text:
Thursday, December 3, 2009
I'm kind of overwhelmed how much everyone likes Scribble and Skarfy! I only created them a couple months ago, but a few of my pals have created fanart for them! I'd love to share them here.
This below is by Jenny and it's incredible! Realistic Skarfy! Haha, awesome! And yes, she's reading Twilight!
Kali takes on the girls! Sooo cute. Plus hand-drawn on paper!! This is definitely going on my wall.
BONUS! Kali sketch pre-markered!
Ben Ben Ben!!! His Skarfys are so adorable and his Scribble kicks ass! Love the detail in her hair. Ben also went the extra mile and drew what Skarfy MIGHT look like behind her scarf! Haha, nice!
Aww, it's Skarfy Katie-fied!! What makes this even cooler is the "Disney Television Animation" print at the top. It looks like behind-the-scenes art for a Scribble and Skarfy series on Disney Channel or something. haha!!
THESE two below are real treats, by the wonderfully cute stylings of Cheyenne! How awesome is this below??
And not one, but TWO fanarts! Hooray! Look at them dance! Also, you nailed their floppy boobies. Thanks Chenny!!
Thank you EVERYONE! The girls thank you too!
12 comments:
- Jessica said...
I loves loves loves it. I would totally roll my eyes behind their back.
Is that a nip slip?
- Thu Dec 03, 03:24:00 PM 2009
- Kali Fontecchio said...
These are awesome! I especially love Ben's!
Nico is a hipster!
- Thu Dec 03, 03:39:00 PM 2009
- J Cola said...
I need to get on finishing my Scribbles
- Thu Dec 03, 03:44:00 PM 2009
- Kali Fontecchio said...
Did you do yours by hand or on the computer Jenny?
- Thu Dec 03, 04:10:00 PM 2009
- Niki said...
This time there's one I like more than Katie's! and it's Kali's! most probably because of the flavorful coloring!
- Thu Dec 03, 07:08:00 PM 2009
- Tara Billinger said...
These are all beyond amazing. D:
I love them all!
- Thu Dec 03, 07:55:00 PM 2009
- Chenny said...
Woahhh I can't believe how wonderful everyone's turned out! So many different interpretations! Scribble's attitude really comes out in Kali's! And Ben made Skarfy so beautiful and mysterious and sexaaay, i love her hair!
P.S yep, that's a nip slip ;)
- Thu Dec 03, 08:49:00 PM 2009
- Nico said...
Jess- Indeed it is! Chenny is a slippery one.
Kali- Me, a hipster? ..yeah, I pretty much am. :/
Jenny- Eeee hee hee I can't wait!
Niki- I love them!
Tara- Agreed! OMG I would die if I saw S&S, Tara-style.
Chenny- Yes, I think it is everyone's different interpretations of the same two characters that make me the most excited. Thank you especially SO MUCH Chenny for making me two!!
- Thu Dec 03, 08:56:00 PM 2009
- Niki said...
I've actually been pretty confused on how to draw them too! These help out a lot cause I fear them!
- Thu Dec 03, 10:46:00 PM 2009
- J Cola said...
I did my all digitally, but I didn't give Nico the digital file. So he just had a print.
- Fri Dec 04, 08:29:00 PM 2009
- callie! said...
LORD. These are all so cute and amazing. I wanna take this post and put it in its own little bucket.
- Fri Dec 04, 08:58:00 PM 2009
- Trevor Thompson said...
You know you've arrived in the cartoon world when you're getting fan art.
These are all really..... hip?
- Sun Dec 06, 03:10:00 AM 2009


text:
Samsung launches Galaxy A8, A8+ in UAE
DUBAI, January 15, 2018
Samsung Gulf Electronics has launched the Galaxy A8 and A8+ in UAE, offering users a stylish design, practical everyday features, advanced camera capabilities, and much more.
"The Galaxy A8 and A8+ bring our flagship design features to a classic smartphone series; in addition to the cutting-edge hardware and advanced functionality, it provides consumers a seamless usability and convenient experience," said Tarek Sabbagh, head of IT & Mobile (IM) Division at Samsung Gulf Electronics, Samsung Gulf Electronics.
"By introducing our trademark Infinity Display and industry-leading Dual Front Camera with Live Focus to the Galaxy A series, we are ensuring that our customers have everything they need in a practical and premium smartphone that is affordable."
The Galaxy A8 and A8+ are made with premium materials, featuring an eye-catching modern and sleek design available in a range of colours to match your personal taste and style. Its slim glass and metal frame, smooth curves, and comfortable grip make the Galaxy A8 and A8+ ergonomic and comfortable to hold and use, with 2.5D glass on the front and 3D curved glass on the back for added durability.
The Galaxy A8 and A8+ also feature Samsung's staple Infinity Display, enabling an expanded screen size without increasing the size of the phone. With an immersive 18.5:9 display ratio, the smartphones provide an even wider cinematic viewing experience when watching movies or playing games. And thanks to their IP68 water and dust resistance, the Galaxy A8 and A8+ can withstand the elements wherever you go, making it suitable for nearly any activity or situation.
A Best-in-Class Camera
For the first time in the Galaxy A series, the Galaxy A8 and A8+ feature a 16MP+8MP F1.9 Dual Front Camera to help you capture who you really are at all times. The Dual Front Camera consists of two separate cameras so you can switch between the two to snap bright, clear selfies from crystal clear group photos, to portrait shots with an impressive bokeh effect. And with the Live Focus feature, you can adjust the background blur to take the perfect selfie every time.
The Galaxy A8 and A8+ also feature an advanced 16MP F1.7 rear camera with low-aperture lenses to capture high-quality images in low-light conditions without compromising on quality. When shooting videos on the Galaxy A8 and A8+, Samsung's Video Digital Image Stabilization technology eliminates shaky footage, and with an added hyper-lapse feature, you can now create time-lapse videos that let you create and share even longer stories.
The Galaxy A8 and A8+ feature the Always On Display, which allows you to view information at a glance without unlocking your phone. From controlling your music and checking the time and calendar to receiving alerts and notifications, all the information you need is at your fingertips with the Always On Display. Both devices are also equipped with Samsung Pay, enabling you to leave your wallet at home and complete transactions quickly and easily from your phone.
The Galaxy A8 and A8+ will be available in Black, Gold and Orchid Grey from January 15 onwards across all major retailers in UAE, for the price of Dh1,799 ($490) and Dh1,999 respectively excluding VAT. – TradeArabia News Service

subset: commoncrawl


text:
When Apple told us about all of the shiny new features in the iPhone 4S last week, they mentioned improved battery life. An estimated eight hours of talk time is a nice boost over the seven that the iPhone 4 should get. Six hours of 3G browsing and nine of Wi-Fi browsing sound good too, right? What they didn't mention, though, is that the iPhone 4S actually has 100 hours less of standby time than the iPhone 4 and the 3GS. This is likely because of Siri. But before you run into the streets, screaming at the top of your lungs, it's probably not going to hurt anything.
The info is as reliable as it gets, coming straight from Apple's website. The iPhone 4 and the 3GS are listed as having up to 300 hours of standby time, compared to 200 for the 4S (see above).
What is this all about? Apple improves its products every year, so how could something like this slip through the cracks? Well something like this didn't just go unnoticed for Apple, so it was likely a tradeoff that they deemed a) necessary and b) worth it.
Only Apple insiders likely know the factors that added up to this compromise, but I would guess that it is because of Siri. What else would be causing this? It isn't likely that the A5 chip is to blame, as the iPad 2 didn't see a hit in standby time. All of the other new software features in iOS 5 – including iCloud – would be affecting Apple's current iPhone 4 standby times as well (it ships with iOS 5 preinstalled now too).
Siri's causing some extra standby drain makes sense. If you can activate the "personal assistant" at a moment's notice, including when the iPhone's display is asleep, then there must be some background processes that are active and ready to go. Apparently those processes land quite the blow on its standby time.
Could this be another factor in Siri being exclusive to the iPhone 4S? It could be. If the latest iPhone has the best battery Apple has released, and Siri still causes it to lose 100 hours of standby, then Siri running on the iPhone 4 or iPod touch (with their weaker batteries) could have battery life dipping down into areas that they aren't comfortable with.
All in all, while 100 hours less standby time sounds like a lot, I don't expect it to be a big problem. For most of us, we don't carry our iPhone around for a week or two without using it. Our uptime affects our battery's drain by a much larger margin than downtime does. Improved in-use battery life will always outweigh an iPhone's ability to sit idle for merely one week instead of two.
More at Apple via Business Insider


text:
|You are in: Business
Wednesday, 13 November, 2002, 17:33 GMT
Oil price slips on Iraq acceptance
Oil prices have fallen to their lowest levels for eight months after Iraq accepted a United Nations (UN) resolution to allow weapons inspectors to return to the country.
The threat of an attack on Iraq had bumped up oil prices because of fears that supplies would be disrupted.
But the Iraqi ambassador to the UN, Mohammed al-Douri, said on Wednesday that Iraq accepted the resolution "unconditionally".
Brent crude oil prices, the benchmark figure, slipped $1 to $22.72 a barrel on the news.
Riding high
Oil prices had risen as high as $31 per barrel in September as the threat of a US-led attack on Iraq caused concern over supplies.
Since then, prices had already fallen back as it became clear that overproduction by a number of major oil-producing states had bumped up stocks.
The Iraqi parliament originally rejected the UN ultimatum but said it was up to President Saddam Hussein to make the final decision.
Market watchers said the decision had removed some of the so-called 'war premium' from oil prices.
"Until the decision was announced, there was an element of uncertainty," said Lawrence Eagles at GNI research.
Short term reprieve?
UN inspections on disarmament were launched in 1991, when Iraq was expelled from Kuwait.
A US-led coalition led the move after the Gulf War.
However, inspectors withdrew in 1998 after a dispute over access to presidential palaces.
The Iraqi decision to now re-admit the inspectors met with some scepticism.
Many people still believe there will be a US-led war on Iraq, even if it now happens later rather than sooner.
Kevin Norrish, oil analyst at Barclays Capital, said the Iraqi decision "puts off the likelihood of war for several weeks at least, until early December I would have thought."
See also:
12 Nov 02 | Business
12 Nov 02 | Middle East
18 Oct 02 | Business
17 Oct 02 | Science/Nature
18 Oct 02 | Business
11 Oct 02 | Business
07 Oct 02 | Business
06 Aug 02 | Business
Internet links:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Top Business stories now:
Links to more Business stories are at the foot of the page.
|E-mail this story to a friend
Links to more Business stories
To BBC Sport>> | To BBC Weather>> | To BBC World Service>>
© MMIII | News Sources | Privacy


text:
Report: Minnesota students above average
Tim Post, Minnesota Public Radio, December 11, 2012 – Minnesota students scored above national and international averages in math and science test scores released Tuesday.
Data from the 2011 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study shows Minnesota 8th graders scored near the top in science and math.
• Read the full report below
The 8th graders were near the top in science, outscored only by students in Singapore and Taipei. They scored high in math as well, but came in below Massachusetts and several Asian countries.
Minnesota students have improved their scores by a few percentage points since the tests were last given in 2007.
Mike Lindstrom is with the group SCI-MATH Minnesota, which advocates for better math and science education. He credits tougher math and science requirements. "These kinds of requirements have huge ripple effects in schools as the system from kindergarten up has to beef up what they are delivering to kids," he said.
At the same time, Lindstrom says the study points to an achievement gap.
The study shows 8th grade girls score the same in math as boys, but a few points lower in science.
Black and Hispanic students in Minnesota scored 10 to 15 points lower than white students in math and science, but their scores were on par with international averages.


text:
Raphael Bordallo Pinheiro is one of the most influential people of nineteenth century Portuguese culture, with a remarkable production particularly regarding the areas of humoristic drawing, caricature and ceramic creation. Raphael Bordallo Pinheiro will forever be intimately associated with caricature and artistic ceramics, showing quality and important pieces never seen before, and which, in the opinion of renowned modern artists, are the work of a genius. In 1884 Bordallo began his ceramics production at the Fábrica de Faianças in Caldas, revealing pieces of great technical, artistic and creative quality, developing azulejos (blue tiles), panels, pots, table centerpieces, vase busts, fountain basins, pitchers, plates, perfume bottles, vases and gigantic animals, etc.
Bordallo Pinheiro's artistic earthenware has many techniques and procedures (some of them centuries old), that are responsible for the final product and artistic quality. The intangible heritage of Bordallo Pinheiro has passed down to later generations of ceramic workers, and through the teaching of ceramics techniques is protecting the centenary long knowledge which represents real treasures of our history and culture.


text:
Contact Us
The Office of the Secretary
205 East 42nd Street
New York, NY 10017
(646) 664-9050
The Office of the Secretary
205 East 42nd Street
New York, NY 10017
(646) 664-9050
Bios of the Chairperson of the Board, the Vice Chairperson of the Board, and all Trustees.
Listing of Board Committees and membership
Schedules for the Board and Committee meetings and Public hearings.
Notices, Calendars of Agenda Items, Summaries of Disposition, Minutes, and Broadcasts of Board and Committee meetings.
Bio of the Secretary of the Board
Hearing schedules and rules, Borough Presidents' messages, and information on CUNY colleges in the boroughs.
The City of University of New York has a longstanding history of openness, transparency and innovation with regard to making its public meetings available to the widest possible audiences.
The Bylaws take precedence over all other policy documents issued by the University.
The Manual consolidates policies pertaining to students, faculty, and other areas of University governance.
4:30 P.M. Special Board Meeting
You can also watch this live streaming video on CUNY TV Live
4:00 P.M. Committee on Audit
4:00 P.M. Committee on Faculty, Staff and Administration


text:
Small heart shaped marshmallows
Heart shaped Dove chocolate candies
Graham crackers
Chocolate chips for melting
Cut graham crackers into small squares. Place a Dove chocolate heart on top of each square. Cut a small heart shaped marshmallow in half. Place half of the marshmallow, sticky side down, on top of the chocolate heart. Drizzle with melted chocolate.
*Pop them in the microwave for a few seconds right before eating to soften, if desired.


text:
Laos & Vietnam Discovery 15 days
Immerse yourself in the most incredible Laos & Vietnam Discovery 15 days, you will get the most fantastic experiences. Travel from the cosmopolitan Saigon to picturesque Hoi An, from the extensive waters of the Mekong to the serene Halong Bay. Walk through the charming city of Hanoi, enjoy an exciting cyclo ride to Hue's Imperial Citadel and learn to cook delicious local meals,you will realize how Vietnam's beauty is. Besides, joining Laos & Vietnam Discovery 15 days, you will have a chance to witness the peace and charm of Laos with its many wonderful landmarks.
- Admire the wonderful beauty of Halong Bay
- Discover colorful lanterns of Hoi An Ancient town at night by your own way
- Witness the magic of Plain of Jar and take photos and visit various hill tribe villages
- Take a trip to visit the towering Thien Mu Pagoda,the tombs of emperors Minh Mang
- Explore Luang Prabang City, spend your time on visiting the National Museum, once the King's palace, Wat Xieng Thong, Pak Ou Buddha Caves
What's Included
- All sightseeing tickets
- Local English speaking guide
- AC land transfer in Car/ Minivan
- Services charges and government tax
- Vietnam visa Approval letter (single entry)
- Accommodation shared in Twin/Double room with daily breakfast
- Meals as stated in the itinerary (B: Breakfast ; L: Lunch ; D: Dinner)
- Halong Bay Cruise program shared in Twin/Double cabin as per tour
What's Not Included
- Beverage
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
- International flights & departures taxes
- Other services are not mentioned above
- EARLY Check in & LATE Check out at hotel
- Peak season surcharge & compulsory dinner in the accommodation
- 4 Domestic flights Luang Prabang - Vientiane - Hanoi - Hue - Ho Chi Minh
Upon arrival to Luang Prabang International Airport, we will welcome you and transport you the hotel in town. The remainder of the day we will be spent visiting the National Museum, once a king's palace. The architecture of the building has a mixed of traditional Lao motifs and French Beaux Arts styles, and has been laid out in a double-cruciform shape with the entrance on one side of the lower crossbar. Above the entrance is a three-headed elephant sheltered by the sacred white parasol, the symbol of the Lao monarchy Displayed inside is a lovely collection of personal artifacts of the royal family, including photos, musical instruments, and many gifts received from the dignitaries of foreign countries.
After breakfast in the hotel, we will take a Mekong Riverboat trip with your guide to visit the famous & sacred Pak Ou Buddha Caves that divided into two caves: Tam Ting (below cave) and Tam Phum (above cave). This cave contains over 4000 ancient statue that at least 300 years old with lot size and shape, all statue inside this cave was collected and kept here to hide away from enemy while Luang Prabang was invading. Upon return, visit Por Sa Paper Handicraft & textile area at Ban Xang Khong.
We will enjoy lunch in town with an afternoon visit to magnificent Wat Xiengthong—one of the oldest temple and most important temples of Luang Prabang - Wat Xieng Thong is the main temple surrounded by the lot of small temple same architecture style. The name of the temple means "Temple of Golden city". Then our tour continues to seeing the impressive Stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. The rest of the day is spent at your leisure, relaxing in one of the city's many quirky cafés or strolling along the beautiful riverbank.
Today we drive from Luang Prabang to Xieng Khuang, passing through Laos' pristine countryside. This is long drive with spectacular views of Laos' rain forest and mountain ranges. Along the way we will stop for photo opportunities and visit various hill tribe villages. Upon arrival in Phonsavan, check-in at your hotel and relax.
In the 18th and at the beginning of the 19th century, Xieng Khouang was the center of a kingdom of the Hmong (Meo). In 1832, it was conquered by the Vietnamese, annexing the entire region. The town of Xieng Khouang was badly destroyed by US air force during the Vietnam War. Even though it has been rebuilt in 1975, the name Xieng Khouang is now primarily used in reference to the province of the same name.
The highlight of our visit here is the "Plain of Jars." Scattered over the plain are hundreds of enormous limestone jars, each about 1 to 2.5 meters high, with a diameter of about 1 meter. There is still no explanation as how the clay jars found their way onto the plain, nor what purpose they served. Archaeologists have come up with the wildest theories, among them a claim declaring them brewery cauldrons. More likely, the jars are enormous urns.
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel and be ready for the flight to Vientiane - Laos' eccentric capital, visiting all the city's key attractions. Start the tour with a stop at Vientiane's oldest temple, Wat Sisaket with thousands of silver and porcelain images in the gloriously authentic temple compound and is a museum - which holds over 8000 books and 6840 valuable statues made of many materials such as copper, stone, wood, silver or plaster. Next, we visit Haw Pha Kaew -the royal temple that once housed the famous Emerald Buddha - previously temple where the royal family was often come to pray, before continuing on to Laos' most significant national monument: Pha That Luang. We conclude our tour at Patuxai, known as Vientiane's own Arc de Triumph.
Today we will fly from Vientiane to Hanoi, check in the hotel and relax after a long journey.
Hanoi is a lovely city with lakes, fine boulevards and flourishing parks, as well as having a public centre that is an architectural museum piece. Hanoi is situated on the right bank of the Red River (Song Hong), which is spanned by the old Long Bien Bridge and some new, modern Bridge.
Our car & guide ready at your hotel for Hanoi City Tour today. Firstly, visit Ho Chi Minh Complex: Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum, his house on stilt, the botanical garden and the Presidential palace while learning about his life and revolutionary activities. This used to be the residence of the Governor of Indochina. After 1954, it was named the Presidential Palace and became the place where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked until he passed away in 1969.
On the way out visit One Pillar Pagoda. The pagoda was constructed in 1049 by King Ly Thai Tong according to his dream of Bodhisattva seating on a lotus flower and led him to the pagoda. In 1954, the French before their with drawer destroyed the pagoda. After taking over the city on October 10 1954, Vietnam Ministry of Culture restored the pagoda. The pagoda of today remains since this restoration.
Arriving at the Temple of Literature, this is the combination of the Confucius Temple worshiping Confucius, which was built in 1070, and the first Royal National university in Vietnam built 6 years later in 1076. Considered as "an escape" from the bustling city, this temple and its beautiful garden provide an opportunity to learn more about education in Vietnam since 1000 years ago until recent history.
Continue to visit the interesting Museum. There are some options that you can choose one of them such as Ethnology Museum.
Visit Hoan Kiem Lake (Restored Sword lake) and Ngoc Son Temple. Situated in the heart of Hanoi, the lake got its name according to a legend story. In the 15th century during the Ming Chinese invasion, General Le Loi was presented with a holy sword. With the help of this sword, he expelled the Chinese from Thang Long, present-day of Hanoi and proclaimed himself as King Le Thai To. One day, when the king was sailing on the lake, suddenly a golden turtle emerged from the water and claimed back the sword which has been believed given to him by God. Since then, the lake has been known as Ho Hoan Kiem or the lake of the Restored Sword. On as island at the northern part of the lake stands Ngoc Son or Jade Mountain temple, one of the most beautiful and religious site in the capital. The temple was established by a mandarin named Nguyen Van Sieu and is dedicated to the spirits of the soil, medicine, literature, and to Tran Hung Dao, the general who defeated the Mongols in the 13th century. Finish Tour at your Hotel in Hanoi.
This morning we depart from Hanoi on a 3 to 4 hour drive to the UNESCO World Heritage site: Halong Bay. Spend 24 hours on a traditional Junk Cruise in the amazing bay: a natural wonderland composed of jutting limestone islands and sparkling turquoise waters. Arrive at the dock around noon and board your boat. Savor a gourmet lunch of fresh seafood onboard as we sail out into the mystical bay. In the afternoon, cruise around some of Halong is many islands, including Dinh Huong and Ga Choi. Along the way, visit one of the bay's largest caves – Thien Cung or Heaven Cave. Stop at an island cove with a sheltered white-sand beach and take a dip in the warm waters of the East Sea (Bien Dong) (weather permitting). Pass the night lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of calm waters.
Awake early and participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay's towering islands. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea, before setting out to explore nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk for breakfast then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of Bai Tu Long Bay as we navigate back to Halong City. Have lunch on board the boat before returning to Halong pier. Our driver will meet you at the dock and take you to Noi Bai airport for your flight to Hue. Upon arrival to Phu Bai Airport in Hue, our driver and guide will meet you and transport you to your hotel.
Spend an entire day touring the Vietnam's former ancient capital. The massive Kinh Thanh Citadel is the most well-known and iconic site in Hue. Begun in 1805 by Emperor Gia Long, it is actually a sprawling complex comprised of the Imperial City, several museums, lakes, and lovely gardens, all laid out in a series of concentric circles. We also visit the Forbidden Purple City, originally built in the early 1800s for the personal use of the emperor and staffed by eunuchs who posed no threat to the royal concubines. Nearly destroyed in the Tet Offensive, the ruins today house the Royal Library and the grounds flourish with mimosa plants and vegetable gardens.
In the afternoon, continue on your tour stopping at the vibrant Dong Ba riverside market.
Board a boat for a trip on the Perfume River to visit the towering Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the most famous Vietnamese landmarks. Differing legends explain how the pagoda came to be - one tells of an old woman who instructed Lord Hoang Nguyen in 1601 to walk contemplatively along the river with a lit incense stick and to build a city at the spot where the incense stopped burning. We then take a short drive into a lush valley of the river where seven tombs were built for seven Nguyen emperors. Each is an expression of the unique personality of the man whose remains it holds and each is comprised of three elements: a temple dedicated to the worship of the deceased emperor and his queen, a stone stele that records the biographical and historical high points of his life, and the royal tomb itself. We will visit the tombs of emperors Minh Mang before start transfer to Hoi An Town.
Travel through Hai Van Tunnels, longest highway tunnels in South East Asia, stop en route in Da Nang for a visit to the Cham Museum and handicraft villages at the foot of Marble Mountain. Arrive in the riverside town, Hoi An, in the late afternoon, check in at the hotel and then enjoy the rest of the evening- at your leisure.
Have breakfast at the hotel then drive to the airport to catch your flight to Vietnam's modern metropolis: Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Arrive in the late morning and enjoy an orientation tour through Ho Chi Minh City's bustling streets en route to the hotel. Have lunch at a downtown restaurant of your choice then set out on a guided city tour. In the afternoon we will visit such sites as the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Post Office and Ben Thanh Market. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
You will be picking up at hotel, then enjoying 4 hours boat trip and rowing boat trip in small canals to visit An Binh Island. Have a short walk around village, visit some local workshops, coconut factory and ancient house.
Lunch is served at a local garden restaurant. Continue boat trip to Vinh Long then drive to Can Tho. Arrive there around mid-noon. Free for night discovery in Can Tho.
Overnight in Can Tho City.
After Breakfast at hotel, take a motorboat to visit Cai Rang – the most fascinating floating market where we can see all trading activities in Mekong River.
Continue to fruit garden. Walking around to see the colorful local life.
Before heading back to Saigon, we will visit Binh Thuy Ancient house which was chosen as one of the recording sites for the romantic film L' Amant ( The Lover) of producer J. Annaud. Lunch is served enroute.
Back Ho Chi Minh around 5:00 PM
Have breakfast at the hotel then enjoy a free morning. Our driver will transfer you to Tan Son Nhat International airport for your departure flight.
- Special request: provide upon request
- What to bring: passport, camera, good shoes + personal medicines
- Transport: A/C vehicles with complementary water
- Flight: Economy class
- Child under 2 years old: surcharge 20% flight ticket
- Child from 2 to under 8: surcharge 50% flight ticket
- Maximum 01 child sharing room with 2 adults
- Train: Deluxe tourist class, 4 pax/cabin
- Room plan: twin/double sharing (triple upon request)
- Accommodations: subject to change due to tour option and availability at the time of booking
- Standard package: 2* hotels, 2* cruises + homestay/bungalow (if any)
- Superior package: 3* hotels, 3* cruises + homestay/bungalow (if any)
- Deluxe package: 4* hotels, 4* cruises + homestay/bungalow (if any)
- Luxury package: 5* hotels (or 4*++), 5* cruises + homestay/bungalow (if any)
- Vietnam Visa: required for most of foreigner tourists, contact us if you need visa support.
- Holiday surcharge: 10% for Christmas, New Year and Vietnamese Lunar New Year
- Prebooking: Contact us before booking if you are solo travelers or want triple room or have different arrival/departure time
Couldn't You Find A Suitable Tour For Your Vacation? Let us help you!
Being the locals, we know the true value of our land. We are always here to listen and arrange everything as your desire. Please kindly send us your requests, we will reply you with the best offers quickly.


text:
SoarTech Aero Publications
If you are on the Internet and have access to the World-Wide Web (WWW) through a browser like NCSA Mosaic or Netscape, then you can:
"What a bubble ramp is."
This discussion must first begin with an explanation of what a bubble is. Airfoils at low Reynolds numbers (short chords flying at model like speeds) do not behave like airfoils at higher Reynolds numbers such as those typical of general aviation aircraft. As adapted from SoarTech 8 (with a few edits):
The flow behavior over an airfoil at high Reynolds numbers -- greater than, say, 1-3 million -- is well known. The boundary layer is laminar from the leading edge to a point typically near mid-chord where it makes a transition to turbulent flow. This transition, as well as the flow behind it, is generally well behaved.The bubble can be reduced in size by destabilizing the laminar boundary layer to promote a transition as early as possible. One method of promoting transition is through the use of turbulators affixed to the upper surface of the airfoil before the laminar separation point. (If turbulators are immersed in the bubble downstream of the separation point they have little effect.) Another approach used to destabilize the laminar boundary is to employ a gradual upper surface pressure recovery so as to gradually slow the flow down from its highest value. This gradual pressure recovery which shortens the length of the bubble and thereby reduces the bubble drag is called the "bubble ramp."
Unlike full-size airplanes, model sailplanes typically operate at chord Reynolds numbers between 50k and 500k, often called the low Reynolds number regime. At these low Reynolds numbers the flow is fundamentally different. The transition process is neither abrupt nor does it usually take place while the boundary layer is attached to the airfoil. Instead the laminar boundary layer separates, that is, it physically detaches from the airfoil surface. The flow then becomes unstable while separated, and makes a transition to turbulent flow in `mid-air.' Only then does the flow reattach to the airfoil. If the laminar separation point is sufficiently far aft or if the Reynolds number is very low, the flow sometimes entirely fails to return to the airfoil surface. In either case large energy losses are associated with this process. This laminar separation, transition to turbulence, and turbulent reattachment enclose a region of recirculation flow aptly called the `laminar separation bubble' or `bubble' for short.
Problems with the bubble are greatest on the upper surface where the flow is accelerated the most. Typically, the laminar separation bubble can extend over 10-30% of the airfoil upper surface. The bubble on the lower surface (if present at all) is much smaller under normal operating conditions. The presence of the bubble is the principal reason for the degradation in performance at low Reynolds numbers. Efforts towards drag reduction, therefore, largely concentrate on reducing the size and extent of the bubble.
One down, 19 to go. (They are not all this hard.)
Finally, all of the results generated in the UIUC wind tunnel studies will be publically available.
Also, the AIAA Paper 95-1783: J.J. Guglielmo and M.S. Selig, "Large Spanwise Drag Variations in Wake Profiles for Airfoils at Low Reynolds Numbers: Issues and Observations" will be presented at the Applied Aerodynamics Conference this summer.
I received the T-shirt today. Thanks so much!
I Love the airfoil data on the net. I jumped on today and downloaded the graphs from the S7012 and RG15 wind tunnel tests. What a way to publish data! ...
Kevin McKiou Naperville, Illinois
We would also like to thank Roger Morell and Norm Furutani, who helped organize a talk on the UIUC Low-Speed Airfoil Tests. The talk was sponsored by the Southern California Aero Team, and members of SULA were also present. Overall, we received some excellent feedback concerning the testing program and were extremely happy with the turnout. Thanks to everyone who came.
Prof. Michael Selig
James J. Guglielmo, Coordinator
The wind tunnel models should be 33 5/8 inch in span with a 12 inch chord and can either be built-up or foam core. To insure a uniform contour, the built-up models need to be fully sheeted. For the foam core models, we may be able to supply two 12 inch chord wing templates. The surface finish can either be fiberglass or monokote; however, we are interested in the effects of surface finish and will consider testing models with non-smooth surfaces. The models are attached to the wind tunnel balance by standard model wing rods. K&S tubing is installed in the model to adapt to the wing rods. Details of the mounting system and airfoil model dimensions are presented in Figure 1. Standard model construction techniques should provide the necessary strength (supporting 15-20 lb of lift when pinned at both ends). The K\&S brass tubing and collars for the models are supplied along with full-scale plots.
The airfoils are tested in the UIUC open-circuit 3 x 4 ft subsonic wind tunnel (see Figure 2). The turbulence intensity level is minimal and more than sufficient to ensure good flow integrity at low Reynolds numbers. The experimental apparatus used at Princeton has been modified for the UIUC tests. Lift and drag measurements for each airfoil are taken at Reynolds numbers of 60k, 100k, 200k and 300k; however, sometimes data is taken down to 40k and up to 500k.
SoarTech Aero Publications
When ordering, please provide a check or money order in US Dollars which can be paid at a US bank. US cash is also accepted. Residents of Virginia should add the state 4-1/2 percent sales tax to the above rates. Sorry no credit card or COD orders at this time.
Bank: Bank One N.A.
Banking info updated 8-4-00
In order for the university accounting department to identify where the funds should be deposited once it has arrived, please reference "Selig -- Wind Tunnel Testing, 1-6-41784." Also, send a fax to Michael Selig indicating your support. If you need further information, please feel free to contact the Aero/Astro business office (Ms. Lori Ballinger ) at (217) 244-7139.
Any portion of this bulletin can be reproduced.
"*" denotes T-Shirt Patron as well.


text:
This month, we were all waiting with bated breath to find out about this "radical" white paper on housing by Sajid Javid. Unfortunately, it felt more like an old shopping list full of rhetoric rather than radical action, as how any of the measured announced will be achieved is yet to be explained fully.
Amid all the smoke screens, the long-awaited document focused on freeing up land and altering building regulations to allow for thousands of new homes to be built. This includes auditing and forcing local councils to meet ambitious targets, encouraging small firms to build 25,000 new homes by 2020 and adopting a 'use it or lose it' attitude to house builders sitting on undeveloped land.
Despite proposing this whitepaper as one which tackled the chronic supply shortage, a previous commitment of building one million homes by 2020 was not uttered. It is also interesting how the Tory manifesto which promised 200,000 starter homes by end of parliament has been watered down to focus on 'helping over 200,000 people become homeowners'.
The proposed reduction in time between planning permission and the start of building will barely make a dent to the overall outcome. Cutting the time local authorities have to approve planning applications from three years to two is foolish. What should be emphasised is that it is not the timescale that hinders building across the UK, but the planning system itself. Greater collaboration and communication is needed between different parties involved in the process.
The Government has also said very little on the quality of these new-build homes. It is absolutely crucial that the increased supply is not at the expense of quality. Should quality be compromised, we could be in danger of causing more harm than good with housing that is not suitable for future generations.
The fact that the Government has been so forthright in its protection of the green belt is another reason why they have not looked at the broken housing market holistically. We are all for building at greater density, and making better use of surplus public land; however, the green belt should not be disregarded completely. Some of the green belt is beautiful and needs protection, but to claim all of it falls under this category would be an outright lie. It could play a very helpful role in accommodating the new homes this country needs.
This new wave of house-building requires far greater scrutiny from the government, and stronger regulation to tackle malpractice. Unfortunately, we are yet to see a bold housing policy that offers a real solution to delivering the homes the country so desperately needs.


text:
Fourth of July Recipes: Cookout Edition
With the Fourth of July right around the corner, The Humane League has partnered with Lighter to bring you three fresh takes on traditional cookout cuisine. We picked three of Lighter's most festive recipes that will surely be the standout dish at any 4th of July celebration! Whether you're in the mood for a burger, salad or pasta - The Humane League and Lighter have you covered.
Pasta with Arugula, Tempeh 'Bacon' and Avocado Pesto
Serves 2
Traditional pesto gets an avocado makeover! Crumbled tempeh 'bacon' (with just the right amount of smoky and salty flavor) + slightly spicy arugula + creamy avocado pesto = a lip-licking pasta dish to remember!
- Avocado, 1
- Garlic, 2 cloves
- Cilantro, 1 cup
- Lemon, 1
- Arugula, 3 cups
- Water, ¼ cup
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Pasta (whole-grain or gluten-free), 1 cup dry
- Olive oil, 2 teaspoons
- Tempeh bacon, 6 pieces
- Produce Prep: Peel the avocado and remove the pit. Cut into large pieces. Peel the garlic and cut into pieces that your food processor or blender can handle. Rinse and roughly chop the cilantro. Cut the lemon in half and squeeze out the juice into a container, removing the seeds as you do so. Rinse the arugula.
- Add the water, avocado, cilantro, garlic and half of the lemon juice to a food processor or standing blender. Blend until smooth, adding more water a bit at a time to thin it out as needed. Add more lemon juice to taste, until it's just right. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare the pasta according to the directions on the box.
- In a large saucepan or wok, bring a bit of olive oil up to medium-high heat. (To make this recipe oil-free, omit the oil and use a non-stick pan.) Crumble the tempeh 'bacon' into the pan and cook until the bits are brown and crispy, stirring frequently.
- Toss the arugula with the pasta, and pour the avocado pesto over it. Toss to combine. Sprinkle with the tempeh 'bacon' and enjoy!
California Veggie Burger with Side Salad
Serves 2
This burger is stacked high with fresh and nutritious ingredients. Decadent avocado, delicate sprouts and ripe tomatoes sit on top of a protein-packed patty, and with a refreshing side salad, the greens just keep on coming!
- Baby kale, 3 cups
- Sprouts, 1 cup
- Tomato, ½
- Red onion, ½
- Avocado, ½
- Gardein Beefless Burger patties, 2
- Chao Original 'Cheese' Slice, 2
- Burger bun, 2
- Balsamic vinegar, 1 teaspoon
- Olive oil, 2 teaspoons
- Produce Prep: Rinse the baby kale, sprouts and tomato. Cut the tomato into thin slices. If you like raw red onion, peel the red onion and cut it into thin slices. Remove the skin and pit from the avocado.
- Prepare the burger patty according to the instructions on the box. Place the "cheese" slice on the patty for the last few minutes of cooking, so that it melts.
- Toast the burger bun.
- Mash the avocado onto one side of the bun. On the other half of the burger bun, place the cooked patty, followed by the tomato, red onion slices and then the sprouts. Now, top off your burger!
- On your plate, drizzle the baby kale with the balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Enjoy your burger with this side salad.
Dreamy Green Bowl
Serves 2
This gorgeous green bowl is packed with power. Garbanzo beans and quinoa fill this recipe with lean protein, and the greens are loaded with Vitamins A and C. A peanut sauce brings it all together for a vibrant, luscious and refreshing meal. Go ahead and dig in!
- Quinoa, ½ cup
- Kale, 1 bunch
- Carrot, 1
- Cilantro, ¾ cup
- Canned garbanzo beans, 1 ½ cups
- Fresh ginger, 1 teaspoon
- Garlic, 1 clove
- Peanut butter, ¼ cup
- Apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon
- Low-sodium soy sauce or tamari, 1 Tablespoon
- Water, 6 Tablespoons
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Cook the quinoa: Add quinoa and 1 cup water to a pot, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover with a lid and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until water is absorbed, making sure to prevent any sticking or burning on the bottom.
- Produce Prep: While the quinoa is cooking, wash the kale, carrot and cilantro. Remove the stems of the kale and chop the leaves into small ribbons. Chop the kale stems into small pieces. Either grate the carrot or chop into small pieces. Add the chopped kale and carrot to the bowl. Drain and rinse the canned garbanzo beans, and add them to the bowl as well. (Option: If you want the kale and carrot steamed, add them to the pot of quinoa for the last 3-5 minutes of its cooking time.) Peel the garlic and fresh ginger. Chop the cilantro.
- Place the peanut butter, apple cider vinegar, fresh ginger, garlic, soy sauce/tamari and some of the water in a blender or food processor, and blend until smooth. Add more water as you go until desired consistency is reached.
- When the quinoa is done cooking, add it to the bowl. (The heat of the quinoa will soften the kale without making it limp.)
- Pour the sauce over the mixture, add in the cilantro, and stir to combine. Season with salt & pepper to taste and enjoy!


text:
Select your language:
Total items:
View cart and checkout
Continue Shopping
Throughout the Wellington Food Show, Kenwood hosted some New Zealand's top culinary stars and chefs. Each chef whipped up mouth-watering treats using Kenwood Kitchen Machines, in an inspiring culinary showcase that mixed together some of New Zealand's best cafes, bars and restaurants.
We've shared the recipes of some of the amazing dishes from Jax Hamilton, Martin Bosley, Rex Morgan and more...
Jax is an inspirational cook, who loves to blend a little cockney with a little Caribbean - all served up on a kiwi plate! Jax will inspire you with her easy to prepare, simple and sexy food with buckets of flavour.download recipes >>
Maria and Mary from Martha's Pantry share their superb old-fashioned recipes and techniques for cupcakes, cupcake decorating and other goodies. Wellington's Martha's Pantry is an old-fashioned tearoom complete with counter-food, cupcakes, coffee, tea and other goodies. For the past three years Martha's Pantry have been voted by the readers of Capital Times the 'best cake shop' and 'best tea shop' in Wellington.download recipes >>
Using fresh produce and inspired combinations, Martin will show you how to make breathtaking dishes with ease. He has lived and worked most of his life in and around Wellington, working at iconic restaurants such as Grain of Salt, Petite Lyon, Orsini's, Le Normandie, Brasserie Flipp and his critically acclaimed first restaurant, Giverny.download recipes >>
Rex is chef and co-owner of the iconic Boulcott St Bistro in Wellington and a director of Citron culinary consultancy group. He also owned the well known degustation restaurant Citron. Where possible he enjoys adding a NZ twist to his food with indigenous products and showcasing some of the beautiful products our country has to offer.download recipes >>
Shaun's philosophy on food and cooking is to serve classical but skillfully cooked dishes, using good techniques, to create a consistent result every time; and using the best local, seasonal ingredients you can get your hands on. Paramount to all of this is the use of ethical and environmentally friendly producers and suppliers.download recipes >>
DeLonghi New Zealand Limited IRD 85-291-866
Postal Address: PO Box 58056 Botany, Manukau 2163 New Zealand
Address: 99 Khyber Pass Rd Grafton, Auckland 1023 New Zealand
Ph:0508 200 300 Fax:0508 200 301
© Copyright 2019 DeLonghi New Zealand Limited


text:
Irma Wyman (BSEM ENG '49) was one of the early few to experiment with a "programmable computer." She rose to become the first female vice president of Honeywell, Inc., a Fortune 100 company. She retired in 1990 and almost immediately was ordained in the Episcopal Church. After serving the last 10 years as Archdeacon of the Diocese of Minnesota, she is now fully retired.
Wyman received Michigan Engineering's 2001 Alumni Society Medal and, in 2007, an honorary doctor of engineering. Her support for the College has been ongoing; she has also endowed the Irma M. Wyman Scholarship at the University of Michigan's Center for the Education of Women to support women in engineering, computer science and related fields.
As Irma Wyman approached her high-school graduation, her parents expected her to work for a few years and then get married. They refused to consider college as a next step for her. The options for girls were to teach or be a typist or a nurse. "I didn't want to do any of those. I wanted to go on to college, but my parents were unyielding until, a few months before I graduated from high school, I was awarded a Regents Scholarship to Michigan. I had little time to select a major, but math and science were my strengths, so I opted for engineering. The limits of my scholarship meant I had to do five years' work in four years. Lectures and labs went from 7 a.m. to evening. I worked as switchboard operator and waitress in my dorm to cover expenses, and later worked in a research lab. I enjoyed football games, and I ushered at Hill Auditorium to hear concerts for free, but I didn't have much time to myself."
In creating the Irma M. Wyman Scholarship, Wyman reflected on the impact that her Regents Scholarship had on her life. "My engineering education opened the world for me, preparing me for a career in a field that didn't exist before I graduated. But I learned that women need support in technical studies both financially and personally."
Although VJ Day had come in August of '45, there were still few men on campus in 1945 when Michigan Engineering admitted Irma Wyman and several other women to its freshman class. Several of the faculty made it clear to Irma that no matter what her test scores were, they wouldn't pass her because they didn't think women should be engineers. The dean of women wrote to her mother, saying it was totally inappropriate for Wyman to study engineering. It all made Wyman more determined to succeed – it was the kind of drive that would define her life.
In 1946, Wyman said, there was "a flood of returning veterans -- they almost overwhelmed the place. The College didn't admit any women that year. Women who had been accommodated in men's housing had to double or triple up in women's dorms. Classes were large, and comments were made to me like, 'How come you're occupying a seat when one of our veterans could be here?' I qualified academically for Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society, but since they only accepted men they gave me an honorary membership. It wasn't a good climate for women."
As a junior, Wyman was working at the Willow Run Research Center on a missile guidance project. "We did trajectory integrations using a mechanical calculator. My boss asked me to visit a Navy research facility working on shell trajectories. I found that they were working with a prototype programmable computer from Harvard. I learned everything I could about it and about all the other prototypes in labs across the country. I became an enthusiastic pioneer in this new technology and it led to my life's career."
When Wyman graduated, there were few jobs in industry for engineers and almost none for women engineers. She continued in research, then joined an early entrepreneurial start-up that was acquired by Honeywell, Inc., where she completed her career.
"I learned about leadership and management as I went along," she said. "You need vision. You must be clear and confident and focused and able to build trust. You need to listen and be respectful of feedback. And you have to be secure enough to recognize that the feedback might change your plans."
As a woman in engineering at a time when gender was a major issue, Wyman confronted a number of obstacles. And although things have changed, she still sees inequities. "If there are to be more women in engineering, we need to remove more obstacles. I admire the University's Center for the Education of Women -- they make a real effort to support and encourage women in the technical fields, and they've made an enormous difference in many lives."
These days Wyman is retired from engineering and from the church, but she fiddles with puzzles, origami, writing and "community projects that accomplish something useful and lasting." She also stays in touch with the many women who have been Wyman Scholars over the years, celebrating their accomplishments and rejoicing in their rich lives. "That scholarship has been the best investment I've ever made," she said. "The returns have been so rich and satisfying to me, to the scholars and to the University."
- Michigan Engineer Spring 2010 (College of Engineering)


text:
Friday, September 11, 2009
here is a link to the sync-rider who best understands today.
3 comments:
posted at 9:11 on 9/11. Maybe you're right!ReplyDelete
911 = beginning, after a fashionReplyDelete
Although the intention was otherwise as in to point to you, with today being always now, thus you are the sync-rider that best understands today--ReplyDelete
I gotta say aferrismoon has an incredible post regarding 911 on her(?) blog right now. Definitely check it out.
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
(07-31-2017, 11:19 AM)Lucilyn Wrote: I just (the second post here) https://community.tulpa.info/thread-i-ha...-animation watched 20 minutes of Game Grumps animated/the animated's song, then watched 33 minutes of them playing P.T. which is a horror game (at 4:30AM lol), and then listened to a super great nice Game Grumps remix to end the night. It's so perfect. Like I said there I just have this feeling that the end to my day was perfect! Way better than that time Lumi was doing the Touhou thing or something the night before, I remember I said I envied that. Envy this future us, this was a good night!
(09-18-2017, 05:18 AM)Lucilyn Wrote: oo almost a whole week without posting here, 1 hour off. Idk what we're doing lol ¯\_(ツ)_/¯


text:
Since the company's inception, the administrators and employees of Kellex Seating's Valdese division have worked together as a tight-knit family. President and Owner Chris Rice said he and friends Doug Fawcett and Charlie Rice got started two decades ago, and since then have maintained their original vision for the company.
"Our company literally started in a garage. We formed a partnership with Norwalk Furniture and its subsidiary, Hickory Hill Furniture, to supply the commercial markets," said Rice. "Both factories were suffering from a lack of sales and work, and the partners came together to form a plan to create a new opportunity."
In 2008, the three friends purchased the Valdese branch of Hickory Hill and all of its assets, despite a dismal economic forecast.
"We still felt there was a market for the talented craftsmanship of Burke County and formed a plan that would match the talent of our people and an approach that could not be sourced offshore," said Rice. "In essence, we built a business model with the talent of our people that ensures their jobs will not be outsourced overseas. We had only 50 associates when our plant opened and our staff has since then tripled to 150 in Valdese — and it's still expanding."
The Valdese factory is a division of a larger corporation, which is headquartered in Ohio. Kellex builds more than 500 different styles of upholstered seating for the hospitality and assisted living markets. Each year in Burke County, the factory produces more than 50,000 pieces.
"We have two distinctive markets. We have a large customer base in the assisted living markets — this would include products specifically for our aging population," said Rice. "We have an equally large clientele base in the national resort and vacation properties market."
Rice said the company prides itself on the close relationship that its leadership maintains with their employees.
"We employ over 170 people, and we are a family with many last names," he said. "Each of us is proud of our brand."
Because the company's leadership and its employees work closely to achieve their goals, Rice said Kellex has been able to provide a level of service that stands out from the crowd.
"Our brand is recognized by doing what other manufacturers simply cannot or are not willing to do from a service perspective," said Rice. "We have earned the reputation that we can outperform domestic and foreign competitors. This sense of spirit is the culture of the company and the firm beliefs of our owners."
The Kellex mission statement is "Make it here, make it happen."
"We believe in American quality and in the American people," he said. "We're proud that our manufacturing is all based in the United States."
The close-knit family of administrators and employees also works together to make a difference outside of the factory.
"Our focus in the community starts with utilizing as many local suppliers as possible," he said. "By doing so, we are stimulating our local economy and the people working within our communities. We are also very active with local and national nonprofit organizations."
Rice said that Kellex is proud of its history and will continue to work diligently to carry out its mission and values in Burke County as it grows and changes in the future.
"As a family business, we recognize the importance of not just our people, but all of the families in the area," said Rice. "We are committed to 'Make it here, make it happen' in Burke."


text:
Have you ever woken up in the early hours of the morning, and wished that an STA Travel Expert was there to answer your burning questions? Well, now you can. Almost.
This is Ask the Experts. Granted, it's not the most imaginative name for a feature. But I reckon you get the gist. You do the Ask part. We'll do the Expert part.
We've lined up three of our finest travel experts from around the nation, to preside over your travel questions. In no particular order (unless you know your A-Zs) we have Heather from our Nottingham branch; Kim from STA Travel Dundee; and Mark from our branch in Belfast.
If you have a question that you would like to put to one of our resident experts, drop an email to social [at] statravel [dot] co [dot] uk, with the words 'Ask the Experts' in the subject line.
So, without further ado let's head straight for the panel, and this week's burning question of desire:
My girlfriend wants to do a ski season, I'd prefer to take a long road trip. Any idea how we can combine the two and keep the peace? Jeffers, Plymouth
Heather D
How about Canada? The rocky mountains give heaps of opportunities for ski seasons. And when the ski season finishes? You can head to the Rockies! The stretch from Banff to Jasper is rated by National Geographic as one of the world's best road trips, and takes in some amazing peaks and glaciers.
Stop along the way at Lake Louise, and hike to various lookouts for views across the Rockies, or relax and take the gondola. The Columbia Icefield Centre is definitely worth a visit, not least because it brings the opportunity to climb the glacier. Scenery aside, you can also observe local wildlife, such as big grizzly bears, moose, and the fantastic bighorn sheep.
Image courtesy of natalielucier
If you don't fancy the long drive and you want to meet people and share the experience there are plenty of great trip options. We have some great advice on working in the USA.
Kim L
Hmmm… I like your thinking, Heather! A short hop across the Atlantic to Canada is definitely the obvious choice. But how about thinking further afield? Take a look at Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island. Often referred to as having the best powder in the world, Japan will appeal to both your cultural taste buds and inner sushi-ness.
This huge and sparsely populated island, with its abundance of national parks, are an adventure waiting to happen. Discover vast empty plains, crystal clear lakes and soaring mountain landscapes. With plenty of English signs, Hokkaido is ideal for exploring by car. Roads are well-kept and quiet, plus they drive on the left… bonus!
A self-drive itinerary taking in Niseko (home to three world class ski resorts), Toya and Lake Shikotsu National Park area — which is centred around a stunning lake with the smoking Showa Shinzan volcano as a backdrop — would be totally perfect for you. You could also call on Rusutsu, only 2 hours from Chitose Airport and on route to Niseko. It's one of the largest full service resort complexes in Hokkaido, and hailed as the island's best kept secret! Shhhhh…
Mark R
You beat me to it, Heather! I'd also head towards North America, but I'd do things slightly differently.
Fly into Los Angeles and take a trip from Los Angeles to San Fransisco via Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon and Route 66, as well as Yosemite National Park. This can be done on a self drive as part of a classic Route 66 trip, or if you fancy someone else doing the legwork, check out our LA to the Bay tour.
From San Fran, I would fly to Burlington and onto the ski resort of Stowe in Vermont. We've got some great fares on the route right now. Stowe has a great vibe and is fantastic for snowboarding and skiing, has slopes to suit all skill levels, and has equipment for hire locally. Season runs from November through to late March. Stowe also has a killer social scene, night and day. Having been there myself I'd recommend this bad boy all day long!
Can you improve on the panel's expert opinions? Share your opinion in the comment thread below, and get the banter rolling.
Remember, if you have a question for our panel of experts, drop them an email to social [at] statravel [dot] co [dot [uk] with 'Ask the Experts' in the subject line.


text:
Holster Materials
Materials and Processes
We use only the highest quality, premium grade, full-grain, vegetable tanned US cowhide, specially tanned and cured to Bianchi specifications. Our leather holsters are wet-molded around an actual firearm casting and then hand-boned for the distinctive appearance for which Bianchi holsters are world-renowned. Lock-stitching provides long lasting performance and the many additional steps in the process ensure quality construction and outstanding finish. The closely detailed leather handwork, craftsmanship and quality assurance are unequaled in leather holster production.
Through our special AccuMold process we offer a ballistic weave molded fabric trilaminate that is light in weight, weather-resistant and just plain looks great. The trilaminate construction consists of a ballistic weave fabric with a high-density closed-cell foam center, and a smooth Coptex™ knit lining. This unique process allows us to precisely mold and shape foam and fabric to rival the most detailed hand-boned leather holster. AccuMold is easy to maintain, looks sleek and professional, and keeps its good looks and superb functionality even after years of daily wear.
Most important, the holsters and accessories are formed to retain their contents with far more protection and less bulk than conventional ballistic fabric designs. AccuMold magazine pouch cavities, for example, expand both front and rear, making for a snugger fit, a trimmer look and less strain on the equipment. AccuMold pouches feature our exclusive Roll-Top™ lid for a smooth, rounded closure and a custom fit for equipment of various sizes.
AccuMold® Elite™
AccuMold Elite duty gear builds upon the same concept of our ballistic weave AccuMold, but with the look of leather. Featuring our unique trilaminate construction, AccuMold Elite comprises our Duraskin™ outer finish, a high-density closed-cell foam center, and our smooth Coptex™ lining. It looks so much like leather, you can't tell the difference – until you pick it up! It is extremely lightweight yet durable - up to 50% lighter than leather in most applications.
Made for law enforcement professionals, our line is offered in black, in a plain, basketweave, or hi-gloss finish. Same beautiful look as leather - the crisp, professional appearance of premium leather without the weight, maintenance and cost. Further, the products are easily cleaned with only mild soap and water.
The Ranger™ series is a rugged alternative to utility grade leather holsters featuring trilaminate construction. We use tough, abrasion-resistant 1050-denier ballistic weave on the outside, a special 1/4"-thick closed-cell foam in the center and a nylon lining to cushion and protect the pistol. The closed-cell construction prevents water absorption and remains flexible at sub-zero temperatures. Our unique foam is self-molding to provide a custom fit for your favorite handgun. Both the foam and the ballistic weave are laminated to a tough, smooth nylon lining, then die-cut and the edges bound with tight, ribbed nylon tape. All the edges, ends, cuts and threads are heat-sealed for a finished appearance.
The PatrolTek line of law enforcement molded accessories features Bianchi's special contour-molded technology and unique trilaminate construction – a 600-denier woven exterior, high-density foam core, and a smooth knit lining. Belts are web construction with hook or loop lining. This synthetic woven product line is both lightweight and durable enough for the rigors of street duty.


text:
Victoria's Secret Fragrance Mist.Special Offer
Online Catalogue | HAIR CARE PRODUCTS | Jamaican Mango and Lime | Jamaican Mango & Lime Locking Gel
OILS AND HOW TO USE THEMHesitant about using oil on your hair? Check out these pro tips.
MAXIMA PROFESSIONAL HAIR COLOUR BY VITAL HAIR 100ml - Made In Italy - 98 COLOURS 10% Discount


text:
HOLLYWOOD — MTV Films has decided to go to "Prep," optioning film rights to Jake Coburn's dark tale of New York City's prep schools for MTV and Benderspink to produce for Paramount Pictures.
"Prep" is aimed at providing a glimpse into the life of a prep schoolkid seduced by what is portrayed as Gotham's uninhibited party lifestyle. As he tries to leave that life behind, the protagonist finds himself thrust back into that world to save the brother of the woman he loves.
Project's aimed at evoking similar themes to those of "The Outsiders."
Benderspink partners Chris Bender and JC Spink are exec producing with Coburn's manager, Dave Brown. Coburn and Brown met while students at Brown U. and reunited in Los Angeles after Coburn's novel had been published. His next novel's entitled "Lovesick."
Paramount VP of production Pamela Abdy and Eben Davidson are shepherding the project for the studio while Heather Parry and Carrie Beck will oversee for MTV.
"Prep," Coburn's first novel, focused on the subculture of urban prep school gangs and their attendant drug use, sex and violence. Coburn, who wrote the novel at the age of 24 as a part of a three-book deal with Dutton, grew up in Manhattan's Upper West Side and attended several prep schools.
Jill McElroy brought "Prep" into Benderspink, which is in post-production on "The Ring 2" for DreamWorks and "Monster-in-Law" for New Line. It's in production on "A History of Violence" for New Line and in pre-production on "Just Friends" for New Line and "Red Eye" for DreamWorks.


text:
There have been repeated requests for pancakes around these here parts lately.
I'm always a little reluctant to endulge one child's "treat" requests when the other child cannot partake in the spoils. So I was hugely pleased when Jo posted this recipe for egg-free (and dairy free if you use soy milk like I did) pancakes recently!
Yum, yum, and double yummo!!!!
Miss B was actually a little hesitant to try them, having never eaten pancakes before. But once my little cat loving girl saw the kitty cat version I made for her, she hoed in with gusto.
Here's to pancakes we can all share :)))))


text:
This superb employee award comes in three sizes – 6½", 7½" and 8¼" - and is sure to stand proudly on the desk of any lucky recipient! Manufactured in quality jade glass, the vertical panel is ready to receive any engraving you choose to embellish the trophy including both logos and text. The edge is decal cut, adding highlights to this simple yet stunning design. An award which is guaranteed to make your star employee feel truly valued!
Your individual engraving instructions can easily be entered using our step by step process. We'll even send you an artwork proof on high value items.
If you find a lower advertised price within 30 days of your purchase, let us know and we'll refund the difference. (Terms apply)
We want you to be happy with your order, so if there is anything that doesn't meet your satisfaction please let us know and we'll do whatever we can to put it right!


text:
- Departmental Initiatives
- Educational Enrichment
- Research Investment
- Service to Community
- Bioengineering Internship
To support the Bioengineering Graduate Society (BEGS). This helps to sponsor our major events such as Breakfast with Industry.
In 2009, a new tradition was formed in the UCSD Department of Bioengineering. The senior legacy allows each graduating class to have the opportunity to leave a legacy for the next class of hopeful bioengineering majors. In the spirit of camaraderie and good will, the link of past, present, and future of UCSD Bioengineering.
To support the UC San Diego student chapter Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES). This helps to sponsor our major events such as Lab Expo.
UC San Diego is starting a new program to give Bioengineering students a structured career development and learning opportunity to gain valuable real-world experience while making connections in professional fields they are considering as career paths.