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The time is almost on us. What team will DS pick? My guess:
Guilbert Engels Mings Taylor
McGinn Hourihane Grealish
Jota Wesley El Ghazi
Taylor because strikes me that Taggart hasn't yet settled, and Taylor and El Ghazi form a good partnership. Hourihane because he's playing well and Luiz and Marvelous have only just arrived. Jota because he's looked good in pre-season with him and Guilbert linking up well. However, it's possible that Trezeguet may play instead of Jota or El Ghazi.
None of the alternatives would be a bad choice. Depends really on how Smith sees it.
Looking forwards to this, and not too worried about the result. Think Smith will have them fired up though.
Views: 68
Elmo Engels Mings Taylor
McGinn Hourihane Grealish
Trezeguet Wesley El Ghazi
So, Elmo not Guilbert; maybe needs the reliability/experience against Spurs. Trezeguet not Jota; Trezeguet did look the business the other night. Otherwise as I thought. So, some new signings but not too many; think this is a good selection.
Bench: Steer, Engels, Targett, Luiz, Lansbury, Jota, Kodjia
Positively our defence was great, Heaton, Mings and Engels in particular but oh dear we couldn't keep the ball in their half. Grealish didn't do nearly enough and dallying on the edge of the box cost us a goal.
Someone please remind me, what exactly ElGhazi brings to the team.
Thought we may nick that but not to be today, we have the makings of a decent team once Dean gets a grip of them.
Think overall a good selection; don't think we could have put a better team out. No real complaints about any of them. Defensively we kept them at bay until the final 8 minutes, when two mistakes by Jack gave them two goals. Their first goal was a cracker which cancelled out our brilliant goal. We had other chances in the first half but they didn't quite come off. Overall, I think it showed we can compete at this level, and we should get better. A decent showing but a point or more would have been even better.
Jack worries me. Throughout the game thought he didn't look fit and by the end he looked shattered. McGinn was outstanding, as was the defence as a whole. Hourihane was worth his place. Trezeguet looks a find. At the end the commentators thought Wesley would be a force once he settles in. Don't think the subs added much but by then the team was under the cosh.
I'm sure we'll be OK. A decent PL performance against the Champions League finalists. Maybe a draw might have been fairer, although in the last 20 minutes Spurs were definitely on top.
It's a shame I was flying to Australia and couldn't see it, but next week is what our season is all about. We must compete with teams like Bournemouth, anyone outside the usual top 6 are our competition at the moment. Hopefully in a few years we can be looking up there, but not yet.
I'm sure Jack will come good.
Roll on next week end :-)
Really enjoyed the match,1st half we held our own but we a definately lacking a 'Tammy'
Wesley is not a centre forward ! I thought unfair to put him into that position against a very good organised defence,the team & DS learned valuable lessons from this match.
We are again relying on Jack to motivate the team going forward - as suggested he did not look fit but Spurs kept him subdued most of 2nd half.
These next few matches are a learning curve with a few hiccups along the way till the team gets gelled & DS finds the best formation - I am a happy bunny - At least we did not do a Norwich or West Ham
Hi all good to be back .
My take on the Spurs game is this .
We went there everyone most of the pundits wrote us off before a ball was kicked .
Spurs away was a baptism of fire a genuine top 4 team and a European cup final team .
We was in front held them at bay for over 70 min that is no mean feat for any newly promoted side . I would dare say that there is a good few premier league clubs that will not do that this season .
The difference to me between the two sides was firstly the experience and class Spurs have in there squad ( Having Erisken on the bench ) and Villa need time to adjust to the pace of the premiership .
I think it is fair to say some Villa players ran out of gas in the last ten minutes or so .
This will come and players will last the full 90 with training and given game time at this level .
Me ever the optimist will say this .
The Spurs at home game is now history . We only have to play the top 4 teams twice that means 8 games out of 38 . We have played one of them games now that leaves 7 left to play .
Villa's performance on Saturday shown me enough to have confidence that from the 30 games against teams we should be able to get enough points to stay up with ease .
This season for me is all about staying up and the higher that is the better i am tipping anywhere from 10/14th .
Lets see what happens next week against Bournemouth and hope we can get our first home win and some point's on the board .
Getting some points is massive, from a psychological point of view. It's all about confidence. At the moment I doubt if our confidence has been dented. But life gets a lot easier when you have some successes.
Agreed McP - Spurs match was a taste of the opposition that EPL provides but the players looked they enjoyed the EPL & will relish the oppotunities to shine a higher level than EFL,bearing in mind very few have had the opportunity to play at this level before.
A lot of lessons will have been learned from the Spurs match -DS no experience at this level is a shrewd tactician who will motivate the players - next saturday will prove my point !!


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Difference Between Doulas & Midwives
Something that I get a LOT when I tell people that I'm a doula, is: "oh, like a midwife!".
No. Not like a midwife.
I then usually go on a tangent about how they are in fact different professions with different roles, and the person I'm speaking to either learns something new, or loses interest.
Such is life!
Sometimes the conversation turns into "so are you going to become a midwife, then?".
No, once again, different thing, not a stepping stone. *
The simplest explanation differentiating the two is: doulas are non-medical support people, whereas midwives are medical, as they actually deliver the baby.
But let's break it down even further, shall we?
Role of a Midwife
-attends university/college for years to receive proper training and credentials
-monitors health of mother & baby before, during, and after labour
-prenatal education
-performs clinical tasks such as checking cervical dilation, blood pressure, medical charting etc.
-orders medical tests
-physical support during birth process
-arrives close to when baby is born, in later stages of labour
-delivers baby & placenta
-monitors bleeding and vaginal repair
-prescribes medications
-helps with breastfeeding
Some midwives do go above & beyond, and possibly offer even more than what is listed. However, their main focus is always on the health of the mother & baby.
If, God forbid, anything were to go wrong, it's in their hands. They need to act quick, problem solve. And keeping mum calm during this time may not be their top priority.
Which is where your doula comes in!
Role of a Doula
-studies through a program to receive training, no university/college credentials are required
-prenatal education
-provides informational support in the form of resources in client's community
-helps clients create a birth plan
-emotional preparation for birth & parenting
-offers continual support in early labour, active labour, and transition
-makes suggestions about position changes
-uses tools & techniques, such as counter-pressure, to help manage the physical aspect of labour
-can take photos of labour & birth at client's request
-keeps the atmosphere calm and enjoyable
-supports client's partner
-helps clients feel confident advocating for themselves
-helps with breastfeeding
-helps clients process birth experience
Doula translates from Greek as "woman servant". Your doula is always there for YOU. Not for your baby. You are the star of the show. Birth is not only about bringing your baby earth-side, it's also about creating a mother. And doulas are there to support that mother in whatever way she needs.
As doulas and midwives are definitely not interchangeable, you can in fact utilize both for your birth!
Whether you use an OB/GYN or a midwife, you need someone there to make sure you deliver the baby safely. A doula cannot do this. It is out of our scope of practice. (And as a CAPPA doula, I do not attend knowingly-unassisted-home births.)
So once you know who will be delivering your baby, it's time to build your birth team!
In addition to your partner, and possibly mother, sisters, & friends, a doula is a great option.
All the support that you can get will only help you on your birth journey.
Midwives and doulas work well together, with the same main goal of a happy, healthy mom & baby. With both of us there, you can pretty much be certain that everything will be taken care of!
(* While yes, some doulas do go on to become midwives, it is not a necessary stepping stone. Some women, like myself, are just doulas, and do not want to become midwives. I am very happy supporting women in the role of a doula.)

subset: commoncrawl


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Mars Area School District is listed among the Top 500 School Districts in America, according to a 2018 ranking by the National Council for Home Safety & Security.
The District placed 252 in the listing, which was based on data collected about student performance (mathematics and reading test scores, dropout rates, school funding and poverty rates from 9,577 school districts across the nation.
The National Council for Home Safety & Security, a trade association comprised of home security professionals, advocates for safe communities and home safety with a strong focus on community involvement. For more information, visit www.alarms.org/best-school-districts-in-america-2018/.


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Tag Archives: images
How students sold me on the joy of learning with Nearpod
I will admit that I knew about Nearpod for years (like four of them) before I had my ah-ha moment. This week provided multiple concrete examples of why I am thrilled that my district pays for my premium Nearpod account. … Continue reading
BYOT club reflections… so far
We are in our fourth month of BYOT club so far at the middle school (with bi-weekly meetings, unless holidays interfere). The club was originally in a previous blog post after some disillusionment with professional development. Some things have gone … Continue reading
Creative Commons
Written as a response to the Ed Tech Blog Carnival 2012. Copyright, piracy, fair use, and freedom of Internet has gotten a lot of attention recently, especially with the coverage of the United States Congress reviewing and possibly voting on … Continue reading
I saw this in my Flickr favorites (created by langwitches) and felt it was perfect. As I start planning for a new school year, I want to keep this quote in mind. What is does outside the box learning look … Continue reading


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The Smiths' Johnny Marr designs Ray-Ban sunglasses
Former Cribs man follows custom-made Fender guitar design with his own pair of shades
The Smiths' Johnny Marr has designed his own sunglasses for Ray-Ban.
The former Cribs member, who has customised his own pair of shades for the American company, said he had worn their brand of sunglasses when starting out in The Smiths and had been amongst the first retailers to sell them when he worked in a shop in Manchester.
Marr said:
When I first started in The Smiths, I wore Ray-Bans all the time. I used to work in a shop in Manchester during the early 80s, and we were the first to sell Ray-Ban. I recall I purposely ordered a pair for myself so I could be one of the few people in Manchester at the time to own a pair.
Last week, it was announced that Marr had also designed a signature guitar for Fender. The guitarist said he had "got rid of a load of unwanted stuff" on Fender's Jaguar guitar to produce his own signature model.
Speaking about his design, he said: "It was a little difficult as I so loved the original Jags and the look of them particularly that I didn't want to take that away from that… But there was a lot of things about them technically that were really outdated and clunky for me."
Marr, who left The Cribs in 2011, revealed in October last year that he had been discussing making new music with his former Smiths bandmate Andy Rourke.


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Native to the Eastern United States, the Northern Red Oak is the ideal tree for parks and large lawns. It has broad, spreading branches and makes a large, open shade area. The leaves, which are a rich green during growing season, will turn to rich browns and reds in the fall before they fall off. The root system of the Northern Red Oak grows deep in the ground, so any gardening you do under or around the tree will not be disturbed.This tree grows quickly to a height of about 90 feet. Tree shown in picture is 15 to 25 years old. Be aware that since the seasons have changed, the leaves on your deciduous tree may be turning colors or falling off the tree. This is normal and should not raise concern. Your tree is still alive and healthy!
Publisher: New Growth
You can order HERE
You can order HERE


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Personal Banking
Small Business Banking
Commercial Banking
Private Client Group
Personal Financial Services
For the quickest answer, search previously asked questions below. Chances are, others have asked a similar question and there's already an answer waiting for you. If you can't find a match, ask a new question and our team members will answer.
I have just immigrated to US not too long ago. I go straight from Vietnam to US after my paper work done. I opened a TD account in Canada and I've been using it, now I can find any brand to deposit my money to pay my bill with TD and my points reduced because of late payment. Can some help me out in this situation? I appreciate it!
p/s: I haven't get my SSN as well as my green card so I can't open any bank account here.
Thao Ly, Garland
August 9, 2017 12:23:56 PM
1 Response
In reply to Thao Ly, Garland
Hi Thao Ly! Thanks for reaching out to us.
It sounds like you have an account with TD Canada Trust. Please know you've reached us here at TD Bank in the United States. We recommend posing your question to TD Helps in Canada, by clicking here: https://go.td.com/1QBOF4U. You can also contact them directly by calling their 24/7 Customer Service line at 866-222-3456. We're certain they'll be able to help you resolve this.
Have a great day, Thao Ly!
Candice A, Mount Laurel
August 9, 2017 12:24:53 PM


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High Society - Kottonmouth Kings
Now, don't get me wrong the 10 Commandments is cool,
See once upon a time I too believed in the Golden Rule
Unemployment figures at an all time high
(?) nation dwindled, so the (saut??) swindle
Got tossed the f_ck out the window.
You know what I'm saying?
Kottonmouth kings still blowin smoke rings.
Keep your head up.
It's a high society
It's time for some realization,
Not fueled by media manipulations
But the manifestation of the last generation, legalization
F_ck your pensions if you're paid, pay attention
Teachers of this land, yo your all on detention
You failed to mention about this everyday struggle,
Placed me in a bubble but it popped on the double,
Now your in trouble cuz I'm older now I'm bolder now,
B_tch, I'm a soldier now
Been raised to blaze in the simple place,
Like a greyhound's race to brace this of disgrace
I've seen people starved till there no life left,
I've seen heads kicked in for the words that they said
Police crackin skulls with no questions asked,
A suicidal shot from a shotgun blast
It didn't have nothing to do with (?)
It didn't have sh_t to do with the ones that they dropped
It didn't have nothing to do with the land that got stole
believe me motherf_cker, I see right through your mind control
I won't drown, drown, drown in your society
High times, it's a high society
Lies, lies everyone keeps tryin me
Why wont they just let me be? It's a high society
First of all lets get this straight, this systems full of sh_t,
They say 'In God we trust', your a f_ckin hypocrite
Crooked politicians lying out their ass
Money hungry whores behind the doors smokin grass
No trust in the nation, trust in the nation
Spending all the money on the f_cking immigration
Walls caving in it's getting hard to breathe
51-50's what this system's done to me!
Money don't mean sh_t to me, it grows on evil trees
It breaks up families, it's more like a disease
Cuz it's tension, did I mention it's the governments invention,
Dollar dollar bill ya'll
Currency a money dollar for 20 bucks,
You can make somebody's daughter s_ck a (hooker-holla?)
Turn a boy into a baller, watch his chips stack taller,
Dollar dollar bill ya'll
You'll see all or nothin in this game of survival
Gots hustlers holdin on to the scams,
They can (watch?) their bible
But I'm viable for me to stay tribal,
And keep making these flows undeniable
But I'm viable for me to stay tribal,
And keep making these flows undeniable
I won't drown, drown, drown in your society
High times, it's a high society
Lies, lies everyone keeps tryin me
Why wont they just let me be? It's a high society
Now a nation that's stolen, can never be golden
Compassion's not true in, in this (shallow amount?) of ruin.
Modern industry, the industrial complex
A system of no balance, and not enough checks
Disease bred, transmitted through sex
Revelation (to for wishin'?)
Can you pay the tuition? Can you make the grade ?
Is life really all about getting paid?
Money can't buy nothing buried in a grave
Slave driven, unforgiven
The more you make, the better your livin'
So it's all role-playin, playing roles, grave diggers diggin' holes
Genetics strange, passed down through years of pain
So the cure you seek for the mentally weak is just the norm
As we weather the storm, so it's conform or suffer


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Welcome to ProjectExplorer!
More than eight million people live in New York City. This makes it the most populated city in America.
New York City is made up of five boroughs, or neighborhoods; The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. The most famous borough is Manhattan. It is home to some famous New York City's landmarks; Central Park, the Empire State Building, and Times Square.
New York City's history is short when compared to the major cities of the world. In 1524, an Italian man named Giovanni da Verrazano discovered New York harbor. One hundred years later, the Dutch settled in the area. They called the settlement New Amsterdam. In 1664, the English conquered the Dutch and renamed the area New York.
In 1892, Ellis Island in New York Harbor opened as America's immigration station. Between 1892 and 1954, over 40 million immigrants passed through its gates. Today, New York City is America's most diverse city. Nearly 200 languages are spoken throughout the city.
New York City has been featured in hundreds of movies and TV programs. The city is America's cultural capital; museums, Broadway theaters, sports stadiums, and thousands of restaurants call the Big Apple home.


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Government relations is about building and maintaining strong and enduring relationships at political and bureaucratic levels of government. Such relationships should be inclusive of government and opposition and operate at all levels of government.
No government makes decisions in isolation; stakeholders representing a range of interest groups in the community always play an important role.
Government expects stakeholders to advocate their positions; and of course, they prefer positions to be put in a responsible and productive way. The search for such collaboration is always the starting point for effective government relations.
Government relations – like any relationship - requires the investment of time (money mostly does not help) and the development of mutual trust and respect. Relationships should be established before they are required and they need to be maintained consistently, not sought only in times of need.


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Smoked Salmon & Zesty Horseradish Cream
2 salmon steaks, skin on
½ tub cream cheese
1 Tbsp wholegrain mustard
1/3 cup horseradish ( creamed or fresh )
1/2 lemon, juice and zest
1/4 orange, juice and zest
Soak maple plank in water overnight or for at least an hour.
Place braai planks on an open flame for 1-2 minutes on the side you will be arranging and braaing your dish.
Arrange salmon steaks on the cedar plank and cover with a kettle braai lid to cook to your liking.
Combine remaining ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
Serve with a squeeze of lemon and a spoonful of cream cheese sauce.
Baked Granny Smith Apples with Rosemary Honey & Toasted Walnuts
2 Granny Smith apples, cored
1 Bunch fresh Rosemary
250ml Honey
1 tsp Ground cinnamon
½ pkt Toasted walnuts
Combine 50ml honey and cinnamon, mix and rub over and inside apples.
Char apples on an open flame, then arrange on cedar plank.
Place remaining honey in a pot, bash rosemary with a rolling pin to bruise the leaves. Place in honey and simmer gently for 30 minutes to infuse. Cool, then strain.
Arrange apples, drizzle with honey and place a kettle lid over the planks. Braai for 20-30 minutes or until cooked through.
Serve with extra honey, chopped walnuts and ice-cream, whipped cream or honey.
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Please click the link in that email to activate your subscription.


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Initializing interface message contracts
MassTransit continues to encourage and support the use of interfaces for message contracts, and initializers make it easy to produce interface messages.
An object of values
Publish, and most of the methods that behave in similar ways (scheduling, responding to requests, etc.) all support passing an object of values which is used to set the properties on the specified interface. A simple example is shown below.
Consider this example message contract to submit an order.
public interface SubmitOrder
Guid OrderId { get; }
DateTime OrderDate { get; }
string OrderNumber { get; }
decimal OrderAmount { get; }
To send this message to an endpoint:
await endpoint.Send<SubmitOrder>(new
OrderId = NewId.NextGuid(),
OrderDate = DateTime.UtcNow,
OrderNumber = "18001",
OrderAmount = 123.45m
The anonymous object is loosely typed, the properties are matched by name, and there is an extensive set of type conversions that may occur to obtain match the types defined by the interface. Most numeric, string, and date/time conversations are supported, as well as several advanced conversions (including variables, and asynchronous
Task<T> results).
Collections, including arrays, lists, and dictionaries, are broadly supported, including the conversion of list elements, as well as dictionary keys and values. For instance, a dictionary of (int,decimal) could be converted on the fly to (long, string) using the default format conversions.
Nested objects are also supported, for instance, if a property was of type
Address and another anonymous object was created (or any type whose property names match the names of the properties on the message contract), those properties would be set on the message contract.
Header values can be specified in the anonymous object using a double-underscore (pronounced 'dunder' apparently) property name. For instance, to set the message time-to-live, specify a property with the duration. Remember, any value that can be converted to a
TimeSpan works!
public interface GetOrderStatus
Guid OrderId { get; }
var response = await requestClient.GetResponse<OrderStatus>(new
__TimeToLive = 15000, // 15 seconds, or in this case, 15000 milliseconds
OrderId = orderId,
actually, that's a bad example since the request client already sets the message expiration, but you, get, the, point.
To add a custom header value, a special property name format is used. In the name, underscores are converted to dashes, and double underscores are converted to underscores. In the following example:
var response = await requestClient.GetResponse<OrderStatus>(new
__Header_X_B3_TraceId = zipkinTraceId,
__Header_X_B3_SpanId = zipkinSpanId,
OrderId = orderId,
This would include set the headers used by open tracing (or Zipkin, as shown above) as part of the request message so the service could share in the span/trace. In this case,
X-B3-TraceId and
X-B3-SpanId would be added to the message envelope, and depending upon the transport, copied to the transport headers as well.
MassTransit also supports variables, which are special types added to the anonymous object. Following the example above, the initialization could be changed to use variables for the
OrderId and
OrderDate. Variables are consistent throughout the message creation, using the same variable multiple times returns the value. For instance, the Id created to set the OrderId would be the same used to set the OrderId in each item.
public interface OrderItem
Guid OrderId { get; }
string ItemNumber { get; }
public interface SubmitOrder
Guid OrderId { get; }
DateTime OrderDate { get; }
string OrderNumber { get; }
decimal OrderAmount { get; }
OrderItem[] OrderItems { get; }
await endpoint.Send<SubmitOrder>(new
OrderId = InVar.Id,
OrderDate = InVar.Timestamp,
OrderNumber = "18001",
OrderAmount = 123.45m,
OrderItems = new[]
new { OrderId = InVar.Id, ItemNumber = "237" },
new { OrderId = InVar.Id, ItemNumber = "762" }
Awaiting Task results
Message initializers are now asynchronous, which makes it possible to do some pretty cool things, including waiting for Task input properties to complete and use the result to initialize the property. An example is shown below.
public interface OrderUpdated
Guid CorrelationId { get; }
DateTime Timestamp { get; }
Guid OrderId { get; }
Customer Customer { get; }
public async Task<CustomerInfo> LoadCustomer(Guid orderId)
// work happens up in here
await context.Publish<OrderUpdated>(new
OrderId = context.Message.OrderId,
Customer = LoadCustomer(context.Message.OrderId)
The property initializer will wait for the task result and then use it to initialize the property (converting all the types, etc. as it would any other object).
While it is of course possible to await the call to
LoadCustomer, properties are initialized in parallel, and thus, allowing the initializer to await the Task can result in better overall performance. Your mileage may vary, however.


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For some of us, our first day in Eilat encompassed a very early start to the day. Around half of us decided it would be a good idea to get up at 4am to go and take part in the optional hike up he mountain - Har Tzfachot in Eilat. Everyone was extremely tired from the options they had chosen the day before yet they still met in the lobby at 5am dressed and in high spirits even though they were doubting their sanity at being up before the crack of dawn. We stepped off the bus to see our own silhouettes covering the barren land.
Once we were all off the bus, we started following the one and only Jonty Blackman, thank God for all the people who were at the back as Jonty quickly realised we were walking the wrong way, and we had to turn back. As we continued walking (the right way) the sun slowly started to rise. We started pumping the music and were all really enjoying the hike - despite the early hours of the morning. As we got to the top of the mountain we were all in awe of how beautiful the view was. The sunrise was amazing to watch. The boys took out their tefillen and we all davened. After Jonty spoke a bit about the mountain we hiked back down a different path. The sun was so shinning, the weather was just incredible. It was a very fun walk back down the mountain, all of us singing while trying to get a good grip on the rocks and attempting to not tumble down the cliff. Once at the bottom we all hopped onto the bus and went back to the hotel.
We had a very yummy breakfast and then went back to our rooms and relaxed until our next activity. Girls and boys then separated and went on different buses to get to the beach. The girls were extremely excited for the beach as we were going to do water sports. We got ready by putting on our life jackets and getting into smaller groups in order to do the different water activities. My group started off going on the banana boat. We all were screaming and laughing as we were going so fast and kept telling the driver to go faster. After the Banana boat we swapped over with another girl group who were on a big floatie, known as a 'tube'. We were all holding on so tightly to the small bit of rope we had, it was a real struggle not to fall in the water. The water was splashing on our faces and we could not stop laughing. When the driver had told us to come back on the boat we all starting chanting to keep going but then we all just jumped into the water and swam to the boat. We got back to shore and then went on a four person paddle boat. There were 5 of us squished on and we paddled for a bit and then just relaxed in the water.
We had a really nice lunch and got some refreshing slushees. We then went and walked around the markets which were very nice. After lunch we walked to the beach where we went swimming and got some Vitamin D. We had a very relaxing afternoon as we not only laid on the beach but also went shopping. This shopping of course included getting some nice refreshing drinks. The boys did the same activities as the girls but in reverse, they went to the beach in the morning and then did the water activities in the afternoon. After our beautiful day at the beach we got on the bus to go back to the hotel. We arrived at the hotel excited for the night ahead.
Once we got dressed and ready at the hotel, we made our way to the ice mall where we would eventually go ice skating. We met up with the other side at the mall and were given coupons for dinner. After dinner we all lined up to get our skates and went skating. We all had so much fun in the ice and people loved skating with the penguins. There were a few stacks but nothing major. Some people went and got fish massages.
After Ice skating we were supposed to go back on the bus but a few kids went and got Frozen Yogurt which was so good! As we arrived at the hotel we had some time to chill before curfew. Today was definitely my favorite day of IST! There was uncontrollable laughter throughout the day and everyone was seriously having the time of their lives.


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Guadalupe Garden:
Our incredible community of volunteers made this amazing place of beauty and serenity a reality! Come enjoy the winding pathways through flowers and pine trees. A statue and shrine of Our lady of Guadalupe stands tall, watching over the garden from the South. Resting over the peaceful, flowing creek is an Oriental-inspired bridge. The entirety of the grounds is decorated with plaques dedicated to kind-hearted donors in the community.
Guadalupe Garden is now available for photo shoots. Have a photo shoot in our beautiful garden for your special event!
Weddings, quinceañeras, and proms!
The garden is open to the public at 10:00am-2:00pm from Monday-Thursday; closed Friday-Sunday. To set up a photography appointment or for any other questions contact us at (801) 627-2235.


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We're easy to find!
Life isn't perfect, but your outfit can be!
Locally owned and operated, butterfly is a new addition to Beaumont, Alberta. A specialty boutique dedicated to inspiring women in both fashion and decor, we bring you the latest styles in fashion, accessories, plus unique gifts for every occasion. Our hope is that you find a favourite new piece every time you visit!
We feature quality Canadian favourites all the way from Matt & Nat, Yoga Jeans, Melow by Melissa Bolduc and Joseph Ribkoff through to modern European and Scandinavian lines including Ichi, Kaffe, Desigual and more. Our goal and focus is to help every woman of every size find her new wardrobe favourites, and have a blast doing it!
t: 1 780 929 6926
f: 1 780 387 4777
e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
103-5010 50 Street
Beaumont, Alberta
Parking: Street parking is available. Parking lot is available behind building, access to lot is directly north of Pizza Hut.
Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:30am - 6:00pm
Saturday: 9:30am - 5:30pm
Sunday & Holidays: Closed
Copyright © Butterfly Boutique.


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SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — The temptation for many today will be to link General Electric Co.'s stunning announcement that it will shed its massive banking arm to what some see as a regulatory crackdown in the wake of the financial crisis.
GE GE, -0.88% announced Friday it will shed most of its $500 billion finance unit through sales, spin-offs and closures during the next few years. Already there's been chatter that GE wants to get out of banking because of the onerous "systemically important" tag placed on the finance unit by regulators, a designation that requires extra capital and subjects the unit to more rigorous reporting and examinations.
Also read: GE's Immelt shows how to break up a big bank
And, coming on the heels of a letter critical of regulation by Jamie Dimon, chairman and chief executive of J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.'s JPM, +0.17% , GE's move will be grist for those who wish to roll back the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act in the name of creating credit for the economy.
But GE's move is more about perception than hard numbers. The stock has been mired under $30 amid a three-year bull run in U.S. stocks. Jeff Immelt needed to assuage a fed up investor and analyst base tired of slow growth. And yes, banking is not a big growth business. The industry is changing and adjusting.
Yet it's also true that banking is not a bad business either. As the Wall Street Journal noted, GE's real-estate business alone brought in $1 billion of earnings in 2014, down from $1.7 billion a year earlier. Overall, GE Capital accounted for 42% of the company's profit last year. No one in banking is going hungry. Dimon's pay package is holding steady at $20 million — roughly twice Immelt's pay package.
GE's finance arm is doing just fine. And given its size and importance to the economy, there's no reason it can't handle the regulatory burdens of being "systemically important." It's just that GE and Immelt are giving up trying to convince investors otherwise. GE is still staying in part of the financing business and is likely to keep relationships with the arms they're selling. It's not as if GE won't help aircraft makers finance a purchase of GE engines.
That's why this is an investor-driven deal, not a regulation-driven deal.


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How People Can Choose The Best Japanese Learning Course Online
There are a large number of Japanese language learning programs in the market today, some are good compared to others and some are effective to certain kinds of people but for some not that efficient. There are various types of tips in regards on how to pick the Japanese language program that is best for their personality, this can be good for people that want to learn how to speak Japanese fluently. There are a large number of popular Japanese language programs which are designed with based on the belief that the best way to learn a second language is the same manner that people have learned their first.
This means that when people hear words and also phrases they need to repeat them just like a child, this kind of method works truly well for some individuals that are auditory learners so they must choose an audio based programs. If people are more of a visual based learner or would love to study written dialogues then they need to pick a program that can offer instructions in more than one kind of learning style to learn Japanese efficiently. There are a large number of high quality Japanese language learning software program which have not been updated in different years and people must not choose this kind of language program to learn Japanese.
Advanced programs have good voice recognition features, online support and also user friendly features and if the program is not updated in a number of years then they must not choose this. People must also check out the online features of these Japanese language programs, all of the programs today have an online component and people can easily obtain access to learning websites and also forums.
If You Think You Understand Education, Then Read This
People can also try to upload and also download customized dated that can be made by both users of the owners of the software and by their manufacturer, a number of the highly rated programs can offer individuals with updates also. These additional features could most of the time prove to be truly vital than the software itself, they need to be sure to check them out before they can decide to make a purchase of the learning software.
Where To Start with Languages and More
Online product reviews are truly vital for people to read, people would get to read what users have experienced from the product and try to think if they want to buy it themselves to learn Japanese fluently. There are a large number of Japanese language learning software and also schools that can help people learn Japanese easily, they need to know which ones are effective to get the best from what they have spent.


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B&H Dairy and Vegetarian, East Village, Manhattan
B&H Dairy is a great little deli in New York City. Whether you are a vegetarian or not, you should be able to have a great meal here. I typically have the pierogis and/or a bowl of borscht. I keep meaning to try the French toast made with challah bread! It's difficult to choose from the many deli items they have. They also serve Dr. Brown's cream soda. The staff are very friendly and the clientele are typically from the neighborhood.
They have been in business since 1938! In a city with more than 20,000 restaurants that is truly amazing. Many restaurants in this city come and go. As an old school restaurant, they don't have a website! Also, they are a CASH ONLY restaurant. And the prices are nice on the wallet. By the way, they are also Kosher.
B&H Dairy and Vegetarian, 127 Second Avenue, near St. Marks Place in the East Village.


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Now in its 14th season, the award-winning SoWa Open Market is Boston's largest celebration of local artists, farmers, chefs, brewers and musicians. Driven by the goal of building community and supporting small businesses, the SoWa Open Market provides an opportunity for local artisans to share their products and passions. Enjoy a vibrant landscape of artist studios, galleries, boutiques, and design showrooms. Meet the makers, explore the neighborhood, and shop local this weekend.
Check out this weekend's food truck lineup:
Bon Me (Sat & Sun)
Mo'Rockin Fusion (Sat & Sun)
North East of the Border (Sat & Sun)
Momogoose (Sat & Sun)
The Dining Car (Sat & Sun)
Compliments Food Co. (Sun)
Daddy's Bonetown Burgers (Sun)
Gogi On The Block (Sun)
Moyzilla (Sun)
Roxy's Grilled Cheese (Sun)
Tea Station (Sat & Sun)
Blackbird Doughnuts (Sat & Sun)
The Coffee Trike (Sat & Sun)
Frozen Hoagies (Sat)
The Cookie Monstah (Sun)
Black Magic Coffee Company (Sun)
Slush King (Sun)
Tunes by Sara Ontaneda (Sat) and the All You Got Tour (Sun)!
Plus, on Sunday enjoy the Prospect Ciderworks X Backlash Beer Co SoWa Block Party.
As always, the SoWa Open Market is family friendly, pet friendly, and FREE! Every Sat & Sun, April 29 - Oct 29, 10 am - 4 pm.


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"The Bangkok Real Estate Market Report": A networking and business event by KSI Realty
Kijner & Sons International Realty is pleased to present you an update on the current Real Estate market conditions of the Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR), a business and networking event hosted at the renowned Pacific City Club on March 20th 2013 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
International property expert and broker owner of KSI Realty Thailand, Marc H. Kijner, in partnership with the Thai Agency for Real Estate Affairs (AREA), will offer investors an in-depth view of Bangkok's property market. Thanks to real local knowledge, KSI Realty will give you the keys to better understand the pricing and valuation trends for 2013 and teach you how to improve and better manage your real estate investment portfolio.
To participate to this event, kindly RSVP at firstname.lastname@example.com or call +66 (0)2 653 2450 before March, 15th 2013. Please note that seating is allocated on a "first come, first serve" basis and maximum seats for this event is 30, so make sure to register early. Participants are also encouraged to send their questions before, during and after the conference by liking KSI Realty's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ksirealty.
KSI Realty's conference will be followed by a Q&A session. Then guests are invited to pursue the discussion and network during an informal cocktail set in the relaxing decor of the Pacific City Club enjoying unique wines and delicious finger food presented by our sponsor ITALASIA. Video support will be kindly provided by Bluefrog Studio.
We look forward to meeting you all at this exciting business and networking event!
To download the March 2013 Pacific City Club's Newsletter, click here.
Information? Comments? Contact us at email@example.com.


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Naugatuck is a consolidated borough and town in New Haven County. It's comprised of three small communities: Union City, Straitsville, and Millville. Originally settled in 1701, Naugatuck is now a vibrant dog friendly town surrounded by the beautiful New England woods.
If you have a nature loving dog, you have to spend a day or two at Naugatuck State Forest. This beautiful park sprawls almost 5,000 acres. Pack a backpack and get lost in the cliffs, waterfalls, forests and streams. Your pooch will get in touch with his primitive ancestry as he explores the rolling terrain. There are some established trails here, as well as those less traveled, so you have your choice of adventure. One of the most popular is the Naugatuck Trail. It runs 5.2 miles, so your pal will get plenty of exercise.
When visiting Naugatuck, you and your furry traveling companion
will have a place to stay at the Comfort Inn Naugatuck. This hotel welcomes four
legged guests for a small fee. After a
long day of exploring the area, kick back and relax in one of the comfy rooms.
Be sure to take advantage of the complimentary breakfast; you'll need energy to
keep up with your pup!
If your dog seems to have some extra energy, it must be time for a trip to the dog park, and the Naugatuck Dog Park is the perfect place to take her. She can check her leash at the gate and run with reckless abandonment in this three acre fenced in park. Since this is Naugatuck's only dog park, your pooch is sure to have lots of canine playmates. Small dogs have their own area for romping and wrestling. The park is surrounded by shade trees, and there are benches for pet parents. By the time you head home, your pal will be pawsitively tuckered out.
Is your furry friend itching for a walk? Clip on his leash and head over to Linden Park. Located right on the banks of the Naugatuck River, this linear park also has sport courts, soccer fields, and a playground. Take a brisk walk around the paved path to get your pup's heart rate pumping. Then let his nose be the guide as he sniffs around the grassy fields. If he's still rearing to go, continue down the Naugatuck River Greenway. All that walking will make your pal a thirsty pooch, so make sure to bring some water for him.
Nardelli's Grinder Shoppe serves up delicious sandwiches and salads. Their menu also includes scrumptious desserts like cheesecake and brownies. After ordering your favorite sandwich, you can either chill out and dine with your pup at one of the outdoor tables, or head over to the nearby Joseph B Healey Recreation Area for a picnic. After you finish eating, walk around the park, or cross the street and stroll around Naugatuck Green. This delightful little green space has benches for people watching or paved paths for walking. Whatever you do, your pup will be happy just to be at your side.
If you need some time for introspection or a break from the rush of everyday life, pack up your pup and pay a visit to the Gunntown Passive Park and Nature Preserve. This tranquil park is a conservation area for local flora and fauna. An easy trail circles the outside of two open meadows and passes through a forested section. There are also interpretive signs about the ecosystem so you and you pooch can learn while you walk. Take time to stop and relax on one of the benches and enjoy the natural surroundings. Also, be sure you bring water and a leash for your canine companion.
Hop Brook Lake borders Naugatuck to the north in the neighboring town of Middlebury. Since it is so conveniently located, it's a pupperific spot for a weekend adventure with your four legged hiking buddy. Grab your pup's leash, head over and start exploring. Although dogs are not allowed on the beaches, there are over seven miles of trails to hike. Let your pooch be the guide as you wander through white pine, maple, and oak trees. Keep your eyes open for wildlife; your dog won't be the only furry creature in the forest. Deer, beaver, squirrels and other animals call this place home.


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Fix It Jesus! For Single Moms Only: The Straightforward No-Nonsense Guide To Passion, Purpose, & Prayer By Dr. Sophia Reed
Are you a Christian single mom that is looking for a daily devotional that was created specifically for you?
Are you that Christian single mom that is tired of being in the same place, doing the same things, always struggling, always wanting to go higher but you do not know how to do it?
Does it always feel like there is never enough time, never enough money, and you never have enough energy to get everything done as a single mom?
Are you tired of being sick and tired, tired of being lonely, tired of being single, and tired of being the only one that everything falls back on?
Have you been looking for single mom books or Christian parenting books and you feel like none of them really speak to your single mom situation?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this single mom devotional is for you.
It can serve as your single mom devotional Bible in the sense that it will give you the spiritual inspiration that you have been missing in other nonfiction Christian books.
I know what you may be thinking "another devotional for moms why is this one different?" The last thing you want to do is to read a devotional by someone who knows nothing about your problems and what you go through as a single mom.
But I do know your struggles. I have been that single mother that has been broken, struggling, and barely able to pay her bills. I have been that single mother who has prayed for things to change and it seemed like things just kept getting worse for YEARS at a time. I know what it is like being unhappy, unfulfilled, and unsatisfied thinking that there has to be more to life than this. And I also know what it takes to turn all of that around.
The No-Nonsense Single Mom Devotional is a devotional for the Christian single mom Who Wants More and Knows They Need God to Get it. It was written for you by someone like you. It will touch on the specific issues that you are facing as a single mother AND give you direct guidance on how God can bring you out of it. The daily devotional for single mothers has 30 devotionals (one per day) and a specific guided prayer that relates to the devotional for that day.
My whole goal is to get you closer to God because one of the main aspects about this whole Christian thing is that once you are one with God then you become invincible. In a spiritual sense, not a jump of the cliff and see if you can fly sense. So, no more thinking that God is some ethereal being in the sky that just floats around and watches your suffering. No more thinking that it is somehow your calling to suffer in the name of Jesus because you are a single mom.
I do not care if you are a widow, divorcee, one-night stand, or never been married; however, you became a single mother you will find encouragement in this single mom devotional. I want each of you to become that Esther who becomes queen, that Ruth that finds her Boaz, that Tamar who has a Royal Position, and that Proverbs 31 woman that is worth more than rubies.
Plus I am offering additional materials for this single mom devotional that includes The No-Nonsense Single Mom Devotional Workbook and The No-Nonsense Single Mom Devotional intense Bible study video recorded by me the author Sophia Reed AKA (Dr. Reed). Head to (https://sophie-sticatedmom.com/2018/05/15/daily-devotional-for-single-mothers/) to find out how you can get both of these additions to the book.
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Oh and you still avoided the question you mad cow...shall we see the screenshot of you not accusing someone of hacking your account? You seemed to ice skate around it...mmmm....you like thinking of that don't you of an image being sliced by a sharp blade and leaving behind lines....i know nobody would care but it would be funny to see your ''IT WAS OUT OF CONTENT. IT WAS OUT OF CONTENT. YOU HACKED MY ACCOUNT AND POSTED THAT....WHERES MY FUCKING RAZORS YOU DID IT NOW...'' basic response.
And if Claire doesn't exist...then fuck me you are even more senile when you accuse an imaginary person of hacking your account...LETS PUT THAT IN CAPS AND BOLD FONT...YOU ACCUSED A NON EXISTENT PERSON THEN OF HACKING YOUR ACCOUNT
We need straps and fast people...
poor u and your little fag hag. ppl accused my fag hag of hacking boo hoo hoo.


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14 KT Two-Tone Gold & White & Yellow Diamond Earrings White Diamonds Set in White Gold & Yellow Diamonds Set In Yellow Gold, Interlocking Circles of Life/Love Earrings Diamond .20 CT Post Backs Measures 10 x 5 MM Great Way to Combo Your Metals w/ This Two-Tone Colored Diamonds & Gold Makes a great gift! Matching earrings sold separately
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Real reason Yakubu Gowon was overthrown as Nigeria's Head-of-State in 1975
"What we have been afraid of at home, has happened." General Yakubu Gowon quietly told Alhaji Usman Faruk, then Military Governor of North-Western State in Nigeria (1967–1975).
What really happened?
It was the overthrow of General Yakubu Cinwa Gowon (born October 19, 1934) on July 29, 1975, while attending an Organization of African Union (OAU) summit in Kampala, Uganda.
Nowa Omoigui in his 2003 article, Military Rebellion of July 29, 1975: The coup against Gowon, wrote, "At the Nile Hotel in Kampala, getting up early on that second day of the OAU conference, General Gowon, a former Chairman of the organization, prepared himself for the usual diplomatic push and pull of the summit. During opening formalities the day before, he was the keynote speaker. His speech, an inspiring one by all accounts, on behalf of Nigeria, was titled 'The Unity of Africa.'
On his way to the Nile Mansions conference hall, Zaire's General Mobutu delayed him for about half an hour, discussing the Angolan situation. Thereafter, Gowon entered the hall. Mr. Mbow of UNESCO was delivering a speech at the time. Ugandan President Idi Amin then called Gowon to the high table and gave him a note, which contained the news that he had been deposed in a coup."
What indeed led to the overthrow of Nigeria's longest-ruling Head of State? First, let's take a look at the life of the man – Yakubu Gowon.
The Man Gowon
General Yakubu Cinwa Gowon was the fifth child of his father – a Christian evangelist who had to take up farming (once again) after relocating from Pankshin in modern-day Plateau State to Wusasa near Zaria. He was born on October 19, 1934, and grew up in humble and sometimes difficult circumstances occasioned by difficulties his father had trying to settle down as an evangelist in his new home – appropriately described as an island in an otherwise predominantly Islamic environment. His mother was reportedly very strict.
Gowon attended then Government (now Barewa) College Zaria. Thus, he shared the same alma mater with some of the Northern Peoples' Congress (NPC) leaders and senior northern Army officers of his day. As is well known, these leaders were assassinated on January 15, 1966. Gowon himself narrowly escaped being killed.
The strategic success of Gowon as a wartime leader must be acknowledged. He led a large and complicated country through a difficult crisis. Although reviled as "weak" and "compromising" by his critics who hold him partly responsible for the long duration of the war, there are many well-informed officers who still hold the view that only someone with his forgiving and tolerant character could have held Nigeria together at that time.
Although his eldest brother died in active service during the Second World War and another brother survived the conflict, how Yakubu Gowon decided to enter the Army is quite interesting. Encouraged by his British Principal and Vice-Principal to join the military, he was nevertheless torn between a career in the Army and competing options as a teacher, engineer, or physician. So he wrote out the options on little pieces of paper, placed them inside a Bible and prayed. Then, with his eyes closed, he opened the Bible and picked one at random. It was the Army.
Throughout his military career, he would repeatedly approach issues with a rifle in one hand and a Bible in the other. Years later he would come to be regarded by most as a model of a "kinder, gentler" soldier. Some have nicknamed him "The Preacher".
Gowon the Soldier
Gowon enlisted into the Nigerian Army and trained in Officer Cadet Training School, Teshie, Ghana in 1954. He was the first indigenous Adjutant, Fourth Battalion, Queen's Own Nigerian Regiment (QONR), as the Nigerian Army was known then, between 1960 and 1961 and was Brigade-Major of UN Peace-Keeping Forces, Luluabourg, Congo between January and June 1963.
He was promoted Major in 1962, Lieutenant-Colonel in 1963, named Adjutant-General, Nigerian Army from 1963 to 1965, was Chief of Staff in January 1966, became the second military ruler on August 1, 1966, promoted Major-General in 1967 and became a four-star General in 1971.
Yakubu Gowon was 31 years and 9 months old when he succeeded Major-General Johnson Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi as Nigeria's Head-of-State in 1966 and he remains the second-longest serving Commander-in-Chief in Nigeria (President Muhammadu Buhari could break the record in December 2022) after General Olusegun Obasanjo who ruled for eleven years (1976-1979, 1999-2007). Gowon ruled for nine years.
During the weekend of July 29, 1966, following a violent rolling mutiny, as the most senior northern army officer, Gowon emerged as the new Supreme Commander of the Nigerian Armed Forces – even though (by most accounts) he did not plan the mutiny/coup and did not partake in implementing it.
Gowon the Diplomat
The strategic success of Gowon as a wartime leader must be acknowledged. He led a large and complicated country through a difficult crisis. Although reviled as "weak" and "compromising" by his critics who hold him partly responsible for the long duration of the war, there are many well-informed officers who still hold the view that only someone with his forgiving and tolerant character could have held Nigeria together at that time.
His decision to create 12 States in May 1967 – on the advice of civil servants – is still regarded by many on both sides of the aisle as a masterstroke that helped spell doom for Biafra.
His wartime code of conduct for troops was the first of its kind in Africa – although it was often ignored. His handling of the difficult diplomatic scene was also brilliant – although Biafra proved to be a formidable adversary on that front. Nevertheless, none of Nigeria's neighbors supported the break-up of the country. His magnanimity after victory in 1970 won him international stature.
However, the structural weaknesses that would eventually consume the Gowon regime were put in place fairly early. Soon after he was anointed as the new "Supreme Commander", the "separation" from the Army began. Like Ironsi, the title "Supreme Commander" conferred certain absolute powers on him.
Nevertheless, complex political negotiations with regional representatives who in turn were reporting to the various regional military governors set the tone for Federal-State relations and the subsequent emergence of powerful State Governors.
These Governors used the distractions of the federal government first with the restoration of law and order in the barracks and later with the prosecution of the war to consolidate their powers. It was not that obvious during the conflict but became apparent afterward, particularly from the standpoint of their military colleagues in the barracks. At the federal level, Gowon, who had little prior experience in non-military public administration, was soon ensconced within the outstretched arms of sophisticated civil servants.
The Nine-Point Plan
In October 1970, Gowon announced a six-year nine-point plan, which he said, must be accomplished "before the government of the country can be handed over with a full sense of responsibility."
The points were as follows:
- Reorganization of the Armed Forces.
- Implementation of the National Development Plan and reconstruction of wartime damage.
- Eradication of corruption.
- Creation of more States.
- Adoption of a new Constitution.
- Introduction of a new revenue allocation formula.
- Conducting a National census.
- Organization of new genuinely national political parties.
- Organization of elections at state and federal levels.
According to Gowon, "The target year for completing our political program and returning the country to normal constitutional government is 1976."
Political misadventures
Although it was one of the few items among his "nine points" that he pursued with vigour, perhaps the most serious political misadventure of the Gowon era was the 1973 census. Results released in May 1974 (against the advice of the Census Commission Chairman) indicated that Nigeria's population (supposedly 79.76 million) had increased by 43.3 percent since 1963, far more than any other developing country.
With 64 percent of the reported population, the North had registered an increase of 72.4% since the 1963 result that was controversial even then. The Midwest had increased in population by 27.6 percent, and the East by 11 percent, while the West decreased by 6.0 percent. Lagos increased by 71.5 percent.
In spite of the ban on political activity (which Gowon had re-instituted in light of public acrimony about States creation) prominent Nigerians went public with angry protests about the results.
"It just can't be true," Chief Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987) said in a major speech.
Others, including some military officers from areas that "improved" their scores, made public statements praising the count. Gowon did try – unconvincingly – to reassure the nation that post-enumeration check (but not a recount) would be conducted and that the final result would be released in October 1975.
Economic misadventures
The effect of wartime economic policies on wartime trade union tensions and post war inflation has already been alluded to. But certain government actions after the war, although intended to increase real earning power in light of inflation, paradoxically encouraged even more inflation.
In January 1971, Gowon, reeling under accusations that his wartime actions (rather than international economic dynamics) were responsible for inflation, implemented the recommendations of the Chief Simeon Adebo (1913–1994) Wages and Salaries Commission and increased the salaries of workers.
Surprisingly, labour unrest resulted, some say aggravated by the not so tactful announcement by Information Commissioner, Chief Anthony Enahoro (1923–2010) that those private companies that had increased their salaries at least once since 1964 would be exempted. Following the second and final report of the Commission, however, a subsequent controversial pay raise (with arrears) was again approved by the Supreme Military Council in October 1971.
In early 1975, oil production fell steeply because of a sudden decline in world demand, resulting in lower prices and shortfalls in revenue expectations. Although prices recovered somewhat later in the year after an intervention by OPEC, the temporary economic gloom – and alleged mismanagement that caused it – combined with the widespread industrial action in May and June which brought the country to a standstill, helped in rationalising the overthrow of the government in July.
Although Gowon was not personally corrupt, some persons in his regime allegedly engaged in corrupt practices. For example, by the time of the coup, the average commercial property holding of his Governors was estimated at about eight houses each in the range of ₦49, 000 – ₦120, 000, along with farming estates. This was a big deal at that time, although, using standards of Nigerian corruption in subsequent regimes, Gowon's Governors were, in retrospect, Boy Scouts, as far as stealing is concerned.
Nevertheless, like many regimes that came after, he did make an initial and ongoing effort to be seen combating corruption, such as with the Investigation of Assets Decree No. 37 of 1968 and subsequent efforts to investigate and punish deep-seated post-war corruption in the military.
Unfortunately, some Army officers were privately getting tired of Gowon. Some began to be alarmed that they might be destroyed if they remained allied with him in the face of opposition from the Army and increasing public tension.
Two important things to note about the July 29, 1975 coup, is that it was bloodless and was carried out by Gowon's kinsman, his right-hand man, then Colonel Joseph Nanven Garba. He was the Commander of the Brigade of Guards. He announced the overthrow on Radio Nigeria and it was rumored he was also from the same town as Gowon.
The officer who made the announcement was no ordinary Colonel. He was the Commander of the elite Brigade of Guards in the federal capital. He was also widely regarded as a confidant of General Gowon and trusted loyalist of the regime. His co-option and active participation or neutralization were crucial to the bloodless nature – and success – of the coup.
After the July 29, 1966 coup, Garba assumed the command of the unit formally (on August 16th). He was instrumental (along with then Lieutenant-Colonel Murtala Mohammed) in selecting the former residence of the late First Republic Minister of Defence, Alhaji Muhammadu Ribadu, as the new residence of the new Commander-in-Chief within the Dodan Barracks perimeter. During the Civil War, Garba selected a special unit of men drawn from the Ngas tribe and charged them with Gowon's personal safety.
Coup Factors
During the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970), Gowon the Supreme Commander (Gowon) had no prior field command experience above the sub-unit level. He was very well trained no doubt (perhaps one of the best trained) and had plenty of staff experience, but he had never actually commanded a battalion (except over the weekend of January 15), let alone a Brigade – and certainly not a Division.
The divisional commanders were mostly independent, doing what they wanted to do. When they misbehaved, Gowon preferred a non-confrontational approach.
Interestingly, Gowon hardly visited the war-front – the first time being in early 1969 after the war had already been in progress for almost two years. He also had a penchant for communicating directly with Field Commanders, using a radio set at Dodan Barracks, bypassing the Army headquarters.
There was plenty of waste and massive corruption not only in the Ministry of Defence but also among arms purchasing teams (and dealers) sent abroad to acquire weapons and ammunition.
Political undercurrents were never far from the surface either. When he created States in May 1967, he openly promised that those who were dissatisfied with it would get a chance to make amends.
In January 1969, Gowon warned the Army that they had limited capacity to run a complex civilian administration and that a process for handing over the country to an elected government was essential after the war. As noted earlier, he promised to handover in 1976 but in an Independence Day broadcast on October 1, 1974, he reneged on that promise.
Also, in 1969, Gowon got married to Miss Victoria Zakari in a State and Society wedding in Lagos which, considering the wartime situation and ongoing suffering, appeared lavishly distasteful and imperious to many observers, including war-front commanders. The presence of a resident woman in his life naturally resulted in a decrease in Gowon's interactions with former fellow bachelor, and wartime pal, then Lieutenant-Colonel Garba.
Gowon also compounded his situation by gradually becoming distant from his constituency – the Army. After September 1974, his increasingly frustrated Guards Brigade Commander, for example, had to book an appointment just to see him. Many other officers who could 'drop-in' in the past or came to expect occasional 'working dinners' found access to him increasingly restricted by a small coterie of inner circle mandarins.
Unfortunately, some Army officers were privately getting tired of Gowon. Some began to be alarmed that they might be destroyed if they remained allied with him in the face of opposition from the Army and increasing public tension.
Among those who felt this way were two of his closest protégés, Colonels J.N Garba of the Guards Brigade and Anthony Ochefu, Provost-Marshall. After a private meeting in Garba's office, they both resolved that Gowon must leave office – preferably in a bloodless putsch.
…Read the concluding part here…
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Ayomide Akinbode holds a degree in Chemistry but has a passion for History and Classics. When he is not writing, he's either sleeping or playing Scrabble.


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As I sit here on my couch, realizing that we are all on the cusp of joining the last day of the first month of the supposed last year of our planet, I can't help but think that I might have to forget about sticking to my 2011 resolutions, and perhaps update and upgrade to the 2012 model. While, for the most part, I continue to be great, and amazing (without ever really trying, mind you), I am not obnoxious enough to think that there isn't room for improvement. Afterall, knowledge is power and if I ever wish to fulfill my childhood dream of being Batman when I grow up, I am going to need plenty more of both. And much like the majority of the American population, I aim to resolve a lot of the same issues that plague us in our personal lives.
Losing Weight: Between being a single guy who lives by himself, having a job that forces me to travel, and of course the booze, it can be a struggle to watch my weight. It can be. But it isn't. And that is because it has become grossly visible to watch my weight go up and up and up while the rich food, hard alcohol and metabolism goes down, down down. But all of that is a thing of the past. No, I am not giving up good tasting food, and I will be dead and buried before you separate me from my whiskey, but my plan to lose weight relies on a full-proof plan that is often overlooked.
Smoking. That's right, smoking. I figure if I start replacing on meal a day with a cigarette or two, my caloric intake will drop considerably. That combined with the hardened arteries that make my blood work harder to push through to my heart will generate a spike in my metabolism and my path to a leaner, meaner me will be here. If I am lucky, I will be up to three packs a day as meal replacements by July which is perfect for the swimsuit season.
No Sex with Friends: This one seems like a no brainer, right? For all of the reasons that most of you already know, it is never a good idea to boff your friends. Boffing leads to someone, eventually having more feelings than the other, which leads to someone eventually resenting the other and ultimately results in no sex, and no friend. And what are we without friends? We are MySpace, that's what (because no one has friends on Myspace…get it? Oh fuck you, it was funny).
So I propose that I put the kibosh on friendly sexcapades and instead focus my sexual efforts on complete and utter strangers. People I meet once at a bar, or in a dark alley that share the same carnal pleasures I do is the ticket to preserving lifelong, healthy friendships, in my opinion. Plus, as an added bonus, if you pickup a homeless person and bring them back to your place for relations, you don't even have to drive them home in the morning!
Being Tactfully Honest: Now…being honest has never really been an issue for me. At least not as an adult. If you don't believe me, go ask my cunt ex-girlfriend. But my cunt ex-girlfriend will also tell you that my honestly (especially once she became my ex) was never delivered in a manner to help soften the blow. When I told someone they were fat, I didn't pussy foot around calling them fat. I would simply come right out and say something like, "so are we all just going to ignore the elephant in the room?" Or perhaps a friend did something that I considered wrong. Chances are, they are going to get an honest earful of criticism from me, which will in turn, lead to me no longer getting to have sex with them.
So here in 2012, I finally resolve to continue telling the truth, but in a tactful, and classy manner. Which means when I tell you that your shit stinks like shit, I will do so with a smile on my face. 🙂


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How to Separate the Men From the Boys
The best stories are written not in books or in movies, but between pages of passports. That's the clincher for many TCKs; we weave great narrative tapestries through our travels. Different places provide distinct memories, and distinct memories provide greater motivation to explore unchartered waters. That was definitely the case for me. My oscillation from culture to culture, mostly out of necessity and occasionally out of choice, gave me a different perspective than most. I learnt to control my brashness, bite my tongue, hold my speech and wait to hear more of what other people said, because I was fortunate enough to have more ability than most to relate on some level.
The whole notion of adulthood seems very arbitrary to me. Is it the physiological signs of adulthood; the first wet dream, or the first menstrual cycle? Is it the legal connotation (21 in some cultures, 18 in most, and even younger in some)? Or is it just a mental rite of passage? I believe when your brain and your heart both come into unison, they grasp the essence of adulthood; responsibility, maturity and accountability.
Independence, widely considered a subset of adulthood, is an interesting one in my birthplace of Pakistan. Independence in Pakistan (both financial and social) is not in complete (or sometimes even relative) correlation with adulthood. Most people still get married and live with their parents (the husband's parents, mostly), under their roof, eating from their table. The joint family system is however now a hidden relic of the past for urban dwellers, which previously saw many families pooling their resources together to maintain their livelihood. They were dependent on each other, but that was also a time when society came ahead of the individual.
For me, adulthood struck about 1 year ago. Up until then I had patches of my life with my parents and without them, with their financial assistance and without, and with their utter belief in my life choices and without. The years where I was financially reliant on them, I would at that point, see it as a great shortcoming of mine. In a society where the man must be the breadwinner, I was sticking my hand out and asking for a shortcut in life. Many of my friends struggled through their university days, eking out a living running odd jobs, flipping burgers, or pouring pints. I was by and large, supported by my parents.
In fact, the first internship I landed was really an internship my father earned. He called one of his friends, and I was soon to complete a winter placement (even though they had only summer intakes). If you thought this could only happen in Pakistan, you are wrong. It happened in Singapore, and it even happened in Australia (even though there, I had to earn my spot in earnest). All these experiences put me ahead of the game, but they did indebt me to my parents, diminishing my age in their eyes. Adulthood remained an aspiration that was out of reach.
Years went by, and I continued to drift through life, being a product of both social capital and my own achievements. The former set me up for the latter; that's what it logically seemed like, that's what it is, and that's what I've come to terms with. To me though, adulthood isn't about taking a different path just to prove to myself that I am capable, even without the head start in life I have been fortunate to receive. Adulthood, I have come to realize, is embracing fortune and rallying it to live a wholesome and satisfing life, touching others through every interaction, because you may never get that opportunity again.
Another symptom of this realization was the transition I was seeing with my family. From seeing my parents as foundations of energy and life, I now see them slowing down, taking a breath, either for reflection or to heal the physical blows life has given them. I have seen my little brother go from being an ill-tempered child to being an ill-tempered young man. But with the temper, comes a zeal and desire for betterment in his chosen field. He will learn the ropes, but I have now realized my role as a guider and facilitator, a friend rather than an authority figure.
I have seen my grandparents age greatly, in the last few years, much to my discomfort. The memories I hold onto so tightly come ringing back whenever I see them making their way slowly down the stairs to their living room. A harsh reality I have come to terms with.
Adulthood to me is no more than that. Yes, financial independence would be nice; standing on my own two feet and being the master of my financial destiny. But in many ways, these are not things that should trump family, friends, travel, and other interests. Financial independence and career aspirations are always secondary. Money and career recognition will come and go, it could give me a quick endorphin spike, but then it shall inevitably fizzle out. Your friends, family, and your internal treasure trove of memories have a much longer pay-off period. Coming to this realization is what adulthood is about to me, everything outside of this ambit is simply ancillary. It hit me at the age of 25, much after I woke up to my first nocturnal emission of puberty—how to separate the men from the boys—not a physiological function but a profound realization and guiding light for wherever in the world my TCK adventures take me.


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Men always want to look great to create a good impression from their audience as much as women. Suits are what make them special and successful. There are men who want to own a suit but are afraid that they could not afford the price or buy the wrong one. When choosing a perfect custom tailored suit especially made for you, consider the style, material and optional design features.
Go More than the Standard Styles
Suits may have only one standard style but if you want to look different from the rest, you may personalize your own design. If you want to know the latest trend in the fashion industry you can check it in the internet and browse different sites that would show you various styles of suits whether you want a classic, modern or elegant style the choice.
Suit Materials and Fabrics Should Last
This is an important consideration as this will determine whether your clothing can last for many occasions or not. The type of fabric that you need for your custom suits will also let you know if you got the right kind of clothing for the occasion. These include fabrics such as wool, polyester, linen, tweed, cotton, poplin and silk.
Optional design
Custom tailored suits are often made according to the clients' body measurement and preferred designs. Some of the distinctive features that can add style and elegance in a suit may include the following;
- Lapel – This will determine the overall look of the coat giving the wearer a choice between a shawl style and notched peaked lapels. The distinctive customization of a suit is something that a ready-made one cannot imitate.
- Buttons – The buttons on the sleeve are distinctive features of a customized tailored suit that allow the person to unfasten the sleeves for ease in washing the hands and protecting the fabric from food particles when eating.
- Ticket pocket – This will indicate the quality of the material use of the suit. This is located in the same place where the main pocket of the suit is found and serves as a place to put small items such as key or ticket stub.
- Vents – These are common options in customized tailored suits usually designed as a slit in the center back potion of the suit. Other coats do not have vents and some others are designed with double slits put on each side.
Customized tailored suits are sometimes considered as a symbol for decency, success and professionalism. The precise measurement and stitches allow the fabric to perfectly rest on the wearer's body which is not possible with any other designs readily available in the market.


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French country Collection
Embrace the lavender fields of Provence with our French farmhouse inspired collection, debuting Spring 2019. Balancing romantic old-world details with rustic farmhouse touches this timeless collection features soft blues, French stripes and rustic furnishings perfect for any Muskoka fête.
Sweets Table
Welcome Table
Head Table
DESIGn ENHANCEMENTS
Our design enhancements have been selected by our design team to compliment this Collection. These pieces are available to our RG clients who have booked the above packages and meet our order minimum as per our Q + A page. Speak to your Décor Coordinator to discuss how these packages can enhance your gathering.


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Wormticklers is an organic nursery that pride themselves on growing the best quality chemical free seedlings, using permaculture principles and organic techniques. They grow seasonal herbs, vegetables, companion plants and edible flowers all in bio-degradable pots. Seedlings and other products can be purchased inside The Garden Shed.
Jordan Sly (owner and operator) received an "Australian of the Day" CBA campaign award in 2015 and makes regular appearances on "The Today Show" as their resident gardening expert. He has infectious passion for sustainable growing, education, community engagement and connection to kitchen.
Being a part of The Farm family allows a uniquely sustainable model for Wormticklers to work directly with the onsite growers and chefs, and access for visitors and locals to all their goodies grown and available right here at the farm.
opening hours
7 Days
8.00am – 4.00pm


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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!9:30 a.m. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20th
SANTA RITA PARK (Gazebo next to the Chamber of Commerce) Please join TROUT UNLIMITED/FIVE RIVERS CHAPTER in cleaning up the Animas River! Every September we reach out and ask volunteers to join us and pick up trash along the beautiful Animas River. We'll hand out garbage bags and give everyone a specific area to collect trash. This casual event last only a few hours.
Questions call: 970.759.5877


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The lightweight, packable warmth you expect from an insulated hoody with added durability to hold up to the rigors of the road and trail. The High Country Hoody can be worn as outerwear or layered over and worn as insulation. Ample PrimaLoft® Silver insulation in the body ensures core warmth and lighter insulation in the sleeves reduces bulk and provides a free range of motion.
Features & Benefits
3-Panel Adjustable Hood
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PrimaLoft® Silver Insulation (100 g/m2 in Body, 60 g/m2 in Sleeves)
100% Polyester Ripstop Lining and Face
PRIMALOFT Technology
PrimaLoft® products are the ultimate in insulation technology for hunters. Ultra-fine fibers are engineered to retain maximum warmth even when wet, and create a product that is quiet and less bulky, allowing for greater freedom of movement.Read More


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I want to personally thank everyone who made it out to Don Hills last night! The day was off to a rough start with two band cancellations, but we pulled through and had a great turnout considering the weather. To Write Love On Her Arms founder Jamie Tworkowski made it out as well as benefit coordinator Chloe Grabanski who graced the stage and filled everyone in on TWLOHA.
The Ramblers, Ms. Shira, Tor Miller Band and Dusty Brown rocked the house and walked away with many more fans. If you weren't able to make it out and would like to donate to TWLOHA, the ticket link is still up so feel free to donate here.
There are a few videos up of two of the performers and I'll post some more in the upcoming days. Watch The Ramblers kick off the night with "Picture of a Prayer" below.
Check out Ms. Shira take the crowd to school below as she performs the bluesy "Get Over You."
Thanks again to everyone who made it out and for all of your support. Next concert will definitely be in the summer!
Related Links:
• The Article That Began It All
• You Sing, I Write + The Jew Spot Present A Benefit For TWLOHA
• You Sing, I Write Celebrates Two Years
• Why Benefit To Write Love On Her Arms?
Sunday, December 20, 2009
The Show Goes On...Despite the Blizzard
Posted by ANNIE REUTER at 11:55 PM
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Quantifying independent risk factors for failing to rescreen in a breast cancer screening program in Flanders, Belgium(2014) PREVENTIVE MEDICINE. 69. p.280-286
Soluble mesothelin as a monitoring tool in the management of malignant mesothelioma patients(2009) JOURNAL OF THORACIC ONCOLOGY. 4(9). p.S761-S762
Validation of soluble mesothelin: design and preliminary results of a Belgian multicentric observational study(2009) JOURNAL OF THORACIC ONCOLOGY. 4(9). p.S345-S345


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AirAsia A320
Malaysia-based AirAsia achieved a net profit of MYR341.9 million ($84.5 million) for the second quarter, up 41% from net profit of MYR243 million in the previous year. Second-quarter operating profit more than doubled to MYR276.3 million. Strong revenue performance was one of the main factors, with a 23% rise in the second quarter. Traffic growth of 19% outstripped a capacity gain of 10%. Unit revenue for the quarter increased 11%, and average fare was up 8%. Unit costs dropped 2%, mainly ...
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"AirAsia net profit up 41% in 2Q" is part of ATW Plus, our online premium membership. Subscribing will provide you access to exclusive news, carefully researched airline financial, fleet and traffic data, plus the option to receive our popular, award-winning print magazine. To learn more, click here. If viewing via ATW Mobile, please login and click "Read web article" to view fully. Questions? firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Indoor Air Quality
Indoor Air Quality in San Antonio – Keeping Dust and Odors at Bay
If you have issues with airborne debris like dust, odors, and pet dander you most likely have poor indoor air quality (IAQ). An upgraded filtration system or IAQ device can help improve the air inside your home. Please see the products below for more information.
Media Air Cleaner
4" deep pleat which traps major airborne debris such as dust and pollen as it passes through your cooling and heating system
Electronic Air Cleaner
Places an electric charge on the airborne debris which is then trapped by an oppositely charged filter. This filtration system is designed to remove dust, smoke, mold spores, and pet dander from your homes air.
Ultraviolet System
Destroys mold spores and certain bacteria from the air by emitting ultraviolet light into the ductwork.
Whole Home Air Purification
This device is installed in your ductwork and creates air scrubbers that will help eliminate mold, bacteria, fungus, and viruses.
EPA link regarding Indoor Air Quality https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq
You can also check out our other service such as our quality duct repair in San Antonio.
License#: TACB34784E
2554 Broadwalk St, San Antonio, TX 78217
Monday- Friday: 8:00am-8:00pm
Sat & Sunday: 8:00am-5:00pm


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Skip to content. Skip to main navigation.
Connect with UTA
Click on the video below to watch a quick demonstration on how to enroll in direct deposit in just two easy steps. Once you have gathered all your necessary banking information, log into MyMav to get started!
Student Accounts701 S. Nedderman Drive, E.E. Davis Hall, 1st FloorPhone: 817-272-2172


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Celebrate Advent with Sacred Holidays/
Less chaos, More Jesus. Would that be awesome this Christmas?
I think so. Even as I type this post I'm shocked by the fact that in 18 days, Advent begins.
18 days!?!
This autumn season is going by like a swish of the leaves.
Every year I like to have some Advent themed book or study to go through. In previous years I read Ann Voskamp's The Greatest Gift and last year I used She Reads Truth's study.
This year I had the joy to participate in writing for Sacred Holidays' Advent study, He Is: The Attributes of God. They have studies designed specifically for women, families, teen girls, and men (I contributed to the family study). Each study focuses on the same attribute each day, allowing friends, co-workers, churches, families, and communities to gather around The One we are celebrating at Christmas--Jesus!
If you are looking for an Advent-specific devotional this year, I recommend previewing these studies over at Sacred Holidays' shop.
And to guarantee the study arrives for Advent, you must order before November17th!
Don't forget to use the promo code WELCOMEBACK to get 10% off your order.
I hope you'll join me in studying God's character this Advent season.


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Costa Rica is the perfect balance of misty cloud forests and sun-filled beaches. In Costa Rica there is a saying, when the cicadas (or cigarras) sing, the sun is coming out! The experience is more magical than the phrase. Head inland to experience it first hand. Head to the east or west coast to soak in the sun while you're soaking in the ocean.
GET THERE: Depending on where you're flying from, you might go through Houston, or direct to San Jose. We deboarded in San Jose and were beyond excited to get started with our Costa Rica adventure only to be met with a two and half hour line through customs. No joke. We stood for more than two hours in the customs line, and then in an extra line to check our custom papers and then in another line to get a rental car (read more about the rental car debacle below). Good thing we were laughing our way through it because plenty of people weren't. Now that we're seasoned Costa Rican travelers (*cough* we've been one time *cough*), we now know to fly into Liberia, for shorter wait and line times.
If you want to drive around and explore we recommend a rental car but beware – it's EXPENSIVE. We chose the cheapest four-wheel drive option from Avis for five days.
In Costa Rica, because the roads are so pot-hole ridden, bumpy and dusty, most rental car companies REQUIRE you to buy full insurance coverage.
So, even if the estimate is $450 online the insurance could (and likely will) double that price. Here's a pro-tip to save some money: as we were waiting in the line we overheard the man in front of us arguing with the Avis worker. It turned out that he has purchased insurance from a third party company (like Kayak, Expedia, etc.) Most foreign rental car companies won't actually except insurance that isn't theirs. So that man spent hundreds on insurance once and then again, almost tripling the price of his car. It cost us $945 dollars, with a GPS and one driver.
STAY: We split our time between the mountains and the beach and we were working on a budget, so finding a quality place to say for an affordable price was important to us. We recommend choosing from one of the many lovely, affordable Airbnb options. Just be sure to read the reviews!
Wanting to spend half our time in the Lake Arenal area (knowing we wanted to get to Rio Celeste to the north), we decided to stay near Tilaran, a small tropical mountain town. We can't say enough good things about Hotel Mystica. It's close to Lake Arenal (set up in the hills overlooking it!), the Arenal Volcano and hot springs, but not in the more "touristy" area of La Fortuna. The compound has an outdoor yoga facility, views overlooking the lake, an ancient Cieba tree within hiking distance and an Italian restaurant. The couple who own this sweet inn moved from Italy, so imagine a fun-filled day exploring topped off with homemade pizza or pasta and a glass of wine.
In Costa Rica you're faced with the difficult decision: east or west coast, and Pacific or Caribbean?
After some thorough research, and going back and forth a few times, we decided to go with the east coast, specifically Nosara, in the Guanacaste Province.
We stayed up the beach near Playa Pelada, becuase it's a little less expensive there than on Playa Guiones. Again, we chose an Airbnb, Villa Mango. It's hidden up in the hills above the ocean. We weren't sure we had arrived at the right place because the front door was very deceptive. Upon entry we were greeted with a nice deck and pool. There are some rooms underneath and a few rooms inside the main house and up the stairs. We stayed there. We really enjoyed Villa Mango and the colorful couple that operate it. From France, the two had plans of riding a motorcycle straight to Columbia but stopped in Costa Rica and haven't left yet. That was almost 20 years ago for them. I recommend staying here but if you do try to get a room below the main house. We stayed in a room above the kitchen. We didn't notice any funky smells in our room, but in the morning when breakfast was being made, the smells rose and then kind of nestled in on that upper floor hallway. That being said, the food wasn't bad at all!
DO: Get ready for BIG ADVENTURE in Costa Rica – from zip-lining high above the canopy to surfing in the ocean. It's not all high-throttle activity, though. Costa Rica is known for ultimate relaxation, whether it be world-class yoga or soaking in hot springs and mud baths.
Get your head IN the Clouds – in one of Costa Rica's Cloud Forests.
There are plenty of Cloud Forests to choose from in Costa Rica.
Monteverde is the the most popular, but we went to Tenorio VolcanoNational Park. Before you pick your destination, ask about the road conditions and make an educated decision on whether or not your rental can make it safely.
So what's a cloud forest, you ask? Usually clouds inhibit our views, but in this tropical rain forest, they're their own view. It's a misty, creepy being that hangs in between the trees and atop the canopy. It's stunning – as long as you're not afraid of a little mist and rain.
One of the reasons we skipped Monteverde and went to Tenorio is because it's the home of Rio Celeste, a bright blue, mineral-filled river. Sparkling like a sapphire, we knew we needed to walk along it's magical bank. It's a two-plus mile hike covered in mud. You can read our trail review here.
But first, let's talk about what else you can do on the way to Tenorio. There are plenty of small towns to stop and eat authentic Costa Rican chow. You'll want to stop and get a snack before heading in the park because there's no food.
On our way back we kept seeing signs for "finca chocolate." On a whim we followed our gut and weaved through backcountry roads to what looked like a neighborhood dead-end. We had arrived at the Chocolate farm. A small family owns the farm and gave us a private tour. We ate raw cocao, hung out with some monkeys and taste-tested the product. Even though our Spanish is choppy this family did a wonderful job teaching us their process and communicating. They're proud of what they do and they should be it was delish!
Find adventure and relaxation
It wouldn't be a trip to Costa Rica without a little zip-lining through the canopy. We can't lie – we were a little nervous, but once you get the hang of it, it's a blast. Don't be afraid to look down and take in the view – you might just see some animals while you're zipping by.
There are plenty of options and companies to choose from. We chose to go to Los Lagos Hotel in La Fortuna because we wanted to pick a company near Arenal that was also close to hot springs. La Fortuna actually has ziplining, hot springs and even a wild animal display (including crocodiles, butterflies, ants and more) to walk through as you wait or cool off. After we zipped and bounced our way through the jungle we soaked in 100 plus degree naturally hot water. On the way back to our hotel, we grabbed a bottle of South American wine.
Pretend you're on Pandora and live like an Avatar
There is a special tree in Costa Rica (and other tropical places). It's called a Ceiba Tree. If you've seen the movie Avatar and you know what the "Tree of Life" looks like, then you know what you're in for. These trees can grow up to 230 feet tall. They are hundreds of years old and sacred in many communities in CR. Their trunks are ginormous and homes to dozens of species. They stand for the intricate web of life that connects us all.
There is a tree literally called, "the avatar tree." It's on a private property near Tilaran, but the owner allows people to hike up a steep hill to visit this beauty. It really is quite magical. Be sure to bring a few colones to pay for your time spent on the property.
Once you're finished imagining yourself as an Avatar – head towards Lake Arenal. We desperately wanted to kayak the lake. Our hotel helpedus find a company that would rent us kayaks and we headed out. To warn you: it is WINDY. We got out into the middle with ease, getting back was a workout to end all workouts, but we survived.
Lazy beach day and a stroll around town
The Nosara Area is split into three beaches: Playa Nosara, the Northern most beach, Playa Pelada, where we stayed, and Playa Guiones. You've been warned – getting to this funky beach area is a bumpy ride. Once we made it there over the pot-holed dirt roads all we wanted to do was sit on a beach and have a drink. So, that's exactly what we did.
The Pacific is incredible. If you've been to Seattle then you know this ocean is a chill you can't handle for more than 20 seconds, but in Costa Rica, the water is just right. Claim a patch of sand and take a seat – you'll find tons of little twisty shells that look like unicorn horns all over the beach. Sit back and enjoy the view – Nosara is actually a world-class surf location. Just be sure to lather up with sunscreen.
Once you get hungry, follow a sandy path into town. There are dozens of excellent places to eat. Grab a seat at Jasmine's Kitchen, where the hash bowls are hot, the veggie burgers are bursting with flavor and the "minty Moringa lemonade" is just plain life-changing.
There's plenty of shopping to be had for all types too. We hopped from furniture and home goods shops, to yoga outfitters to aromatherapy and handmade soap shops. There are also plenty of locals selling handmade goods like blankets, shorts, jewelry and pottery.
Olga's and La Luna are the only two beachfront businesses. The government banned development on the beach as a conservation effort, and it's paid off. The sandy stretch of coastline is some of the most pristine in the world. We recommend sipping some of Costa Rica's Craft Brewing Co.'s beer as the sun goes down.
Yoga and surf
Nosara is famous for it's Yoga schools. There's a studio at every turn. If you're in town, you'll overhear Yogi's who are grabbing a bite in-between practice. It's easy to find a place to get your zen on.
If you're more of an adventurer than a meditator, in between every Yoga shop, there's a surf shack. Nosara is known for it's surfing schools too. Sign up for a lesson!
Ostional Wildlife Refuge
The best thing I saw in Costa Rica was by accident. We didn't plan to be in Costa Rica when the sea turtles would be laying their eggs, but we were. We drove to the Nicoya Peninsula to the Ostional Wildlife Refuge after we overheard a local talking about. The turtles only come at night and it's a sacred and heavily protected time period for the locals. The Ostional Community watches over the process, and they protect the beach and the turtles from poachers as they go through the grooling process of digging a hole deep enough for their precious cargo.
We paid a guide – which is the only way to see it – to take us on the beach. With red lights, so as not to disturb the turtles, we walked out on the pitch, black beach. At first we saw nothing, but little by little, black lump after black lump appeared, moving up the shore. The turtles were coming. We followed one female as she began to dig her hole. It looked exhausting as she dug and wriggled her body and eventually laid her eggs. She was so tired it was hard for her to even make it back to the water. By the time we were finished watching her, the beach was covered in them. We zig-zagged our way back to our car with the awed sense of having seen something magical – the cycle of life.
For a real view – hop on a horse
While Nosara is all about the beach it's also the place where the Nosara and Montona Rivers meet and dump into Playa Nosara. The river banks are wildly different than the beach. To see both, we jumped on horseback at Boca Nosara Tours. Monkeys, crocodiles and more can be seen from the shore and our tour guide gave us the insider's scoop on Nosara and what it's like to live there. It was the perfect way to end a magical trip.
Other food and drink: El Chivo (drinks and yummy mexican inspired bites to eat), Tibidabo Mediterranean Food & Cocktail Bar, Al Chile (tacos and delicious cocktails)
And as perfect as it all seems – this vacation came with some serious ups and downs. As two female travelers in a country where we didn't speak the language, there were times where things went very wrong. There were some times when we were scared, whether we should have been or not. The best part of this journey was overcoming and experiencing true adventure. Some of our antics just have to be told the old fashioned way – by mouth.