't expecting a girl. Our first girl bucked a trend of boy-after-boy in our family since the late 1890's. (Our 1st child would have been the 21st boy in a row!) But God is full of surprises. So another girl was a total shocker. The doctor said, "It's a girl!" And I was like, 'Are you sure?' He was like, 'Um, yup.'
There's so much that could be said, and here I'm just sharing a few thoughts as I wind down from my week. But these are central to my mind right now:
First: Children are not our own; they are entrusted to us from God, that we might be caretakers of one of his children, directing them back to love him.
Second: Laura was a champion. Wow, labour is hard; but she was so focused and strong through it all. It's a lion I married! I'm surprised more mom's don't call out during labour: "Eve!!!" (see Genesis 3: 13-16). (Remember, men, that the greatest thing a father can do to his children, is to love their mother." (Anjaneth Garcia Untala.)
Third: thinking of our growing family and our other children, love begets love. It is not a limited commodity. Spend love and your bank account keeps increasing.
Fourth: We are so incredibly blessed by our church, family and friends who enfold us with soaring prayers and real day-to-day help. Deeply moved.
So, that's it for tonight. We're glowing and tired and awash in gratitude.
Her name is Anna. And I love her. Forevermore.