text:
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
sincerely, yours
Earlier I went through some old boxes of mementos and read a bunch of letters I've kept over the years. This might sound crazy but I keep every card that I receive (birthday, graduation, get well soon, thank-you, miss you, christmas..you name it). I actually keep everything that's personally hand-written. There's something unique about each..the crossed t's, dotted i's, the wit in some, joy in others, the random stories, personal messages, and all the memories that came with that special person and ocassion.
feeling a bit nostalgic..
2 comments:
- Mermade said...
Oh my gosh! I am a total card snob, too. I have tons of cards, stickers and stationary paper. I love, love, love an excuse to write a card out too (I sent one to a lot of people this Easter). But I've never tried making my own stationary. That sounds like a lot of fun! As for keeping handwritten things, it is not weird at all! I have a whole drawer dedicated to old letters, diaries and cards. I love looking back and reading them every now and then.
No way! I keep all the cards that I have ever gotten too. hahaha. Yah they are fun too look back on once in a while and think about. I always get excited when I read my old letters and think about what type of person I was at that time.
And the embossing (sp?) thing that we did at Terri's house for their wedding invitations? that was awesome!


text:
Sikorsky to produce 24 Black Hawk helicopters for Taiwan
Deal covers 24 uniquely configured UH-60M Black Hawks for the government of Taiwan.
Geoff Ziezulewicz
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. has received a $135 million U.S. Army contract modification covering a foreign military sale of UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to Taiwan.
The Lockheed Martin subsidiary is to produce 24 of the uniquely configured aircraft for the Taiwanese government.
Work will be performed in Connecticut, with an estimated completion date is October 2018.
Army Contracting Command is the contracting activity.
The UH-60M is an advanced version of the Black Hawk that serves in the most extreme conditions worldwide.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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text:
April 2017
OK, so March was super busy. What seemed like a pretty calm month turned out to be chocked full of fun activities! We went to two Colorado Avalanche hockey games. I saw two musicals: An American in Paris and Kinky Boots. Loved Kinky Boots, but An American in Paris is too traditional for my tastes. I enjoyed the drag queens in Kinky Boots a lot more. :)
I also got a bunch of scrapbooking done, as I managed to complete our trip to Portland from last September. Starting to catch back up! Plus I had cropping fun with friends on several occasions, including hanging out with Cathy, Cathy's friend Candi, and Lisa at The Scrapbook Shack one Sunday.
We celebrated JC's birthday in typical 'just going out to dinner' fashion the day before he had to go to San Francisco for another work trip.
Our first trip of the year was at the end of March, and I think I will title it "Heartland Hockey". We went with our crazy travel pals Leah and Shannon from Raleigh. There were two goals of this trip:
So, we all met in Minneapolis and our first stop was Galactic Pizza.
Super adorable tiny place with amazing pizza. Everything is galactic and super hero themed, including the menu that is in 3D:
And the delivery drivers who create their own super heroes and costumes. On the left is Wind Woman and on the right is Beet Man.
Next we checked out a funky art museum on the U of Minnesota campus. The building was designed by Frank Gehry who also did the awesome Marques de Riscal hotel we stayed in in El Ciego, Spain, and the newer wing of the Denver Art Museum.
The highlight of this museum was the Pedicord Apartments, an 80's-esque hallway of apartments that shrunk as you walked down it. If you stand in front of each door, a soundtrack plays of what's going on in the apartment. That man is fake. ODD.
We stayed in downtown Minneapolis at the Westin that was formerly a bank. Pretty cool.
The next morning, we went here:
Can you guess what this is? Nope, not a car dealership. Nope, not a mega-church. This is Paisley Park, Prince's recording complex. Sadly you couldn't take photos inside, but go to the website to see a couple of photos of the inside. We had a guided tour and probably only saw 10% of the place. We saw his doves hanging out in their cages, his office, several displays of his instruments and clothes from various eras of his career, his recording studio, and other studios for choreographing dances, filming music videos, and practicing concerts. We also saw his urn: it sits above the atrium before the doors to his favorite hangout spot. The urn is a miniature version of Paisley Park with his purple symbol on the front.
After Paisley Park, we had a yummy hipster lunch at Saint Dinette where JC was puzzled by his salmon-hollandaise-toast thingy to the point that we swapped meals. It was delish!
Then it was the Minnesota Wild versus the Vancouver Canucks at the Xcel Energy Center!
Lots of great Peanuts statues for pictures!
The zamboni with the double-decker seating was impressive!
It was fun to check out a different arena but the Wild lost. :(
Our final destination before leaving Minnesota was to get pics with the Mary Tyler Moore statue. It's usually outside but due to construction it's inside the tourist office which has very limited hours, so this was tough to do!
After that, we headed on our way to Winnipeg. Since it's around a 7-hour drive, we stopped halfway in Fargo for the night, but not before making a detour into South Dakota to, of course, take a photo in front of the sign.
And to stop at a casino. We each played $10: JC and Shannon lost theirs, I made $10 off of mine and Leah made $20 off of hers.
The following morning we got stopped for speeding near Grand Forks, ND, by a lovely state trooper. JC isn't hiding to protect his identity, he was just rubbing his eyes at the moment, but it's a pretty awesome shot. Luckily the ticket was a whopping $50.
Once over the border, a lovely info centre (we're in Canada now so it's centRE not centER) with a kick-ass sign! You know what that means!
Finally in Winnipeg, our first adventure was to go to a famous Chinese restaurant. We had some rather odd things, like fried shrimp in mayonnaise and a bitter melon that was utterly gross.
There were a really pretty Chinese bridge, cultural center, and outdoor area nearby.
At the Winnipeg hockey arena! We scoped the place out during the day and returned for the 7pm game between the Winnipeg Jets and Vancouver Canucks (yes, again, ugh). This time, though, the home team won!
Is it just me or is this mascot awfully vicious looking?
The next morning, our journey took us through a rather interesting part of town with old buildings that had a lot of original ads still painted on them,
And the Giant Tiger which is a grocery store/Wal-Mart/complete hot mess. Complete.
BUT, we had yummy, unique donuts at Bronuts! Mine was raspberry lemonade, and the lemon filling was like a Hostess Lemon Pie!
Then we walked off our Bronuts by going to The Forks, a section of town near the river that is a really pretty outdoor area. The famous bridge was quite cool, it looks like a jet!
And there were a couple of halls like this filled with unique small shops and places to eat.
This is the river which, when frozen over, you can skate on. It was on our list of things we really wanted to do! Damn global warming!
While downtown Winnipeg was a bit sketch, not gonna lie, we found our oasis on our last day there. Not only did we find an awesome scrapbook store, we treated ourselves to a relaxing afternoon at Thermëa Nordik Spa.
That place is INCREDIBLE. After we each got a relaxing massage with scented oil and exfoliation, we had "the experience". You walk around their outdoor area in your swimsuit going from sauna or steam room, into an ice pool, then into one of the two hottubs. There are also buildings with mats or lounge chairs to lie on, and adirondack chairs around fire pits. Fresh flavored water is everywhere to drink. I didn't even feel the 35-degree weather because we were in and out of hot, cold, temperate, cozy heated lounge chairs, and so on, for a few hours. I need one of these in my backyard!!
Lastly, on our way back to Minneapolis, we had to turn around on the highway to capture our last state sign!
US State Count: 41/50
Canadian Province & Territory Count: 7/13
Album - 2017


text:
Shannon McManus is a Los Angeles-based actor, writer and voice artist. Her natural vocal abilities and extensive theatre training have led to work in audiobook narration, commercial voiceover, and animation. Critical praise includes an Audiofile Earphones Award, Publishers Weekly Award in Children's and Young Adult fiction, and being named one of Audiofile Magazine's Best Voices of 2012.
The Fill-In Boyfriend
By Kasie West
Read by Shannon McManus
What could go wrong when you ask your sisters friend to go as your fake prom date?
Best of 2015 - *Goodreads Best List*
Released Tue Dec 29 00:00:00 UTC 2015
English, Unabridged
Home For the Holidays
Read by Cris Dukehart , Kate Rudd , Amy Rubinate , Emily Woo Zeller and Shannon McManus
Join the mother-daughter book club for a holiday season with all the trimmings!
The moms and daughters draw together as they work through issues like unemployment and a possible move. The multiple viewpoints and small-town simplicity that borders on quaintness remain the draws in this charming series. - Booklist
Released Tue Nov 03 00:00:00 UTC 2015
English, Unabridged
On the Fence
By Kasie West
Read by Shannon McManus
Charlotte Reynolds must choose whether or not to expose her secret love for her neighbor.
"West's premise is a winner, and Addie is the kind of heroine readers would want as a best friend—loyal, unpretentious, and thoughtful.…What truly makes West's story memorable, however, is Addie's wry humor…and the book's fascinating exploration of how life can change with one simple choice." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Released Wed Feb 03 00:00:00 UTC 2016
English, Unabridged
The Mother-Daughter Book Camp
Read by Cris Dukehart , Shannon McManus , Amy Rubinate , Kate Rudd and Emily Woo Zeller
Join the Mother-Daughter Book Club for a bittersweet end to Frederick's beloved bestselling series.
Released Tue May 17 00:00:00 UTC 2016
English, Unabridged
P.S. I Like You
By Kasie West
Read by Shannon McManus
What if the person you were falling for was a total mystery?
"Readers after an enjoyable beach romance won't go wrong with this." - Kirkus Reviews
Released Tue Aug 30 00:00:00 UTC 2016
English, Unabridged
Second Time Around
Read by Shannon McManus
A Novel
They spent ten years asking "What if?" Now they're going to find out.
"Kendrick, author of The Pre-Nup (2008), detours from the chick-lit formula to present a touching and humorous look at love, loss, and literature." - Booklist
Released Wed May 10 00:00:00 UTC 2017
English, Unabridged


text:
L'Hôtel d'Antheus, Rochebonne
Déjeuner à l'Hôtel d'Antheus
If you do find yourself staying at the l'Hôtel d'Antheus – which I highly recommend – do take the time to go to the dining room for breakfast. You will be served croissants, bread with lovely jams, apple and orange juice, and your choice of tea, hot chocolate, or coffee. I enjoyed relaxing, munching on assorted breads, and listening to American music from the 50s! This is the traditional French breakfast (sans the music from the 50s), and although it may not sound like much, it is a delicious, filling, and a great way to start the day! [more ]
L'Hôtel d'Antheus
After hours of searching, we finally made our way to L'Hôtel d'Antheus. We were very pleased to find the hotel to be small but beautiful, clean, and oozing with friendly French charm. We were so exhausted that I accidentally left the room keys in the keyhole on the outside of the door. Somehow, we were locked in our room, and since the key was still stuck in the keyhole, we were unable to unlock it from inside! We had to phone the receptionist (who may well be the owner) to come let us out. She was very nice about it though, and she didn't make us feel like bigger idiots than we already felt like! [more ]
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Further Ratings (Average 3.6 of 5):
- Hotels.com: 7.20 of 10
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text:
Does anyone know of
any Asian-Scottish people at all?
I have to say I don't think I have ever come across someone of Indian/Pakistani origin from the land of Mel Gibson.
Can you think of any famous ones?
Do you know any?
Of COURSE!
Shit, he must be the only one though. I can't believe I forgot him.
that Sikh Comedian who's Scottish as well.
I rememebr one TV show where he bought a tarten turben.
phillipino-scotish. She's nice.
I think
all Phillipino people are really nice. Its like a law or something.
It's because most recent immagrants stay in england
Once I was watching balomorey and there were two black people my mum went "well that's unrealistic"
Thats true
Considering balamory doesent exist. I cant remember what its actually called but it ends in mory.
Kids tv shows should be realistic. They should do a kids version of question time or newsnight or something.
i thought mel gib
was not scottish at all
sam from big brother
is indo-scottish
it's pretty much the same as everywhere else in the UK. Lots of Asian people. I'd say at my school it's like 70% white people 30% asian people...


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text:
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text:
Autistic kids can get better life with proper intervention
With Priyanka Chopra's act of an autistic girl in critically-acclaimed film 'Barfi' bringing into focus the issues faced by children suffering from the disorder, a new study has found that significant improvement in their social interaction and motor behaviour is possible.
Doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here have shown that this could be achieved through a well-designed intervention programme addressing these autistic children, giving hope to thousands of affected parents, considering that autism is on an alarming rise in the world.
The doctors found that impaired development and poor social interaction are the main features in children with autism.
Children ranging in ages 3 to 10 years were observed for a year during which interventions like eye contact exercises, verbal therapy, attention improvement exercises were addressed to them.
Results of the behavioural intervention were more than positive with clinical psychologists and paediatricians finding that during over a year-long follow up of autistic kids they significantly improved their speech, social interaction, cognitive skills and behaviour.
"The intervention has given some hope for children with autism. Working together we can improve the status of such children and help correct the deficiency to an extent," said Vinod Paul, head of the Paediatrics Department at AIIMS.
The most recent study conducted in October 2009 by the National Institute of Health in US showed that the prevalence of autism is now one in every 90 children, a drastic rise from 1 in every 150 reported in 2008.
Doctors said their intervention has shown that "with proper intervention programmes and right kind of support from parents, there is hope to enable children with autism to live an independent and successful life."
Showcased during an exhibition to mark the Institute's Foundation Day, the study followed 50 children out of 75 who attended AIIMS autistic clinic for a year.
"The intervention saw a decline in their deficiencies and the hidden potential of autistic kids unfolded," Paul said.
Doctors found 90 per cent of these children with autism had mental retardation as the main presenting feature. In 85 per cent children, poor social interaction was observed and in 80 per cent poor eye contact was observed. As many as 80 per cent preferred to be alone, 75 per cent had communication problems, 60 per cent had stereotypical behaviour and as many were hyperactive. A much lesser percentage (19) had seizures.
Psychological intervention used on kids involved use of Allied Behaviour Analysis based on the principles of Operant Conditioning, a well known behaviour reinforcing strategy.
"The principle behind the intervention is simple behaviour when positively reinforced is likely to be repeated and when negatively reinforced is likely to be avoided," doctors said.
The intervention involved subjecting children to eye contact exercises where parents are asked to show reinforcement by moving slowly from the child's eyes to their own to build eye contact and to repeat this act every time the child responds to his name.
"Then we had imitation exercises to get the child to imitate basic tasks. For verbal speech stimulation we used verbal imitation, labelling of body parts and objects and to improve a child֒s attention we made him sit down and engaged him in interesting activities such as sorting," said Dr Sangeeta, who was part of the intervention.
She said parents could learn these interventions to help children with autism.
The results collated after a year of follow up showed marked improvements in children who were subjected to Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist on which a higher score indicates the severity of autism.
"Between baseline score and post intervention score, speech of children had improved from the range of 24-26 to 20 -24; social interaction had improved from 34-36 to 26-28. Cognitive skills had shown improvement with the performance going up from 34-36-38 to 28-30. Behaviour improved with the score post intervention dropping to the range 30 to 32 as against 42 to 44 when children with autism had come to the clinic," the findings showed.
Source: IANS
Image: Thinkstockphotos.com


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Monday, July 9, 2012
The Grey
|By sati (harlequinade)
|Monday, July 9, 2012
|2012, Action, drama, G, Joe Carnahan, movies, review, The Grey, thriller
Plot: After their plane crashes in Alaska, six oil workers are led by a skilled huntsman to survival, but a pack of merciless wolves haunts their every step.
Director: Joe Carnahan
Writers: Joe Carnahan (screenplay), Ian Mackenzie Jeffers (screenplay)
Stars: Liam Neeson, Dermot Mulroney and Frank Grillo
Fifty shades of mediocrity
The thing I hate the most in the cinema is a mediocre movie. When the film is bad at least you can bitch about it in your review, point out the flaws, laugh at the lack of talent of those who made it and ultimately feel better having warned the others about the colossal waste of time watching the film was. With good movies you can always marvel at something, analyze, think about the film long after you watched it. But with mediocre films - well, not only do they feel like a wasted potential, but also you forget about them as soon as the movie is over. The Grey belongs in the last category.
The film follows John Ottway (Liam Neeson), who is a huntsman that kills wolves to protect the workers with whom he travels on the plane to Alaska. The plane crashes and the remaining survivors find themselves stranded in the middle of nowhere, surrounded only by snow, cold and pack of wolves that are very hostile to them and appear to have every intention of killing them.
And that's the whole movie right there. We observe those men walking, arguing, exchanging sappy stories near the fire and eventually getting slaughtered. That would work if the film was able to sustain any kind of tension - for that we would need characters who we care for and antagonists which we fear. The Grey has neither of these things - the group of men are simple guys and apart from Ottway the script fails to deliver any sort of depth to them - apart from one trait so that we knew which one of them just died - so we have a rebel, inappropriate gross one, a thinker and a silent one who just sits there politely.
As for the wolves they looked so fake the film almost travelled to the realm of animation whenever they appeared on screen. Also the film plays things the certain way that it basically made me root for the wolves - Neeson's character sees a wolf feeding off a body and yells "Hey motherfucker!" after which he starts running towards the wolf and...punches him. That scene right there along with "Hands up!" from Prometheus is the most ridiculous thing I saw in movies in 2012.
The whole movie could just as easily feature only Ottway, except they wanted to give us some gore to endure the length of the movie - which is still hard to do. The gore is nothing sensational, nor the attacks of the wolves are memorable. All of the actors and their characters are pretty much useless except for before mentioned Neeson and his Ottway. The depth given to Ottway is thin too but works in the context of the movie, which at least attempted at having a purpose - showing his journey to find the will to live.
Having said that, there are few redeeming things about the film - the cinematography is great and the snowy, pristine landscapes are truly gorgeous, which is only amplified by the movie's beautiful score which at times was the only thing keeping me awake. The exceptional thing in the movie, though only in parts of it, is the editing - I loved the moments when Ottway is remembering his wife and very tender and delicate times with her, only to get pulled by reality again, often when the snow appears out of nowhere in the frame with him and his wife, in his memories.
The Grey doesn't even work as a survival movie - the characters make so many damn mistakes, at times as stupid as attacking the wolf with your fists, that I was shocked it was actually a drama and not a comedy. The good thing is that watching that made me appreciate The Descent - brilliant survivor horror - only more. I may even watch this one now just to cover up the bitter taste that The Grey left.
30 comments:
Nooooooooo... Sati!! Cmon!!ReplyDelete
This movie was really, really good. I thought it spoke volumes about how far people would be willing to go to survive, and was a fantastic look at characters facing their own mortality head on.
There were a couple of moments where the suspension of disbelief needed to kick in, sure. But overall, this is one of my favorite of the year so far. Potentially a top ten candidate!Replies
I really didn't like it. I couldn't care less about all of those people. The whole facing their morality thing would probably not happen had they actually made the right choices, they all seemed like a bunch without the brain blindly following Ottway who appeared to be the only one trying to come up with ideas to try and survive.Delete
- ZakblueJanuary 4, 2013 at 5:58 AM
If attacking the wolf with fists is all you have available then it's better than laying over and getting killed by it - maybe it might scare the wolf off? Have you been in that life threatening situation without a weapon? Maybe that was the point - they didn't know how to react?Delete
Agreed they were a bunch of dumb sheep except for Ottway but that's probably not far from the demographic in that line of work.
I dunno, i really think it works as a survival horror although not exactly a pleasurable watch.
Well I got all of that but it came off very silly and thinly written for me. I can certainly see why people would enjoy/like/appreciate the film but it really wasn't my cup of tea.Delete
Great review Sati. Neeson is out-standing here and gives probably one of his best performances that we have seen from him in a very long time. The rest of the film also works because there's not only this certain paranoia going on but even when the "action" comes, it's tense, brutal, and surprising.ReplyDelete
It's cool to hear a different perspective on this - I've mostly been reading positive reviews. I've missed it in cinemas already, so I may borrow the DVD. Maybe. Perhaps.ReplyDelete
Great review!
This movie is quite polarizing, seems like every day someone would be telling me about this movie w/ varied response. I'm not that interested in it, to be honest and your review confirmed my dread.ReplyDelete
Btw, totally agree w/ your first paragraph. I think bad movies actually could be entertaining but mediocre ones, not so much.
Loved your review! Though this clearly wasn't your intention ...I now have to see this.ReplyDelete
Lots of Boos, for sure.
Personally i loved the movie, but i guess it didn't work for you. But with that said, when i found out there was a after credit scene i was rather annoyed. For something like the Marvel movies that worked fine because you pretty much knew it was coming. But here i had no clue about itReplyDelete
See I am totally with oyu on this one. Loads of my friends loved this film but I found it a little tame and boring, and the ending did my head in!!ReplyDelete
And here I thought this one might not be half bad. By your rating it's half bad, and then some!ReplyDelete
Still, Liam Neeson is maintaining his standing as a bad ass.
Interesting! I liked it more than you did. I suppose it is mediocre but also this is a film to me that is far better than it should be. It's really stayed with me too. Particularly that little poem. And I loved the ending. But yeah the characters were dumb and some of it was dreadfully predictable so I can understand your response.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousJuly 10, 2012 at 2:43 PM
"Fifty shades of mediocrity" - that was a good line! It made me smile. Nice review, this just confirmed my view that I really don't think I can be bothered to sit through The Grey.ReplyDelete
I agree with the concept that sometimes it's better to see a bad movie than a mediocre one. Sometimes I'm more upset after seeing something totally average than something bad.ReplyDelete
I might be watching this film someday, but I have a problem with snowy films. I don't know why but they make me feel dull even before I start watching them. And if you say that it's silly, then it's probably is, so...Replies
Me too, I really dislike mediocre movies. I don't feel as there is enough passion in me to even bother reviewing them.Delete
Huh I guess there is something to it. For me it's the submarine movies. I don't know why but when I see the inside of one I'm like "zzz".
This was not the film I thought it was going to be, when I started watching it. I was expecting a lot more action and less cry babies out in the woods. I like my Neeson to be a bit more angry and filled with rage than in this film. Spot on about those wolves, that teddy bear Ted looked more realistic.ReplyDelete
I couldn't agree more with everything you said. Other than mine, I think your review is the only other moderately negative review of this movie that I've seen. Just didn't do it for me.ReplyDelete
Totally agree Sati. I wasn't a fan of this movie myself. The movie could easily have done without the stupid wolves if it wanted to be more of a philosophical piece. Or it could have done without the superficial "search for meaning" BS altogether and focused on the action. But not halfway of both.ReplyDelete
The wolves behavior was totally unrealistic and ridiculous plot sticking points like (the wolves will attack anything within 30 miles of their den) made it nearly unbearable.
Terrible flick.


text:
Effectiveness of monetary policy tools in countering inflation in Kenya
Cheruiyot, John K
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The effect of monetary policy actions affects the general levels of retail prices prevailing in the Country from time to time. Through its monetary policy tools the Government of Kenya is able to control the levels of inflation reported in Kenya. The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), like most other central banks around the world, is entrusted with the responsibility of formulating and implementing monetary policy directed at achieving and maintaining low inflation as one of its two principal objectives; the other being to maintain a sound market-based financial system. This study set to establish the effectiveness of monetary policy tools in countering inflation in Kenya. The study employed correlational research design. The study used time series empirical data on the variables to describe and examine the effectiveness of monetary policy tools in countering inflation in Kenya by establishing correlation coefficients between the inflation and the monetary policy tools. The study used secondary data on the Consumer Price Index for inflation, 91-day Treasury bill rate, exchange rate, money supply (M3) and repo rate. The analyses entailed the computation of the various coefficients of correlation denoted as in the model to determine the effectiveness of monetary policy tools in countering inflation in Kenya. The study established that inflation and the money supply were positively correlate with each other. As money supply circulating around the economy increases inflation also increases. An increase in money supply leads to people spending the excess of their money supply over money demand. The study also established that exchange rate policyhas an important role in reducing or minimizing the risk of fluctuations in exchange rates, which will have an impact on the economy. Any changes in exchange rates will have a great impact on the economy. The study recommends that the policy makers need to keenly consider the levels of money supply in Kenya so as to ensure a stable retail price levels. The study also recommends that the Government evaluate the prevailing levels of retail prices and set the interest rates on the 91-day Treasury bills because they are majorly treated as risk free rate hence determine other interest rates and inflation levels in Kenya.


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Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Star Trek TOS on HD
I have some free evenings this week, and a backlog of Netflix movies, so I finally got around to watching some of them. Last night I watched one of the Star Trek discs. As a big fan of this series as a kid I was very pleased with what CBS has produced for HD DVD. Not only have they cleaned up the video and CGI, but the PiP was awesome! I turned on the Starfleet control option which automatically put additional information on the screen at appropriate spots. The commentary was very educational and fun. I really hope to pick up this box set if there is a fire sale on HD DVD discs.
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In order to make it a functional and comfortable space, the office kitchen must include some useful appliances that will enable you and your employees or coworkers to enjoy spending time at the office. Here is a list of the appliances that every office kitchen must be equipped with in order to become a proper place for a lunch break.
You can't have an office kitchen without a coffeemaker that will help you and your coworkers wake up in the morning and have a fresh start for the day. Choose a classical version that brews coffee the traditional way using either ground coffee or beans that it grinds before brewing. This model from KitchenAid that features a programmable timer can brew 12 cups at a time, making it a great addition to an office kitchen, for only $69.
Any kitchen must have a refrigerator that will keep the food fresh all year round and the beverages cool during the summer. Your office kitchen might not be as large as a regular kitchen so a small size refrigerator will be the perfect addition. Depending on the number of employees that will be using the fridge, opt for either a 1.6 cu. ft. or a 3.2. cu. ft model that will offer you the necessary refrigerating space. The RCA Igloo model is a great choice for an office as it's compact while spacious enough to meet the needs of people working in the same place. It has a low consumption, it's easy to clean, and it features an adjustable thermostat to set the desired inside temperature. Plus, it only costs $154.
Another must-have appliance for your office kitchen is the microwave oven that will allow your coworkers to prepare or to reheat their meals. You can also opt for a compact version that doesn't necessary have to include a wide range of features but it must be reliable and durable enough to last in intense use. The Kenmore 73093 is a good option because it's small, easy to use and clean, boasts a stylish design and offers all the necessary cooking options at a reasonable price of $100.
If space allows you, equip your office kitchen with a compact dishwasher such as a counter or a drawer model. This type of dishwasher offers all the benefits of a full-size version with the added advantage that it saves space. With this appliance, you will avoid having the sink full of dirty dishes and you will also save water while washing the dishes. You can opt for the SPT model that is space-saving, economical, stylish and comes with 6 washing cycles for the price of only $220.
coffee maker, dishwasher, microwave, office kitchen, refrigerator


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Extrude Hone serves customers in many market segments, including automotive, aerospace, heavy industry, medical, and general engineering. From engineering to fully automated solutions, Extrude Hone supports its customers with edge blending, shaping and fine-flow tuning surfacing solutions through its engineered processes and state-of-the-art finishing technologies, delivering ultimate added value, and improving productivity and quality.
Extrude Hone offers customers access to Abrasive Flow Machining, Electrochemical Machining (ECM), Dynamic ECM, Precise ECM, and Thermal Energy Method via our Technical Centers / Contract Shops, ensuring our presence during all of the most critical feasibility tests and demonstrations – from the early design phases by producing, prototyping through testing, and supporting the ramping stage in our contract shops prior to the final delivery of state-of-the-art equipment. Our company offers first-class service around the world.
Extrude Hone's COOLPULSE technology for surface finishing provides an economical way of processing and refining the rough surface finishes found on metal 3D-printed parts.
Like ECM, COOLPULSE follows the principles of anodic metal dissolution but can be applied in two ways. The first method is Bath technology, in which the part is placed between two metal plates. The method is easy to setup and a flexible way to micro-deburr parts without much dedicated tooling.
The second method, Tooling technology, uses a dedicated cathode which mirrors the part geometry. This method enables improving the external and internal surface finish while removing defects from support structures simultaneously. Depending on the surface finish requirements, the Tooling method can either use a simple setup tooling, assembled with standard parts of a toolkit, or a specifically designed cathode produced on a metal 3D printer.
Copyright 2017 © a2z, Inc. All rights reserved.


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Kodak Case Analysis
Branding Strategy
Professor: Grace Zimmerman
Case: Eastman Kodak
Kodak as a brand had a Unit market share of 70% in a market of 670 million film rolls produced annually. I assume that Kodak Ektar accounted for 30% of the 70%, which equals to 21% of the whole market share, also equals to 140.7 million sales. The revenue can be calculated by multiplying this sales number by retail price, which is $600.79 million. Given the gross margin of 70%, the cost of each roll, $1.28, can be calculated.
Kodak Royal Gold, which was designed to replace Kodak Ektar, was priced at a 9% premium over Gold Plus to traders. The brand equity will have less value because of the decrease of the market value. Assuming the sales number unchanged, and the cost stays the same, the decreased price will generate only $535.24 million revenue. And gross margin will be decreased to 66%.
To keep the revenue, assuming the cost will not change, the roll sales should be increased to 157.9 million. Then the unit market share will be increased to 23.6% if the market size keeps the same as 670 million.
Kodak Funtime, which was planned to represent the Economy brand tier, was priced at 20% below Gold Plus. This strategy will further decrease the brand equity although the Funtime is only available with a limited quantity. By calculating in the same way of calculating Royal Gold, assuming the sales of Gold Plus will keep unchanged of total 328.3 million (49% of market share) but spitted into the Funtime sales and the non-funtime sales, the revenue will be $1031.19 million in total, comparing with the revenue before Funtime strategy of $1145.77 million. The gross margin will also be reduced to 63%.
To pursue the same revenue, assuming the cost will not change, the roll sales should be increased to 205.2 million. Then the unit market share will be increased to 55.1% totally for Gold Plus if the market size keeps the same as 670 million. But since Funtime will be only...
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When friends, family, and passersby see your home, they immediately notice your siding. If your home looks a little tired and outdated, you can breathe life into your exterior by installing new Memphis vinyl siding. Instead of trying to do it yourself, you should find a trusted local home improvement company like Marshall Brothers Home Improvement. Since we started serving the area in 2011, we have earned an A+ rating from the BBB for our commitment to service, and we would love to continue our tradition of customer satisfaction with your next project.
As experienced Mid-South vinyl siding installers, the experts at Marshall Brothers can provide you with a beautiful home exterior. To ensure your satisfaction, we involve you throughout the entire process from choosing the right fit for your goals and budget to the completed vinyl siding installation. We even offer replacement vinyl siding as a solution for damaged or faded spots on your home. Regardless of your reason for choosing our siding products, you can enjoy the following benefits:
Come to Marshall Brothers to learn more about all of the siding options we have to offer. You can call us with any questions or simply fill out our online form to request your free quote today!
Contact us today to receive a free, no-obligation estimate. We'll come to your home and provide an accurate quote for your next home improvement project!
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Cheryl Cole returns to 'X Factor'July 26th, 2010 - 3:50 pm ICT by ANI
London, July 26 (ANI): Cheryl Cole is set to make a comeback on reality show 'X Factor' after beating malaria.
She would start shooting for the show again after making an amazing recovery from the potentially lethal bug.
"Cheryl loves the show and is desperate to get back to work," the Daily Star quoted a source as saying.
"She's under doctor's orders to take it easy. But it's a big step that she's back on board," said the source.
The 'Girls Aloud' babe was forced to pull out of the final auditions and boot camp stage due to her health. But she hopes to return full time for the 'Judges' Houses' stage next month.
A pal said: "She has put all her energy into getting better and it's paid off. Simon has told her he can't wait to have her back." (ANI)
- Cheryl Cole returning to 'X-Factor' - Jul 26, 2010
- Cheryl Cole starts working on her solo album - Aug 11, 2010
- Fans accuse Cheryl Cole of choosing two worst singers for 'X Factor' finals - Oct 04, 2010
- Cheryl Cole 'incredibly happy' with beau - Aug 13, 2010
- Cheryl Cole's exhausting schedule - Jul 03, 2010
- Cheryl Cole 'moving to US with beau Derek Hough' - Sep 05, 2010
- Malaria-stricken Cheryl Cole 'to take nurse to 'X Factor' - Jul 25, 2010
- Cheryl Cole's pals worry as love-split anniversary nears - Feb 07, 2011
- Cheryl to host Simon's pop show? - Jan 19, 2012
- Cheryl Cole not reverting to original surname, Tweedy - Jun 27, 2010
- Cheryl Cole thinks that she is too big for UK's X-Factor - Mar 09, 2011
- Cheryl Cole contracts malaria - Jul 06, 2010
- Pals fear Cheryl may reunite with Ashley - Jan 31, 2011
- Will.i.am: 'Cheryl Cole will not return to X-factor' - Jan 27, 2012
- Cheryl Cole warns Tulisa - Sep 28, 2011
Tags: auditions, babe, boot camp, cheryl cole, daily star, full time, girls, Health Science, london, malaria, reality show, show x, x factor


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Founder and Publisher who immigrated from Australia.
Under God
Editorial — Angus MacDonald
This essay was published in December 2005. Angus MacDonald founded The St. Croix Review in February 1968. This December 2017 issue of The St. Croix Review marks the completion of 50 years of publishing.
The true fortitude of the sage places honor not in glory but in conduct, and aspires to be first in deed rather than in name. —Marcus Cicero
We have those who would remove the Ten Commandments from public places, deny the use of prayer in public schools, pressure us to remove "In God We Trust" from our coins, and delete from the pledge of allegiance "Under God." They deny a large and, some would say, the most important part of our heritage and would usher in chaos. If God is not supreme, who is?
A few years ago my dentist asked me to officiate at his wedding. I was glad to do so even when he told me he was an atheist. As a matter of fact I was pleased and flattered. He felt he could be honest. My comment was that discussion of God had to begin with understanding what we mean by the word.
God is that than which there is no greater, and the definition we give of God is determined by what we consider to be the greatest. For many people, money is that than which there is no greater. For some, God is defined by sex, or power, or business, or golf. Nobler objects of worship are families, help to those in need, scholarship. People do not lack a belief in God. Their definition of God is inadequate.
No society has been without a belief in God, but they have had trouble defining what they mean by the word. The most common definition says God is that which created the world. The simplest societies defined God in this way and are referred to as animists. It is easy to define God as the creator because creation is an enormous fact to which we must be obedient. The problem with this definition is that the world is a splendid beast, but is not the heavenly father we want God to be — our help in trouble, that which claims our souls for holiness.
God has been defined historically in two ways: in terms of natural law and as an inner response of the soul.
Theories of natural law come to us from the writings of Rome and Greece and Jewish and Christian teaching. There is a law common to all men, in conformity with nature, which commends what is good and condemns what is bad. Men deviate from what they know is good, but they know they deviate. In our pornographic society, when television and print are committed to vulgarity, all but beasts know there is a dignity that is lost. In response to present evil, there are those who condemn vulgarity and call for holiness.
They respond to a natural law written in the human heart to which all pay homage — Asian, European, African. This natural law is universal and immutable.
In our European tradition, the natural law is detailed in the Ten Commandments:
"Thou shall not kill. Thou shall not commit adultery. Thou shall not steal. Thou shall not bear false witness."
These truths are acknowledged in all societies save the brutish and unstable. Jesus of Nazareth was crucified because he detested and rebelled against hypocrisy and because he taught goodness with simplicity and gave practical illustrations. His world rejected decency and is condemned for all time. He proved there is a distinction between good and evil.
I suppose there are writers who believe we can survive without values, but they must be mad. The best writers call us to God. They may not use that word, but that is what they mean and what we need if they and we are to preserve our reason.
Some years ago I saw a television program that portrayed a lovely lady who lived on some island in the Pacific. You could tell from her face she was saintly because she radiated something special, different from Hollywood glamour. Her life was committed to God's will and the doing of what was right. Who was the God this innocent person worshipped? He was the immense rock in the sand, just feet away from the ocean. She prayed to this rock, asked for guidance, and obeyed the instructions that came to her.
She was an ignorant fool? No. In her simplicity the rock was an instrument for righteousness, a vehicle to godliness to which she was obedient. We need such a rock, and so does the United States. If we do not, we shall fall into chaos. *
"The real measure of your wealth is how much you'd be worth if you lost all your money." —Bernard Meltzer
What Is Religion?
Angus MacDonald
Angus MacDonald published this editorial in April, 2002. Angus died in December, 2011.
No society ever existed without a religion, but we are not sure what religion is. There are at least nine major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism, Shintoism, and the ones we know chiefly — Judaism, Islam, and Christianity; but there have been scores of others that arose because of fear, fear of death, and the unknown. People avoided the unknown and secured good fortune by prayers to spirits in the winds, which blew good and bad luck. Everything had a soul because everything teemed with life — mountains, rivers, rocks, trees, sun, moon, and stars. (Our modern environmentalists and our romantic poets would be comfortable with ancient animists.) People dreamed, and the dreams were so real they believed the objects of their dreams existed as ghosts, or their fathers and mothers and other loved ones lived in another world and watched over them. They prayed to their ancestors and left food for them. This is how religion began.
How did people outgrow primitivism? They became agriculturists and then they gathered in cities. They had to live together without fighting; traditions of civility became necessary. One clan had to protect itself from another clan; cooperation between clans made people think of war and peace. Marriage and sex and parental concern demanded rules of behavior. How could one keep what he earned, or protect home, land, and possessions and pass them on to others? Some were aggressive and refused to obey rules and traditions. Punishment, law, police, armies arose to insist on rules.
As people gathered in cities they founded little industries that brought comfort, protection, and some luxuries. Traders met traders from distant lands, so that intelligence was sharpened. Because of wealth, or choice if they had no wealth, some gave up making a living by trade or commerce and discussed life; producing in time science, philosophy, art, and literature. This led to a religion without superstition that would tame passions and lead to peace and prosperity. Religion came into being to protect morals and create necessary rules and regulations. The function of religion was not to invent morals and traditions but to present them to the public so there would be peace and good order. The function of religion was and is to preserve good morals.
In the sixth century before Christ, Confucius observed the moral chaos of his time where people did not know the difference between right and wrong. He said that the remedy was a moral regeneration based on family life and this would be achieved more quickly if leaders set a good example. Proper conduct would pour down on the people. Confucius was made a magistrate of a small town, and under his leadership dishonesty was ashamed to raise its head, good faith was common, and women were chaste.
About the same time as Confucius, Buddha taught that people must govern themselves with decent principles. The good man did not kill any living thing, never stole what belonged to another, never spoke falsely, never drank intoxicants, and was chaste. Repressing desire, and becoming lost in the mystery of life, the faithful Buddhist would die in peace and quietly disappear into nirvana.
The Christian tradition was odd; growing from a tradition of one who was gentle, wrote nothing, and did little of consequence in his lifetime. His influence was so great that Rome fell before it. The greatest power in the world collapsed under the gentle Jesus. His disciples built an organization greater than that of the Roman Empire, or any other empire, and lives in our day. In the history of the Christian church, the strands of gentleness and intolerance have been interwoven so that evil has been mixed with good, yet even in times of un-Christian behavior, the person of Jesus rose above the church.
Religion is how we behave, but we talk more than we do. We cannot help but make theories; but when we elevate theory to a level that we forget why we have theories, religion is replaced by theology; or practice is replaced by theory. We can easily criticize the church for its faults with its liturgy and unfathomable dogmas; but we are not to forget that the church led its faithful during dreadful days of poverty and war; holding them together, giving them something to believe, solace, a world of beauty and hope that was in stark contrast with the world about them. In the midst of barbarism and a cruel hardness, when the institution of the church was far from perfect, the influence of the gentle Jesus tempered cruelty and brought traditions of chivalry. It elevated women to more than chattel property. In the late medieval age, Will Durant said:
"Europe achieved for a century that international morality for which it prays and struggles today — a law that shall raise states out of their jungle code, and free the energies of men for the battles and victories of peace" —The Story of Civilization, IV, 844.
What, then, is religion? Religion is the sum total of our behavior, good or bad. Religion is the attitude that we bring to the world. Religion is our ultimate concern, the grasp on us of what is holy, absolute, gives direction, meaning, and depth to what we do. Religion is the reaction of conscience to what we face. Religion is our reaction to a sense of right and wrong so that, aroused by evil, we do something about it. Religion becomes alive when we act. That religion is universal is proved by the fact that everyone has a conscience and recognizes a difference between good and bad, right and wrong.
Obviously, not all religions are reputable. Islam in our day, as it is expressed before the world, is barbaric because it is cruel and hateful. It teaches hate. That is the end of the matter. Notwithstanding Muslims say their religion is of peace, it includes cruelty. The Koran is the word of God. Nonsense. The Koran was written by a man who was imperfect, by his own confession, and must be modified by improved conscience. There was a time when the Bible was held to be the literal word of God. That, also, is not true. The Bible was written by men who were children of their time. Much of what they said was and is of worth, but not all they said is of worth. Read the Psalms. We must make distinctions. Today in Afghanistan the rulers in Kabul continue to amputate the hands of those who steal, and kill adulterers, because that is what the Koran demands. If that is what the Koran demands, it must not be followed.
What are the responsibilities of Christians today? The responsibilities of Christians today are to preach the traditional moral values of that faith in the context of a society that restricts that teaching on the public level. Christian teaching is forbidden in schools or public places because of the separation of Church and State. That doctrine is no part of the U.S. Constitution. The U.S. Constitution says:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
A religion is established by the state when the state regulates the structure and doctrine of the church, and the state pays the expenses of the church. That is what establishment of religion has always meant. To argue that cadets at the Virginia Military Academy cannot say grace before a meal because it presumes the establishment of a church is nonsense and contrary to several hundred years of tradition. So is it nonsense for the State of Ohio to refuse to use the word "God" in its constitution because that is an infringement on the meaning of the first amendment. So is it nonsense to forbid having a nativity scene on church property. And so on with many restrictions of the Christian tradition. We are not supposed to say in public "In God We Trust," though that is minted on our coins.
The reason for such decisions is that those proposing these changes do not believe in the Christian faith, or in any faith, but insist on the dominance of what they believe, whatever that is. They will not permit freedom of belief to those different from themselves. To say others can believe in private what they believe but not confess their faith in public places is contrary to secularist practice: Secularists insist on domination in public for their point of view.
The point of view of the dominant culture is illustrated by permission to sell or give condoms to children of primary school age. It is permissible to teach God is dead, that St. Paul was a homosexual, have a Christian symbol in a vase of urine, all in public places, in the name of freedom of speech and religion; but it is not permissible for Christians to gather for prayer after school, not in school, but after school. Not only are Christians forbidden to express their faith, but the movement is advancing to forbid the teaching of American history in public schools. New Jersey is rewriting textbooks that do not speak of Washington, Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin. Political correctness is defaming the country and repudiating both Christian and American beliefs.
The function of the church and of religion is to preach the faith. Rather than submit to the demands for silence in public places, rather than absorb the political correctness of society, it must preach the sacred message. Vulgarity is now common in humor and casual conversation, not by the so-called lower classes, but by those who think themselves elite. There is something wrong with a society when a six-year-old shoots another six-year-old, when high schools harbor murderers and have police patrol the corridors. It seems as though we are a culture of violence and corruption. We are not of course, and these dreadful actions are by the sick minority. Television gives the wrong impression. We must not allow television to create evil or permit television to be our only preachers. The church must create an environment where evil is confronted and righteousness proclaimed. President Bush makes a distinction between good and evil, right and wrong. So must the church preach the distinction between right and wrong, good and evil. Is the church silent because it is afraid of being demonized by the secularists? In more than twenty-five years in the same church, I recall a preacher referring in passing to "these filthy programs on television," but this expression of moral outrage was given only once in my recollection.
Perhaps we are too hard on the church. I grew up in a congregation of unlettered faithful and our preachers were not much better educated, but there was a sense of right and wrong that was known to each member of the church. Whatever the personal lives of the people might have been, they knew the meaning of proper behavior. They absorbed a culture formed by those who went before. We must do the same for our children, not only in our personal lives but in the institutions we create.
At the moment, the church is absorbed in piety; that is not enough. There is beauty and moral instruction in the liturgy of the church, but piety alone can be an escape from our obligation to state clearly the moral principles we must observe in daily practice. We can raise liturgy and traditional practice to such an elevation that we become cowards, letting tradition replace courage. When St. Paul was converted, he became a new man, a doer. The new law by which he lived was appropriate action. Meister Eckhart, a famous mystic of the 14th century, was as distinguished for his practical work as much as his persuasive preaching. In contemplation, he said, one serves himself, but in deeds he serves others. Goethe said that knowledge that does not lead to action is vain and poisonous. St. Francis taught that a man has only so much knowledge as he puts to work.
The church must speak of the family, character, freedom, honesty, responsibility, marriage, divorce, homosexuality, abortion, and the sacredness of life. We talk of justice because that is politically correct, but it is not justice we speak of most of the time but a fathering of racism that lowers blacks in their self-esteem. Marriage between a man and a woman, we are told by those who are politically correct, is only one alternative with homosexuality and lesbianism. This is taught in our schools, undermining the sacredness of the family. Homosexuality and lesbianism are not the norm. We should say so. There is room in society for some to live with differently, but we are not to agree with them that their choice is of equal with the traditional family. Man and Woman God Made Them, and They Shall Be One Flesh.
"The ancient Stoics were in the same ignorance as seekers today who are no longer Christian. They had no authoritarian revelation, no word of God to teach them the nature of the world in which they found themselves, no divine code of laws to tell them what to do. They looked about and beheld sorrow, disease, old age, maladjustments of all sorts, wars between states, civil strife, contentions among neighbors, earthquakes, and tempests. Such was the world then; it is not very different now" —Things that Count, H. D. Sedgwick, p. 29. *
The Founding Editorial
Angus MacDonald
Angus MacDonald founded The St. Croix Review in February, 1968. This essay is his first editorial in volume1, number 1.
With this issue, we are offering another magazine to the American public. Because there are many excellent magazines, such a venture can be undertaken only if there is a clear and urgent need.
The hope is to clarify the religious bases of society. Our belief is that few magazines are speaking to the true heart of America. On the one hand are the so-called liberal magazines distributed by the large denominational publishing houses. These are not sure of what they believe in religion, having turned to politics as a substitute for the traditional expressions of our faith. For example, it was once thought that the best way to improve the circumstances of the poor was to bring the gospel to them. People were encouraged to have a strong faith in themselves and in God, and they were encouraged to be the best men and women they were capable of being. If they lacked ambition, they were counseled to be clean and to be happy. Poverty being no disgrace, indeed, being thought for the greater part of the Christian tradition to be one of the greatest virtues, the poor were taught to be virtuous. Now, the goal of the journals published by the major denominations is to counsel the poor to seize what they consider desirable. There is an advocacy of revolution. Religious leaders, calling themselves "churchmen," are of the opinion that the ills of society will be cured by political legislation rather than by counsels of individual worthiness. Some of us remain of the opinion that we should be Christian, each one of us, rich and poor alike, and that this preachment offers the only real blessing. "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well." We shall serve those who are interested in preserving traditions of individual responsibility.
With their commitment to political revolution and with a lack of clarity in what they believe, except in political actions, liberal journals are horrendously inadequate. So, I fear are most of the conservative journals. These latter are sound in their instincts. They desire to preserve our heritage. They believe in the efficacy of the Christian faith rather than in a churchly power structure that will be able to coerce the government or any dissident individual. The limitation of the conservative journals is that they react to present evils so strongly that they fail to engage the liberals on their own terms. They oppose to the authority of the church institution and the government the authority of the Bible. They say that if the Bible is not accepted as the ultimate authority we are left with only the authority of men, either in church or state, and the end is either case is dictatorship. Much is to be said for this position, it being a hundred times sounder than the position of the liberals. The fact is, however, that Americans do not desire to submit either to the authority of the church, the government, or the Bible. Americans won't believe something because it is in the Bible; they insist that it be obviously true. Americans demand freedom and intelligence.
We are being confronted with two distasteful choices: either we shall accept the liberal premises and advance a totalitarian state, or we shall be conservatives and run the danger of religious fanaticism.
Americans are confused and lonely. They dislike what is happening to their country and to their churches, but they are unable to find an expression of their true beliefs. The faith is present, but it lies hidden, implicit, waiting for someone to bring it forth and put it in clear words. We shall address ourselves to this task, believing that the need is urgent. Various men of national repute will write for the paper: Howard F. Kershner, Russell Kirk, William F. Rickenbacker, Samuel J. Mikolaski, Edmund A. Opitz, Irving E. Howard. The editor will use the space allotted to him as circumstances suggest what is wise. He may submit articles as illustrations of one man's attempt to express the fundamental relevance of our Christian faith. He may comment on the passing scene, if he has something to say that is not being said in other journals. Having spent much energy over many years in the pursuit of religious literature that is sensible, and believing that an acquaintance with sound religious classics is uncommon, he may name and discuss important books that must be kept in print. How well known, for example, is Irving Babbitt's Rosseau and Romanticism, yet this fertile book is basic as a critique of style, in understanding the nature of imagination, and as an analysis of our intellectual heritage. This book, in the judgment of the editor, illustrates the type of thinking to which religion must return if it hopes to contribute toward the preservation of civilization.
We solicit your support. We believe that our country is in need of a journal such as the one we are launching.


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APIIT student, Suriadi Lim, has completed his Bachelor of Information Technology degree at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Australia.
Suriadi was then enrolled as a member of the Golden Key International Honours Society. This is an opportunity by invitation and is awarded to students who are amongst the top 15% in their academic performances. It opens up many opportunities for future employment, networking and scholarships. (Visit www.goldenkey.org)
Suriadi commenced his honours degree study on a scholarship awarded by IBM. His project will be closely linked to researching federated identity management within IBM and he will thus be visiting IBM in Australia's Gold Coast frequently, giving him the opportunity to work with and learn from leading-edge professionals in a world renowned organisation. He also stands high chance for a permanent job offer at the end of the project.
Suriadi certainly is a good example of APIIT's philosophy, "Gets you started, keeps you going, takes you further".
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I was going to black out my address, but if you want to send me mail, then I won't deny you. Love that she added a couple drawings of characters from her book. I love getting drawings in the mail!
If you want to find out more about "The Vengeful Half" or any of Jaclyn's other books then check out her blog here: http://jaclyndolamore.blogspot.ca/
Also be sure to follow her on Twitter! I've been following her since the beginning of time and she always has something interesting to say: @jackiedolamore


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Personalized Metallic Foil Notebook Favors - Wedding. Today is the day that you and your other half get to share your love story with friends and family. After a beautiful ceremony and a joyful reception, your guests can keep the memories alive with these glamorous Gold & Silver Metallic Foil Wedding Personalized Notebook Favors. Each white notebook contains blank sheets of paper and a pen that also serves as a handy way to keep the notebooks sealed when stored in purses and pockets along with stunning metallic labels. These practical favors make a great thank you gift as well as a memorable keepsake that guests can use to write their own love stories! Price includes notebook with pad, pen and personalization. Notebooks arrive separately from the labels. Some assembly required: affixing labels to notebooks. Due the personalization for this product, the suggested order is 24. Size: 3.25" x 4.25" Max. Characters per line (including spaces): Line 1: 14 CharactersLine 2: 16 CharactersLine 3: 16 Characters
- Price: 1.80 - In stock
- Brand: Event Blossom
- Gtin12: 840913100332


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Countdown to euphoria
BY LARRY McSHANE DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Monday, December 29th 2008, 10:45 PM
Related News
time to have a ball on New Year's
This is one celebration you can set
your watch by.
The annual New Year's Eve bash in Times Square peaks
with a worldwide television audience of 1 billion counting down the seconds
until 2009 arrives exactly at midnight.
With no room for error, organizers
spend the other 364 days of the year making sure everything runs like clockwork
when New
York rings out the old and rings in the new.
"People think I only work
one day a year," said Countdown Entertainment head Jeff Straus. "Actually,
January is my second-busiest month."
Revelers will enjoy a new twist with
their "Auld Lang Syne" this year: A high-tech, supersize ball will drop down
from One Times Square, replacing the previous incarnation.
Live performances
in Times Square were planned by Ludacris, Taylor Swift, Lionel Richie and the Jonas
The bottom line: These are the numbers that add up to another
memorable New Year's celebration.
1: Ton of confetti dropped
40: Tons of trash collected last year
60: Seconds it
takes the New Year's Eve ball to descend
141: The height in feet
of the new mast holding the ball at One Times Square
1907: The
first year of the Times Square ball drop
1,875: Weight in pounds
of the New Year's Eve ball
2,668: Waterford
crystal triangles on the ball
32,256: LEDs (light-emitting
diodes) on the ball, triple the number from last year.
revelers expected.
$24.5 million: Estimated economic boost in and
around Times Square.
If you want to read more about the Waterford ball, click here.
life in and around NYC is insane
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Happy New Year!
a little bit about the NYC celebration -- I've never been
crazy stupid brave enough to go.
Posted by songbird's crazy world at 10:34 AM
Labels: New Year's Eve, times square
2 comments:
- Suzanne said...
A friend is NYPD and he'd always work the Times Square detail each year. This year, he's enjoying vacation at his new home. Six months until retirement.
You couldn't pay me to be there. The stories he'd tell were most interesting!
- December 30, 2008 at 2:11 PM
- songbird's crazy world said...
LOL, I am sure. I used to have a friend, who -- when she had money to burn -- would book a room at the Marriot marquis, one with a view of the street, so that she could "be there" at ball drop, but without all the discomfort of hanging in the street for hours on end.
- December 30, 2008 at 2:35 PM
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- attacked by wild animals in my own kitchen!
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Khajjiar is a hill station, located around 23 km away from Dalhousie, in Himachal Pradesh. Situated at a height of 1960 meters above sea level, it is also fondly known as the Switzerland of India. The beauty of this place lies in the rolling fields, the imposing deodar fauna, cheerful rivers and its scenic grandeur.
Khajjiar is a lake noshed by the limitless brooks, which make the region more attractive and a perfect trekking destination. Its mesmerising beauty has greatly influenced and inspired many kingdoms throughout the years, which includes the Mughals and the Rajputs.
PC: wikipedia.org
A Peek Into History
It is connected to the leaders of Chamba. The regional Rajput rulers attacked Khajjiar in the 6th century and took over Khajjiar as their capital city. As time progressed the area fell into the hands of the Mughal Empire and later under various Sikh Empires.
The land is known for being spongy, owing to the thick development of a wildflower known as Vacha, over which dirt has shaped a thick level to the land. It is considered as one of the most appealing spots in the Himalayas.
The place gets its name from the golden shrine of Khajinag, which is dedicated to the mother goddess.
PC: wikipedia.org
How To Get There
Khajjiar is located at a distance of 24 km away from Dalhousie, 595 km away from Delhi and 360 km from Chandigarh. There are ample buses that operate from Delhi and Chandigarh to Khajjiar.
The nearest railway station is at Pathankot, which is 105 km away.
PC: wikipedia.org
Best Time To Visit
It can be visited throughout the year. The months of January and February can be quite chilly and it receives snowfall occasionally. The roads during winters tend to get blocked due to the heavy snowfall.
From March to July the temperatures remain moderate and is also the best time to go around the place.
PC: wikipedia.org
Places To See
1. Khajjiar Lake and Ground
The lake is located in a huge grassy landscape, with evergreen cedar trees surrounding it from all sides. The lake has considerably shrunk over the years and is now almost on the verge of extinction.
2. Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary
The wildlife sanctuary is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Animals like leopard, bear, deer, langur, jackal, Himalayan black marten, barking goral and various varieties of birds can be seen here.
The sanctuary was known as a gaming reserve to the Chamba rulers. The area is a favorite destination for trekkers and the naturewalkers. It is open every day to visitors from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
3. Khajji Nag Temple
The temple was built in 12th century AD, located near the lake and believed to be one of the holiest shrines in Himachal Pradesh. The temple has a mantap, where you can see the hanging images of Kauravas along with the Pandavas.
The temple has mixed style of architecture with influences of both Hindu and Muslim styles. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
PC: wikipedia.org
4. Kailash View
If you stand on the Khajjiar ground, one can catch glimpses of the Mount Kailash, which believed to be the holy abode of Lord Shiva.
5. Panch Pandav Tree
A popular tree in the ground of Khajjiar, which is famous for its shoots. One can notice that this particular tree has 6 shoots coming out of the tree, however, the shoots and the main root, is the same tree.
Local people say the five shoots represent the Pandavas and the sixth one, Draupadi.
6. Golden Devi Temple
The temple is located on the edge of the lake. It is popular because of its golden spire which attracts many tourists.
Food And Accommodation
There are a few hotels and cottages run by Himachal Tourism, also a number of guest houses.
The choices of food are very limited, there are a few restaurants which serve Indian food. The resorts and lodges offer more variety. Apart from these, one can try out small street joints that serve noodles and soup.


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Villa Bliveria
Villa with 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms and private pool in Skrivena Luka, Croatia
From £4,697 per week
Villa to rent in Skrivena Luka, Croatia
Featured in The Times '50 Best Villas in the Med' 2017Villa Bliveria is a sleek modern villa that accommodates up to 8 guests in the heavenly seclusion of Porto Rosso, on Lastovo.
Share this holiday home
Villa overview - owner's description
Featured in The Times '50 Best Villas in the Med' 2017
Villa Bliveria is a sleek modern villa that accommodates up to 8 guests in the heavenly seclusion of Porto Rosso, on Lastovo, the sunniest of all the Croatian islands. This property can also be rented with Villa Capan next door, both offering modern open plan living that flows right out through the terrace and into a natural bay that is sheltered from the air currents of the open sea, maintaining a tranquil stillness.
Completed in 2014, this property holds private access to the beach and a mooring on the warm Mediterranean waters, making it the perfect base from which to explore the 45 surrounding islands and the Croatian coastline. Alternatively, you can stay on the property and appreciate the focus on outdoor living, with huge slide-away doors that open onto a private hydro-massage swimming pool, and a terrace with deck chairs and dining table. All of these spaces are pleasantly afforded ample shade thanks to the carefully considered architecture of the house.
The villa houses a fully equipped kitchen and has the benefit of secure, off-road parking where there is a small car for guests to use free of charge. This mountainous island is well worth exploring, steeped in history dating back to medieval times and boasting a rare selection wildlife and natural beauty that forms part of a protected nature park. Lastovo is also revered for the richest fishing waters in the Adriatic Sea and combined with a great local wine industry you can be sure there are some special gastronomic experiences to be discovered!
There is also a private dock/jetty in the front of Villa Bliveria for mooring small boats and for swimming.
A Kia Cee'd available to guests free of charge, but it's also possible upgrade to a Suzuki Swift for €70 per day (payable locally), please ask our concierge team for further details.
Ground Floor
- Large sliding glass walls open to a light and airy living room space that creates a transparency between inside and out.
- Fully equipped kitchen with pantry and dining room for 8.
- Double bedroom with en-suit bathroom
First Floor
- An elegant staircase leads to a communal hall area with TV and sofa.
- 2 double bedrooms with en-suit bathroom and terrace area from which to enjoy the views of the turquoise sea and the island greenery.
Second Floor
- The second floor holds a snug gallery with double bed and en-suit shower and bath.
- Overflow swimming people (25 m²) with hydro-massage system.
- Plenty of sun loungers and an outside dining table that seats 6.
- Large stone grill
Lastovo, With its 46 small islands, 46 churches and chapels, 46 vineyards and surrounding sandbanks, Lastovo is a heaven for lovers of nature, sailing, good food, wine and angling. By the number of sunny days, Lastovo stands for the sunniest island of Croatia.
The village of Lastovo is located on the top of the hill on the northern edge of the Island. Being the largest settlement on the island, there about 900 inhabitants. The island is only 9.8km in length and 5.8km in width.
Above Lastovo village there is the highest peak that houses their meteorological station. From that peak you can see panorama of the eastern part of the Lastovo island as well as the islets of Lastovci (Lastovo Archipelago) and the neighboring island of Korcula.
The island is filled with popular tourist centers situated in charming bays, most famous of which are Zaklopatica and Pasadur on the north coast, Skrivena Luka and Ubli on south coast and Lucica, small port underneath the town of Lastovo.
Skrivena Luka, meaning "Hidden Harbor/Bay" is located on the southern shore of the island. It is a village and small bay on the southern coast of the island of Lastovo. The bay is also known as "Portorus" (Porto Rosso) . Porto Rosso, Lastovo is so secluded that it is not possible to see it from the open seas, it also provides a good place to anchor, as it is sheltered from open sea and strong winds. Our villa is based here, only a stones throw from the sea!
Lastovo Village is an old medieval town with a long and interesting history, surrounded by mountains and forming a natural shape of amphitheater.
The Lastovo Archipelago was declared a nature park due to its mystic beauty, immense landscape value, thick forests and fertile fields rich with ponds, high coastal cliffs, land and sea caves, numerous rare sea and land species.It has a rich cultural and historical heritage – numerous stone churches and chapels, picturesque chimneys and the traditional Lastovo Carnival, but one must not forget local inhabitants, who prove that the coexistence of man and nature is possible with developed environmental awareness.
The island possesses all the basic characteristic of the Mediterranean climate; mild, humid winters and warm, long and dry summers. Lastovo is famous for its wine, once enjoyed by the Roman emperors. It has 46 fields with wine yards and olive-groves, and since the sea surrounding the island is the richest fishing area in the Adriatic, Lastovo truly offers a superb gastronomic experience.
Ferry conections to Island are:
Two times per day from Split Ferry
One time per day from Split speed boat (only passangers)
One time per day from Hvar speed boat (only passangers)
Three time per day ferry from Vela Luka harbour city Korcula ferry
One time per day from Vela Luka speed boat (only passengers)
From Dubrovnik and Mljet two times per week.
Seaplain two times per day from Split
This villa does not have any reviews but the agent has 10 reviews for their other properties.
This villa is:
Outside this villa in Skrivena Luka, CroatiaThis villa has a pool.
Prices and availability
Updated 2 January 2019
- Unavailable
- Your booking
- Available start/end date
Select your travel dates on the calendar
Changeover days and minimum stays
- 24 January 2019 - 2 January 2022: changeover day is Saturday and the minimum stay is 7 nights.
Refundable Breakage Deposit
£876.64 per booking, paid locally
4 bedrooms, Sleeps 8
5 bathrooms
Swimming pool
Private pool
Internet / WiFi, TV, Satellite / cable
Air conditioning
Suitable for


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History: For the first time, the Four Seasons brings its decades of quality hospitality to Seoul.
Location: The hotel enjoys an ideal position in Gwanghwamun district, in the very heart of the city.
Service: Guests will be delighted by the intuitive and comprehensive service, synonymous with the name that's trusted around the world.
Reflecting the unique city it sits in the center of, the Four Seasons in Seoul is a combination of traditional Korea and modern cool. Located in the central business district and yet within walking distance of the city's historic sites, it's the ideal choice for those traveling for work or pleasure. Fully equipped with a range of beautiful new facilities, guests may opt to stay in the hotel, making use of the pools, sauna and spa, not to mention state-of-the-art 3D golfing range. The rooms, studios and suites are decorated with chic design features and all the modern conveniences, providing a welcome retreat after a long day of leisure, meetings or sightseeing. Fine dining is available in the selection of on-site restaurants, serving delectable cuisine from Asia and beyond. Thanks to the expert chefs and the hotel's stylish bars, the hotel is a nightlife destination in itself and a go-to hotspot in Seoul.


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Welcome to the new edition of Novopay News
Screens for End of Year open next week - hopefully you are all ready and raring to go. The website has lots of helpful information, including the instructions, self-paced learning modules and the flyer with key dates.
This issue of Novopay News also has some information and tips for End of Year, including some help with managing occupancy end dates.
There's also information about our new school account management system and how you can access it and about a remediation we are correcting.
Mathew Gordon, Manager School Account Teams Education Payroll Limited
Back in July we told you we were moving to a new way of working with you - an account management model. We have now got the new model in place and all our payroll advisers are now working in this way.
The new model, where schools have a dedicated Payroll Advisor who deal with all their inquiries and pay processing needs, is a result of our work with the State Services Commission on a programme called "Better Every Day".
You can see more about that on the website.
This new way of working assigns a group of schools directly to a Payroll Advisor with each Payroll Advisor being part of a small team. This means even if your personal payroll advisor is unavailable for any reason your query will be picked up by another member of their team.
We have been contacting schools to let them know who they should contact now for all their payroll queries. If you haven't been contacted yet look out for an email in your inbox. We will also be calling during the start of term four to introduce ourselves.
To help you make contact with the right person or team we have been providing four digit queue numbers to each school. It is very important that you use that number when you call to make sure you are directed to your dedicated Payroll Advisor or their team so they can help you.
We are very excited about the introduction of this new way of working for both you and us. We are confident that as a result of this change, you will get a better, more personal and faster service to your queries.
The EoY screens will open next week on Wednesday October 12. Completing the EoY/SoY process ensures that your employees get paid their correct holiday pay at the end of the year, and that employees who are starting or returning in 2017 are set up correctly on the payroll. If this is your first EoY/SoY, don't worry; there are plenty of opportunities for training and support to help get you through it successfully.
For those of you that have gone through EoY/SoY before, you will be glad to know the process is mostly the same as last year, with updated instructions for the 2016-2017 period.
Preparing your employee information now will help to ensure that you have a successful EoY/SoY this year
Submitting your school's instructions early means you can avoid the peak processing period at the start of term one and allow time for any amendments or corrections that might be needed. We realise this might not be practical, as many staffing decisions occur between the end of term four and the beginning of term one. Please aim to do as much as you can as early as possible.
To make sure you're on track to complete your school's EoY processing by 28 November, we recommend that by now you have:
Also, please remember to:
Ensure that your school's authorised users have access to NOL and check that your password is still valid as they do expire every 60 days. If you need to reset your password, please contact the Novopay Service Centre at email@example.com or on 0508 668 6729.
Check that your computer's browser is up to date. For best results, use version 10.0 or higher if using Internet Explorer, and version 23 or higher for Firefox. If your school uses a different browser, we recommend using either Internet Explorer or Firefox, at least for EoY/SoY processing. Google Chrome works but is not formally supported by Novopay. If you have problems while using Chrome, please change to Explorer or Firefox.
EoY screens will remain open through to 28 November. To ensure the correct and timely payment of your employees' holiday pay, please ensure you complete the updated employee payroll information in NOL by 28 November.
Please note SoY screens open later than usual this year. You might want to start your preparations before EoY screens close and SoY screens open.
Below are some key EoY/SoY dates to note:
11 October EoY e-workshops start
12 October EoY screens open
24 October SoY self-paced learning module starts
Early November Start preparations for Start of Year processing
28 November Complete End of Year processing by this date
14 December Start of Year screens open
If the Last day of Duty for Fixed Term employee's is later than their occupancy date (the end date of their Fixed Term), you will have to update their occupancy end date by submitting a NOVO2t for teachers or a NOVO2nt for non-teachers.
Refer to the website for more details.
The "occupancy end date" is the end date loaded in Novopay for an employee's job.
The "Last Day of Duty" is the last day on which an employee will work in 2016
Send this as soon as possible, so it can be processed before you need to complete End of Year processing.
The school's Term 4 end date is now Thursday, 22nd December 2016.
NOVO2t's need to be submitted to extend these Jobs occupancy to Thursday, 22nd December 2016.
In the End of Year screens:
If the employee's last day of duty is the same as the school's Term 4 end date, then no action is required.
If their last day of duty is different from the school's Term 4 end date, then see Last day of duty on page 9 in End of Year instructions for the action you need to take.
Entering a last day of duty does not automatically terminate an employee.
We are currently correcting an outstanding system issue related to allowances paid on leave. The correction of the defect, which has been in effect since the Novopay system went live, is happening in this pay period 14.
The issue which has now been fixed relates to how some allowances have been paid to employees who were on leave for some leave types. The remedy will be back payments of varying amounts.
Employees who will receive a back payment of more than $10 (net of tax and deductions) have been sent a letter and affected schools have been informed by email. Employees of 1479 schools will be impacted by this change.
Some of these back payments will come from schools' operational funding. In a small amount of schools where the payment will impact operational funding by more than 1% the principal and authorised user have been contacted directly.


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Use your points to send this reward to VOYCE. Children and young people in care need to be loved, valued, heard and equipped for the future. With your points, you can give something really special to our tamariki and rangatahi, in what can be a very tough time in their life.
Please enter the below address as the delivery address to make sure VOYCE receives this reward.
Ground Floor
Eden 5
12 Normanby Road
Mt Eden
Auckland 1024
Make a direct difference to Kiwi children living in care with Points for Purpose and Fly Buys.
Sport provides the chance to spend positive time with others and an important physical release. This official replica match ball is ideal for a sport-mad Kiwi kid.
If you have any questions about this product, let us know.


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You may ask yourself the simple question of, why should I choose Advance Vision Art to help design my brand? Creativity is in instilled our nature and we'd love to share it with people like you. Our end goal is to help distinguish you from your competition. We guarantee we have enough creativity to unleash the power of your brand.
We specialize in designing unique and competitive company logos, brochures, flyers, food menus, t-shirt designs, album artwork, and much more.


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PRESIDENT John Magufuli has invited the Dawoodi Bohra community to invest in Tanzania, especially in the industrial sector.
The president also invited the entire community to turn up in large numbers at the Dawoodi Bohra's Milad-un-Nabi celebrations scheduled to be marked in Dar es Salaam in October.
"Tanzania is a beautiful country; we have had tangible bilateral ties between our two countries. Therefore, I invite you to come and do business with Tanzania because we intend to industrialise our country in a period of between 2016/2017 and 2020/2021 … therefore, you should come and establish enough industries here,'' Dr Magufuli told Dawood Bohra community.
President Magufuli met and held talks with the Head of the Dawoodi Bohra community, Dr Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin Saheb, when the latter paid him a courtesy call at the State House in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
The talks were attended by the Chief Sheikh, Mufti Abubakar Zubeir Bin Ali and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Augustine Mahiga.
At the State House, Dr Magufuli toasted the Dawoodi Bohra community for its spiritual services and its participation in development.
In response, Dr Saheb commended his Tanzanian counterpart for a good job that he has been doing since he was elected president and promised that the Dawoodi Bohra community was ready to work together with the government of Tanzania in bringing development to the people.
Dr Saheb further handed over to President Magufuli a cheque for 53,000 US dollars (more than 116m/-) as the community's donation for school desk cause countrywide.
In the same vein, the Dawoodi Bohra community leader handed over another cheque of 21,000 US dollars (more than 46m/-) as contribution to the National Muslim Council of Tanzania, BAKWATA.
Meanwhile, Dr Magufuli received a message from the President of Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), Mr Brahim Ghali, presented to him by the Minister of State and Advisor at the Presidency of the SADR, Mr Bachir Moustapha Sayed, according to a statement from the Directorate of Presidential Communications.
Although the contents of the letter were not disclosed, Dr Magufuli pledged that the Fifth Phase Government would strengthen bilateral ties between Tanzania and SADR, adding that he would support the citizens of Saharawi in protecting their rights.
Dawoodi Bohra Community invited to invest in Tanzania Reviewed by on 12:50:00 AM Rating: