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In collaboration with the Max Birnstiel Foundation, the Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP) awards the International Birnstiel Award for Doctoral Research in Molecular Life Sciences. The objective of this award is to acknowledge outstanding talent in molecular life sciences and celebrate the research successes of young, up-and-coming scientists.
The International Birnstiel Award for Doctoral Research in Molecular Life Sciences recognises the exceptional achievements of up to three PhD students in molecular life sciences from anywhere in the world.
The 2019 awardees - Emily Bayer, Mohamed El-Brolosy and Justin Silpe - attended the Vienna BioCenter PhD Symposium in Vienna (Austria) on 7 and 8 November 2019. On this occasion, the awardees presented their work to an international audience of distinguished biologists and each received a trophy, certificate and prize of 2,000 Euros, endowed by Max Birnstiel Foundation and IMP.
Eligibility and nominations
Only one nomination may be submitted per department or programme. The nomination must be submitted via this website by an authorised person, typically a department chair or PhD programme manager.
Students who completed their PhD research at Austrian institutions are exempted from the Birnstiel Awards as they are eligible for other awards in Austria.
A nomination will comprise the nominee's CV, a description of the PhD research project and one recommendation letter from the student's supervisor. Detailed specifications are available here. Nominations can be submitted each year by 30 June.
Nominee profile and selection
The International Birnstiel Award targets doctoral students at an advanced stage of their PhD research who have contributed to make an outstanding discovery in their field. The selection committee comprises four scientists, faculty members of IMP including one representative from the Max Birnstiel Foundation.
Endorsements and statements on the Birnstiel Award - click to enlarge and read.
The selection committee bases its evaluation on the nomination materials and any relevant publications provided. Committee members evaluate the application materials according to their scientific quality, originality and impact in molecular life sciences – in line with the legacy of Max Birnstiel and the tradition of the IMP.
About Max Birnstiel and the foundation
Max Luciano Birnstiel (12 July 1933 – 15 November 2014) was a molecular biologist and founding director of the IMP with an internationally acclaimed research career. He was chair of the Institute of Molecular Biology at the University of Zurich (1972–1986) before becoming the founding director of the IMP in Vienna. In this role, he made a major contribution to the exceptional academic standing of the IMP. He retired from his post as Director in 1996.
Birnstiel's research focused on gene regulation in eukaryotes. His lab was the first to purify single genes, the ribosomal RNA genes from the frog Xenopus laevis, in the late 1960s. Birnstiel was one of the first scientists to study how gene expression is regulated. He is also recognised for one of the earliest discoveries of a gene enhancer element, which his lab published in 1980.
As a science manager, Birnstiel was a visionary who not only set the IMP on track to achieving research excellence, but he was also a vital force behind raising the profile of the Vienna BioCenter, which is now one of Europe's most dynamic life science hubs with four research institutes, three universities and two dozen biotech companies.
In 1993, Birnstiel initiated the collaboration between the IMP and the University of Vienna that underpins the Vienna BioCenter International PhD Programme. Throughout his life, Max Birnstiel was a supporter of young talent and fostered an egalitarian culture at the IMP. It was in this spirit that a foundation bearing his name was set up in 2018. The Max Birnstiel Foundation co-funds initiatives and activities that support young scientists in molecular life sciences.
The foundation's initiatives include the International Birnstiel Award for doctoral research in molecular life sciences. You can read more about Birnstiel's scientific legacy here.
Further reading
Website of the Max Birnstiel Foundation


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Multiple Toymakers Planet Of The Apes Big Playsetwith Box
UP FOR SALE IS FOR 1968 MULTIPLE TOYMAKERS RARE HARD TO FIND PLANET OF THE APES PLAYSET WITH BOX C-8+ IN GOOD PLAYED WITH CONDITION. OK THE ONLY THING THATS MISSING IS THE INSTRUCTION SHEET 1 DR ZAIUS 2 ARMYMEN AND 1 LIGHT AND THE SIGN FOR THE BLOWN UP ROAD MINE. IT HAS THE SPRING THOUGH AND COMES WITH BOTH TREES BRIDGES IN CLEAN, AND YOU GET ALL THE VEICHLES AND THE MOUNTAINS TOO. ALSO INCLUDED ARE ALL THE APE WARRIERS AND THEIR HORSES CHECK OUT PICS ITS A NICE SET 97% COMPLETE FOR 1968. YOU GET APE WORRIERS WITH HORSES, AND HUMAN SOLDIERS VHTF PLAYSET IN THIS CONDITION NICE PLAYSET. THIS IS THE ONE YOU WANT THIS IS THE BIG PLANET OF THE APES PLAYSET. The item "MULTIPLE TOYMAKERS PLANET OF THE APES BIG PLAYSETWITH BOX" is in sale since Tuesday, January 16, 2018. This item is in the category "Toys & Hobbies\Toy Soldiers\1970-Now". The seller is "echofive5" and is located in Salinas, California. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, China, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Russian federation, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Saudi arabia, Ukraine, United arab emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Malaysia, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica.
Brand: multiple toymakers
Recommended Age Range: 10+
Gender: Boys & Girls
Material: plastic
Soldier Type: infantry
Type: Ape warriorers
Planet Of The Apes
Privacy Policy
Service Agreement

subset: commoncrawl


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Become an Extron Insider – Get product pricing, certification programs, downloads and more! – Learn More
Extron offers several grant programs to qualified educational institutions. The goal is to provide increased visibility and expanded access to AV solutions, allowing key decision makers to evaluate technologies and define AV system standards. To date, Extron has granted more than $13 million worth of equipment to over 1,600 classrooms in U.S. school districts. The following grant programs are available:
Classroom AV—provides an easy-to-use classroom AV switching, control, and audio amplification system.
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Apply by submitting your email above and completing the application. Once your information has been submitted, an Extron Grant Administrator will be in touch to discuss your project.
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Ecofriendly and environmentally conscious statements might seem overused today, but their actions continue to be important. Take the example of windshield recycling, which is enormously difficult because of the following:windshields in landfills
Glass takes more than 1 million years to decompose in our landfills. And about 15 million windshields wind up there each year in the U.S. alone.
The use of plastic laminates makes windshield recycling even worse. Individual layers have to be separated before they can be recycled and some elements, such as heating and radio antennas, can't be placed in glass furnaces for remolding.
Wasted energy and the release of greenhouse gasses into the air when a new windshield is produced are other considerations. The production of one windshield is equal to the energy necessary for conducting 10,000 repairs. Also during the manufacturing process, emissions of combustion by-products (sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen oxides) and high-temperature oxidation of atmospheric nitrogen are released into the air causing additional harm to the environment.
All of the above is why GlasWeld continues to do their part promoting ways to lower carbon footprint. Do yours, by promoting windshield repair instead of replacement whenever possible. GlasWeld certified windshield repair technicians have been trained and certified on the best practices in windshield repair. Learn how you can become a certified windshield repair technician or find a technician to repair your windshield today.
The Boston Globe
Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines for Glass Manufacturing, World Bank Group
British Glass, Glass Manufacture: A Mass Balance Study
California Department of Conservation
Sadechaf Technology


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(Krzysztof Onak continues with Tuesday's report for Sublinear Algorithms 2011.)
The second part of the day started with a session devoted to the Johnson-Lindenstrauss lemma. Nir Ailon presented different definitions of the problem. In the embedding version, one is given a set of Euclidean vectors in and wants to map them to , where d is small and the lengths of vectors are preserved up to a factor of . It is known that a random projection on dimensions is likely to produce such vectors. The downsides of using a random projection are that both the running time and the required amount of randomness are . Nir has addressed the challenge of reducing these requirements in his papers [Ailon, Chazelle] and [Ailon, Liberty]. His papers employ the Fourier transform and error correcting codes. Nir also discussed a more recently discovered connection between this problem and the restricted isometry property in compressed sensing. This connection resulted in new algorithms for efficiently computing the Johnson-Lindenstrauss transform.
Jelani Nelson presented his recent paper with Daniel Kane. The goal is to give a distribution over sparse matrices that provides the properties required in the Johnson Linderstrauss lemma and can be computed efficiently for sparse vectors. Jelani's work is a followup to the paper of [Dasgupta, Kumar, Sarlos]. Jelani showed two extremely simple methods for constructing such matrices. In the first, one selects a small number of entries in each column and sets them at random to and . In the other one, one partitions the rows into a number of buckets corresponding to the number of desired non-zero entries in each column. Then in each column, one chooses one non-zero entry in each bucket. The main advantage over the approach of Dasgupta et al. is that this way collisions between non-zero entries are avoided. One of the main open questions is to both derandomize the Johnson-Lindenstrauss transform and make it run fast for sparse vectors. Jelani also mentioned a recent follow-up by [Braverman, Ostrovsky, Rabani].
You can spend the following coffee break admiring one of the well preserved frescoes:
Sofya Raskhodnikova talked about the problems of testing and reconstructing Lipschitz functions [Jha, Raskhodnikova 2011]. A function is -Lipschitz if for every , it holds . In the testing problem, one wants to verify that a function is approximately Lipschitz (for some fixed ). In the reconstruction problem, one wants to design a "local filter" through which the question to a function are asked. If the distance of to the property of being Lipschitz is , then the filter provides access to a function such that is Lipschitz, and the distance between and is not much larger than . Sofya mentioned applications of this research to program analysis and data privacy. In her presentation, she focused on the case when the domain is a hypercube. She gave both positive and negative results, where she mentioned that the latter were greatly simplified by techniques from a recent paper of [Blais, Brody, Matulef].
C. Seshadhri talked about his recent result on submod… Well, Sesh eventually decided to talk about approximating the length of the longest increasing subsequence [Saks, Seshadhri]. Sesh showed that an additive -approximation to the length of the longest increasing subsequence can be computed in time, where is the length of the sequence, is an arbitrary parameter, and is a constant. Before his work, the best known for which a sublinear algorithm was known was . This result also implies a better approximation algorithm for approximating the distance to monotonicity. Sesh showed a simplified version of his algorithm that runs in time. The algorithm mimics a dynamic program, recursively searches for good splitters, and applies some boosting to obtain a better approximation than . Sesh also complained that working on the paper and making everything work was painful. He even explicitely asked: "Was it really worth it?" Sesh, I think it was. This is a really nice result!
At night we experienced earthquakes, with the strongest of magnitude 3.1. It is pretty clear that they were caused by the impression left by today's talks.
A screenshot from www.emsc-csem.org:


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Morocco dunes your driver on mesure.Our team, multilingual, organizing tours in the desert by camel or 4X4. All tours are customized for groups of 2 to 50 people, thanks to the know-how of its experienced.
Day trip from Marrakesh start through a beautiful desert of Marrakesh, dry mountain of Agafay and Aguergour. We will admire the Kik plateau and a big dam named Takerkoust. then, through the beautiful and colorful mountain, We will arrive in Imlil, a surprising town on the banks of the river: where people live in rocks! They are kind and hospitable . This is the opportunity to really walk with our guide between the Berber villages perched in side of Toubkale mountain 4160.the area is well known by the Moroccan tourist is a foreigner who loves trekking for several days reaches the top of the highest mountain in Morocco, in the summer, When is too hot in Marrakesh. The Berbers tend livestock. They migrate according to their animals, and the search for water and shelter. They are thus provided with an abundance of wool, cotton plants and used for dyeing. For their part, women look after the family and handicrafts – first for their personal use, and secondly for sale in the souqs in their locality. . Customs and traditions differ from one region to another. In the end of our day trip from Marrakesh, we cross the Asni valley and Tahanaoute city.


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Cynorkis gibbosa Ridl. 1883
Inflorescence Photos by © Eric Hunt and His Orchid Website
Plant and Flower Photo by Olaf Pronk and Laurette E.U.R.L. orchids of Madagascar
Common Name The Humped Cycnorkis
Flower Size 1" [2.5 cm]
Found in Madagascar on shady granite rocks, on steep banks, seepage areas, along streams and at forest edges at elevations of 600 to 2000 meters as a small to medium sized, warm to cool growing terrestrial herb with several elongated, villous tubers giving rise to a solitary, radical, oblong-lanceolate, purple maculate leaf that is shortly attenuate at both ends and amplexiculate basally that blooms in the mid spring through fall on a bristly granular, sometimes glabrous, densely many [10 to 40] flowered, subcorymbiform inflorescence carrying 2 to 3 distant, cauline sheaths and having 10 mostly simultaneous flowers at any one time
Synonyms Cynorkis gibbosa f aurea Hermans 2007; Cynosorchis gibbosa Ridl. 1883;
References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; Flora of Madagascar Perrier 1983 as Cynosorchis gibbosa Ridl. 1883; AOS Bulletin Vol 74 No 11 2005 photo fide; AOS Bulletin Vol 75 No 6 2006 photo fide; Orchids of Madagascar Hermans 2007 photo fide; Field Guide to the Orchids of Madagascar Cribb & Herman 2009 photo fide; AOS Bulletin Vol 85 #6 2015 photo fide; AOS Bulletin Vol 85 #8 2016 photo fide;


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Boston, Massachusetts is thousands of miles away from Manila, but the running highs that were set during the recent Boston Marathon were so contagious I can feel it all the way here! The highlight of the event of course was the 2:03:02 time set by Kenya's Geoffrey Mutai—the world's fastest ever, but not the world record!
Posts Tagged 'PR
Boston Kreme: When is a World's Best not a World Record?
Tags: AIMS, Association of International Marathons and Distance Races, Boston, Boston Marathon, CamSur Marathon, Caroline Kilel, Desiree Davila, Geoffrey Mutai, Haile Gebrselassie, IAAF, International Association of Athletics Federations, Kenya, Marathon, Moses Mosop, PB, Personal Best, Personal Record, PR, Qualifications, Race, Results, Route, Running, Ryan Hall, World Best, World Marathon Majors, World Record
34th National MILO® Marathon: "I did it for the Shirt!"
Tags: Aliw Theater, cruise control, Cultural Center of the Philippines, déjà vu, donate a shoe, Eliminations, Finisher's Shirt, Garmin, GF405, Manila, Marathon, Medal, Milo, Milo Marathon, National MILO Marathon, PhotoVendo, PR, Quirino Grandstand, Races, Route, Roxas Blvd., Rudy Biscocho, Running, takbo.ph, Timing Chips, Walkathon
This statement basically sums up the reason I signed up for the marathon. The new routes, timing chips, donate a shoe program, potential new PR, and even the medal were not enough to entice me to join—only the 42K finisher's shirt. On the other hand I had many reasons why I wasn't jumping for excitement to join the race: my right knee still hasn't reverted to "normal" level, I wasn't prepared, my final exam was on the eve of the marathon, etc. just to name a few. It was only through a "Divine intervention" that my fate was sealed—registered a day before the deadline of the extended registration period.
After an "interesting" commute I arrived at Quirino Grandstand at around 3AM, an hour before the marathon gun start. Last year I arrived 30 minutes early but ended up 10 minutes late, and I didn't want a déjà vu.
This race served as a mini reunion for me with my takbo.ph family. I thought that I'd be running like I was during my first MILO® race (alone) but surely enough, the gang was there, although I was surprised that Vener (run unltd.), a two-time MILO® Marathon qualifier, didn't join this year.
With my finish time out in public I think I'm going to raise some eyebrows when I say that I intentionally capped my speed to around 9kph (kilometers per hour) or 06:40/km pace, and aimed just to finish within 6 hours (the curfew). With a "not-so-normal" knee and with just a single 10K run (on trails with an ultramarathon pace!) I had to play safe as I have every intention of finishing this race! (Marathons never get shorter or easier no matter how many times you do it!) "Crawl if you must" as my friend Jet described his marathon experience.
The marathon leg started at 4:09AM (Garmin), nine minutes off which is atypical by Mr. Rudy Biscocho's standard. The new "timeslot" is beneficial with our climate as runners get to enjoy less of the sun, even just for 30 minutes! If you ask me I would even prefer it to start around midnight!
I started the race with Rico, a fellow ultramarathoner, as the rest of the gang sped away into the horizon. It was like the good old ultramarathon times when we just chat away the kilometers, except we were faster (conscious monitoring via GF405). Occasionally we exceed my cap of 9kph (which I never mentioned to anyone until this post) but I didn't mind as long as I didn't feel any pains.
Everything was smooth-sailing until the sun slowly greeted the runners with his warmth. I think some of us were solar-powered as I noticed the improving pace of the runners in our vicinity. I'm stuck on first gear so eventually I had to let my buddy go ahead with his race. I don't have a schedule to keep, just a pace to maintain, so cruise control it was!
I was delighted to see takbo.ph's support station en route but after passing the first time on the one near Aliw Theater I thought to myself, "shucks, two more loops… I can still smile now, I wonder how I'd be on the next loop more than an hour from now… and the next one after that!"
First loop complete, two more! MILO® really exhausted my tolerance on loops by having not just two but three loops of 10K length. At my "cruising" speed of 9kph it would take me an hour and a half to complete one—it's like watching a boring movie three times in a row. The things I'm willing to do for that shirt!
Loop two, boring, and hot! The loop section was pleasant as there were shade early in the morning and there were bananas and energy gels offered to runners. Forgive my hoarding but I took two gels on my second loop as I instinctively know that there'd be none on the third loop! (Which proved to be right)
Third loop, this is it! To my surprise one by one I'm overtaking some buddies who were way ahead of me. It hurts me to overtake anyone as I publicized that my target was just to do a "walkathon" of 6 hours. As much as I'd love to stay and chat my "cruise control" was still intact so I had to overtake, sorry about that.
Approaching Aliw Theater for the third time I felt my body warning me of an imminent cramp—both on my quads and hamstrings! Luckily I was approaching takbo.ph's support station so I asked for anything that could help. As I approached I saw a runner that fainted, but he was already being tended to. As much as I would like to stop and help I'd just be a nuisance since I wouldn't know what to do anyway, so I just went on and got some of that liniment spray which effectively stopped the onset of cramps—or so I thought.
Just a few hundred meters later my hamstrings were really giving me some serious symptoms. Fortunately the liniment wasn't absorbed totally yet so I had to reapply it all over without stopping (I felt that if I stopped I'd get stuck!). That time it worked but I had to tune down my cruising speed to 8kph with short walk breaks. The walkathon had begun!
By the time I was running for that 42K turnaround point I was really hating those two flyovers—for the sixth and seventh time before turning back for more which made the 42K route having a total of 10 flyover crossings, a PR? Now who says that the route was flat?
Homestretch, around 5K to the Finish—no more water! My worst nightmare has come. It's my first marathon all over again. With an empty hydration belt on my waist and no water station in sight I was forced to walk. This time around some of those I overtook earlier caught up with me, and even if I wanted to join them I simply cannot without water (call me Agua :)).
Cultural Center of the Philippines—an oasis as far as MILO® Marathon is concerned where one of the last standing hydration station serving sports drinks remains. I wanted to refill my hydration belt then but they're down to their last few cups so I just restocked with the contents of a cup (just a few sips worth). A little more than 3K to go!
Walk-run combo was the theme for many runners during that last 3K. Anyone who has run Roxas Blvd. would know how hot it can be, even as early as 8:30AM. If you don't have support it's better to play safe.
Finally I can see the Start line, down to the last few hundred meters! I wanted to run but I was so dehydrated that I can only manage short bursts. And on that final curve to the Finish I saw Rodel (The Argonaut) who overtook me a while back. As I approached him from the back I challenged him to run and unexpectedly he took the challenge! And so, crazy as we were, we had a sprint showdown to the Finish, both of us on the verge of having cramps! I jokingly said to him "unahan na lang mag-cramps" (it's just a matter of who gets a cramp first) as we sprinted towards the finish line, no one willing to be the runner-up. Like with my BDM102 power tripping, I won't just hand over that ranking without a fight :). Isn't it better to feel you have earned the spot rather than been given to you?
That was the longest and one of the most enjoyable sprint to the Finish line I ever had! I guess my competitive instincts got the best of me, thank you Rodel for giving me one challenge I won't soon forget! (I probably cut down a minute because of that crazy long sprint!)
After crossing that shoot my finisher's medal and certificate was awarded along with a loot bag and that most anticipated finisher's shirt! It's a shirt that isn't even branded but is worth that 42.2K trip. Completing that MILO® Marathon experience was that ice cold MILO® drink that I missed last year.
The constraints that I endured were insignificant compared to the differently-abled runners which I witnessed performing their best with integrity, many doing way better than I did! This proves that if we really aimed for something and worked hard for it, despite the odds WE CAN! That's MILO's message for everyone with their slogan "kaya mo 'yan."
Marathons are always enlightening—how anyone handled their race tells a lot on how they live their lives. To the enlightened ones, congratulations!
runningpinoy's 2009 Second Half Report
Tags: Common Sense, Corregidor, disposable timing chips, Eliminations, Fit 'n Right, Globe, Ilocos Norte, IM, International Marathon, Kenny's Open Urbanite Run, Kenyan invasion, KOUR, Laoag, Manila, Marathon, Milo, Milo Marathon Manila Eliminations, Mommy Milkshake, Philippine International Marathon, Philippines, PIM, PR, QCIM, Quezon City International Marathon, Races, Results, RotaRun, Run Ahead, Run for Home, Running, SCSM, SIM, Singapore, Standard Chartered, Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon, Subic International Marathon, Team Logan, Timex Run
Before we look back at the year in its entirety let us first review the Philippine running scene for the last six months. This period saw highs and lows as far as races were concerned. Races reached all-time high in terms of participants while inversely its quality fell to all-time lows (since August 2008 when I started joining races). We've also seen race fees skyrocket to outrageous levels but there were still great races from good organizers that gave free races.
July marked my marathon debut on one of the best organized race of the year with the 33rd Milo Marathon Manila Eliminations. It was at a caliber unseen before locally and although it fell a little short it served as an epitome on how races should be organized. Globe's Run for Home was also a milestone as it introduced disposable timing chips while being virtually a free race when prepaid loads served as registration fees.
Personal achievement: First marathon and half-marathon PR
Kenny's Open Urbanite Run introduced the first organized night race in the Metro with disposable timing chips to boot. It could also be credited with starting the steep rise of race fees that would ensue throughout the year.
Personal achievement: 10-mile PR
Mommy Milkshake was one of the most organized fun run of the year and the only one to be really free! It puts in question organizers' "reasons" for putting up expensive registration fees with races. It was also during this month when race distance accuracy became a serious issue when RotaRun's 21K was 3K short.
Personal achievement: First provincial Milo race
International Marathon (IM) season has begun with Quezon City International Marathon (QCIM) followed the following weekend with Subic International Marathon (SIM). The use of the words "international" and "prestigious" became in question when races that used these didn't live up to their promises. This month also started the "Kenyan invasion."
Personal achievement: First marathon pacer duty; first back-to-back marathon (second and third)
The Philippine International Marathon (PIM) ended the "IM" season and was also highly criticized for not rewarding marathon finishers with a medal (the only one to do so thus far). It was a month plagued with poorly organized races! The month seemed to turn for the better when Timex Run came but was derailed when Fit 'n Right Fun Run didn't turn out to be fit or fun for many disappointed runners. Fortunately Run Ahead in Laoag, Ilocos Norte reminded everyone of how races should be with a well-organized, fun, generous, and charitable race making Metro Manila-based organizers look very greedy.
Personal achievement: Fourth marathon; 5K PR
Corregidor was a breather for many local runners and although it wasn't trouble-free it was definitely unique. There were still plenty of races for the month but personally I've had my dose of preposterous registration fees with mediocre races so I decided to be in abstentia for the month.
Personal achievement: Fifth marathon and new PR (via Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon)
Lessons and Tips
There were a lot of lessons both runners and organizers can learn with these period. As long as these points were taken we have no reason not to improve next year. Personally here are some tips I can give to fellow runners especially those that are just beginning to join races here in the Philippines:
- Time yourself. Not all races we join are "reliable" and if you intend to monitor your progress get a watch. You don't even need one with a stopwatch, you just you're your common sense. Buy an über cheap children's digital watch for P20 (from sidewalk vendors; no reason not to have a budget), remember your time when you start and look at it when you cross the finish. You should get a rough approximate of your time which not accurate but it's much better than nothing (what do you expect for P20?). You may validate it later when the race results come out. If you have some dough buy a stopwatch, but if you have some serious dough get a GPS watch!
- Bring your own water/sports drink. You need not buy a hydration belt; just bring a small flask or bottle of water or your preferred sports drink in case the organizer didn't fulfill his obligation. Consider investing in one though but ask around fellow runners first before purchasing.
- Don't be a distance freak! A few meters off the mentioned distance doesn't mean you've been ripped off by the organizers. Here's my point: try to make an accurate 1K route using any GPS device. Run that same route at least twice and see if you can get an accurate 1K every single time. If you do try to make routes in 5K, 10K, 21K, and 42K and do the same. If you still have an accurate distance every time you can make yourself a race route director.
I hope that newbies don't get intimidated by bad experiences from previous races and continue joining reputable races, especially those with a "real" cause. Before signing up for a race, don't just join because everyone else does—ask fellow runners about the reputation of the organizers or the conduct of its past races. Even the "pros" have "bad days" while on the other hand everyone deserves a second chance. Best of all follow your heart—regardless of what everyone says it's up to you to decide where you're investing your hard earned cash. Remember that we are not only paying for our right to join their race, we are also paying for the experience.
It was a "one step forward, two steps back" half for the year. Disposable timing chips definitely placed Philippine races forward at par with races abroad but the proliferation of unbelievably disorganized races with outlandish registration fees were really traumatizing especially to newcomers to the sport. Even race results became optional as we saw some races with no official race results, and those that do have inaccurate, very much delayed, or alphabetically-sorted race results! Common sense wasn't very commonly applied as far as this half was concerned!
Dare to be Fit 'N Right Fun Run: Weighing In
Tags: Dare to be Fit 'N Right, Fit 'n Right, FNR, GF405, i2runner, ID, Mall of Asia, MoA, PATAFA, Personal Record, Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association, PR, Race, Radio Frequency, Rey Langit, RFID, Route, Running, SM
After several consecutive races, I can finally have a race I can call my own—no more running others' pace, no more target time—freedom to run as desired, and Fit 'N Right was the right venue for me. It was a particularly interesting event especially that this was my first race at the SM Mall of Asia compounds. Here's my rundown of things as it happened.
A lot of runners were concerned when race packets weren't outright distributed with registration because recent similar events went unwell, and despite the organizers' best efforts what many runners feared happened again—delayed race packets distribution.
I registered a few days before the regular registration cut-off date. Registration went smoothly and the people manning their booths were very friendly and accommodating. As one of the endorsers of the event I knew how race packet claiming should have been, but when the claiming date came I've heard of problems. I decided to claim my kit Thursday before the race and to my surprise my kit still wasn't there! I didn't bother showing my disappointment with the people in their booth as I clearly know it's not their fault and they were already being battered by anguish from angry runners. They were very apologetic and informed me that they'd contact me if my kit was available, but until Saturday, hours before the race, I received no such message. I was prepared for the worse—running without a race number.
A few minutes before 5:30AM I was on queue to claim my race kit. I was surprised at how many runners were actually there! This was in no means your small time event; it was even comparable to events by Runrio! After being in line for some time I was able to get my race packet containing a singlet, course map, and a race number with RFID—say what, RFID?!
Yes, the biggest surprise for this race was the use of RFID, a first in local races. We were introduced this year with disposable timing chips, and now FNR "silently" introduced RFIDs which I prefer over the former because you don't have to lace anything to your shoe—it's just there with your race bib! Registration cost for this race was one of the cheapest for the year so it was pleasantly unexpected. Things suddenly turned up for this race.
Early on we had a hint that there may be a mass-start but thankfully somebody must've advised the organizers to start by category, making for a better start. It was already past 6AM but the pre-race program was still being staged, and with much pressure from the 10K runners the race started 6:23AM, five minutes later followed by the 5K which was my event.
A Cautious Race
It had been a very long time since my last 5K run and I have to admit that I really missed it. After doing an International Marathon sweep you may be wondering why I went back to 5K. The reason was simple—I'm on my taper period for the forthcoming Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon. Of course being free of any pacer duty I can run freely—the temptation of "touching" my almost year-old 5K PR was too much to pass over. With the flat and Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA)-certified course it was a perfect venue for a race, and a PR. Unfortunately I had pains on my right side so I decided to take it easy—going as fast as comfortably possible without risking aggravating the injury.
I thought I had started relatively near the front row but I had a hard time navigating through the crowd. Since I wasn't able to warm up properly I just took that opportunity to do just that, and to my surprise the pain that was bugging me wasn't there! A few minutes later I spotted Natz (i2runner) and thought he'd be a good pacer so I ran behind him.
Since I'm in a "cautious mode" I decided to "ignore" other runners, including Natz whom I know was just around. This was my race so I decided to race with myself and nobody else. Before I knew it I was heading back to the Finish line. That's the beauty of a 5K—you won't get bored.
Final kilometer, 18 minutes, a possible new PR looms. 500 meters later, I can see the Finish line. It was one of the longest 500 meters of my life as I attempt to shave a few seconds off my 5K PR and upon reaching the Finish, 22:25 says my GF405 (gun time), a new PR! I didn't really expect to trim my 5K PR by 46 seconds especially that I wasn't gunning for it! A nice race it was.
The 5K Perspective
The Dare to be Fit 'N Right Fun Run was a surprisingly well handled event, and in fact if it weren't for the really notorious lowlights it would've been a very good race. Here are my observations based on my 5K perspective:
- Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA)-certified race courses
- Excellent venue for setting new personal records
- Use of RFID
- Route markers (with color coding)
- Relatively cheap registration fee
- A lot of giveaways and raffle prizes
- Race packet distribution
- Late start
- Insufficient water at cramped water stations
- Insufficient portable toilets with the number of participants
- A lot of runners weren't given the post-race freebies
- Cramped baggage counter
- Late and inaccurate race results
It was another event with very good highlights and nasty lowlights but overall the race was Good (3/5). I noticed that most of their problems stemmed from distribution (race packets, giveaways, baggage counters) and some from lack of experience (lack of water, lack of signs at the finish line, lack of portalets) but seeing how well the race was managed I can only assume that the organizers got the lessons that they needed. For the awareness of the organizers, here are some of the issues that are for improvement:
Late Start
Running takes time and for the sake of runners' skins we try to avoid running with the sun high up in the sky by starting early. If a program was to be held pre-race start it early so as not to delay gun start.
Water supply should at least be sufficient for all runners, and the station should have long tables to avoid crowding. Cups should at least be the number of times each runner would pass that station. How much water is needed could easily be computed based on the number of cups.
Some marshals are noticeably inexperienced. You shouldn't abruptly stop runners upon crossing the Finish line as it may cause them injuries. Get runners' times with being obstructive.
Crowd Control
Crowds weren't managed well at the Finish area leading to a very crowded area for late finishers.
If signs were placed atop the Finish gate there wouldn't have been much of a need for Mr. Rey Langit to repeat himself over and over to guide runners.
Not all received their giveaways. When I arrived (about 27 minutes into the event) there was already a long queue at the booth because the people manning the station stalled. The situation turned worse as more runners arrived and until it was like a "relief goods distribution" center did I saw some movement. Unfortunately they also didn't pack enough for all the runners so many went home empty handed (including myself).
Baggage Counter
With more than 4,000 runners the baggage counter was ridiculously small and was seriously understaffed.
Hopefully the succeeding races pickup from the good points of this race and learned from its shortcomings. To the more than 4,000 runners that Dared to be Fit 'n Right, especially to those who have bettered themselves, Congratulations!
UPDATE: My time based on the original race results was actually 22:22 finishing 20th overall out of 1,181 5K runners! One of the best finishes for me and it's from a PATAFA-certified route! Nice! 🙂


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Posted on Saturday, September 4, 2010 by Cocofix41
I thought Id post a topic thats been crossing my mind lately because Ive been asking myself a lot why am I put here on earth? Besides being a wonderful mother and wife, sister and friend to many I just want to know WHY the HECK I sometimes feel so invisible to myself and feel like aging bread in my 4os, just someones mom and wife.....
Call it PMS, call it what you like but its something that bothers me from time to time and feel it moreso in my 40s.
I am religous, I believe in God, Heaven life and lessons we learn here but some days I tell you, I just want God to come down and just have a heart to heart talk with me and tell me WHY EXACTLY IM HERE.....And Tell me Im doing a good job.
Just asking my sisters in here their thoughts on this....
Thanks for listening girls :)
This has crossed my mind before when I was feeling down....
Do you mean What is your purpose?
I'm not sure why I'm here I just try to stay open to the possibilities and remain positive.
I do like this topic!
We all have asked this trillion dollar question. We all also have a purpose in this life, if you truly want to know the answer seek the one who created you and has mapped out your journey as well as your purpose, GOD! He will give you the answer just seek Him with your question and He will surely give you the answer.
I'm happy to know you're smiling lol.
Ive asked myself that alot lately. Ive wonder what would be the reason. Ive wondered how my being here is in the great scheme of things. And this is what I came up with for me. Im here to teach. Basically pass on the things and experiences to others. My children, my friends and maybe most important have a stranger learn from me hopefuly to help their life even if its just a smile. Im also a student and am to learn from all. I think its so we as humans contonue learnimg and teaching to pass it forward. It makes me feel not so small sometimes to view it this way. But thats what I think hope it helps.
You are not here by accident whether your parents or your siblings ever told you...you were not planned. People will sometimes say to me since I'm the baby of (4) girls...but there is nine years difference between my sister next to me and me. The oldest sister is 16 years older. So...yes...my parents had not planned me but GOD CERTAINLY DID. He put you on this earth for HIS PURPOSE! HE created YOU...for Him. No other way to look at it. Ok...so you get that but then..you ask yourself..."but what am I'm suppose to do?"
When you have a "relationship" with God and you "seek" Him in all that you do...he will reveal to you "your purpose". Example......you know when you get something on your brain about doing something or your heart just keeps telling you to do something...or not to do something...that is God talking to you. For me my purpose is to be a wife, a mother, and a friend to many. What I do where I work daily I am put in a position to help other people who might be dealing with someone in their family who has alzheimers. My mother had it for over 12 years and I am able to share my knowledge with them. I know that God has me where I am right now so...I do it.
But...I also know that MY PURPOSE on this earth is to spread HIS GOSPEL...to SHARE HIS GIFT with others. That truly is the purpose of ALL PEOPLE....YOU have to accept his gift of eternal LIFE...and then...share it with others. And...I forgot to mention...it's a FREE GIFT. That truly is your purpose!
AAAAAAAAAMEN Mary I love it!!!!
Thank you girls, all of your thoughts on this topic are so inspiring to me.
I knew I was right to post this to all my sisters here
I've always thought that we are all part of one collective soul, and that our journey in life is simple. It's not the journey or the destination that's important, it's how many people you help along the way.
This may sound nuts but I believe we have angels that walk among us in life and theyre sent from God to help us (sometimes its just a nod, a smile, a nice gesture etc)
There have been times in my life where it was just too coincidental that these "angels" show up at the right place at the right time and although they may be a stranger to me, somehow help me feel better.
And Kyah, your thought about life being about the people you help along the way is absolutely beautiful and holds SO much truth to it as well.
Short story i have to share... once in my early 20s i had a lousey job my boss made me cry and i drove home in tears well i had to stop at a gas station and as I was pumping gas this little old man next to me is staring at me and says to me " Its ok child you look so sad, smile its not that bad" and he just had this presence about him that made me feel so much better. I felt like God was with me at that moment ...and it probably was.
there are angels and people that enter your life right when you need it most but you also my lady enter peoples lifes maybe at their moment of need. Your here as we all our to walk our paths with love,kindness,compassion for our nieghbors. Be the best you , you can be for your loved unconditionally. As your day unfolds i think we learn alittle more of our path maybe not what we would choose for ourselfs but its important because each of us are.
Great answers from all the Ladies
I believe in Angels we all have an angel looking out for us.
Hope your having a wonderful day my Friend.
I agree with all the answers!!! There are angels amongst us - a fab40 member has willingly decided to watch over me, she checks out my writing, messages me daily and inspires me with Gods's words, eases my hurt with her words, and never judges or disiplines me. I can only see her sillouette, just like I'm hiding behind a Japanese girl, yet I feel her presence and hear her words.
I've always wondered my purpose here on Earth. One reason is to be there for the school kids I work with, it's not a easy occupation, so many times I've felt like quitting, but I'm put here on Earth to make a difference for our children. I may say that I'm vulnerable, but the little ones are more so, some come from uncaring families, and they need to know that someone cares about them. The other reason that I'm here is because my daughter loves me and she would want me around as long as possible.
Some teachers tell me that I do a good job, but compliments do not come from mom, dad, or brother and my boss, people I wish would acknowlege me. I don't hear God saying that I'm doing a good job, but my guardian angel assures me that he knows and wants me to always do my best. That's my 2 cents.
All the best,
Never underestimate the power of one. YOU. Acknowledge yourself, don't wait for others, or you may waste a lifetime waiting.
Linda I loved reading your " 2 cents " on the purpose of your life.
It sounds to me like you make a HUGE difference in the lives of many children and GOD BLESS YOU for that honey.
I too work with children and infact some have special needs and I adore them all, even the ones that cannot control themselves and make life challenging but My Guardian Angel talks to me from inside my heart and gives me Patience LOVE
and endless compassion for my kids. I put myself in their shoes and would want a teacher like me who really cared about them .
You sound like a wonderful person and Kyah is RIGHT, you cant waste a single day waiting for acknowledgement from others, GOD sees what you do everyday and Loves you for it.
Christie, thanks for your kind words. It's so good to hear from awesome teachers such as you. Yes, our occupation requires patience and endless compassion for our children. I used to work as a special ed para and it was so challenging with some and with others all you had to do was stay besides them and teach the best you can and they're learning. Now I deal with many behavioral problem kids who don't want to learn and honestly the thought of facing these students tomorrow, Wed, 9/8 the first day of our school is intimidating. Well, they'll be at their good behavior on the first day, but soon after that the chaos will start. Believe me, I'm not all that a wonderful person, I can be mean and then later at work I reflect on my day and realize that I could have handled the problem in a positive way. But we're all humans and we react the way we react at that moment. Hopefully, our school will have a good discipline plan, we didn't last year.
Thanks Kyah and Christie for your validation of selfworth.
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OLAF FUB SEZ: According to actress Marlene Dietrich, born on this date in 1901, "It's the friends you can call up at 4 a.m. that matter."
. . .
DEEP DISCOUNT – The weather outside may be frigid, but it's always warm inside the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens in South Park. What's more, Thursday will be Dollar Day. Instead of the usual $11 admission charge, tickets are just $1. Members and children 2 and under are free. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more info, visit buffalogardens.com.
. . .
NO CHARGE – St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3512 Clinton St., West Seneca, will hold a Christmas party at its monthly free community dinner from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Friday. The menu includes pizza, salad, chicken wing soup, desserts, beverages and fellowship. All are welcome. Free-will offerings are appreciated.
. . .
PARTY TIME – Still looking for a place to ring in the New Year? Hard Rock Cafe Niagara Falls USA, 333 Prospect St., is celebrating from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. next Sunday night with live music and festivities, a balloon drop and viewing of the ball drop in Times Square in New York City on 10 large-screen TVs.
Dinner for two, with seating on the main floor, is $100 and includes party favors, a champagne toast at midnight and a $50 gift card redeemable that night. For an extra $100, you can add overnight accommodations for two at the nearby Holiday Inn, 114 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls, to the evening's festivities.
For info and reservations, call 304-3308 or email email@example.com.
. . .
WRENCH WIZARDS – Teams of high school seniors majoring in automotive repairs at 10 career and technical schools in Western New York will be put to the test Jan. 13 in the 2018 NFADA Ron Smith Memorial AutoTech Competition in the Erie Community College Vehicle Technology Training Center at ECC South, 5885 Big Tree Road, in Orchard Park.
Hosted by the Niagara Frontier Auto Dealers Association and ECC, the competition will put the two-member teams through a series of diagnostic, work station and performance tests, beginning at 9 a.m. The Western New York Ford dealers will provide six 2018 Ford Escape SUVs for the students to work on.
In a separate event, high school juniors will compete in a Tire Changing Rodeo, seeing who can dismount and mount tires the fastest using a tire-changing machine.
Awards will be presented at about 3 p.m. It's free and open to the public. The winners will go on to represent their school and the NFADA at the National Automotive Technology Competition in New York City in March. For more info, visit nfada.com.
. . .
HAPPY BIRTHDAY – Bill Oar, Lou Ann Delaney, Larry Bayerl, Dennis Galucki, David Bunis, Lynn Lipczynski, Amy Popadick, Joe Long, Jessica Halt, Julia Pugh, Wendy Kelley, Patrick Lynch, Sherri Oliver, Sue Ann Golimowski, Carol Purdy, Caleb Darnley, Johnny Kiener, Reese Michaels, Alyssa Kelley, Cora Carver, Jillian Wereski, Christine Ziolkowski and Charlene Ihrig Rush.
To submit birthdays and other items of interest to Reporters' Notebook, please email firstname.lastname@example.com or send a letter to Reporters' Notebook, Buffalo News, Box 100, Buffalo, NY 14240.
Story topics: Olaf Fub


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About the Cover: A solar-assisted large-scale cleaning system (SALSCS) is proposed for urban air remediation. The system consists of a solar collector, a chimney, and a filter bank. The air flow is driven by buoyancy towards the chimney. A filter bank is used to collect the PM2.5 and larger PM. The system can be complemented by introduction of fans to generate electricity or drive the flow in the absence of solar radiation. Numerical simulations demonstrated that SALSCS is promising for air pollution abatement. View the article.
A Concept of a Novel Solar-Assisted Large-Scale Cleaning System (SALSCS) for Urban Air Remediation
Characterization of PM Using Multiple Site Data in a Heavily Industrialized Region of Turkey
Suppression of Cluster Ions during Rapidly Increasing Particle Number Concentration Events in the Environment
Indirect Evidence for the Presence of Secondary Phosphorus in Continental Fine Aerosol
Diagnostic Analysis of the Sulfate Aerosol Pollution in Spring over Pearl River Delta, China
Bulk Level to Individual Particle Level Chemical Composition of Atmospheric Dust Aerosols (PM5) over a Semi-Arid Urban Zone of Western India (Rajasthan)
Cultural and Ritual Burning Emission Factors and Activity Levels in India
Microalgae Oil: Algae Cultivation and Harvest, Algae Residue Torrefaction and Diesel Engine Emissions Tests
Emissions from Light-Duty Diesel and Gasoline in-use Vehicles Measured on Chassis Dynamometer Test Cycles
Small-Scale Study of Siberian Biomass Burning: I. Smoke Microstructure
Measurements of Nanoscale TiO2 and Al2O3 in Industrial Workplace Environments – Methodology and Results
On-Road Measurements of Ultrafine Particles and Associated Air Pollutants in a Densely Populated Area of Seoul, Korea
A Study of the Dynamic Behaviour of Fine Particulate Matter in Santiago, Chile
A Simplified Approach to Calculate Particle Growth Rate Due to Self-Coagulation, Scavenging and Condensation Using SMPS Measurements during a Particle Growth Event in New Delhi
Development of PM0.1 Personal Sampler for Evaluation of Personal Exposure to Aerosol Nanoparticles
Positive Matrix Factorization of 47 Years of Particle Measurements in Finnish Arctic
An Integrated SSA-ARIMA Approach to Make Multiple Day Ahead Forecasts for the Daily Maximum Ambient O3 Concentration
Characterisation and Source Apportionment of Submicron Particle Number Size Distributions in a Busy Street Canyon
Application of Regression Kriging to Air Pollutant Concentrations in Japan with High Spatial Resolution
Life Cycle Assessment of the Environmental Impacts of Typical Industrial Hazardous Waste Incineration in Eastern China
Validation of Version 5.1 MODIS Aerosol Optical Depth (Deep Blue Algorithm and Dark Target Approach) over a Semi-Arid Location in Western India
Multi-Satellite Observation of an Intense Dust Event over Southwestern China
Optical Properties of Size-Resolved Aerosol Chemistry and Visibility Variation Observed in the Urban Site of Seoul, Korea
Airborne Nanoparticle Pollution in a Wire Electrical Discharge Machining Workshop and Potential Health Risks
In-Vehicle Exposure to Ultrafine Particles While Driving through a Tunnel System and Associated Lung Deposition Calculations
Short Term Health Effects of Particulate Matter: A Comparison between Wood Smoke and Multi-Source Polluted Urban Areas in Chile
Characterizing Particulate Pollutants in an Enclosed Museum in Shanghai, China
Impact of Elevated Ozone on Growth, Yield and Nutritional Quality of Two Wheat Species in Northern India
Biogenic Volatile Organic Compound (BVOC) Emissions from Various Endemic Tree Species in Turkey
Characterisation of a Commercially Available Thermodenuder and Diffusion Drier for Ultrafine Particles Losses


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Rural Housing Loans
USDA Loans (also known as Rural Housing Loan)
USDA loan program, also known as Rural Housing loan, is a type of government-insured home loan that allows the borrower to purchase a new home with no down payment. USDA loans are generally fixed rate loans.
- O% down payment
- Property must be in a qualifying area
- Income limits may apply based on household size
- Additional underwriting requirements will vary by borrower situation
- USDA loans do not require a down payment
- Homebuyers may finance a home for 100% of the purchase price
Contact Traditional Mortgage today by calling us at (484) 893-4100 or email us at www.TraditionalMortgageLoans.com to find out if your area qualifies as a designated rural area under the USDA program and if you can secure a USDA loan today.


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Few days ago I wrote a post about uploading JSON object using JavaScript. There are some dependencies using this approach, which are b64EncodeUnicode and b64DecodeUnicode functions.
I'd like to share how to write these functions using TypeScript:
All articles in this blog are licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 unless stating additionally.


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Devastating news in the world of Hello! Project…
Ogawa Saki has, according to official sources, decided to leave S/mileage and all of Hello! Project, within 3 days. Her last day is set to be 8-27-2011.
According to all sources, this is a decision she made on her own that she has supposedly thought about since May. I'm not so sure I buy that…
Saki's letter posted on S/mileage's official website, can be found translated at Hello! SayuNii.
According to her letter, she felt that there was a gap between her real self and her S/mileage self. The letter from Tsunku states that she asked to quit, wanting to be a normal teenager again. I'm not sure if that's true or not, though, because the time frame doesn't seem to make sense. She said this in May, they were completely silent, started the auditions, added sub members and then suddenly announce that she's going in just 3 days? It doesn't seem to add up.
Saki's behavior since the announcement of the auditions had been a bit odd. She was very clearly irritated/upset during some of the appearances, especially during the announcement of the new members. She looked really pissed off, actually.
Could her sudden departure be related to the addition of the new members? Or is it really that they started the member additions BECAUSE she was going to be leaving, but kept that silent?
I can think of a dozen scenarios it could actually be… Maybe when Tsunku took on the new members and said some members could be demoted, he was referring to her and wanted her out? Maybe when the new members joined, she decided she hated it and wanted to leave then, and all the reasons in her letter are made up? Maybe there was a scandal and she is quitting to avoid it breaking?
Here's my take on it – I don't know if I believe that she wanted to leave since May. I don't know if I believe that this is not related to the addition of the sub-members, it seems too coincidental for that. However, if what is in her letter is true, and she felt unhappy in S/mileage, then this is probably the best thing for her. If it's not true, and she was forced out somehow, then that makes me very sad. Saki is one of the funniest girls in Hello! Project and one of the most talented vocalists as well. Whatever the true reason is, her leaving is a huge loss.
Saki is one of my favorites in Hello! Project and I'm very distressed at this news. I doubt there will be any more insight as to why she is really leaving (unless an untimely scandal breaks, haha). I'm gonna keep wondering about it, though, because the way this has gone down, with the short notice and all, is just weird.
-Jess ♫


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The epitome of timeless elegance, set upon the largest home site in Eagle Hills in Summerlin, 2037 Grouse has everything you could imagine for entertaining and luxury living.
Set on three sprawling lots, this newly renovated home has been upgraded to the highest of standards across the board, offering a unique living and entertaining experience, inside and out. Its lagoon pool features elaborate rock formations and waterfalls, along with its own cave and slide. Over 2,700 square feet of covered patio and deck beckon you to the private backyard oasis, set off with mature landscaping and a spacious side yard.
Inside is no less impressive, with nearly 12,000 square feet of living space, perfect for entertaining or affluent living. An expansive entertainment room with nearly 2,500 square feet, featuring a billiards area and full bar, adds to the opportunities for entertaining.
Take in the breathtaking beauty of classic luxury with formal living and dining rooms offering stunning 20-foot ceilings, soaring windows and stately wooden staircase. Exquisite millwork and stylish chandelier lighting are constants throughout the home.
The rich gourmet kitchen is spacious, anchored by an expansive marble island and refined two-tone custom cabinetry. The versatile floor plan includes family rooms on two levels, as well as an executive office featuring the warmth of extensive wood shelving and punctuated by a Schonbek chandelier. The owner's quarters continue the theme of refined elegance with sprawling living space and its own personal balcony. A cozy retreat warmed by the glow of the fireplace and a well-appointed master bath make for a relaxing escape.
See what luxury living at 2037 Grouse means for you. Call us today at 702.315.0223.


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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is holding two free webinars, October 26 and November 15, on the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) final rule. The webinars will provide an overview of the rule, with question and answer sessions following the presentations.
Webinar details:
Title: Quality Payment Program OverviewDate: Wednesday, October 26, 2016Time: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. PTRegister: Click here
Title: Quality Payment Program Final RuleDate: Tuesday, November 15, 2016Time: 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. PTRegister: Click here
Physicians can also visit the California Medical Association's (CMA) MACRA resource center to better understand the payment reforms and access resources to help with the transition. The center is a one-stop-shop with tools, checklists and information from CMA, CMS, the American Medical Association and national specialty society clinical data registries. CMA will add an updated summary and materials, including additional webinars, to the resource center in the coming weeks.
View the CMA resource center at MACRA.
Resources for physicians and health care providers on the latest news, research and developments.
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Called by the Gospel: A Pentecost Day Sermon - John 7:37-39 / Pastor Ted Giese
Mount Olive Lutheran Church / Rev. Ted A. Giese / Day of Pentecost / Sunday June 8th 2014 / John 7:37-39
On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
(John 7:37-39 ESV)
Let us pray: May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts be acceptable in your sight O Lord. Amen.
Grace peace and mercy to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Good Christian Friends. Here we are 50 days after Easter Morning and we are celebrating the Day of Pentecost; the day when Jesus sent the promised Holy Spirit to the Apostles; the day when Peter preaches a sermon recorded in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles and we are told that "those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls [to the Body of Christ]."[1]
This Day of Pentecost caps of the Season of Easter and St. Paul describes what that time between Easter Morning and the Day of Pentecost was like when he writes the Corinthian Christians: first he talks about what it means for him and his work and then he gives a description of those days, he says, "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day [that's Easter morning] in accordance with the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas [That's Peter], then to the twelve. Then He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles."[2] This all happened leading up to the Day of Pentecost. We have some very specific account, Jesus appearing to the women at the tomb Easter morning,[3] Jesus appearing to two of His followers on the Road to Emmaus on that first Easter[4] and to most of the twelve that evening[5] and then the next Sunday Jesus appearing to Thomas as well.[6] Jesus forgiving Peter by the Sea of Galilee in the morning as they ate fish together. Jesus' Ascension 40 Day out from Easter Morning, just 10 days before the Day of Pentecost, where Jesus gives them the great commission and tells them to go and Baptize all Nations, "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that [He] commanded [them]" promising them - and us - that He would be "with [us] always, to the end of the age."[7]
By the time they hit the Day of Pentecost this core, key group of Jesus' followers were clued in, they had been clued in, they understood what Jesus was, is and will be up to - Luke's Gospel tell us that in that time between Easter and the Ascension Jesus taught the Apostles saying, "These are My words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." Then [Jesus] opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."[8] And this is what they did ... they waited ... not unsure of what was coming ... they had Jesus' promise. They were not confused, the text says nothing about them being anxious, or doubtful on the Day of Pentecost, just that "When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place."[9] Thomas was not out getting groceries, and Matthias[10] was there with them, Matthias is the one who replaced Judas Iscariot, Judas who had hung himself after betraying Jesus to Jesus' Death upon the cross. "When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place." There they were resolute, resolved, ready for the promised Holy Spirit.
But were they always so resolute, resolved, ready? Had they always been so sure about everything? Jesus had told them what was to happen before it happened yet they seemed not to understand, in fact, they were, in many way, in a similar boat with the rest of the people around Jesus leading up to the events of Good Friday and Easter. On the Day of Pentecost they were ready, the rest of the people visiting the city for the Jewish feast of Pentecost were not ready per se, when there was suddenly a "sound like a mighty rushing wind"[11] they had no idea what the sound was about, "at this sound the multitude [visiting the city] came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing [the Apostles] speak in his own language."[12] The Apostles were ready, the people in Jerusalem were not, 3,000 of them were made ready that day to be baptised and why? Because of the preaching of God's Word. So we have the ready, the unready and those made ready all in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost ... but let's back track just a bit into the events of our Gospel Lesson today, to a time before Good Friday and Easter and the Ascension to a different Jewish feast, not the feast of Pentecost but the feast of Tabernacles, a thanksgiving feast held in October. This is the setting of the Lesson from the Gospel of John. "On the last day of the feast [that's the feast of Tabernacles], the great day, [that's the Eighth Day of the feast] Jesus stood up [in the Temple, in Jerusalem][13] and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" Now this [Jesus] said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."
How did people respond to this? When Jesus said those words how did they respond? John's Gospel continues saying that "When they heard these words, some of the people said, "This really is the Prophet." Others said, "This is the Christ." But some said, "Is the Christ to come from Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?" [these last ones had clearly not received the Christmas cards - or sung Away in The Manger - they didn't know that part of Jesus' story] So there was a division among the people over Him. Some of them wanted to arrest [Jesus], but no one laid hands on Him.
The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why did you not bring him?" The officers answered, "No one ever spoke like this man!" The Pharisees answered them, "Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed." Nicodemus, who had gone to [Jesus] before, and who was one of [the Pharisees], said to them, "Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?" They replied, "Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee."[14]
Confusion! No one knows what to think! No one knows what to believe? As that Feast of Tabernacles was getting under way, before Jesus had stood up to preach Saint John says that, "there was much muttering about [Jesus] among the people. While some said, "He is a good man," others said, "No, He is leading the people astray."[15] Is the world like this now? Is there any confusion about Jesus? Are there people who are confused? People who don't know what to think? What do Muslims think about Jesus? They think He's a prophet, but they do not confess Jesus to be the Son of God, because they believe God can't have a Son, They believe the Bible is full of lies about God, and lies about Jesus. To them your mouth is full of lies when you confess Jesus as your Lord and saviour, when you confess Jesus to be God.The modern Jewish people do not confess Jesus to be the Son of God, they are still waiting for the Christ, They believe the New Testament is full of lies about God, and lies about Jesus. To them your mouth is full of lies when you confess Jesus as your Lord and saviour, when you confess Jesus to be God. What do Atheist believe about Jesus? They do not confess Jesus to be the Son of God, if they agree that there was a person named Jesus who did even a fraction of the things recorded in the Bible they would still say that many people have used Jesus to lead even more people astray. They believe the Bible is full of lies, lies period, because they think there is no God at all. To them your mouth is full of lies when you confess Jesus as your Lord and saviour, when you confess Jesus to be God. If they are 'kind' they will at the very least think you are ignorant and dim-witted when you confess Jesus as Lord.
The list goes on and on, ... is there confusion still today about Jesus? Yes. Is Jesus' command to go and make disciples of all Nations still valid, even when people may at first be confused or even hostile towards Jesus? Yes. Are you resolute, resolved, ready to relive this confusion and reach out to the lost in their confusion and disbelief? "Hang on" ... you say, "I'm not ready!" You say, "Pastor, That's why we have you!" OK, but what did Jesus tell the men gathered at the Mount of Ascension as He was about to ascend? Jesus told them to Baptize and to teach, we pastors are charged to do this. Everyone is not a pastor, this is true, but you will still have opportunity in life to teach others things about the faith, to lead them to good solid teachers. Sometimes we teach one on one like Jesus taught Nicodemus, and sometimes we will teach more than one, all the while we trust that God's Word is efficacious, that it works, that the Holy Spirit is at work in it, this is why we come here to this place so that we can be bathed in God's word, so that in our liturgy - the Divine Service - the Word of God can wash over us as it's read, as it's sung, as it's prayed. This is why we come here to this place so that we can hear God's Word in the preaching, so that Jesus' promise would be poured out upon us; Remember He said "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" ... and where will those living waters flow? They flow to friends and family, to children, to strangers, they flow where the Holy Spirit desires them to flow:[16] Can it be dammed up? - "I'm not damming it up"you say,"I just don't know what to say, or how to say it." Jesus in the Holy Spirit will provide,[17] "but it's still so hard" you say! - Consider this the invitation then - don't just bring yourself to this place to hear God's Word preached to you, as Jesus preached, as St. Peter preached, as St. Paul preached, as we are charged to preach, bring others here too, ... "but they are not ready!" Neither were the 3,000 who were baptized on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit is the one who makes people ready, who gives them faith, who makes them resolute, resolved, and ready - remember your catechism, in it we confess these words, "I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified me [made me Holy] and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith."[18] Amen.
Let us pray:
Lord have mercy on us, Christ have mercy on us, Lord have mercy on us, "take our minds and think through them, take our lips and speak through them, take our hearts and set them on fire; for the sake of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen.
[1] Act 2:41
[2] 1 Corinthians 15:3-7
[3] John 20:1-2
[4] Luke 24:13-25
[5] John 20:19-23
[6] John 20:20-29
[7] Matthew 28:19-20
[8] Luke 24:44-49
[9] Acts 2:1
[10] Acts 1:12-26
[11] Act 2:2
[12] Acts 2:6
[13] John 7:14
[14] John 7:40-52
[15] John 7:12
[16] John 3:8 Jesus says, "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."
[17] Luke 21:12-15 "You will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict."
[18] Luther's Small Catechism, Concordia Publishing House 2005, pg 17.


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text:
【Picking Yourself Back Up, After the Fall】
It's common to hear about accidents in paragliding. We all know the same story, it always begins in the same manner – somewhere, somehow, an acquaintance, or friend perhaps, injures him or herself whilst flying.
Quite often the story ends in the same manner – with our said friend or acquaintance putting an end to their days of flying under cloth and strings made to float in the sky with the magic of engineering.
But this story is different.
As I sit and talk with Jonie Cheung, who was involved in a serious accident during a training course overseas. I learn that her story of recovery is one of hardship, passion, and tremendous courage.
This is a story of her fight to pick herself back up after the fall.
Please enjoy this interview with Jonie, and join me in welcoming her back to our flying community, as she walks us through from hospital bed and back to the sky.
【Hi Jonie, Thanks for taking the time to speak with us about your experience and good to see you back. Tell us about what happened and about your injury?】
JONIE: It was 2018 June 16th during an SIV course when the accident happened, we were practicing full stalls and spiral dives, but the instructor had said that my spiral dives weren't deep enough. So the next day I entered a deep spiral dive. When the instructor told me to exit, I tried but then the brake pressure was too much. Much greater than what I had experienced before. It was too heavy for me to recover. Then I heard shouting for me to throw the reserve chute, but I couldn't deploy it. I hit the water full speed, and lost consciousness. When I woke up I had been in the ICU [Intensive Care Unit] for 2 weeks, the doctor had to tell me that I had an accident and I was in an induced coma to avoid endangering my condition.
I thought I was dead when he told me. I had pain in my throat. I didn't know where I was, and had no memory of what happened.
It was a very tough time, and I was very scared to see my legs suspended on the hospital bed, and my head shaved. I felt very helpless and very emotional. I cried and couldn't rest for a month while I was there [in Austria]. After a month in that hospital with only the nurses to talk to, I finally got to go back to Hong Kong and be transferred to the hospitals in Hong Kong, where at least I had my family and friends.
當時聽醫生講我差唔多已經死咗。 我係完全唔知道我喺邊度同完全唔記得發生過意外。
我當時真係好難過,好驚。喺醫院見到自己對腳加咗鐵架同我半個頭被人剃光頭。我覺得好無助,情緒好差。我喊咗一個月同無辦法可以休息到, 過咗一個月先終於可以返香港有朋友同家人可以照顧。
【That sounds like quite the injury and must've been a very tough time like you said. I think it's amazing that you've come from such a severe injury and back into flying. What motivated you to go back to flying?】
JONIE: I've never thought about giving flying, even immediately after my accident. Somehow I always knew I would get to go back to flying.
【其實你意外受傷得好嚴重,你所講嘅呢段時間一定唔容易過。所以我覺得你能夠努力康復好自己同恢復飛行真係好犀利。 有咩嘢領導你做得到?】
我從來冇想過唔飛行, 即使喺我出事之後。 唔知點解,我一直覺得我會回到飛行嘅地方。
【Why is that? How did you know?】
JONIE: Because paragliding has changed my life, it's become my lifestyle. It's given me freedom, it's gotten me to start hiking, I would never have gone hiking on my own before I discovered paragliding. Flying has literally opened up a new perspective on life for me and I've met so many friends through flying, I could never give up that life.
【點解? 你點樣知道?】
因為滑翔傘改變咗我嘅生活, 它已經成為我嘅生活方式。 佢畀咗我自由, 令我開始行山, 喺我發現滑翔傘之前, 我絕對唔會一個人行山。 飛行真係為我打開了對生活的新認識, 我通過飛行遇到了咁多朋友, 我永遠不能放棄那種生活。
【There must've been some roadblocks along your journey back into flying?】
JONIE: Yes in fact there was. It was family pressure. They had really wanted me to stop flying out of fear that I would have another accident. My mom had been taking care of me after my return to Hong Kong for 2 months straight. She had to do everything for me, including to help shower me. I felt very sorry that I had made her worry because of my hobby. It made me even closer to my mom. I knew I wanted to get back into flying, but during that time I couldn't even stand to pull my glider out, feeling too guilty to let my mom see. It was December and I wanted to go out to ground handle, my back was still in a bit of pain, but I didn't let that stop me.
【So how did you overcome this feeling of guilt?】
JONIE: It was one time that my mom wasn't home and my friends from paragliding convinced me to finally go. I always knew I would get back to paragliding, but it was my friends in the end that were the catalyst in helping me overcome this. I only went to ground handle, but as soon as I got back to controlling my glider I felt completely back to normal. I felt like I didn't have any handicaps. I felt like there was no injury, no walking stick. It felt really good to be back to normal.
有一次, 我媽媽不在家,朋友又說服咗我最終攞咗隻滑翔傘出去。 我一直都知道自己會由頭黎過玩滑翔傘, 但最終我朋友好似催化劑咁幫助我克服。 我只去了地面控傘, 但我一開始控制滑翔傘, 我就感覺到完全恢復正常了。 我覺得我冇任何障礙。 我覺得自己好似冇受傷, 冇用拐杖。 恢復正常嘅感覺真係好好。
【So what about mom?】
JONIE: Mom didn't know, haha. Ok well, Mom does know now, but she doesn't stop me. I know she still worries, and I tell her that I will be extremely careful when I do fly.
媽咪唔知, 哈哈。 好喇, 媽咪而家知道咗, 但佢冇阻止我。 我知佢仲驚緊, 我同佢講, 我真係飛嘅時候我會好小心。
【How many times have you flown since?】
Only once, I've been waiting for the best weather. I tried to fly a few times at Ma On Shan, but the conditions weren't good, I'm now waiting for South Lantau to become flyable so that I'll have the beach to land easily.
只有一次, 我一直在等待最好嘅天氣。 我曾喺䩻鞍山試過幾次, 但天氣情況唔好, 我而家正在等待南風大嶼山嘅飛行, 咁我就可以很容易地喺海灘降落。
【That's an interesting point, so has your views changed about flying after this incident? Has it changed your flying style or what risks you decide to take?】
JONIE: Yes, now I promise myself only to fly using dynamic ridge soaring. I'll never fly in thermals, and I won't fly outside of Hong Kong. It's a lot of pressure [when you fly at other sites]. I have a renewed perspective about flying and I realize that having fun flying in Hong Kong is enough and there's no need for me to go do massive cross countries or set any records. I have the easy conditions in Hong Kong, and that's enough for me.
【有一個有趣嘅問題, 咁你對今次事件發生後對飛行的看法有無改變呀? 有無令到你改變咗你嘅飛行風格 或者改變你能接受到冒咩風險?】
係呀, 而家我保證自己只喺海風飛行。 我永遠唔會喺熱氣流場地飛行, 我都唔會去其他國家飛。 因為當你新地方飛時壓力好大。 我對飛行有了新的看法, 我意識到在香港享受飛行的樂趣就夠了, 我冇必要去創造任何紀錄或者飛好長遠既越野飛行。 喺香港輕鬆可以飛, 對我黎講已經足夠了。
【So you're margins for weather is much stricter than before?】
Yes, and so has my appetite for risk.
係呀, 同我對我能夠接受既風險亦都減少咗。
【No thermal flying or travelling outside Hong Kong? Really?!】
Yes, never. But I won't say that I won't change my mind in the future. But you know, if I get rich someday, there's no reason not to go travelling!
真係, 真係唔會。 但我唔會話我將來唔會改變主意,你知喇,利於如果有一日我發咗達, 冇理由唔去旅行啩!
【Both of us have been flying in Hong Kong for a little while now, and I'm sure we've both had friends who've been injured in the past and have given up on paragliding, maybe it's because of family pressures and they decide that flying isn't worth the risk. But what about the friends who want to get back into flying, the ones that love the sport but are maybe too afraid to take that step that you did? What sort of guidance would you give them?】
A lot of people are just too scared of the risks. The recovery is very tough, it is VERY tough. Mentally and Physically. But it was because I was so scared that I must fly again. I have an interest in psychology and just knew that it would affect me for the rest of my life if I didn't at least get back to fly once.
And it was true, because mentally I feel much more relieved to know that I've done it at least once and that it was my choice whether I fly or not and that I wasn't kicked out of it because of the fear of doing so. I would say, go back to the basics, and back to your safe zone.
Start at a place where you know, like ground handling at the top of MOS (Ma On Shan). Find friends, and instructors – a lot of people were willing to support me. But most important is to find yourself. At the end of the day, time will heal your body, but it won't heal your mind, so you have to do that part yourself.
And lastly, only fly when you are ready. A lot of people have told me many times to try and that I was well enough to fly. But I only took off when I felt like I was really ready.
【你同我都喺香港飛了一段時間, 我相信我哋兩個都有遇過其他嘅傘友受傷過, 之後因爲受傷或者家庭壓力所以放棄了滑翔傘 , 佢哋認爲飛滑翔傘唔搏得過。 但對於受傷過又好想好似你咁重新開始回復飛行嘅朋友, 不過可能唔敢邁出你所做的一步嘅朋友 : 你會俾佢哋咩提議呢?】
好多人就係因爲太驚會再受傷所以唔比自己接受任何風險。 康復既過程係非常難, 係十分非常困難。 精神和身體上都係。 不過係因為我好驚,我先知道我必須再飛。 我對心理學好有興趣,如果我至少唔飛番一次, 係會影響到我嘅餘生。
係真噶, 唔理我係咪繼續飛起碼我心裏面知道我至少可以再飛過一次, 而唔係因爲我驚所以以後唔飛。
我想話如果想再飛, 先回到自己嘅基礎同安全範圍內。
由一個你熟悉嘅地方開始,例如䩻鞍山頂嘅起飛場在地面控傘。 搵身邊朋友、或者教練。 其實有好多人都好樂意支持我同幫我打氣。 但最緊要係搵返自己。因爲時間會治癒你身上的損傷, 但時間唔會治癒到你的心靈, 所以你一定要自己去做幫自己。
最後一點就係,記得真係覺得自己準備好先再去飛。 好多人都同我講話見到我控傘已經回復以前咁,話覺得我已經好返 可以嘗試去飛但我淨係當我真正覺得自己準備好既時候先去飛。
【Thanks for the amazing story. Is there anything else you'd like to say everyone?】
JONIE: Yes, this whole process has really convinced me that paragliding can be dangerous! Especially because immediately after the time of my accident, another close friend had died while paragliding in Hong Kong. And so I want to say to everyone to really listen well to others.
I mean a lot of people will say and claim that they are very safety conscious and that safety comes before anything else. But in reality I don't think they are. A lot of times, our ego and pride get in the way of good judgement If people would listen more to others then I don't think there would as many accidents in paragliding. More importantly, I hope everyone would realize why someone would come up to you to tell you it's not a good idea to fly. Do you think they are trying to insult you? People are concerned about you, but if you don't listen and take offence then the next time people would be less likely to offer their suggestions. They are telling you because we are all friends. There's no room for such macho attitudes in paragliding, and I see that a lot.
【多谢你嘅驚人故事。 仲有咩想同大家講?】
有, 成個過程真係令我相信滑翔傘係危險嘅! 特別係因為我出事之後, 就有一位好友喺香港滑翔傘時意外出事死亡。 所以我想對大家說, 要真正好好聽別人的提示。
Point well taken. Good luck on the rest of your recovery and look forward to see you on the ridge!
Interview Date: April 21, 2019
By: Jackie Cen
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) is now conducting a comprehensive review of the Sports Subvention Scheme (SSS) to meet the changing needs of the sporting community in Hong Kong.
The scope of the SSS review include funding principles and eligibility for national sports associations (NSAs) and other sports organisations (SOs); allocation of subvention and subsidy level; means to attract and retain talents to stay and continue to contribute to the sporting arena; and measures to enhance monitoring and corporate governance.
With a view to reaching out to different levels and various interested parties, LCSD has provided more channels for collecting views of the public either by email (firstname.lastname@example.com), by fax (2681 2099) or by post to Sports Funding Office of the LCSD at 2/F, LCS Headquarters, 1-3 Pai Tau Street, Sha Tin (please quote Comprehensive Review of Sports Subvention Scheme on the envelope) till 28 February 2019.
For more information, please go to http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/programmes/programmeslist/sss.html
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) is now conducting a comprehensive review of the Sports Subvention Scheme (SSS) to meet the changing needs of the sporting community in Hong Kong.
The scope of the SSS review include funding principles and eligibility for national sports associations (NSAs) and other sports organisations (SOs); allocation of subvention and subsidy level; means to attract and retain talents to stay and continue to contribute to the sporting arena; and measures to enhance monitoring and corporate governance.
With a view to reaching out to different levels and various interested parties, LCSD has provided more channels for collecting views of the public either by email (email@example.com), by fax (2681 2099) or by post to Sports Funding Office of the LCSD at 2/F, LCS Headquarters, 1-3 Pai Tau Street, Sha Tin (please quote Comprehensive Review of Sports Subvention Scheme on the envelope) till 28 February 2019.
For more information, please go to http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/programmes/programmeslist/sss.html
Congratulations to the participants from Hong Kong in the 2019 Taiwan XC Open competition. This year a total of 13 pilots from Hong Kong participated, with 4 pilots from Hong Kong taking 3rd place in the Team category.
HKPA Safety officer Herman Chiu, who also competed in the 2018 Asian Games, explains with a joking smile. - "I really just want to keep up with them to learn their techniques, and setting our goal to beat the South Korean team was a good starting point".
Herman Chiu 以開玩笑解釋道 "我只係想跟得上佢哋, 咁樣先可以學到嘢咋嘛"。
Also present were several pilots attending their first paragliding competition. Alex Chan, flying his Ozone Rush 5, admits that he made a lot of mistakes everyday but ultimately this is all part of the learning process.
還有一些飛行員參加他們的第一次滑翔傘比賽。Alex Chan承認他每天都犯了很多錯誤但最終知道這都是學習過程中的一部分。
"We really hope to see more pilots from Hong Kong out to compete, there's so much to discover outside of our home sites in Hong Kong" claims Dixon Qian, another member of the Hong Kong Team during the Asian Games.
Dixon Qian 說 "希望可以見到多啲香港人出嚟比賽啦,唔好淨係喺香港飛, 比賽可以學到好多野"
This year's competition saw a total of 5 flyable days, with 1 as a practice day, and 4 tasks in total. We hope 2019 brings more success and stories - "ADD OIL" Hong Kong!
今年的比賽5天都適合飛行,第一天是練習日,總共有4個任務。 祝香港參賽者2019 年繼續加油!
Photo Credit: Ben Liao 孔家豪
Thanks to all our members and guests for attending our 2018 AGM. It will not be a success without your attendance and participation. Special thanks to Herman Chiu of the HK Paragliding Team and Alex Tang of Parasupply for donating merchandise for our raffle. Congratulations to the following members for being the lucky raffle winners.
We have nominated the following 5 male and 2 female pilots/athletes to represent Hong Kong at the Asian Games. There will be participating in the disciplines of Paragliding Cross Country and Paragliding Accuracy. We look forward to working with the SFOC on the final selection process.
LEE Yip Chee Kevin
VONG Kam Meng
CHIU Ho Nam
QIAN Mingwei
YAM Chi Wai
CHOI Lai Yin
CHEUNG Yuk Wah
HKPA will soon start issuing Hong Kong paragliding licenses directly (rather than simply converting foreign licences). In addition Hong Kong instructor ratings will also be available.
Hong Kong Instructor ratings were offered many years ago. This was stoped, amongst other reasons, because the appropriate standard could not be assured. With the new system the Association of Paraglider Pilots and Instructors (APPI) syllabus will be adopted and instructor standards will be maintained based on the APPI rules. In addition to completing the appropriate APPI syllabus and examinations each applicant for any new Hong Kong license beyond Novice will be required to pass a Hong Kong Air Law exam appropriate to the level of license sought. The HKPA licensing structure will be aligned with the APPI system but the HKPA license names will remain to reflect the additional requirement of a Hong Kong Air Law exam.
Here is some back ground information:
The Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of HK (SFOC) is the organisation that assigns a National Spots Association (NSA) to administer each sport in Hong Kong. The NSA for Paragliding in Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Paragliding Association (HKPA).
The HKPA has the full support of the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department HKCAD.
The HKPA Executive Committee (EC) is constitutionally required to form a sub committee named the Safety Training Education Committee (STEC) to advise on matters related to Safety and Training. This sub committee was tasked with researching many of the education systems used worldwide for use and adoption by the HKPA. Among many considerations was integration with the FAI IPPI system (not to be confused with the APPI syllabus). The Executive Committee recently voted to accept the recommendation of the STEC and to adopt the syllabus used by Association of Paraglider Pilots and Instructors (APPI).
The HKPA administers paragliding in Hong Kong. The goal of the HKPA is to provide the appropriate structure to promote the sport of paragliding in Hong Kong. We support the paragliding community and the multiple clubs and schools providing paragliding services in Hong Kong. We aim to help these clubs and schools to provide safe and appropriate services to the paragliding community.
Hong Kong currently has 1 APPI Master Instructor and 2 APPI Assistant Instructors. In November we will run an assessment for those interested in new ratings to advise which courses will be required to reach the required standard. The plan is that next year the first HKPA tandem course will be run followed by an Assistant instructor course. As more Instructors are qualified more courses will be available.
Because the APPI syllabus will be adopted by the HKPA it will also be possible to complete an APPI course anywhere in the world and receive an HKPA licence with the addition of a Hong Kong Air Law exam pass.
There are several more major projects and developments that the Executive Committee are working on. Some of these will be announced at the AGM but in the mean time I'm sure then information above will generate many questions. WhatsApp is the best medium to ask those questions.
HKPA Terms and Conditions


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Rub the lamb leg well with spices and pour a little brandy over it. Put it in a tray, cover and let it sit for 1 hour. Then add 1-2 cups hot water to the tray, cover it with foil and put the lamb to roast for about 2 hours at 338°F (170 °C). Meanwhile, chop the bacon into pieces and fry it in a heated dish.
Once it melts, fry the chopped onion and garlic in the oil. Then add the pre-washed rice, cook it thoroughly and pour in 1 cup water. Once the rice absorbs the liquid, pour in 1 more cup and repeat until the rice is cooked. Finally, season it with spices.
Remove the foil from the lamb and distribute rice in the tray around it. Return it to the oven to brown to a nice tan.


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All our newborn baby gifts, sets, boxes and baskets now come with a beautiful 'congratulations' card so you don't have to buy one. Be sure to type your gift message in the text box provided. And don't forget, standard UK postage is free.
Available as a Boy Baby Gift, Girl Baby Gift & Unisex
A light brown wicker basket for a new baby. The basket can be kept in the nursery to store bits and bobs.
This baby gift basket contains some essentials for the baby and the new parents.
It contains; an adorable baby rattle that is really easy for a baby to grasp, a wooden picture frame, a lovely Henzo baby photograph album which holds 100 photographs, the cutest pair of baby bootees and 3 good quality baby body suits (0-3 months).
With free UK postage this baby gift basket makes an ideal gift to give.
*Order by 2pm Monday to Friday for same day dispatch.
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Welcome to our online new baby gifts shop. If you cannot find what you are looking for or need assistance in purchasing any of our baby gifts please contact us on 01702 469762 or e-mail us. We will endeavour to respond to all email enquiries within 24 hours.
If you have any questions about any of our baby gifts or baby gift set products, please call our sales team on 01702 469762.