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Prime Minister Koizumi set out to gain support for his proposed "no pain, no gain" structural reform of the Japanese economy at the Genoa Summit. With over 80% domestic approval, it was vital for Koizumi to perform well in gaining popularity for his reform policies in the international arena.
Grade Awarded: A
Japan received a high schore because Koizumi was very forthcoming in his explanation of his reform plans to the other G7 leaders. Most importantly, and as evident in the G8 Communique, all the leaders welcomed and supported the proposed reform initiatives as Japan's economic recovery will contribute to strengthening of the global economy.
A perfect grade was not awarded because the implementation of the reform policy seemed to rely on the upcoming Upper House election on July 29th. In this regard, the reform policy was very general in content and further details need to be drawn.
Objective 1.:
The Koizumi administration came to the Summit with the intention of discussing a more effective allocation of ODA. The Japanese delegation was expected to advance the idea that ODA from the G8 could be used more efficiently if funneled through reformed, and thus more efficient, Multilateral Development Banks.
Grade Awarded: B+
This high score was achieved by Japan in part because the G8 Communique stated that, "We will work with developing countries to meet the International Development Goals, by strengthening and enhancing the effectiveness of our development assistance." The communique further stated that the effectiveness of ODA would be ensured by their commitment to "…implement the landmark OECD-DAC Reccomendation on Untying Aid to LDCs,"(paragraph 14) . In addition the G7 statement noted the need for MDBs reforms in order to "…sharpen their focus on core social and human investments."
Japan was not awarded a higher grade because neither the communique nor the G7 Statement provided a plan for how the MDBs would be reformed and where the resources for their "increased use of grants" would come from.
Objective 2.:
Having already engaged in measures toward 100% reduction of ODA and non-ODA debt, Japan desired to incorporate the topic of debt relief for heavily indebted poor countries into summit discussions.
Grade Awarded: B+
At the Genoa summit, it was noted that 23 countries have now qualified for debt relief under the Enhanced HIPC Initiative - more than the 9 countries that qualified last year - and debt relief currently amounts to $53 billion. Thus it appears that the HIPC initiative has been quite successful. In the G7 statement all of the countries have agreed to provide a minimum of 100% debt reduction to the qualifying HIPC countries. The G8 countries continue to encourage those heavily indebted countries that do not yet qualify for the HIPC initiative to undergo the necessary reforms to reach their decision point. The G8 leaders also pledged to continue such progress by "… working together to ensure that the benefits of debt relief are targeted to assist the poor and most vulnerable."
Japan was not awarded a higher grade because the G8 communique appeared to put debt relief on back-burner in favor of more detailed discussions regarding increased trade and investment, which are primarily American development strategies.
Objective 3.:
The Japanese delegation planned to highlight human development, infrastructure development and capacity building as important strategies for poverty reduction.
Grade Awarded: B+
The poverty reduction strategies of human development, infrastructure development and human capacity building were of importance at the Genoa summit, especially in light of the Beyond Debt Relief initiatives. This initiative is focused on promoting health, education and food security in developing countries. The communique also highlighted "Strong national health systems" that ensure access to basic medical care. The G8 expressed that health care systems in developing countries could be improved by "strong and effective intellectual property rights protection as a necessary incentive for reasearch and development of life-saving drugs." (as stated in Paragraph 17). Education was also recognized as "…a central building block for growth and employment." The G8 noted the need for improved development asistance in support of locally-owned strategies for education, especially regarding universal primary education and equal access to education for girls. The communique states that "…resources made available through the HIPC initiative can contribute to these objectives." Also, the DOT force, MDBs and the ILO can all work to strengthen education, especially universal primary education, in developing countries. A taskforce of senior G8 officials, in conjunction with IGOs and developing countries, will be assigned to advise the G8 on how best to implement Dakar goals.
Although these objectives were given importance in the G8 communique, trade and private investment took the spotlight, thus the grade alloted to this category is somewhat lower than might be expected.
Objective 4.:
At the Genoa summit Japan wanted to ensure that development strategies and initiatives were created in collaboration with, and supported by, the developing countries themselves.
Grade Awarded: A
Japan was successful in carrying-out this objective, which is evidenced in Paragraph 5 in the communique which states that " We willl also continue to provide effective development assistance to help developing countries own efforts to build long-term prosperiety," and "…we support a strategic appraoch centred on the principles of ownership and partnership." It should also be noted that in the paragraphs on health systems (paragraph 17) and education (18 and 19) the G8 seemed committed to ensuring that developing countries are thoroughly involved in ODA from the G8 countries.
Objective: Kyoto Protocol
Japan's position on the Kyoto Protocol going into the Genoa Summit was to enter the Protocol into force by the year 2002. On this front, Japan had also promised to make its utmost effort "to the very last minute" to lure the U.S. back onto the negotiating table. In this way, Japan felt it had an important role as a mediator between the U.S. and E.U. member states.
Grade Awarded : B-
The Genoa Summit was a success for Japan in the way that all countries agreed on a common objective of the UNFCCC and recognized an urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, each country expressed its commitments and obligations to achieving the goal outlined in the Convention. The countries agreed to seek global solutions fueled by international cooperation, especially in the field of science and research. The emphasis on cooperation and global solution correlates with Japan's objective of inclusiveness. Further, Japan had promoted transfer of environmentally sound technologies and capacity building and on this topic, the G8 Communique affirmed that further efforts will be made in these areas.
As for Japan playing a mediator role between U.S. and the E.U. , it fell short in reaching agreement among the G8 in terms of implementational issues of the Protocol. The G8 Communique touched briefly on this point, stating a need for some flexible mechanisms, as well as "drawing on the power of markets and technology" to achieve their common goal. Japan was pressured both domestically and from the E.U. to announce the ratification of the Protocol at the Genoa Summit, but the G8 Communique merely reiterated Japan's pre-Summit position. Obviously, Japan was not able to convince the U.S. to fully embrace the Kyoto Protocol and therefore, was only half successful in reaching its initial objectives.
Infectious Diseases
At the Okinawa Summit, Japan positioned itself as a leader in the war against infectious diseases. Although Japan handed over this leadership role to Italy, who hosted the Genoa Summit, Japan intended to continue making an exemplary effort in fighting infectious diseases. Japan had announced its decision to allocate $200 million U.S. to the Global Health Fund prior to the Genoa Summit.
Grade Awarded: B+
Japan had also been a long standing advocate of combating infectious diseases through poverty reduction, human resources development, and strengthening institutions of health sectors in the developing countries. Moreover, the Hashimoto Initiative proposed by the then PM, Hashimoto, stressed the importatce of international cooperation in combating diseases. The above sentiments of Japan towards infectious diseases were reflected in the G8 Communique. As such, the Global Health Fund was seen as an important follow up to the Okinawa Infectious Diseases Initiative. Moreover, the Communique also stated the developing countries must participate to ensure ownership and commitment to the Fund and have strong national health systems. In addition, Japan had proposed prior to the Okinawa Summit last year, an Initiative in the Fight Against Parasitic and Infectious Diaseases which had stressed the importance of partnership with civil society, donor countries and international organizations. It was evident the this proposal carried through to the Genoa Summit as the G8 Communique clearly stated that these kinds of partnerships among the G8 and international organizations are crucial in the fight against infectious diseases.
However, Japan did not place a strong emphasis on pharmaceutical issues which was included in the Communique. As well, Japan had been strongly advocating the use of IT and telemedicine to combat infectious diseases but these issues did not appear in the G8 Communique.
This is an issue on which Japan took a leadership role in at last year's Okinawa Summit. Since then, the Genoa Plan of Action has been drawn up. Japan's objective at Genoa was to move ahead with the proposals in the Genoa Plan of Action.
Grade Awarded: A-
Progress was made at Genoa and work is currently being done to draw up an action plan addressing how an e-government can strengthen democracy and rule of law. Also, effort was made to draw NGOs and developing countries into discussions.
A higher grade was not given for two reasons. The first being that the DOT force was an issue Japan would have liked to see higher on the Summit agenda. Secondly, high tech crime was not addressed. Japan has been progressive on this issue domestically, with over ten laws currently being deliberated in the government. Considering the sensitivity involved in IT issues, if the laws are passed Japan will need international cooperation for its domestic laws to be effective.
Prepared by: Haruka Araki, Caroline Konrad and Amy Schwartz, G8 Research Group, University of Toronto
|This Information System is provided by the University of Toronto Library and the G8 Research Group at the University of Toronto.
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This page was last updated February 09, 2007.
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What Research About Resources Can Teach You
Are You Planning to Buy a Water Pump? If you are looking for a high-quality water pump out there, then this article can be of great help. If you look on the web, you will be surprised with how many kinds or types of water pumps being sold in the market today. And because there are so many different types of water pumps available in the market today, choosing the best one can be a very daunting task. Bear in mind that different water pumps perform different tasks. And so you need to make sure that you think it through before you purchase a water pump. Make sure that you consider some few things first before you choose what kind or type of water pump you should buy. Things can become a lot easier if you do your online research first before you choose a water pump. Take the time to read blogs or online articles that can give you helpful tips and useful information on where to find the best water pump supplier in your area. Bear in mind that research can go a long way – you should be able to find high-quality water pumps if you do your homework well. You also might know someone who have experienced buying the best water pump out there – ask for some tips or recommendations from them. It should be your goal to find the best water pump out there. There are many advantages or benefits which you will surely enjoy if you are able to buy the best water pump out there. Take the time to study what water pumps are and how it can help you. Asking for pieces of advice from companies or professionals that provide water pumping service is also advisable. When purchasing a water pump, you need to make sure that you find a reputable manufacturer first. It is essential that you search of the best water pump manufacturer or supplier out there if you want to purchase only the best water pump. Before you buy a water pump from a supplier, it is necessary that you take the time to check their background or their profile first.
Finding Similarities Between Resources and Life
Make sure that you get to visit their website or their online page. It is very important that you purchase water pumps only from suppliers who have matchless credentials and excellent background history. Aside from having an excellent credential, the best water pump supplier out there should also have a matchless and solid reputation when it comes to offering different types or brands of water pumps.Study: My Understanding of Water

subset: commoncrawl


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Wayne County, N.Y. – The Lake Ontario Wine Trail will host their annual "Christmas Around the World" event on Saturday and Sunday, December 2nd and 3rd. Travel the world this holiday season via the wine trail for a weekend of Christmas cheer, great food, and local award-winning wines, ciders and spirits. Each participating member location will represent a different country and pair their beverages with unique holiday dishes. This year, we welcome our newest Trail member, Old Goat Cidery at the Apple Shed.
"Christmas Around the World is the last event of 2017 for the Lake Ontario Wine Trail, and it's an event we look forward to each year," said Collin McConville, Trail President and Head Distiller at Apple Country Spirits. "Guests enjoy special culinary treats from eight locations representing different countries, paired with that member's craft beverages. Your gastronomic trip around the world includes Apple Country Spirits – United Kingdom, Casa Lara Vineyard – Italy, Colloca Estate Winery – France, Embark Craft Ciderworks – Norway, JD Wine Cellars – Sweden, Old Goat Cidery – China, Young Sommer Winery – Poland, and Pop's House of Country Collectibles – Germany."
This event is held on both Saturday and Sunday, from 11:00am to 6:00pm. It is a self-guided tour, allowing guests to travel the Trail at their own pace. Tickets for this event are $20 per person, and can be purchased online or at your first stop during the event. Reservations for groups of 8 or more are appreciated. The Trail map, details and tickets are available.at www.LakeOntarioWineTrail.com.
The Lake Ontario Wine Trail is among New York's newest wine trails. Stretching from the borders of Monroe, Wayne, and now Cayuga County, we encompass a wide variety of locally owned and operated businesses and beautiful scenery. For more information, maps, and tickets to events visit www.lakeontariowinetrail.com, or email the Lake Ontario Wine Trail at firstname.lastname@example.com. We invite you to travel the trail…you'll be glad you did.
Marilyn Caywood
Lake Ontario Wine Trail


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As the clock ticks and time passes away from the year that we just lived, many thought come to my mind and today I want to share some of those thoughts with all of you who have given me so much love and affection. Many of you may not even understand how much you all mean to me and how you have been part of my life.
For me the most important aspect of living life in the year 2011 can be measured only by how much I have gained from you all. I would probably not be what I am today had it not been for the trust, faith and support that I have received from all of you. The year was one of great achievements for me as it gave me a new opportunity to put a new team together to build something new and different. During this period I came across a number of new faces in my life and could never anticipate that in such a short span they would become part of my life. I had my ups and downs with new people but I believed that everyone has a hidden talent that I could use. It was just my job to make them realize that they were on to something big in life. Some of them thought that I was kidding; some thought I am diplomatic, and some may have even thought that I am crazy. However, as the year passes by me, I am happy that most of them today do realize that there is merit in what I was telling them all along. I can see the spark in the eyes of the people who work with me and I do hope I have earned their support. Today I just want you to know that you have shaped my thinking and I value your frankness and sometimes the anger you expressed on what you did not like about me or my ways of doing things. I have sincerely reflected on all those issues and am a better person compared to a year back or when I met you for the first time.
Then there is another group of people who have shaped my thinking this year and they are my old and existing students. I can confess that I have learnt a lot from them. I shared their sorrows, difficulties and apprehensions. I gave them a shoulder to cry when they needed it from me but I also gave them the values as teacher that I have practiced all my life. Sometimes you as my students have amazed me and at times you have disappointed me but I always took it in the spirit of learning. I continued to have faith in your abilities and I will always continue to do so because I think I have taught you to hear to your inner voice. That should always be the guiding light in your life. Today many of you have made remarkable progress in your life and it is all due to your own efforts and perseverance. I do not take any credit for what you are today, I just am so happy that you let me be part of your life for some years that we spent together. There have also been some sad stories about students that I do not wish to share at this point in time but would like all those students to know, I still care for all of you and do not give up hope, the world does not come to an end tomorrow.
Before I begin to say goodbye to 2011, I want all of you who have been in some way been connected to me (even if we have never met) to know that we are not the center of the universe and the creator has given us a life as the most intelligent species in the known universe. We all should make effective use of this gift for the benefit of not only us but those around us at the least. Here are some of the things that you may think of doing for the next year.
1. Try and make at least one person happy everyday by just listening to them. This will give you 360 days of credit in your account next year.
2. Go out of the way to help someone who needs help the most, it may be your students, co-worker or someone you may have never met.
3. There are so many people who are dependent on you for their livelihood. They could be your driver, servants, or gardener. Just help them educate their one child for one year. It's a great gift you can give.
4. Control your anger this year, it speaks a lot about you as a person and not about the person you are angry with you.
5. Spend some quality time with the family. It is an important part of living life.
6. All away carry a smile on your face it does not cost you anything but makes life for everyone around you good.
7. Make up with friends you lost in 2011. Get back to them and say sorry if you have to say.. you never know how this year is going to be.
Happy New year and have a great 2012.


text: Learn about Mulholland Drive and the Mulholland Corridor By Christophe Choo Posted November 15, 2016 In Videos 0 Learn about Mulholland Drive and the Mulholland Corridor in Beverly Hills, CA 90210 Related Posts You May EnjoyThe Villa Dei Sogni is the Featured Cover Story of this months Homes & Realty MagazineOn top of the world in Beverly Hills the Villa Dei Sogni is heaven on earth. Live showing of 13319 Mulholland Drive in Beverly Hills.Sneak peek of this exceptional Beverly Hills Villa.Sneak peek of 13319 Mulholland Drive in Beverly Hills listed at $9 million.Open House today from 2-5 pm at 430 North Oakhurst Drive #303 in Beverly Hills, CA 90210 – $1,399…9846 Portola Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 Beverly Hills home for sale in BHPO 90210 $1,199,000Gorgeous Rodeo Drive today in Beverly Hills, CA 90210 Christophe Choo Let me help you find everything you need to know about buying or selling a home! As the preeminent real estate professional in my community for over 26 years, I am dedicated to providing the finest service available while breaking new ground.


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Appear for TOP 10 MNC BPO's and get job in one day.
/ Hardware- Networking / Banking / Healthcare / accounts / Insurance
Opening for: Banking Process , Air Ticketing , Sales Process , AR Process , Medical Billing Process, Social Media, help desk , Digital Marketing, insurance Process.
One day interview process...carry all the documents to collect the offer letter on the same day, appear for multiple companies.
CONTACT HR DIRECTLY :-Niveda
Designation: Customer Support executive / Technical Support / AR Associate / Semi Voice / Email & Chat Support.
: Technical Support Executive.
Process : Technical Support , IT Help Desk, Trouble Shooting, Hardware and Networking Process
Work Location : Bangalore.
Salary Package : 2Lac to 4L PA
Cab Services : Free Pick & Drop
Rounds of Interviews : HR Round & Manager Round
Engaged in handling calls of Enterprise & different business units (Internal & External)
Provide World Class Customer Service.
End to Transaction of Reports.
Need to maintain Accuracy in Reports.
Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
Pleasant, professional, and courteous personality.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Strong administrative skills: organized, efficient and versatile.
Strong customer service approach to dealing with people at all levels internal and external.
Should be flexible with rotational Shifts.
Graduates or Undergraduates fresher or with BPO exp. Experience (0-6yrs).
Any graduates 2018 / 2019 fresher's can appear for interview.
Candidates from Bangalore is preferable.
Immediate Joiners.
- Niveda
Email id - HR4100
Black & White Business Solutions
#721, 2nd floor, CMH Road
Indiranagar, blore-38
Landmark: OPP MK Retail, Next to Andhra Bank.
Above AMAARAA showroom.
Please forward the mail to all your friends who fit the criteria.
Please carry 2 copies of resume all the educational documents photo copies and Aadhar card.


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AAS - Associate in Applied Science program (WT Course ID #: A40140)
Civil Engineering Technology students are introduced to a variety of coursework covering drainage and erosion control, statics and strength of materials, materials testing, site design and site surveying, as well as CAD and GIS software suitable for performing common workplace objectives. Students working in their field of study, with access to equipment and software, may also have opportunities to earn credit for course lab objectives by submitting workplace generated material in lieu of attending scheduled on campus labs.
Graduates also have transfer opportunities to pursue B.S. degrees at UNCC (Civil Engineering Technology), ECU (Industrial Technology), and NC A&T (Geomatics).
Certificates program (WT Course ID #: C40140A)
The Office CAD certificate program provides instruction in GIS, NCSS, technology sustainability and more.


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elendf 3 weeks, 1 day ago
Medhealth Ltd was founded in 2005, headquartered in Taiwan whose factory located in
China with 50,000 square feet and more than 150 skillful workers. Medhealth is now a leading manufacturer of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) prevention compression therapy device for over 10 years in China.
Medhealth specialized in:
DVT Intermittent Pump
DVT Sequential Pump
Portable DVT Device (including a detachable DVT pump and a pair of garments)
DVT Garment / Sleeve / Wrap / Cuff (Disposable and Reusable)
Quick Connector
Our Production Capacity: More than 60,000 units of DVT pumps and 4,000,000 pairs of DVT garments per year.
Besides our branded DVT Intermittent pneumatic device, sequential compression device and compression garments, Medhealth also can develop and produce DVT prevention products according to the drawings or samples provided by our customers with the support of our engineering team and production machine. ODM and OEM are all available. We offer technical support that is second to none.
Our Certificates: ISO13485, FDA, CE, CFDA
Why Choose Us?
● Compliance with 21CFR820 US quality regulations.
● FDA field inspection of the factory with zero defect (NAI) adoption.
● Obtained ISO13485 medical quality system certificate.
● FDA approved, up to six 510 (K), long-term share of the US market.
● EU CE certified.
● CFDA approved for the Chinese market.
● Unique research on product design and production, with multiple patents and copyrights.
● Successful registration of the trademark.
● Large-scale specialized production, self-developed equipment fixtures to ensure product quality.
● Self-operated import and export rights, products are sold all over the world, and we are an important manufacturer in the industry.
● Our well-equipped facilities and excellent quality control throughout all stages of production enables us to guarantee total customer satisfaction.
Trade Fair
·2016.01Arab HealthDubai
·2017.04Sea CareMalaysia
·2018.01Arab HealthDubai
·2018.08Medical Fai Asia Booth No.:1D27Singapore
·2018.09Rehacare Booth No.:3D04IIIDuesseldorfSequential Thigh Garment factory


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Juliana Gardener Greenhouses
At 12ft wide, the Juliana Gardener Greenhouse range offers the type of versatility that few others can match. Not only a greenhouse, you can also turn this tremendously impressive structure into a summer house with a table and chairs surrounded by flowers and foliage.
There are three versions, the largest at 19ft long presents you with a huge range of possibilities. They are all sturdily built from high quality materials, bright and warm inside, they offer the perfect place to either grow or relax, probably both at the same time.
Extremely well appointed, these are contemporary structures which benefit from many standard features as well as a host of optional accessories that will complete a remarkably practical greenhouse that will enhance both your garden and lifestyle.


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Nadia Hristova
Nadia Hristova is a cognitive neuroscientist and neuropsychologist working in the field of applied neuroscience since 2005. Nadia's involvement in neurofeedback started with a stroke rehabilitation project during her studies at the University of Osnabrück, Germany. Intrigued by the positive outcome of this project, Nadia went on to train with Dr Doerte Klein and joined her busy neurotherapy clinic in Hannover, Germany. There Nadia gained valuable experience in designing therapy plans and supervising neuro-training sessions of a wide range of clients presenting with various affective, cognitive and motor symptoms. Following a period of further studies at the Ruhr-University of Bochum and clinical and research work at academic and clinical settings in Germany and in the UK, Nadia moved to the private sector, providing qEEG consultancy and neurofeedback mentoring services for individual therapists and companies and lecturing for the European Institute of Biofeedback and Applied Neuroscience.
In 2016 Nadia founded the Bright Brain Centre London to implement her vision of 100% personalised neurotherapy. Nadia's unique approach combining neurofeedback training and qEEG-guided non-invasive brain stimulation, her experience, knowledge and commitment have since brightened many brains and changed many lives for better.
Nadia is a certified neurofeedback therapist with training from BCIA, Stress Therapy Solutions, SAN and European Institute of Biofeedback and Applied Neuroscience. She is fortunate to have trained with world leading experts in the field of qEEG and neurofeedback, such as Dr Tom Collura, Dr Jay Gunkelman, Dr Doerte Klein, Prof. Juri Kropotov, Prof Cynthia Kerson, Mark Smith, Dr Robert Thatcher and Dr Nick Dogris. In the field of biofeedback and brain stimulation techniques, Nadia studied with Prof. Richard Gevirtz, Dr Tiffany Thompson, Dr. Nick Dogris and Jamie Moore RN.
Nadia is member of the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB), the International Society for Neurofeedback Research (ISNR) and a postgraduate member of the British Neuroscience Association (BNA) and the European Federation of Neuroscience Societies (FENS) and attends regularly relevant professional conferences and events to ensure that her expertise is up-to-date with the newest developments in the field.


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Living together without being married or being in a civil partnership means you do not have many rights around finances, property and children. Consider making a will and getting a cohabitation agreement to protect your interests.
When both your names are on the tenancy agreement, you are equally responsible for the rent and any other tenancy conditions.
If you split up and one of you wants to move out, you will need to talk to your landlord or lettings agency to change the tenancy agreement.
You could be joint tenants, where you own the whole property together, or tenants in common, where you each own a share in the property. Find out more about these terms on the GOV.UK website.
Having a cohabitation agreement already in place can make things easier if you split up. You will need to agree between you what happens to the property.
If one of you dies, the other automatically inherits the property. This cannot be changed by your will.
Ownership could be split equally, or one of you may own a larger share. You might agree this if they pay more of the deposit or mortgage.
With tenants in common ownership, if you split up you will be entitled to your own share in the property.
If your partner dies, you will not automatically inherit their share, unless they have left it to you in their will.
You will not usually have any rights to the property if you don't own the property or a share in it, unless you can prove you have:
This means if you split up and you are not the owner you have no right to continue living in the property. And unless it's left to you in their will, you won't automatically inherit the property if your partner dies.
If you agree that you should both have a share in the property, you can transfer the property into a joint tenancy. A solicitor can help you do this.
The father only has parental responsibility if they are on the child's birth certificate. Parental responsibility means they have a say in decisions about the child.
For births registered before 1 December 2003 the father will not automatically have parental responsibility even if on the birth certificate.
Law on parental responsibility
You have a legal obligation to provide child support if you split up. This applies even if you do not have parental responsibility. You can apply to the Child Support Agency for payments and a court can order the parent to pay.
Find out more about parental responsibility
If your partner has a child or children from another relationship, you do not automatically have parental responsibility for them.
You will not be treated as next of kin if your partner becomes ill unless you and your partner have made a written agreement beforehand. This means you will not have automatic rights to know about their condition, or see them in hospital. You will not be able to plan their care, unless they have agreed this in writing.
If you die, because your partner is not your next of kin, they will not have the right to make arrangements.
If you die and you have separate bank accounts, your partner will not be legally able to access your account. Find out more on the Money Advice Service website.
If you die, your state pension is not automatically passed on to your partner. Different rules apply to company and private pensions. Find out more on the Money Advice Service website.
You and your partner do not have tax benefits as a couple.
If you want to give assets, like a house or a large amount of money, to your partner you may have to pay tax.
To make sure you and your partner's interests are protected, you may want to consider getting a cohabitation agreement and making a will.
Without a will your partner and their children will not automatically inherit from you. They will only be able to make a claim through court if:
Find a solicitor to get help with cohabitation agreements and wills.


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my first lesson from our unborn child
Being pregnant is very interesting.
If I'm being honest, I find it to be such a strange time in my life. My body has never looked like this before and has never felt like this before. And what's crazy is that it's basically out of my hands entirely. I can do things to keep myself healthy and strong, of course, but my body is not my own anymore — I'm sharing it with a little one.
There are times when this becomes a bit overwhelming for me. I become stressed about a number of different things (my body, my mental clarity, my diet, my maternity leave, my relationships, etc.) and then I get stressed about being stressed because you're not supposed to be stressed when you're pregnant. Yikes!
What I normally do when I am dealing with overwhelm is train really, really, really hard. I go to the gym, take a class, go at 100% effort, and it all feels so good again. The stress washes away.
But what happens when you can't do that? It's ill-advised to go at 100% effort in the gym when you're pregnant — it's not safe for the little guy or girl. But if that's my way of releasing my pent-up stress, then what's a pregnant gal to do?
This is an interesting problem, I think, because it's not just a pregnant woman's dilemma.
We have a dear friend that had a spinal injury not too long ago and has been advised to basically do nothing until told otherwise.
I have a family member who was on a hell of a exercise ritual, and then got diagnosed with a heart condition that required him to bring his intensity to almost zero.
And what about post-op patients who need to wait weeks or months before they can train intensely again? I've known a few of those folks, too.
Or what about when we just have a crazy week or two? We get sick, then the family gets sick, then we have crazy deadlines for work, and we just can't seem to prioritize time to train.
We've got to have options that reduce cortisol levels even when we can't train at the intensity that we're used to, right?
I've been looking, and I've found some stuff that's been working. And if you're in a place where you need to reduce stress but going H.A.M at the gym isn't really an option, maybe these will help you, too 🙂
From Mark's Daily Apple's post The Definitive Guide to Stress, Cortisol, and the Adrenals: When 'Fight or Flight' Meets the Modern World…
Managing Stress
Managing stress, then, is paramount to maximizing optimal health. To the extent that you can, reduce the "noise" in your life – from entertainment, from frivolous or excess obligations, from fractious relationships, from debt, and so on. Managing stress is a very big topic indeed, and we'll be addressing it more in future posts. For now, here are the key factors I believe are necessary to reducing stress:
– Consume antioxidant-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables. I also recommend a multivitamin that contains a comprehensive and potent antioxidant profile. Completely avoid processed, empty calories found in snacks, junk food and fast food.
– Consume adequate beneficial fats to utilize antioxidants, vitamins, enzymes and co-factors. Wild Alaskan salmon, pure fish oil pills, olive oil, nuts and avocados are good places to start. I don't go in for the Omega-enhanced Tropicana or miracle mayonnaise, personally.
– Manage expectations: your own and others'. Ambition and motivation and generous support are all great traits to possess. But don't over-promise to others or yourself. None of us knows the future.
– Exercise daily. I cannot stress this enough. Exercise releases endorphins and helps to regulate the production of critical brain hormones.
– Unhook daily. Most of us spend so much time on the input-output cycle, we don't give adequate time to simply absorbing it all. Reflect, relax, restore. I personally like to spend a little time each day reflecting on what I am grateful for (I call this doing my "appreciations".) Prayer, meditation, singing, cooking and other activities that get you out of your head and into the moment are vital to helping you manage the stress of constant stimuli and energy demands. "Think positive" is nice advice, but it's tough to do if you are at your limit. It's easier to find an action that naturally lends itself to positive thinking and feeling, rather than trying to control your thoughts. That in and of itself can become stressful. Find an immersing action that works for you and do it religiously. Fuming not recommended.
So it turns out, for this exercise junkie, that there is more to reducing cortisol levels and reducing stress than just slamming weights around the gym at 100% effort. Yay for that! I can work on eating really well, say "no" to things more often, play the piano, and, of course, exercise every day, albeit at a lower intensity.
And the cool thing about becoming more serious about the above habits is that I think they will serve me so much better in the long run. So instead of taking on a shit-ton of work, overdoing and overcommitting, and then going to the gym for a much-needed release, I am becoming a more integrated, more whole person who has different ways and avenues to unwind and unload.
The little boy is already teaching me something about life, it seems. And he hasn't even arrived yet.
SOFLA athletes — Wanna know a secret?! We're upgrading our gym's software, and it's going to be awesome 🙂 More details coming next week…


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Steel buildings are one of the most versatile structural materials and methods on the planet, so much so that they can be used in nearly any industry that you can imagine. It's important to figure out for yourself just how you want your structure to look and feel so you can ensure that it will meet all of your requirements and standards. This is no different for the beauty & wellness industry, which can include everything from spas and beauty treatment clinics to salons! We might not think of prefab steel right away with these industries due to the industrial nature of these buildings, but there's plenty of reasons why it's the perfect building material to bring these kinds of locations to life!
Prefab steel is a material that lasts for years, which is especially perfect if you plan to own and operate your location for a long time. As one of the strongest materials on the market, it's easy to see why it's the choice for so many property owners who want to be able to use their structure for the next several years. Steel is a material that stands up well to all kinds of weather conditions and is resistant to specific things like fire as well as pests like termites and burrowing animals – which is especially important for a business that is so reliant on adhering to specific healthy and cleanliness standards. With a structure made from a material like wood, this would be something you would have to worry about, but with steel, you get peace of mind!
Easy To Build
Prefab steel buildings are remarkably easy to put together so anytime you're thinking about putting up a structure, you won't have to wait for months on end, or sometimes years, for it to be completed. Prefab steel buildings come with an easy set of DIY instructions that will ensure that the structure is put together correctly, but you can also employ the help of a contractor in order to get the job done as well. Typically, health & wellness locations go up in both established and newer communities, but it's always better to have these structures put together much sooner than later so you can start your business as soon as possible.
Possibly the best thing about prefab steel buildings is the fact that they are so flexible and versatile, making it easy to be used in a wide variety of ways. Our prefab buildings are easy to mold into a wide selection of layouts that can also be customized to look however you need it to. Think about the kind of bright and airy aesthetic that most salons or spas have, and make them a reality with your prefab steel building. Of course, it will be imperative that you consider exactly what you want the structure to look like in the end before you can really get started on your project.
Lack Of Maintenance
Another great aspect of prefab steel buildings that makes it the perfect choice for wellness and beauty locations is the fact that they require little to no maintenance in order to stay in good shape. It will be important to be able to focus on the day-to-day functions of the business inside rather than having to constantly do repairs or fixes to the structure itself. This is what makes prefab steel buildings perfect. Also, having parts of your structure that need to be fixed might cause you to have to stop operations if they are things that increase the risk of harm to your clients. Particularly since it will be a space where you will want your clients to be relaxed most of the time, having broken, hanging, corroding or exposed pieces of your building will make that a bit difficult. With prefab steel buildings, you won't have to worry about that in the same ways you would in a structure made from a material like wood.
Speak with a building designer for more information 1-888- 345-7833


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Inscape Festival
Camping at a festival is like becoming a part of a colorful and vivacious village that only exists for a few days. It's where friendships are made and adventures begin, where everyone is accepting of others and ready to have a good time.
Inscape is an ultimate experience stepping into the world of music and nature.
We at Inscape strive to give you the best in music along with a serene camping experience, where you get to disconnect from the city life.
Let me further enlighten you on what you can expect when you step into the premises of this mesmerising view
Day Activities - Active Sessions
- Sunset Yoga Session
- Quad Biking
- Kayaking/Boating
- Water Activities
- Trekking
- Swimming - or simply float on our lake
- Table Tennis
- Mini Basketball
- Badminton
- Foosball
Enjoy our acoustic line up of some fine upcoming musicians of our generation
Night Activities - Chill Sessions
- Bonfire
- Stargazing
- Food Stalls
- Bar
- Electronic Music Lineup
- Flea Market
Enjoy our ever epic curation of the best electronic music line up.
What are the dates and location for Inscape 2018?
Inscape will take place on 22nd & 23rd of December 2018. Campers stay overnight until check-out at 2 PM on Day 1 & Day 2 depending on their package. Day pass holders can stay back for an hour after the performances end on both days. If they wish to stay back overnight they can purchase a tent at the Box Office at any time. To get there, you have to come via the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and take the Khopoli exit; it is advisable to search for "Sabharwal Farm" on Google Maps.
What are the festival timings for day pass holder and day + resident pass holders?
Gates open for day pass holders at 12 PM on 22nd & 23rd December 2018; day pass holders will have to vacate the premises once the performances end. Day pass holders cannot stay back unless they purchase a tent. Day + resident pass owners can check-in at 10 AM for the days they've booked for and will have to check-out by 2 PM.
Is there and age limit for the festival?
Inscape is strictly for over 18 year olds. Purchase and consumption of alcohol will be strictly controlled at all times. They will require any government ID proof, which will be checked when entering the event as well as any time on venue grounds.
How and where do I collect my tickets/wristbands?
Tickets are to be collected from the Ticket Booth/Box Office at the venue. You will need photo ID proof and a print out of the confirmation email. Day pass holders and campers will have separate entries. Campers in addition to print out of the confirmation email will have to carry a government ID for each guest checking in.
What does the day pass include?
It gives you access to the festival for the days your booked for and it strictly does not include access to the campsite for any purpose. This pass is just for entry and it does not include F&B or Water Sports. Please note, there will be no re-entry and you will have to vacate the venue at the end of the performances.
What does the day + resident pass include?
The day + resident pass includes a night stay in a tent and festival access. Please note, check-out time will be 2 PM.
What is the itinerary for users who camp through the night?
During the day time, the focus will be more on activities, water sports and you will have a chance to indulge in barbecues and beverages with performances, take in the views and relax. Night time will include DJ performances and bonfires, with special things planned for you. Day pass holders will not get to stay back at night unless they purchase a tent.
What are the food options? And is there any veg?
There will be food stalls available at the venue and yes some, veg food.
Can I bring my own food?
Outside food is not allowed.
Can I bring my own alcohol & drinks?
You are strictly not allowed to carry your own alcohol. Any alcohol that you bring will be confiscated.
Where can I park? And is parking fee included in the festival pass?
Ample parking is available at no cost. Camping pass and day pass holders will have separate parkings for their convenience.
What are the items that prohibited?
Organizers reserve the right to refuse admission to the festival at any time. Also, any bags brought into the event will be searched upon entry.
The following items are prohibited and will not be allowed into the venue:
1. Weapons, explosives, firearms, glass bottles, aluminium cans, hazardous and breakable materials.
2. Fireworks, lasers and anything else that can interfere with the artists.
3. Professional DSLR, recording devices, video equipment that have not been pre-approved.
4. Alcohol, food, bottles, cans, glass, animals and sound systems may not be brought onto the festival site.
5. No camping gear of any kind will be allowed into the venue.
6. No helmets will be allowed inside the festival.
How can I pay for things at the venue?
You can pay by cash & credit/debit cards.
Is there any advised clothing? Especially for the water sports?
For the festival, you are free to wear anything you want as long as it isn't offensive or too revealing. For water sports; swimming gear or appropriate comfort clothing should be fine, organizers will take strict action for anyone misbehaving or being inappropriate.
Are there changing rooms?
There are restrooms where day pass holders can change and campers can change in their tent or their platform restrooms.
I do not know swimming? Can I do the water sports?
Yes, you will be under professional guidance and the organizers will require everyone to wear life jackets for utmost safety. For any emergencies, lifeguards will be on site.
Will you provide training for the adventure activities?
Yes, you will be trained before each activity.
Is it a pet friendly festival?
Strictly no pets allowed, please do not show up with pets for the event expecting entry upon request. If at all you do not follow, you cannot claim a refund.
What kind of services does Inscape provide at the festival?
Friendly male and female security staff; clean and safe environment; information booths and more.
What about medical emergencies and general provisions?
Inscape will have a first aid kit whenever needed and an ambulance on site for any emergencies. For general items, they will have a general store at the venue. Please note, as much as they will provide assistance during an emergency, they are not responsible for any illegal consumption or harm done.
What is the drug policy?
Any kind of illegal or prohibited substance is not allowed. They will be taking all measures for thorough checking at entry. Strict legal action will be taken against anyone caught with any illegal or illicit substances and they reserve the right to vacate you from the event at any time.
Can I get a refund of my booked ticket?
No refund will be given once a ticket is booked.
What do I do in case of duplicate payment taken?
Duplicate payments have occurred, usually as a result of the buyer refreshing the payment page during the payment process. If this happens, please email email@example.com with a copy of your bank statement showing both transactions and the refund will be processed.
Can I transfer my ticket to a friend?
All tickets purchased are strictly non-transferable.
Will my bag be checked?
All your bags will be checked upon check-in. If any prohibited items are found, you are required to either get it confiscated or put it in your car. At any point, the organizers reserve the right to refuse admission.
Can we bring our own tent?
You cannot bring your own tents. This a functioning campsite and there are tents setup already.
What are the configurations of tenting options?
They have 2 Person, 4 Person & 2 Person VIP Tents. The 2 Person tents are on the lawns with common toilets and common showers, they will already be setup. The 4 Person & the 2 Person VIP Tents will be on platforms along with private toilets but you will have common showers.
Can I smoke in my tent?
You are strictly not allowed to smoke in your tents. You may smoke outside your tents or in other designated smoking areas. Anyone found smoking in their tents will be fined ₹ 5,000 or will be asked to vacate the premises.
Can I take any alcohol or food inside my tent?
You cannot consume alcohol or food inside your tent. There is ample seating outside. Inscape will have security at all camp row entries.
Are there showers available?
Yes, showers are available and with hot water too. The showers are in a common area but are separate for both men and women to maintain privacy. Please note, you will have to bring your own towels and toiletries.
What do you get in the tents?
Each tent will have a mattress, comforter and pillow for each guest. You will be given 1 complimentary bottle of water at check-in per guest. VIP tents will have a bed, side table, lamp & toilet kit.
What do you not get in the tents?
You won't get electrical point, so please carry power banks (Inscape will have a few charging points around the venue), but you can buy torches/lamps at the venue.
Do I need to carry my own camping gear?
Tents will be fully installed as per your bookings. You do not need to carry any camping gear. No form of modification or adjustments can be made to the tents provided to you.
What should I carry for camping?
Power banks, towels, medicines and toiletries are recommended. You may also bring your own torch or a small portable light.
Can I choose which tent will allotted to me?
You may request the allotment at the venue during check-in as per booking on a first come first serve basis. However, the organizers do not guarantee any preference in this case.
What should I be aware of as a camper?
This is a music festival and there will be loud music playing into the late hours. You are not allowed to take any day pass holders into your tents. All tents are strictly non-smoking.
What does the day pass include?
It gives you access to the festival for the days you've booked for and it strictly does not include access to the campsite for any purpose. This pass is just for entry and it does not include F&B or Water Sports. Please note, there will be no re-entry and you will have to vacate the venue at the end of the performances.
Can I upgrade my day pass to a camping pass at the venue?
If tents are available, you may book at the venue box office but prices are subject to change.
What does the day pass entail?
The day pass holders get to enter the festival area to watch the performances, they get to indulge in activities including water sports, they can shop at the flea stalls and can purchase food & beverages.
Do day pass holders have separate restrooms?
Yes, there will be sufficient restrooms and showers are available for both men and women on the festival grounds. Day pass holders are not allowed to use the campsite toilets.
Line Up
Modeplex (Jeahmon!, Steyoyoke, Somatic)
Ash Roy
Audio Glitch
Blank (live)
Blurry Slur
Future Culture
Minitech Project
Neyha Tolani
Nosh & SJ
Tuhin Mehta
Abji George
Rejected Cartoons
Swing Youth
Green Ninjas
Letscampout Sabharwal Farms Campsite
Sabharwal Farm, Kalote Mokashi, Maharashtra 410212GET DIRECTIONS


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Entire BMW R line-up gets new 1254cc engine for 2019
BMW will update the entire boxer family for 2019, all models to receive a new, 1254 cc engine producing 134 HP
Good news arrives from the BMW camp: their entire R-suffixed line-up receives new, bigger engines. House Munich overhauls the LC mill and increases displacement to 1,254 cc for all the boxer-powered machines.
Weeks ago we caught wind that BMW could be thinking about updating their GS bikes, and we knew that the new powerplant would eventually make it to the rest of the family. However, we did not see such a bold move coming, with the German manufacturer indeed replacing the engines of all its R bikes in a single move.
Documents filed in the US with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) have clarified the matter, as the list of updated motorbikes included all the R-family models. This means that BMW's 2019 R1250GS, R1250GS Adventure, R1250R, R1250RS and R1250RT will arrive next year with the new engine, with (partial) liquid cooling.
The 1,254 cc boxer will deliver 134 horsepower, a rather neat step up from 125. It looks like the mill will be a tad heavier, but not to a degree that will count for most riders. One of the most interesting rumors, still to be confirmed (or not) is that BMW will introduce variable valve timing in the new powerplants, making them more responsive and economical.
Other minor aesthetic enhancements can also be expected, possibly with more electronic features added to the list, but we believe that nothing major (save for the engine) will be changed. BMW's R-series machines have grown edgier with each generation, and we could expect to see Munich going further down this road. They're not the only one, as it appears that KTM's spartan, aggressive design language has been embraced many names in the business.
Looking forward to Intermot next month to see the new BMW R family.
READ MORE on technology: Yamaha's seamless gearbox coming to the street
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A European leather belt has been beaded with the wavy lines and arches used by the Maasai. The colour palette is typical of early 20th century pieces, lacking the orange and bright green used in later pieces. The European leather belt would have been a prestige item both for it's rarity and it's curiosity value.
There is a very similar piece in the collection of the Museum of Natural History in New York, Catalog No: 90.1/ 7653. It was donated to the museum in 1944.


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(December 23, 2008 photo by Pete Stemmer.)
Chalkley and Ellen Sears on the front porch and their son, Eugene, on the front lawn of the Sears families South Maple Avenue home. Eugene Sears is Helen Sears Carty's father. The street at that time was known as Eel Street. (Photo courtesy of Helen Sears Carty.)
Captain John, standing center with outstretched arms in the front yard of the Sears-Cramer house. (Photo courtesy of William and Betty Jean Mathis Keufer.)


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Location220 E. Pleasant St.
Milwaukee, WI 53212
Mon. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tues. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wed. 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thurs. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
3rd Sat. 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Clinic Ratingout of 5 (177 reviews)
Dental Associates clinics and dentists are rated by patients through random surveys conducted by nationally-recognized patient experience firm Press Ganey. Detailed ratings of each dentist can be found by visiting their profile page via the links below.
Services We Provide at Our Clinic
- General Dental Exams
- Fillings
- Pediatric Dental Exams
- Sealants
- Fluoride Treatment
- Cosmetic Dentistry
- Whitening
- Orthodontics
- Braces
- Invisalign
- Tooth Extractions
- Wisdom Teeth Extractions
- Root Canal Therapy
- Crowns
- Bridges
- Dentures
- Gum Disease Treatment
Dentists at Dental Associates Milwaukee - Beerline B
About our Beerline B Dentists & Dental Clinic
Dental Associates' Milwaukee Beerline B dental center is located near the Brewer's Hill neighborhood, just east of Schlitz Park. Our brand new, state-of-the-art clinic offers you the latest in dental technology with the convenience of a neighborhood dentist.
Our Milwaukee Beerline B clinic offers you dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants. Beerline B patients needing additional specialty services like orthodontics, oral surgery, or dental implants will be supported by our nearby Milwaukee-area clinics and dental specialists.
Where is Milwaukee's Beerline B neighborhood?
While some may not recognize the Beerline B name, the neighborhood is a fast-growing area of Milwaukee and the name is a nod to the Beerline B railroad spur that once served the Pabst, Blatz and Schlitz breweries. The Beerline B neighborhood adjoins Brewers Hill, which takes its name from the brewery workers and owners who once called the area home.
Driving Directions to our Dental Clinic
Our clinic is located at the corner of Pleasant & Commerce streets on the west side of the Milwaukee River. Located in the first floor of the Beerline B Apartments, our clinic entrance is adjacent the parking lot on the north side of the building.
From the north
- Take 43 S to exit 73B towards North Ave
- Use the middle three lanes to take a slight left on to N Halyard Ave
- Continue on to 6th Avenue, then turn left on E Pleasant Street
- Arrive at 225 E Pleasant St.
From the west
- Take 94 E to exit 310B
- Continue on to W. Kilbourn Ave
- Turn left on N Water St and then turn left on E Pleasant St
- Arrive at 225 E Pleasant St.
From the south
- Take 43 N to exit 73A on to WI-145 S/W Fond Du Lac Ave
- Continue east on WI-145 and turn left on N 6th Street
- Turn right on E Pleasant Ave and arrive at arrive at 225 E Pleasant Street.
From the East Side (Intersection of North Ave/Prospect Ave)
- Head west on E North Ave
- Turn left on N Commerce St
- Turn left onto E Pleasant St. and arrive at 225 E Pleasant Street.


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where are you located??
engine found and no longer needed-thanks for help guys
Last edited by marlon; 2nd January 2009 at 10:59 PM.
where are you located??
What is it your doing RWD 4age conversion?
You got PM !
Just to let you know, I have the RWD loom, ecu, coils and ignitor
Have RWD manifold, loom and ECU if required
cheers guys, il let you know if i need the parts after i buy the engine.


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The O.G Granola (GF DF RSF VG) include:
The Original Baked Granola (GF DF RSF VG)
House baked coconut & blueberry granola, whipped probiotic yoghurt. acai berry compote. organic coconut milk.
Ingredients: Acai, blueberry, blackberry, cornflour, coconut yoghurt, tapioca starch, coconut milk, coconut flakes, pepitas, sunflower seeds, bikinis, macadamias, maple syrup, cashew nuts, sesame seeds, rapadura sugar, cinnamon, ginger, salt, apple sauce.
Allergens: Contains nuts, coconut. May contain traces of dairy, soy, corn.


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When you don't maintain your vehicle, it breaks down. The expense of a new vehicle probably ensures that you do everything you can to make sure that your car keeps running. That includes regular maintenance and repairs when needed. However, it isn't just your car that needs maintenance and repair. Your clothing, refrigerator, HVAC system, and other appliances can probably benefit from a little TLC. Clothing should be easy to take care of – just be sure to wash it correctly and learn to sew enough that you can reattach a button or darn a hole.
While your maintaining and repairing activities will help you reduce your waste volume, there are other things you can do to make the garbage you would normally collect take up less space. Choosing food items and other goods in the smallest possible packaging is one way to reduce the volume of your waste. A school system in Utah taught its students to stack the trash that the lunchroom generated. Paper plates, cups and bowls were put in an organized pile that the janitor could easily move. The resulting reduction in volume of trash was amazing and saved the school a lot of money. Most waste disposal services charge by volume and not weight, crushing your plastic and paper food containers that can't be recycled will help you save money.
Depending on your waste removal company, you may be able to separate recyclable waste from other waste and save money because of it. Glass, aluminum, tin, and paper are all items that can be easily recycled. Certain types of plastic can also be recycled depending on the programs available in your community.
Much of your kitchen and yard waste can be composted. If you have a home, your compost pile can provide you with fertile soil for a garden, which you can use to grow food and further reduce your dependence on grocery stores while saving money. Then you won't have to worry about yard waste removal.
If you have a large amount of garbage from a remodel or for some other reason, you may want to consider getting a roll-off container from solid waste management in Big Rapids, MI. A roll-off can provide you with all the space that you need and may be easier and cheaper than relying on your regular waste disposal methods. Once you get rid of the large junk, you can work on the other skills that are necessary for reducing, reusing, and recycling to help lower your impact on the your wallet, your neighborhood and the planet.


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We live in a society that constantly tells us what we have is not enough. Our houses need to be bigger, our cars need to be faster, our schedules need to be fuller, and our vacations need to be fancier. We build bigger closets to accommodate a few more designer labels. We buy the latest version of our favorite hand held device because it has a few more features our current version lacks. We buy new furniture because our old stuff "just isn't in style anymore." We live in a society of more, not less. We are taught that when we don't like something the best solution is to simply replace it. Besides, we won't truly be happy until we have the newer, faster, shinier, sexier version anyway.
Unfortunately, we have allowed the influence of marketing giants to affect our relationships as well. When friendships get hard, we simply start calling someone else. When our in-laws are difficult, we try to avoid them as much as possible. When we no longer find our spouse as sexy, funny, interesting, or patient as we once did, we assume the best solution is to replace him or her with someone else. Why not? When the car hit 100,000 miles I just purchased another newer, sexier model that makes me happier than the old one did. Surely the same logic can apply to my spouse, right? Instead of approaching our marriages like a purchase plans, we see them as lease agreements. We'll test out one partner for a few years but as soon as the lease option expires, we want the newer, younger, funnier, less nagging, more engaged model.
The problem lies in the fact that we are taught to constantly focus on what we don't have instead of what we do. Perhaps if we spent more time watering our own lawn it would become lush and green once again. Instead, we see our neighbor's yard and covet what he has. We assume the best course of action is to buy his house so we can enjoy his grass. What we don't notice, however, are the countless hours he spends attending to its every need. He is diligent to keep out pests and weeds that will destroy the delicate blades as they grow. He takes the time necessary to water and fertilize, ensuring his yard gets the nutrients it needs to survive the harsh seasons of life. While we are frantically running around in an attempt to keep up with our fast-paced schedules, our neighbor is mowing, pruning, edging, and clipping. He finishes his work sweating, scratched, sore, and tired but pleased with the effort because of the immense joy he receives when he looks out at the sanctuary he has created. We don't understand why after a few months of living in our neighbor's house his grass has withered and died, much like our own. We didn't take the time to care for it as he did. So once again we look over the next neighbor's fence to see what he might have in his yard that we can take for our own.
We tend to have the same attitude with our marriages. We look at our spouse and think "why can't you be as thin as Bob's wife", or "why can't you be more like Sally, she never nags Fred." And then we think maybe we were meant to marry Sally in the first place. What if instead, we took the time to attend to our own marriage? What if we remembered back on all the qualities that made us fall in love in the first place? What if we had conversations with our spouse and cleared our schedule for a date night once a week? What if instead of longing for someone else's marriage, we took the time to make our own exactly what we wanted it to be? Perhaps we'd find we really like our yard better anyway. It's not an easy task. It takes time and effort but more often than not, the joy of a lasting meaningful marriage is well worth the bumps and bruises endured along the way.
Lauren Guenther, LPC Intern


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Several studies have shown that the incidence of heart attack and stroke increase in December and January, particularly on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. To minimize the risk of an unexpected visit to the emergency room, Kevin M. Barrett, M.D., vascular neurologist at Mayo Clinic in Florida and co-director of the Mayo Clinic Primary Stroke Center, offers these tips:
- Reduce stress. "Many people believe the holidays can actually change the physiology of the body and increase levels of stress hormones," says Dr. Barrett. "The increased hormones can lead to increases in blood pressure and subsequently translate into heart attack and stroke."
- Eat and drink in moderation. The holidays can lead to overindulgences with food and alcohol but try to be mindful. Alcohol specifically can irritate the heart muscle and cause atrial fibrillation — or abnormal heart rhythm — that increases stroke risk.
- Be vigilant with medication. Varying schedules, additional activities and travel can lead to lapses in the way you take medication during the holidays. "Be mindful of taking your medications, especially if you are on blood pressure pills or blood thinners," says Dr. Barrett. And don't forget to label medication bottles and carry them with you if traveling by air.
- Exercise — and get rest. Try to maintain movement and heart-healthy activities but take appropriate breaks.
- Know the symptoms for heart attack and stroke, and don't delay in seeking medical attention. Call 911 if there is a concern. "There are many effective treatments available for heart attack and stroke," says Dr. Barrett, "but it's imperative a person come to the hospital promptly so health care professionals can treat them in the most efficient and effective way."
Taking time to be mindful of stress and the triggers of heart attack and stroke can hopefully help safeguard an enjoyable and pleasant holiday season.
About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit worldwide leader in medical care, research and education for people from all walks of life.


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When the wind starts whipping up dirt and debris and the sound of whiny engines and chopping propellers fills the air, take your belongings and run. The helicopter parents have come out in full-force, armed for battle, and they mean business.
It's impossible to navigate high school without encountering the abrasive blades of a helicopter parent. They're the ones calling the teachers to discuss a little "grade adjustment" because their darling angel's report card didn't quite meet their expectations, believing that if they just argue a bit harder, all will be right in the world. On the Internet, stories abound concerning the extreme lengths parents are willing to go for their kids. After a certain point, the tales all seem to blend together.
Stalking a child's college campus? Oh, sure. I've heard that one before. GPS trackers on kids? No surprise there.
These parents are primarily criticized in web articles and newspapers by their fellow guardians and teachers, who disdain their hovering presence. But their ill effects extend to a greater segment of the population, spawning a generation of youth, like me, who resent the kids whose parents come to bat for them on a daily basis.
We deride those who exist in a sea of college and test prep tutors and can't make a decision without mommy dearest coming to the rescue. Some of this exasperation comes from a deep-seated sense of jealousy. We crave what we don't have, and the thought of a little extra pampering has its merits.
Equal, however, are the bitter frustrations at the inequality of life. My indignation stems less from envy than from a sense of grave injustice. I'm fine with handling situations sans Mom and Dad; I just don't want anyone else to coast without consequences. And even though I know in my heart of hearts that it's the parents' fault, it's far easier to make my peers the scapegoats.
Of course, if you go through my phone you'll find the thoughtful, essay-length text messages from my mother about the importance of going to bed on time, making me every bit as culpable. I confess! Sometimes my parents hover. It's a fundamental characteristic of parenthood, along with a tendency to effortlessly embarrass one's children and blindly love their artwork. But while there's nothing inherently wrong with parents coddling their children from time to time, it's become a behavior that's overly indulged.
Part of the reason for helicopter parenting's dominance is that the style, at its core, represents a struggle between our real selves and the people we long to be. We've spent our entire lives hearing about our impending freedom. But such independence can be scary: What if I can't figure out how to get along with a roommate, or feed myself? What if I'm the one who breaks the washing machine, flooding my entire dorm and earning the moniker "raging waters"? Relying on our parents seems so much more natural, requiring no conscious effort on our part, and we're so used to viewing them as the ultimate authority that it's easier not to change.
When my mother praises the clay snowman I made in first grade, holding it up as an example of my creativity, I cringe a little. But it's hard to imagine a life without those compliments. They've supported me through skinned knees and tears, and to leave them in the lurch seems almost disloyal.
And even if we do break free, the alternatives we face are not exactly comforting. In our society, trying isn't respected; only the product counts. Second place is tossed out without a second glance, while the success stories, even those propped up by their parents, get the glory. Every list we publish ranking the world's most wealthy, every book we buy about "The Key to Success" or some other meaningless title — they all reinforce this disparity. It's hard to want independence with such dismal prospects.
Under the surface, however, helicopter parenting's effects are far worse than even the most embarrassing laundry catastrophe. As a 2013 study in the Journal of Child and Family Studies revealed, such over-involved parenting can lead to depression by depriving children of the opportunity to problem-solve and confront their own issues.
Each time parents steps in and resolve a predicament, their children lose an opportunity to practice a skill crucial to real-world success. And as the trend of over-intensive parenting gains steam, we forget that there was ever another way to be.
Of course, parenting isn't a black-and-white affair, and a clean break isn't always the solution. It's just as easy to run away from a helicopter as it is to get mangled by the blades, but running away never solves any problems. Soon we'll be the ones with our own helicopters, but that doesn't mean we can't ever return to the launchpad. It's a matter of walking the fine line between too little and too much, and just like flying a helicopter, it's a balancing act.


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Tuscany is a very popular destination in Italy. Located in the centre of Italy it is known for its landscapes, traditions, history and artistic legacy. Many hilltop villages, UNESCO sites, museums, Chianti route, cultural events and the beautiful beaches represent its unique cultural identity.
Many of us are not full time travelers and only use our annual holiday to travel around. How do we see the best of Tuscany during the limited travel time? Based on the experience from our recent trip to Tuscany, we have drawn the conclusion that it is quite stressful to arrange activities such as booking a wine tasting tour or buying train tickets and so on. For example, we drove along the Carrara Marble Route on our own. Part of the road is unpaved and an off-road car is actually required for this purpose. With an usual car we had to take precautions. Some of the places are also not accessible by individual visitors.
Another example was the Wine Tasting tour. Some local websites are in Italian language only and each of them also has its own schedule. Some wineries only offer wine tasting tours to the visitors who stay on their premises. So we were unable to join any wine tasting because we booked a hotel somewhere else already. If you book a tour through a tour operator then you might not need to stay there.
So in most cases it would be better to join tours instead. Fortunately there are many tours starting from several major cities, such Florence or Pisa. They cover many popular tourist sites and activities. The following ten tours are very popular and they have very good reviews as well.
Tour 1: San Gimignano, Siena, Chianti Guided Tour from Florence
Starting from Florence this is a full-day tour of Tuscany's villages and wine regions. You will travel into the heart of the beautiful Tuscan countryside. The duration of the tour is around 12 hours. The highlights are:
- Enjoy the gently rolling hills of the Val D'Elsa in luxury, air-conditioned coaches
- Visit the medieval town of San Gimignano, home to Vernaccia di San Gimignano wine and saffron
- Explore the immaculate town of Siena, world-renowned for its Palio horse race
- Visit a splendid Chianti estate and take part in two exclusive wine tastings
For further detail information about the trip please click here.
Tour 2: Montalcino, Pienza & Montepulciano Food Tour from Siena
Depart from Siena and cross the Tuscan hills, you will visit wineries that produce wines such as Brunello di Montalcino and Nobile di Montepulciano and learn wine making traditions. The tour takes about 10 hours. Some of the highlights are:
- Taste the food and wines of Tuscany at local wineries
- Sample Brunello di Montalcino and Nobile di Montepulciano wines
- Drive across the gentle, rolling hills of Tuscany
- See medieval castles and historic towers on hillsides
- Stroll the charming streets of Montalcino
For further detail information about the trip please click here.
Tour 3: Full-Day San Gimignano, Siena & Chianti Tour from Pisa
Traveling from Pisa into the heart of the beautiful Tuscan countryside, you will enjoy a day tour of Tuscany's villages and wine regions, visit the town of San Gimignano, have exclusive wine tastings at a splendid Chianti estate, take a guided tour of Siena and explore the medieval fortress of Monteriggioni.
The tour takes around 11 hours. For further detail information about the trip please click here.
Tour 4: Tuscan 1 Day: Siena, San Gimignano, Monteriggioni, Chianti
The tour tour includes the visiting of charming medieval towns of Siena, the UNESCO World Heritage Site San Gimignano and discovering the dazzling hilltop town Monteriggioni. Other highlights are:
- Explore the beauty of the Chianti countryside landscape
- Enjoy a local lunch followed by a tasting of traditional pastries
- Delicious local wine tasting in a farmhouse located in the heart of Chianti
The tour takes around 11 hours. For further detail information about the trip please click here.
Tour 5: Florence: Timed Entrance Ticket to Michelangelo's David
The ticket will allow you to enjoy the priority entrance to the Accademia Gallery and admire Michelangelo's masterpieces. You can benefit from the advantages of a timed entry slot, and stay as long as long as you like in the Gallery.
Tour 6: Carrara: Exclusive Marble Cave Jeep Tour Adventure
This excursion is about marble sensation. It offers an authentic adventure inside the famous marble caves along the Carrara Marble Route and the opportunity to learn the history of the territory. You can visit some enormous underground marble quarries which you can only see them by joining a tour.
Further more you will learn ll about marble traditions and manufacturing techniques. Along the route there are unforgettable panorama views. You will also taste a local gourmet product Lardo di Colonnata.
The tour starts from Colonnata. You should join this tour if you are around Carrara. For further detail information about the trip please click here.
Tour 7: Volterra and Colle Val d'Elsa Day Trip from Florence
The tour starts from Florence. First of all you will take part in a craft workshop of its famous crystals. Then in Volterra you will discover the chosen location for the "Twilight New Moon" saga and learn about its alabaster extraction and processing industry, and notable settlement by the Etruscans. Afterward the tour will Stop for lunch at an organic farm and learn about ancient farming techniques still in use. Taste local produce from Tuscany, along with regional red or white wines.
This is a 10-hour guided tour. For further detail information about the tour please click here.
This tour offers the priority entrance to climb up the Florence Duomo (Cupola) and the top of Brunelleschi's dome for panoramic city views. Throughout the tour you will learn more about the historic centre of Florence and hear how construction began at the end of 13th century and took 2 centuries to complete.
It will save precious time with a fast-track entry ticket to Florence Duomo and get more time to see the sights of the cathedral complex with an expert guide. For further detail information about the tour please click here.
On this 9-hour tour you will visit two beautiful cities of the Renaissance, Lucca and Pisa. The main activities include the discovering the intact walls of Lucca, tasting a typical pastry of Lucca in an historic café, wandering the dazzling Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa and admiring the Leaning Tower from the outside.
If time permitting you can go inside the staggering Pisa Cathedral. The tour starts from Florence. For further detail information about the tour please click here.
Tour 10: Cinque Terre: Full-Day Train Tour from Florence
Cinque Terre has very different landscape compared to Tuscany's. It is a rugged region of the Italian Riveria. This tour starts from Florence and will see four of five charming villages from the Cinque Terre.
You will explore the narrow lanes and steep stairways in Vernazza, discover one of the world's most enchanting landscapes and enjoy the beautiful beaches ( for example, the beach from Monterosso al Mare) of the ancient fishing village.
This is a bus and train excursion. For further detail information about the excursion please click here.
Tuscany is not only about the landscape but also the cultural tradition. These tours offer various opportunities to experience Tuscan's life. You will be rewarded with great value by spending limited time and paying reasonable prices for the tours.


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About us > Natural Resources SAMDB
Natural Resources SA Murray-Darling Basin works together with the community to manage our environment in a way that achieves a balance between our collective need for resources and the needs of our environment. Our work aims to achieve the targets set out in the region's Natural Resources Management Plan. This Plan was developed by the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board in partnership with the community and stakeholders. This Plan is delivered through a diverse range of programs and projects across the region.
We publish e-newsletters across a range of interest areas, to access a list of these and subscribe to those of interest click here
Check out the latest employment opportunities.
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Codex text
Sent for more brontos from Orzammar today. We lost two in a landslide, and they were carrying full loads of silver and iron. Those responsible have been flogged.
The creatures are useful underground in wide tunnels, but not so sure-footed on the mountain passes. And bringing them to the surface in daylight is always a catastrophe waiting to happen. They're spooked by every sign of movement, and once riled up, they'll charge just about anything in sight.
Bah. Must investigate the possibility of using a more even-tempered beast. Donkeys, perhaps? The humans swear by them.
—From the journal of Rhatigan, leader of the Carta in Kirkwall
Related codex entriesCodex entry: Bronto
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.


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[Ed. note: I noticed a FULL DAY after publishing this that the year was completely wrong?? so that's…something]
I wish I had a better title for you, but I'm finally listening to "Delta" and I must speak my truth, which is that I am as much in their pocket now as I was in the summer of 2015. (Does being a late adapter to Mumford make me the opposite of a hipster? Please discuss.)
Before we get started in earnest, some exciting personal news! Several of you know the incandescent and indomitable Hannah Evans, either from her brilliant internet-ing, or from her appearance on this very blog this spring. Well! We're starting a newsletter together! Our main focus is going to be the pop culture we love to rant and rave about, which we kicked off on Monday night by livetweeting my very first viewing of "A Christmas Prince."
I don't have sign-up information for you yet, largely because we are floundering in terms of naming ourselves (ironic, considering our deep excitement over "naming" as a literary/theological/analytical concept) and um if you have any good suggestions please let us know. Anyway, as soon as I have a link for you so you can get us in your inbox as frequently as possible, I will let you know! And now also seems like a good time that you can subscribe to this very blog and get it in your inbox by clicking somewhere down in the right-hand corner of your screen and entering your email address. I wish I could tell you there were a lot of perks to this, but it's mostly just seeing what it looks like before I've noticed that there's a ridiculous formatting error and not having to rely on me to post updates to Twitter and Instagram.
The Kiss Quotient – Helen Hoang
So the good news is, I finally figured out what my barometer for "does this go in a regular post, or a romance novel only post" is: would I read this book if it didn't have the sex scenes in it? (sorry Mom!) The OTHER good news is, for this one I definitely would!
Hoang's charming debut novel centers a brilliant and romantically/sexually inexperienced econometrician named Stella and an aspiring designer/current escort named Michael. Stella wants romantic and sexual tutoring, and she gets lucky (in more than one way…) when Michael turns out to be a perfect match. Since it's a romance novel, they're of course both keeping secrets from each other. Stella's is that she's autistic and worried that telling Michael will negatively affect his attraction to her (Hoang herself has autism spectrum disorder, which she discusses [among many other things!] in this charming interview with Nicole Chung [whose book I also loved]). Michael is struggling with providing for his mom and sisters, as well as his fears that he's tainted by the abandonment of his cheating father–both of which he thinks would lead to Stella rejecting him.
As I mentioned above, I enjoyed this book quite a bit. There were a couple of times when the plot and characterization fell together a bit too conveniently, but I'm still psyched to read Hoang's next book, The Bride Test. Like Jasmine Guillory's writing, Hoang centers consent not as a box to be checked off, but an integral part of the narrative and characterization. This story in particular handles it gracefully, as Stella's belief that she "needs" to become sexually experienced, even if it means white-knuckling it through discomfort or pain, is happily challenged by Michael's insistence that she give herself the time and space to figure out what genuinely feels good. If my own enthusiasm for the book isn't sufficiently convincing, know that it recently won the Goodread's choice award for best romance novel of 2018, so a bunch of other people agree with me!!
Girls Burn Brighter – Shobha Rao
Shobha Rao's sweeping novel about two young, poor girls in an Indian village who form a deep bond and must fight their way back to each other after a cruel separation is gorgeously written. And for me, a very frustrating reading experience. I had the feeling/knowledge the whole time that it was objectively Very Good (it also has won many awards this year), but that I simply wasn't enjoying it. At first I thought it might be the brutality; this is a tough book, and it definitely merits a content warning for sexual assault—several times over, in fact. Rao doesn't shy away from the vulnerability of women, particularly poor women who are taught to fear the wrong things. The two protagonists—Savitha and Poornima—experience desperation and suffering and loneliness, through which they are mostly sustained by the memory of one another and their commitment to finding the other again.
This is all powerfully portrayed, and I wish I could put my finger on why exactly I didn't come away loving this book. Maybe it's that I frequently can't get into books described as "sweeping"? I wish I liked this book more! I feel the way I do when people talk about Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan novels, of which I struggled through the first two and have not yet girded myself to read the third. I'm pretty sure…
Dumplin' – Julie Murphy
Willowdean Dickson is not here for your nonsense. She's not even here to challenge your nonsense. She's here because she has the right to be, and that's enough.
This book got to be the most recent in my "oh shit, the movie/TV show of this book is coming up faster than I thought, better read it ASAP" tendencies, and I'm very happy about it. Much like the protagonists in The Summer of Jordi Perez and Leah on the Offbeat, Willowdean (who generally goes by Will) mostly likes her body (in as much as one can as a teen)—it's other people's reactions to it that are the problem. Her beauty pageant mother keeps treating her like a problem to be solved, and the judgment from her best friend's new coworker is more than palpable. Making the decision to participate in the local beauty pageant is less of a social protest and more of a personal statement, but that doesn't stop a gaggle of fellow misfits from joining her.
I did think the plot could have been a little tighter. In particular, a section in the first third struggled to gracefully transition between story beats, and it took a little long to get to what I would consider the main plot, but I enjoyed the characters (especially the protagonist) enough for it not to feel like a slog. The movie adaptation came out on December 7th, and though I haven't seen it myself yet, reviews have been mostly positive and I'm excited to curl up with a blanket sometime soon and watch it myself.
Some more news in the world of books that I love!
First up, Jasmine Guillory (as regular readers know, one of my absolute faves) recently released the cover and excerpt for her upcoming third book, The Wedding Party, which can be found here and that I cannot wait to pour into my brain and heart. Guillory's writing does something to my cold, dead heart that feels close to miraculous and this next book uses the "hate to love" trope which is a personal favorite of mine! Read it and weep [of happiness! and feelings!]
Second, Lindy West's marvelously funny and moving memoir Shrill is coming to Hulu as a miniseries adaptation in March. The first stills were released yesterday and just when I thought I couldn't possibly be more excited these stills came around! Take a gander, and pick up West's book. I promise you'll thank me!
One more heads-up before we go: next week will be the last regular post of 2018, which is w i l d. The last Wednesday in the year is the day after Christmas, and I don't see myself compiling that week's reading in a timely manner. But! Never fear, for I will be assembling and putting out my "best of 2018" post, which, though not short (because I love to list things) will be snappy and fun and just be a bunch of books, movies, TV, and podcasts that I loved in 2018.
See you next week!


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Obama confesses he was bullied as kid
"I have to say with big ears and the name that I have, I wasn`t immune. I didn`t emerge unscathed," Obama said while opening in the White House a summit on preventing bullying yesterday.
"Bullying isn`t a problem that makes headlines every day, but every day it touches the lives of people all across the country," Obama said as the White House released figures to say that nearly a third of school children or 13 million students were bullied each year in America.
Obama set a goal of dispelling bullying from all educational institutions and said schools should join efforts against bullying.
"If there is one goal of this conference, it is to dispel the myth that bullying is just a harmless rite of passage or an inevitable part of growing up," Obama said.
"It`s not. Bullying can have destructive consequences for our young people."
The president stressed that kids, parents and schools shouldn`t approach bullying as business-as-usual and recalled writing about his own sometimes difficult childhood in Hawaii in Indonesia.
First Lady Michelle Obama joined her husband in stressing that bullying should be banished from schools. She quoted some high-profile cases from media saying that bullying had even led to suicide among kids.
The day-long conference included sessions and discussions on cyberbullying, campus bullying and pioneering new programmes to combat harassment of school children.


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Date: Friday, October 26, 1711
"A Man, they say, wears the Picture of his Mind in his Countenance; and one Man's Eyes are Spectacles to his who looks at him to read his Heart."
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— Steele, Sir Richard (1672-1729)
Date: 1731
"For as the Mind of God, which is the Archetypal Intellect, is that whereby he always actually comprehends himself, and his own Fecundity, or the Extent of his own Infinite Goodness and Power; that is, the Possibility of all things; So all Created Intellects being being certain Ectypal Models, or...
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— Cudworth, Ralph (1617-1688)
Date: 1744
"A mere existence or being is an indifferent thing, ('tis a Rasa Tabula) that may be coloured over with sin or holiness: and accordingly it receives its value from these; as a picture is esteemed not from the materials upon which it is drawn, but from the draught itself."
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— South, Robert (1634-1716)


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Most people live in a cluttered house either consciously or unconsciously. We cling to things that do not necessarily add any value to our homes. They only occupy space that could have otherwise added a sense of an aeriated and spacious room. At times, the clutter could be suffocating your space, but we are just too lazy to act. A cluttered room is a perfect breeding ground for all sorts of insects and dust.
You may try to keep it clean, but you will never achieve the kind of hygiene levels you would wish to have in your home. Locating items in a cluttered home is also an uphill task. By just looking around your house, you will spot things that are no longer necessary.
It could be empty cans of candy, empty bottles that you thought looked beautiful hence the need to keep them or numerous pairs of shoes that you bought but you have never touched. If you are just too defeated and stuck with a cluttered home, here are tips that will help you achieve a clutter-free home.
Work on each room
Decluttering is not as simple as you may think. However, when you use a room-by-room approach, you will make it easy for yourself. If you are competing against time and still wish to achieve a decluttered home, consider starting with the most cluttered room. It could be the bedroom, kitchen or even the living room. If you start with your bedroom, start by checking the wardrobes. You could be stacking clothes that you have not touched over a long time.
Donate them to some of the children homes or charity organization in Singapore and create more room in your closets. If you have too much old furniture in your living room, consider disposing them off by either selling or giving them away. You can replace them with new ones that fit appropriately without filling up your space. In fact, if you think that your needs are consistently changing, you can even go for a furniture rental in Singapore and lease furniture for a few months before switching to a new one. Instead of accumulating old and unusable furniture in your home, simply switch them up with furniture leasing when you need it.
Use storage containers and organizers
There are essential items in your home that you cannot do away with yet they seem to occupy too much space. You can consider using storage containers to organize them, especially in your kitchen. You can use them for your spices, or items that you only use occasionally.
Organizers come in handy when you wish to have a well-organized and clutter-free home. A simple organizer can take up several items that would have otherwise occupied a big space. You can use them to store items in your living room, the bedroom, and all the other rooms. They will also make it easier for you to locate items pretty fast wherever you need them.
Do it frequently
Decluttering your home is not a one-day affair. Consider doing it frequently. You will always tend to accumulate things that you may not need over time. Therefore, you should make it a habit of decluttering your home often to achieve a clutter-free home. You can also instill the habit in your children so that they do not accumulate unnecessary things in their rooms. That way, it will be easy to achieve and maintain a decluttered home.
As you go through the whole activity, do not stress yourself. Come up with a practical approach that will help you achieve the set goals. However, do not procrastinate. Just start. At the end of the whole exercise, you will take pride in the new look of your home.