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In company with His disciples, the Saviour slowly made His way to the garden of Gethsemane. The Passover moon, broad and full, shone from a cloudless sky. The city of pilgrims' tents was hushed into silence.
Jesus had been earnestly conversing with His disciples and instructing them; but as He neared Gethsemane, He became strangely silent. He had often visited this spot for meditation and prayer; but never with a heart so full of sorrow as upon this night of His last agony. Throughout His life on earth He had walked in the light of God's presence. When in conflict with men who were inspired by the very spirit of Satan, He could say, "He that sent Me is with Me: the Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him." John 8:29. But now He seemed to be shut out from the light of God's sustaining presence. Now He was numbered with the transgressors. The guilt of fallen humanity He must bear. Upon Him who knew no sin must be laid the iniquity of us all. So dreadful does sin appear to Him, so great is the weight of guilt which He must bear, that He is tempted to fear it will shut Him out forever from His Father's love. Feeling how terrible is the wrath of God against transgression, He exclaims, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death."
As they approached the garden, the disciples had marked the change that came over their Master. Never before had they seen Him so utterly
Near the entrance to the garden, Jesus left all but three of the disciples, bidding them pray for themselves and for Him. With Peter, James, and John, He entered its secluded recesses. These three disciples were Christ's closest companions. They had beheld His glory on the mount of transfiguration; they had seen Moses and Elijah talking with Him; they had heard the voice from heaven; now in His great struggle, Christ desired their presence near Him. Often they had passed the night with Him in this retreat. On these occasions, after a season of watching and prayer, they would sleep undisturbed at a little distance from their Master, until He awoke them in the morning to go forth anew to labor. But now He desired them to spend the night with Him in prayer. Yet He could not bear that even they should witness the agony He was to endure.
"Tarry ye here," He said, "and watch with Me."
He went a little distance from them--not so far but that they could both see and hear Him--and fell prostrate upon the ground. He felt that by sin He was being separated from His Father. The gulf was so broad, so black, so deep, that His spirit shuddered before it. This agony He must not exert His divine power to escape. As man He must suffer the consequences of man's sin. As man He must endure the wrath of God against transgression.
Christ was now standing in a different attitude from that in which He had ever stood before. His suffering can best be described in the words of the prophet, "Awake, O sword, against My shepherd, and against the man that is My fellow, saith the Lord of hosts." Zech. 13:7. As the substitute and surety for sinful man, Christ was suffering under divine justice. He saw what justice meant. Hitherto He had been as an intercessor for others; now He longed to have an intercessor for Himself.
As Christ felt His unity with the Father broken up, He feared that in His human nature He would be unable to endure the coming conflict with the powers of darkness. In the wilderness of temptation the destiny of the human race had been at stake. Christ was then conqueror. Now
And what was to be gained by this sacrifice? How hopeless appeared the guilt and ingratitude of men! In its hardest features Satan pressed the situation upon the Redeemer: The people who claim to be above all others in temporal and spiritual advantages have rejected You. They are seeking to destroy You, the foundation, the center and seal of the promises made to them as a peculiar people. One of Your own disciples, who has listened to Your instruction, and has been among the foremost in church activities, will betray You. One of Your most zealous followers will deny You. All will forsake You. Christ's whole being abhorred the thought. That those whom He had undertaken to save, those whom He loved so much, should unite in the plots of Satan, this pierced His soul. The conflict was terrible. Its measure was the guilt of His nation, of His accusers and betrayer, the guilt of a world lying in wickedness. The sins of men weighed heavily upon Christ, and the sense of God's wrath against sin was crushing out His life.
Behold Him contemplating the price to be paid for the human soul. In His agony He clings to the cold ground, as if to prevent Himself from being drawn farther from God. The chilling dew of night falls upon His prostrate form, but He heeds it not. From His pale lips comes the bitter cry, "O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me." Yet even now He adds, "Nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt."
The human heart longs for sympathy in suffering. This longing Christ felt to the very depths of His being. In the supreme agony of His soul He came to His disciples with a yearning desire to hear some words of comfort from those whom He had so often blessed and comforted, and shielded in sorrow and distress. The One who had always had words of sympathy for them was now suffering superhuman agony, and He longed to know that they were praying for Him and for themselves.
Rising with painful effort, He staggered to the place where He had left His companions. But He "findeth them asleep." Had He found them praying, He would have been relieved. Had they been seeking refuge in God, that satanic agencies might not prevail over them, He would have been comforted by their steadfast faith. But they had not heeded the repeated warning, "Watch and pray." At first they had been much troubled to see their Master, usually so calm and dignified, wrestling with a sorrow that was beyond comprehension. They had prayed as they heard the strong cries of the sufferer. They did not intend to forsake their Lord, but they seemed paralyzed by a stupor which they might have shaken off if they had continued pleading with God. They did not realize the necessity of watchfulness and earnest prayer in order to withstand temptation.
Just before He bent His footsteps to the garden, Jesus had said to the disciples, "All ye shall be offended because of Me this night." They had given Him the strongest assurance that they would go with Him to prison and to death. And poor, self-sufficient Peter had added, "Although all shall be offended, yet will not I." Mark 14:27, 29. But the
And John, the loving disciple who had leaned upon the breast of Jesus, was asleep. Surely, the love of John for his Master should have kept him awake. His earnest prayers should have mingled with those of his loved Saviour in the time of His supreme sorrow. The Redeemer had spent entire nights praying for His disciples, that their faith might not fail. Should Jesus now put to James and John the question He had once asked them, "Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" they would not have ventured to answer, "We are able." Matt. 20:22.
The disciples awakened at the voice of Jesus, but they hardly knew Him, His face was so changed by anguish. Addressing Peter, Jesus said, "Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak." The weakness of His disciples awakened the sympathy of Jesus. He feared that they would not be able to endure the test which would come upon them in His betrayal and death. He did not reprove them, but said, "Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation." Even in His great agony, He was seeking to excuse their weakness. "The spirit truly is ready," He said, "but the flesh is weak."
Again the Son of God was seized with superhuman agony, and fainting and exhausted, He staggered back to the place of His former struggle. His suffering was even greater than before. As the agony of soul came upon Him, "His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." The cypress and palm trees were the silent witnesses of His anguish. From their leafy branches dropped heavy dew upon His stricken form, as if nature wept over its Author wrestling alone with the powers of darkness.
A short time before, Jesus had stood like a mighty cedar, withstanding the storm of opposition that spent its fury upon Him. Stubborn wills, and hearts filled with malice and subtlety, had striven in vain to confuse and overpower Him. He stood forth in divine majesty as the Son of God. Now He was like a reed beaten and bent by the angry storm. He had approached the consummation of His work a conqueror, having at each step gained the victory over the powers of darkness. As
The first impulse of the disciples was to go to Him; but He had bidden them tarry there, watching unto prayer. When Jesus came to them, He found them still sleeping. Again He had felt a longing for companionship, for some words from His disciples which would bring relief, and break the spell of darkness that well-nigh overpowered Him. But their eyes were heavy; "neither wist they what to answer Him." His presence aroused them. They saw His face marked with the bloody sweat of agony, and they were filled with fear. His anguish of mind they could not understand. "His visage was so marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men." Isa. 52:14.
Turning away, Jesus sought again His retreat, and fell prostrate, overcome by the horror of a great darkness. The humanity of the Son of God trembled in that trying hour. He prayed not now for His disciples that their faith might not fail, but for His own tempted, agonized soul. The awful moment had come--that moment which was to decide the destiny of the world. The fate of humanity trembled in the balance. Christ might even now refuse to drink the cup apportioned to guilty man. It was not yet too late. He might wipe the bloody sweat from His brow, and leave man to perish in his iniquity. He might say, Let the transgressor receive the penalty of his sin, and I will go back to My Father. Will the Son of God drink the bitter cup of humiliation and agony? Will the innocent suffer the consequences of the curse of sin, to save the guilty? The words fall tremblingly from the pale lips of Jesus, "O My Father, if this cup may not pass away from Me, except I drink it, Thy will be done."
Three times has He uttered that prayer. Three times has humanity shrunk from the last, crowning sacrifice. But now the history of the human race comes up before the world's Redeemer. He sees that the transgressors of the law, if left to themselves, must perish. He sees the helplessness of man. He sees the power of sin. The woes and lamentations of a doomed world rise before Him. He beholds its impending
Having made the decision, He fell dying to the ground from which He had partially risen. Where now were His disciples, to place their hands tenderly beneath the head of their fainting Master, and bathe that brow, marred indeed more than the sons of men? The Saviour trod the wine press alone, and of the people there was none with Him.
But God suffered with His Son. Angels beheld the Saviour's agony. They saw their Lord enclosed by legions of satanic forces, His nature weighed down with a shuddering, mysterious dread. There was silence in heaven. No harp was touched. Could mortals have viewed the amazement of the angelic host as in silent grief they watched the Father separating His beams of light, love, and glory from His beloved Son, they would better understand how offensive in His sight is sin.
The worlds unfallen and the heavenly angels had watched with intense interest as the conflict drew to its close. Satan and his confederacy of evil, the legions of apostasy, watched intently this great crisis in the work of redemption. The powers of good and evil waited to see what answer would come to Christ's thrice-repeated prayer. Angels had longed to bring relief to the divine sufferer, but this might not be. No way of escape was found for the Son of God. In this awful crisis, when everything was at stake, when the mysterious cup trembled in the hand of the sufferer, the heavens opened, a light shone forth amid the stormy darkness of the crisis hour, and the mighty angel who stands in God's presence, occupying the position from which Satan fell, came to the side of Christ. The angel came not to take the cup from Christ's hand, but to strengthen Him to drink it, with the assurance of the Father's love. He came to give power to the divine-human suppliant. He pointed Him to the open heavens, telling Him of the souls that would be saved as the result of His sufferings. He assured Him that His Father is greater and more powerful than Satan, that His death would result in the utter discomfiture of Satan, and that the kingdom of this world would be given to the saints of the Most High. He told Him that He
Christ's agony did not cease, but His depression and discouragement left Him. The storm had in nowise abated, but He who was its object was strengthened to meet its fury. He came forth calm and serene. A heavenly peace rested upon His bloodstained face. He had borne that which no human being could ever bear; for He had tasted the sufferings of death for every man.
The sleeping disciples had been suddenly awakened by the light surrounding the Saviour. They saw the angel bending over their prostrate Master. They saw him lift the Saviour's head upon his bosom, and point toward heaven. They heard his voice, like sweetest music, speaking words of comfort and hope. The disciples recalled the scene upon the mount of transfiguration. They remembered the glory that in the temple had encircled Jesus, and the voice of God that spoke from the cloud. Now that same glory was again revealed, and they had no further fear for their Master. He was under the care of God; a mighty angel had been sent to protect Him. Again the disciples in their weariness yield to the strange stupor that overpowers them. Again Jesus finds them sleeping.
Looking sorrowfully upon them He says, "Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners."
Even as He spoke these words, He heard the footsteps of the mob in search of Him, and said, "Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray Me."
No traces of His recent agony were visible as Jesus stepped forth to meet His betrayer. Standing in advance of His disciples He said, "Whom seek ye?" They answered, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus replied, "I am He." As these words were spoken, the angel who had lately ministered to Jesus moved between Him and the mob. A divine light illuminated the Saviour's face, and a dovelike form overshadowed Him. In the presence of this divine glory, the murderous throng could not stand for a moment. They staggered back. Priests, elders, soldiers, and even Judas, fell as dead men to the ground.
The angel withdrew, and the light faded away. Jesus had opportunity to escape, but He remained, calm and self-possessed. As one glorified He stood in the midst of that hardened band, now prostrate and helpless at His feet. The disciples looked on, silent with wonder and awe.
But quickly the scene changed. The mob started up. The Roman soldiers, the priests and Judas, gathered about Christ. They seemed ashamed of their weakness, and fearful that He would yet escape. Again the question was asked by the Redeemer, "Whom seek ye?" They had had evidence that He who stood before them was the Son of God, but they would not be convinced. To the question, "Whom seek ye?" again they answered, "Jesus of Nazareth." The Saviour then said, "I have told you that I am He: if therefore ye seek Me, let these go their way"--pointing to the disciples. He knew how weak was their faith, and He sought to shield them from temptation and trial. For them He was ready to sacrifice Himself.
Judas the betrayer did not forget the part he was to act. When the mob entered the garden, he had led the way, closely followed by the high priest. To the pursuers of Jesus he had given a sign, saying, "Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is He: hold Him fast." Matt. 26:48. Now he pretends to have no part with them. Coming close to
Jesus said to him, "Friend, wherefore art thou come?" His voice trembled with sorrow as He added, "Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?" This appeal should have aroused the conscience of the betrayer, and touched his stubborn heart; but honor, fidelity, and human tenderness had forsaken him. He stood bold and defiant, showing no disposition to relent. He had given himself up to Satan, and he had no power to resist him. Jesus did not refuse the traitor's kiss.
The mob grew bold as they saw Judas touch the person of Him who had so recently been glorified before their eyes. They now laid hold of Jesus, and proceeded to bind those precious hands that had ever been employed in doing good.
The disciples had thought that their Master would not suffer Himself to be taken. For the same power that had caused the mob to fall as dead men could keep them helpless, until Jesus and His companions should escape. They were disappointed and indignant as they saw the cords brought forward to bind the hands of Him whom they loved. Peter in his anger rashly drew his sword and tried to defend his Master, but he only cut off an ear of the high priest's servant. When Jesus saw what was done, He released His hands, though held firmly by the Roman soldiers, and saying, "Suffer ye thus far," He touched the wounded ear, and it was instantly made whole. He then said to Peter, "Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He shall presently give Me more than twelve legions of angels?"--a legion in place of each one of the disciples. Oh, why, the disciples thought, does He not save Himself and us? Answering their unspoken thought, He added, "But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?" "The cup which My Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it?"
The official dignity of the Jewish leaders had not prevented them from joining in the pursuit of Jesus. His arrest was too important a matter to be trusted to subordinates; the wily priests and elders had joined the temple police and the rabble in following Judas to Gethsemane. What a company for those dignitaries to unite with--a mob that was eager for excitement, and armed with all kinds of implements, as if in pursuit of a wild beast!
Turning to the priests and elders, Christ fixed upon them His searching glance. The words He spoke they would never forget as long as life should last. They were as the sharp arrows of the Almighty. With dignity He said: You come out against Me with swords and staves as you would against a thief or a robber. Day by day I sat teaching in the temple. You had every opportunity of laying hands upon Me, and you did nothing. The night is better suited to your work. "This is your hour, and the power of darkness."
The disciples were terrified as they saw Jesus permit Himself to be taken and bound. They were offended that He should suffer this humiliation to Himself and them. They could not understand His conduct, and they blamed Him for submitting to the mob. In their indignation and fear, Peter proposed that they save themselves. Following this suggestion, "they all forsook Him, and fled." But Christ had foretold this desertion, "Behold," He had said, "the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave Me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me." John 16:32.


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A beautiful home needs a beautiful lawn. While maintaining a home can prove to be a lot of work, maintaining a green lawn doesn't have to be.
Sprinkler systems have been around for some time, allowing home owners to keep their green lawns green without dragging around hoses and manual sprinklers. But sprinkler systems are far from perfect, even if you're having one professionally installed.
The Problems of Most Irrigation Systems
Today's mechanical irrigation systems come with a lot of shortcomings.
They're complicated to install, requiring contractors to dig up your lawn in a lot of places for trenches to run the necessary pipes and wire. Once in place, they waste a lot water, resulting in high water bills for homeowners.
And often, the results they give are uneven. Due to the inconsistency in water placement, homeowners are often left with brown patches and circular patterns in their lawns.
Lucky for homeowners, there's a new system on the market that solves all of these issues and more. It's called the IrriGreen Genius® Irrigation System.
What is IrriGreen?
IrriGreen is the most revolutionary irrigation product in the past 40 years. Derived from inkjet printer technology, the Genius System is capable of precise water delivery across the entire lawn that traditional setups can't match. Recent studies have shown IrriGreen to save as much as 40% on water.
Additionally, IrriGreen works with only one sprinkler head needed in the center of each irrigation zone in your lawn, instead of 6-8 traditional sprinkler heads all around the edges of each zone. This results in less material, shorter installation times, and less digging into your lawn.
The Advantages of IrriGreen for Homeowners are Clear
IrriGreen saves time, water, and ultimately, money.
"IrriGreen gives [homeowners] more for their money," says Jarod Roberts, owner of Westside Sprinkler in Colorado. "It solves issues in addition to better coverage. With only one head per zone, less pipe and less wire, fewer valves, fewer fittings, there is less disturbance of the landscape during installation, much less work for [contractors] and less to go wrong after we leave."
Not only does it save on mess and water expenses, but IrriGreen offers more flexibility for future landscaping projects.
"If they decide to add a fire pit or enlarge a patio, they won't have to get sections of their system dug up," Roberts adds. "With the IrriGreen Mobile App on a Smartphone, just adjust the distance and direction of the throw to make the streams follow the new shape of the zone."
Ask your local contractor about IrriGreen or contact us to find an IrriGreen installer near you.

subset: commoncrawl


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Best Arabic Classes in Dubai
As the official language in UAE is Arabic, many expats are learning Arabic to enhance their fluency so that they can converse with native speakers. This will improve business productivity as well as give people better opportunities in the job market.
Why Learn Arabic at Pomegranate?
At Pomegranate Institute, we pride ourselves in providing the best Arabic classes in Dubai. Our courses are structured to cater for every level and can be customized to suit the student's needs. Spoken Arabic is the most common choice for students who are already in the working world. The teachers integrate cultural values into the studies making the learning process interesting and enjoyable.
Types of Arabic Language Courses
The basic level will help you in daily conversation enabling you to speak on select topics. It will also help you communicate your thoughts in a logical way.
The independent level focuses on the four skills (reading/ writing/ speaking/ listening). This will help you converse confidently on different topics.
The Proficient level will help you converse in a fluent manner. It will assist you professionally and academically.
Cost of Arabic Courses
Group - AED 1450
Semi Private - AED 2,500
Private - AED 4,700
Group - AED 1250
Semi Private - AED 2000
Private - AED 4000
Students' Testimonials
Learning Arabic was very important for me as my job demanded I converse with locals. I am thankful to Pomegranate Institute for teaching me the language in such a short time.
This institute provides the best spoken Arabic class in Dubai. The teachers were very understanding and patient, as I was a beginner and they guided me towards speaking the language in record time.
How to Register for Arabic Courses
Fill in the registration form
Complete the online placement test
Visit us at the institute to do the speaking test
Pay for your course (Online payment available. Please ask reception if interested)


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Aluminium Portable Massage Table.
Designed and built for Aurora Tables this premier portable Aluminium Massage Table is arguably the lightest, strongest, most durable Aluminium table on the market today, it has been built with the professional therapist in mind.
This table has been designed to meet your needs for superior strength, lighter weight, and client access, with knee through Reiki end brace allowing therapists who use seated massage modalities to get closer to the client, while preserving the stability of the table. The telescoping Legs of this table are Anodized making it remarkably durable under any conditions, they can be adjusted with the press of a button, this is a smart and professional looking table with a face hole in the table with a plug.
This table has round corner for ease of flow and comes with a delux carry bag which has multiple handles, padded shoulder strap, large zippered side pocket for towels etc. Also a comfortable fully adjustable face cradle and an arm rest for client comfort.
# 5 year structural guarantee.
# Reinforced Rounded corners.
# Head Rest outlets both ends
# Covered in high quality vinyl.
# 50mm high density cfc free foam.
# Adjustable face cradle.
# Face hole in table with plug.
# Delux carry bag.
# Arm Rest.
# Full factory back up.
# 7 day money back guarantee.
# Adjustable height from 620mm to 830mm.
Length: 1850mm
Height: 620mm - 830mm adj
Net weight 13.5kg


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This 599 GTB Fiorano 60 F1 Final Edition is a special 599 built to commemorate 60 years of Ferrari Formula 1 victories – from Froilan Gonzalez's triumph at Silverstone on July 14, 1951, to Fernando Alonso's win at the very same race almost exactly 60 years to the day later. Just 40 were built for the world, with fewer than 20 sold in the US.
The 60F1 was available in three different paint schemes (Gonzolez, Alonso, Alonso Light), all of which featured the HGTE handling package, special diamond-turned 20" forged aluminum wheels; Recaro sport seats covered in Alcantara with superfabric inserts and Scuderia shields embroidered in the headrests; Alcantara door panels, White rev counter and carbon dash trim, a commemorative plaque on the dash fascia and an aluminum fuel cap. And of course, they are powered by the 612hp, 5.99L V12 with F1 SuperFast sequential manual paddle-shift transmission.
This car is finished in the "Alonso" paint scheme, inspired by the 150° Italia livery on his F1 car, featuring Scuderia Red paint, White painted lower bumper and rocker trim, rear buttresses and hood stripes, Scuderia shields on the fenders, and Italian Tricolore flag on the rear deck lid lip. It has just 65 delivery miles and is in absolutely as-new condition. Included with the car are the handbooks, the original window sticker, the car cover, tools, a clean CarFax, and 60F1 edition information.
No modern supercar collection can be complete without one of these important and exclusive cars, and this is a rare opportunity to acquire one.


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Why smart leaders fail
Understanding and stopping behaviors that can derail your career
Leadership is a journey filled with excitement, inspiration, and imagination. But more often than we'd like to admit, leadership also includes failure. Every day, bright and capable people fall victim to various levels of embarrassment and misfortune that can define their career. Sometimes their failure is obvious to everyone; other times it's more private, eating away at their confidence and self-assurance. So what should you do when failure inevitably happens to you? It's an important question since the way you manage failure can determine how high you go in your organization, how wide your reach is across departments, and how strong your influence is over the people you work with.
Join leadership expert Pamela Rucker to learn what causes business leaders to fail, how to recognize the characteristics that precede failure, and how to stage a comeback if you have fallen victim to it. By the end of this practical hands-on course, you'll be able to create a personal process to manage the cycle of failure and use it to draw powerful lessons from failure to boost your expertise and define your resiliency as a leader.
What you'll learn-and how you can apply it
By the end of this live online course, you'll understand:
- Why leadership failure is so common
- What causes business leaders to fail
- How to accurately define and identify the different types of failure
- How to learn from your mistakes and the mistakes of others
- How to use failure as a stepping stone for success
And you'll be able to:
- Diagnose your own tendencies when working with others
- Recognize the signs of impending failure so you can get ahead of trouble
- Turn your failure experience into a useful part of your leadership narrative
- Write a failure résumé that demonstrates that you know how to succeed
- Follow a failure model that helps you recover and reclaim your personal brand
This training course is for you because...
- You're a new manager who needs to understand how to anticipate and manage leadership failure.
- You're an experienced leader who wants to communicate your broad view of the business by discussing both the successes and struggles that have impacted you and your organization.
- You work in a competitive business environment, and you're looking for ways to redefine your image after struggling with setbacks in initiatives you've been identified with.
- Experience working with teams or within groups (recommended)
Assignments to be completed prior to the course:
- Create a list of your most recent failures and the impact you believe they had on you or others.
- Download and print the course exercises prior to start of the live program, so you can participate in the group activities.
- Complete the "How important is (was) your project to you?" questionnaire (Table 2.1 from "Chapter 2: Strategies to Learn More from Your Failures" in From Lemons to Lemonade: Squeeze Every Last Drop of Success Out of Your Mistakes).
Recommended preparation:
- Take Introduction to leadership skills (live online training course with Pamela Rucker)
- Read "Introduction" (introduction to The Art and Adventure of Leadership: Understanding Failure, Resilience, and Success)
- Watch Learn from Failure (video, 12m 38s)
- Read "Managing emotions to learn from failure" (article)
About your instructor
Pamela Rucker is a featured speaker at CIO events in the United States, Canada and Europe. She has used her practical experience to provide executive education for numerous Fortune 500 firms, and has coached leaders at some of the world's most recognizable brands and leading academic institutions, including Microsoft, NBC, Kaiser, Federal Reserve, Cisco and Chevron. Pamela chairs the Technology Advisory Council for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, serves as a CIO Advisor for the CIO Executive Council, and teaches a professional development course at Harvard University entitled Leading Through Digital Disruption. She runs an advisory services practice that focuses on executive leadership, digital leadership, and corporate reinvention. Pamela has a bachelor's degree from the University of Richmond, a master's degree from Harvard University, and has completed professional programs at Rice and Columbia.
The timeframes are only estimates and may vary according to how the class is progressing
Introduction (5 minutes)
- Lecture: The reasons that leadership failure occurs; the types of failure you've experienced; the Failure Spectrum, which plots failure types on a praise-to-blame continuum
Understanding what causes leaders to struggle (25 minutes)
- Lecture: The ROLE model—how you handle responsibilities, how you operate in their position, how you lead people and programs, and how you handle your emotions; how to use a leadership failure analysis to highlight personal challenges, so you can create a plan for addressing them
- Hands-on exercise and group discussion: Complete part 1 of "Leadership failure analysis" worksheet, focusing on situations that are causing you to struggle in your role and how that impacts your delivery
Understanding the characteristics of leaders that are failing (25 minutes)
- Lecture: Extending the ROLE model to look at the characteristics that leaders start to exhibit when they fail; ways that leaders can choose the wrong behaviors when dealing with others, which weakens their presence and erodes trust in their capabilities and decision making
- Hands-on exercise and group discussion: Complete part 2 of "Leadership failure analysis" worksheet, focusing on behaviors that show up once you are struggling in your role and how that impacts your interactions with others
Break (10 minutes)
Staging a comeback (25 minutes)
- Lecture: Ways that leaders can turn things around after experiencing a failure with their teams or stakeholders; profile and state awareness; how to be yourself (but be better at it); how to anticipate and recognize situations that can end in failure; ways to learn from your mistakes and how to use those mistakes as stepping stones for success
- Hands-on exercise and group discussion: Complete part 1 of "Creating your comeback plan" worksheet, using the personal analysis created earlier in the program to create a plan of action to address the challenges that arise from failure
Telling your story (25 minutes)
- Lecture: How to identify your own crucibles of leadership; how to build a failure résumé and a comeback narrative; how to use a storytelling model to personalize your account and demonstrate redeeming qualities in a negative situation
- Hands-on exercise and group discussion: Complete part 2 of "Creating your comeback plan" worksheet, writing a failure résumé and finalizing your comeback story in a way that creates empathy from others
Call to action: Wrap-up and Q&A (5 minutes)
- Hands-on exercise: Identify what you will start, stop, and continue doing in order to be successful; create a plan for communicating your failure experience


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požadavky: OS 2.0+
popis: ESCAPE! Escape under time pressure from felon attack and get to a call out location as quickly as possible.
CHALLENGE! 4 different mini games: smash a load of cars illegally parked in a car park, weave through a course laid out by cones, dodge traffic on a highway and collect evidence throughout the city.
GROUND BREAKING CONTROLS! By placing your finger behind the car you can steer, weave, defend and attack runaway felons with full control of your vehicle, never before used in touch racing games.
LARGE DRIVABLE CITY! Huge city with high quality visuals creates a fun and rich environment for different attack and escape routes spread over 20 missions and 5 vehicles.
CHAOS AND MAYHEM! Smash, crush and flip felon vehicles. Obliterate the street scenery.
Kód: Vybrat vše
Kód: Vybrat vše


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|Benjamin Y. Clark, Jeffrey Brudney, and Sung-Gheel Jang. (2013). "Coproduction of Government Services and the New Information Technology: Investigating the Distributional Biases." Public Administration Review, 73 (5): 687-701.
|http:// http://bit.ly/boston_311
|Benjamin Y. Clark. (2015) "Evaluating the Validity and Reliability of the Financial Condition Index at the Local Level." Public Budgeting and Finance, 35(2): 66-68.
|Benjamin Y. Clark, Nicholas Zingale, Joseph Logan, & Jeffrey Brudney. (2016) "A Framework for Using Crowdsourcing in Government." International Journal of Public Administration in the Digital Age, 3(4): 57-75.
|Benjamin Y. Clark and Tatyana Guzman. (In press) "Does Local Government Coproduction Lead to Budget Adjustments? An Investigation of Boston, MA and San Francisco, CA." American Review of Public Administration.
|Benjamin Y. Clark. 2010. "The Effects of Government Academic and Industrial Policy on Cross-University Collaboration." Science and Public Policy 37 (5).
|This article examines how collaborating with industry influences the academic scientist's collaborations with scientists at other universities (cross-university collaboration). Government policies have actively encouraged academics in different universities to collaborate with one another, but contract requirements stemming from academic-industrial collaborations often influence the ways in which academics can collaborate. The major findings from this article show that collaborating with industry appears to be linked to increasing levels of cross-university collaboration.
|Clark, Benjamin Y., and Andrew B. Whitford. 2011. "Does More Federal Environmental Funding Increase Or Decrease States Efforts?" Journal of Policy Analysis and Management 30 (1): 136-152.
|We examine the flow of federal grants-in-aid from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the states. We simultaneously model two dependent variables (the flow of EPA funds, and state environmental and natural resource budgets) to identify the independent roles of state political institutions, political preferences, economic and demographic characteristics, and the task environment. Our central focus, though, is on the relationship between grants and state spending after taking into account those direct effects. We examine the evidence for positive association (a flypaper effect) and negative association (crowding out). We show the different roles for political institutions, political preferences, demographic and economic characteristics, and the task environment in each spending context. Most importantly, we find evidence for a flypaper effect between federal funds and state spending: Federal spending and state spending are positively correlated after accounting for the contribution of the unique factors. © 2010 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
|Clark, Benjamin Y. 2011. "Influences and Conflicts of Federal Policies in Academic-Industrial Scientific Collaboration." Journal of Technology Transfer 36 (5).
|This paper examines the role of the federal government in shaping the relationship between academics scientists and industry. There exists a potential conflict between government policies encouraging collaboration within academia and the policies encouraging collaboration between academia and industry. To test and model these potential conflicts, this paper uses data collected in a 2004?2005 survey by the Research Valuing Mapping Project (a project based at Georgia Tech and led by Barry Bozeman) of more than 2000 academically based research scientists and engineers. The major finding in this paper shows that academic scientists working with industry collaborate more (with all types of collaborators) than those that do not collaborate with industry. However, when examining only those scientist that collaborate with industry, the results reveal a negative relationship between the amount of time spent collaborating with industry and the number of collaborators; implying that increasing collaboration with industry leads to less academic?academic collaboration.


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Oh how great is His grace and love, that I might still have the hope that I do!
Josh and I have had the BUSIEST last few weeks!! It of course started a few weeks ago with my trip down to Florida to say goodbye to my Gram.
|June 2012
Two weeks ago I had my wisdom teeth removed which was an ordeal of it's own accord! The amount of pain I was in on my left side was insane. The right wisdom teeth gave me no issue whatsoever!
|Look at that swelling!
The day after I lost my wisdom teeth, I lost my second grandparent in three weeks. My dad's dad passed away. I couldn't go out to California to say goodbye to him, but I'm so thankful that my dad could!! He was a veteran of both World War II and Korea! I will forever miss him and his laughter. I didn't see him as much as I wish I could have but I loved him tremendously!
|Truly blessed he made it to the wedding!
So the week after this happened Josh and I did some major couponing!! The post for that is here.
|Our stockpile now!
This past weekend we then headed down to the farm to attend Josh's sister's graduation!! It was such a fun time with family coming in and mostly just relaxing in ways only the farm can provide!!
|No pictures with the photographer!!
|Gorgeous fishtail braid!!
|Puppy pile!!
|The View
So we had an amazing time at the farm and plan on heading back this weekend because Josh's brother Mark will be there; he is in the air force and couldn't make it down for the graduation!! I'm hoping to do lots of photography and relaxing while there.
We decided to get the play pool out for Elli yesterday. Needless to say she had fun!!
|This is how ALL dogs dry off right?
It's been a crazy few weeks. I still don't have a job and neither does Josh so we're hoping that comes soon! But we've managed to not fight, not let this get us down and have a great time with family.
I sit and marvel at God's perfect perfect plan!!
9 "And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me." II Corinthians 12:9
I am so incapable of managing everything that life can throw at me, I know the devil is trying to win, and I know that my faith, strength and grace are NOT SUFFICIENT! I can't love that I have lost my grandparents. I can't have strength against the money issues and petty things in life. I don't have the grace that allows me to handle all of this and know that God's plan is good. I don't have those, but God does. He makes me CAPABLE. He makes me LOVE. He makes me STRONG. I need nothing else. So I again ask for prayers, and offer myself as a prayer warrior for you. Come to me with you're blessings or sorrows and let me pray along with you!!
I would love any comments that you have!! Please let me know if there is a printable you're looking for!!


text:
Pat Spell
- (478) 745-3991 ext.
- (478) 747-2671
- (478) 746-6845
- Female
- ,115_546,SPELLPAT,spellpat,
Coldwell Banker SSK
After moving to Macon from Enterprise, Alabama and then working at Mercer University for several years, Pat began her Real Estate career in May, 1986. She possesses the ability to interact with clients from all walks of life and focus on helping each to fulfill their real estate goals. Enjoying all aspects of real estate, Pat can see beyond brick and mortar and into the life of a house including what it could be and how it can be tailored for her buyer clients; or, for her sellers with staging to stand out from the crowd. The results? Her sellers' homes move faster and her buyers often find their dream home! Early in Pat's career, she began working with builders and co-built several homes (one of which won the Parade of Homes People's Choice Award) which led to remodeling homes, helping develop a couple of subdivisions, owning and managing several rental homes, as well as decorating and helping redesign numerous homes. She helped supervise the construction, construct and chose interior finishes of the church building where she worships. With her interest in decorating and design, Pat co-owned with her daughter, Lori, Cocoon Interiors and Gifts that was located in Downtown Macon for several years. Her astute sense of style and decorating savvy is a nice benefit to her clients. She is also a member of Central Georgia MLS in Warner Robins and Georgia MLS to further expand services to her clients. Pat's personal philosophy is to treat others the way she would like to be treated. Her ability to really listen to her clients and truly focusing on their individual needs, makes her an outstanding Realtor. She loves the challenge of finding solutions and knowing her clients are happy. Pat attributes her success to her clients who provide consistent repeat business and are a wonderful source of referrals. Giving back to the community has always been important to Pat. She volunteers at Ronald McDonald House, and works with many of Thomaston Road Church of Christ ministries like the Food Bank, Christmas Care, Shoebox Ministry to Honduras, Camp Canaan, and others. She and her husband, Ray, have three children and four wonderful grandchildren as well as three grand dogs. Pat has always had a love for animals and is a bit of a health nut as well as enjoying gardening, reading, biking, and is always up for a movie.
Contact Pat Spell


text:
Happy Kitchen
3233 Grand Ave
Ste J
Chino Hills, CA 91709
David Allen recently reviewed Happy Kitchen in Chino Hills. I must have passed by tons of times, but never stopped in. Located in the same shopping center as the now closed R & R Pizza, which is now a pho restaurant. This Happy Kitchen has nothing to do with the Happy Kitchen in San Gabriel that I reviewed back in 2010. Nor does it have anything to do with a Happy Kitchen in Upland, which is a very Americanized Chinese restaurant.
Like David Allen wrote, this is an authentic Chinese restaurant, not a PF Chang's. About a medium sized restaurant with plenty of tables. Decor is sparse, but you're not coming here for the ambiance.
Shrimp chow mein, $7.95. This was a bit dry. They could have added more soy sauce or something. There were about six medium sized shrimp, that were well cooked. There were some carrots, cabbage, and green onions. The noodles were cooked perfectly. A good dish, despite the dryness.
Broccoli shrimp $11.95. About 8-10 shrimp, with brocolli, carrots and garlic. The broccoli was crispy and fresh. The shrimp was cooked well and there was a sauce that had a garlicky flavor.
Service is good.
While shopping at the Albertsons I have seen lots of people waiting outside at Happy Kitchen. So prepare for a wait or go during an off time. I like Happy Kitchen and will go back to try other items on their menu!


text:
When I read Charles Fillmore's book, Prosperity, 44 years ago, I was a single parent working two jobs, 16 hours a day, just getting by, putting up with, scrounging in the sofa for pennies, and living from paycheck to paycheck.
I really did not want much: just enough food to feed my child a decent meal every day, a little extra for fun activities for us both, and a car that knew the meaning of a round trip.
In his masterpiece of a book, Fillmore suggests that if just one individual would live and teach these Unity principles, these powerful prosperity laws, that one person would lift the consciousness of all humankind. Even with holes in my shoes at that time, I looked carefully at my life and realized that I had nothing better to do, so I said to myself, "I'll be that person."
Unity has given me a firm foundation of Truth principles on which I have built my life. I am forever grateful for the wisdom of Charles and Myrtle Fillmore and the distillation of Truth principles in a way that I could grasp, hang on to, push through fear to come into alignment with, and to stand on firmly, at least most of the time, God's very clear promises.
Willingness to Change
I began to change my thinking, feeling and action with trepidation and really did not know for sure what I was doing. There was no Unity church in my small East Texas community. I drove to Houston every couple of months to hear Rev John Rankin at the Unity community there. He was amazing to me. I was astounded to realize that people really lived and believed these powerful teachings.
Even though, at first, I was completely resistant to tithing, I did start writing and saying affirmations, and reading every single Catherine Ponder book I could find in the various libraries. When I read in Prosperity that when one begins to tithe, his or her faith is increased 100-fold, I was inspired to look up every scripture in the Bible on tithing. When I came to Malachi 3:10, my resistance broke and I became willing to "put God to the test," as the Living Bible translates the "prove me now" section of the "bring you all the tithes into the storehouse" verse.
Over the years of teaching the tithing principle to all who will hear me, I have heard all my old resistances mirrored back to me.
It's an Old Testament law, God doesn't need my money, it's a trick to get my money and they are not going to get it 'cause I am smarter than they are, there's no way I could pay all my bills if I were to tithe, it just does not fit into my budget, I'd rather give my extra money to charity.
People hear the word prosperity and assume this is going to be a conversation only about money. Prosperity, for me, is a vitally alive physical body for this God-being that we are to express through; relationships that are honest, intimate, nurturing and that work all the time; work that we love so much it is not work but play; and, of course, all the money we can spend.
My experience is that when I tithe, forgive, set clear-cut tangible goals, and get on purpose with my life, the promise of Malachi 3:10 comes true for me and the windows of heaven open and pour me out blessings so beautiful, so rich, so joyous that there is always enough to spare and to share with my world.
Stepping into Tithing
So, back to the beginning when I first began to tithe, I chose to believe or at least act as if I believed the promise and I made a commitment to tithe for six months. The first three months, nothing much happened in my outer world. We did eat, the electric company did not turn off my electricity, and I did a lot of affirmations and denials, such as, "Creditors can't eat me! Creditors can't eat me!"
In the inner world, however, my faith began to grow and I was guided to open my first business with a $2.75 classified ad. My phone rang off the wall and I began to prosper after 3 months so much that I found that my income was doubled.
At the end of six months my income had tripled. And I was off and running with an excitement and passion for Truth and for life. I don't pretend that it was all smooth sailing. Yes, there were many challenges to my faith—with ego, with courage, with self-questioning, with relationships, with wanting always to be right and self-important, and with forgiveness of myself and others.
As I continued as quickly as I could at the time to "take everything to God in prayer," use affirmations, read and reread the teachings of the masters, humble myself, ask for forgiveness and give it, walk more "gently" through my world, learning a deeper and deeper compassion for myself and others, life became more and more beautiful.
Today I have a lovely 30-acre retreat center, Rock Ridge Retreat Center, in Valley Head, Alabama. Each year for the past several years, I have offered a free retreat for ministers who are actively leading a congregation.
Right Identification
In closing, may I point out a teaching or two of Mr Fillmore that are sometimes overlooked?
"Desire is the onward impulse of the ever evolving soul." This says to me that our desires are holy and implanted in us by God to lead us along our pathway.
And finally, he suggests that the secret of demonstration is "right identification." Who are you? Your answer to this tells the universe how to behold you, to treat you, to bring to you all the good you are willing to receive.
Here is how I identify you:
You are the living light of the loving God and your light is lifting the consciousness of all humankind!


text:
Learn More
Corning™ cellgro™ DMEM/Ham's F-12 Mix
Products undergo a variety of tests to determine functionality and toxicity using growth-promotion analysis. Corning™ cellgro™ DMEM/Ham's F-12 Mix support cell culture growth and subsititution of Pyridoxine HCl for Pyridoxal ensures improved stability over original formulation.
Brand: Corning™ 10-092-CM
Code : NEW
Additional Details : Weight : 6.98000kg
- Modification of Basal Medium Eagle (BME) containing four-fold concentrations of the amino acids and vitamins found in BME
- Original formulation was used to culture embryonic mouse cells
- Has been modified to support variety of normal and transformed cells, such as primary cultures of mouse and chicken cells
- Formulations can differ in amount or absence of components such as glucose, sodium pyruvate, sodium bicarbonate and L-glutamine
- Tested to determine pH and osmolality
- Low levels of endotoxin, and absence of contamination
- Tested for bacterial endotoxin using the Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL) Chromogenic Assay
- Ham's F-12 media is based on Ham's F-10 medium with increased concentrations of choline, inositol, putrescine, and several amino acids
- Mycoplasma: Tested Negative
- Sterility: Pass
|To assess growth promotion and cytotoxicity characteristics
|Inorganic Salts: 116.65mg/L CaCl2 (anhydrous), 0.417mg/L FeSO4.7H2O, 0.05mg/L Fe(NO3)3.9H2O, 311.8mg/L KCl, 0.0008mg/L CuSO4 (anhydrous), 84.95mg/L MgSO4 (anhydrous), 7000mg/L NaCl, 62.5mg/L Na2HPO4.H2O, 71mg/L Na2HPO4 (anhydrous), 2438mg/L NaHCO3, 0.4315mg/L ZnSO4.7H2O; Amino Acids: 4.45mg/L L-Alanine, 147.5mg/L L-Arginine. HCl, 7.5mg/L L-Asparagine.H2O, 6.65mg/L L-Aspartic acid, 17.56mg/L L-Cysteine.HCl.H2O, 31.285mg/L L-Cysteine.2HCl, 7.35mg/L L-Glutamic acid, 365.1mg/L L-glutamine, 18.75mg/L Glycine, 31.48mg/L L-Histidine.HCl.H2O, 54.37mg/L L-Isoleucine, 58.95mg/L L-Leucine, 91.35mg/L L-Lysine. HCl, 17.24mg/L L-Methionine, 35.48mg/L L-Phenylalanine, 17.25mg/L L-Proline, 26.25mg/L L-Serine, 53.55mg/L L-Threonine, 9.02mg/L L-Tryptophan, 55.815mg/L L-Tyrosine.2Na.2H2O, 52.85mg/L L-Valine; Vitamins: 0.00365mg/L Biotin, 2.24mg/L D-Ca-Pantothenate, 8.98mg/L Choline chloride, 2.65mg/L Folic acid, 12.61mg/L i-Inositol, 2.0185mg/L Nicotinamide, 2.031mg/L Pyridoxine. HCl, 0.219mg/L Riboflavin, 2.17mg/L Thiamine. HCl; Other: 3151mg/L D-Glucose, 2.385mg/L Hypoxanthine, Sodium , 0.105mg/L DL-Thioctic (lipoic) acid, 0.044mg/L Methyl lineoleate, 8.1mg/L Phenol red, Sodium, 0.08mg/L Putrescine.2HCl, 110mg/L Sodium pyruvate, 0.365mg/L Thymidine, 3574.8mg/L HEPES.
|6 x 1L
|2 to 8°C
|DMEM/Ham's F-12 Mix
|L-Glutamine And 15mM HEPES


text:
What is EFS?
Wondering exactly what EFS is and how it's used? Check out our Whatis.com definition here.
The Encrypting File System (EFS) is a feature of the Windows 2000 operating system that lets any file or folder be stored in encrypted form and decrypted only by an individual user and an authorized recovery agent. EFS is especially useful for mobile computer users, whose computer (and files) are subject to physical theft, and for storing highly sensitive data.
EFS simply makes encryption an attribute of any file or folder. To store and retrieve a file or folder, a user must request a key from a program that is built into Windows 2000.
Although an encrypting file system has existed in or been an add-on to other operating systems, its inclusion in Windows 2000 is expected to bring the idea to a larger audience.


text:
An optical parametric chirped-pulse amplifier (OPCPA) design that provides 40% pump-to-signal conversion efficiency and over-500-mJ signal energy at 1054 nm for front-end injection into a Nd:glass amplifier chain is presented. This OPCPA system is currently being built as the prototype front end for the OMEGA EP (extended performance) laser system at the University of Rochester's Laboratory for Laser Energetics. Using a three-dimensional spatial and temporal numerical model, several design considerations necessary to achieve high conversion efficiency, good output stability, and good beam quality are discussed. The dependence of OPCPA output on the pump beam's spatiotemporal shape and the relative size of seed and pump beams is described. This includes the effects of pump intensity modulation and pump-signal walk-off. The trade-off among efficiency, stability, and low output beam intensity modulation is discussed.
©2003 Optical Society of AmericaFull Article | PDF Article
OSA Recommended Articles
L. J. Waxer, V. Bagnoud, I. A. Begishev, M. J. Guardalben, J. Puth, and J. D. Zuegel
Opt. Lett. 28(14) 1245-1247 (2003)
Emmanuel Hugonnot, Gérard Deschaseaux, Olivier Hartmann, and Hervé Coïc
Appl. Opt. 46(33) 8181-8187 (2007)
M. J. Prandolini, R. Riedel, M. Schulz, A. Hage, H. Höppner, and F. Tavella
Opt. Express 22(2) 1594-1607 (2014)


text:
Implementing Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies v1.0 (ENCOR 350-401) is a 120-minute exam associated with the CCNP and CCIE Enterprise Certifications. This exam tests a candidate's knowledge of implementing core enterprise network technologies including dual stack (IPv4 and IPv6) architecture, virtualization, infrastructure, network assurance, security and automation. The course, Implementing Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies, helps candidates to prepare for this exam.
The following topics are general guidelines for the content likely to be included on the exam. However, other related topics may also appear on any specific delivery of the exam. To better reflect the contents of the exam and for clarity purposes, the guidelines below may change at any time without notice.
Download Complete List of Topics in PDF format
1.0 Architecture
Show Details
1.1 Explain the different design principles used in an enterprise network
1.2 Analyze design principles of a WLAN deployment
1.3 Differentiate between on-premises and cloud infrastructure deployments
1.4 Explain the working principles of the Cisco SD-WAN solution
1.5 Explain the working principles of the Cisco SD-Access solution
1.6 Describe concepts of wired and wireless QoS
1.7 Differentiate hardware and software switching mechanisms
2.0 Virtualization
Show Details
2.1 Describe device virtualization technologies
2.2 Configure and verify data path virtualization technologies
2.3 Describe network virtualization concepts
3.0 Infrastructure
Show Details
3.1 Layer 2
3.2 Layer 3
3.3 Wireless
3.4 IP Services
4.0 Network Assurance
Show Details
4.1 Diagnose network problems using tools such as debugs, conditional debugs, trace route, ping, SNMP, and syslog
4.2 Configure and verify device monitoring using syslog for remote logging
4.3 Configure and verify NetFlow and Flexible NetFlow
4.4 Configure and verify SPAN/RSPAN/ERSPAN
4.5 Configure and verify IPSLA
4.6 Describe Cisco DNA Center workflows to apply network configuration, monitoring, and management
4.7 Configure and verify NETCONF and RESTCONF
5.0 Security
Show Details
5.1 Configure and verify device access control
5.2 Configure and verify infrastructure security features
5.3 Describe REST API security
5.4 Configure and verify wireless security features
5.5 Describe the components of network security design
6.0 Automation
Show Details
6.1 Interpret basic Python components and scripts
6.2 Construct valid JSON encoded file
6.3 Describe the high-level principles and benefits of a data modeling language, such as YANG
6.4 Describe APIs for Cisco DNA Center and vManage
6.5 Interpret REST API response codes and results in payload using Cisco DNA Center and RESTCONF
6.6 Construct EEM applet to automate configuration, troubleshooting, or data collection
6.7 Compare agent vs. agentless orchestration tools, such as Chef, Puppet, Ansible, and SaltStack
Migration Tool
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Wall Apron Rack
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AliMed Wall Apron Rack
Extra-strong, wall-mounted apron rack. Choose a 10, 2-, 4-, 7- or
9-apron model. Made of heavy-duty aluminum with durable white
powder-coated enamel that's gentle to aprons yet resistant to
scratches. 5"L prongs.
Mounting screws not included.
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Part Number(s): 782 0007 01, 782 0007 02, 782 0007 03
Mfg Part Number(s): 920713, 920714, 9-662
Scrip Part Number(s): 782 0007 01, 782 0007 02, 782 0007 03
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text:
KidsEstimated Reading Time: 9 minutes
Romance killers come in many forms.
- One or both of you gets out of shape.
- Husband becomes a more agreeable pushover (more feminine).
- Wife becomes a more disagreeable tyrant (more masculine).
- Illness
- Stress
One that everyone seems to overlook is, from my experience, one of the biggest stressors of all:
There's no doubt about it: Having kids is one of the most potent and virile romance killers on the planet. Unlike getting fat, losing your job, getting sick and becoming a giant pushover… everyone EXPECTS and PROMOTES the idea of having kids. After all, we have to keep the species going. That's what all that awesome sex is for. It feels great and is really fun and exciting, but there's a bigger reason our brains give us the urge to do it often: TO MAKE MORE GOD DAMN KIDS.
Your instinctual urge to procreate and look after the well-being of a little human is in direct contradiction to your urge to keep a sexual relationship going. The two don't work in tandem, they work against each other.
Being a parent is the antithesis of being a sexual being. Being a parent is being a super Provider, not a Lover.
A romantic partnership is about playing a role. Early on in the relationship, while childless, much of your role revolves around the pleasure of your partner (doing things they find attractive). Each person performs tasks out of the "be the sexiest man/woman possible" playbook (at least those of us in healthy relationships). Men keep in shape, drive a nice car, act aggressive, confident and outgoing. Women are more agreeable, feminine, pretty and sensual. Much sex is had in this phase.
Then comfort and familiarity hit. This can take some of the oomph out of your sex life. Many people let the sex slip at this point, but with a just little effort it can be as strong as ever.
Then… the new little kid arrives. Everything changes. A powerful switch is flipped.
Husband says, "I could go to the gym.. but I'm fucking exhausted. I had to get up at 3:00am to feed the little shit and then get up at 6:00 and drive to work to give a presentation at 8:00. Then I had to drive an hour to a meeting… then back to the office and then home. Now I have to check 30 work emails and make dinner while my wife feeds the baby . I actually fell asleep while standing up and doing dishes the other day. Fuck it. We're having McDonalds." Husband makes these excuses 365 days in a row… and next thing he knows he is 30 lbs heavier. One year of zero exercise and shitty sleeping habits will do that to you.
Wife says, "I could do that Hot Yoga class I always used to go to… but I'm dead tired, I feel fat, my boobs are killing me and I'm still sore from the delivery 3 weeks ago." Wife makes excuses for the next 12 weeks, then she goes back to work and baby goes to daycare. Her stress and guilt are off the charts. She's depressed. The bad health habits have set in. Yoga is a distant memory. She hasn't lost the 40 lbs she gained during pregnancy. She hates herself. Everyone lets her know that it's perfectly ok to feel this way. It doesn't help.
The wife's sense of self is crumbling. Is she a sexual being anymore? Is she even a WOMAN? Is she just a producer and sustainer of life now? A caregiver? She once used to turn heads on the street with her slim body and sexy little summer dresses. Now she feels like a fat, milk-producing cow with cankles, stringy hair and cracked nipples. She'd rather not get out of the house if she can help it, let alone wear a sundress again. Lack of exercise, poor diet, and mind-altering hormonal changes pushes her anxiety through the roof.
She doesn't hesitate to send husband out to the store to get the things they need. One less thing for her to stress over. He dutifully obeys.
Husband would like to tell his wife to get off her fat ass and got get the tampons and nipple cream herself, but she is now "Mother to his child", and is therefore on the highest of pedestals. Her value in the home is beyond measure. Popular culture tells him to swallow his pride and help out the family unit wherever he can. Mom wants nipple cream… you say, "Yes Ma'am" and jump to attention. Your role is now that as a provider of life to a little human. Get used to it, DAD.
Besides, the husband is no catch himself. Look at him. What does he have to bitch about? He's lucky to be in the position he is in. You have a home, wife and a healthy baby. What more do you want?
You want SEX? Forget it. To be sexual again requires that his wife enter a headspace that she can't even conceive of. The delicate souffle of the woman's libido requires that everything be juuuuuust right to function. The ingredients for the sexy recipe went right in the trash can when baby came in the world. Forget the souffle. All that's left are week-old cheese doodles and a bottle half full of spoiled breast milk.
Husband eventually realizes he needs sex. His porn habit is getting out of hand. He has needs beyond that of the visual stimuli the internet provides. Actual human touch and emotion would be nice. He approaches the wife and asks for intimacy. Wife literally laughs in his face. Does he not realize what she's had to do over the past X months? How the hell does he think talking about sex RIGHT NOW is a good idea?!?! Just shut up and go get the diapers out of the car.
The husband is shamed for his sexuality. He feels like an ass. Pornography eventually becomes a full-fledged addiction. Having sex with his wife may not even be possible at this point.
After a while, the couple may have a "Date night". This is probably initiated by a grandparent or somebody close to them who has been watching their misery. "You guys should go out together sometime. Just the two of you. I can watch the baby. You need some time off."
Date night consists of going to the nearest restaurant and eating entirely too much food. The wife complains about her body and is embarrassed about her leaking breasts that she tries covering up with her sweater. Meanwhile, husband checks his fantasy football stats on his phone and repeatedly says "Uh huh" without hearing a word his wife is saying. He learned to tune her complaining out months ago.
The food is good. They each get a giant dessert. Sweets used to be forbidden back in their attractive young gym and yoga days, but now that huge piece of lava chocolate super duper heart attack cake is seen as a welcome and necessary vice. It's quick and easy way to escape their otherwise blah existence.
Then the wife's phone rings and they both panic. Is it the baby?!! Is something wrong!!? OMG… It's the sitter! Shew… she just wants to know where we put the extra diapers. Good. Ok. Nothing to freak out about. Crisis averted. Back to the date.
Husband suggests a movie. Wife says no. What if they have to leave early because of the baby? Then they would waste money and leave in the middle of a movie, and that always sucks. "How about a drink next door?" husband says. "Well, we could… but then I'd have to pump and dump my milk tonight, and I really don't feel like it. I'd rather just go home and get right to bed."
They really have nothing left on their date night itinerary, so they decide to head home. Date night over.
First they stop at the grocery store for more baby stuff. Husband happily points out that they have strawberry-flavored sex lube on sale in the pharmacy area. Wife says he's a pervert and should get his head out of the gutter and go find baby butt cream. Husband pouts. They don't talk the rest of the drive home.
Sound familiar? Does it HAVE to be this way? Of course not. There were many possible course corrections along the way during their journey to becoming terribly boring parents, and our typical couple didn't take advantage of any of them.
Most people don't. Most people succumb to the exhaustion, stress and life-questioning changes the baby brings and just… let go. They let the tidal wave of parentdom wash them away. The next 20 years go by in the blink of an eye. Both secretly hold on to the hope that the other doesn't "wake up" and they can continue the parade of mutual awfulness.
Married people don't fuck as often as non-married couples. Comfort cripples libido, especially in women.
Parents REALLY don't fuck as often as non-married couples. Comfort and then exhaustion and dramatic life role changes… all kill the libido.
Kids can easily become the biggest obstacle to marital happiness.
If you don't actively try to make course corrections along the way, you'll soon be in the majority of married couples. Miserable. Sexless.
My advice to everyone thinking of having kids is to PLAN. Plan and decide on exactly HOW you will stay intertwined as a couple. Plan for extensive childcare and household help. Plan weekends (or more) away for just the two of you. Plan ahead for how to deal with the emotions that want to keep you bonded with the child and drive you away from each other and towards dead bedroom behavior. Act as a team and prepare for the inevitable and how exactly you will deal with it.
Have a lot of money saved up for extensive leave from work. "Waaaaah! People in Europe have it so much better! They get to take a year off of work for maternity leave and still get paid! Waaaaah!" Yep, that does sound like a very good, sensible and positive thing to do for families and society in general. I agree it sounds better than the situation most of us have here in the States. But, we don't have that luxury. That will not change tomorrow. As far as your employer is concerned, having a kid was your decision. They have a business to run. Take care of your shit and they will take care of theirs.
You should save your money and adjust your expenses so that you can pay for an extended time away from work. It's the best thing for the child. It's the best thing for your marriage. Period. Can't afford it? Don't have kids.
Having a kid is a giant financial and logistical undertaking. Treat it that way. DO NOT treat having a child as just some natural beautiful process that you should just let happen and let God take care of the details. That is a guaranteed recipe for disaster.
I think it's fair to say that people typically put more thought into buying a car than they do having a child.
Do it right, or don't do it at all. You're bringing a human being into the world. You're potentially throwing a grenade into the marriage and hoping that it doesn't go off. Limit the damage early on. PLAN PLAN PLAN.
And for YOU, mister man looking to improve himself… DON'T YOU DARE TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE FUCKING GAS.
Your entire FAMILY now depends on you to keep your head in the game and remain the strong oak of a leader. If you fold, the whole machine breaks down. You will naturally want to err on the side of amplifying your Provider qualities while downplaying your Lover qualities. Don't. Amplify Provider… and amplify Lover even more.
Being a dad is being a man on hard mode. You naturally want to do your own thing. You want to get away. You want to improve yourself and work on your mission. DO IT. ALL OF IT. "But… I have a kid now… I have no time." MAKE TIME. "But, my wife says I don't help out enough and I need to stay home more." SHUT UP. HELP OUT, but TAKE CARE OF YOU, TOO. She'll be fine.
"But, the kids…" is the most potent and debilitating excuse a man can make. It's weakness wrapped in a warm blanket of providership and societal expectation. It's wanting "do the right thing" combined with "I guess I should make more sacrifices now".
The new parental role can kill your masculinity faster than you can say "Soy latte".
Or it can strengthen you.
Want to see what kind of man you really are? What to see what your relationship is made of? Have a kid… or two… or three. It's the absolute ultimate test.
The end result of the ultimate test is either a happy wife by your side as you watch your kids grow older and turn into wonderful and unique human beings, or you living in one bedroom apartment crossing the days off the calendar as you eagerly wait to see the kids for "your weekend".


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I'm from the UN and I'm Here to Help
That human action or activity often has unintended consequences is not a new observation.
Among the activities that often have results very different from those envisaged or desired is foreign aid. There is probably not a single case of a very poor country being hauled out of poverty by such aid; there are many instances of dictators being kept in power and of civil wars virtually funded by it.
Peacekeeping forces may likewise do things other than keep the peace (though they rarely do that).
To the roll of unintended consequences must now be added the likely introduction of cholera into Haiti by Bangladeshi troops there who are part of the UN peacekeeping force there.
A paper in the New England Journal of Medicine for December 9 from Harvard Medical School shows that the strain of cholera that has caused an epidemic in Haiti probably originated in South Asia, that is to say Bangladesh. The authors arrived at this conclusion by genetic analysis.
Rather coyly, they state:
Our findings have policy implications for public health officials who are considering the deployment of vaccines or other measures for controlling cholera.
This is indeed the case, and the implications are serious. The strain of cholera, that could easily spread, is more virulent than the strain already resident in Latin America; and while the measures necessary to prevent spread are known in theory, they may be difficult to put into practice. Among other things, there is a world shortage of cholera vaccine.


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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I may have recommended. I will never link to a product I do not highly recommend and have used! Please check out my disclosure policy for more details.
One dread all parents have when expecting a new child is the lack of sleep that is to come. Lack of sleep in guaranteed to happen the first few weeks, but it doesn't have to be for months and months. Follow these tips to encourage your baby to sleep through the night.
Disclosure: This review was made possible by iConnect and Luvs. I was provided compensation to facilitate this post, but all opinions stated are 100% mine.
When I was pregnant with our oldest, I was dreading the lack of sleep that was to come. I read up on all the baby tips to be prepared for our newest addition. The tips I especially paid attention to was the tips to get a baby to sleep through the night. It seems to have been so long ago (almost 5 years), that I don't remember when he started sleeping through the night, but it was earlier than I expected.
I became pregnant with our second when our son just turned 3 years old. He had given up naps by then and I knew I was no longer going to have the luxury of "sleeping when baby slept".
I had to make sure our youngest would get the best sleep her little body could handle to ensure I got the best sleep I could get.
In come the 8 tips that have made sleeping a dream for baby and parents!
**Of course, all babies are different and there are many factors that may go into a baby sleeping through the night.**
These are the 8 tips to get your baby to sleep through the night…
1. Routine, Routine, Routine!
Babies are great with routine! At bed time, begin a routine with whatever is calming for your baby. We always start our routine after dinner. Here is an example of a sample routine to use with your baby:
- Calming playtime (age appropriate, nothing stimulating or very exciting)
- Bath time (depending on if it is bath night. If it is bath night, cut playtime down to add in the time needed for bath)
- Get in pajamas
- Read Books
- Night bottle
2. As you're getting dressed, make sure to use a night time diaper!
You will want to use a diaper that holds up through the night and keeps your baby comfortable to ensure your baby sleeps through the night.
Luvs diapers are worth a try here! These diapers are the official diaper of experienced parents!
Luvs Ultra Leakguard Diapers with NightLock Plus offers a softer and more absorbent diaper than before! Give it a try for less!
Luvs diapers is already one of the cheapest diapers on the market. Read here to check out the price comparison for 3 major diaper brands.
Luvs is making it even cheaper for Moms and Dads this summer so you can save that money for other fun activities or vacations with the family!
Get your $2.00 off coupon for any one diaper pack!
(The fine print…the coupon expires 30 days after you print the coupon. You can use the Luvs coupon at any mass, discount or grocery stores where Luvs diapers are sold, except for trial/travel sized diaper packs)
3. Do calming activities at night
- Read a story
- Baby massage
- Bath time
- Singing Lullabies
4. Use a noise machine
Use either one with music or one with white noise. With our son, we used a humidifier and we even got used to the noise, but with our daughter we were gifted a noise machine that has been really nice.
This noise machine projector provides voice activation so when our daughter does make noise at night, it'll automatically turn on for a set amount of time. It has worked perfectly for us!
5. Dream feed.
For our son, he would fall asleep by 7:30-8pm each night. We knew he needed a little more milk to make it through the night, so we dream fed him around 11pm each night before we went to sleep in hopes it would help keep him full throughout the night, and it worked!
We did the same thing with our daughter up until she was about 3.5-4 months old. She began sleeping through the night by 6 weeks old, but we continued dream feeding her for awhile past that time.
6. If the baby makes noise at night, don't run to the room/bassinet to calm them. Let them fuss and learn how to self-soothe.
Now, I'm not saying if your baby is full out crying, I'm saying if they are making some noises and stirring around. Let your baby fuss around and stir until they comfort themselves.
I used to be so quick to calm our daughter back down because I was afraid she would completely wake herself up and then wake up our son (that never happened…it has actually always been our son crying for one reason or another and waking our youngest up!)
Once we moved our daughter to her crib in her room, I actually had to turn down the monitor because she was one to stir around and make noise, which would wake me up. The thing is, is that she never needed me. She is one who tosses and turns in her sleep and makes some noise. Once she learned how to self-soothe, and I turned the baby monitor down, we got some good sleep at night!
7. Make sure your baby knows the difference between night and day.
This is one thing I do from the very beginning as soon as my children came home from the hospital! I had them nap in the rooms without darkening anything. Also, I still would make noise during the day with normal, everyday activities while the baby was sleeping.
We had a routine in the morning to change out of pajamas. Nap time routine was different than bed time routine. And in the early months, our children slept downstairs in a rock and play during nap time, and upstairs in a bassinet at night.
8. Don't talk to them at night and avoid lights and eye contact.
It is so tempting to talk to your little one while changing their diaper in the middle of the night, especially if it's a messy one! But your voice stimulates them and they get excited to hear you.
I don't know about you, but if my mind starts going and thinking about things if I wake up in the middle of the night, I have a hard time falling back asleep. It's similar for a baby.
Just like you don't want stimulating activities at night for your baby, avoid anything that may encourage stimulation in the middle of the night.
Final Thoughts…
Of course, all babies are different and some tips work better than others to get a baby to sleep through the night. These tips are simple to implement into bed time and will help your baby and yourself get a better nights sleep!
Don't forget to take advantage of downloading a free $2.00 Luvs diapers coupon here!


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''Sideways,'' ''Maria'' top indie nominations
''Sideways,'' ''Maria'' top indie nominations -- ''Baadasssss!'' and ''Kinsey'' also grab some awards attention
The roadtrip comedy Sideways and the drug-smuggling drama Maria Full of Grace earned the most nominations for this year's Independent Spirit Awards.
Sideways grabbed six nominations, including Best Feature, Best Male Lead (Paul Giamatti), Best Supporting Female (Virginia Madsen), and Best Supporting Male (Thomas Haden Church). Maria was nominated for five awards, including Best Feature, Best Female Lead, and Best Supporting Female (newcomers Catalina Sandino Moreno and Yenny Paola Vega, respectively).
Other Best Feature nominees include Baadasssss!, Kinsey, and Primer. Zach Braff was also recognized for directing and writing his debut feature, Garden State.
Giamatti will compete with Kevin Bacon (The Woodsman), Jeff Bridges (The Door in the Floor), Jamie Foxx (Redemption), and Liam Neeson (Kinsey) for Best Male Lead. Moreno's Best Female Lead competition includes Kimberly Elise (Woman Thou Art Loosed, Vera Farmiga (Down to the Bone), Judy Marte (On the Outs), and Kyra Sedgwick (Cavedweller).
The Spirit Awards will be held under a tent on the beach in Santa Monica, Calif., on Feb. 26, 2005 — a day before its grown-up cousin, the Academy Awards.


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Pigs are an invasive species in the Americas. Pigs originally evolved from wild boars which were over time domesticated by man. Wild boars were found through out much of Europe and Asia so when settlers came to the Americas they brought domestic pics with them. The main physical difference between pigs and peccaries are the tusks. Peccaries have short tusks which are straight where pigs have long tusks that curve around in on themselves. This is a photo of a feral or wild pig. Pigs that get loose or are let go can live out in the wild where they often compete for found with peccaries and other endemic species. I photographed this feral pig at the Laguna Atascosa NWR in south Texas.
Friday, April 8, 2011
When one catches their first glimpse of a javelina they usually think that it is some type of fury pig. Actually they are a peccary and a member of the Tayassuidae family. Both peccary and pigs are members of the same suborder of mammals, Suina, which is why they look similar and share some of the same characteristics. Javelina are native to the warmer parts of North, Central and South America. I photographed this javelina at Bentsen State Park when we were in Texas last year.
Labels: Camera Critters, javelina
3 comments:
- Bradley Hsi said...
Really interesting information, so ours in Taiwan are pigs. I will check on their task next time.
- April 9, 2011 at 9:28 AM
What a cool-looking animal!
- April 9, 2011 at 10:33 AM
- Roan said...
A good friend of mine has a ranch in central Texas. It is becoming overrun with wild pigs. Scary how they are taking over. Nice shots!
- April 10, 2011 at 6:38 AM
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This is a very good publishing Baobab
10 comments:
great compositionReplyDelete
the sky looks like it has been plaster coated...to fill in cracks..
i love that!
nooo, duši vona stíhá to, co by neměla a to co by měla zase nestíhá a pak z toho má stíhu :-)ReplyDelete
Just found your blog, it's very beautiful!ReplyDelete
Your English is very good (especially your punctuation, better than mine).
I am always impressed by people who blog in a second language, it's so brave. In this post your English is perfect, every word.
a taky duši, kdybych já neměla báječnou sestru, tak fůru věcí nevím, neumím a nemám - co se týče webu.ReplyDelete
Cally: Thank you very much,I am growing red :-)ReplyDelete
Hi again, I just looked back at previous posts and was thrilled to see that you make books, beautiful books! Would it be ok to show some images of your work on my blog? I am obsessed with artists books and I adore the one you did with the rabbits.ReplyDelete
- Anonymous1/15/2008
jedyty! ale takhle sem to rejpnuti zase nemyslela...:-))) ale tooo vis, ze ja rada! dyk je to jedina vec, ve ktery muzu poucit ja tebe, tak si to musim uzivat :-)))ReplyDelete
Of course, show them,I´ll be glad.ReplyDelete
We are working on a small czech-german exhibition of artists book,it will be open in February.So I will show some pictures from there.


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Government entities such as municipalities, counties, public universities and community colleges, are welcome to partner with IDHR in demonstrating their public commitment to the core values of fairness, equality, respect and inclusivity by issuing a municipal proclamation or selecting one or more of the following options:
Option A:
Submit an event for official endorsement and recognition by IDHR as part of the Fairness and Equality Campaign.
Option A
Option B:
Host a community workshop led by an IDHR representative on a variety of topics related to Fairness and Equality.
Option B
Option C:
Participate in IDHR's Fairness and Equality Social Media Campaign by sharing sample posts on your organization's social media.
Option C


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Why would an educator attend Startup Weekend EDU?
That's what I asked myself… I mean, I already have a job. I'm not really looking to start a new company. I do have ideas all the time about various inventions, and I will admit to recurrent daydreams of owning a flashy silver airstream trailer that I could drive into the parking lot of virtually any school and set up this gypsy like STEM-TECH sideshow that is filled with Lego Robotics, Little Bits and a theoretical bakery of Raspberry Pis. I'd be wearing blue tinted circular eyeglasses, carrying a sequinned "handbag of holding", a loudspeaker over my trailer pumping out classic video game themes like Frogger or Dig Dug would announce my arrival.
Imagine a 21st Century version of an ice cream truck driven by a literal mashup of Mr. Dress Up, The Happy Painter and a sprinkle of Bill Nye the Science Guy – I'd bring STEM experiences and maker movement concepts to every child in my community and, eventually, the world.
So why did I sign up with a friend to partake in 54 hours of entrepreneurial innovation that could potentially transform my ideas into reality surrounded by strangers?
1. Because the event asked, "Have you ever had an idea for improving education?"
2. Because I said to myself, "Hey… I do have an idea!"
(granted, my ideas may swim upstream, but you have to do the things in life that move you…)
And here's the kicker… everybody who gathered at SWEDU YYC also had amazing ideas, inspired dreams, fuelled up passions, and innovative visions. In just moments, I became connected with these 'strangers' and found myself engaged in conversations where I was desperately trying to place every shared piece of wisdom into some metaphorical internal vat of knowledge.
I watched as people pitched their own personal idea of the 'next big thing' with unbridled passion, and moments later I was witness to those same people setting their idea aside and throwing themselves wholeheartedly into supporting the 'next big thing' by the person beside them.
Over the weekend I met true mentors who taught me how to ask the right questions to get me where I want to be. Not one of them hesitated to call me out when they knew I was accepting less of myself, my vision or my team. Their insight and guidance helped me to frame my problem, check my assumptions and belief systems – in the 22nd hour it felt like nothing could hold me back and I was no longer destined to spend copious amounts of time spinning my wheels.
As the weekend approached the 51st hour, I watched the culmination of every participant's ingenuity, inspiration and vision materialize. The realization of the wealth of opportunities that this event was providing gave me an overwhelming feeling of pride, gratitude and an absolute state of limitless potential.
I learned that if it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you. That collective knowledge from a group of your peers combined with intention and action will organize the fulfillment of almost any desire at any age. Embrace the opportunity to make connections – because the person you perceive to be a stranger today may turn out to be a key person you need tomorrow.
Are you an Educator willing to spend 54 hours like most people won't, so you can spend the rest of your life like most people can't? Because I know that didn't walk into school on Monday morning with the same perspective that I left with the Friday before…
Jus' sayin'… mind… blown…. phooooosh….
Click right here to register for Startup Weekend EDU Edmonton.
What's up with Startup Weekend EDU Edmonton?
Let's get this show on the road!
Yes, we have a venue in the works but we can't announce it officially yet. Here's a hint.
This week, we heard from Rackforce Cloud Video that they will be joining us in Edmonton, like they did in Calgary. We're looking forward to working with Randall and Kevin again as they stream pitches live, and capture and store video throughout the weekend. Rackforce is an amazing sponsor that sends these two awesome guys to Edmonton from Kelowna for the whole weekend at no cost to us. A huge shout out to Rackforce for their continued support of Startup Weekend EDU!
Over the upcoming weeks, we will spend a lot of time on e-mail and phone, connecting with experienced designers, developers and entrepreneurs and asking them to spend part of their weekend volunteering to coach our participants. Coaches are critical to a great Startup Weekend. If you are an experienced designer, developer or entrepreneur and would like to give back to youth, educators and budding entrepreneurs, please drop me a note at email@example.com. A special shout out to our very first volunteer coach, Brad Gaulin, CEO at GoMentr.com.
It takes a village…
There are a lot of amazing people in Edmonton who volunteer their time to making this a great place to live, work and play. I want to acknowledge the organizing team, volunteer mentors and incredible volunteer speakers who are involved with TEDx Youth@Edmonton. I spent a couple of hours with that amazing group last week. With people like this doing what they're doing, the future of this city is bright.
What the Heck is a Startup Weekend, and How Did I Ever End Up in One??
Posted on October 1, 2014 by Sherry Langland
That's me in the picture, with all those handsome young men! How did I end up there, you ask? Well, it all started with a couple of friends of mine who somehow seem to persuade me into doing things that are several zones outside my comfort zone.
3rd place team at Startup Weekend Calgary, February 2014
One such journey last February took me to Calgary's Mount Royal University. I was listening to one-minute pitches by several individuals who were all hoping to win the audience's favour. This was my very first Startup Weekend. A weekend where you spend 54 hours working to launch a startup:
"Beginning with open mic pitches on Friday, attendees bring their best ideas and inspire others to join their team. Over Saturday and Sunday teams focus on customer development, validating their ideas, practicing LEAN Startup Methodologies and building a minimal viable product. On Sunday evening teams demo their prototypes and receive valuable feedback from a panel of experts." (website: http://startupweekend.org/about/). And win prizes!
I had no idea what I was getting into when I registered for this event. The registration form asked me whether I was attending as someone with a startup idea (nope, didn't have one); coder/programmer (What?? certainly wasn't one of those); marketer (Haha! the only selling I do is trying to get students to do their homework); businessperson (does balancing my chequebook count?). There was no "I have no idea what I'm doing" button, so I pressed the businessperson button. That seemed the least fraudulent.
After the voting was finished on the Friday night, everyone began forming teams. I thought I would just wander around throughout the weekend and get a sense of what the teams were doing. That also seemed the safest as I still wasn't sure what I could contribute. But, Stephanie, one of my persuader friends, would not let that happen. I ended up on a team and, for the rest of the weekend, I was plunged in the world of designing, validating, building, and marketing a startup.
When Sunday night came, teams presented their business plans and prototypes. Guess what? We came in 3rd! What a sense of accomplishment that was. My teammates had done an awesome job with their business and tech skills. And I like to think my market validation skills and question framing abilities played a small but valuable role in our success. Talking and writing are two things I know:)
I left Calgary on Sunday night for the long drive home to Edmonton. I thought the drive would be tiring. It wasn't. The weekend replayed in my mind and how incredible the whole experience was. I learned a lot about the fascinating world of startups and entrepreneurship and how this fits so well into Inspiring Education and 21st century learning.
Now I am playing a small part in organizing one for education. This one has 2 tracks: one for adults with an idea for improving education in some way, and one for students of all ages with an idea to launch. It's an great opportunity for educators, students, developers, marketers, managers, and anybody who is curious and enthusiastic. No experience required!
To find out more or to register for this event that takes place on Oct. 17- 19, 2014 click on the link below:


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Support Groups: Map
Click below to locate a support group in your area.
NewFound Families is in partnership with the Virginia Department of Social Services
Trailblazers is tNewFound Families mentoring program to support foster, adoption, and kinship parents as they become caregivers to children recently placed in their homes. The program is implemented in partnership with local departments of social services.
NewFound Families
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